Flippin' Brian

I just built up enough courage to attempt this off the short wall. I decided to film it, and I ended up landing it. I felt awesome! I decided to put it on our family blog.
-by the way if you look really closely, I have some black-eye make-up my friend was practicing on me for her play. 

Truly Blessed

I love the expression on Ammon's face in this picture.

This year's Christmas Holiday season was my favorite on record.

I felt so much love and gratitude for the Savior.

I felt pure JOY just being surrounded by my family.

We enjoyed reading Christmas stories by the fire, singing carols at an elderly home, iceskating,taking treats around to neighbors and friends. Andy and I were able to sneak up to Salt Lake City and see the First Presidency message live at the Conference Center, thanks to my wonderful parents who were literally pushing us out the door. Zach and I went to see The Savior of the World at the Conference Center. Amazing! Life changing experience. 

We had an evening with Julie and Drew making gingerbread houses.

New year's eve playing The Great Dalmuti with the Elder Family.

Over all lots of lying around playing games, being with family and friends and just slowing down!

Lots and lots of basketball at the church and Andy had the entire week off between Christmas and the New Year so I was in heaven.

I was so sad to see it all end. (except for the taking down of the decorations-I was ready to declutter)

 

As I write this I realize that the joy I was feeling was because of the deep gratitude I felt in my heart for Heavenly Father. 

The day before Thanksgiving Day I drove up to Salt Lake City with only Ammon in the back seat.

We were headed to the Utah Center for Children with Special Needs to meet with Dr. John Opitz.

Dr. Opitz is a geneticist at the University of Utah.

The night before I had barely slept. This was the moment I had been waiting for for nearly 4 years.

This man could possibly have the key to unlock the mystery of Ammon's diagnosis. Does he have FG syndrome(Opitz Keveggia syndrome) or not?Before we walked in I prayed that I would have the courage to face a negative diagnosis. 

We checked in a then were promptly lead to a waiting area in the back of the building. As we were walking I noticed everyone at the nurse's station staring at us and then a very beautiful older woman approached us. With a distinct accent she introduced herself. "You must be Ammon! I am Mrs. Opitz."

 I was taken back by her warmth and the overall opportunity to meet Dr. Opitz's wife!

 We were shown a room and waited for Dr. Opitz. My heart was pounding as I tried to gather my thought and questions. He came in with a student and a big smile. He looks like a scientist!! I told him what an honor it was to meet him. He began asking me specific questions about Ammon as he intently observed him. He didnt waste any time." I believe conclusively that your son has FGS3 syndrome."

 There it was. As he said it I realized that I already knew. He confirmed my feeling by saying "Although mother's usually diagnose their children before doctors do."  

He then taught me about the syndrome. With FGS1 there is mental retardation, but with FGS3 it is the opposite. He said "We have reason to believe that Beethoven and Einstein both had FGS3" and then asked me what I thought of that. Of course I always knew Ammon was brilliant, he is too brillant to talk!!!  

 He told me to be prepared for Ammon to have a  special gift in either music or mathmatics.  

 My heart began to swell as though it would burst right out of my chest.   

 He counseled me to make available to him the piano, and any communication device I could get my hands on. He handed me a copy of the FGFamily alliance newsletter.

 How many doctors do that! Only two in my experience left me feeling hopeful instead of trying to leave an office as fast as I could before a flood of tears gushed out.  

 We talked about other things for about and hour and then left. As we were walking out he patted me on the shoulder and told me to "keep up the good work..you are doing a wonderful job"

 That is about when I fell at his feet in a puddle of tears.J/k

I thanked him back and floated back to the car with Ammon.  

 I buckled Ammon in the car gave him a snack and wept.    

 I can't explain the peace I felt at that moment and still experience. 

After years of searching. We found an answer.

 Knowing what his syndrome is hasn't taken away his challenges or the acute desire I have to communicate with Ammon, but it gave us direction. The reality is many families never know and still move forward.  The following Sunday I was asked to give a talk on Gratitude. As I read and researched I realized more than ever that true happiness comes from being grateful, even and especially for our challenges.We can be grateful to know that someday the blessings we desire will be realized. I am so grateful for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Him all will be alright. 

Or like Jeffery R. Holland has so beautifully written (I keep this quote on my fridge.)

Some blessings come soon,

some come late, and some don't come until heaven;

but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.

P.S. My dear friend Kalo told me (quite out of the blue) that she would like to try and teach Ammon to play the piano! Cross your fingers! I picture it looking something like Anne Sulivan and Helen Keller.:) We are also in the works to get him a communication board at school.

New Post!

1. New Post! WOWEE! The blog lives on. Gotta start way back to Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving morning started off  with our annual Gobble-Gobble Run. 

There was some fierce competition!

And they're off!

 
First two finishers, Brian and Landon

Andy trying to hurry and get the finish line ready before our winners crashed through

 

Way to go Sam!!!

 Zach and Brad go head to head...it was a photo finish

Yeah Owen!

Owen's dramatic finish

Go Natalie! Watch out Ellie is on your heals.

 Way to go Ethan!!

The Finish line is shrinking

Aubrey sprints to the end!

  

Our real winner was baby Karie. She took the show.

 Until next year!

Mo-fellie

Ellie is 18 months old today. Do you ever wonder what you did without these little people? Thank heaven we have her. Her poor name though. We've morphed it to death. Elizabeth-Ellie-Ellie mo fellie --Fellie girl--Fo fell fells. Today I was picking up the kids and Jonathan (a neighbor friend) got in the suburb and said "Hi Mo fellie!!"

She is so spunky and tough. When the boys play soccer she is right there with them and gets mad when I go rescue her from being stampeded.

With Ammon she has done a role reversal. She brings him his milk and blanket (by the time he gets it its half empty from her dripping it down the hall, up the stairs and around the corner all the while saying "where iz he?" )

For me she has brought so much healing and wonder. Each time her finger reaches out and points or she remembers things I have taught her I marvel. 

We love you Ellie!

Be Doers

 A few weeks ago, at the beginning of school, we had our 2nd Annual special school dinner. Our theme this year...Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only..a scripture found in the book of James. 

We had a special evening eating dinner and discussing our new theme. As we ate enchiladas, we talked about the difference between being a hearer and a doer. We got more in depth as everyone committed to DOING and LIVING the gospel of Jesus Christ and DOIng without being asked.

My personal favorites: 

Sam.."If you see some wandom person lying on the ground you could go help them up"


Landon: " You could watch out for old ladies and try and help them somehow"

All in all it was a great boost to start a new school year...so if you happen to see 'some wandom people lying about' don't be a hearer only, go ahead and lend a hand. Sounds like a familiar story anyway. Something like the Good Samaritan story the Savior taught. Thanks Sam!

"Are you guys going to beat your parents?"

 If only I could count how many times Andy and I have been asked that question. Or...
"Are you going to have 17 kids?"  Or after we have a baby " Only 10 more to go!" I secretly wish I could have a dozen.

Really,  if only people knew how blessed Mom and Dad Hair are. Over 100 grandchildren! Think of the bragging rights!(Ammon was the 100th)The picture I would love to capture is Mom and Dad  surrounded by ALL of their grandchildren.

Mom is a ROCK. She has great faith and gives without reservation.I think our children will have fond memories of her retrieving goodies for them from her secret stash in her bedroom. I have to be careful not to compliment her on specific items in her house.

For example:  Me:" I love your vintage books!" Mom: "Take them! Their yours." And she's not kidding. She'll have them packed up ready and waiting for you at her front door.

Dad has rich spiritual depth from a life of loving Heavenly Father and the Savior and putting them first in his life. I love sitting in one of their overstuffed rocking chairs on Sunday evenings and listen to his stories. Hardly ever does he get through one without shedding some tears. Tender, sweet, humble man.
They love the Lord and it shows. We have a lot to live up to.

I'm personally glad she didn't give up at number 13 or 14 like most people would have:) #16 is my dream come true and soul mate. Without their example of devotion to marriage I wouldnt be treated like a queen in my own home.

Let Freedom Ring