The Opportunity

Oh VBS!!! Really, thank God for VBS!! If you can't tell my older boys went to VBS last week and as much as they enjoyed it, I think I enjoyed it twice as much....and yes for my own personal peace. Since VBS was in the evening I was able to shop, clean and even surprise my husband a little.
After a long day with six kids at the house, I was getting the boys ready to go to VBS and with 5 minutes left before we had to leave, I decided to surprise the hubby by going to the office. See one day a week my husband has an opportunity meeting and I miss it usually because it is so hard to take 3 kids to the office AND keep them QUIET. So with 5 minutes to get dressed, I threw on whatever did not need ironed and an extra squirt of perfume. It was time for Braylon and I to go support daddy and the business.
As expected my husband was very pleased to see us there. Braylon was ecstatic to be in the midst of all of the people... I swear he was showing off! So as the meeting began B did a wonderful job at being quiet, eating snacks. But as the meeting progressed he began to get "ants in his pants". Every time the room burst into applaud, B clapped to. Only B can only clap with one hand, slapping his right hand against his belly is B's way of clapping. And every time someone in the crowd would amen or cosign, Braylon would bounce up and down in his stroller. He was truly enjoying being in the environment of happy people cheering for one another. Who knows maybe B will be the best team player ever one day! Time came for my husband to present and as he walked up front B clapped along with everyone else. What caught me by surprise wasn't the ease my husband had speaking, it wasn't the amount everyone laughed at his jokes. It WAS that at every opportunity of silence, Braylon yelled "DADA, DADA!".... his first words. Joy filled my heart as I heard those words, even though they weren't "mama". Speaking can be very difficult for stroke victims, but I know for B it will be something else to brag about.
Braylon and I went to the office that evening to share in a business opportunity meeting, never expecting it to be Braylon's opportunity to tell his daddy he loves him and is proud of him in the simple, but endearing words of "DADA". What I learned... when an opportunity presents itself, take advantage even if that opportunity wasn't meant for you.

NO WALKING!!

By now those of you who know me have heard me say, "Braylon is crawling!" Although crawling is a natural progression for babies, there was a time when we didn't think B would crawl...we thought he'd just walk first. Not until now did I realize the importance of him crawling. Yes, I know it is necessary for him to learn his balance and all but I had NO idea crawling helped with brain development.

Today at Dr. Erb's, the chiropractor, Dr. Kim was playing with B and thrilled with his improvements. She couldn't believe how fast he is getting around. After adjusting our family, Dr. Kim expressed how important it is for us to keep Braylon crawling... "No walking!" she reiterated. I wondered why it is so important that he doesn't walk. Well little did I know that crawling builds and strengthens the low-level brain areas, which is the foundation of the brain. And we all know it is very important to have a strong foundation... He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ~ Luke 6:48.

Outside of Braylon's stroke issues, he was also diagnosed with Strabismus.. a wandering eye. We took him to an optometrist months ago and she gave us patches to use over his "strong eye" and told us he would probably need surgery. Aaahhh! What else Lord? But like I said that was months ago and I only used the patches once because I hated pulling the patch off B's eye. We have been seeing Dr. Erb for a few months now and Braylon's eye no longer wanders. I am so thankful that through chiropractic adjustments strabismus is not an issue. Today I also discovered that Braylon crawling all over the place is helping with his eye movement as well. Funny when you open your mind to alternative healings, you realize how powerful God is. Without surgery, medicine or any other "normal" methods Braylon is getting better because of God's healing power within Braylon!

This may be a little off the subject, but I need to write it down anyways. We all have dreams that God put within us. We may look around and see other people having success at OUR dream and wonder why not me. The same principal applies here.... we must crawl first. My dreams are not on hold, but they haven't come fully into fruition. I may still be crawling, building my strong foundation. I accept that, because one of these days I'm going to walk and when I do my foundation will be built strong upon the Lord. Although crawling can seem like a slow process, shortly after you learn to walk you run. So take this message and remember "No walking!" God will let you know when it's time to run!!

Check out this article on why crawling is important.

http://www.a4everfamily.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=202&Itemid=108

My boys,
This weekend was so much fun! I really enjoyed spending time at the lake. Watching ALL of you laughing and smiling was such a blessing... truly. You will always have my love...

My family spent time at the lake recently. I must admit it was worth packing up the 2 coolers, 4 beach bags, diaper bag, stroller & 3 kids. We all had a great time.
My thoughts bounced from watching the big brothers and being amazed at Braylon's swagger. He crawled all over the blanket taking in the wind, squinting at the sun. Sitting on the beach B played in the sand.....well, rocks :) and laughed at the waves splashing his face. He was "the man" enjoying the day with people he loves. He is not a victim in any way.... He knows he has it going on. And I love watching!!!

Colin Johnson

On the Today Show this morning a young man named Colin Johnson was a special guest. Kids have been invited to the Today Show for all different reasons: cooking, playing music, reading at age 2, but Colin was special for me. He was born 8 weeks pre-mature and suffered from brain hemorrhage. The outlook was not good at all. Eleven years later Colin is on a national news program playing the guitar.... and doing very well! His father was asked how he became talented in music. His response was to say his brain developed his special talents.

I believe in God and His plan, so for sure something awesome will come out of Braylon's brain damage. What??? I'm just waiting to see. Just like Colin, B is developing a strength we can never imagine and an attitude most of us wish for. Braylon may never play the guitar like Colin or even play football like Daddy, but he will find his passion that God has put into him. If that passion is developed from a damaged brain or healthy body, I don't know. He will however be great... just like the rest of my family.

Check out Colin's story and be impressed!

Today Show:11-year-old rocker performs