The thoughts in my head

Dearest Readers,

Let me say I am so sorry for my hiatus! I have wanted to blog several times this month, but every time I sat down at the computer my fingers wanted to talk about what's on my mind. And what's on my mind has been quite boring.

Today, however, I bit the bullet and decided to see what words I could come up with and cross my fingers that it satisfies you, patient readers. So here goes.

What's on my mind??

The fact that this is my last year of high school. Although Pre-Calculus and SAT practice have made me long to just be accepted to a college already, the reality is that I am not even close to being ready for this. And, quite frankly, I find it ridiculous that society asks 18 year olds to make such a huge decision. Maybe I need to go into law or something and change it to 21 years old. That seems much better, don't you think?

I know, however, that I will never feel ready for this next step--even if I changed the age of incoming freshmen to 30.

But this is all very boring reading because practically every high school senior has felt the same exact way. So I'll leave that there and move on to one of my favorite subjects.

I hope you're not tired of hearing about Argentina, because I'm pretty sure I will never run out of things to say about it.

It's been a year since I was there. That seems so strange to me. I can still feel the trembling excitement and disbelief I felt as that plane touched down in Buenos Aires. It was so surreal to be back.

The bus outside La Puerta Abierta

I didn't know when I would be back last year, so I took lots of pictures like that one--scenery that I want to remember for always. That knowledge led me to embrace every single moment, unwilling to go to bed until I literally fell into it in exhaustion. This summer, the summer that's missing that view, I'm thankful for all of those minutes I had. 

Another shot of the church--hey, I know those people! :)

I'm so glad I took these pictures. So many sweet memories were made inside those buildings. 

Last Saturday my whole family gathered to watch Argentina play in the World Cup. We easily got swept away in the fervent passion of the game, shouting and cheering and celebrating when Argentina won. We swapped stories of our time there during the commercial breaks. I put on Mason's Messi jersey when it looked like Argentina was going to lose and needed a little more good luck. :) 

The school connected to the church

After the game we got on Facebook to find dozens of posts from Argentines we know and love--literally cheering online. We joined in, and as I sat there, surrounded by my family loving this country from afar, and connected to loved ones over there by social media, I was just amazed. Three years ago we didn't even know anything about Argentina. And yet here we are today, with so many dear ones and wonderful experiences in that country I love so much. 

That gives me hope for this whole college thing. I know that my plans and desires are not the same as God's. I'm stubborn and so I will most likely kick and scream all the way to wherever He wants me to go next year--but I know I have to trust Him. When we went to Argentina the first time I thought I knew what I wanted, too. I wanted to stay in the same exact house as my mom and brothers, and when I found out that wasn't happening I kicked and screamed and was a stubborn mule. 

But then. You all know how much I love the family that hosted me. I love them so much I went back and stayed with them another year. I love them so much I know I will be back again. 

God's plans are good. They're more than that--they're infinitely better than anything we could possibly dream up.

So I look at my pictures from Argentina, and I remind myself that He knows what He's doing. I don't have to be a stubborn mule this time, because I know I will be fine once I get there. I'll just keep reminding myself of that. 

In the meantime, I have a fútbol game to watch. :) Vamos Argentina!!!! 

Hugs to you, dear Readers! Thanks for sticking with me through the end. I hope your summer is going well, and I hope you are cheering for Argentina in the World Cup! ;) I promise not to desert you for so long again. 

Your blogger,

 Claire

Thank you, Therapists.

Dear Readers,

Not only is April the month of our birthday, it is also Occupational Therapy month! Of course I couldn’t let this event go unnoticed.

As the triplet sister to brothers with Cerebral Palsy, therapists have always been a part of my life. I have some amazing memories of therapists who made a big impact on little Claire as I struggled to understand my brothers’ disability and why I did not have it. My mom has amazing memories of occupational therapists showing her that the term Cerebral Palsy does not define her sons, and holding her hand through the months and years following their diagnosis.

Our first experience with therapy--a study on PT and premature infants!

This month gives me an opportunity to thank those women (both Occupational and Physical therapists) who have not just helped my brothers reach milestones, but have helped our family walk this unique journey.

Our first experience with Occupational Therapy was when we were two years old. When my mom talks about that OT, Susan, she says she helped Mom make it through those first couple of years. The below pictures were taken from my Mom’s scrapbook. 

"Mrs.Susan was Mommy's dearest friend in Chicago--even though we only
saw her at Occupational Therapy! She always talked Mommy through every stage
and she helped us make huge progress!" 

A good Occupational Therapist is one who:

       1.)  Encourages the little sibling to participate, as well. (even allows her to steal beads and stow them away in her diaper occasionally…or every week.)

      2.)  Values the Mom’s input and reassures her that she is the one who knows her children the best. For a first-time mom living in a world of specialists, Mom needed that assurance that she was the most important figure in her children’s’ world. And the most informed.

Baby Benjamin working hard in OT

      

      We moved away, leaving Mom’s dear friend and the boys’ therapist behind. Little Claire was not impressed with the new therapists. They didn’t allow me to join in on Benjamin and Mason’s special “play” time. How was I to understand that they were working? I only knew that they got special time with fun, new toys and grown ups, and was heartbroken when I was repeatedly told “no”.

At our "goodbye" party with their first OT. Notice there are THREE
napkins? Little Claire got a cupcake, too :) 

 To any therapists out there: remember you aren’t just working with your patient; you are working within a family unit. As therapists, you have a platform to set the tone for how the sibling views this disability. Will they resent the special treatment their sib gets, or cherish time spent helping their sib achieve goals? That’s something to keep in mind the next time a whiny typical sibling sits in the hallway during your therapy session.

Eventually I grew to understand what Benjamin and Mason were doing in therapy and realized why I couldn’t take part in it. We moved yet again, and this time the move came with a new type of therapy entirely.

Hippotherapy.  I had fallen in love with horses when we did a hippotherapy summer program. The summer program was amazing, and I was a full participant. When Benjamin and Mason began doing hippotherapy every week, my mom arranged for me to ride one of the boys’ horses for a few minutes after their session was over. I was in heaven.

Tears well up as I write, this memory is still so close to my heart. Right around Christmas, the program director told me he had a special surprise for me. He was going to let me ride my very own horse for a whole therapy session.

Wow. Talk about including the sibling. He saw what joy riding the horses gave me, and despite the fact that I didn’t have special needs and wasn’t there for hippotherapy, blessed me with the gift of getting to ride one of his horses. That was a moment I will always remember, and always be thankful for.

    3.) A good therapist sees the potential in everyone, and helps them make their dreams come true.

This story leads me to present day. These years around therapists left a big impact on me. I have seen the life changing work therapists do for their patients and families, and because of that aspire to be an Occupational Therapist myself. I can only pray I will be able to leave a lasting impact on these precious kids and their families like these therapists have made on us.

Probably the most important attribute of a good therapist:

        

      4.) They don’t care that we are sometimes in sweats (and occasionally PJs) when they come to our house. Hehe

Not too long ago, Mason’s physical therapist was at our house. I had been feeling discouraged, and Mason voiced my concerns to his therapist. She looked at me and said,

“Claire, Occupational Therapy changes lives. You are going to change lives.”

Another moment I’ll never forget. Another therapist making a life changing impact on me.

What makes therapists special? The opportunity they have to make a difference every single moment of every single day. It might be a hug to a frightened mother, the offer to the sister to join in, the encouragement that you are able, whatever your abilities.

To all of you therapists out there, thank you. You really are changing the world—one life at a time. 

A grace-filled wink

Dear Readers,

I believe airplanes are one of the greatest places for getting to know people. My philosophy is that if you have to sit next to them for hours on end, you might as well love them and show them you care about their lives. (my uncle would say that's called being nosy, but whatever.) Sometimes you can do this without words even passing. I remember one time this happened in particular.

 My family and I sat in our seats, passing books and snacks and getting situated as other passengers with mobility issues boarded. I looked up as one woman walked onto the plane. On her way to her seat she lost her balance and nearly fell. She must have caught the concern in my eyes, for when she steadied herself she looked my way and winked. With a smile she found her seat.

Such a tiny moment. A millisecond, really. But I have remembered her wink for years. She could have taken offense that I was watching her and scowled. She could have ignored me in the face of her own struggle. But instead she took that moment to reassure me that she was okay.

Is that as profound to you as it is to me?

We spent some time with dear friends last week, and one of our discussions has been running through my mind...along with this memory of the dear woman on the airplane.

Our friends were talking about how during surgeries, hospitalizations, or whatever trying event we're going through, we need to remember that just because that is the most important/difficult thing in our lives at that moment doesn't mean it is the most important thing in someone else's life...or that we're the only ones going through a difficult time. You can't say, "Yeah, sorry about that, but my brother/aunt/cousin/friend is in the hospital, so I'm really focused on that right now." You have to continue to invest in other people's lives and realize that they are going through "stuff", too.

To me, that's exactly what that woman on the plane did. She was struggling, and she looked past her own pain to comfort someone else. Every time I remember her I'm amazed. What grace. I hope I can live a life that extends such grace to everyone, and that looks past my own struggle to help someone in theirs.

Your Blogger,
 Claire

Needed to share...

Dear Readers,

I hope you have had a good week. :)

I have to get up on my soapbox for just a moment tonight, if you don't mind...:) 

I had a hair appointment today. I sat down beneath a dryer next to two girls who were also getting their hair done. As I read my book, I overheard parts of their *very loud* conversation. At one point one of the girls was talking about this guy she thinks is cute. The other girl's response was, "Eww no! He looks like a retard!" 

Needless to say, I was fuming. I continued to sit there, thinking of what to say to convince them that using that word is wrong. They continued to casually toss the word around, however, and so it just got to where I had to get up and walk away, before I yelled that they needed to shut up right that minute. Or something to that extent. 

The raging fire they sparked on has since calmed to a deep, deep sadness. Those girls could have been sitting next to a mother whose child was recently diagnosed with special needs. She would have walked out of that salon wounded, and with a vision of the future for her child that included peers bullying him. 

I know those girls aren't an isolated case--I know teenagers (and adults, too) use that word all.the.time. 

They can't imagine how hard it is for that mama to face an inaccessible world, any way, without their painful jests.

They can't imagine what it is like to be the one being called the "R" word. 

They can't imagine what it is like to have to wake up every morning and fight the world's stigmas and preconceived notions about who you are just because you look a little different.

Because if they knew, they wouldn't say it. 

That word is not okay to use. You may say, "Why should someone take offense? I'm not talking about THEIR kid." 

But when you decide to use a word that has historically been used as a medical term for the disabled as an insult, you are insulting all people with disabilities. Even if you didn't mean it that way, I assure you--that is how it sounds.

Families who have kids with special needs have a lot on their plates. After a day of appointments and surgery scheduling and therapies, they don't need your verbal abuse to add to their load.

I'm not going to ask you to use a different word, because no one deserves to be talked about the way those girls were talking about that boy today. Don't just choose a different word--make the choice to lift others up, instead of tearing them down.

Your Blogger,

 Claire

What's it like to be a triplet?

Whenever someone tells you "Happy Birthday", you automatically respond with "Happy birthday to you, too"....

Because in your house, that's generally an appropriate response. :) 

So Happy Birthday week, Benjamin and Mason! I'm so thankful to be your triplet!

And to the rest of you, who are NOT celebrating a birthday this week; I'm sorry. No, just kidding--a very merry UNbirthday to you, dear readers! 

It could have been me. Reece's Rainbow Waiting Child

Benjamin, Mason, and I meet Cinderella!

Dear Readers,

  Today was a wonderful day for us and I hope it was for you, too! It was so wonderful to be together again. We had fun sending out Christmas cards and sewing! Thank you for your prayers for Benjamin....we truly appreciate them. He is doing well! 

    I was all set to write a Christmas post, but God had other plans...

                                

Rebekah, a precious child listed
on Reece's Rainbow

Meet Rebekah. Isn't she just precious? I was scrolling through Reece's Rainbow this afternoon in search of a child to feature on an advocacy blog that I'm blessed to write for, Still We Wait. I fell in love with her and decided to post about her. As I pulled up the short segment Reece's Rainbow has on her, I read a sentence that hit me in the chest. See if you notice anything about this sentence: "Rebekah was born premature at 27 weeks and has quadriplegic CP." 

    Born early at 27 weeks. Benjamin, Mason, and I were born at 28 weeks. Oh. My. Goodness. 

  I suddenly was filled with the desire to go hug her now, to hold her and squeeze her and never to let her go. She has Quadriplegic CP just like Benjamin. She was born at 28 weeks. And she is darling. 

  

    "Okay, Claire, we get it, y'all were all born early! What's the big deal? Most of the kids listed on RR were born early!" I know. I know, I know, I know. 

   But the reason her story so broke my heart was because I know that could have been me. Or Benjamin. Or Mason. We could very well have been the child listed on a waiting children site. 

   But the difference between Rebekah and Benjamin, Mason, and I is our mothers. My mother chose life for us, because she loved us with or without disabilities. She loved us through the long, tiring days at the NICU...loved us through hard days of therapy....loved us through times where I felt alone because I didn't have CP...loved us through surgeries...tears....and days of joy and triumph. Rebekah's Mommy said she couldn't do it. She said she couldn't handle a baby born premature, couldn't handle CP. 

   

   I'm not going to lie. This makes me mad. So, so, nailbiting mad. How anyone could look at that face and not be willing to give her the world is unthinkable to me. 

I'm angry that all mothers aren't like my Mom. I'm angry that Rebekah's Mom was unwilling to care for her daughter, despite the sacrifices. I'm angry that she has to suffer while I was blessed with so much. I'm angry that she has waited for six years. I'm angry that no one has snatched up this beautiful little girl! How could you not?? 

   

  But maybe you are feeling like Rebekah's birth mom did. Maybe you feel called to adopt, but unable to care for a child with a disability. Let me tell you this: You yourself are unable to handle caring for Rebekah. It's true. You can't do it. But God can. God is able to care for her and the millions of other inhabitants of the earth. In fact, He does it everyday! He is caring for her as we speak. He is caring for you, and me, and my family and yours, too. He will carry you as you carry Rebekah out of that orphanage. His GRACE is sufficient for you in all that you do. Adoption included.

   My sweet little angel Marcia is no longer listed on Reece's Rainbow as being available for adoption. She may never know the love of a family, may never feel the arms of her mother around her. She might not know how it feels to be loved until she reaches Heaven. She waited for five years and now it is too late.

  

    But it is not yet too late for Rebekah! She still has a chance! She is filled with so much joy, despite her suffering. She would be the biggest blessing you have ever received, I can assure you of that. She needs you. Please step up and save her before it is too late. 

Give her the world like my Mom gave me. 

Thank you, Mom, for all you have done for us and continue
to do! You are the biggest blessing
God has ever given me!
 Te amo!

There is HOPE for Rebekah and many other children around the world! Please remember them in your prayers as we celebrate the One who gave us blessed hope. Your Blogger,
 Claire

  

     

Our God is in Control

You could plant me like a tree beside a river
You could tangle me in soil and let my roots run wild
And I would blossom like a flower in the desert
But for now just let me cry

You could raise me like a banner in the battle
Put victory like fire behind my shining eyes
And I would drift like falling snow over the embers
But for now just let me lie

Set me like a star before the morning
Like a sun that steals the darkness from a world asleep
And I'll illuminate the path You've laid before me
But for now just let me be

So let me go like a leaf upon the water
Let me brave the wild currents flowing to the sea
And I will disappear into a deeper beauty
But for now just stay with me
God, for now just stay with me


  Those are the lyrics to a song called "Show Me" by Audrey Assad. I had trouble making sense of it at first, but a couple of nights ago its meaning hit me. Or at least my interpretation of it, any way. God used it to speak to my heart! 
This is my take on this song:
God can use us in so many different ways, as the song says. (Blossom like a flower...banner in the battle...star before the morning...) But sometimes we just need to be still and and be in Him. (but for now just let me be...God, just stay with me) Sometimes our hearts are just craving Him--so we need to slow down and give in! Sometimes we can't  just run around serving...because we need to drink in His love first. Yes, during the hour you spend reading your Bible, He could be using you to serve...but in that moment you need to rest and learn. Ecclesiastes 3 says there is a time for everything...a time to be silent and a time to speak...a time to weep and a time to laugh...
    This song and verse spoke to me on so many different levels. Sometimes I don't want to joke around with anyone, I just need to be alone and cry.  Other times I don't want anyone to ask me about these surgeries...I just want to laugh and forget about it. But this verse says there is a time for  everything--laughing and crying, joy and fear. I'm so thankful that there is. Because sometimes you just need to cry out to God. And sometimes you just need to goof off!
    
I took this month off from volunteering due to Benjamin's surgery. And so as I listened to this song the other night I realized how I have needed to spend time just focusing on Him. I needed to stop serving for a little while and confront my own fears and emotions and let God take them. I like to shove all of my problems way down deep and turn all of my attentions to the orphans or volunteering or whatever He's recently placed on my heart. It has been good for me to just lay down and drink Him in. 

       I'm trying to be with God, figuring out that He really is faithful in everything. That is a really good place to be in, y'all.

   I won't lie. I kind of want to lock the doors to our house and not let anyone in sometimes.  But we can't do that. And, honestly, we would miss out if we did. Sometimes my inner-hermit comes out though, especially during surgeries. :)
  
  A friend of mine had some hard medical news this week. She called to give us an update, and despite all that she was going through at that moment, she took the time to pray for ME and MY family. She ministered to my on-the-verge-of-tears heart even though her own was sad. Even though surgeries make me never want to talk to anyone...I know I can't do that. Because God's plan IS to raise me up. 
    He has a lot of people needing to hear of His Love...and we are called to show His Love. We can't just spend all of our time "Drinking in" and none "giving out". And if we lock the doors to our house, just us and the Bible, then we will be the only people profiting from it! 
    James 2:14-17 says this: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,  and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Dead. Faith without works is dead. I don't want to hold all of this goodness in to myself! That would be worse that baking Amish friendship bread without giving it to your neighbors! I want to drink in and be filled...only to go give it all out again. 

    

   So I am going to be with God right now...I am going to try to savor these moments where He grows me and stretches me by hard things. But I am also going to go out and feed His sheep. 

   What about you? I encourage you to go encourage someone else this week, no matter if you yourself are going through a hard time. 

Your Blogger,

 Claire 

P.S.--my parents and Benjamin are currently on the plane to the Frozen Tundra, aka Minnesota. He has surgery tomorrow...and we so appreciate your prayers!! 

Benjamin, Mason, and me!

 

Dear Readers,
 
   I love celebrating birthdays! Our birthday is next Wednesday. However,   I just got the sweetest birthday present and wanted to blog about it! :)
  My sweet NICU nurse and her family came to visit these past two days! It was such a gift.

  Just to backtrack, Benjamin, Mason, and I were born at 28 4/7 weeks...Benjamin weighed 2 lbs 15 oz, Mason weighed 2 lbs 5 oz, and I weighed 2 lbs 11 oz.  Hearing about my mom's pregnancy makes me feel so guilty--she did so much for us! Her story is amazing..hop on over to theblessingcounter.blogspot.com to hear it. : )  We appeared on the scene  April 18th, 1997.

  My mom, however, didn't get to see us right away. We were whisked away to the NICU, to doctors, medicine, and...sweet nurses! Laura Curatolo was my primary nurse. I don't remember my days in the NICU, but I have seen so many pictures...

From my mom's scrapbook :)

Nurse Laura put oxygen in my water so Mom could give me a bubble bath!



  Our family has remained in contact with Nurse Laura since our NICU stay (which means our birth!! So very cool.) , and it has truly beeen a gift. Nurse Laura and her husband, Mr.Jay, encourage me so much...they are such blessings! I can't even tell you how much I appreciate having a relationship with them through all these years..because I find it amazing and so special.  I loved getting to see them and meeting their dear children.

And today!

Before my baby dedication...

  We're now almost 15 years old... There are babies, I know, who were in the NICU just like we were  who didn't ever get to reach 15 years. So I have decided that I will never, ever get to a point where I will talk about my birthday as "I wish I wasn't another year older" or (as an adult) tell kids I won't tell them my age because it's rude.  I want to always be able to say "Wow, God, I can't believe You gave me the gift of LIFE. Thank you for letting me live to be ___ years old!" And I will always thank Him for the people who helped me get here.

  Your Blogger,
 Claire

 




 

My week and random thoughts from Claire

  Dear Readers,
  Just have to say...sometimes ( I mean a LOT of times!) I can't believe all the pain of the world, and it crushes my spirit. But then there are times like this week, when I can't help but jump for God's greatness! Times like when Mason goes to Special Ministries with me, and we get to worship with 17,000 other Christians, and --oh, yeah- you read that right! He went with me!!
 
  He has wanted to go because every night I come home with bunches of stories to tell, and he has been wanting to meet all these people who have become so dear to me. So...he went. And I feel so thankful that he did go. Of course I have many  reasons for this, but the main one is that now he gets it.  When I come home from Special Ministries, I feel like I want to laugh and cry at the same time. You see, these people make me laugh with their hilarious jokes, and I can't help but smile as I think of all the ladies who told me my brother was "pretty cute". I love going there and helping the other people at our table sign the songs so our Deaf friend can feel more involved. I love going there and meeting new people every week who love so much and seem to have enough hugs to go around four (or ten!) times. I love hearing everyone praise the Lord together, and I  love singing "Silent Night" in February because its one of the student's favorite songs.

  But it also makes me cry. Sometimes I just have to cry because I can't believe God has brought me here. I  can't believe He has let me use this beautiful language to bring His Word to someone else. Sometimes I just cry I feel so blessed my heart could burst.
 But   sometimes my heart bursts and a  torrent of tears comes out. Sometimes I look at this woman I'm interpreting for and realize "Oh.. she has no idea what I just said!"--because she doesn't know enough ASL to get by. Sometimes I'll feel so helpless and upset that she has no means of communication with those around her.
Sometimes I hear stories that break my heart.  Sometimes I watch a girl have a seizure.
 And  when those  things  happen,  I go home and write it all down in my prayer journal, praying for each of them. 
   And Mason got that. He started telling Mom that is was hard, but that he loved it. And, of course, I finished his sentence and said "You want to laugh and cry at the same time, right?" I feel so blessed to have these triplet brothers of mine who really do get it. And I'm blessed to have a place that contains so much joy as  Special Ministries! I'm learning so much and treasure each minute.

  This week we went to the Rock and Worship Road show. It wasn't nearly as fun as it could have been because my Dad wasn't there, but it was still pretty amazing. My favorite part was the crowd. 17,000 Christians worshipping the Lord together is a powerful thing! I palpably felt the Lord's presence.  Arms in the air, voices lifted, so and so band playing glorious music--I felt  that must be what Heaven is like! Although... when I first heard Lecrae, I didn't like him. But his love for God was so strong he ended up winning me over! I just hope I never have to interpret a rap concert. :O
   
    I read a few blog posts on a girl who shares my name. Only this girl has rhabdomyosarcoma, and has just been told there is nothing more they can do for her. It breaks my heart to hear the anger, fear, and  brokenness  in her mother's posts. The fact that she shares my name serves to remind me how easily she could have been me. And I hate how ugly, and scarred, and bruised our world is! But then I have an experience like last night, and I realize that no matter how many tears are shed, lives are taken, or babies abandoned, this world belongs to God. Satan is not going to win!
 So stay strong this week, friends, as you want to laugh and cry at this temporary home. Please remember that it is all in God's hands, and that He will have victory! One of the hardest things about advocating for  orphans is that I can't help but wonder "If God has a perfect plan for everyone, what is His plan for those who are stuck in an institution for their short life??" And although I still don't have an answer, I kow this- God is going to take those little ones into His arms once they are in Heaven. Even if their life was so short and so broken, He is going to make all of that disappear when they reach Heaven. I know He is, in the end, going to take the victory as He holds His precious child! And the Marcia's of the world will realize, once and for all, that they are loved. I find peace in the fact that even in the most hopeless situations, God will win!

Much love,
 Your Blogger Claire

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:
   “For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
 ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~Romans 8:31-39 (taken from Biblegateway.com)

I love my Readers! : )

 

My answer

Dear Readers,
  Hello again! We were actually in Hawaii all last week, so  I didn't get a chance to blog. We had a wonderful time, and I will definitely be blogging about it, but today I wanted to blog about the homeschool convention. We actually went there on Friday, and then woke up extremely early Saturday to get on a plane!

   So, the homeschool convention was wonderful. It always makes me want to study more and to be a better person! haha But it really does get us all ready to start school, and we usually find some wonderful books!
  For the first time, Mom, the boys, and I went together. It was so much fun to listen to the seminars together and share what we learned at lunch! AND, it was a lot of fun to just be together.

 But I really wanted to make this post to talk about more than just the homeschool convention. I'm constantly  getting  asked questions  like- "So, are you still being homeschooled?", "Do you have any friends, being homeschooled?" ,"So, do you not get to do any cool things like at a REAL highschool?"
  I really want to clarify that I love being homeschooled. And my mom loves home schooling us, so yes- we are going to keep homeschooling!

   Our family has lots of unique reasons for homeschooling, but I want to share some of the things homeschooling has done for me. 
   We all struggled in public school. It's hard for a teacher to have 40 kids in her classroom and still make sure Benjamin and Mason were well taken care of. It's hard to be the sister watching your brothers NOT be well taken care of and not blow up at the teacher.  It's hard to try to fit in with a group of girls who don't share your same beliefs. It's hard to do homework from 4:00 to 7:00 and still have family time. It was just plain hard.
  But now that we are homeschooling, we have time to do so much more than just read textbooks! We can go palpate a cow when we studied animal sciences, eat only foods the pioneers would eat when we studied them, and take a week in the middle of the school year to go to Washington, D.C. when we studied government.
  And, also, we have time for activities. So, instead of 'cool electives' at high school, I have time to learn to play violin and piano, and to be a part of community service projects, like putting on a ballet production with kids with special needs in it. And my brothers are part of an amazing theater group that is just for homeschooled kids.

There are SO many different education options, and I realize homeschooling is not for everyone. But for us, it is the perfect solution.  So, please don't jump to hasty conclusions  just  because we are homeschooled. Your Blogger,
 Claire

The little moments

Dear Readers,
  Lots of little things have happened in this past week that I would like to share with you all. Nothing big or major, this really isn't too profound of a post, I just was feeling thankful for all the moments last week and wanted to share.  So. Let me start with book club and move on from there.
   It was wonderful. Mom and I were in book club when I was in public school, so we found a couple of neat things to do at book club. Since our book was about a girl with Congenital Heart Defect who gets a heart transplant, and her quest to meet her donor's family, I found a video on the author's website of a heart transplant recipient meeting her donor's parents. It was touching and everyone had tears in their eyes.
   Next, I took some facts on transplants off my friend's blog and shared those with the group. (remember my post about "My life as a Chronically Ill Teen"? That's her.)  I thought that was perfect because it really gave the other members an idea of what the real statistics are (this was a fictional book).
    And then we talked about the book! It had a few questions at the back of the book that we based our discussion off of, and everyone had really good things to say and a great perspective. However, since our discussion centered on death, (the book was written from two perspectives- Amelia, the girl who receives the heart transplant, and how she now feels with a new heart in her (she felt athletic and, where she couldn't even climb the stairs before, she now feels like she could run up them.) and Eagan's perspective from a place kind of in between death and life (which was weird). So, everyone opted for a more cheerful option next time. (I tend to gravitate to sad books.) So now we are reading "Love, Ruby Lavender". It takes place in my Mom's birthplace, Mississippi, so of course will be good! I'll share more about it after our next meeting. But, the meeting was a lot of fun, and I loved talking with Mom about the book as we read it.

  Well, the rest of the week was also  good. Thankfully, Uncle Len finally came home, and the end of the year party for sign language was wonderful. I love having that group as friends. We also got to see a few new movies this weekend, which was good. It's always fun just to 'be'  as a family.
  And today Mason left for CIY! It will be in Durango, Colorado. We'll miss him.
Cate has Vacation Bible School all week. She is very excited about that! I have such fond memories of Rochester VBS, I'm sure she'll have wonderful Phoenix ones! 
   And, that's about it! I did want to share with you all a picture of the shorts I made in sewing class. It was an adventure! I'll give you a few details--I was the last one done, had to get the seam ripper out twice, and even after it was all over was not brave enough to try them on. They do, however, fit, and are not as bad as I thought! 
  Well, I hope I haven't  bored you with the little doings going on around here! I hope y'all are all enjoying the little moments summer has to offer. It's the book club meetings, friends, and family movie nights that makes summer so special, I think. All those blessings wrapped up in little packages. I'm praying God sends some your way this summer! Your Blogger,
 Claire                                                   



"From the fullness of His Grace we have all  received one blessing after another"
John 1:16

  Remember to praise God for the blessings that come your way, dear ones! They're all from Him.