Friday,
July 16, 2010
SIX MONTH
UPDATE
I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it
to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things
too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big
My Wish
~Rascal Flatts
I can’t listen to this song and not think of my children.
The words express so clearly the hopes and dreams I have for
them. I find the sentiments especially poignant in regards to
Sarah and all she has been through. She is amazing. She has
meshed so completely into our family that I can’t remember what
life was like without her. This is a long, long overdue update
and some perfectly adorable pictures from the past six months
since she spiced up our family.
Sarah acquired English faster than I could imagine. The first
month she would learn a word and then use that word ALL THE
LIVELONG DAY. I think that the repetitive use of words helped
her to learn the language. While Cody was at school, Ryan
patiently enjoyed teaching Sarah new words. One day he taught
her a rambunctious “ta-DA!!” and that punctuated every single
movement she made. Shoe on the foot –“ta-DA!”, bite of food – “ta-DA!”,
closes the door – “ta-DA!” like she was some amazing magician
all day long.
During this “word of the day” period she had A LOT of doctors to
visit. One day when everything began with “maybe” we were
getting ready for yet another doctor visit we had this
conversation...
Me: “Ok Sarah let’s get ready to go to the doctor.”
Sarah: “Maybe… maybe… maybe no shots.”
Me: “Hmmm…” (knowing that shots were definitely in the near
future)
Sarah: “Maybe…” (cue the tear down her cheek) “Maybe… just
hugs.”
Me: (cue a hug, and my heart breaking)
A trip to the eye doctor revealed that she desperately needed
glasses. The doctor estimated that she needed them since she was
a baby. The trick became how to keep them on her head. The
glasses get bent in the weirdest shapes, not always on the right
way, and most of the time are sliding down her nose like a
granny. I find that the look adds even more to her inherent
cuteness. Sarah grinning with cock-eyed glasses on is a sight to
behold.
In May Sarah started kindergarten and LOVED it. She could not of
been happier. Her teacher, Ms. Woodard, and class welcomed Sarah
with open arms and made her feel instantly at home. Cody was a
great big brother walking her to her class and always looking
out for her. Any mention of the word “school” brought the
biggest grin to her face. In fact, the word school was always
talked about in the possessive – “MY school” this, “MY school”
that. Saturday and Sunday became let downs because she couldn’t
go to “her school”.
On June 6th, Sarah celebrated her very first birthday with us.
Her cake was decorated with an edible picture of her and
colorful flowers. Sarah was over the moon with wonder. Balloons,
7 candles, presents, family, grandparents, and cousins made for
a wonderful day. She opened the presents with the utmost care,
treasuring each item. It was a refreshing reminder to be
grateful for everything that we have. Naturally she woke up June
7th and immediately started talking about her birthday again. It
was a bit of a let down for her to know that she would have to
wait another year for the festivities.
In July Sarah road tripped to Yellowstone with grandparents,
Cody, Ryan, and me. Packed up in a minivan she got the chance to
see a lot of the United States. We saw the Capulin volcano in
New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the Grand Teton
Mountains, and Old Faithful in Yellowstone. There was a lot of
hiking on uneven trails but Sarah was always a trooper. There
were hundreds of buffalo, deer and antelope sightings. But as it
is with all kids, even with all of the majestic nature they
experienced, the highlight of every night was a swim in the
pool.
Sarah is the most determined, persistent, single-minded,
stubborn, bull-headed person I have ever met. It is one of my
most favorite qualities about her but can also be the most
maddening. There is nothing that she will not try, try, try, try
and TRY until she succeeds. Riding a bike is a prime example.
Sarah has spent hours upon hours learning how to ride a bike
with training wheels. Because of her cerebral palsy, her feet
can’t stay flat on the pedals but even that silly obstacle could
not stop her. In the beginning she would spend 30 minutes and
accomplish literally one revolution of the pedals and travel
about 6 inches. Heat, sweat, fatigue could not deter her. Moms,
Dads, or brothers were NOT allowed to help/push/give advice in
any way.
In mid July Sarah pedaled her bike AROUND the block all by
herself. She went from traveling 6 inches to biking around the
block. In true Sarah fashion she figured it out on her own and
would NOT stop until she succeeded. This spunky girl has gritty
determination in spades.
Six months have passed since she tip-toed into our lives, scared
and meek. Since then she has transformed into a confident,
smart, daring, sweet little girl loved beyond measure. Sarah
delights in the little things and having her around reminds us
of how blessed and grateful we are. She can be thrilled for days
with new shoes, jumping on the trampoline, swimming at the Y, or
ecstatic at the thought of seconds at dinner. In the end Sarah
has given us far, far more than we have given her.
With thankfulness,
Leanne, Mike, Cody, Sarah and Ryan |
"If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile."
Rascal Flatts, "My Wish"
Kindergarten graduation with the sweet Ms. Woodard.
Happy 7th Birthday!!
Smiling with Ryan and Cody in New Mexico.
Notice the cock-eyed glasses, always makes me smile...
Showing off a missing tooth in Colorado.
Yellowstone National Park
Hitching a ride with Papa, one of her biggest fans.
Sarah the Road Warrior |
