Beautiful music

The other night (lame as we are) my hubby Scott and I were listening to some beautiful stringed music on PBS. Scott made a comment that struck a chord deep within me. He said, "An instrument in the hands of the right person can be a beautiful thing, but put it in the wrong hands and watch out!".

Wow did that statement make me think. Now he said it with no deep meaning behind it, but it made me instantly apply it to so many areas of my life. First of all, it made me think of my children. They are truly like instruments given to us. If we do the right things with them they too can "play beautiful music". But in the wrong hands kids have a hard time playing the right notes. When we are given our children they are a perfect, unblemished instrument. We immediately begin to "practice" out of sheer force and fear. There are plenty of off notes at first, but then we seem to hit our stride as parents. Like even the best musicians we play off key at times, but all and all we do pretty well because we have put the needed time and effort in to it.

Then, just as we have begun to master one instrument, we are often handed another. And usually not an instrument similar to what we have already played, but one that may be more difficult or need to be played in a much different way. Occasionally, we get an instrument that is easier than the one we learned to play at first and we count our blessings!!

I believe that it's our job as parents to make sure we "practice" everyday and not to slack off. Like Scott said, "an instrument in the right hands can make beautiful music". I believe anyone's hands can be the right hands. Like I've said before it's all a matter of choice. So, we have to put time and effort into our kids, even when it's tough.

I wish I could say that kids are an instrument that we as parents could master, but it seems just when we start to get good we are handed harder music! I do know one thing- though parenting kids can have plenty of off notes, the beautiful symphony we get most of the time makes it all worth it!!

Remembering my priorities

It's been a long, tough week. So long and tough that I think I could just end the blog post there and go crawl in bed. I watched my grandma pass away this week. Now that was tough. I saw her lying there in a body that didn't look like hers anymore and with a mind that was no longer there. Then a little boy named Connor, that has achondroplasia like Spence, died from complications of the condition. It brought back all those emotions I had when we came so close to losing Spencer. And to top off an emotional week, my sister moved over an hour away from us.

But I'm the type of person that always has to find meaning in it all. For me this week has meant putting my priorities in check...something I am continually having to do. I was reminded again this week that life is short and life is precious. So, I put a lot of things on hold this week to spend time with my family and to try and be there for my parents after losing my grandmother. I held Spence a little tighter and thanked God for allowing him to stay with us. In fact, I held all of the kids a little closer this week. I tried to say "not now" or "maybe later" a little less. So, my "to do" list didn't get done and I played more Monopoly games than another mother should ever have to, but it was probably the closest I've come to having my priorities in check in a long time.

Life is constantly trying to get in the way of what really matters. I know that every day I wake up with choices. Choices about who's going to get my time and energy. Everyday I have to find a balance. Time for the kids, time for me, time to keep the house clean without being too OCD and, of course, balancing all the things other people ask of me without sacrificing family.

I guess basically I'm saying that I'm just a work in progress and that we all probably need to check our priorities from time to time. Whoever said "stop and smell the roses" was probably on to something. So, quit reading this blog and go hug your babies or your hubby or literally go smell the roses. Life is short, might as well make the most of it!

Just feelings...

Yesterday was a rather weird day for me emotionally. Most of the time I don't feel bad about Spencer's condition, but every now and then I get a little twinge of sadness. A friend had posted a link to a blog about a baby with a serious heart condition. He has been sick since birth and there is no guarantee he will make it. Things were very touch and go for him yesterday. Crazy as it may sound those are the things that make me thank God that Spencer "only" has dwarfism. I mean really it could be so much worse. Yes, we almost lost Spence last month because of his foramen magnum compression and there will no doubt be more medical complications, but Spencer is going to be okay. That's what I have to cling to. My little guy really is going to be alright.

But at the same time it can be tough. Little things seem to slap me in the face. We were swimming at the YMCA last night and there was a little girl the same age as Spence. The same age mind you and she was standing there (with her daddy's help of course) and jumping into the pool. But little Spencer can't even bear any weight on his legs, not even for a minute, because of his hypotonia. He'll get there someday, but it's gonna be a while. I don't know why exactly, but it made me sad that Spence wasn't able to do it, too. With that big personality and big spirit, his body still denied him. It was no big deal really, right? So what if she could stand there and Spence couldn't. But there was something melancholy about it for me and I remind myself that it's okay to feel that way. They're just feelings and I will NOT expect myself to be Prozac happy that he has dwarfism. But I am deep down in the very depths of my soul happy we have Spencer in our lives, no Prozac needed thank you.

All about us!

Here I am posting my first blog post ever! I figure I'd better introduce my awesome family first! I'm Bri, a stay at home, homeschooling mom with 5 kids and married to the love of my life Scott. Scott sells insurance and is a sports fanatic! Our kids are Jake-9, Genna and Grace-7, Jordan-5 and Spencer born 12/31/08. Scott also has 3 kids-Bethany, Jared and Jason who are all grown up! We are one big family who loves our crazy life!!!

We just found out that our son Spencer has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. The shortened name for his condition is achon. It's pronounced "akon", yeah like the rapper-LOL!!

This blog is dedicated to our journey through achondroplasia.

I've learned alot in the last two weeks about this thing called achondroplasia. And I've found that God has provided me with an amazing peace about Spence's condition.

I know one thing Spencer may have a little body, but this kid has one BIG personality!!!

More about our crazy family coming soon!!!