A New Do

BEFORE:

 AFTER:

SO HAPPY:

 Miss K has an oh so cool new do these days! She decided last week that she wanted to go short and that she did! I love it, she loves it! It fits her spirited personality so well! Lovin' that confidence and adventure!  

6 months of LOVE

My little guy is about to be 6 months! He has captured my heart yet again and I'm blown away at how his life has transformed me. As our third child he has given me the gift of being in the moment and treasuring each and every day!

Your EYES

Your SMILE

Your SPUNK

 Your PEACE

I love you Nolan! You are a special special gift! These past 6 months have filled my heart in so many ways!

Pray!

Five years ago, Miss K met a very special boy named Luke. Five years ago, I met a woman who embodied the word "mom"! Our families crossed paths not by chance nor by accident. Kennedy and Luke started preschool together at the tender age of 15 months where a beautiful friendship was started! He is a boy full of life, full of spirit, and full of joy! 

Luke was in a life altering event that started one month ago. The diagnosis of Spinal Meningitis has proved to be a road filled with questions and uncertainty. He is battling to regain his speech along with the use of his left side which has left him in a wheelchair. This past month has been filled with many GIANTS for them but their faith and trust in God has given them peace in a very uncertain time! I am in pure awe as I read their daily blog. They are amazing parents fighting for their precious son! Please pray for Luke and their family...pray for healing, guidance, and trust! 

Jesus replied "The things which are impossible

 with men are possible with God"

Luke 18:27

Purpose

I debated whether it was time to write a blog on this topic, but tonight I feel led.  I was unsure if I wanted to share specific details because I didn't want it to become a controversial topic or an issue that we where "held" too.  Sounds strange I know! 

Ok...here it goes!

We all have a purpose in life...some of us may know what it is and some of us may not.  I've prayed for quite some time that God would show me my purpose...my "calling" in life. 

Over the past few years, I have been challenged in many ways.  At times it has felt as if I couldn't handle the challenge in front of me.  I've hit bottom only to find myself lifted back up by encounters, friendships, and words of affirmation.  One day in particular stands out for me.  While this may sound small to some, it was HUGE for me.  It happened after Landon's speech therapy session a few months ago; the session wasn't great.  Landon was tired, frustrated, and wanted no part of "using his words".  I felt defeated in that moment.  As we were walking out, a lady walked in who I only had seen once before.  She smiled at me and said, "You are an awesome mom!"  It was as if God saw my heart in that very moment and He was saying, "Everything is ok...hang in there...I'm right beside you."  That mom made a day of despair beautiful and bright! 

My journey into the world of Apraixa started when Landon was two and I found an amazing book called "The Late Talker".  It was a book that gave me answers into Landon's difficulties even though his doctors seemed to brush off his delays.  A mother's intuition is never wrong...it's an amazing God given gift!  I've learned to trust it and use it. I knew from that moment that I had to be my son's best advocate; no one else could fight for him like I could.  So that's what I did.  I found every book, blog, and website I could on Apraixa.  I was obsessed.  I wanted answers, explanations, but most of all hope.

After we moved to DC, six months went by where Landon didn't receive any therapy or services. Insurance issues mixed with relocating made for a messy situation.  The sad part was that Landon was just a number, his case was among thousands and a 2 1/2 year old boy was not priority in their eyes. 
Enter titan mom! 

I have found that there is no place for laziness in this business.  If you don't stay on top of your needs, and I mean the tippity TOP you won't succeed.  This mentality has led us to some of the BEST therapists and doctors DC has to offer.  They are ALL amazing and gifted!  Through networking and God's amazing plan, Landon has been blessed with Karolynn (speech therapist), Myrna (occupational therapist), Dr. Civetello (neurologist), and last but not least Dr. Mary Megson (developmental pediatrician).  

Dr. Megson's philosophy, which may sound foreign to some, is based on healing the body from within.  Our journey with her began last Wednesday with a trip to Richmond, VA.  Through countless hours of  research, I continued to come across her name as someone who was willing to look deeper into the challenges children like Landon face.  I didn't want someone who brushed us off like the doctors before her. It wasn't uncommon to hear, "keep doing what your doing", "he's a boy...things come later".  I wanted someone to say, "yes, here are the issues and here's how we can help fix it."  Sounds simple but this path has opened my eyes to a lot, including the medical community. 


 For so long, we were told to use a laxative called Miralax to remedy his GI issues, but that just didn't seem right to me.  I wanted to know WHY he was having these issues!  I wanted to stop seeing him on all fours in pain from constipation.  His daily life is challenged with the inability to communicate along side many other subconditions such as seizures, irritability, sleepless nights, and motor planning difficulties. 


The seizures which started 6 months ago, have been controlled by a medication called Keppra. Keppra has a street name of "rage-eppra". The name speaks volumes. It causes mood swings, constipation, and among other things fatigue. Recently, we have noticed some questionable incidents where Landon will abruptly drop his head. We have an upcoming 36 hour video EEG which will give us more answers but as of now they look like head drop seizures. I can't put it into words what it is like to see my son go through this insanity...I feel absolutely helpless!

Dr. Megson gave us insight like no other. She explained the science behind Apraxia and how so many things from our environment (pollutants, vaccination overload, etc) have given us the epidemic that is plaguing our kiddos. The rate of ADHD, autism, and communication disorders is rising more rapidly then ever before. After she spent 2 hours with us, we walked away with hope. Landon is on a special diet that eliminates wheat and dairy along with countless supplements to help with digestive issues, regulation, and overall health. As we made a 2 hour trip home to DC, Jared and I took on this new challenge with excitement and optimism. Yes, the diet and supplements will be a pain at times but so worth the opportunity to have my son back to where he needs to be. 


Fast forward to purpose...


I have been given an opportunity to mother a child with special needs...it is a continuous journey that has taught me more than I could ever imagine. How to love deeper...how to have faith no matter what the circumstance...how to be still regardless of the storm that faces me. My love for him has brought me to a place that I am grateful for...he has changed my life and I know he has and will impact so many others. I have prayed that God would show me what I can do...how I can use this gift for others. I truly feel that I need to be helping others in similar challenges and give them that shoulder and hope that I longed for in the beginning of our journey. At church last Sunday, I met an amazing mother of four who has a little precious boy with special needs. He is beautiful! I felt that "push" to introduce myself and I can't explain how exciting it is to be able to befriend her and share everything I can with her as she enters into her own journey.  


I'm not sure where and what the road ahead looks like but what I do know is that God has me in this place for a great purpose. He has plans for Landon and His plans are always perfect! 

This is not where we planned to be 
When we started this journey 
But this is where we are 
And our God is in control 

Though this first taste is bitter 
There will be sweetness forever 
When we finally taste and see 
That our God is in control 


~ Steven Curtis Chapman

and it happened!

With a smile...

a little wiggle...

it happened!!!

She did it...she pulled that tooth out and was so PROUD of her accomplishment!

Miss K ran into the bathroom to catch a glimpse of her new beautiful smile! 

Tooth Fairy, here we come!!!!

Attention!! Attention!! Read All About It!

Guess who is coming to the Raftery house soon!

The Tooth Fairy!!!!

Do you see it? It's that cute little tooth wiggling away!

My sweet little K! How I just love you so! It seems like yesterday that we welcomed your first tooth! I captured your most precious grin full of those pearly whites that I'll soon be missing so! Daddy-o and I are having a hard time processing all of this but your excitement is amazingly contagious!

Other than a dimple in a cute little chin,

What's more adorable than a toothless grin?

~Azu "Betty" Espezia

Rewind

Anyone that checks our blog knows that I go through periods of posting a lot and periods where I just cannot find the time! Life is busy in the Raftery house. What I've come to realize is that no matter how much time you have, you fill it up. I go through times where I throw myself a pity party with all of our weekly to do's. Guilt seeps in and I wonder if my friends understand my season of absence. I'm not the Sam I was 2 years ago....back then I had time to have play dates, mommy time, and go to the gym. Last night as I read my devotional (Out of the Spin Cycle) I reflected on the fact that God has me in a special place regardless of my fears, struggles, and failures. He knows what I need and He understands the desires of my heart. I know there will be a season again that my "mother load" is lighter but I also feel blessed that God gave ME the opportunity to mother three beautiful children...He gave ME the opportunity to take Landon to therapy...He gave ME the chance to help others through our challenges. While playdates seem to be a thing of the past lately, I've had the opportunity to meet incredible courageous families who inspire and encourage me.  There are also moments where you see the fruits of your mothering blossom. Just the other day at the dinner table, Kennedy paused and said "Christmas is a special time..presents are great but the real special part is that Jesus was born". The Fruits! Landon is moving right along too. I just love that little guy! He is now able to say his ABC's, count to 10, play memory card games, and the language is coming. Last year I never could imagine him putting two words together but God is faithful and he is now stringing two words together and is able to read sight words. Yes I'm bragging...but I'm so proud! I cannot forget about our Nolan too! He is so sweet and patient and loves his new freedoms of grasping toys, rolling over, and babbling. Oh and I can't forget those sweet dimples of his!

Moving on and rewinding a bit....

This past Thanksgiving was spent in St. Louis with a pit stop at my moms B&B. Although the drive was  a bit long (especially with a three month old) our Thanksgiving was truly relaxing and beautiful!

The mill looks so beautiful in November! 

Before we headed into St. Louis, Miss K and Nana went hunting for osage-orange fruit that falls during this time of year. K loved it and managed to stash 5 of them in our car!

This was right up K's alley...she adores exploring and finding "treasures"!

Nana and K before we headed out. Thanks for always welcoming us Mom...we love you!

As we gave thanks this Thanksgiving, we also said goodbye to Jared's Aunt Catherine. Her memorial service was beautiful and it reflected the long compassionate life she lived. She was a woman of strength, faith, and love.

Nolan meeting Auntie Evi and Auntie Zoom 

Cookie time with Granny Smith

See those dimples...love 'em! 

I'm not sure where Granny gets this energy but I hope that I can do airplanes and headstands when I'm that age! The kids soak it up!

Miss K loves her Auntie Zoom! We had some girl time and went shopping at Michaels Arts and Crafts (K LOVES this place) where Auntie Zoom got her a new paint set and Granny found a her a beginners sewing machine....Miss K was quite excited! 

Traveling can be exhausting at times but so worth each and every moment!!!