Rain

It's midnight and it is raining in southeast Tennessee.  I am sitting in the quiet of our great room, listening.  The sound of the rain on the vaulted ceiling calms me.  I can hear the water draining from the  downspout outside the windows and splashing onto the rock in the landscaping.  It is such a pleasant sound.  The gentle noise stirred my thoughts.

 It's gonna be random, but this is what is on my mind tonight.

•  I Thank God for a family that loves and supports one another like ours does!
• Seeing the shadow on the ground of Laik and me walking hand-in-hand delights my soul!
• Each day it gets easier to share the story of Laik and Trisomy 12p without crying! (The eyes still tend to get moist!)
• I love Todd Leffew more and more each day as I see him be a Champion Daddy to Laik.  
• I am grateful for true friendships that can pick up right where we left off.  Even if it has been years since we last spoke.
• I am turning 40 in August....it gets closer every day.
• Laik is walking.  More and more and more!
• Laik loves airplanes, trains, and the Cookie Monster.
• That baby in the photo has changed the mindset of our entire family.  Laik has No Limits....it is just taking him a little longer to achieve things.
• It's ok to be the "lone nut."
• Spending time ALONE is a necessity!
• I hate kidney disease and what it is doing to a very good friend!
• I lost a friend/mentor  in a tragic accident and it brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it.
• I had no idea how much my parents loved me, until I had Laik.
• I am proud to say that I am the parent of a special needs child.  
• Without my sisters, I don't know what I would be like...they have molded me in ways that they aren't even aware of!
• My life is impacted daily with kind words from former students and colleagues. 
• I love to hear the sound of Laik's voice when he says, "Mama!"
• Little things give my heart great joy.  
• An unexpected kiss from Todd still gives me a flutter in my stomach.  
• An unexpected two arm hug from Laik melts me every time.  
• When Laik hears a train in the distance and gets excited...I am reminded that even though he FAILS the OAE hearing test, EVERY SINGLE TIME, he can hear!
• And when he spots a plane in the sky "a mile high" and starts waving and hollering "HEY!" It reassures me that he can SEE!
• My favorite time of day is when Laik and I snuggle just before he falls asleep at night.
• Hearing Laik squeal with excitement when he sees Todd's truck pull in the driveway reminds me that he KNOWS who we are!
• Watching Laik put a smile on the face of anyone makes me a proud mama!

Every single thought is just like a raindrop.  Thoughts can be caught up in a storm, swirled around by the wind, pushed through the gutter and pounded into the dirt.  But with the rain comes a good cleansing, new growth with a fresh start  and a thirst quenched.  We are blessed that God knows exactly when we need the rain to pour down on us!  And for that, I am grateful.

Good night and be well!

Kim

Hello? Ireland calling!

I could have never imagined how my life would be forever changed and touched down to my core by Trisomy 12p.  I remember the day that I discovered the Trisomy 12p Parent Support Page on Facebook like it was yesterday!   I looked at every picture. I read every single post. And I sought out a relationship with moms on the page.  I had phone conversations with three different moms.  And I drove to meet a family.  My mother even met a family at a college football game!  I was so anxious for someone to give me a glimpse into what Laik's future was going to be like, that I wanted to talk to anyone and everyone that knew anything about T12p.  I remember how relieved I was after each conversation.  I had HOPE!

                       

Christmas Day 2013

Princess Penny doing her daily physio!

Today, I was able to give HOPE to another mother!  In Ireland!  What???  Yes, Ireland.  And how did she find me?  Living Leffew!  When I started this blog, it was my therapy.  I was able to type my thoughts and feelings and share them with the world without anyone having to see me cry, crocodile size tears, as I was banging the keyboard.   I had intended to put information on the web, real information, about T12p.  I thought if, in the future, I could help just one family see the real and bright side of this chromosomal disorder, that it would have been worth it.

And that feat was achieved today!  I am elated, now, I know it will help even more.  My new friend, Sandy, from Ireland, found my blog on the web.  And then she found me on facebook.  One thing led to another and we had a telephone conversation this morning at 9:30 am ET.  IT WAS FABULOUS!  And she tells me her entire family is reading the blog, so here is my big welcome to our new family in Ireland! (HOPEfully, we can meet one day!)


Here are some new facts about Laik:
1.  He is closer and closer to walking.  He is cruising around the house taking steps from one piece of furniture to the next.
2.  He has about 7 words:  mama, dada, nana, popa, bye bye, hey and lala!
3.  He makes a great pig sound and scary face on command!
4.  He loves music of any kind.
5.  And he loves football!
6.  Bathtime is his favorite because he loves the water and the bubbles.
7.  He is a very fast bottom scooter and moves around the house that way when he isn't on his green puppy.  He can move even faster on the puppy!
8.  He also has fascination with doors (opening and closing them) and with the springy doorstops (loves to hear them make the booooooooooinnnnnnng sound)
9.  He is a champion at eating.
10.  He makes everyone he meets SMILE!


So, to the family in Ireland, Princess Penny is going to be just fine....she'll just be on Penny time.  And it will take a bit longer, but in the end, Princess Penny will bring joy and blessings to the entire family!

Hello, Ireland...Tennessee Calling....until we talk again.  Be well and many hugs and kisses from across the ocean!

Steps Away....

Hello friends!  It has been a while, but life is super busy.  And we have a feeling that our life is just, steps away from being incredibly busy!

Four years ago, on December 17, 2009, I looked down to see "PREGNANT" on a pregnancy test.  A miracle! 

Three years ago, December 25, 2010, we had our first Christmas as a family of three.  A miracle!

Two years ago, December 14, 2011, Laik finally had some teeth!  (felt like a miracle!)

One year ago, December 2012, Laik saying "Dada and Mama"  (again, felt like a miracle!)

December 2013:  Get ready.....it looks to be another Christmas miracle....Laik is taking steps, balancing, and moving forward!

Prayers are being answered and life is good!

One step at a time....one prayer at a time. We can't imagine a December without our little miracle!

"while you journey through life in His presence, His glory brightens the world around you." 

To God be the Glory!