Sickness is No Fun

Little miss got hit with strep again this week.  It's been a long week and we are so ready for her to start feeling better!  Hoping we can all get some good rest this weekend and praying Tessa feels better quick!

 

~Whitney

Birthday Lunch

This is a rarity!  Daddy and I both made it to Parker's school to have lunch with him today!  He was sooooo excited and I love it when he is so excited :)  

cutest little 6 year old I know!

so cute watching him while all his friends sang to him!

we failed miserably over and over again trying to get a family pic...this is the best we could do and we all found it pretty hilarious ;)

~Whitney

Parker Gage is 6 today!!

Celebrating our 6 year old today!!! Parker Gage has the hugest heart, such a gentle spirit and the incredible ability to keep joy and laughter at the center of all things.  We love our little man so much!!

We celebrated this weekend with friends and started the day with a movie!

then cake....

and lots of fun eating cake...  

precious friends...

and then fun at the park!!!

(...these two....;)

 We are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people and their amazing little people ;)  

Friendships always help make any celebration a blast!  We are so thankful for each and every one of them and for how much they helped us love on and spoil our sweet big boy!

~Whitney

Tummy Time Fun with Minnie!

Tessa was so cute playing with her minnie mouse before bed last night.  Tummy time with her has always been a bit risky...there's a 50/50 chance she'll scream her head off if you put her on the floor this way.  But, not last night!!  It was so fun to just sit back and watch her play and have fun with her minnie.  

It's the simple things :)

Video: Tessa and Her Minnie Mouse :)

(watch closely around the 11 second mark....daddy says "Hi" and waves to Tessa...you can see her lift her little right hand and wave back to her daddy...melts my heart!)

She's our little cutie-patootie!

~Whitney

Take His Staff & Embrace Your Challenges

Over the last several months, I started to write...I have a handful of posts sitting as drafts...incomplete and un-publish-able.  The details of our lives are cumbersome.  I think I freeze up when I begin to write sometimes, because I realize how daunting of a task it would be to try to document all the many ways that God is working in our lives.  It's exciting stuff, but at the same time, the things I feel compelled to share, I often feel inadequate to express.  Sometimes I sit wondering about the next part of God's plan.  The next mystery that will begin to slowly evolve in our lives that will require an intense dependency on His love and His strength.  I am blessed to sit here today and look back and see many mysteries that have unfolded in our lives.  Undeniable experiences of God's power and love.  God is gracious and good and sometimes allows for moments of increased faith and clarity for us, when we need it most.

"Evolve" verb - develop gradually, esp. from a simple to a more complex form.
"Unfold" verb - to remove the coverings from; disclose to view.

While there are many unfolded mysteries, there are also those ever-so-frustrating ones that just continue to slowly evolve.  God has revealed to us, huge-scale-things.  HUGE.  He has faithfully guided us down multi-year, multi-situational paths and put balloons and lit candles on a cake at the end for when we arrived.  I can sit here and think back on each and every moment that has unexpectedly played out just like that.  And I can feel the intensity of His love and His provision in those moments and at each time they are remembered.

Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

So why is there so much doubt?  For example, how is it that I can think on experiences a, b, and c and feel such comfort and provision...and yet at the same time, I am haunted by experiences d and e, that are looming in my life.  Do I only experience an increase in faith when there is resolution...balloons and a cake with candles lit at the end?  Do I only trust God's faithfulness to me when He shows me the reason?  Am I more faithful and trusting in experiences a, b, and c and that is why they unfold?  Am I weak and unsure of God's faithfulness in experiences c and d, and as a result, they continue to loom and slowly evolve?

As I struggle to wrap up this post and as I worry that yet again, it will go un-published...I sit praying.  I decided to read my "Jesus Calling" devotional to seek God's word for today. He IS FAITHFUL, in the big and the small.  His provisions of love and grace are all around us, but it requires us to be still and to seek Him.  My morning began with heavy burdens, incredible stress and focus on the things that feel out of control in my life. Had my burdens not been so heavy, the impact of His Word would not have been so profound.....

Jesus Calling January 22
"STRIVE TO TRUST ME in more and more areas of your life.  Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity.  Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties.  If you believe that I am sovereign over every aspect of your life, it is possible to trust Me in all situations.  Don't waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking about what might have been.  Start at the present moment--accepting things exactly as they are--and search for My way in the midst of those circumstances.  Trust is like a staff you can lean on, as you journey uphill with Me.  If you are trusting in Me consistently, the staff will bear as much of your weight as needed.  Lean on, trust, and be confident in Me with all your heart and mind."
Psalm 52:8; Proverbs 3:5-6


Finally...I will publish what I have written.  I will let it be a reminder to me to not waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking about what might have been.  I am teary and humbled right now as I realize that God met me in this place this morning.  He was faithful to hear and to attend to the desperate cries of my heart.  Our trust and confidence in Him is only limited by how we limit it.  He gives us the strength we need, when we need it, to overcome those voices in our head that try and convince us that all is lost.  That we've screwed up and that His grace isn't sufficient for us in All Situations.  But, it is.  So while the details of our lives continue to be cumbersome, and sometimes writing feels like a un-accomplish-able chore, I'm so thankful today, that God arranged this meeting with me.  He reminded me to be still and to listen, and He showed up.

It's not about 'mysteries evolving or unfolding'.....it's about taking the staff He graciously offers us and pressing on up that hill with confidence that He is faithful across all areas and especially in our challenges.

~Whitney

Lokomat Eval = WOW!

I originally posted about Lokomat Therapy here...almost a year ago now...crazy how quickly time passes.  We've had some things change in the last couple of months with Tessa's physical therapy, so we decided to finally try and get Tessa into Lokomat therapy.  She had an evaluation at OUHSC on Tuesday evening.  Since it was an evening appointment, we all went together, and I must say, it was the most exciting family experience we have had in a while.  The physical therapist said it was taking closer to two months before she was hearing back from insurance on approvals.  She was going to get the evaluation and additional paperwork sent in as soon as possible.  Please be in prayer with us that the insurance process will have positive results and that Miss Tessa will be able to have continued therapy sessions using the Lokomat for a long time to come!!  

We weren't exactly sure what to expect for the eval appointment...I assumed lots of paperwork and discussions about Tessa (which we did that too), but to our surprise, they gave little Miss some time in the machine and it was amazing! Breathtaking.  Incredible to watch our daughter's little body move in a way I literally have never seen before.  She was upright and 'walking' right before our eyes.  I could not stop smiling.

Parker's reactions were priceless.  Once the team got everything prepped and turned on the machine, he said "Mommy, Tessa-Is-Walking.  Look, Tessa is WALKING.  Oh my goodness." And then after he took it all in for a minute, just staring at what his sister was doing, he said "I can't wait to teach her to play tag!"  "I'm gunna be able to teach her to play tag!!"  "This is awesome!"

As I choked back tears for love this little boy has for his little sister, and with no desire to stifle his incredible enthusiasm, I just said, "Well bub, it's going to take some time, but that's our goal buddy, that's definitely our goal!"   

They started out with some swinging 'play-time' in the air before they officially got started.

They wrapped her legs up with ace bandages to help protect her little legs from the contraption that would eventually go on behind her and around her legs to help facilitate the walking movement.

The look on her face was adorable while she was swinging.  

Tessa could tell they were playing and having some fun!

There were 3 individuals helping with the evaluation.  Tessa was a bit smitten with the gentlemen that was helping....for most of the time he was standing to her right...hence her preoccupation in that direction in lots of the pictures ;)

See!  ;)  He was such a sweet guy and we are always so grateful for these kinds of connections Tessa makes.  There's just something about a therapy session where Tessa feels instantly loved and cared for.

And come to find out, she may be a bit of a flirt ;)

The whole team that worked with us that night was amazing!  Truly amazing.  You could see their passion for what they do and their excitement to be apart of a first time opportunity for Miss Tessa.  Tessa connected with each and every one of them, and as a parent, you couldn't hope for more.

This picture is when they brought in the machine 'legs' behind her to get her all hooked up.

Being so patient and just soaking it all in.

I mean seriously, look at that face! She didn't mind a bit all the prep work they were having to do to get her ready.  She was just taking it all in.  

Just like every time before, Tessa was keenly aware of this new experience.  

We didn't have a conversation with Tessa about the appointment, prior to, we typically don't do that kind of thing.  I guess you could compare it to more of a situation with a 1-2 year old, you just schedule what they need and take them to it...you don't provide explanation.  But Miss Tessa just seems to know the minute we arrive.  She has such a sense about people and her surroundings, and to us, it is consistently apparent.  We all know our kids, what they like, don't like, what they need, when they are uncomfortable...and the same is so intimately true with Tessa.  When your child can't tell you, you learn to observe with such intention, because missing a moment could mean missing what they say.

It's obvious by now, I didn't miss a moment...nor did my camera ;)  

Every smile...I wanted to capture them and remember them...remember that these kinds of connections do exist and can exist, but we have to be faithful to pursue them.

Tessa's journey is as much about the people in her life that help us and help her, as it is about what she does and the progress she makes. 

haha, this one makes me laugh.  I was trying to get her to look at me and smile.  She might was well be saying "mom, I'm busy, I do not have time for you right now, don't you see all these amazing people around me at the moment"

Stinker!

Still just walking in the air, but getting lowered a little closer to the mat.

Getting something for support behind her head.  But man, this girl has come such a long way with her neck and trunk control!  It was exciting to see her do so well with limited upper body support!!

Smiles all around.

I think in this one maybe she's finally acknowledging mom...saying "look how big I am!" and in a voice similar to her brother's..."this is awesome!" ;)

Yep, definitely thinking this is pretty awesome!

And now the picture that melts my heart.  A team member on each side...holding hands, loving on her and cheering her on the entire time.

and maybe here thinking...."mom this is still super awesome, but ummm, it's super hard work too!" ;)

Can you imagine seeing your feet move below you like you never have before?  Me either.  But I watched Tessa do this very thing.  She was fascinated by what was happening under her.  What I would give to hear exactly what she was thinking.....but I think I know.

Lokomat Video - So Much Fun!!

This picture and the video choke me up.  What appears to be lazy head control, I truly believe is Tessa's disbelief at what was happening.  I just stood and observed, amazed at the opportunity she was receiving right before me, and witnessing the wheels that were turning behind those precious little eyes of hers, processing that very same amazement.

Waiting patiently to be unharnessed.  Look at those long legs!  Our little 3 1/2 year old looked so big to us this night.  I'm excited for more opportunities to see her this way!

Admiring the device that is allowing her body to feel weightless and be vertical :)

Her acknowledgement as I stood by her telling how great she did and how amazing this experience was for her and us.  

She is our big girl.  She is loved beyond measure.

I do not believe Tessa is plagued by what she can't do.  She is the greatest teacher of embracing the things we can do.  These first time experiences for her just add to her chances of increased independence, over all health, and opportunities to impact the people around her with her love, her joy, her dedication, and her smiles.  This little girl is such a hero to me.  What a great picture of our calling in life to embrace new opportunities with a spirit of joy and hope, trusting that our Maker will raise the valleys, lower the mountains and make our paths straight...to travel for His glory.
Isaiah 40:4-5
Proverbs 3:6

~Whitney

"Time is a trainer..."

So timely and heart-appropriate for such a big day as today!

From Jesus Calling January 6:

"I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine.  Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish.  Ask My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me.  Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered.  Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust me in the dark.  The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention.  Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life."
Ephesians 3:20-21
Romans 8:6
Isaiah 40:30-31
Revelation 5:13


~Whitney

Christmas Eve & Morn

Enjoying a Christmas Eve bedtime snack - a new favorite - caramel apple bread :)

The kids were full of smiles and ready for Santa to come!

...this is his excited face ;)

 Christmas Eve had to come to an end at some point...

 And just like that....once their little eyes were finally shut...Santa came!!

Happy kiddos Christmas Morning!!

 It was fun to sit back and watch them both admiring their surprises :)

 ...the excitement is building....

 I will forever regret not getting this on video, but this picture does say a lot. He was SO EXCITED, so much so, at one point  he let out a big 'ol "BooYah"  ;)  It was priceless.

Tessa's first 'real' baby!  Love Love that she has a headband and a cup like her too :)

When we showed Tessa how to feed her baby she burst into tears (not what we were expecting)...but we believe it was because she wanted HER cup so she could drink like her baby too.  Hence the pic ;)

Having fun!

...maybe a little too much fun ;)

She made it through all but one present...we opened it later in the day :)

Christmas morning and many memories.

~Whitney