They've been wanting to hug us more often.
We have three beautiful children who are so very important to us. We are spending more quality time with them as they grow older.
As Ava learns to read she knows there is a time each day that she gets one of us all to herself. She delights in dancing and finds freedom in flowers. Her creativity is nurtured with coloring and she dazzles us with her drawings.
Her attributes as a big sister are admirable since she takes her brother and sister under her wing much of the time.
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As Henry explores his world he thrills in the prospect of showing us his discoveries. He finds pleasures in running and excitement in going places. He loves his toys and has weekly, even daily, favorites. His energy is boundless and he is learning how to harness it. He has a laugh that's contagious and a sense of humor that might give his teachers a run for their money!
Ella, on the other hand, is approaching her toddler years differently...she has to. She obviously does not follow the typical physical patterns of a toddler's life.
SMA has stolen that from her.
She responds to this theft with an undeniable will to capture the hearts and minds of those she loves. She uses her wit and intelligence to invite people into her world. She amazes those, close to her and strangers alike, with her abilities to work around the disease that constantly ravishes her muscle neurons; killing them slowly and methodically. She struggles with the desire to run and jump, knowing she can do neither. And she solemnly watches as Ava and Henry do so. She prides herself in accomplishing the things that so many of us take for granted...and rightfully so as her path is not an easy one to travel. She fights with her siblings and tests her parents. She cuddles with her dog and makes messes of her toys. She asks questions and sings along with songs.
We are fortunate parents to have been blessed with the lights of Ava, Henry, and Ella.
They want us to sit with them.
Their attachments for us are growing, deepening, and expanding...as is ours...for all of them.
We have three beautiful children who are so very important to us. We are spending more quality time with them as they grow older.
As Ava learns to read she knows there is a time each day that she gets one of us all to herself. She delights in dancing and finds freedom in flowers. Her creativity is nurtured with coloring and she dazzles us with her drawings.
Her attributes as a big sister are admirable since she takes her brother and sister under her wing much of the time.
.JPG)
As Henry explores his world he thrills in the prospect of showing us his discoveries. He finds pleasures in running and excitement in going places. He loves his toys and has weekly, even daily, favorites. His energy is boundless and he is learning how to harness it. He has a laugh that's contagious and a sense of humor that might give his teachers a run for their money!
Ella, on the other hand, is approaching her toddler years differently...she has to. She obviously does not follow the typical physical patterns of a toddler's life.
SMA has stolen that from her.
She responds to this theft with an undeniable will to capture the hearts and minds of those she loves. She uses her wit and intelligence to invite people into her world. She amazes those, close to her and strangers alike, with her abilities to work around the disease that constantly ravishes her muscle neurons; killing them slowly and methodically. She struggles with the desire to run and jump, knowing she can do neither. And she solemnly watches as Ava and Henry do so. She prides herself in accomplishing the things that so many of us take for granted...and rightfully so as her path is not an easy one to travel. She fights with her siblings and tests her parents. She cuddles with her dog and makes messes of her toys. She asks questions and sings along with songs.
As Ella grows older alongside of Ava and Henry, Lindsay and I find ourselves talking about the future more than most people probably do. Right now it is so uncertain for us. We are eager to have an environment in place so that we can provide them with the best life possible, yet we don't know what that looks like. SMA presents a challenge that simply never entered our minds when planning a family...why would it? This challenge, however, is now present. It is now part of our lives. It calls on us to reach deep within ourselves and confront parts of our souls that, until now, had lay hidden. We have some major decisions to make and often waver on where or how to begin. A see-saw of emotions, practicality, finances, and indecisiveness creates a depth of uncertainty that drains energy and taxes the spirit.
The one, or rather the three, aspects of our lives that allows us to persevere is found in the love we feel from our children and the love we have for them.
