A night of pottery

Last evening, Eden did a very selfless thing. She gave up an evening of her pottery class/lesson and invited me to be a student of her instead.

We had a lovely evening of mother/daughter time.

She told me to live in the moment but I had to get a few pictures.

She showed me each of the steps involved and even let me trim some of her pieces.

But of course the highlight was learning how to throw at the wheel. With a lot of help from Eden, I made two planters with saucers and a bowl.

And an evening would not be complete without a stop for ice cream, would it?

Thanks, Eden!

A hopeful update

We are feeling a bit of hope around our house these days.

Okay, I'm feeling a bit more hopeful. I can't speak for anyone else.

After too many years of rages, aggression, people hurt and items destroyed, it was time to take the plunge. We had put off medication as long as we could. We tried play therapy (helped a bit), dietary changes (helped a bit), and too many books, videos, trainings and workshops to count (also helped a bit). We could honestly say we'd tried everything else.

But of course it couldn't be as easy as just calling in a prescription. First we had to find a pediatric psychologist who would test a visually impaired child. The closest children's hospital first said they could but then changed their minds. Thankfully they took the time to find someone in a neighboring state. As expected, we left with a diagnosis of ADHD - for starters. But now to find a pediatric psychiatrist closer to home who could prescribe and follow-up on meds. And someone who didn't have a months-long waiting list.

We should have known that someone without a waiting list is available for a reason.

She's awful. No rapport with Victor. Was patronizing and dismissive to me.

And because we don't have any worthwhile family history, she wouldn't prescribe anything until we had a cardiologist sign off.

Only the cardiologist she sent us to couldn't see him. More days passed. Finally found a place to go.

They claimed they saw an irregularity.

Now we had to find a pediatric cardiologist. Only to hear that a child should have an irregular heartbeat and be questioned numerous times as to why we were there. As if I were the one who had insisted upon it.

Of course each of these appointments took weeks to schedule.

Then the first med turned my already-behaviorally-challenged child into a depressed and suicidal six year old. And then he decided there was no way that pill was going down his throat. Not even for pudding. Or applesauce. Or ice cream. Or even Coca-Cola.

Finally, a patch.

Would my sensory-challenged child go for this idea?

He did. And things are looking up.

We think.

Maybe.

Who knows?

Because why should anything be easy?

But we were having a good enough day yesterday that I did something I have very rarely attempted with him. I took him out in public. We role played before we went. We questioned and answered. What happens if you are getting rough and other children might get hurt? What if I tell you to slow down? What will you do when I say we need to leave in five minutes?

And it worked. With just a few minor glitches. Believe me, a few minor glitches is like perfection around here. Cause we all know it's about progress not perfection.

Then we picked out pumpkins and he drew his pumpkin face so I could carve it (complete with a wandering eye? and ears - one with hair growing out of it, I think - on the sides).

Pretty good likeness, huh?

Sister made a hedgehog. Of course.

Beautiful.

1 Timothy 4:12 - the 7th time around

Another thirteen year old in the house means another trip to the beach for a Rite of Passage weekend. Poor thing had an early June birthday but with graduation, vacation, and wedding preparations in the spring, her celebration got pushed off til fall.

But it was still meaningful and memorable.

The topics found in 1 Timothy 4:12 are the basis for the weekend and were divided up between Mom, MomMom, big sister Eden, big sister Mariana (in absentia), sister-in-law Megan, cousin Molly, and even Great Grandmom (also in absentia).

Snippets of wisdom spoken over HopeAnne:

Words can bring death and words can bring life.

It's okay to make mistakes. That's why pencils have erasers. Embrace your mistakes and allow God's love to teach you through it.

Artifice is the concept where people put on a mask to walk into different situations in life. In middle school and high school it is easy to hide behind a mask, but I encourage you to consider that God always knows what is underneath. He loves every part of you. No need to hide behind a mask. Your life is valuable in every situation.

Love is an action, not just a feeling. We follow Jesus' example of love.

Since you are a runner, you know how important it is to have strong legs. Faith is like a muscle in your leg. If you use it and nurture it, it will grow strong...Just as you as a runner need to strengthen your legs to perform, so we as Christians need to constantly strengthen our faith to perform.

To remain pure in all of these areas and in all of life, it will be important to look to the Bible, to ask the Holy Spirit, to listen to godly mentors like the women sitting around the table with you, and surround yourself with godly peers.

We also enjoyed the boardwalk and craft fair in town.

And spa treatments like massages, manicures, and facials.

Eden taught us all how to do sgraffito, scratching designs onto pottery that she formed for us ahead of time.

Thank you, everyone, for celebrating the next godly woman in the King household. She's seen what happens when individuals choose not to live a life according to God's guidelines. She knows that is not the life she wants to live. She understands that freedom actually comes from living a life with boundaries. And she has great mentors to help her along the way.

We love you, HopeAnne. You have always been our butterfly and we trust God to guide you toward the destination He planned for you before the beginning of time. Happy traveling!

Another birthday couple

Happy birthday month to the doctor and his wife.

Not the Good Doctor. The doctor. Dr. Fissle. I hear his students love him.

And, not to be outdone, his wife (although he didn't know her at the time) decided to be born the same month.

Her students love her, too.

But I don't think she wears silly coats, bow ties, socks, and wigs.

Middle schoolers need a little more entertaining than second graders.

We are proud of both of you and excited to see how God will continue to lead in the future. A strong marriage can be your greatest testimony to others. Keep serving Him!

Happy birthday!

Victor-isms: he's six!

Victor: Do I have to get married?
Me: No.
Victor: Oh good, because I don't want my wife to be pregnant.
Me: Why not?
Victor: Because I don't want my kids to sing out of tune.
After a little thought...
Victor: Well, maybe I could be a music and singing teacher and teach them how to sing.
And again...
Victor: Every child that is born is different. Even if they are twins.
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Along the same lines...
Victor: Can you be my neighbor when you grow up? 
Mariana: We will see 
Victor: So how old are you? 
Mariana: 20. 
Victor: When I am 20 how old will you be? 
Mariana: Like 45 I think. 
Victor: Wow! Will you be my neighbor then? And live really close to me? 
Mariana: I don't know Victor I have to figure out what I'M going to do in my life. 
Victor: Okay so can I go on a honeymoon with you? Wait! Can I marry you?! Can we get married when I'M 20? 
Mariana: Oh honey. We can't do that because you are my sibling! 
Victor: Oh no *sad face*
********************

After drinking some Coke:
Gravity just pulls the bubbles up my nose and it hurts.
*******************

Victor: Hey, I'm picking up on something. It's a pheromone.
Me: Do you know what a pheromone is?
Victor: Yeah, it's a liquid that attracts something to it. Is there a pheromone in the yard?
Me: Okay then.
********************

A conversation between an adult friend and Victor after church:
Friend: Victor, what did you learn about today?
Victor: Moses.
Friend: Oh, are you going to part the Red Sea?
Victor: No, I'm just going to take a kayak.
********************

He volunteered to wipe the table after dinner.

That's one way to do it. Right?
*******************

And just because sometimes we need to get a positive email once in a while, I share this one with you. It made my day.

I wanted to let you know that on Sunday September 29 we had a special FX clubhouse skit where Norman and Tyler shared about what God’s Word says about God Himself. They compared our Heavenly Father to our earthly parents. They asked the kids to think about a quality (good or bad) about their parents. Victor raised his hand and waited patiently and he said “Protecting”.

I guess he is listening! And he raised his hand. And was patient. 

 ********************

And she pondered all these things in her heart.

And again

And, time for our second October 9th birthday.

This guy has the biggest friend group of anyone I know.

He became a US citizen this year.

He works hard at working hard and knows how to dress to impress.

He successfully made the transition from high school to college.

And sometimes he just surprises us. We love you Shoun, every single thing about you. We're glad you're our son. Know that you are enough.

Another year older

Tomorrow Eden will turn fifteen years old. Today we celebrate her birthday.

She's an excellent chef, baker, and all-around kitchen helper.

She's a wonderful big sister

and not so bad as a little sister, either.

She's gifted as an artist.

And these days she's busy turning the "boys' room" into her room.

Five years ago she had the idea to start collecting items for backpacks to give to foster children transitioning into foster care. That idea turned into Backpacks of Hope, an initiative under Our Father's Hope, which just happened to become a non-profit this year. Thanks to her, over 1,400 backpacks have been given to vulnerable children in Central PA. You can help us honor Eden's fifteenth birthday by contributing to Backpacks of Hope. We have an Amazon wishlist which can be found on the Backpacks of Hope Facebook page.

Here is Eden accepting a contribution to Backpacks of Hope

and eloquently speaking about the project.

Thank you, Eden, for being a blessing to us and to so many others.