SJN - 4 Month Memories!!!!

11.19.2015
The day Tessa showed up in her new chair at school!!
And Mrs. Croom said "They noticed before I had even come to the carpet!!! They are sweet, sweet kiddos and Tessa keeps glowing!"

A precious video of Tessa's friends admiring her new chair!
https://youtu.be/Zkr8chjaj5A

12.4.2015
Some of the 5th grade Buddies reading Tessa story :)
She just melted as they were reading to her.





12.7.2015
What a BIG day!!!
Tessa attended the SJN Pep Rally and I just love what Mrs.Croom shared later in a thank you email to the amazing band kids about the experience:

"I wanted to send a little message to thank all of the AMAZING band kids for sharing their talents with us today!  As I brought our class into the gym, I had no idea what a blessing that short, 20 minute assembly would be.  This is the FIRST time we have ever seen Tessa engaged and excited over the music playing!  She CLAPPED-YES, CLAPPED to the music each time the band would play a song!!!!  In the two years she has been with us we have never seen Tessa actually clap along with music as we did today.  PLEASE share with your band students how much fun we had and how they made a HUGE impact in Tessa's little world today.  I was truly blown away by watching her clap and it brought tears to my eyes watching her smile,giggle and enjoy  the music.  THANK YOU for sharing their talents with our school Ms. Angelo!!!!  Today was a big milestone for one of our little friends.  :)"




A mother of one of Tessa's classmates was so incredible to catch the moment on video for us!  She will never understand what it meant to get to see this!  We all miss a lot of "firsts" in our kid's lives...but we were so grateful for someone that gifted us with this opportunity to see this!
12.7.2015

Clapping on her own at the pep rally!!  

https://youtu.be/QHileHgnFNI

So thrilling to see :)
https://youtu.be/5hfqdKiW7yE

SJN - 1st Month Memories!!

SJN 2015-2016 First Month Memories!

8.12.2015

First day of school kisses

8.12.2015

"Tessa has a new friend Chance in our classroom! He was so sweet and stayed close to her all day."

8.18.2015

"Elizabeth reading a story to Tessa"

8.20.2015

Water play with friends

8.22.2015

Stander Time

8.24.2015

SMILES

8.25.2015

"Reading to Tessa as she gets in her stander.  He is so sweet to her!!!"

8.25.2015

Selfie with Mrs. Croom!

8.27.2015

"Mary said she loves Tessa's hands! Awe!!!"

8.27.2015

"New Friends - Tessa J and Mary!"

8.31.2015

Ms. Macee's amazing mama made Tessa the most adorable bandana bibs!!!

She loved showing them off!

9.2.2015

This is her 'so tired but doesn't want to sleep' face :)

9.3.2015

Surrounded by SJN friends on free dress day :)

9.4.2015 

"Baby doll play with friends!!"

9.9.2015

"Someone was missed yesterday!"

(without a para available on the Tues the 8th, Tessa wasn't able to attend school that day)

But she clearly got lots of lovin the very next day :)

Lots and lots of love....

and lots and lots of toys!!!

Tessa's Dream & LNH

We wouldn't be able to send Tessa to St. John Nepomuk without the help of the LNH Scholarship program mentioned in the article linked below. We know, as her parents, we are more qualified than anyone else to decide what will best meet her needs. I won't ever forget the exact time and place that information about the LNH Scholarship was shared with me, when I was at my lowest point. It's not about public vs. private school, it's about what is best for Tessa...and I'm thrilled to be able to say, we found it!! 

http://journalrecord.com/2015/08/26/right-thinking-we-must-save-more-children-opinion/

Click here to read more about Tessa's Dream Continues!

~Whitney

Reminders

Click HERE to support ~ Tessa's Dream Continues! ~

We had no idea what was in store for Tessa when we originally decided to call it quits on public school. There were so many details to line out, so many things that had to fall into place, before it would ever work. It seemed impossible and yet it felt like exactly what we were supposed to do.

I love this quote: "Don't Dig Up In Doubt What You Planted In Faith". There are so many times when we overlook all of the steps we took in faith to bring us to exactly where we are today. When we feel discouraged or begin to worry over all of the details...that doubt tends to surface. I'm thankful for the many steps of faith we took and the incredible provisions God has made for Tessa and her education and her experiences in life!

I'm not only reminded by the quote, but then of course, by the picture below from Mrs. Croom this morning. A sweet friend was reading Tessa a story while she was getting up in her stander, getting ready to work hard. A sweet friend , choosing to be close-by, choosing to participate in life with Tessa so that she's not alone in the feat ahead of her, choosing to read her a book ~ an act of kindness that changes people.

God shows me such clear reminders of why...and suddenly I quit digging. It is incredible to me that in our situation, those reminders can come in the simplest of pictures or the briefest of stories. I am so thankful that when the doubt tries to surface, that I am so vividly reassured of my faith.

Tessa's Dream Continues!

~Whitney

Gofundme Update #1

fa·mil·iar 

adjective 

1. 

well known from long or close association. 

2. 

in close friendship; intimate. 

We took a road trip this past weekend to visit family and I noticed something...our trip overall was great, but the longer we were gone, the more Tessa's sweet smile began to fade. It has been awhile since we've traveled and Tessa's needs have changed significantly. We first noticed these changes in our planning of what to pack for her...what to take for sleeping arrangements, bath time, equipment for outings, etc. But it wasn't until about half way through the trip that I realized Tessa's spirit was changing. Our visits were full of baby brother Weston introductions of course, but I don’t think that necessarily had Tessa bothered...I think she missed her familiar. This picture captures the exact moment that I fully realized this for her. We had spent the day out and about with family with Tessa either in her car seat or her wheelchair and that evening I decided to load her up in her carrier for an evening walk. Then it happened…those SMILES! I had missed them terribly that day and the minute I started loading her up for the walk, they returned. Not only did they return, but those precious smiles lasted throughout the entire walk. Tessa and I talked, tickled feet, held hands, rubbed noses and giggled lots. Tessa was in her familiar, very happy place. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about that moment and how it relates to this next year of school for Tessa. She will be returning to her familiar, very happy place!! She will have a new set of Pre-K 3 classmates and a new para on Mondays and Wednesdays, but her teacher will be the same, her classroom the same, the same para on Tues, Thurs and Friday…the same hallways, the same routine…familiar. I hate it when it takes some time for me to catch on to what Tessa might be dealing with…to what is impacting her emotions, what she might be thinking or needing. Like on our trip…it was half way in before I fully realized she needed me to help provide her with her familiar. But one thing we know for sure is that returning to St. John Nepomuk for the 2015-2016 school year feels like exactly what we are supposed to help provide for her. 

Tessa may be non-verbal, but her smile is the most effective communication in the world for us! When there are so many times that we miss the mark…fail to interpret her wants, needs and desires…we are thankful for the clarity we have about decisions we make with confidence that her smile will return! 

http://www.gofundme.com/zaf755g

~Whitney

Tessa's Dream Continues!

Tessa's Dream Continues!

http://www.gofundme.com/zaf755g

Last year, through our "A Dream for Tessa's Education" campaign, we were able to give our daughter a typical educational experience at a private school in our community.  That campaign helped us provide the salary needed for a Paraprofessional to work alongside Tessa each day throughout the year.  We believe this is the path God has placed before us for Tessa's education again this next year!

Tessa’s special needs are a result of a congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.  The CMV caused severe brain damage which resulted in quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, medically intractable epilepsy and cortical visual impairment.  The infection also caused profound hearing loss, but by the age of 2, Tessa had received bilateral cochlear implants (her “ears” as we call them) and she very much enjoys hearing the world around her!

There is no doubt in our minds that St. John Nepomuk is exactly where Tessa should be again this next school year!  We watched a dream for Tessa’s education become a reality last year at SJN and it was an incredible year full of amazing new experiences and opportunities!

Tessa thrived!  She flourished, she blossomed, she prospered.  She experienced remarkable growth and development with tremendous ease and delight!

Though a difficult journey at times, the memories created from this dream come true encourage us on the path God has set before for us!

Tessa teaches us to embrace life and find joy in each and every day. If you can help us provide this opportunity for her or even just share our story and our need, we would be incredibly grateful. Your help would be an investment in Tessa and in the dreams that we have for her!

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

Psalm 37: 23-24 "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."

Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

~Whitney

What Dreams are Made of

SJN Moments and a Dream Coming True!

This is huge! Tessa is so incredibly picky about who she'll take food from....took awhile for her to trust her own brother. Tells me so much to see her taking her snacks from her friends! One feeding and one wiping her mouth and offering encouragement :)

Needing a little extra sleep time in the morning, but that doesn't stop her little friends from reading to her! Melts my heart.

This is what I call an ADORABLE little girl's club. So cute!

And this! So precious. Sweet lovins

~Whitney

An Incredible Gift

Honestly, I don't quite have words for this yet. But I don't think that we necessarily have to wait, to share what God has done, for when we feel like we have the perfect words.

How? Who? Why? I cried for a good long time yesterday and just kept saying out loud "How does this happen?" "Who does this?" "Why us, why now?" "Really?....$7,500....??"

Our goal has been met. Tessa's SJN school year has been covered. And all I can think is that I want nothing more than for the absolute love and provision that God has shown us, to be felt and seen by each and every individual that has helped us reach this goal for our sweet little girl. We are so incredibly grateful.

It resurfaces again and again: Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

http://www.gofundme.com/tessa

Our thank you to "Yukon HUD Charities":

Monika Anderson and  staff and customers at the Yukon Henry Hudson's...wow.  You have shocked us, you have blessed us, you have given the kind of gift that leaves  us speechless and in tears...joyful tears.  We have been saying "How?" "Who?" "Why?"  Your message of encouragement touched our hearts and your gift and the kind of love you have shown our family, takes us to a place of gratitude that we have never been before.   Thank you for all that you have done.  Thank you for providing Tessa with the opportunity to continue on at SJN for the remaining 2014-2015 school year.  Thank you for believing in what this school has done for our daughter...for our family.  Thank you for eliminating the financial burden that we were facing heading into the final 5 months of her school year.  Thank you for believing in us as her parents...for trusting in our decisions to take this financial risk for the sake of inclusion, opportunities and experiences for our amazing little girl.  Thank you for helping her experience life as a 4 year old little girl.  Thank you for providing so many more days of smiles, frienships and growth.  We know this message will fall short of showing our intense amount of gratitude, but we pray that you hear and feel our sincerity.  

With all our love and thankfulness, The Bynum Family! (especially Tessa :) 

A Dream Coming True...

And one year later, our dream is coming true.

Watch “including isaac | a kala project” by Bradley Productions: http://vimeo.com/70446612

I remember watching this video a year ago and dreaming. I am in tears today as I realize our dream is coming true, right before our eyes.

There will never be enough ways to say "thank you" to all of those that loved, prayed and given, but I can promise that the impact on our hearts and the changes in Tessa's life, will speak to that gratefulness, each and every day.

http://www.gofundme.com/Tessa

~Whitney

Tessa's 1st Day of Pre-K!!!

We have prayed for this day for so long! Today is full of more than I could ever begin to express ~ that smile on her face says it all!!

Huge morning smiles with Daddy!!

I got a little grin too :)

Parker knows this is a big day for his little sister. He knows. 

He loves her and is always so proud of her!

And that brings us to the two that are going to rock this year together!

Ms. Kathryne is a part of the family now ~ 

(she'll have to ask Ms. Kayla & Ms. Sarah what that means exactly ;)

We couldn't be more thrilled to have a front row seat to all that God is doing!

Morning progression:

prior to 6:45 a.m. mommy-alarm-clock

(now that is passed out)

diaper changed, SJN uniform on 

(and still in shock that I woke her up!)

hair brushed, pony tail up, glasses on, headband on, ears on

(looking a bit more lively)

legs on, a.m. medicines administered, and bottle empty

(probably beginning to wonder what's up with me and my camera this morning ;)

1st day of school pictures taken & loaded up and ready to go!

(she gave me big kisses and big smiles once I put the camera down ;)

As Kathryne said this morning: 

"Today marks the beginning. The beginning of a journey, growth, friendship, a deep bond with a very special girl! I'm beyond blessed that I get to be a part of all this!"

We are beyond blessed to be a part of this too :)

~Whitney