Thursday, January 9, 2014

Happy New Year to Ya!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR....BRING ON 2014!!!

You may be wondering the EXACT same thing I am...like where in the world did all those peaceful holiday mornings go? You know...the ones where you envision sitting on the couch...fireplace on...thinking of all the wonderful family and friends you will "hand-deliver" amazing cookie platters to.....Mmm..... HOURS to blog all the festive events Jacoby, and our 40 family members would load up to enjoy; seems like a "sane" expectation, right? ABSOLUTELY..................NOT! 
Reality looked more like this....if you were the "bright" one to get up early with attempts to get some "alone" time, you were also the proud winner of lifeguarding the first 10 "minions" up to swim in the hot tub; you don't make the same mistake twice! Reality looked more like this...forget the cookie platters, let's just be thankful we sent out Christmas cards. Perspective....it's all about perspective, folks!
 Ah yes... I do like a peaceful, reflective "moment" every now and then, but I wouldn't trade my "Controlled Chaos Christmas" this year for THE WORLD... its what we know, it's what we do best, it's where we find our joy.  This year,  Jacoby was home and our entire extended family was here to share it with us; that's priceless! What could be better than sitting around the living room watching "National Lampoon's Christmas" together for the 10th time; sorry, but Uncle Eddie never gets old. This was a Christmas to remember!
 Ok, so we all know Jacoby has always played the role of the "realist". In fact, it is Jacoby I have to thank for telling me it probably would be a better idea to wait until next year to do the Christmas play at church. As you can see, Jacoby is STILL "that girl" and continues to make noticeable progress each and every day.
Physically, she continues to gain muscle mass and impresses us with new exercises that would have been IMPOSSIBLE a year ago or even a few months ago to perform. We are still waiting for hand and leg movement, but work them in exercises just the same; patience and hard work is the name of the game. She still has therapy 3 times a week with Vertical Therapy and our family has adopted two new members....Chris and Jerry! (Jacoby's therapists) They have been thrown into our "controlled chaos" life and seem to be adjusting well. 
Socially, Jacoby is still loving being a full-time sophomore at Rogers High School and "sporting" the blue!(Go Rams!) She also looks forward to her "gym time"... visiting her gym buds and helping with the younger levels; competition season starts this Friday...she will be there to cheer them on. (GO ROACH GYMNASTICS!!!) And how could we possibly forget  her church youth group?!!  Jacoby has a blast with this "crazy" group...they have SO much fun...makes me want to go myself!(Its all those trips to Dairy Queen.....)
Emotionally and mentally, Jacoby continues to remain strong. Her "realist" personality really comes in handy; it keeps her from devastation when her expectations are delayed. But most importantly, it's her faith in Jesus Christ that mentally keeps her stable and full of hope. She believes....no, she KNOWS...the best is yet to come!  
 So, as we plunge "head-first" into 2014, we set our goals and mission.. 

"Lord, I'm Yours. Whatever the cost may be, may Your will be done in my life. I realize I'm not here on earth to do my own thing, or to seek my own fulfillment or glory. I'm not here to indulge my desires, to increase my possessions, to impress people, to be popular, to prove I'm someone important, or to promote myself. I'm not here even to be relevant, or successful by human standards.  I'm here to please you."--Ruth Myers

That's it...that's our mission...to live for the one who gives us hope.....ought to keep us busy ALL year!

2014.....BRING IT ON!!!!