God Knows a Good Mother

I found this while reading email and checking myspace... I hope you enjoy!

GOD KNOWS A GOOD MOTHER

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.

Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity." "Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecilia." "Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect -- she has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps - "selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word' ". She will consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."

--Erma Bombeck
Mother's Day column, May 12, 1974

Rainy Day Monday

For Memorial Day we had planned to get in the pool and burn off extra energy there, but instead we sat in the house all day due to the rain.

Benji did get in the pool Sunday and he didn't want to get out. We are going to have to keep an eye on him when in the pool though as he got cold to the point of teeth chattering. The water wasn't cold but there was a breeze that made it chilly. And it was 87*.

Anyhow.. I am a bit concerned... Benji was sitting at the table and started stimming verbally. He hasn't done that before. I was in the other room dealing with something else when he started so I don't know what triggered it if anything. It lasted about 45 minutes total. Finally stopped when we got him in the livingroom and turned on Cars. He fell asleep rather quickly, so I am hoping it was just one of those I am tired and sleepy and gotta do what ever to stay awake.

Life is never boring.

PT Appointment Yesterday

Yesterday was interesting. When I picked up Benji from school yesterday he was tired. They had played out on the play ground and I guess he got alot of energy ran out of him. Went home and did a few things around the house... Then we ran over to Montgomery Bell State Park. There were a few people there that we knew and Benji played for about 45 minutes after he ate his lunch.

Dr. Seethaler set up Benji's PT evaluation with Ryan at STAR physical therapy in Fairview. I wasn't really sure what to expect considering I always thought STAR was more for adults. Because I wasn't positive as to where they were at, I ended up getting there 30 minutes early. Which was okay. Ryan and the receptionist are very nice and up front. Ryan told me right out that he is not a pediatric PT. That bothers me in that Seethaler's office sent me there, but Ryan's personality makes up for it.

While we were there, Benji took his time warming up. That was a little my fault because Benji fell asleep on the way there. Once Benji warmed up him and Ryan got along, but I can that Benji isn't going to make this easy. The good thing is that Ryan saw what I see. And on top of that he acknowledges that Benji needs help.

What we see is that Benji drags his right foot/leg at times. Also that it appears his legs just give out. While Benji can walk and run he is bow legged and his ankles turn in (pronation). Ryan also agrees in the low muscle tone. Benji's legs are floppy. The question comes to how much of it is normal for a three year old. I am just glad I am not looney.

So... hopefully his legs will be addressed. Ryan said he would look into the inserts that the last therapist that saw him recommended He wasn't sure if he could order them or not. So we will see.

He goes next Thursday at 8 am and hopefully we will get him focused and doing things. LOL.
--
Faith

Swinging the afternoon away.

Benji enjoying his new swing. Having a little difficulty getting used to it as it requires him to use those core muscles that are weak with him.

Hopefully by the end of summer he will have it down pat. He is taking turns between the swing and the mini-trampoline.

He has come so far and we just want to keep encouraging him. I have a feeling our backyard is starting to look like a playground with a garden in it. LOL... It is what is needed though and the kids enjoy it. Gives us reason to stay home too. :-)

baby trend Trend Sport Lite

Monday while we were in town I decided to get Benji's new stroller. While he still fits in the InStep Swivel Double Stroller, big brother don't and we wanted a smaller stroller.

So, I went to Target and Toys R Us. I decided on the baby trend Trend Sport Lite #1511.

I am taking it back Monday because it does not work for us, I will
explain why in a moment...

Pros: The TrendSport Lite has several positives, it has a child tray with a cup holder, a parent tray with 2 cup holders and key holder, fairly easy to fold up. shade canopy and a reclining seat. It weighs only 12 pounds so it's not to heavy. It also has a large storage basket underneath that is EASY to get to.

Cons: First I want to say I am 6 foot tall and I have back problems. So these problems may not all affect the average mom and dad. My main complaint is that I can't use it for what I wanted. I like walking and need a stroller that Benji can sit in as I push, which means the stroller has to be tall enough. The TrendSport Lite is not tall enough for me to use while walking for exercise. It might work for mall trolling, but not normal walking. The other problem is that I need the stroller to be usable at the softball and football fields which happen to have alot of gravel, the wheels get stuck and are VERY difficult to maneuver unless you are on a flat smooth surface.

In addition, the stroller goes up to 40 pounds. Benji is 36 pounds and it's a snug fit. He did not complain, but it really isn't a good match for him. Had we gotten this stroller when he was younger/smaller we might have gotten our money out of it, but there would still be the issues of maneuvering on gravel and across uneven terrain.

It really look like we are gonna have to go with a jogger stroller, and pray that we can find one that is tall enough for me.

Cardiology visit

This morning went well. Benji ended up being 40 minutes early to his cardiology appointment, so we got in early. Benji cooperated as good as a 3 year old can. He sat still for his blood pressure check up. Right arm was 78/58 and right leg was 88/47. Since it is so low he is now off of his Propranolol. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

For the echo Benji did good. He got a case of the tickles but cooperated mostly. I got the look I wanted to see. The dr. did the measurements on the aortic valve for the stenosis.... the highest was 32. This is significantly lower than the 58 that it was. The doctor only stated that the stenosis wasn't worse. Other than that, while watching the echo I could have swore I saw three flaps in the valve. (This is new. Every other check up it was just the two.)

So.... we are praising God! The Lord is healing baby boy. Benji goes back in one month to verify his blood pressure.

The picture is from the waiting room.