Hetherington Happenings

Summer Fun 2011

You may have noticed I rearranged a few things on the blog. Someday I hope I find time to learn how to make it exactly like I want it to look, but for now Summer is calling and there is too much fun to be had.

So on that note, I created a new photo album, which you'll see on the right side-bar of my blog. It's titled "Summer Fun 2011".  I'll be updating it on a daily basis with a photo and brief description of our latest adventure.

Follow along, and tell me about your adventures too!

Its Party Time

I gave in. Of course I did. I knew I would. I told myself we were skipping the birthday party this year because kids don't need a party every year. But who am I kidding....I LOVE THROWING BIRTHDAY PARTIES!!!

Max is into Legos, Star Wars and insects. The theme was easy...insects.  The task....look for bugs. The treat...eat some dirt. It was actually one of the simplest parties I've come up with...and it was a HUGE success!

We decided to invite a few classmates who had really reached out to Max this year. Kids who were genuinely interested in wanting to be his friend, not just put up with him. Kids who weren't annoyed with his idiosyncrasies, but who are patiently showing him what it is to be a friend and what is socially acceptable. 

So I'll stop talking and let the pictures show you all the fun we had on the last day of school.

Here's the gang getting ready for the hunt:

I wrapped 56 plastic bugs in tin foil packets (ok, Rick did help with this) and hid them in the forest in our backyard. The goal was to locate as many bugs as they could and to find the GIANT spider hidden somewhere tricky.

It was a blast to see them scatter and search frantically

Best of all was how many times the entire group walked past the BIG spider hanging in this tree.  Hee! Hee! It was fun!

Following the leader....

  Counting all their catches and opening up the foil packets

Then the best part....snacks.  I made dairy-free, dye-free, almost gluten-free dirt cups.  One boy was so convinced it was real dirt he wouldn't even eat his until all 7 other kids had eaten theirs.  It was great!

Didn't have to convince Max to eat his!  And I found these great dye-free, fat-free gummies (I'll post more on that later).

Pausing to swallow worms and dirt before heading out on the LIVE (as in real, living) bug and lizard hunt.

The boys were die hard lizard hunters. The girls gave up after a while and decided the guinea pig was more fun

And the zip-line too...

But the highlight of the party, without any doubt, was when the boys caught a couple lizards under rocks and Max was bursting with so much excitement he just had to kiss his lizard.

Yep, this is what happens when you kiss a wild lizard.

Happy Birthday Max!

Happy Birthday Max!

This week I celebrated the birth of a boy who changed my life in more ways than I could ever imagine! Six years ago in June we celebrated this little guys 2nd birthday as we left Moscow Russia, arrived in Frankfurt Germany, touched down in Portland Oregon making him a US Citizen, then drove 6 hours and introduced him into our home. Six years ago.

And here it is 2011 and he is 8 years old. He is still full of energy. Still full of inquisitive curiousity that is never quite satisfied. Still happy, and thankfully, healthier than ever.

It has been an adventure, these past six years. Adventure is probably putting it mildly. This little child with all his disabilities has been my biggest thorn in the flesh. Many, many times I've cried out to God asking Him, "Why?"  "Why did this have to happen to Max?...And why in the world did you ever think I am the one chosen to be his mother?"  And I'll admit, the latter question wasn't asked while dancing the Magnicant like Mary filled with wonder at her chosen position.  

 
If you've followed our family, you'll know that the past six years have been filled with tears, with appointments with every kind of PhD, MD, OD, LSCW, MAP, SLP, OT, PT, ThM you could ever list. We've racked up medical bills that insurance companies refuse to pay. We've paid attorney fees, conference fees and  expenses that we weren't prepared for. We've tried special diets and supplements and vitamins. We've given Yoga, Qigong and other things I can't spell a try. We've invested in a room full of therapy toys. We've cleaned up messes made from food and other matter. We've fixed & repaired all sorts of things. We've moved. We've lost friendships. We've fought school districts. We've lost count of the babysitters we've scared off. We've tried. We've read books and sought advice. There is no length we haven't attempted when we thought it would bring him benefit.

So here we are, now in the present. Celebrating 8 years of his life. A life that has taught me how to laugh at simple things, how to trust the Lord with all my heart, how to play hard and sleep hard.

A life that has taught me that money is not important; that life itself is the richest gift of all.

...That grace abounds for each new day. That forgiveness always needs to be spoken.

A life that has taught me to try my best to speak softly and slowly, to hug and cuddle, and to not care what others think of me. A life that has given me boldness to speak up for those who don't have the ability to advocate for themselves.

A life that has taught me that one drink isn't worth the price paid for a lifetime of frustration and desperation.

A life that has shown that I do make a difference.

This precious young life has shown me an entire side of the compassion of my God that I never knew before.

These intense blue eyes show me a glimpse of eternity each day. Eyes that see good in everyone, eyes that desire peace, that long for love, that shine with excitement and intensity each morning. And eyes that glimmer with hope for each new sunrise to be bring a better day than the one before.

I can't always keep up with this kid, but at this moment, I thank God for putting him into my life.  God teaches us the deepest lessons of truth in our most painful seasons that we would otherwise wish away. Gods blessings do fall in the rain. And His strength is all I need for each moment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Max!  You are loved!!!