Last Game

Charli's very last t-ball game was yesterday. 

Her faithful runner Kaitlyn was by her side.

They made it safely home more than once. 

Conner discovered a possible future in broadcasting.

I'm so grateful for a team that welcomed her with open arms. Thank you Coach Candace and Coach Gary for loving our girl and coaching her so well. It's an experience she will never forget.

There's no crying in baseball, but I may have shed a happy tear or two in the dugout today.

These photos were taken with a Nikon D80 using a 18-135mm lens. ISO800

Besties

Charli and Reagan are BFFs.

They wanted to be on the same t-ball team, but alas it didn't work out.

That doesn't stop them from wearing matching braids when their teams play.
Or from cheering out in right field when the other is up to bat.

That's just what besties do.

I took these photos with my iPod touch and edited them with Instagram. I discovered Instagram this summer and have been having so much fun with it. It allows the user to take an ordinary iPhone photo and elevate it to something special. Looking at these photos conjures up the same feeling I get when I rifle through my mom's boxes of snapshots from my childhood. Are the pictures mantle worthy? Probably not, but priceless just the same.

Creek Adventure

 

Conner is fascinated with the creek that runs by the park.

My mom and I made his day when we let him kick his shoes off and wade in the shallows.

 CG sat demurely on the bank.

Sweet brother helped her out.

He brought the creek to her.

 
Best day ever!

Welcome Spring

Spring came early this year and there has been so much to do.

 
Milkshakes to share.

Birds to rescue.

Eggs to dye.

Laughs to share.

Peeps to devour.

Ground balls to catch.

And games to play.

Spring is also a time for new beginnings.

 Charli Grace was baptized on Palm Sunday. Everyone at our church gets to add their name and the date of their baptism to the wall behind the baptistry. She wrote her name all by herself.

We had seen the cornea specialist a few days before. She confirmed that all that can be done at this point to improve Charli's vision is another cornea transplant. After all she went through with the first transplant, our answer was no. Praise God we also saw her low vision specialist the same week. According to her assessment she is actually seeing a little bit better than this time last year. So we are focusing on the vision that Charli has instead of wishing for what she doesn't. I think we've made there right choice. And if we start to doubt it, we can look at the writing on the wall.

 For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor 5:6-8

EUA

Charli had her exam under anesthesia. She was awesome. All smiles and not a single tear. The results weren't exactly great. Her glaucoma is still under control, but the scarring on her cornea has thickened. That's why she is having more problems than usual with her vision.

We are seeing a new cornea specialist a little closer to home next week. We just couldn't stand the thought of another four hour round trip to Atlanta. Besides another corneal graft is just too much of a risk right now anyway. So we are praying for guidance. And peace.

We've already got joy.

And you can't ask for much more than that.

Episode One

We took Conner and his buddies to see Star Wars Episode One for his birthday last month.
He seriously wants to be a Jedi.

This is his Jedi face.

Naturally, Anakin is his favorite character since he's only seen the first movie
and a few episodes of The Clone Wars.

 

 Y'all do me a favor and don't let him know how Annie turns out. We're breaking it to him gently.

Respect the Cane

Charli has been using a white cane on and off for over a year. Some recent changes in her vision made us realize that she really needs the cane at school as well as out and about.  She was clingy, bumping into things, and not getting around as independently as before. With the cane in hand her confidence reappeared almost immediately. I very glad that she has this tool to help her be independent. We get many curious glances and sometimes even downright stares. I have to remind myself that people rarely come in contact with a blind individual, much less an adorable 6 year old who just happens to be blind.

Etiquette Around a Person Who is Blind or Visually Impaired:5 Simple Tips
My tip: Don't panic if your child points or asks, "What's wrong with her?" Kids ask questions because they are curious, not to offend. Calmly explain that some people can't see well and use a cane to help get around.

Charli's Tip: My cane is a tool, not a toy.   

Ready to Conquer the World

Of course Charli took the cane along to her Girl Scout cookie sale this weekend. Don't you love the poster? She wrote, "GL ST CK." To those of you who haven't taught kindergarten before it means "Girl Scout Cookies."

By the way, I'm wearing my Snowcloud Cardigan that I finished the night before. Hooray for actual knitting content.

Our sales team was very aggressive enthusiastic. They sold out in 2 1/2 hours. (And the parents rejoiced!)

Charli is scheduled for an exam under anasthesia in a week to determine what has caused the change in her vision. We are confident that whatever it is will be treatable. Please keep us in your prayers.

A Birthday Poem for my Seven Year Old Boy

Clever and charming,
often messy,
never boring,
noisy
entertainer,
really neat kid.

Happy birthday buddy. You make my heart supper happy.