Do you believe in miracles?

I do.

Today, I witnessed a miracle that lasted 1 minute and 13 seconds.  1:13.

We were practicing swimming and some aquatic therapy today (thank you, Mimi, for your help!), and then it happened.  With determination, confidence, a bit of fear, and a LOT of courage, RYKER WALKED.  Not just a few steps...but so many steps that I lost count! 

He walked for 1 minute and 13 seconds!

When Ryker was diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome, we were told he would probably never walk.  But I know my God is bigger than ANY diagnosis.  Bigger than ANY "expected outcome."  I know my God works miracles.  I believe in miracles.  

Albert Einstein once famously said, "There are only two ways to live your life.  One as though nothing is a miracle.  The other as though everything is a miracle."  Folks, everything is a miracle.

I know Ryker is on the way to walking -- no, RUNNING -- independently.  It's not a matter of years or months...it's a matter of days.  He is SO proud of himself, and we are SO proud of him too.

I hope our miracle brings you joy today, and I hope you can recognize the miracles that are surrounding you every single day.

Before I begin today's post, I need to apologize to all of my friends, family, and faithful followers, who have kindly reached out asking if they've missed a post, or if they need to re-subscribe to my blog.  No, you have not missed a post, and no you do not need to re-subscribe!  This thing called life sometimes happens -- crazy, right? -- and I found myself in a place saying, "I need to write a post today," but instead of writing I came up with a million excuses (kids, work, cleaning, laundry, and so on...) and I found myself saying "I don't have time for this today."  But do you want to know something?  It's not about HAVING time.  It's about MAKING time. 

How often do we fail to make time for the endeavors that are most important to us? And by "us" I mean our individual selves.  How often do we fail to put our own needs first?  If you have ever been on an airplane, you've heard the flight attendant say "put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting others."  Yet every single day so many of us tend to others first rather than giving ourselves the oxygen we need to survive.

I recently joined a book club with some of my co-workers and peers, and the first book we're reading is titled,  The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod.  In my opinion, the book doesn't contain any groundbreaking principles -- much of it is common sense -- but the author has an amazing testimony (he was dead for 6 minutes!), and I've found myself challenged to become the morning person I have never been.  By waking up earlier, perhaps I can dedicate the time I need for my own spiritual and physical health, both of which will make me a better wife, mom, employee, community member, volunteer, and overall person.  I mean, as a MOM I make sure my boys eat healthy, they sleep well, they  read their Bible (or have it read to them, at their young age), and they exercise (among other things).  I make Ryker walk on the treadmill for at least 15 minutes a day (he often chooses to walk for as long as 25 minutes!), and I make Maverick do tummy time throughout the day because it's so good for both of them to exercise, but me -- eh, I can exercise TOMORROW (yeah right).  Can anyone else relate?  Why do I put my own health last?  I'd like to live a very long and healthy life -- don't get me wrong, I can't wait to see Heaven -- BUT, I'm not quite ready to knock on the door of the pearly gates just yet.

SO I guess this post today is a challenge.  A challenge for myself, mostly, but a challenge for any of you out there who find yourself putting everyone else in your lives FIRST, while your own individual self slips away.  If you constantly say, "I don't have time for that," wake up early with me and make time.  I have a feeling all of our friends, family, and loved ones will thank us for the person we will become when we finally make ourselves a priority.  If you want someone to help hold you accountable during this time, please don't hesitate to reach out to me -- I'd gladly be your accountability partner!  You can contact me through the blog, comment on this post, or email me at [email protected]. 

The time for change is upon us, and it starts with the alarm clock BRIGHT AND EARLY in the morning!  Wish me luck...

P.S. - I wanted to share a picture of how I accomplish my tasks during the weekend, and it looks like this:

​Isn't that picturesque and wonderful?  All three boys peacefully sleeping at once.

Here is the reality:  Maverick is now sitting with me, after sleeping for 5 minute chunks of time, each time waking up screaming like a falcon after launching his pacifier 10 feet across the room (I'm actually quite impressed with that skill), Ryker is currently sitting up in his bed and playing with cars, and Adam...well he was up hours before the rest of us today, as he is every morning.  He is the epitome of one who "makes time" during his day, and he sets an example I strive to achieve.  He wakes up at least two hours before all of us every single day to spend time in prayer, go to the gym, help around the house, and accomplish whatever else he needs to do before the day really begins.  He does all of this so that we have more time together as a family, and I am very thankful for that!  If I can accomplish half of the things Adam does in the mornings, then I know I am on the right track.