Children are not a burden to escape or endure; they are a blessing that drives us to Christ because we are incapable of parenting well without Him. - Kim Brenneman

Friday, September 25, 2009

Happy Birthday Daniel

The past three years of Daniel's life in pictures... in no particular order...













































































































Three years ago this little boy was born. Daniel Josiah Crume. My sunshine and joy. Sometimes i feel like I've failed him in some way. For a good chunk of his short existence I was so overwhelmed. So much had gone on with Joshua and his special needs issues that I know effected Daniel. He is such a loving little boy and he sure is a home body. He does like exploring, but he also just loves to stay home and snuggle and read books. Happy birthday little man, and may God grant you many more and may you grow up to do amazing things!



We had a little birthday party for him today. I was so busy running around i wasn't able to get many pictures... here is one of Joshua and Tabitha helping Daniel open his present from Grandma Michelle. Wish you could have been here mom!

Just before bed tonight.. he was a happy little boy!


And Joshua also wanted to show off his new pirate ship that nana brought over... (she was suppose to save if for a Christmas present but there was some miscommunication and he got it early) And if you've met Joshua you know how much he loves all things pirate!



I LOVE having boys!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Daniel's Birthday Cake!!!!! I didn't have any fancy decorating things so it's a bit choppy because i had to use a butter knife with all of the decorating! Pretty good if you ask me! :)




Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Haircut!


Monday, September 14, 2009

Picture post

Elijah has discovered Mud! He is fitting right in with his older brothers!






Isn't he sweet?






PAINT! Matt got a great deal on some high quality paint for the shop.. it's not our first choice in color but it's not bad. The color is called peppered pecan.


Back of shop with the window in! yay




Window





Painting complete... now we need a door!


we used the extra paint to paint the much needed sections on the house.. the rest of the house is okay for now to wait on paint... so we get to look unique for a while!



Joshua with his "life size" batman that i found at a garage sale for 1$!!!!!!!










Thursday, September 10, 2009

Perspective

Lately I've been thinking about perspective. I do not see things the way you may see them. Your life experiences are much different from mine which has shaped part of the way that i think, feel, and act. I was thinking about autism and this whole journey we have taken with Joshua. His perspective is so different from mine. I don't understand what it is like from his side, I've been so focused on my side, my thoughts and my feelings and how to "fix" him. God has brought him SO far and i truly believe with all of my heart that he is healed. I look at him and i see the touch of God. Yes he still does have some "issues" but my perspective is changing. I saw a book on amazon that grabbed my attention. " A blessing and a Curse; Autism and me." It is a book written by a man who is autistic. I love how amazon gives you glimpses into the book so i took a look and i knew i had to order it. He was talking about remembering things as a child and how he felt. Amazing... I'm excited to read it and just to try to gain a better perspective of how my sons feel. Did you know that many experts believe that Albert Einstein was Autistic? He didn't speak until the age of 3 and it wasn't until the age of 9 that he really spoke clearly. Also other "famous" people who have done incredible things have been thought to be autistic. Perspective. We could think of those that have "special needs" and who don't meet social standards or norms and educational deadlines to be a burden on society. Why put time and energy into caring for these people when who knows what they will turn out to be if anything? The bigger picture needs to be looked at.. we need to look through God's perspective, we need to look through his eyes and see the beauty and potential in a persons soul. I wish we all could look through the eyes of the Lord and see his perspective. I know that he is drawing me closer more every day and teaching me how to see through his perspective, but i still have so much of my own perspective to shed. Sigh...

In updated news, i talked with Joshua's former teachers and i will be signing a form on Monday to "revoke" Joshua's IEP. (Basically cancel) It went smooth and well talking to the teacher and she was very supportive of our choice.
We finally were able to collect Urine from Daniel to send in a test to see how his body is functioning and if there is anything we need to do to supplement and help with problems he may be having. We did this with Joshua about 1 year and a half ago and it made a huge difference. So we are hoping that this will help to make a difference with Daniel also and just help him to feel better.
Elijah is a cutie as always. I love watching him grow up. He interested in everything. He always wants to play with his brothers and he wants to be where everyone else is. He's just a blessing and a sweetheart.
Matt is doing well, working on his shop. There are some stresses at work, but show me a person who isn't stressed at work!
I am hanging in there and doing exceptionally well. God has given lots of extra strength and energy and Love for what he has called me to do. I've been finding so much joy in my life and the simple things. God is so good.
Off to bed... we have someone coming tomorrow that may possibly be helping out with the boys for a couple hours a week.. so I'm pretty excited about that and hoping that it's a good fit. Hope everyone is enjoying their September! I just LOVE this season!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The shop nearing completion...
trim, paint, install the window and a door is all that's left...

Inside wiring is done...



It's coming along!!!!


For Maria... the Kitty we are going to keep.. i think I am going to name her Sasaparilla.. though she will probably respond to "Kitty" like "Peaches" (NOT my choice of name for her.. i would rather name her killer.. but when you live with a bunch of boys sometimes you have to do what they want) .. anyway I'm not firm on the name yet... so I'm open to suggestions. I want something unique!
More updates to come tomorrow...