Make a stone altar and burn the fatted calf!
Monumental Milestone!
Our 7th child just turned into a teenager!
Last time through the turbulent, terrific teens!
Jesus was once a teenager! That kind of blows the mind eh? Of course He was perfect, but still, remember the “walkabout” He took when He was twelve? You know, the time His mom and dad couldn’t find Him and they were worried sick? Yep. Growing up is a brand new era! For the teen, it means the stretching and sprouting more independence. For the parents, it means the confusion and cacophony of letting go, encouraging, holding them responsible for their actions and giving them wings to fly!
Well- here we come- ready or not! Though I’ve walked this journey with 5 other kids- I have a feeling- parenting a teenager with down syndrome will be anything but typical :)! But I’m up for the journey! Thank you to Sarah, Noah, Micah, Joshua, and Moriah for breaking me in as a parent and setting me up for this challenge.
I need to do a post soon on the AMAZING siblings, family, & friends God has blessed Bethany with!
Pure love in action! unconditional- unfettered- freely given- authentic love!
Funny story told by pictures: priceless!
Every Birthday, Bethany has a ritual. She goes to my “gift closet” (where I keep sale items to gift someone) or down to our DVD storage unit. She then “chooses” something she thinks will be special to the birthday gal or guy, wraps it and very “proudly” gives the “gift” with a homemade card. The handwritten card always says, “I love you Happy Birthday- you love me? skype I come live with you. Love you Bethany”
Being the sweet, understanding, patient, kind siblings, aunts, cousins, parents that we are- we’ve come to love this expected ritual of gift giving from Bethany.
This year- Micah decided to play a trick on her- He gave her a pillowcase with “something” in it. She was so excited!
She finally opened it and to her stunned dismay- Micah had raided her room and wrapped her Hello Kitty Alarm Clock.
Her expression was disbelief!
How dare her beloved brother give her something that she already owned!!
We were all laughing so hard- Micah most of all- and Bethany stormed out of the room. I was afraid she was going to cry, but just a few seconds went by when she turned around and came back in. She was laughing with us by now but it had taken her a few minutes to understand why we all thought that was so funny.
Between laughter and tears she said, “Micah- that was just rude! that was rude!”
She was mollified when Adi and Micah presented her with her real present from them- a date night at Applebees, followed by a movie and a sleepover. Below are the pictures that tell the story 🙂
The reveal- Bethany isn’t sure what’s just happened.
Micah can hardly explain because of laughing and Bethany is sitting in stunned disbelief!
Exit stage right- Micah is laughing so hard he’s crying. Bethany’s not sure why everybody’s laughing but an alarm clock she already had wasn’t on her list!
She’s baaaa-ack and relieved as she’s reading her real present- trip to Applebee’s coupon.
Surprising Treasures: Even more than we celebrate our lives and our loved ones
God is CELEBRATING with us and over us
every step, every breath, every decision, every challenge, every growing up- every day!
Cindy,
You are so blessed to have such wonderful children. You have been an amazing Mom!! Bethany is so blessed to have the wonderful family she has. Next time you are in Illinois or the Chicago land area, please let me know!!
Love,
Sheryl
Sweet Sheryl! DAILY- I thank God for the work He has, done, is doing, & will continue to do!!! in our family. It’s no just that we’re “lucky”- you’re right- its blessed- its not that we don’t walk through trials or times of testing- its just that He is our ROCK! And its not just that we don’t get tired and discouraged- but as we keep pressing into Him- He raises His banner over all His children and declares the victory! Love you sweet friend! blessings!
It so exciting to be a part of our Lord’s unfolding plan for our/His Bethany!
It is an adventure isn’t it? Keepin us young (er) babe! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this, Cindy. And happy happy birthday blessings to your beautiful Bethany♥
Susan
Thank you Susan! She has felt very blessed this last few days! It’s been a wonderful week of celebrating! hugs
I enjoyed sharing your party through your mom’s Surprising Treasures site, Bethany. Happy Birthday to YOU! Hugs and lots of love from your “Aunt” Edy 🙂
Thank you Aunt Edy! What a blessed week this has been! It’s a week to revel in God’s blessings, store them up and treasure them- life on earth doesn’t get much better than this! God is so good!