When There's Damage...

"When there's damage to the brain...things just don't work right."  These were words spoken to me fairly recently that I just can't seem to get off my mind.  They were not spoken insensitively or hatefully...just more matter-of-fact like and they've definitely had me thinking.

At a recent follow up visit for Tessa, we were inquiring about her teeth.  They have seemed different for quite some time...the color is different, sometimes yellow, even after faithfully brushing twice a day.  Sometimes they are almost see-through.  It has been bothering me and I had it on my list of 'things to ask' at her next appointment.  I just wanted to make sure we were doing the right things to help her have healthy teeth.  When I first brought it up, the doctor snickered ever so slightly, and I asked "so, do you agree that her teeth are different?"  He said "yes, they are definitely different, but they are working just fine for her and they aren't necessarily an indication of what her permanent teeth will be like." He went on to explain that the lack of fluoride due to the limited kinds of foods she has been exposed to...etc,etc....'fluoride deficient', he says.  He gave us the name of a pediatric dentist to follow up with, but more as an 'if you want to'...not an 'absolutely necessary' kind of thing.  And then, in conclusion, he says "When there's damage to the brain, things just don't work right".

Tessa's doctor is a wonderful doctor.  We like and respect him very much and have gotten increasingly more and more comfortable every time we go see him.  He is very kind, very professional and funny at times.  I was only slightly stunned and momentarily insulted by his concluding statement.  This was a Monday afternoon appointment, and I had just had a really difficult weekend.  I don't have a lot of those...but this one, in particular, was a bit of a doozie.  I had hit an emotional wall...exhausted and discouraged.  For a moment, the last thing I needed was this slightly sarcastic, slightly humorous, but mainly matter-of-fact statement thrown in my face....OR MAYBE it was exactly what I needed.

It didn't take long before these words evolved in my head...they went from addressing matters of the brain...to matters of the heart.  For a week now I've been thinking "When there's damage to the heart...things just don't work right."  I understand the point Tessa's doctor was trying to make...we can't get caught up in all the little details of how and why things are functioning a certain way.  And after the emotional wall I hit last weekend, I'm realizing that I can't get all wrapped up in the details of life that have me exhausted and discouraged.  When our hearts are damaged and in such need of repair, there is only one focus....only one detail that matters and that is The Healer of our hearts.  Christ died on the cross for us so that our hearts could be restored of joy, hope and strength.  The damage that sin does to our hearts, definitely makes things ~ just not work right.

I am so thankful that the Lord weaves together the things in my life to continually reveal His love and His grace for me.  There is damage to Tessa's brain that causes things both explained and unexplained, but more importantly, is that Christ died for us to make us whole and He will carry both the explained and unexplained if we surrender it all to Him.

~Whitney

BynumFour!

Our family :)

Baseball...who knew!

 What is it they say..."start'em young!"  Well, thanks to the Spirit League in Yukon Oklahoma, Tessa played in her very first baseball game last night.  What an experience. Ms Melody (Tessa's PT) told us about the league and encouraged us to go check it out.  We planned on just sitting in the bleachers to observe, but Melody offered to buddy-up with Tessa and she participated with the best of them :)  To say she had "fun" is quite an understatement.

Miss Tessa is a huge fan of her PT/Baseball buddy ;)

Parker helped Tessa and Melody man 3rd base!

Tessa, Melody and Parker rounding the bases

 Melody's youngest, Cooper, has quite the connection with Miss Tessa

 He leans in for the slobberiest of kisses...simply wipes his little face off on his shirt, and goes back in for more lovin.  

He waited patiently right there with Tessa to be ready when it was her turn to bat!

  I would say she was pretty thrilled to have his help

Check out her concentration...eyes on the ball and everything!!

And the minute the ball leaves the T she looks up as if to say 'look what we just did'!

And yes...believe it or not...here is Tessa's 1st home run!

And what's a baseball game with out a little "good-game" sportsmanship at the end...

The Spirit League is a league for children and adults with disabilities.  The J. Calvin baseball field is made of recycled rubber and is wheelchair accessible.  The league opened in the summer of 2008 starting with 20 players, now they have over 70 players.  The field is located in Yukon, OK.

We just might have to go back next week!

~Whitney

Firsts!

Well, there's no shortage of firsts around the Bynum household here lately!

Miss Tessa ate an entire cup of pears all by herself the other night...one-by-one!  It was such hard work, but she did so good and never got defeated!  I am so proud of her and always amazed by her determination.

Tessa also got to ride on a new set of wheels last night!  We bought this trike a few years ago when Parker was little, but  got very little use out of it.  Well, we went to storage to get it out and give it a try and with the help of her Hugga-Bebe-----it was a HUGE success!

We took a walk last night...and absorbed every single moment!  Having these two on the same level just melts my heart.  Tessa absolutely cannot get enough of her big brother!  Parker started cracking up when Tessa pulled his arm in tight for a big 'ol squeeze.  

~Whitney

Zoo Fun!

The birds were definitely the biggest hit!  

Good times!!!

~Whitney

Endless Possibilities

I have a hard time picking something and going with it...so why not share them all :)

~Whitney

Tessa Turns Two!

The sweetest, most beautiful little girl I know, turned two on Easter Sunday!  

And yes, it's true, I can't believe it!

Miss Tessa Rayne is stunning inside and out.  

She lights up the world ~  

It is difficult to find words to describe the privilege it is to journey along side Tessa as her mother.  

In her, I see joy, hope, perseverance and so many other things...and she is simply amazing.  I am so excited to continue watching what the Lord has in store for her and I pray every day that I am doing my very best to help give her exactly what she needs along the way!

~Whitney 

Turning Two!

~Whitney