9-11

Every year on Jake's anniversary of being taken off in an ambulance(twice), we take cookies and muffins to the fire station.  I say every year, but I guess this is only the 2nd year.:-)

This year we didn't actually make it on his anniversary.  We had great intentions, but never actually made.  So we decided what better time to acknowledge these heroes than on the anniversary of September 11th.

I hesitate calling our community helpers heroes, as this is their job.  This is what they signed up to do.  They signed up to beat down fiery walls in the middle of the night and to cut cars open to save a civilian inside.  They signed up dive into frigid waters to rescue a drowning child.  This is what their job is.

This is what their job is.... but they are truly heroes in my eyes. 

These community helpers giving an iv of rescue meds to a seizing boy in Plano.

These men and women stopping a heart attack  victim from becoming a fatality in San Angelo.

These heroes climbing stairs  and doing all they can to save the lives of thousands in New York while risking their own, every step of the way thinking of the loved ones the could be leaving all alone at home.

Regardless of where they are and what they have done, It is certain they have changed a life in their path.  For this they are heroes to me.

Here are some pictures of this years visit to Plano Fire Station #4 on September 11th, 2010.

He is a fireman.

He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.

He lives it.

M.I.S.S

For about a year now some of my bff's and I have been discussing doing a bible study together. Since we don't live near each other this has proven to be quite difficult. We have tried to get it going on email, but "life" happens and the hectic days of being a moms took over, so unfortunately it never really came to fruition.

However, my friend Leslie, has now set up an awesome blog.

The blog is a place for us to not only vent and discuss what we have read and what the reading means to us, but to also, and most importantly, a place to learn how to come closer to the Lord during these fast moving times.

I am particularly excited, as trying to cope with a special needs child, realizing what that means to our family, and adjusting to this situation has proven to be quite difficult.

It has certainly opened our eyes to the fact that life is certainly nothing we should take for granted and that we should always live each moment to its fullest.

However, sometimes, to balance living this way and "everyday life", that is....school, work, soccer, husband traveling, normal parental duties and especially those that go along with caring for Jake, has proven to be quite difficult.

If you are a mom, wife, sister, or friend come learn with us how to juggle all that goes along with being the best of each.

This is your invitation to come on over and learn with us!

Leslie has set up a reading schedule that is not at all rigorous.

Stop by and join us...we would love to have you!

M.I.S.S.- Moms searching for inspiration, spirituality and support


"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way
he came to their village where a woman name Martha opened her home to him
She had a sister called Mary
who sat at his feet listening to what he said" Luke 10:38

Week of firsts

Twas the night before school...

 

So many "Firsts" have happened the past couple weeks.  It has been very exciting, anxious and tiring around the Peter's household.

Let's start with the most obvious first....The first day of school!!

Addison started her first day of 1st grade!

Jake started his first day of Kindergarten! and..

Sweet Coop started his first day of school too!

(There are a couple other firsts I will post in a couple days)

The anxiety building up to these HUGE milestones has been tremendous!
Last year as Addison entered the big world of public school as a kindergartner was admittedly tough.  However, this year as a 1st grader the fear, anxiety and overwhelming feeling of time passing too quickly hit me like  a load of bricks.  What a huge difference a year makes.

My little princess went from not being  able to read a year ago, to now digesting chapter books, such as Ramona and Beezus, on a regular basis, to winning soccer championships that qualify her to play at Disney World, to being the sassiest of teens, who will argue, with logic ,at the littlest of things.

This first grade transition has been sooo much harder than kinder.

On top of this huge leap, we obviously have Mr. Jake making a big leap into the real world as a kindergartner as well.

Jake has been in special ed receiving occupational therapy services in the school and some speech and ot services outside of school, because of the trauma incurred by the damn beast!  So we were/are very concerned about this move into school.  It is because of this he worked his booty off at a good friend and great teacher's house this summer.  he worked with Ms. Kim 2 days a week on kinder readiness to help prepare for his big journey.  She was amazing and he learned so much from her!  He was very sad to learn on the first day of school that ms. Kim was not going to be his teacher all year long. 

On top of this confusion,  a couple evenings before we had visited Jake's old school, which is Addison's current school.  She had supply school night and the much anticipated class rosters were posted. 

As we were at their school we had to swing by Jake's old classroom. 

Much to our surprise, not only was his beloved teacher there , but also her two helpers. 

All three whom Jake is dearly in love with. Ms. Keavagh he even calls his bride!

So you can only imagine how confusing seeing all these great friends a few days prior and then going to school and not recognizing any familiar faces was for him.

We helped ease him into this "strange place" by assuring him that Cooper would only be a couple classrooms away and he had to take care of him.

 

The irony of "strange" is that his "new" school isn't really so new.  This is where Addison and Jake went to daycare.  The same school Jake was attending when he had his first seizure.  he didn't have  it at school...that we know of...but walking through those halls for the first time was creepy none the less.

The teachers and staff there are ever so loving! They all ran and gave Jake huge hugs and kisses upon his arrival.  They asked a million times where and how Addi is doing.  Genuinely kind, caring, people of the Lord.

Honestly, the day was probably a million times harder on us than the little ones, but it still did not help me from being an emotional wreck.  I counted the minutes until that 3:30 bell rang and I could run to get my twerps!

The day was made as I picked up each kiddo and they all had the BIGGEST smiles on their faces!

Jake jabber jawed nonstop about his amazing adventures and good friends, Addison strutted her stuff as only a BIG 1st grader could do, and sweet Mini Coop cooed and giggled the whole way home.

Be still me heart is all I could think that first night...be still my heart

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”