Neighborhood Togetherness 2012

The Saturday before Christmas, our neighborhood gathered together in the cul-de-sac for our 1^st Annual Christmas/December Birthday Block Party.  Apparently when Sagittarius people were looking for a street to live on, they picked Forest Oaks Drive.  We only have 13 houses on the street but we have 10 December Birthdays.  That just has to break some record somewhere.  I personally think we need an award or something or a listing in the Guinness book of world records!  

We all decided to throw ourselves a party since all December birthday people totally get shafted because of everyone’s Christmas focus! It was a grand success!  Our non-December birthday neighbors who like to bake, made us the most spectacular red velvet birthday cake, I have ever seen! The guys carried out fire pits for marshmallow roasting and Dan rolled out the grill to make some hot dogs!  Kim, brought crock-pots of chili and everyone else brought their favorite dish!  It was a grand success.  The neighborhood children put on a fabulous performance for all to enjoy!  

All dogs (except KC) were also invited to romp and play!  They almost took out a few people with their game of chase and possibly snatched a few morsels along the way, but I think it was a December highlight for the dogs also.  The new residents of Neptune Beach, the Wyatt Fam, and the Wileys also joined in the festivities.  When the wood ran out and I started getting cold, I decided to head in for the night and couldn’t believe it was 10:30 at night.  We had a 7-hour block party and enjoyed every minute of it!

Two nights later, it was time to gather again for our Annual luminary assembly line!  We celebrate Christmas with Dan’s parents so sometimes we miss the neighborhood festivities.  I am pretty sure they were waiting for the Wog kids (AKA Slave Labor) to come home before they began! My kids were so excited to help!  Eddie was very productive loading sands in the bag and even “pushed” the truck of luminaries down the street. (wink, wink)   We finished in record time and I thought we would have no trouble getting to church on time.  

Of course, it wouldn’t be right not to have a KC incident.  She broke loose from the house (probably bitter because yet again, she wasn’t invited to a neighborhood shindig) Of course, she headed straight for the marsh.  I was sick to my stomach.  Maggie was singing in the choir at church and I didn’t have time to chase her plus I was in clean church clothes and not proper marsh attire.  Thankfully, the great dane Nala, was out and lured KC back home!  We made it church and got to enjoy the beautiful luminaries when we came home!  We are very blessed to live on a street where neighbors care about each other and enjoy being together.  In the world in which we live, it’s a rare thing that most kids will never experience.  I am also very grateful that all the neighbors tolerate my dog and all pitch in to retrieve her when she gets a scent and goes a hunting!  Our block party was possibly one of my favorite activities of 2012 and I look forward to the next one!

Dog Walk Nightmare

I used to have regular traumatic walks with KC.  I know my blog fans have probably been missing stories about her escapades. She has grown up now and we typically only go leaping through yards after squirrels, only a couple times on a walk.  Today, made up for all the past months of almost manageable walks with her.  The kids took off her choke collar and I couldn’t find it this morning.  I used a regular collar and thought I could handle her….I was wrong.  We walked to the 5-way intersection at Penman road and she must have figure the collar situation out.  She put on the brakes and whipped her head out of the collar and went galloping towards the intersection. I panicked and didn’t want to see her hit by a car so I turned my back and started walking back home.  I glanced over my shoulder and she was standing there stunned I wasn’t chasing her.  She actually started following me so I started running and we started racing each other down Forest Avenue.  She took the lead and took a sharp right into a neighbor’s back yard.  I was feeling pretty confident that I could get her in the fenced back yard….I was wrong AGAIN!

She took off into the marsh on the opposite side of where we live and howled like she was tracking a raccoon, which she probably was.  People were starting to stop their cars to inquire what was going on.  A really nice city worker pulled over and tried to lure her out with his French fries. Of course I had no make-up on, looked like a true homeless person in a mismatched outfit AND the famous beanie that I was now sweating in profusely.  Not really the look I was wanting to sport when visiting with the WHOLE neighborhood.  She finally came charging out and went over towards the Neptune school.  I was freaking out because all the handicap children were walking the track and the last thing I wanted to happen was for one of them to be pummeled by my crazy dog.  I left the city worker on Forest and asked him to try to keep her in the woods so a car wouldn’t hit her.  I knew I was in trouble when I heard his truck crank up.  I cut through my gate, jumped on a bike and met more concerned neighbors and the city worker.  She had come back on our street and we all felt confident that she was tired out and would come home…I was wrong AGAIN.

It was like she got a second wind. She headed into the BIG marsh and alerted a whole new set of neighbors that she was loose.  I got in my truck hoping she would hear me leaving and want to go.  She did come out and run next to the truck.  Unfortunately, she kept going past our street.  I was seriously wanting to call my dog whisperer neighbor, Susan up at work and beg her to come help me. She loves that dog and 9 out 10 times is the one who can catch her.  My neighbor Leo and I almost witnessed her death.  A truck was coming down Forest at a good speed and she was going 90 miles an hour down the side street and we both cringed at the point where they would intersect.  Thankfully, the car swerved and barely missed her.  I feel pretty confident that it was the result of my friend Tina’s prayers that she was praying on behalf of my dog.  She prayed with me on the phone for God to protect her and bring her home safe! That’s a true friend!

When I thought it was a hopeless cause, even more neighbors came to the rescue.  Mr. Pearson got on his bike, Jaime and his 4-year-old daughter Eliza got on their bikes and another nice man with a white dog was trying to figure out how we could get a boat in the marsh to retrieve her.  Leo went and got his dog Emily who KC likes and FINALLY KC came out of the Marsh and came to greet Emily and Leo grabbed her!  I was so relieved, grateful and angry all at the same time.  The biggest feeling I had was embarrassment that I cannot control my dog at all.  I am overwhelmed by these kind-hearted, sympathetic neighbors and friends who came to my rescue.  I never understood until Dan brought home a little hound dog puppy, how much love you could have in your heart for a dog.  She exasperates me especially as I was washing muck off her and myself but I am so glad she survived her romp around Neptune Beach.  I issue a formal apology to all my neighbors who were so tolerant of her yelping and howling.  I have been wiped out all day and can barely walk from this episode today but I have a feeling both KC and I will sleep well tonight!  

Cowboy Christmas Lunch 2012

I have been reflecting on the fun day we had as a church family today.  Beaches Chapel hosted a Cowboy Christmas Lunch with hats, boots and BBQ.  Being a youth leader from way back, I am still excited to dressing up with a theme!  I am secretly hoping our next lunch will be an 80’s dance off!  I could totally whip out my Swatch watches and crimper!  My kids were so into being cowboys!  They had all their outfits, bandanas and jeans laying out, ready to go! What shocked me the most was that even Dan wore a western shirt and boots.  He drew the line when I suggested a hat. I think he would have been happy if I mentioned bringing his gun though!  Annie smuggled hers to church but don't worry.  It wasn't loaded!  

When I walked into church, I was amazed at all the good sports that were present. Almost everyone made some effort to join in the fun!  I saw more plaid in one room than at the Grand Ole Opry!  I am glad that my kids will have this memory of such a great time at church!  My favorite was the decked out sheriff!  But what is really stirring inside of me, is how very blessed I am to have such deep roots at Beaches Chapel.  Beaches Chapel is the only church I have ever attended. Today, I have been mediating on how important spiritual roots are.  I looked up the meaning of roots and it became even more valuable to me.  “Part of a plant that provides support, nourishment, food, a place that stores water, that provides strength and security, state of being established.”  Wow and that is what you also receive from your church family:  support, spiritual food, refreshing water from the Word, strength in relationships, a feeling of belonging and feeling secure.  My parents gave this gift to me and I am ever grateful!

I think back to all the monumental things in my life, the good and the bad. They are all centered around my church family.  From square dances to weddings to funerals they have all happened for me at Beaches Chapel. I think about the people that were assembled together today at our lunch.  The caterer that did the BBQ used to be a precious little jr. high boy in our youth group when I was the Youth Pastor.  We nicknamed him “Woodhead” when a pool ball jumped off the table and popped him in the head.  I think about all the parents that were holding babies today that I knew when they were little babies themselves. What a rich heritage we all have together.  It's a rare thing in today's world.

What I appreciate the most is the fruit I am now seeing in my own children. Today, I watched my kids share their faith on stage.  At 4 years old, I had no idea how to say a salvation prayer with someone but yet, Eddie does.  I see people talking and loving on my kids and watching over them.  I am grateful I have stayed through the ups and downs that inevitably happen in every church.  It’s always tempting to run off to the new and exciting church that opens up and no doubt God sometimes calls you to join yourself to a new work that He is doing.  What I have observed is that when people jump around, their children pay the price with no roots, with no spiritual foundation, no history or church memories, experiences and community with a group of people they know and trust.  

I believe it’s time for people to put roots down again, to make a commitment for their kid’s sake.  Let them grow.  Let them get rooted in the Word of God. Let them learn how to serve and share their faith.  When the storms of life come, may their deep roots hold them steady. Let them grow and bear much fruit in their lives, fruit that will remain.  That is my goal is too stay rooted where I was planted.  I want to serve and be a part of growing something and impacting the community.  I am believing God to prosper my kids and use them in a mighty way and I am committed not to uproot them from their home.  I believe God will honor our faithfulness and our kid’s will grow to be strong Christian leaders as a result!  Our society encourages lack of commitment and Christians need to change that.  It’s not convenient to go to church especially with kids but days like today remind me why it is so important 

They will be like a tree planted by the water 
that sends out its roots by the stream. 
It does not fear when heat comes;
  
its leaves are always green.
 It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8

Town Center Concert Madness

A few days ago, Maggie told me that all the girls in her class were going to see the Bridget Mendler concert at the Town Center and she wanted me to get her a ticket.  She said they were unsure of how they were getting there.  Now, I really do love the Disney show, Good Luck Charlie, and Bridget who is one of the main characters but you can imagine my thought process through this conversation.  I dutifully checked online and couldn’t find out about tickets.  I finally called Barnes and Noble and they said it was a free concert.  My mind starting visualizing the Town Center filled with hordes of screaming little girls.  I much rather buy a ticket with a guaranteed seat of some sort.

We started the day at the Bolles School watching Annie swim in the ice-cold wind.  By the time I got home, I was praying to the Lord that Maggie wouldn’t mention the concert.  She bounded in the door, asking me if we were still going to the concert.  I almost cried but squeaked out an “Of Course!” with a plastered fake smile on my face.  I felt kind of ill when I thought about the concert and promptly climbed into bed and took a power nap.  When I was waking up, I was secretly hoping it was Sunday morning and it was all a bad dream.

I really do try to give Maggie special moments because I fear the “middle child” syndrome of feeling shafted by your siblings.  I drug myself out of bed, got dressed and we headed out in the cold.  I was still chilled to the bone from the swim meet so I put on 3 layers of clothes, boots, scarf, gloves and hat.   I did not want to be cold again. I knew we were in trouble when the traffic was stopped and not moving at all to turn into the Town Center.  I took over 20 minutes to find a parking place.  I was appalled at the lady who zipped around my truck and swiped my parking place.  It was pure insanity. I severely underestimated desperate parents trying to get their kid to the concert.

We started walking up from behind the stage and I thought it would be no big deal to slip through the crowd to get on the front side of the stage.  I WAS WRONG! I should have turned back after the first incident with the lady in the wheel chair.  I was feeling sorry for her until our altercation.  Maggie and I were edging past her and with crazy eyes, she said really loud, “I’m getting ready to light one up!”  I wasn’t totally sure what she was talking about until out comes the cigarette in the middle of a mob.  I swear she burned my jacket.  Some kid bumped into her foot which was apparently broken and the F bombs started flying.  Why the lady felt she needed to position herself in the middle of a concert crowd, I will never know.  I never thought Maggie would learn the F word at a Disney concert.

Then the fun really started.  Maggie and I got crushed against a wall when a desperate lady with a double stroller came plowing through the crowd, unconcerned of our feet.  Maggie yelled out in pain and I was trying to be sympathetic realizing I have probably done the same thing with the multiple double strollers that I have wheeled through crowds in a parenting daze.

What happened next, I would have never thought I would experience at a Disney concert.  A frightening looking woman with a partially shaved heads and piercings, holding a kid started yelling for people to move and to %$#)$% go the other way.  She started flailing her arm and shoving people in front of her and apparently ticked off a man coming the opposite direction.  He started shoving her, yelling at her that she hit his wife and a fist a cuff ensued.  Everyone started screaming, babies were wailing and parents were frantic to get their small children away from the brawl and prolific cussing that was flowing like water.  I started feeling like I was going to pass out and had to ask a strange man to help me take my jacket off before I blacked out in the psycho crush of people, leaving Maggie alone.  I was regretting my 3 layers of clothes and started pulling off my scarf and gloves and stood tall on my tiptoes, trying to get air. I put myself between Maggie and the crazy lady and hoped I could take any blow that came my way and not Maggie.  I was very scared myself and felt terrible for the stricken children who were so traumatized.  It seemed like we were there forever but finally got to an open place in front of a store.  I held Maggie while she cried and told her she was going to be OK.  

Just then, a school friend and parents came up and she instantly recovered and ended up having a fun time. I was never so thankful to run into someone!  I was a little shell shocked and stood there trying to process what just happened.  I have been to many a rock concert in my life and can’t remember ever having an encounter like this one. I think the problem was that half of these people in the crowd were just trying to get away from the concert and had no idea it was going on. Had I been in my right mind, I would have totally videoed and taken pictures for proper blog documentation but I guess saving my child's life took precedents, I am happy to say!

 

Maggie finally said she was ready to go 5 minutes before it ended and we zipped right out. I tried to end the night on a high note, and got her a Peppermint milkshake from Chickfilia!  Chickfila seems to make everything better!  I was prepared for screaming little girls but certainly not adults screaming profanity and being terrible examples for all the many children observing their antics.  Maggie and I sang a little song on the way home, “We are never, ever, ever, going back to a concert!”  Well, unless it was Taylor Swift and we had a seat!!  I know for sure I got many stones in my parenting crown in heaven after today!  My mom was trying to encourage me before I left for the concert, saying that Maggie would always remember this night and boy was she right! 

Blue Angels Weekend 2012

I have been so crazy busy trying to keep up with the five Wogs and a dog, I am backed up in my blog writing.  I have been dying to write about our fabulous Blue Angels Weekend.  It’s one of my favorite weekends of all time and I don’t want to let the great memories fade away without proper recognition!

The fun began on Thursday.  I was home alone cleaning the house when I thought I heard a jet. I went downstairs, made my lunch and indeed, out my back windows, I saw my beloved Blue Angels in the diamond formation, flying over Neptune Beach Elementary.  I ate my lunch in pure wonder!  I picked up the kids and once again, we heard one shriek by.  

Bubba suggested we hop on our bikes and go down to the bridge at the end of our street.  What a sight that was.  We could see the planes north and south down the marsh when they would bank.  One came screeching up Forest Avenue and Eddie’s comments was, “That was awesome!”  We all agreed!  I found out that night at Annie’s swimming from a Navy guy that one of the planes had an engine problem and that was why we had two practice times.

The next day BCS had Blue Angels Day and it was a total blast.  The classes all did fun activities and all the kids were dressed in patriotic clothes!  We watched planes fly all afternoon and enjoyed being together with all our BCS families!  After school, we dashed to the beach and watched the Blue Angels air show in all its glory!

Saturday, I woke up with several messages from friends that my family was in the paper in the Blue Angels insert.  I was a tad disappointed that they chose that certain pic.  I am pretty sure I was prego with Ed.  I have much cuter, patriotic pix if they would have only asked! 

Bubba had a football game at Wingate Park and I got yet another awesome perspective of the air show.  They were circling the park and it worked out that they arrived right at half time. We joked that the Jaguars really splurged with the half time show!  Bubba was a little perturbed at the number of pictures I took of the planes instead of his football game. I honestly did try hard to get some football players in the pictures or at least the goal post!

On Sunday, we went to church and then headed out to the Air Show.  Dan wanted us to ride our bikes and I was totally freaked out.  I knew the number of people that were going to be out and about and to throw 6 Wogs bikes in the mix was wigging me out.  I told him all my concerns and he disregarded them and we set out! We chained the bikes to a fence by the Casa Marina and I have to say it was so nice not having to find somewhere to park.  I had a moment realizing this is the first time since the air show has come to the beach that I have not hauled a stroller.  It felt like I graduated as I watched all my kids walking themselves.  It was a great moment. 

 

We stood in a short line and checked out a jet and walked around to all the vendors.  All the kids got free classes and looked super cool!  I was poised and ready to buy up some souvenirs and was a little shocked and disappointed that no one asked for one! Dan wanted to see the F-22 so we went down on the beach. Dan was a riot.  He was so pumped and kept saying how phenomenal and awesome the maneuvers were.  Eddie got irritated and yelled at Dan and said, “This is NOT awesome, it’s too loud!”  After the jet, we got back on our bikes and headed north.  We went down on the beach again to watch the final show of the Blue Angels.  I befriended a bus driver and a teacher from New York who were here with a Boys Choir who were singing at St. Paul’s.  They were getting ready to leave before the Blue Angels, not understanding that they were the main attraction, having just rolled into to town. They were SOOOO happy that they stayed and must have taken a 100 pictures! The boys choir even walked down from St. Paul's for the show.

 

After it was over, all the Wogs got on the bikes and started back home totally satisfied with the wonderful weekend full of America’s Blue Angels!  I crossed 3^rd Street and heard a big crash.  I was so scared that it was one of my kids who were behind me. I peeked behind and saw a lady in the middle of the rode.  Apparently she cut Bonnie off and hit Dan’s bike who had Ed on the front.  I was so relieved that my peeps were OK but felt sorry for the lady. 

I am sad that we will have to wait two years for the Air Show to come back to the beach.  I hope that they will add back the Amphibious assault on the beach when they do return!  I always think about how it would be to be one of the countries we invade with our mega power military.  It must be a truly awesome display of strength and makes me proud to be American! Go USA!

Halloween Madness 2012

I have officially made it into November!  I think it’s my favorite month of the year.  It’s not just because it starts getting cooler and I can legitimately break out the beanies to wear!  I think it’s because the spooky month of October is over.  I am not a fan of scary stuff.  I don’t enjoy the creepy ghost dangling from trees or especially the headless horsemen that I have to pass frequently down the street.  I do embrace the spider webs because it allows me to pretend that the ones around my house were there on purpose! :)

 

I also have to outfit 5 Wogs in costumes.  It’s a daunting task!  Thankfully the older ones are getting creative and don’t need as much help.  Well, really Bubba is some form of a football person every year!  Bonnie gathered up random florescent clothes and dug out my Swatch watch, big obnoxious 80’s earrings and my Madonna bracelets and looked strangely like me at 13 especially with the crimped hair!  It’s a wonder I have any hair left after scorching it by crimper so many times.  Mags went the cowgirl route and I don’t think I have ever seen a cuter one!  Honestly I think she picked it so that she could rock the high heel boots!  Annie wanted to be an Olympic Swimmer, (just a preview of things to come!)  and we dug out a Spiderman costume for Eddie.  I have to say I probably should have bought him a new one.  His was extra tight and possibly a little risqué had he been a few years older. LOL

The funny thing about this year’s Halloween madness is that my kids didn’t really cause me much stress and anxiety.  Dan and I got invited to a costume party and I spent more mental moments dealing with that.  I know it’s a shock, but Dan was not fond of many of my ideas.  He was resistant with the costume idea in general and kept saying he wasn’t wearing one.  I thought allowing him to be Darth Vader would have been a life long dream to be able to choke people from a far.  Not that I would have been dressed like Leia when she was Jaba’s slave.  I would have been donning the white sheet dress and side buns for sure!  Wouldn’t want to scar anyone permanently.  I thought for sure he would jump at the chance to be Jack Sparrow. Nope!  

I was a little stunned that he agreed for us to be Woody and Jessie from Toy Story.  Really?  I didn’t have much time to locate our costumes.  Thankfully, I found a Woody kit that came with vest, hat, bandana and sheriff badge.  Of course they had no such kit available for Jessie.  I ended up having to pay way too much for a Jessie onesie suit.  I learned a valuable lesson.  Never take your mom to shop for an adult costume.  She thinks I am adorable in whatever.  I got home and tried on my new Jessie costume and had a panic attack.  I am not 8 anymore and wasn’t feeling super awesome in my onesie.  Had I not been dealing with this last minute on top of 6 other kid activities I would have been cutting out my own cow print chaps and wearing my own comfortable jeans but sometimes you just gotta go with the onesie!  When I put the costume on for Dan who was near sleep, zoning out in the bed, his reaction was classic.  His eyeballs bulged out of his head and he said, “WOW!”  I think the vision of a life size Jessie doll was just too much and jolted him out of a nice relaxed pre-sleep state.  He started laughing and couldn’t quite get past the fact that I had on a onesie.  He said it looked like I had Jessie jammies on!  I started laughing too and decided just to embrace this hilarity and to provide entertainment for all!  I think many people at the party had the same reaction to my Jessie costume but maybe not as vocal as Dan. 

On Halloween, our church had a festival actually on Halloween.  It was a relief.  Usually I have to deceive my children on the exact day of Halloween.  I loathe the thought of dressing them up more than once.  I typically provide my neighbors with Halloween candy on the Wednesday of Halloween week and I trick or treat the neighborhood before church. This year was great.  No deception at all!  

The only stress I had with kid’s costumes this year was with Annie.  Her costume seemed pretty simple when we thought of it. She could wear her regular swim gear and I could make an Olympic torch!   I was pretty proud of my craft effort.  I used party hats and bought a flickering little candle for inside.  It was pretty legit!  The problem came when we tried to get an American flag and Wohlgemuth on her rubber swim cap.  I learned some valuable glue wisdom.  These are the things that do NOT work on a rubber cap, hot glue, goop, rubber cement, double sided tape or strapping tape.  I had one sleepless night worried about this dang cap issue.  Before Bible study I dashed to the dollar store and the wise manager helped me by reading the labels and we found that Crazy glue could stick to rubber and viola, it worked like a charm!  We did sacrifice the cap but it was worth the authenticity of her costume!  She wanted an Olympic tattoo and I was pretty proud of my freehand effort on the back tat!

 

We had a fabulous time at the festival. The most disturbing party was the way that Eddie was streaking around like baby jacked up on mountain dew in his too tight spandex costume.  I am pretty sure we lost him more than we saw him.  After the festival, the older kids talked me into more trick or treating with their friends.  I was pretty bitter about it.  My legs, back and feet hurt from all the prep work of the day and it was the last thing I wanted to do.  It worked out awesome though.  I put them in the car and parked at the end of the designated street and watched them in comfort and warm from my car.  I think this is a brilliant idea.  I ran into neighborhood friends and they were obviously jealous of me relaxing in the car as they walked miles around the neighborhood.  I told them we could rent a parent bus for the next year and they said they are all in for that! It’s a way to subtly stalk your children!   Now it’s on to cool beanie weather, Thanksgiving holiday with no psychotic gift giving and nicer decorations of turkeys versus devils!  I am one thankful mom!

Excuses, Excuses

Today, I taught in the Adult Sunday School Class for Friendly Faith Sharing.  As I was looking over my lesson I was reminded how as a young youth pastor, I was fortunate enough to be forced into evangelism classes by my Pastor/Boss.  I really hated it, had a bad attitude and dreaded it every week.  I had a stereotype stuck in my head of an obnoxious, in your face person screaming at people about going to hell.  I never wanted to be one of those judgmental, offensive people.  As a part of my training to be a teacher, I had to go to Ft. Lauderdale for advanced classes.  It really changed my life and changed my thinking.  I had the nicest trainer who was so reserved, kind and caring.  As I watched him share his faith with others, I was inspired.  I realized that we were all called to be a witness (Mark 16:15).  We were not called to be rude about it. 

The lesson today was about being a friend.  When I started in ministry through Young Life, the best thing I learned was “Earning the Right to Be Heard!”  Live a life that is an example.  Truly people don’t care what you know, until they know that you care about them.  Over time, I learned to see all situations as divine appointments from God. times to reach out, to show God’s love, to pray and care for people.  I know I have missed countless opportunities to share my faith but I am rededicated to be more aware and use nothing as an excuse.  I think I probably have more excuses than most people with the life that I live.  I think my testimony that people will believe if they know my family, is that without God, I couldn’t maintain this wild, hectic life I have created. I am so desperate for God's help.  There is no going back now.  I just have to trust God to give me strength and wisdom to keep going until I raise the Wog tribe. People come up with all kinds of excuses from I don't know what to say to I don't want to bother people!  I am so grateful to my friend Tina who has been relentless in carrying the torch for Christians to be trained and ready to share their faith!  I love her passion and her commitment to equip people!

Today’s lessons gave some great pointers on how to be a witness.  The first way is to make a list and start daily praying for people.  Someone mentioned keeping a journal of people you are praying for, which is a great idea. The second point was to befriend people and to be alert to their needs.  People go in and out of crises and we need to be ready to reach out to them.  The third point was share your story.  Tell them what God means to you and how he has helped you through difficult times. The last point was ask them if they would like to begin a relationship with the Lord.  If you didn’t know how to pray with them, use a tract or take them to someone that does. 

We have to stop letting our inadequacies stop us from being there for people.  The older I get the more I realize that people need hope. They don’t expect us to have all the answers.  They need love and encouragement.  I know I do more and more the older I get and the older my kids get!!!  I believe that a relationship with God is key to happy, fulfilled life.  The world is lost and hopeless and we really do have the answer!  Let’s spread the good news!!!  No more excuses!!

Eddie's Angels

Almost a year ago, we started the whole process of figuring out why Eddie walked so high on his toes.  I was never really concerned until I took him for a physical and he couldn’t balance on the scale.  The nurse who I have known through 5 kids, told the doctor about it.  She had Eddie try to walk flat-footed and we actually laughed because he looked like Frankenstein, poor kid.  She suggested an X-ray to check for a tethered spine.  We went to Wolfson and thank God, the X-ray was normal.  Like an idiot, I googled toe walking and fear entered my heart.  I was honestly just looking for some exercises and saw how it can be a sign for autism to cerebral palsy and worse.

The next step was to take him to Nemours to see a Pediatric Orthopedic Doctor to check him out to see if we needed to go on to neurology.  He was really positive and didn’t think surgery would be needed or that we needed to do an MRI or anything extreme.  He suggested waiting a year and coming back.  As a parent, for some reason, you feel like a failure when something is wrong with your kids, like you made it happen somehow.  I was happy with his assessment but didn’t have peace about waiting a whole year. 

Mary Kay

Our church hosted a concert and my Mom and I went.  God ordained for me to see a very special friend of ours, Mary Kay, who I haven’t seen in many years.  We were visiting and catching up and I was telling her about all of Eddie’s issues.  Duhhh, I was reminded that she is a physical therapist with kids.  She said she wanted to come meet Eddie and check him out!  She came over and blew my mind.  She had him doing all kinds of crazy stuff, having fun but stretching his calves out at the same time.  It was an amazing thing to behold.  We really tried hard to figure out if my insurance would cover her as his therapist but just couldn’t make it work.  She would have totally done it for free but we just couldn’t ask her to take Eddie on too along with all her full load of kids.

My doctor gave us a referral for Brookes Rehab for therapy.  I was so overwhelmed and felt like crying on a regular basis when I thought about adding something else to my out of control schedule.  When you start a family, they are all so cute and cuddly.  Then they grow up and require so much of your time and money, driving them everywhere, homework and more.  It’s daunting on many days even though I am so thankful for each one of them. That’s why I depend on my relationship with the Lord so much!  If God didn’t help me everyday, I would surely die or at least run away!!  Being a parent is a regular reminder of your shortcomings.

Ms Jenn working hard with Ed

We went to Brookes Rehab for our first appointment and I was dreading every bit of the future process. Eddie is my most opinionated, stubborn kid and the thought of someone stretching his muscles and forcing him to do exercises made me cringe.  Ms. Jenn came out and greeted us and took us back to her room.  She was about as cute as a person could be, so full of personality but handled Ed like a serious pro.  She has seen him in all his stubborn glory and is so patient yet pretty tough too!  She gets him to do more stuff than I ever could.  It has been an amazing thing to watch!  I would seriously have to lie down and nap after every kid, if I did this all day!  It is truly a sovereign gift from God to have that level of energy paired with creative ideas to help them stretch and develop!  

I am forever grateful to God for helping me along this painful journey!  I have friends who have children with serious disabilities and one recently diagnosed with cancer.  I try to remind myself how blessed I am that this is Ed’s issue and it’s not something life threatening but it has been heartbreaking at times. 

Ms. Jenn checking out Ed's cool boots!

My friend Mary Kay mentioned getting leg braces for Ed to get the most results.  After a few sessions working with Jen, she thought braces were a good option with as tights as his legs were and that it would be the quickest, most effective way!  The thought of your baby in leg braces immediately makes you think of Forest Gump but I want this over with as quickly as possible before kids get cruel to Eddie.  With his personality, he is liable to punch them out if anyone did make fun of him though!

We went to Hangar Prosthetics and they did a cast for his braces.  My friend Mary Kay showed up for moral support and is so smart, and had some M&M’s in her pocket as bribery for Ed to be cooperative!!  Thank God!  He got to pick out the pattern and colors and picked Spiderman with red straps!  A guy named Ben was wonderful with Eddie and handled him well!  We went back in 3 weeks and at first he thought they were totally cool!  We told him they were spidey boots and would help him jump like Spiderman! That seemed to work for about 30 minutes.  I took him to the Dollar Store to get some prizes for being such a trooper and it almost killed me to see him walk in these braces.  I choked back tears, when strangers would look him up and down with pity!  I know all of this needs to be done but it has been tough on my momma’s heart that usually lets him get away with too much being my baby boy!  Talk about tough love.

Ed gets his braces

He sobbed uncontrollably and I cried too!  I had a meeting at school and my poor mom agreed to watch him but she is a worse softie than I am and could hardly stand to make him keep the braces on! She did what every good grandma would do, she made him his favorite food, cheese grits and spoon-fed him while he sat on the couch and watched cartoons!  All the kids and I came back to pick Ed up and I was never so proud of them.  They oooed and awwwed over his cool spidey boots and told him they wanted them and made the biggest deal!  He suddenly was very possessive of them and proud!! 

He wore them everyday a little bit more so we could make sure they fit properly!  It was time for him to wear them to school!  I told the teachers at school and they were so supportive and also made a big deal about how cool they were!!   His friends hovered around him and loved his spidey boots too!  The thought of him trying to play on the playground and run with the braces on devastated me.  Dan kept encouraging me that he would be fine!  One of my best friends texted me that she watched him out her window at school and he didn’t miss a beat!  I was so relieved and thankful!

Serious Progress!

We get to see Ms. Jenn twice a week and Eddie has had some very good days with good attitudes and some weepy, bad days when he earned no candy.  Seeing Ms. Jenn every week has been a tremendous blessing and I will never forget how hard she has worked on my son and all the love and kindness that she has extended to him! 

We had a bright spot yesterday, when we went to pick up his night braces.  George couldn’t believe how much Eddie had improved and really commended our effort!!  He said we were going to be a great success story! Yes, I choked back tears because I was so relieved!  This task and burden weighs very heavy on me!  I feel guilty for not looking into it years sooner when it started!  I didn’t not out of neglect but out of experience.  All my other kids toe walked and eventually came down on their own but Ed was getting consistently worse.

Ed gets his night braces

Today, I was grabbing some lunch for myself on the way to therapy and Ed asked for a smoothie.  I said yes and then Eddie said, “How about we take one to Ms, Jenn!”  I said that was a great idea!  Who knows if Ms. Jenn even likes smoothies but I knew that she would be thrilled about Eddie’s thoughtfulness!  He has grown to love her and even cried to go see her on one of his days off!  As much as I want him walking normal, I will be sad to end my visits with Jenn when the time comes!  I hope to always stay in touch!

On one of my overwhelmed days, I remember praying to the Lord about how afraid I was about raising all these kids and meeting all their needs!  I wrote down what I felt like God was saying to me. Part of it was that He would bring just the right people I need into our life that would have the knowledge and skill set that my kids need to grow into their divine destiny!  That happened supernaturally with Annie’s swimming and again with Eddie's Angels!  I dedicated all these babies to the Lord and He has assured me that He is well able to care for all of their needs and for me to relax and to trust Him!  That is my plan and I am ever grateful for all the people who will help Eddie walk on his heels to becoming a mighty man of God!!!