A first

Diezel and I went to Virginia. My best friend got married. She looked beautiful. It was Diezel's first airplane ride overall he did well.
Diezel is getting his second implant on Oct. 26th. I hope all goes well.
It is getting cold here already. I am not ready for seven kids stuck inside. It is nice when things get hectic to say "OUTSIDE EVERYONE" go play....
I don't really have much to say. Just wanted to update.

This is my mom, Joyce Lynne Myers. She has been through a lot in her life. I appreciate everything she has done for me. When I found out Douglas was deaf, my mom was there. She helped me through a very hard time. Not only did she stand beside me but she waited for me to grow up. I was young and immature. I didn't handle the situation the best that I could have. I am grateful my mom stood beside me. Now that I am older I must say that I have handled Diezel being deaf with maturity and insight on the situation. I have had ups and downs. I have been angry and hurt. I have felt a wide range of emotions but instead of taking out these feelings on family and friends, I have gratefully accepted their help to walk beside me in this time of need. I am grateful for everyone who is willing to share in mine and my families lives. My mom being the one in the front of the line... Thank you mom...

I love you!

Diezel and I are posing at the lake. WE are signing "I love you" to dad. I think it's cute that he is trying to get his fingers right. It won't be long and he'll have it down pat. I want to slow the clock down just a little. Diezel being my last baby, it's hard to let him become more and more independent. I now know why the "baby" of the family is the baby. Yes, it isn't fair but they do get more of you. They have come to you when you have experienced more of life and have a better grasp of  who you are and who you want to be. Your less selfish. You have realized that they are the most valuable thing you own. The youngest also gets more of your attention because by now you have come to realize that it goes by to fast and you can't get it back. So, now I know why I always hounded my mom about how she treated my youngest brother differently than us...It's just the order of things and I am sure until my children have their last child they will not get it and I will hear how Diezel gets more of me......

a full mind

This is a picture of where we like to go camping. My husband captured this. It"s the world when it is winding down right before dark, your last chance to view it's beauty before it is engulfed by night.

We tent it, if you can believe that. All nine of us in two big tents and I wouldn't want it any other way. We swim, hike, ride bikes, take walks beside the lake, grill, sit around a camp fire, and roast marshmallows.

Once the kids are in bed, my husband and I sit around the fire, snuggle into each other and just drift into our thoughts before we to head into the tent to sleep.

Which to drift into my thoughts would be like getting onto the freeway with loops, turns, and twist. My mind keeps going to questions of my life decisions. I sometimes wonder if Life would have been easier for my husband, my children and I if I would have went to college. So I could have helped in the burden of money. I wonder If my time I invest in my children and my husband is making an impact, enough that it has been worth tight times. I love being with my kids, my husband and taking care of my family. I know that my boys wouldn't get as good of care at a daycare than they do with me. It would be hard to juggle speech therapy, early childhood teacher, deaf educator, Doctors appointments, plus five other children that need my attention. I know that if I worked I would be often to tired to be a devoting wife but still it crosses my mind some days that my husband carries a heavy burden supporting us. Tonight It has once again crossed my mind and as I put the kids to bed and started cleaning up the kitchen I happened to look up to a frame with a reading in it from Roy Lessin. I often forget it is there. Going by it dozens of times to busy to look up but tonight I did and I needed to. I thought I would share it with you.

CONTINUE ON

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting here potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. "Is it worth it?" she often wondered. "Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart. " You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remunerations. But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love. Your children are precious to Me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. Continue on. Remember you are My servant. Do all to please me.

I read this and I know God has called me to be a wife and mother. I need not worry about finances or any other worries. God will walk us through it all. God would not have given me two very special gifts, "our two boys who are deaf" if he didn't think I would cherish them and do right by them. He would not have given me five more children to rear, love, and take care of. I need to remember when I look back at life that I am exactly where God wants me to be.....

Diezel's summer

When you say "kissy kissy" Diezel will pucker up. I think it is so cute. Our summer has gone by so fast but it has gone by without an accident, in our family that is a miracle.

Diezel signs frog, please, more, uncle, thank you, kitty, puppy, eat, drink, candy, gum, want, but his favorite is no,no,no... He is trying out words with his voice. He says mom, dad, Douglas(Douglish), no(mo), don't, kitty, a few other words but can't think of them.

Diezel is due a follow up at Boystown National Research Hospital in Omaha Nebraska. I am curious to see how he does now that he is a little older. It seems like just yesterday he was a baby cradled in my arms. I can't believe he is nineteen months.

I am proud that my Diezel is learning to sign and speak. He comes from hearing parents so I want him use his voice. He was born deaf and that is apart of him as well. When the cochlear implant comes off he is still deaf so I want him to sign as well, the best of both worlds, why not?

Who would have ever guessed

We celebrated my husband's 40th birthday last night. There was karaoke. Here is a picture of my husband and our son singing together. When I learned that Douglas was deaf I would have never guessed that the day would come that he would sing karaoke...What a blessing....

Update

Summer is here. Douglas is out helping Grandma with her garden. He has joined the swim team. He has taken first every time so far. I am so impressed with my son. He has made sure that everyone knows his needs. He has his coach signal when the whistle is blown. He entered a speech contest for deaf and hard of hearing. He didn't win but I think he did well for his first time. His poem was featured in Boystown National Research Hospital's Newsletter. He is going to two deaf camps this summer. His summer is full and he wants to Hay for a friend as well. What he has done in all of sixteen years. He is going to be an amazing man someday. I am sure I am prejudice. He is my son after all.