My trip to Holland

I found this story in a book my grandmother sent me, knowing life wasn't turning out the way I was wanting it to for my little girl. I thought today would be a good day to share it.

" I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.  It's like this... When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy.  You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans.  The Coliseum.  The Micheangelo David.  The gondolas in Venice.  You may learn some handy phrases in Italian.  It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives.  You pack your bags and off you go.  Several hours later, the plane lands.  The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?" you say.  " What do you mean Holland? I signed up for Italy!"

But there's been a change in the flight plan.  They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't take you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.  It's just a different place. 

So you must go out and buy new guide books.  And you must learn a whole new language.  And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. 

It's just a different place.  It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy.  But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around...and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills...and Holland has tulips.  Holland even has Rembrandts. 

But everyone you know is coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there.  And for the rest of your life, you will say, " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go.  That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever, EVER, go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that your didn't get to go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely thing...about Holland."

That was written by Emily Perl Kingsley and I couldn't have said it better myself. It's so true.  When I look at Gracie I'm reminded that God is in control and I am not. There was definitely a change in our flight plan. But we have tulips, windmills, and Rembrandts.  Things that parents in "Italy" won't get to experience.   I'm so thankful to be a part of this little girl's life.  I don't know what the future has in store for her but I know God's got a great plan for her.  I look forward to celebrating her 7th birthday. Not only will we be celebrating her 7th year of life but 7 years of some major accomplishments that this sweet girl has acheived!

Matthew 6:28 "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin."

Fall Fun!

 Well, I'm a little late posting the fall and halloween pics! Sorry! We've stayed pretty busy with school, church, soccer, and other activities.  Zade's last soccer game is tomorrow.  His team did really well this season.  They are playing for the championship! He's going to be so excited to get his trophy. But we'll miss the exciting games every Saturday. Can't wait until Spring! 

 Gracie is enjoying Girl Scouts.  They got to go to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound.  That was a lot of fun - but a little crazy, too!

She had fun getting her picture made with all her favorite characters! This Friday they get to have a Thanksgiving Feast!

 Little brother gets to tag along on some of these fun Girl Scouts outings!

He actually thinks it's all about him - it doesn't occur to him that it's not.  In fact, there's not much about life that he doesn't think is about him! Ha!

 Gracie wanted to be D.W., Arthur's little sister, for Book Character Day at her school.  Her Aunt Karina graciously loaned her these ears to wear! She loves watching Arthur and reading the book, too.  Arthur is pretty much the only cartoon that she will sit down and watch the entire way through.  Needless to say, we have SEVERAL on DVR for those times we get desperate for a few moments of peace! :)

 For several weeks before Halloween I told my kids over and over that I was not buying them a new costume for Halloween since they each had dozens in their rooms to wear.  Well - I caved.  We just so happened to find a "black batman" costume (The Dark Knight) that Zade has wanted "his whole life" - according to him.  It just so happened to be on sale and they just so happened to have a Barbie princess costume on sale as well.  Call me a sucker!

So, Batman and Barbie came along to the church's Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat.

This was a fun night for them.  Zade was busy hanging out with his cousins - Captain America Keegan and Captain America Levi.  Gracie was in constant motion going from one bounce house to the other -back and forth, back and forth - or sneaking candy out of her bag! We won cupcakes and cookies at the cake walk and came home with pounds of candy. (No comment)

Mrs. Sue had the busiest booth painting faces.  Zade of course needed his batman mask painted on. 

I can honestly say, I was one tired Mama after that night! But the kiddos had fun and that makes it all worth it!

Well, hope everyone is staying warm and cool - whichever temp this crazy weather decides to be! I'd prefer a little cold so we can eat soups and corn bread - yum! 

 I'm getting so ready for the holidays. My sister and I have already been planning our Black Friday tradition with Mom and Nanny! We can't wait!
Plus, Gracie Mae's 7th birthday is just around the corner.  I'll post pics of the birthday girl soon afterwards!
Have a great day!