If there is anything I’ve learned in my 33 years on this earth, it is this: Life is full of unexpected events, both good and bad. Trials come in many shapes and sizes, but we all face them and it's almost impossible to face them alone and come through with our sanity in tact. Yet, if we can share our journeys and find encouragement, together with God's help we come out stronger than we ever thought possible.
I am privileged to be called Mommy by two of the cutest little princesses and a newborn son and to be married a decade now to their handsome Daddy. On the surface, we are a blessed family living the American dream.
But there’s much more to our family than a pretty picture can tell. We fall down. Much more than the average person, we have found ourselves literally flat on the ground hoping for the strength to get up. - For Daddy it’s grand mal seizures that knock him down in dramatic fashion.
- Mommy just has a weak stomach and has fainted more than a dozen times.
- Big Sister has spina bifida which makes walking difficult and tripping common, along with other complications.
- Little Sister is an adventurous pre-schooler who often falls simply because she never sits still.
- And now we have a Baby Brother, we excitedly welcomed in April 2015!
It’s a complicated yet beautiful life, where we have learned to adapt and appreciate the blessings.
Here’s our story:
Let’s go back a few years…way, way back. My husband and I knew each other from about the time I was born. He attended my first birthday party, and I grew up going over to play with his younger sisters. When I was an awkward 14 year old, I was disappointed to see my crush leave for college in Canada.
Our paths fortuitously collided again six years later when I was a junior in college, and he was an over-the-road truck driver. Less than a year later, we were engaged and planning a wedding for a few months after my college graduation.
The first four years of marriage included moving several times, trying different career pursuits, leading the youth group at church, building our first home, and struggling through some marriage pitfalls. Life was full, yet we had no idea our world was about to be shaken big time.
In early 2008 we were excited to learn our first child was on the way. My pregnancy had been great and at 20 weeks along the first ultrasound revealed that we were having a baby girl. We were thrilled! But there was more… she had Spina Bifida, a severe type known as myelomeningocele.
It was devastating to hear this. We were even asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. We knew nothing about spina bifida, other than it being an “abnormality” or “birth defect” as it was initially explained to us. (P.S. we don’t use those terms in our house!) We soon learned that it involves the incomplete formation of the spinal cord, very early in pregnancy, and carries lifelong ramifications for our child such as multiple surgeries, possible paralysis and incontinence. Oof! It did not matter though, we were blessed to have a baby girl. She was our gift from God, and we couldn’t wait to meet her. Today our princess Adria is a happy, beautiful little six year old who just completed Kindergarten and her first season of Soccer! She constantly amazing us as she progresses one step at a time and gets up after every fall.
Not long after the start of her journey, our family encountered another life-altering health issue. Daddy experienced a series of three seizures within two weeks after Christmas 2009. It was a crazy time as their arrival was completely unexpected for this active 31 year old man. Since then, these grand mal seizures have had a major impact on Daddy and our family, and have dictated major life decisions. Not to mention, he has given many a scare with sudden falls at car dealerships, Starbucks and even an airport.
 |
| Proud Daddy upon touching his daughter for the first time. |
 |
| Adria already 5 years old...and standing tall! |
During the years that followed, our journey was made even more complex as we relocated three times with Mommy being the sole income provider and striving to find the best opportunities for our family. We experienced financial strain and the heartache of loss with a pregnancy that ended far too soon. But in God’s graciousness, we were soon blessed with a perfectly healthy baby girl who would astound us with her boundless energy.
There have been many falls over the last few years for all of us but especially Daddy and Big Sister. And they hurt us all. Physically and emotionally. At times it felt overwhelming, yet with God’s help, we got back up again.
 |
| Mommy holding Johanna for the first time. |
And here we stand with Daddy living mostly seizure-free for the past two years, Mommy enjoying a new job, Big Sister loving school and her friends, Little Sister dancing her heart out, and Baby Brother to adore.
We hope that our story may somehow bless you as you write your own. On these pages you will find stories about Real Life. We cover a range of topics including:
- Spina Bifida
- Seizures and Epilepsy
- Working Mom
- Stay-at-Home Dad
- Parenting Little Ones
- Overcoming Adversity
- Finding Miracles
- Life Adventures
We are not unique in our struggle. Though you may face different trials, we know you have a story that involves life knocking you down at some point. Maybe even today. Let us share together and learn how to get Up Again!
Comments and feedback are welcome. Thank you for caring and sharing with us.
No comments:
Post a Comment