Changes....

 The turning of the "new year" has had me pondering something, especially this year.  Sure, the new year brings new adventures and new endeavors.  But this year, this year,  the changes seem daunting to me.  This year, we say goodbye to what has seemed like "the innocent years" for Lindsay.  This year she will graduate from the comfort and safety of being on an "elementary school" campus and venture on into a new and frightening world....HIGH SCHOOL.

 When you have a brain injured child, the younger years are tough in so so many ways, but it almost feels like the "younger" the child, the more accepting "the outside world" is to those with special needs.

 Lindsay has always had such a vibrant and engaging personality,

 She has been so easy to love.  Everyone in her world has loved her. Loved her.  I am not kidding.

 But, it's easy to love the little ones.  The children with special needs are so cute, so sweet, so innocent.  Their teeth are small (well, not Lindsay's- haha), their needs are simplistic, they don't make people feel "uncomfortable".

 They are so unassuming and approachable.

 

But, now with high school staring us in the face, I find myself doing more "fretting" than I am used to.

"Special" adults aren't as "cute" and they are certainly not  as "approachable".  Many adults avoid contact with people like that, and they don't teach their children how to react when they encounter them either.

 Will Lindsay be loved and accepted in her new world, or will the teasing and bullying begin?

Will she even  be able to tell if she is being teased?

 To add to my stress, we recently had one of our appointments with a doctor who sees Lindsay every six months to reassess her physical therapy needs.  At the end of the appointment, she came over to me  and said, "She's so pretty"  {huh?}  I thought it was the strangest thing to say (but, I do realize that  Lindsay is 5'8" tall, 130 pounds and WELL endowed).  But then she continued, "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you that that can be dangerous in her situation.  These kids are easily taken advantage of."  Oh.my.gosh.   THAT never dawned on me!  YIKES!!  A new "worry" to add to the growing list.

and...NEXT YEAR SHE IS GOING TO A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL!?

 My mind started going crazy with worry over Lindsay.

But, then I remembered something,

"I KNOW the plans I HAVE for you, says the LORD,

plans to prosper you AND NOT TO HARM YOU,

plans for a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Phew!  God has this all under control.  HE HAS A PLAN!

HE didn't allow this to happen to Lindsay without ALL THINGS CONSIDERED!

 As Mommys, we all have hopes and dreams for our children.  Safety goes without saying, I suppose.
 

While a physical or mental disability can shatter those "original dreams", it seems like God has given a compensating gift to these 'special' kids.  It is part of His unbelievable, wonderful, marvelous GRACE.

If HE  planned her life before she was born,  if he knew she would suffer a life changing brain injury on June 12, 1998 at 8 months old,  if He loves her with an EVERLASTING love...

HE CAN HANDLE HIGH SCHOOL.

and so can I.

 *I am humbled and thankful every single day by the love my other two girls have for their sister.  I don't have the benefit of a "sibling" so I am in awe of the relationship my girls have with each other.  I am so grateful that they feel a sense of responsibility for Lindsay too.  This "unconditional love" prompts them to be very protective over her. 

It's beyond my understanding to think that our heavenly Father loves her more than we do.

(God gave me this gift a few weeks ago.  Lindsay was "coloring" and I was cleaning up after she had gone to bed.  I found THIS PICTURE!  She is 14 years old and this is the first  picture she has ever drawn all by herself of a person.  LOOK at the DETAIL!  We were all amazed. It's as if GOD HIMSELF was saying to me, "Inger! I've got this! Let go and TRUST ME to work my plan for Lindsay's life!" )

"Now to HIM who is able to do exceedingly abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

Ephesians 3:20

"I Guess 'Fwip Fwops' Weren't the Best Choice"

 We finally made it up to camp for the summer.  It has been a VERY busy 2 weeks with the end of school and the start of camp, so the girls were thrilled when it was finally time to drive up that mountain!

I went to the airport in San Fransisco to pick up Kayla, Shae's friend from Liberty,  so I was gone when little Miss Flip Flops did this:

 She thought she was all the way down the stairs in the Lodge at camp, but, there was one more step...and one slippery flip flop!

I got up to camp late Wednesday night and peeked under the covers at Lindsay's swollen ankle.  Poor baby! By the time she woke up it was bruising and still swollen, so down the hill I drove to see our family doctor.  Dr. Mu sent us to MD Imaging for an x-ray...

 and it was VERY hard to keep that little ankle still for the "pictures" but,  we finally got some good ones.  We waited a few minutes and the tech came out and whispered, "yep, it's broken!"

So, we drove back over to our doctor's office for a cast. 

He looked at Lindsay's x-rays and said he wouldn't cast it because the break was very "unusual" and went through her growth plate and joint and he thought she needed surgery. awesome.

 He then sent us to an orthopedist.  Thank goodness for the xylophone app on my phone!   Lindsay (and my little helper Anna too) was a trooper all day long going from one place to another (while they were VERY hungry!!)  Dr. Chang did another x-ray and confirmed the seriousness of the break.  He agreed with Dr. Mu that it looks like Lindsay's ankle will need to be operated on!  (of course it would...)  He ordered a CT scan after getting a second opinion from another doctor.  In the meantime,  he had a temporary cast put on Lindsay's foot.  

At least she is looking forward to having a PINK cast next week!

 We are trying to keep Lindsay off of her foot and to keep it elevated. not so easy.  Baths are quite a workout for me.  By the end of the summer I should have six pack abs and 2 awesome arms!!!

 Daddy came to town to run a few errands, so we met him for dinner.  Lindsay was SO happy to see him and tell him all about how still she was during the x-rays. :)

 This morning we went back to MD Imaging for the CT scan.  I took one look at that very narrow table you have to lay on and I thought she would NEVER do it.  They strapped her on with a big velcro strap and they let me wear a big, heavy lead vest and stay with her.  Once again, Lindsay surprised me.  What a brave girl! 

 While Anna, Lindsay and I were waiting.  Lindsay quietly said, "I guess fwip fwops weren't the best choice" and Anna and I just laughed and laughed!

After all the waiting and medical procedures and exams, we met up with Shae and Kayla for a little walk on the Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River.  The fresh air and sunshine was a nice treat after a long two days.  

Lindsay is having some teeth pulled (at the hospital) next Wednesday in preparation for her braces which she is very exited about.   Thursday we get the results, along with the plan of action for her ankle.  I am praying that the teeth pulling is the only surgery she will have to endure!

What a reminder that God is in charge, and I am not!  I am suddenly so thankful for Lindsay's "regular mobility" (limited as it is) now that she is not mobile on her own.  Scott also pointed out that we have  a legally blind (semi-klutzy) child  just NOW with her first broken bone at 13!!

Happy Summer! Water proof cast (we hope) here we come!

Our theme verse this summer at camp is so appropriate for ME!

"I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

{Thanks for the reminder, Lord}

Our Little "Bulldog Award" Winner

 A few weeks ago we received a note from Lindsay's teacher that said she would be receiving an award on May 23rd at a school assembly.

 Lindsay has been the Student of the Month a few times before at her 2 other schools, it was always so sweet to see her walking up to the stage with her little cane and hold her award next to the other recipients-hers was usually upside down :)

 This time,  it was really different.  An aide started to walk her up, but she went so fast, and with such purpose, the aide just let her go up by herself.

 It was fun for her to be recognized with a few of her other classmates who had won awards for academics (she will never win awards for that, but it is SO okay with us!) Her very sweet friend, Lucio, won the award for his infectious smile and the daily JOY he spreads around school.  How about being in a wheelchair with so many limitations and winning that award?!  Puts us "normal" people to shame, huh?

 Lindsay got the overall award given for her grade, The Bulldog Award.  I am so proud to be the mommy of a little girl with so  many challenges  and "dis" abilities, but a heart full of love and compassion for others.  God gave her lots of limits in life so  the important "abilities" that really matter in life  shine through even brighter.  HIS plan is ALWAYS best!

 The Lindsay fan club!

 It was so special having Shae home in time for the awards assembly,

 and Anna was more than happy to miss the first hour of her  school to attend!

 Grandma and Papa

 Lindsay and her Big Daddyboy

 Lindsay LOVED that Anna missed school to come see her get her award...and gave her an extra hard hug!

  It was a fun morning and another reassurance of God's plan for this precious girl

Happy Birthday Lindsay Leigh

On October 6, 1997 the sweetest baby girl with dark hair and dark {perfect} eyebrows was born. What a happy day! It took five years for Shae to get a little sister. You were so worth the wait!

I could not believe that God would give me another baby.

You were so beautiful. Shae had been bald with blond eyebrows, so it was a wonderful surprise to see this precious dark haired baby!

You have brought us so much joy and laughter. You have the funniest sense of humor and you don't miss a thing! Your laughter, is music to my ears.

What a blessing you have been to our family!

We came so very close to losing you when you were only 8 months old. But, God answered our desperate prayers and he allowed us to keep you with us. You are not exactly the daughter that I assumed you would be or that you were for your first 8 months of life. You are special. I still can't believe God trusted me with one of His precious gems!

You have been through so much in these thirteen years and I have learned so much from you.

Your love is unconditional and deeply genuine. Everyone who knows you, loves you. You say the most precious things and give hugs, kisses and "I love yous" freely.

You are so innocent and refreshing.

You still love Dora {and that is okay with me}.

I am so so lucky to be your Mom!

We had a little birthday dinner for Lindsay with some really fun guests!

Cousins are the best! Gavin and Austin are fun playmates and so loving and patient with Lindsay. All of her cousins love her and patiently accept the (hard) hugs and kisses she longs to bestow upon them, I am so grateful for that. She is accepted just the way she is!

Lindsay wanted steak with sweet potatoes for dinner...not chicken enchiladas! Shocking!!

She also wanted chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I am thankful that Anna likes to bake and decorate cakes!

We all sang to the new teenager. {Eek!}

And thank goodness she had help blowing out all those candles!

Lindsay, life would be so lonely and even boring without you in our family. You bring a light and joy to our days {and sometimes our nights!} You are not the same little girl that was born on October 6, 1997, but you are who GOD planned you to be and THAT is even better!

I love you!

Mom

"You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God. How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with you."

Psalm 139:13-14, 17-18

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Daddy's "Binny~Boo" and Lake Shasta

On Labor Day Scott and I found ourselves home alone with Lindsay. Anna was hanging out with Chloe for the day and Shae was in VIRGINIA!

Scott mentioned going out to check on the patio boat, which lives in the marina at Shasta Lake. I was busy around the house and Lindsay was watching Dora the Explorer, so Scott went on to check on things at the lake. We were going to meet up later for dinner.

He had been gone for maybe 10 minutes when Lindsay came and said she needed to get her bathing suit on because it was time to go out to the boat.

Uh Oh.

I told her that Daddy had already left.

*tears*

bottom lip out

~crushed~

I called Scott and Lindsay tearfully told him that she wanted to go too.

"Can you come back for me, Daddy?"

He was home in just a few minutes and off the three of us went!

It was a beautiful day! The water was crystal clear.

Lindsay didn't stop talking or SMILING the entire afternoon.

Who could resist this face?

Lindsay had the chance to drive the boat since there weren't many other boats out that day. What a feeling for this girl who will never drive a car. Scott would tell her to turn left or turn right and she did great.

We had lunch and swam some more, then we took a scenic ride around the lake. Lindsay must have worn herself out because she stayed in this lounging position for most of the way back to the marina.

Ahh, the view of Mt. Shasta from the lake is indescribable. Who, but our God could create such beauty?

When we got in the car to head home I am sure Lindsay told Scott, "Thank you Daddy, that was fun" at least 200 times. Scott just replied, "you are welcome, Binny~Boo" it WAS fun."

It was a great day!

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