Sleeping Beauty

There is so much peace in seeing her rest. It doesn't come easy and many nights it doesn't last long...but when helping her sleep is one of the hardest things we do...we cherish this very precious sight!

Sleeping Beauty!

~Whitney

New Headbands!

Headband making in full effect!! Ready for some new big girl looks for school!! Yay for a spunky variety!!! One down, 3 to go.

Got a second band added and it looks so much better!!

I was taking pictures of her and big brother swooped in all adorable and stuff ;)

~Whitney

Hope...it's all I have

Because it's easy to assume those around us have it all together. We don't. We ALL struggle. Public and Secret Struggles, alike. This is my attempt at leveling unrealistic views of me and my family. Careers....Family....Marriage....Special Needs....whatever it is, we fail. But there is Hope...and that's all I have.

I had a dear friend message me last night with incredible words of encouragement...but it got me thinking...I've decided vulnerability, authenticity and truth are so very important...so here it is, my sincerest reply back to her:

"Girl you are waaaay too kind! But for real....it ain't always as it seems, you know! I got demons that haunt me and guaranteed bad choices around EVERY corner...just like anyone else. To be an absolute OPEN book would be so freeing....but thus far God has clearly influenced our journey, cause I don't know how it all comes together half the time either. We have so much to be thankful for and are so blessed....but it doesn't have a damn thing to do with my ability....it likely has everything to do with my inability and desperate need for Jesus in my life. I fail all the time. I struggle with self doubt all the time, I suck at being a wife and I have days I question everything around me. God is my sanity....my only sanity...and my saving grace. Just like everyone else...I just do what I have to do and pray each day to somehow lay my head down not feeling like a complete and utter failure."

Honesty. Vulnerability. It ain't always roses folks...it's just not. The truth is dependency...on the One who created me. That's it.

~Whitney

"Tessa Rayne" 6 Years Ago

"Tessa Rayne" - gatherer of provision

A special meaning shared with me by my oldest sister and something that gives us such encouragement and strength:

So when I looked up "Tessa" and what it means I found that it means "gatherer" and when I think about rain it is always provision. So her name Tessa Rayne together means gatherer of provision. And these verses (Isaiah 55:9-12) to me show that it is God alone who makes provision and when He does it is undeniable and is never for nothing but always has purpose.

It's been 6 years since Tessa's hospitalization and diagnosis...6 years of seeing God's immeasurabe provision for Tessa and our family.

The sweet smile on her face in the picture below was the day after we learned of her Congenital CMV diagnosis...it's a treasure and a reminder that God had us in the palm of his hand.

~Whitney

This CUTE Kid!

This cute kid made my morning on my day off!!!
Entertainment galore!!



Oh my goodness...that 16 month old wigglerun!!!

https://youtu.be/IKTQrZG-Jks

"Ahh...ahhh...ahhh...Dahh" = 1...2...3...GO! And a leaf is a ball, duh! ;) Love this kid!!!

https://youtu.be/c5mtxSomyW0

~Whitney

What He's Doing Next!

"A day at a time"
It helps me take deeper breaths and settle stronger in my faith.

The path we leaped for in Tessa's education 2 years ago was hard...the alternative made for an easier decision making process...but the emotional and financial unknowns were daunting.

While she was 4 and 5 years old, Tessa was included in a very typical learning environment...the timing was perfect, the influence rooted in kindness and sincerity, and the experience, unmatched...an incredible dream come true.

Here we are, two years later, transitioning back to public school and I can't help but reflect on what God has done in our lives. Another IEP is upon us, but God has calmed my fears and removed the intimidation.

My focus is on Our growth and His glory. Excited for what He is doing next!

~Whitney

Precious Baby Brother!

What 15 month old baby brother...On His Own...tries to help his sissy get a drink?!?!? 

Children definitely do what they see...but I can say, I'm not sure I ever considered that Tessa's baby brother would start caring for her at such a young age!

Tears. Joyful tears.

https://youtu.be/uUjf9x_JDoE

And he wants to help give snacks too....at the beginning he says "bi-bi" for bite ;) Not super patient yet...but good grief he's sweet!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUjf9x_JDoE

Tube Day for Weston

This sweet boy got tubes today and was such a little champ!!

We weren't sure how he would do going so long without anything to eat or drink...but I think he so thoroughly enjoyed having mommy and daddy all to himself, that nothing else seemed to matter ;)

Some playroom smiles while we waited 

It's funny how it took a procedure for Darin and I to get some alone time with him...but it was so nice to just soak him all in and watch him frolic about in his jammies and socks ;)

This was our 3rd rodeo, but I noticed the biggest difference right after surgery.  Weston is much older than the other two were when they got tubes.  I remember very clearly, nursing the other two just as soon as they came out of surgery...but not this little guy...he had to settle for his whole milk in a bottle and some much needed mommy-snuggles  Three out of his 6 ear infections happened just right before he turned 1...so it  put justifying the procedure off a bit.

Coming out of anesthsia was a little rough for him...and I desperately wanted to make it all better, but overall he did so well and we are hopeful for fewer ear infections/easier to treat ear infections in the future!!

~Whitney

Tessa Walking George!

First night to work with Tessa and our 7 month old pup, George...it was an incredible success!

If this is just one of many walks like this, I'll be thrilled. If it was a fluke...it was absolutely precious and worth every second!

And this...if only I could have gotten video of her huge smiles at the same time!!

Success #1 - Tessa is holding on to the leash!

Success #2 - George is staying right with her!!

Success #3 - Tessa & George were SO proud!!!

...he even touched his nose to her hand

https://youtu.be/lXf2byfSHR8

In the meantime, these two sweet boys were having lots of fun playing with Daddy and Rocky back at the house :)

~Whitney