Absent

I've been gone for a while...I don't think I've blogged in a few months. Not much new other than God's grace every morning.....below is my attempt at an update or random facts from the last few months.

Update:

-praying for and giving to Haiti

-listening to William Fitzsimmons pretty much non stop (for the last year)

-love Adrienne more today than last time I blogged

-love my kids ALOT

-the church is the only institution God promises to bless

-Jesus and His church are sure things, and that's about it

-reading is my 3rd favorite thing

-I don't day dream about moving to another city any more

-the church has to BE the mission of God

-when not listening to William Fitzsimmons, I'm listening to other sad folk music

-I love pizza ALOT (not as much as my kids, but ALOT)

-I'm wiser today at 30 than I was at 29 and pretty sure this pattern will continue

-God freaking loves me and He freaking loves you, so talk to Him

-beer is proof God loves us. :)

-I like music

-I have fallen in love all over again with reading the scriptures.

-I miss my brother

-I miss my sister

-I miss my mom

-I miss my dad (Sept 13th, 1999)

-even though I don't day dream about moving anymore, I still think about New York ALOT

-I've learned that character is way more important than reputation

-even my closest friends and I have a hard time getting together on a regular basis, which is sad

-I want to be a good dad. somedays I am, and somedays I'm not

well, that's it for now. I know those thoughts were random, but it was good for me to get them out.

grace and peace,

matt

Some Christmas Pictures :-)

Therapy

What Ryland and I do every week now :-)
I shared earlier that Ryland was assessed after his second birthday because he was not speaking very much. It was determined that he had a severe speech and social delay. The speech made sense and I was not shocked to hear because my two year old said about 8 to 10 words and not very consistently.
Every week Ryland, London and I get a visit from Tori, our developmental specialist and Cara our speech therapist. We have had three weeks of appointments now and Ryland has added about 8-10 more words and now says two words together. He started saying "no da" when dad is not around and today he actually said "dump truck." Socially, Ryland has started to interact with me a lot more. There is a lot of smiling and eye contact in our play and we spend much more time in our day playing interactive games together where we both have to be involved. With other children it still takes him awhile to warm up and want to be involved with other children. He is still very content playing by himself which also might be a sign just how our little guy likes to play. He does not ignore the other children like they don't exist. He sees them, smiles at them, sometimes babbles but just loves to do his own thing.
We are also being more consistent with play dates with children closer to his age who can talk....so let me know if you want to play!!!

It's Over

Well technically there are two hours left but I am off to bed so I do not think I will have any spending money issues. So who wants to bet that I blow all of Matt's paycheck tomorrow in one day? Naaaaaaaa..... :-)

There is a Light

Kinda weird that there are only five days left to our 90 day spending fast. Of course I cheated to go see New Moon this last Friday (and so did my husband...hee hee). The past 85 days started out sooooo slow....it seemed like I would never be able to spend money again. Now I don't even think about it. The other day I walked into Target, picked up my prescription and walked out. It wasn't till I was back in the car that I realized how my shopping mentality has thankfully changed. I have learned what to do with two little kids that does not mean going out and spending money. I have learned that I should go pick up dinner when it has been a tired, exhausting, hard day. Not just because I am craving something different and want to get out of the house. I have missed getting out with my friends and meeting up to eat or get coffee but also found that it was easy to get around the money issue. Matt and I's date nights are about spending time together and seeing friends...not about eating out.
These last 85 days have been some of the best and hardest of my life....seriously...and it had NOTHING to do with money but God knew I was waiting on Him and listening to Him so He worked in me since He had my undivided attention. I was approached with the opportunity to open my own business!!!! Thats AMAZING and still the whole process in which it happened blows me away...Ryland was evaluated and was diagnosed with a severe speech and social delay and is now receiving services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Three letters I have used in my line of work that I never wanted to hear in my own home. God held my hand and helped me cry out to safe, loving, strong people who have just listened and come along side me through this. These have been some of the best and worst 85 days. Thanks for coming on this journey with us.

My loves growing up

My kids are growing up so fast. Above is a picture of Adrienne and I dedicating London in front of our church family and the other I just took with my computer camera of my boy, Ryland, sitting pretending to read and drinking from a big boy cup. Man, time moves so fast!!! But let me just say, God is so good. We feel so blessed to parent these two. They have changed our lives. I love you both.

from your dad.

Special Needs

My heart is sad but hopeful

-and thankfully-

My God is huge, powerful, aware, and strong just for me