One of the Most Inspiring Things I've Ever Seen

This summer we have had the privilege of having Gary Thomas preach at our church and have thoroughly enjoyed his messages and wonderful sermons. This morning he spoke on God's mercy and redeeming love for us and showed this video of Dick and Rick Hoyt. Some of you may have heard of this father and son duo but Craig and I never had and were extremely touched by their story and the video Gary showed.

To give you a brief synopsis, Rick Hoyt was born a "spastic quadriplegic" with cerebral palsy from having his umbilical cord wrapped several times around his neck resulting in oxygen deprivation. Doctors even suggested his parents put him in a special home but they refused and insisted upon raising and loving him as their son, trying to give him as normal of a life as possible. He was also unable to speak but upon insisting that they be able to communicate with Rick, his parent's took him to Tuft's University where a special interactive computer was built so that he could "speak" to them. A teen in their town was paralyzed in a car accident and there was a benefit run and Rick told his dad he wanted to run in it. In this race, his dad, who was a self proclaimed "couch potato" pushed Rick in his wheelchair for 5 miles. That night, Rick told his dad, "Dad, when I'm running, I feel like I'm not handicapped." From there, they went on to 10ks, half marathons and marathons and eventually triathlons and then the Iron Man Triathlon. In the swimming portion, Dick swims and pulls Rick in a boat for 2.5 miles, 112 miles on a bike and then pushes him for a 26.2 mile run.

This video is almost 5 minutes but it is incredible and so inspiring to see a father's devotion and love for his son, just as God loves and is so devoted to us.

This isn't the exact video we saw but is pretty close. Enjoy!

P.S. Craig and I, along with the entire church, cried like babies from this.

Show Me Your Silly Face

Lately Perri has been making some pretty hilarious faces about everything. And now, when I tell her to "show me her silly face," this is what I get:

Such a fun, silly little girl.

Something funny to add...

After my frustrated post I had to add what Perri did today that cracked me up.

She has a newfound LOVE/OBSESSION of Elmo, though she does not watch Sesame Street or Elmo so I have no idea how she knows Elmo or why she likes him.

Lately if we're at the store and walk by something that is Elmo, she freaks out yelling "Emmo."

On Saturday we went to Avery's birthday party and it was Elmo, needless to say, she was in heaven and got to hug and kiss Elmo and blow kisses and tell him "bye bye."

Then today, I was vacuuming and she ran up to me with a diaper (she'd been in her room, too quiet and apparently got into her diapers) SCREAMING, "EMMO!!!!" and burying her face in the diaper. She has to wear Huggies now due to serious rashes from Pampers but apparently found some Pampers we still had and realized Elmo was on them. She had the diaper on the floor with her face smashed in it and yelling Elmo over and over again. Then she layed down, grabbed her diaper and told me "poo poo" and wanted me to put Elmo on her. Needless to say she did not need to poo poo but thought that would be an excuse to wear Elmo. I'm not dealing with the rashes so it didn't work. After being turned down to wear Elmo she continued running around and stuffing her face in diaper and loving on Elmo.

Cracked me up. Sorry no pics of this.

Worn Out

Let me preface by saying this is merely a rant and venting.

Some days I am absolutely worn out. I've been sick the past probably 2 weeks and most recently got some sort of terror stomach virus that took me out for several days. Praise the Lord the worst of it was over the weekend and Craig could take care of Perri. On Monday we watched A LOT of tv as I was still worthless but couldn't do much of anything. Great parenting I know, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Craig is currently working two jobs (same company, just two positions). He recently got a new position but the person who is taking over his old position decided it'd be nice to take a two week long vacation during a BUSY time. Craig's been working his butt off and working LONG hours and not seeing Perri hardly at all. This, along with lots of rain and being stuck in the house, and some days I'm about to TEAR MY HAIR OUT. Having very little help and being sick and trying to take care of Perri and keep the house half way decent and food cooked is taking a toll.

It doesn't help that Perri has been throwing some monster fits and when I'm at the end of my rope, I just about snap. I love that little girl more than anything but sometimes I about can't take it.

I know all moms at times feel this way but it's just wearing me out right now with Craig not home and being worn down from being sick. And after I finally get completely over this bug I've got to go to the dr. to get my lymph nodes checked out. They've been really swollen for about 2 months now and still when I'm well. Could just be a beat down immune system but they've been swollen more when I'm well than when I'm sick so they worry me. I'd better be safe and get them checked too.

Hmm.. what else? I know I should have a ton to report on since I never post anymore but hopefully the videos suffice sometimes. We got new phones and the video is pretty good and it's just so easy to upload straight from the phone so expect more video. Perri LOVES watching herself on video and I need to sometime have Craig video her watching videos of herself. Pretty funny.

Also a prayer request- Craig's boss's son, who is 14, recently had moles removed and one was positive for melanoma. Luckily we're in Houston with world-reknowned MD Anderson so he went there after the mole being removed. They sadly found another large spot on his back with more melanoma and removed it and think they have it all. Anyhow, prayers are appreciated as I can't imagine going through this with a child!!

A couple pics of Perri recently to end with. If I put a hat or glasses on her or anything in her hair, they are ripped off in .13221 seconds. Her idea and they are on for hours. Ha!




P.S. In all seriousness, anyone have any good suggestions on parenting books? Would very much appreciate!

Perri's New Slide

After 4 consecutive rainy days we were finally able to move Perri's new slide outside. Her Lulu and Pops got if for her last week. She loves it!

Dancing Machine

Okay, sorry for the last of posting lately. We have been spending a lot of our time at the pool or in the backyard on the trampoline and I just haven't been good about blogging at all. I somehow take the time to read everyone else's blog, but neglect my own. Ha. I'll try and get a post up soon of some new pics and what we've been up to but for now I'll leave you with a video I took last night of Perri dancing. The kid seriously goes crazy when music is on and has even started this break dancing thing where she sits on the floor and scoots herself around in a circle really fast. It's pretty funny.

Also, please ignore me talking and telling her a million times to spin. Oops.

Just Call Me 'Mother of the Year'

Baby in diaper. Check
Baby drinking from beer bottle. Check

You cannot get much trashier than this

Or this

My explanation? We were playing in the backyard this evening and Perri got her dress soaked playing at the water table so I stripped her down to her diaper. A few minutes later she walks up to me holding a beer bottle and laughing. She apparently reached up by the grill and found an empty bottle sitting there. And I did what any good mother would do. Took it away from her and scolded her Started cracking up and grabbed my camera and took pictures.

Don't judge.