Micah David (Micah- “who is like God?” David- “beloved of God”) 11/11/88 celebrating 23 years on this Veteran’s Day 11/11/11~ you stretched our circle of love! This is the last child that I write a tribute for in 2011. Thanks for bearing with me as I’ve shared my heart about the treasure trove of children the Lord has […]
Look Up and Fear Not!
Though I didn’t feel the tremors of the earthquake whose epicenter was in Oklahoma, I’m alert & aware. I’ve read and heard everyone’s surprised comments that Kansas would “feel” some ripples of the earthquake tremors. God hides beautiful treasures for us to discover in life but He does not want the “end of the age” to be a surprise! […]
encouragement, fallen world, Jesus will meet you there, living between the trees, overcoming, perspective, promises, treasureAnd a big voice said- “And me.”
We are “technically” part of the minority that doesn’t celebrate Halloween. I mean I try to keep it veeerrrry LOW KEY. It’s my least favorite holiday ever! I’ve never liked scary anything and I’m not fascinated by witches, warlocks, especially not vampires, and ghosts…. not even friendly ones. 🙂 In our family, we don’t do SCARY! We have however, “loosened up” in […]
Bethany, God, Halloween, humor, perception, treasureLife is BitterSweet – the Sweet will Ultimately WIN

[Tweet “Life is #bittersweet- but God’s #Love will ensure the sweet will Ultimately Win!”] For many of us, memories swirl around bittersweet moments as jumbled and numerous as glitter in a snow-globe. We’re thankful for life – but it hurts like hell when death has taken someone you love. Every holiday is bittersweet, painful to even celebrate without […]
bittersweet, Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parenting, transformation, treasureTreasure Tribute #3- Noah
25 years ago, my little helper, Sarah, (5 at the time) helped me rake for three hours, piling leaves into a huge leaf fort. I was hoping to jump start my labor- since I was 7 days overdue. All I got were blisters and a backache. 🙂 Out came the heat pad for my back, my feet went up on our ottoman, and we crashed on the couch […]
birthday, celebrate, children, family, living between the trees, Noah, thankfulness, treasure, treasure tributePerception is Everything: Special Needs Acceptance
This is a true story that illustrates the saying- “Perception is Everything”. [Tweet “What will it take to change our perception special needs adults- from tolerance to acceptance?”] “Hi! How are ya?” The loud, booming voice grabbed my attention- and everyone else s while I was at the Dillon’s check-out line in the front of the store. absolutely no response […]
Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, encouragement, God's love, labels, limitations, living between the trees, perspective, transformation, treasure hunterMule Moments- Insight Into Special Needs Stubbornness

Bethany ran in the house, opened her backpack to pull out a small rectangular card and breathlessly said, “Mom! Mom! Finally! I got it! The school gave it me today!” s “What’s this?” I asked taking the card. “Oh, I see, that’s so cool- you’ve got your school ID card. That’s awesome.” s “No, Mom! […]
Bethany, Christian family, downs syndrome, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingA Time to Revel

definition of Revelry: unrestrained merrymaking Shrieks of laughter, giggles, and unrestrained delight danced through open windows to my listening ear. What could possibly be so fun in my front yard? I stepped out to see Finley and Cohen swinging on an old tire swing Micah and Jeff had just put up two days before. […]
Christian family, Cohen, Finley, God of Grace, joyful journey, Revel, special needs parentingGod’s in Control of Even our Detours!
[Tweet “There’s no such thing as a #detour in life when you’re walking with #God.”] Autumn’s Glory begs a Road Trip! Jeff and I plotted a route and planned a previously undiscovered, unexplored destination: Weston, MO. Co-ordinates were plugged into his I-phone for back-up directions. Our main objective for the day: soak up God’s beauty, take lots of pictures, hold hands, and celebrate his […]
birthday, Cindy, detours, encouragement, inspiration, Jeff, living between the trees, perspective, treasure hunterHelp Us Lowrd!

Does your heart get overwhelmed? Mine sure does. My prayers seems to be always asking, asking, asking God for help! [Tweet “Our Father God is available 24/7- Call Him! #prayer”] H e l p ! Help me cope with life! Help my four friends undergoing chemotherapy! Help two precious women I love heal from miscarrying. Help for my fragile relationship with my only brother. Help my sisters: […]
Bethany, Christian family, down syndrome, God of Grace, joyful journey, perseverence, Special need parentingSome Missing Children Go Unreported

Bethany’s SPED teacher said she said something that made my jaw drop to the floor. “I have to admit, I’ve only taught one other child with down syndrome in my whole career.” How can that be possible?! s Even though times have changed, inclusion is the mandate of the day and children with down […]
abortion, Christian family, downs syndrome, God of Grace, joyful journey, special needs parentingYou Only Get 1 Chance to Build Your Family an Ark
When Bethie was little, I would worry about how much “spiritual” truth she could truly understand. I’m always looking for concrete, visual ways to emphasize the truths of God. It’s one thing to read words- “Jesus loves me.” another thing to hear “God is love.” but it’s explosively powerful to SEE and HEAR in a third dimensional sense …..Sight […]
Amy, Bethany, Branson, downs syndrome, inspiration, Noah's Ark, perspective, treasureMetamorpha Miracle- Butterfly Surprise!

Our family’s migration to Kansas introduced us to a close up look of the “Sensational Cross-Country Flight” of the Monarch butterfly. Lawrence is a blip in their “directional GPS” as they flutter with fortitude toward their wintering home in New Mexico! Last year, Jeff and I, along with Aunt Melody, took Josh, Moriah, Finley, Cohen, and Bethany to an enclosed […]
Bethany, Christian family, Cohen, Finley, God of Grace, Joshua, joyful journey, metamorphasis, transformation“FRAMILY”- the blessed blending of Family & Friends

“Make New Friends- But Keep the Old One is Silver and the other is Gold!” [Tweet “One thing sure in life is this: THINGS CHANGE.”] When Bethany was born, I was concerned that all her siblings were older and she wouldn’t have the joy of home schooling or playing with them; thereby not knowing them […]
Amy, Bethany, children, Cohen, family, Finley, framily, friends, living between the trees, Spencer, thankfulness, treasureFluttering Wings
I laughed this morning reading my husband’s comment on my last post! And I quote, “I miss those nesting days too. These days its the flutter of wings everywhere, but then, I like the feel of a breeze in my face. And our children are flyers. They really are.” (of course he feels wind- he’s […]
encouragement, faith, Finley, living between the trees, new beginnings, perspective, promises, treasure