Friday, September 5, 2008

Back to School

It was back to school for all the kids this week--and I think I've signed more class rules, regulations and expectations papers than should be legal. I want to know why the schools can't just say respect-your-teachers-or-you'll-get-sent-to-the-principal's-office-for-a-spanking like they did when I was a kid. I don't remember my mom ever signing piles of rules and regs. It's ridiculous. Parents just need to say, "Look--be good, do your homework, and obey your teachers--end of discussion." Think of all the trees that would be saved.

Enough ranting. So Annie had a good first week. She has a new school and a new teacher this year, and the same (wonderful) nurse as last year. Annie is so much different than just 8 weeks ago--her nurse was pretty amazed at her progress. In June, she was having dozens of seizures a day and could barely hold her head up. Now she's alert, strong, much more vocal, and hasn't had a seizure since the end of June. I'm reminded when people comment on how well Annie's doing that I need to stop, take a breath, and appreciate what God has done, too.

Like, tonight, I was holding her on my lap while talking to my mother-in-law on the phone, and Annie was getting fidgety, so I asked Bill to pick her up and put her on the floor. Well, you'd think we had taken away her favorite toy or something--the tears just welled up in her eyes, she started sobbing and saying, "la-la-la-la-la," which translated means, "Please put me back on my mom's lap!" How can I explain that her emotional response is a miracle? Or when we put her in bed, and she laughs and giggles then snuggles right down under her blanket, peeking over it with twinkly eyes and a look you haven't seen in 18 months--how can I tuck her in without praying, "Thank You, Lord--thank You, thank You, thank You"?

Her vocabulary is up to at least four words: "Yeah," "No," "Hi," and what her nurse says sounds like "Done." Can you believe that?? The change has been so gradual, and it seems like every day she's added some new sound--now it's just a matter of trying to figure out what she means, because she sure knows what she's saying.

It is good for me to stop, take a breath, and thank God for what He has done.

Jean

“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mark 5:19

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank You Lord! Thank You, thank You, thank You.
Continuing love and prayers,
Terri Whitman

Gretchen said...

Psalm 84:5-7

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimmage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 116:1-2

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:7

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.


Well, my friend, I won't begin to imagine how this isn't where you thought you'd be 5.5 years ago. And, I'm sure each day is so exhausting and that if the Lord were not abiding in you as much as He obviously is, you'd be even more exhausted. Befuddled. Hopeless. But He's so in this with you. None of it's fair, but posts like these make me want to grab onto my faith, and hold it fast. For He is mysterious. He allows the unthinkable. But He is good.

Thank you, Jean for sharing this journey with us. Sending much cyber love over to ya this a.m. and always.

xxxooogretchen

Kathy Day said...

Hi Jean!

I was just thinking about you guys today. I still read every one of your posts and love to hear all the updates - I can't believe how time flies. Sophie is now 10 (almost 11) months old. It would be great to see you sometime (of course, my timing is impeccable with the busy school season starting up. ;) )
Take care and continued prayers for you and Annie and all the family...

Jean Sullivan said...

Thanks for your prayers, Terri & great verses, Gretchen! Kathy--I'd love to see Sophie too--and I'm seeing all your old friends in rehab clinic tomorrow--I'll let you know how it goes.

:)Jean

Anonymous said...

Jean, thanks for the super update! Annie's progress is amazing. I am sure in the hectic schedule of everyday life and exhaustion it is sometimes hard to focus on how far she has come. Neat to hear it from someone who has not seen her in a while. And yah in MY day there was pretty much one rule too... do what you're told or prepare to pad your butt. :)

Anonymous said...

Yeah, No, Hi, and ...Done????? What is Done?

Oh, I KNOW!!! "IT IS FINISHED!"
By YOUR stripes, we WERE healed!

HALLELUJAH!

And, thank you, Annie, for reminding us:-)

And, ditto's to Gretchen - great verses!

Tracy said...

Wow....just found your blog and I am truly enjoying reading it. Will be in prayer for your family and look forward to getting to know you through your blog.

www.frogparenting.blogspot.com said...

I found you through the post on Gretchen's blog (Jewels in my crown...)
What a journey you have had so far! WOW--
I was thinking that Michelle at at In the Life of a Child http://inthelifeofachild.com/

would love to have you join in her blog carnivals--