Life on an Unexpected Road... (*Guest Post*)

Today's guest post is written by one of my good friends. Ashley writes at her blog Momma on a Mission has been married for almost 10 years, has three awesome boys, is a homeschooling momma, hobby photographer, and professional crafter! Earlier this year, Ashley's youngest son was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis and Ashley has become both a fierce advocate for her son and played an important roll informing the public about the disease. Earlier this year, her youngest son wwas diagnose with juvilnile Arthritis and has taken to her blog to provide awarness and information for parents. To date she has spoken at a recent Arthritis Foundation event and hopes to be more involved with the them in the future. Her hope is to bring more awareness to this disease and provide a place of support and encouragement for other families as well.

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It’s been almost ten months since Monkey was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis and what a crazy ride it’s been so far. Full of many downs but also full of some great and unexpected highs. We’ve seen the OR room, tiny exam rooms, and needles more than we’d like, but, we’ve also received some nice surprises and met so many kind doctors, nurses, and found many new friends to help us along the way. We’ve even gotten the chance to be a part of some great events and look forward to being part of many more!

I’ve also found that this road is tricky…it’s not straight or clear. There are so many twists and turns and often times you’re in an area where even if there were a parenting GPS you wouldn’t get a signal. I’m fully convinced though that we as parents are given every gift and blessing to parent the children that God gave us. He has equipped us with every tool we need to be the perfect provider, nurse, comforter, and guide for them. This realization has given me faith and strength as we’ve walked down the road of JA. I may not be able to fix everything or make it all better but I know that I am doing my best and that IS best.

So if you and your family are walking down an unknown road leading you places you’ve never been and dealing with a disease or hardship you never expected remember that you were made for this. You alone have what it takes to be a source of strength and love for your babies and your family. Have faith my friend, and when you feel weak remember that there are others out here just like you holding you up and supporting you with prayers and thoughts. xo


(If you or someone you know is seeking a source of support or encouragement please feel free to pass along Ashley's Blog. She is also available via email (mommaonamission@comcast.net) and is more than happy to talk to those who are needing someone to listen.)

Minis

One night last week, I went to bed early. I know, shock and awe and all that. Shut up. Anyway, I did but when I did, T tucked me in and I apparently mumbled something about having to finish a blog post. What I meant was, I had one I had scheduled but not added pictures to but he didn't know that and I was exhausted and so he wrote one for me:

Isn't it funny.. how sometimes you could see yourself in your children. I know with D this happens all the time. Mischievous, Playful, and Incredibly handsome ha ha. Sometimes I get so frustrated with him and I know that he is doing just the same thing that his daddy was doing at his age. Of course the coins go into the tape player, that's how you get it to start.


 The amazing thing to me though is how much admiration he has for his little brother. I was the youngest of 4 boys so I never had anyone to look out for. D is so protective of K. When he cries D pats him on the back and tells him it's ok. I am not saying that D hasn't motivated K into doing things that he shouldn't, but there is no doubt that he loves his little buddy.


Now when I think of brothers getting into trouble, the differences between when I was small and now is amazing. Me, no caller id for when I call the pizza place and order 9 pizzas for our neighbors, D goes online and orders the entire neighborhood pizza. Me, went into class with all the answers to my test written to the palm of my hand... D, It's all on his cellphone.


I love my boys so much. They keep the world fun and exciting. I cannot imagine the world without them. Thank you so much for reading this post... I have my own blog page, but as Amy will probably tell you.... there is more traffic at the DMV on sunday then there is on my blog page.

Now, he is totally right about the traffic on his blog. He has had it almost as long as RMM has been around and has 13 posts and two followers. My sister and me.

Anyway, not the point. The point is, D has always been Tommy's mini me. He looks like him, he talks like him, they have almost identical personalities. Mischievous little boogers they are. Very physical and social. They are funny and love to be noticed.

K on the other hand, is just like me. He looks like me, he talks like me (a.k.a. a lot), and we have matching personalities to boot. He is so funny and so infuriating to me at the same time. Stubborn and opinionated like his mama so we tend to butt heads a lot. He is less physical and more mental. If that makes sense.

So, we both got our minis. Of course they do share traits and mix and match on some things. They are an awesome, infallible duo. They play and bounce off each other like Tommy and I do and its pretty funny to see them get into pissing matches. Eerily familiar even.

What about your kids? Do they favor one or the other?

Music Monday- Guest Post!

 Music is a huge part of Tommy and I's relationship. Its something we bonded over in the beginning and still connect with now.  I will be posting the lyrics to a song and what it means to me every Monday (hopefully). At least until I run out of interesting things to say (Or I forget). Make sense? Feel free to do your own but please link back to me and add your site to the comments below!


*This week's post was written by none other than the one that knows me best, my husband Tommy. He is normally a silly person but maybe not so much today. He has a blog but... well, he han't updated it in forever so I won't bother sending you there. If you want to see more of silly side, you can find him on Twitter as @DanishDaddy. Enjoy!*

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I'm Not Who I Was By Brandon Heath





I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was


I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was


I found my way around
To forgiving you some time ago
But I never got to tell you so


I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was


You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was


When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend it was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you


I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was


I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was


I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know that I am not the same
But I never did forget your name, hello


Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about


I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was




When Amy asked me to type out her Music Monday, I was so excited. Anyone who knows me at all knows that music plays a huge part in my life. All kinds of songs poured through my head. Rock... Techno.... Comedy... but something just kept pulling me to this song.


I am so proud of my wife, she is a truly amazing and understanding person. She does such a wonderful job raising my little boys to be men. My boys and her are my life. This song moves me to try to change for the better. To become a better person. It's that, and it also makes me feel like it is playing to my brother Henrik. It just tells me that no matter where you are in life, there is always someone there who will help you make it through.


Sorry for making this post so serious. If Amy lets me guest post again. I promise it will be funny. I also wanted to thank every single one of you for being there through our stories.