What a week!

Where to begin? Our week started off “normally.” Liam headed to regular Kindergarten on Monday. Except we didn’t bring the van, it’s been in the shop for ongoing issues. Turns out our van was sugared. That’s right someone poured so much sugar into our gas tank they couldn’t just clean it out they ended up replacing the entire thing. Thanks to Van Andel and Flikema and mechanic named Mike for finding the issue.  And, that’s just Monday the beginning of the week.

Wednesday, Liam had an episode, for lack of a better word. Whatever it was he was scared and so was I. We ended up doing three rounds of blood work, EKG and EGG and still have no definitive answer. But, we do have a plan. Thanks to Dr. Wynalda and his staff for making it a bearable week emotionally for me.  

And, then we had a yard sale! It was fantastic. Since we’re moving we didn’t solicit donations for items this year. Hopefully, we’ll be settled next year into something more permanent and we’ll have a bigger sale.  Hey, if anyone wants to do one I’ll help. We just don’t have the space at the moment.  We made over $400 which is enough for half of one session at CLC. On our way!

Someone turned SIX on Sunday and of course that required a birthday party. What a party. Thanks to our friends and family for making it wonderful despite the wind and lack of shelter. (PS drove by Lydell Park today and the shelter is being rebuilt!)

And, last but not least our GOFUNDME page is picking up steam. Thanks friends!  Next post will be more about how CLC has impacted our lives and of course LIAM!

WAHOO! IT'S A BABY!

Hey everyone,

Changing the yard sale to...

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 9-2

Due to the arrival of newest neice! 

Another Year Another Yard Sale

I was trying to recount how many sales we've had in two years? All I know is we've had very generous friends make donations of beautiful and "interesting" items. And, almost all of them find homes. Always amazes me the stories our things could tell.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2014

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014

TIME: 9AM-2PM

LOCATION: 713 Diamond AVE NE GR MI

ENJOY! 

If you have donations please bring them by Friday. Thanks! 

Apparently, these are the only pictures of items I took. But, I remember taking more...I guess I was just fascinated by this vehicle? if it can be called that. It won't be at the yard sale but you should be!  

Spring Things

Almost a year since my last post! We've been busy living. Liam will turn SIX in a few weeks and little brother celebrated his first birthday a little over a month ago.

Here are some highlights:

Liam walked his farthest distance last fall. From our house to the neighbors. His reward was ringing the doorbell. And, walked home!

Leading the Parade! 

Walking all the way home. 

Sitting up almost completely by himself. This is a big, difficult task. But, the possibilities are endless: getting out of bed; playing by himself; sledding just to name a few.

Couch Sitting 

Piano Sitting

Sled Sitting.

Accident free week at school. Both schools, to be specific. Conclusion: the skills learned at CLC are transferring to other areas of life. His new strengths are becoming normal to him and he can repeat them!

Walking to Santa

Policeman Liam on patrol.

You are under arrest! 

Learning to read. Crawling is an early motor skill leading to later reading skills. I don't understand it either. I do know Liam can get onto all fours by himself. And, he is learning to read.

That's been our exciting year! Next up is our last yard sale on Diamond Street! Posts of items coming tomorrow!!!

Let's Do Lunch

It's been about 5 months since my last lunch with girlfriends. It feels equally long since I've been present on this blog. Phew, where to begin. Time to update the family info because we are a family of FOUR! Welcome baby David!

At Home Together!

Two in diapers (but one only at night now!), two non ambulatory (not walking), two crying (but only when tired or hungry), two boys=brothers.  It's been two months of this chaos. PHEW! The grands have literally saved my life on several occasions, especially the night we ALL had the flu and a very selfless grandma stayed on our couch all night so I could sleep.

That couch was my comfortable prison the last 11 weeks of my pregnancy. Yes, that is almost 3 months. And, the last two I was in somewhat active labor, on medication to stop contractions. It was quite something. I watched to many shows to remember and thanked God for our public library where I could download books without leaving my couch!



Painting at School

The Walking Wonder

 

 

 

While I was confined, contemplating what Liam feels like most days, he started to push obstacles out of his way. The distance he is able to walk has probably quadrupled. And, the amazing potty trained boy is decreasing his accidents weekly. He started playing with blocks without a therapist (blocks are a big assessment tool in OT/PT and education)! And, he likes it. He's figuring out the purpose of toys is to play not "work." What a gift to give him a little more normal childhood.

Normal until Dad taught him the word FIDUCIARY. Yup. And, they're working on money matters with the birthday money. But that's a story for another post.

Growing Pains

We are six months into our year at CLC. Here's a look back on some of the highlights and hopes for the remainder of the school year.

We knew from the two month trial before the official school year started our goals of potty training and independent walker were attainable. It took about a week for Liam to "Dry All Day" at school . He was SO proud to walk out carrying the big green "Dry All Day" star. At home we have on average one accident a weekend. And, usually that's because we forgot to ask or are out in a new setting. And, those are becoming more rare because he started telling us when he needs to go. After, several months of being dry at school and over the weekend his teachers increased their expectations. He giggled so hard he could barely walk the day he received the "Pushed Pants Down" star.

Let me take a step back and explain why potty training, of all things, is so important and such an accomplishment. Liam, like a person who has had a stroke or has paralysis, has difficulty feeling his and controlling his lower body. While he's 3, 4, or 5 it's not really difficult to find diapers that fit or change him. But, what about when he starts school, his friends are no longer having accidents. Incontinence is a large barrier to social function. Imagine sitting in the board room and having a diaper leakage issue. It was one of the most difficult areas for my grandmother to overcome. She didn't want to go out and have an accident. My adult friends with Spina Bifida told me not to push this issue to hard because it really isn't a moral failing it's a physical deficiency. Matt and I have worked hard on our attitude not to push or scold just to give the opportunity (and make sure he takes it) and encourage. This area will open so many social doors for him. We are grateful for CLC's approach which has mirrored and helped form ours at home.

And, once the doors are open we want him to run through them! Liam takes his power chair to school everyday. It sits patiently in the hall way waiting for him to finish class. He uses it mainly to independently move in and out of the van, school and home. And, when he gets home depending on his level of fatigue he may drive around the house in it or use it to play outside. Imagine my shock when he came home three weeks ago asking to walk instead. I unbuckled him and he slid out of his chair into the waiting walker and tried to run away!  That was a welcomed first. Where did he want to go, the bathroom.

Movement creates movement or so I have heard. For Liam his independence has created and attitude of discovery. He wants to know beyond what he has been able to reach. He wants to read and create stories of his own using imaginative play. He wants to act out what he discovers at school or church or in community. His increased overall strength is enabling big things and small wonders like writing letters. And, his favorite, playing video games, a once frustrating therapy tool. He wants to stand and play and walk with his dad. He tells us when his brother is born he will be responsible to take care of him. That means he will carry the baby. I have to admit I can't quite imagine that yet. But, he has come so far in six months why not hope for the next to be just as exciting.

Swinging Through Life

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Progress in Practice

CLC called last week to ask about a new piece of equipment for Liam. A much smaller, lighter, way more independent walker. We've noticed how much stronger his upper body is and apparently his walking just taking off. Without the walker we haven't been able to practice much at home, he's not really motivated in the big bulky Pacer (that we were so thankful for a year ago, just to get him standing and trying). He's really making progress!

And, surprisingly it's not just the gross motor function (that's the big movements like sitting and walking). His school skills are coming along nicely too. He's been working on tracing his name since he was about 3. Not independently and frankly not very well. But, in the passed two months he's been independently tracing or writing his name. He know 95% of the alphabet, upper and lower, along with their sounds. And, as he learns the letters he either colors, traces or uses and IPad app to trace them with his finger.

Chopsticks are Tricky

Here's a little sample of his fine motor skills. We're so happy he's trying. He probably won't be the fastest writer but at least he can learn how.

Getting so Good

Scrictly Speaking Celebration

An Evening of Celebration!

 

At the end of October, we were invited to CLC's annual fundraising event held at Thousand Oaks Country Club. And, I was asked to be the parent speaker for the evening.

 

When I was initially asked, I mistakenly thought a group of parents would be speaking. And, I thought the 5 minute speech required would fit with that assumption. It wasn't until a few days before the event we received the program. I opened it to realize I was the ONLY parent speaker. No pressure.

 

Here is the jist of what I said.

 

Conductive Learning Center is more than just a place or a school it is a community.

 

This is a Community of Reality

Amazing Moms!

We as parents recognize the disabilities of our children but we refuse to accept the limitations which traditional therapy's and education impose on them. Our son, Liam, was born prematurely and diagnosed at 12 months with CP, Cerebral Palsy. We spent three years in tradtional therapies and education. Our son improved but his motivation deteriorated after several years. His frustartion with his inability led to behavior issues and further lack of interest in therapies. CLC creates the oppurtunity for our children to acheive their highest potential. It's a place where hard work is expected and our children are seen as capable. Their struggle is acknowledged. It's a safe place for them to express the frustration they feel.

 

This is a Community of Acheivement

Older Students chatting it up!

Frustration is not allowed to fester, it blossoms into acheivement. For Liam the first several weeks were overwhelming as he was expected to participate and perform. But, the other kids and the comfort the conductors gave him enabled him to adjust and thrive. Within the first session, which was generously gifted by a scholarship, he was potty trained! Beyond this huge accomplishment he took his first independent steps in a walker. Over the next few weeks, we noticed his strength increasing. He was able to sit independently in a bath tub and feed himself with utensils. Perhaps the biggest change is in his attitude. We hear "I can do it myself." The wonderful thing is he can.

 

This is a Community of Hope

Wonderful admistrators and conductors.

Not only do the children recieve this gift, we all recieve this gift. From those who donate to make this oppurtunity possible, to the administration who keeps the paper trail, to the conductors who everyday encourage, to the families who see the results, all of us create this community. The future employers and neighbors of our children will be gifted with this reality of hopefullness.

 

Thank-you for being a part of this community and welcoming us to it!

 

It was a wonderful evening, the most successful in the school's history. We are so honored to be a part of it.

 

Here are a few pictures borrowed from the school website. If you'd like to see more follow the link to the  CLC FACEBOOK page.

 

The Super Duper Donors!

 

Where's Matt? And, where's one of Matt's first karate students?
She's the gal with the brown hair just in front of Matt. Her older brother is the sudent in the picture above.
It's a small world!

 

 

 



 

Christmas in July!

Our Little Gift

 

 

Just after the last yard sale we dicovered our family of three was growing into a family of four!

 

We are so thrilled by this little gift who is due to arrive March 21.

 

It has meant a whole new learning experience for Liam. First he learned the baby had a tail. He decided he was going to have a baby in his tummy too. And, his baby was a dinosaur with a long tail.

 

Next he learned the baby "swims" in there. So now he likes to tell everyone his brother is a swimmer.

He's just starting to understand the flips and kicks he feels. And, already asking the baby to "Wake up and play with me."

 

Now, we're learning the hard lesson of patience. Bed rest is required for the last trimester. Liam is starting to realize what it means to be a big brother. Mommy and Daddy are getting things ready and he is responsible for his own body and self. This means picking up after himself, cleaning himself up after meals, more independent eating and self entertainment. He's doing wonderfully, we see how much working on his goals at home and at CLC are helping him to mature.

 

Baby brother's presence in our lives is a gift already. We are learning to enjoy this time of we three and preparing ourselves for next adventure of the feirce foursome.

 



Catch-Up!!

The BIG News

Well it's been a few months, the fundraisers are over, school has started 2012 is alomst at an end. Since it is almost Christmas, I'll tell you about how we recieved our presents early this year.

First, the CARNIVAL!
Huge THANK-YOU to Lacey, Rachel and all the other people who made this possible. It was truly a magical night and we were able to raise the rest of the 2012-2013 tuition.

How can we say thank-you enough to everyone who planned, volunteered, donated, and enjoyed.

Our Amazing Carnival Coordinator!

The Clean Up Crew

Bible study group presting Liam with a donation.




Cousin Love!

 

 



So many memories!

Spoils!





Treasure

What do you treasure?

 

I like good deals, unique finds and exquisite food.

 

Most of all I treasure my family and the friends who I love like family. All life from those chirping crickets to the old man who walks our street looking for work is a treasure.

 

 

Here are a few finds from the yard sale. The bigger items, like the Asian themed table and chairs, are buried. Pictures of that will have come later.

Not kidding about the all ages toys. 

 

Toys from Baby-Big Kid

Brand new Miche bag and 2 perfect for fall covers.

There are around 100 titles, romantic comedy to action flicks.

The real treasure is life itself!



School Starts, Parents Party

It's here! Cooler weather, kids on buses and time for a little R&R for parents. Hey, you don't need to be a parent to enjoy you just need to be at the Front Room on Saturday for a good mix. That means people, music, cool scene, and over 21 please. Sorry this is such horrible quality picture.

Sept 15

Doors open at 7PM

$10 Cover

Front Room (inside the Break Room) on Plainfield.

Live Music, Food and Drink Specials benefiting Let's Move Liam!

Local business and musicians have donated to make this a great night. Come on out and let's enjoy doing something nice for Liam.

 

This event was concocted and coordinated by Emily Elliot.

THANK-YOU EMILY!



 

THANK-YOU!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

 

 

Liam had a cold so we missed the very first day but here he is at this "plinthe" getting ready to start the day. Each morning I find him crawling out of his bed in his P.J's and a soggy diaper saying "I'm ready to go to school!"

 

Liam, starting the morning with a hug from Ms. Liz.

Thank-you donors, friends and family who are making this possible!



Light up Leonard

Hurray!!

The Carnival has a location! 

2845 Leonard St NE, GR MI 49525

It's the Bushnell's fabulous backyard! 

Huge thank-you to Cindy and all her efforts for the special needs community. 

Flyers to pass out will be in next week. Let me know if you need any or if you have stuff to donate. Check out the event page on Facebook for an updated list of wanted items. 

Cotton candy, face painting, dancing lessons, cake walk, and so much more....

Let it RAIN...in $$$!

Here it comes!

We're enjoying the cooler the weather and the sprinkles.

It's preparing us for fall, school beginning and fundraisers!

And, oh boy is gonna be fun!

We have some fabulous friends and today a random stranger who have offered to run, host, and donate to Let'sMoveLiam! Along with coming up with idea's they've done it all without me!

THANK-YOU!

Here's what you have to look forward to:

August 16 at 6:30 at GIRBC

31 Party!

Come as couples or for a girls night out. Stock up for fall and school with organizational products and great lunch totes. There are fabulous purses too! Thank-you to Joanna Nagangast for donating her proceeds and to GIRBC for the space.

AND, our newest event...I just learned about it today and it's all set up! Thank-you Option 1 Credit Union employee, Emily Elliot and friends for coming up with the idea and getting it done!

September 15 from 7-11PM at the Front Room

PARTY!!

There will be a $10 cover. Emily has arranged for appetizers and drink specials. Live Musical Guest Kari Lynch. If you haven't heard of her yet, she's opening for Maranda Lambert and has been around the GR music scene for a couple years. In addition there are pool tables, darts, other games and hopefully lots of good friends to enjoy the evening with.

September 22 at 8 -it's done! (Weather Permitting)

YARD SALE

If you missed the last one, no worries, more donations have been pouring in and we'll be having another yard sale! If you'd like to donate just email or call or drop it on the porch. If you'd like to help run the sale, great! Otherwise come on out and see the new treasures...pictures to come!

September 29 at 6 TBD location

CARNIVAL!

Fun for all ages! Face painting, food, games, and just good old fashioned fun! Look for the location or if you want to host shoot me an email or leave a comment. Thank-you to Lacey Michael and team for all your hard work and great ideas!  

AND, our newest event...I just learned about it today and it's all set up! Thank-you Option 1 Credit Union employee, Emily Elliot and friends for coming up with the idea and getting it done!

Hopefully, that's something for everyone! If not we're still working on a bake sale for the fall!

Liam's last day of school saying goodbye to Norton. Norton may not be able to communicate and Liam has difficulty interacting physically but their friendship isn't about that. It's about being two little boys.



Progress

We've hit $5,000 in the LETSMOVELIAM fund!

A donation came in today from a friends parents who've heard about Liam and sent a check. AMAZING!

In case you're wondering what's the big deal about CLC. Here are some shots from Liam's progress report. Pictures speak louder than words. This is the hardest apperatus for Liam. He cried for the first week he was so uncomforatble. You can see in these pictures, he's now a pro. PERSEVERANCE.



Where Does Money Come From?

"I have MONEY." Liam what's money? "It's, um, um, um...THIS!"

THANK-YOU to Bissell and it's generous employees who 1) nominated us and 2) selected us for the golf outing 50/50 raffle. AND, who donated the winnings back to us! The total will cover just over a month of education! We need to raise around $20,000 and with this latest gift we are right over $5,000!

Where does the money come from? You! We've had donations from Hawai, and today from Alaska, all over the Grand Rapids area. People from grandma's to Liam's little friends bringing change. And now a corporate donation. This has been a truly amazing experience and we thank-you for being a part of it.

Upcoming Events!

Still time to host a Premeir Party we will recieve 20% of profits from any party book for LET'sMOVELIAM contact Jen Loveless for details!

August 16 is the 31 Party!

September look for the next back to school yard sale!

Bake Sale date TBD

Aloha!

We received a donation today from Hawaii! Thank-you!

What's the farthest you've traveled? Here's a fun fact: Liam was born in Indianna after I had traveled there for my sister's wedding! It was just a little bit of a surprise. When he was 18 months we traveled back to see the NICU staff and leave gifts for the new crop of babies. He's also been to ME, OH, PA, NJ, IL, and the UP (its really it's own country up there).

Travel is part of life when you're family's far away! We haven't done to much traveling as he's gotten older. Who wants to pack the pool? We're grateful to have friends who travel with kids to see us.

We had a visit tonight from the Athvale ladies and crew. Here's the only picture I took, to busy socializing. Just couldn't miss this moment. She wanted to know how his chair worked.

Coming Right Up

I can't help but think of fruit as jewels. Especially, when they have dew on them and they glitter in the early morning sunlight. Being the cool blueberry patch early Monday morning was, perhaps, the best way to recover from Saturday.

Liam picked and ate his fair share of the jewels. How could he resist? They were sweet, plump, and shimmering navy.

This is how I feel about the upcoming fundraiser, it's irresistible. Most of you know I'm not one to wear jewelry, I've been married for 6 years and still forget my rings! But, I love having the real deal. Stones, shells, and gold and silver that won't tarnish. I'm also not really a big risk taker. Anything, that looks good and is warrantied--people this has me written all over it! I've purchased from this company before so I feel comfortable recommending the products.

Best of all, ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT LET'sMOVELIAM! Win-Win-Win!

Looking forward to seeing anyone who can make it! Please feel free to invite coworkers of friends if they're interested. Or if you'd just like to order and not attend, we can make that happen too!

Friday Night July 20 @ 6:30 at West Cannon Baptist Church

http://www.premierdesigns.com/jewelry.html

http://www.westcannon.org/

Prayer Moves Mountains, Prayer Moves GOD

My biggest fear was no one would show up. Matt's biggest fear was rain. We had nothing to be afraid of. Not because we can control our circumstances but because so many people were praying.

The garage sale was an overwhelming success! We raised a good deal towards our goal. But, what made it so successful was the unbelievable support of our community. The extra $20 here or $100 for the $1 purchase. And, all the neighbors of the Diamond block who donated, showed up and cleaned up. Friends from all areas of life came out in over 100' heat to just say, we're praying. What an amazing experience to watch God show up in the smiles of so many people.

Izzie bringing Liam some of her Artwork (she left with a princess dress)!

THANK YOU!

A special thanks to everyone who donated and to Matt's family and my 31family who tirelessly set up, sold, and cleaned up and watched Liam!


Just a little sale action. Note* everything in the picture is SOLD!

WATCH FOR OUR UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS!

JULY 20 at WCBC a PREMIER DESIGN PARTY

AUGUST 16 at GIRBC 31 PARTY


We're planning another yard sale in the fall, start saving your "treasures" if you'd like to participate!