Welcome to the new blog about Travis and Emily! It has taken me months to find the time to get the new site together. Not because it is elaborate or took a long time to set-up, but because these days it's hard to find a minute to spare. Between the kids, work and everything else down-time is a rarity. I'm sure everyone can relate. But, we have some very exciting things on the horizon and I thought I would take a minute to share.
The kids are great. Travis is amazing. He started "talking" in August or September 2008 and hasn't stopped. The kid who only had a few beginning sounds on his birthday last June is now talking in complete sentences, reciting tounge twisters and even telling jokes. Every time he opens his mouth I am amazed at what God has done. It is so wonderful to now know what he's thinking, what he needs and what makes him happy. He has been doing very well at his school, UCP in Lake Mary. Being at school has given him new found independence and confidence, especially in walking and mobility. He is doing better every day and balance and strength continue to increase. He even pedalled a tricycle for the first time a few weeks ago. The bad thing, since starting school, he has been sick just about every other week. I think because for the first three years of his life I kept him in such a germ-free bubble and never exposed him to stuff that now he's paying the price. He was thrown rather abruptly into a sea of kids who have been in daycares and preschools for a long time and he's managed to catch everything they have to offer. I pray he is building up his immune system and maybe in the Spring when the cold and flu bugs are gone, he'll be more healthy.
Emily is something else. She started walking at about 10 months and hasn't stopped. She is very inspired by Travis and wants to be in the middle of whatever it is he is doing. She keeps up with him pretty good, though she's not so good at Hungry, Hungry Hippos...she tends to eat the marbles herself rather than letting the hippos do it, so she's not allowed to play that one. I took her this week for her 15-month check-up and she passed with flying colors and stole the hearts of everyone in the doctor's office. Her big blue eyes, long eyelashes and cute curly hair continue to get lots of compliments and smiles. She is very friendly and loves to talk. I'm surprised at how many words she already has and can put together. She is like Travis in so many ways, especially when it comes to reading books. She can keep herself entertained for a long time, sitting in the Elmo chair looking at books. She's also an excellent dancer. Whenever she hears music she starts bopping to the beat. I think I might enroll her in a dance class for her birthday.
Sean and I are doing well, too. We consider ourselves very lucky to be employed and working. Since Sean's job is tied so closely to construction, we have been nervous with the state of the economy. But, we have great confidence that the Lord will provide and so far Sean has managed to escape the layoffs and demotions that are falling around him. God has blessed me with some new clients which I am very excited about, both financially and professionally. I burn the midnight oil, usually clocking-in when the kids go to bed, but it is worth it to be able to bring home a second income while still having the blessing of staying home with the kids.
Over Christmas, we saw a story on Good Morning America about a new type of therapy program that is giving kids with CP some amazing results. It was a clinic in Miami that uses intense therapy and something called a Therasuit to help retrain the brain. The child that was highlighted in the story was very similar to Travis. She was a right-hemi (meaning it was her right side that was weak) and she had problems with balance, walking, etc. After the therapy she was able to walk, run and many other things. I started researching it and even called the therapy place in Miami. After a little more research we discovered there was a clinic right here in Winter Park that was doing the same type of therapy. So, we called them and went for a screening. After observing Travis the therapists feel that he would be an excellent candidate for their program and said we could look to reach goals like normalizing gait (walking) patterns, increasing balance, running, jumping even riding a bicycle! The program is 3-weeks long and is Monday through Friday from 8:30-12:30. It is one-on-one with a Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist and time in the Therasuit. We are very excited about what is to come from it and are praying that by the end of the session Travis will be as independent as any other 4-year-old (which is how old he will be when we go). We are signed up to attend in August. I have felt an urge to begin praying for the therapy now, in great anticipation and expectation. I think that is part of the reason why I have resurrected this blog. I feel God is calling me to enlist upon our prayer partners and ask for your prayers as well. I am going to try to start updating this page more frequently and giving some concrete things we would ask you to remember in your prayers. I think we will all be blessed by the result.
We've already seen God work in this area and we know this new therapy is where he wants Travis to be. Since we saw the story on TV we have been praying about it and asking God for direction. The program is not cheap, and we did not want to let finances be the thing keeping us from what could potentially be a real breakthrough for Travis and change his life. So, what else do we do but pray about it. God confirmed that this is what he wants Travis to do right now because he blessed us with some money to put towards the expenses. Check this story out. Sean and I had been praying for weeks about the therapy and asking God to help provide a way to finance it if it was His will. Last month, out of the blue, we got a call from Sean's Aunt Romilda and Uncle Bruce (Len's sister and her husband). They have been affiliated with a group where they live in South Florida that organizes an annual Arts & Crafts festival to raise money for scholarships. The scholarships are usually given to high school seniors going to college, but for the past several years there were no applicants and no money was distributed. In January the group had a meeting and discussed the fact that they had this "extra money" they needed to give away to close their books and wanted to know if anyone knew someone to give it to. A few people spoke up with some names and Bruce said God put it on his heart to talk about Travis. He told the group the story and they wrote him a check to send to us. When they called to give us the good news, we were blown away! I deposited the money in our "therapy account" last week and we plan to put it towards the therapy session in August. I'm still working on my thank you note because I want it to express not only our gratitude but how the Lord has worked "behind the scenes" to make it happen.
I have probably written too much, and I consider you a dear friend if you have read this entry all the way till the end. We all know I enjoy writing, and sometimes I have a tendency to not know when to stop. I will be updating this blog frequently, and I believe this website has an option for you to follow it when there are new posts. I will not bog you down with e-mails announcing a new post, except when something important is going on.
I will continue to include Bible Verses I have found especially insightful at the end of my posts. This one is one that God led me to a few months ago that really hit me hard:
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Since Travis was born I have been praying for a complete healing--a full restoration for him. I know that God has the power to do that and I couldn't figure out why he wouldn't. In frustration, I turned to the Bible and found this passage and it all became clear. God puts disabilities, weaknesses, hardships, trials, etc. in our lives to remind us of his power and to rely on his strength. If he "healed" us we would be under the false impression that we can do it on our own. Those weaknesses are the things that bring us closer to Him because they force us to rely on Him. Such a simple concept, yet so hard to swallow. It does give me renewed faith, though, to know God has chosen my son and our family to display his power. It makes me think back to what the doctors told us on that first day in the hospital when we found out Travis was coming way too early. They gave us a list of things that would happen--none of it good. They basically told us the result would be a life that was not worth saving. But, God spoke to us and told us not to listen to men. Rely on his power and we would be fine. I am proud to say we obeyed and the result has been nothing short of miraculous. Sure, we have some problems and issues that at times get the best of us, but the little life that was "not worth saving" has turned into be a bright, determined, funny, happy, polite, loving child that defies odds and dumbfounds doctors every day.
That verse holds a two-fold meaning for me, too. Not only does it confirm for me that God has "healed" Travis, but it points out to me my own spiritual "special needs." I am far from perfect and would classify myself as handicapped at times. Yet, God loves me enough and believes in me enough to extend His power through His son Jesus, and heal me instantly. My therapy has been intensive and strenuous, and it is far from over, but I am thankful that God as my therapist will continue to mold me into the person He wants me to be.
The kids are great. Travis is amazing. He started "talking" in August or September 2008 and hasn't stopped. The kid who only had a few beginning sounds on his birthday last June is now talking in complete sentences, reciting tounge twisters and even telling jokes. Every time he opens his mouth I am amazed at what God has done. It is so wonderful to now know what he's thinking, what he needs and what makes him happy. He has been doing very well at his school, UCP in Lake Mary. Being at school has given him new found independence and confidence, especially in walking and mobility. He is doing better every day and balance and strength continue to increase. He even pedalled a tricycle for the first time a few weeks ago. The bad thing, since starting school, he has been sick just about every other week. I think because for the first three years of his life I kept him in such a germ-free bubble and never exposed him to stuff that now he's paying the price. He was thrown rather abruptly into a sea of kids who have been in daycares and preschools for a long time and he's managed to catch everything they have to offer. I pray he is building up his immune system and maybe in the Spring when the cold and flu bugs are gone, he'll be more healthy.
Emily is something else. She started walking at about 10 months and hasn't stopped. She is very inspired by Travis and wants to be in the middle of whatever it is he is doing. She keeps up with him pretty good, though she's not so good at Hungry, Hungry Hippos...she tends to eat the marbles herself rather than letting the hippos do it, so she's not allowed to play that one. I took her this week for her 15-month check-up and she passed with flying colors and stole the hearts of everyone in the doctor's office. Her big blue eyes, long eyelashes and cute curly hair continue to get lots of compliments and smiles. She is very friendly and loves to talk. I'm surprised at how many words she already has and can put together. She is like Travis in so many ways, especially when it comes to reading books. She can keep herself entertained for a long time, sitting in the Elmo chair looking at books. She's also an excellent dancer. Whenever she hears music she starts bopping to the beat. I think I might enroll her in a dance class for her birthday.
Sean and I are doing well, too. We consider ourselves very lucky to be employed and working. Since Sean's job is tied so closely to construction, we have been nervous with the state of the economy. But, we have great confidence that the Lord will provide and so far Sean has managed to escape the layoffs and demotions that are falling around him. God has blessed me with some new clients which I am very excited about, both financially and professionally. I burn the midnight oil, usually clocking-in when the kids go to bed, but it is worth it to be able to bring home a second income while still having the blessing of staying home with the kids.
Over Christmas, we saw a story on Good Morning America about a new type of therapy program that is giving kids with CP some amazing results. It was a clinic in Miami that uses intense therapy and something called a Therasuit to help retrain the brain. The child that was highlighted in the story was very similar to Travis. She was a right-hemi (meaning it was her right side that was weak) and she had problems with balance, walking, etc. After the therapy she was able to walk, run and many other things. I started researching it and even called the therapy place in Miami. After a little more research we discovered there was a clinic right here in Winter Park that was doing the same type of therapy. So, we called them and went for a screening. After observing Travis the therapists feel that he would be an excellent candidate for their program and said we could look to reach goals like normalizing gait (walking) patterns, increasing balance, running, jumping even riding a bicycle! The program is 3-weeks long and is Monday through Friday from 8:30-12:30. It is one-on-one with a Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist and time in the Therasuit. We are very excited about what is to come from it and are praying that by the end of the session Travis will be as independent as any other 4-year-old (which is how old he will be when we go). We are signed up to attend in August. I have felt an urge to begin praying for the therapy now, in great anticipation and expectation. I think that is part of the reason why I have resurrected this blog. I feel God is calling me to enlist upon our prayer partners and ask for your prayers as well. I am going to try to start updating this page more frequently and giving some concrete things we would ask you to remember in your prayers. I think we will all be blessed by the result.
We've already seen God work in this area and we know this new therapy is where he wants Travis to be. Since we saw the story on TV we have been praying about it and asking God for direction. The program is not cheap, and we did not want to let finances be the thing keeping us from what could potentially be a real breakthrough for Travis and change his life. So, what else do we do but pray about it. God confirmed that this is what he wants Travis to do right now because he blessed us with some money to put towards the expenses. Check this story out. Sean and I had been praying for weeks about the therapy and asking God to help provide a way to finance it if it was His will. Last month, out of the blue, we got a call from Sean's Aunt Romilda and Uncle Bruce (Len's sister and her husband). They have been affiliated with a group where they live in South Florida that organizes an annual Arts & Crafts festival to raise money for scholarships. The scholarships are usually given to high school seniors going to college, but for the past several years there were no applicants and no money was distributed. In January the group had a meeting and discussed the fact that they had this "extra money" they needed to give away to close their books and wanted to know if anyone knew someone to give it to. A few people spoke up with some names and Bruce said God put it on his heart to talk about Travis. He told the group the story and they wrote him a check to send to us. When they called to give us the good news, we were blown away! I deposited the money in our "therapy account" last week and we plan to put it towards the therapy session in August. I'm still working on my thank you note because I want it to express not only our gratitude but how the Lord has worked "behind the scenes" to make it happen.
I have probably written too much, and I consider you a dear friend if you have read this entry all the way till the end. We all know I enjoy writing, and sometimes I have a tendency to not know when to stop. I will be updating this blog frequently, and I believe this website has an option for you to follow it when there are new posts. I will not bog you down with e-mails announcing a new post, except when something important is going on.
I will continue to include Bible Verses I have found especially insightful at the end of my posts. This one is one that God led me to a few months ago that really hit me hard:
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Since Travis was born I have been praying for a complete healing--a full restoration for him. I know that God has the power to do that and I couldn't figure out why he wouldn't. In frustration, I turned to the Bible and found this passage and it all became clear. God puts disabilities, weaknesses, hardships, trials, etc. in our lives to remind us of his power and to rely on his strength. If he "healed" us we would be under the false impression that we can do it on our own. Those weaknesses are the things that bring us closer to Him because they force us to rely on Him. Such a simple concept, yet so hard to swallow. It does give me renewed faith, though, to know God has chosen my son and our family to display his power. It makes me think back to what the doctors told us on that first day in the hospital when we found out Travis was coming way too early. They gave us a list of things that would happen--none of it good. They basically told us the result would be a life that was not worth saving. But, God spoke to us and told us not to listen to men. Rely on his power and we would be fine. I am proud to say we obeyed and the result has been nothing short of miraculous. Sure, we have some problems and issues that at times get the best of us, but the little life that was "not worth saving" has turned into be a bright, determined, funny, happy, polite, loving child that defies odds and dumbfounds doctors every day.
That verse holds a two-fold meaning for me, too. Not only does it confirm for me that God has "healed" Travis, but it points out to me my own spiritual "special needs." I am far from perfect and would classify myself as handicapped at times. Yet, God loves me enough and believes in me enough to extend His power through His son Jesus, and heal me instantly. My therapy has been intensive and strenuous, and it is far from over, but I am thankful that God as my therapist will continue to mold me into the person He wants me to be.
