more pics

Brandon and I out on the golf course

The Mosson clan 2010

Grandma Ellen and her little boy

Beautiful girl

"But mommy, I don't want to go home!"

Book time before bed

Nolan loved uncle Phil

Adelynne passed out on my lap right before dinner

Nolan was on a paddle boat with Grandma Ellen and when he passed ours, this is the face we got. :)

Precious face, precious boy

sassy little walk

more pool time

"CANNONBALL!!!!!!!!!!!"

"WHEEEEEE!"

We're back!

We left Friday for a quick 3 day vacation...our first in 4 years! The kids were pumped for "camping" in cabins at General Butler State Park in Carrollton Kentucky. The Freeland side of the family (my mom's side) started this tradition about 20 years ago for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. Every summer we all meet down there to swim, boat, play games, eat, take walks, ride bikes, golf, etc for a few days. We've had a break for several years as my grandpa hadn't been in good enough shape to travel. So, this was our first year back at it, and, we're reserved for next year as well. Our family also stopped at the Creation Museum on our way back. all packed and ready to go Grandma Ellen, Aunt Sarah, Papaw Dave, and the kiddos all set to drive

Adelynne passed out before leaving Plainfield

We stopped at Not Just Popcorn on our way...over 200 flavors

Pool time

My baby is 2!!!!! That's right, our third and final child is 2 years-old today. For me that thought is crazy in a few ways, one of my thoughts is, if my third child is 2, how old does that make my other 2? And, then I think, where in the world did these kids come from and why are they calling me mom?

Well, back to my original thought,

Nolan buggie has been with us for 2 years now, and what a 2 years it has been. This kid is a literal light to all he comes in contact with. Children and adults who come across Nolan are drawn to him. He's such a sweet spirit with a magnetic personality...it's so neat to see others interact with him. He truly is the definition of joy. Nolan is joy, he has joy, he brings so much of it. When I hold him and love on him I think about how sad I would be without him. He's the last piece of the puzzle that fits into our family perfectly...most days even, he's the glue that holds us all together...me together. In his short life, I've cried more than I ever have, have never had more fear and doubt...in his short life, he's been to more doctors I can count, has developed awesome relationships with his 3 therapists, has had 4 surgeries (with one being planned as we speak), and has fought tooth and nail for every single milestone he's achieved. But, along with that, the happy times he's brought us, quite frankly, make me forgot about all the bad. It's pure joy for me to watch him toddle around our house, make messes of cocoa mix and eggs from the trash, play in the toilet, take him diaper off and then poop and smear it down our hall (yuck!)...I think you get the picture! I love, adore, admire, would die for, desperately need this amazing kid.

Happy birthday sweet Nolan...our joy and light! Smooches to you on your day!

When I watch these two together, I really can't describe how I feel. Brandon is truly the best daddy I know, but there is something so perfectly unique with how he interacts with Nolan. Could it be because the whole first year of Nolan's life, we all knew something was wrong and feared it to be something very serious? Possibly. Could it be that last September, we both feared losing him during his cranial reconstruction? Possibly. Could it be that I spent a whole year nursing Nolan, and now he's over that and prefers his daddy over mommy? Sigh. Possibly. I definitely question God giving me a child with special needs, most days I don't feel cut out for it. But, I say with assurance that there's no one better for Nolan Levi than Brandon Levi. Quite frankly, when I share my fears and concerns with Brandon about Nolan, he's quick to remind me that "we can't think like that." He's the one to tell me how awesome Nolan is and how much joy he brings to him. He's full of kisses, admiration, love, compassion and affection...and it's clear Nolan feels the same.

Crap!

I completely forgot that Aubrey had her prek graduation almost 2 weeks ago. Oops! Here are some highlights.

Cheap entertainment

There is never a dull moment around here. There is never a day where the house is all clean, where the laundry is complete, or a night where I don't go to bed dead dog tired. I don't always apprecaite that, but, tonight I am. I finally downloaded pictures from the camera and came across the last few weeks of our life in pictures. I can't believe how crazy our lives are right now, but when I sit and giggle at these pictures and think about how blessed I am, I'll go to bed tonight weary, but thankful for the fun that's to come tomorrow.

Williams Syndrome Awareness Week

When Brandon and I started our family almost 6 years ago, having a sick child or one with special needs never once entered my mind as a possibility. That was something that happened to other people. But, here were are with our family complete, with 1 of our children being special needs...ugh, I cringe at that term, but, the reality is...that is our reality. I've joined the Williams Syndrome Association on facebook and was alerted to the fact that this week is Williams Syndrome Awareness week. I have no idea who reads this blog (or that anyone even does), but I want to encourage anyone reading this to become familiar with Williams syndrome and other special needs. I feel now more that ever since it affects our family directly, it is so very important to become aware of special needs children and how it affects their loved ones. I would encourage you also to become familiar with WS if you know and love Nolan so that you can pray for the physical issues and surgery possibilities, and most importantly so that you can rejoice in the progress he makes due to his working so hard. WS is not what defines Nolan, but, he is a child with Williams, and how great it would be if all who know and love him were familiar with his condition.

If it would have been my choice, I would have given birth to a Nolan without WS, but, that was not what God had planned or intended for our family. So, on this week of becoming aware of WS, I'm also going to celebrate it, because I don't know what Nolan would be like without it...and quite frankly, I love that kid and couldn't imagine him any other way.