Go Team USA

The Lakeshore Foundation hosted a community event - "The Road to Rio" where the community could come learn about the events of the Paralympics, participate in some "events" and even meet some former medal winners from previous Paralympics. We met the Hinton Family there and participated in wheelchair basketball, seated volleyball, Bocchia, Goalball, and learned how people who handcycle train to compete. We got to do stretches with athletes and touch and feel lots of special equipment. The people are what make it...kind, compassioate, competitive, AWESOME people who compete at very high levels...Truly amazing what people can do, despite their challenges. As our friend Mary Allison says (Gold Medal in Wheelchair Basketball), "There is no physical limit to human achievement!". Way to go TEAM USA! It really expanded our horizons and deepened our worldview and appreciation for people and how life can be lived.

2016 Sept Paralympic Day - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

August Highlights

August was full of fun and changes and experiences. We got to tour the Lakeshore Foundationwith Mary Allison as we and the Hintons learned more about how people with disabilities do life. We did a quick day trip to Atlanta to meet Uncle Robert, Brodie and Big Daddy a the Childrens Museum of Atlanta. What fun! Claire had her official start to the First Grade at Green Valley Elementary and got a clean bill of health from Dr. Dudge who is the BEST!!! Claire likes her teacher and has made many new friends. She seems to have more stamina than in kindergarten. Our next door neighbor, Eliza, started Kindergarten and Claire got her acclimated to the ropes of GVES. The cherry on top of this month was Claire recieving a Bible from our church. They give one to all first graders since they are learning to read and they value getting God's word into their hearts and minds early! She was so proud to get it and has read lots already. Thanks to YaYa and Jim for coming to celebrate with her! September is on the horizon...what fun memories will we make next? Blessings to all!

2016 August Highlights - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

Fireman Joel

To say Joel is fascinated by firetrucks, fire stations and everything fire safety related is an understatement. He has not started a fire yet :) He has pushed us to learn that Hoover has 10 firestations (He knows where they are located), Vestavia has 5 and Birmingham has 32...and Baton Rouge has 19. So far we have visited 8/10 in Hoover, one in Vestavia and Bham FD No.1...because IT is the home to the only TILLER TRUCK in our area - maybe the state!!! I thought Joel was going to hyperventilate when we pulled up and it was there! (Tiller truck means 2 drivers for those scratching their heads!). We've seen rescue trucks, learned the difference between fire engines, fire trucks, ladder trucks, quint trucks, Haz Mat Truck (No. 2 has this), Technical Rescue (No. 4 has this)...we've learned about their shifts, how they do meals, and train (No. 6 has the training tower and building we got to tour!) and clean the stations...how much water the engines hold...average calls they get...We even got to see Station 4 get a call and have to leave in a hurry! WOW! So we just walk up and ask if they are not too busy and if Joel can look at the trucks and off he goes...driver seat, the Captain's seat, gotta turn the lights on, gotta open the compartments to see the tools, must see the back of the rescue trucks...Ahhhh...I have much appreciation for our Firemen and women...(met 2 ladies so far). Thanks Joel for helping us learn and I'm sure soon we will hit the last 2 stations to complete all 10 in Hoover. Thanks to the firemen for being so welcoming to my little guy! They have been so great and give him all kinds of fire stuff to take home!

2016 August Fireman Joel - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

Claire turns 6

When asked about turning 6, Claire responded, "Mommy, I have to use 2 hands now!" (referring to the number of fingers required to indicate her age). What a joy she is and at an incredibly fun age...inching into independence but curls in my lap like she was a newborn! Giggles like a 3 year old and asks questions like a 10 year old at times...so what age is she? Just where God has her...6 years old chronological and all Claire everywhere else! We had a great time celebrating over several days...August 4 was her actual day and we got to celebrate her just the 4 of us and a visit at the end of the day by Grandmommy and Granddaddy and Uncle Bobby! With family and friends surround, we went full blown with 2 crazy sprinklers, 150 waterballoons and 15 kids and countless laughs and smiles. The crowning moment was when the Kona Ice Snowcone truck showed up and it would be our equivalent to Ed McMahon for Claire! KONA ICE MOMMY!!! (My heart was overflowing at seeing her excitement!) Snow cones ingested and back to more water fun! Good times had by all! Jack is her very special friend who was born 12 hours earlier than her on the same day...they got to celebrate their day together at Alabama Splash Adventure a few days later! Ain't it grand to be a kid...AND to have one like Claire! Thank you Lord for our sweet daughter!

2016 Aug Claire bday party - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

You have come a long way baby!

3rd Annual Mother Daughter Trip

Claire and I embarked on our 3rd annual Mother Daughter Trip.  I wanted to do this ever since the OB/GYN said you are having a girl!  This year we went to Nashville TN for 2 nights and we had a theme to keep us focused.  Theme was LOVE - based on I Corinthians 13:4-8.  We worked through most of the descriptions of Love and what it is and isn't...what the world says and what God says...discussed some examples of it..we looked for it along the way and even found a SONG about it.  It was good to meditate on it and try to explain it to an almost 6 year old.  I got to see some of God's love for her start to sink in...WOW!  She's such a joy!  We walked around the Bicentennial Mall and watched trains go by and splashed around in the fountains (splash pad).  After cooling off there, we headed to Frist Art Center where there was a great area for kids to interact with all types of art.  We rested up and enjoyed the pool.  We then joined my colleague/friend Penny Powers (PT that does Wheelchair Clinic at Vandy) and her daughter for dinner in their home.  Claire "beat" Mary Grace at Uno!  On Saturday we enjoyed a great day at The Adventure Science Center.  So cool!  A Human Body exhibit (complete with a display about people with disabilities - near to my heart!), Space Exhibit, tons of climbing and learning.  It was so great to learn more about my precious daughter...her choices, her likes/dislikes, her talents and interests... see her heart and mind in action when not surrounded by brother, friends etc...wow, she's a neat person...not perfect...but God's going to use her in some special ways!  Daddy and Joel enjoyed the same sort of fun at home...train and carousel rides and lego store at the Galleria topped off by time observing the grand piano player in Von Maur!  We may have a budding musician!  Thank you Lord for these 2 precious gifts in Claire and Joel and may we be faithful to point them to you.  Do whatever it takes to draw them to you and keep them close!  I hope we can keep this annual tradition up as long as we can!

2016 July Mtr-Dtr Trip - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

AMTRAK Train to New Orleans!

What fun!  7.5 hours one way via Amtrak...got a sleeping car on the ride home - COOL!  Great experience through the eyes of kids!  We met Grandmommy, Granddaddy and Uncle Bobby there. We enjoyed the Louisiana Childrens Museum (Free for McWane Members), Good food at Mulates, and a street care ride to the French Market.  Can't believe Claire did not like beignets!  Joel's favorite was the 3 man band jazzing on the street corners!  We survived the hot and humid weather and cultural observations that are the norm in New Orleans!  New Orleans is ripe for teachable moments :)  Had a great time!

Here's a video of Joel and Claire talking through a tube at the La. Childrens Museum.  Joel's laughter is priceless!

2016 July 4 - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

July 4th

We enjoyed celebrating July 4 with Jeff's Aunt Carolyn, Cousin Cathy and her son, Andrew (10).  Our visit included swimming, low key fireworks in the driveway and bbq.  Great visit!  Thanks for coming!  Here's some highlights

2016 July 4 - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker