We found out a few weeks ago that we have a new miracle coming to us around July 24th! The sonogram last week recorded a perfect little heartbeat thumping away. :) We are very excited to have another child join our family and give Jocelyn a sibling but are aware that it will bring extra challenges to our life. An example of the Lord's strength for me in these last few weeks has manifested itself in my parents being here for the first few weeks of the pregnancy when I was the most fatigued and not feeling great. I have been blessed with hardly any morning sickness so I've been able to function pretty normally. :)
Another way to Lord has been giving an extra boost is a shift in relationship between Jocelyn and David. For awhile now, it has been a struggle. David has a hard time controlling his grasp strength and when he goes to touch/grab Jocelyn in a "friendly" way when she walks by, he ends up hurting her by grasping her little limbs too hard and not being able to let go fast enough. Of course, she is too little to understand that daddy is not trying to hurt her, but only trying to play. She reacts with displeasure and lots of hitting and shouting. We've been trying to work on both ends because both the action and reaction are problematic. Lately, we've seen a shift to a more loving relationship between the two. Jocelyn has taken to holding David's hand and gently stroking his arm, saying, "Nice!" and actually requesting and consenting to sitting on his lap without protest!
Something we've been working on for several months has finally come to fruition. Last Friday, David got a special mount for his wheelchair that moves at several joints. It has a special attachment so that he can read books and another one for a cell phone. With his glasses, he can read his regular Bible for the first time by himself in 2-1/2 years! He also is able to text on his cell phone with a stylus and his glasses. It's so great for him to have another added way of communication and allows him to work on visual attention and fine motor skills. I see it as a great tool for him that will open more doors for him. He's also puttering around by himself in his new bright orange wheelchair with his right arm and leg propelling him.
With these new avenues of independence comes with a need for added supervision. Pray for strength and wisdom for me and others who work with David to know how to "nag" him appropriately to not discourage him, but still keep him from hurting himself or others.
We were blessed lately with a beautiful trip to CA. I'm including a few snapshots of our time there. :)
