A Day of PossAbilities

Owen participated in Loma Linda University's PossAbilities Triathlon for kids today...a very special event that supports individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. As you can imagine there were folks from all walks of life, mentally and physically disabled individuals without arms, legs, those that were wheel chair bound, others with crutches or some other supportive devices.

 

Today wasn't a day for keeping track of distance raced, laps in the pool, miles biked, or ranking,  but rather a day to celebrate potential.

 

Today I watched a young boy, not much older than 4, run side-by-side with his mom. This little boy was so happy...so proud...and he looked like any other young one out there running today -- but he was special. As he ran past us and jumped into the swimming pool to complete the last part of the triathlon,  I had tears in my eyes and as I looked over at Chris, so did he. This little boy was missing both his legs but was running using his two magic ones. When he entered the pool they removed these special legs and a lifeguard held his tiny tummy as he swam the last lap. I don't know this little man, but I don't think that I will ever forget him!  He was smiling ear to ear, so proud that he was racing -- definitely reminded me of Owen and how absolutely thrilled he is at the opportunity to race...just like any, other child out there today. Wow...what an amazing gift to watch that little man compete today.

 

We saw an older gentleman, wheel-chair bound whose entire family -- children (who were probably my age), his grandchildren, and perhaps other family members, pushing his bike through the grass. There were like seven or eight of them pushing him along, one holding a video camera documenting the entire family! Anyone who saw this man, this family, immediately stopped, and started cheering and encouraging them. The older gentleman started waving and smiling as they approached the pool area. Another amazing moment to be a part of today.

 

And with that, a wave of gratitude and thankfulness swept over me...

 

 

Today I am thankful that my sons are healthy...

 

   

 

 

Today I am thankful for the strong lungs that allowed for my son to breathe as he ran across a grass field...

 

 

Today I am grateful for his legs and arms that helped him to propel forward in the pool water...

 

 

Today I am thankful for his beautiful eyes that permit him to see...

 

 

Today I am thankful for his mind and its miraculous ability to control every movement of his body...

 

 

Today I don't take for granted his beautiful life and the many "little things" that seem so insignificant but that are actually tiny miracles that happen every.single.day...

 

 

Today I feel so blessed that we got to experience the true meaning of possibility... and that our boys were able to observe and experience that anything...ANYTHING is possible!

Cousin Time

The boys and I visited Cousin Jack and Taylor a few weeks ago and were able to do some impromptu photos!

Owen's accessory of the day was a rattlesnake which he wore like a scarf. He is such a trend setter!

It was a gorgeous, sunny, spring day and we loved spending time with the Pimentels!

The Story of the Dead Lizard

I will be honest... I don't always believe everything my children say. Ages 3 and 5 are two stages that create the most vivid,  colorful, fantastic tall-tales ever heard in the history of the world. I love their creative minds that are so full of fanciful ideas, I envy how different their perspectives are regarding the world and environment around them and wish I could wear the same lenses they use to view people, places, events, and nature.

Owen is particularly notorious for making up some really wild stories...like there is a snake in the backyard that slithered into a hole, or there were black widows in his bed, or some kids at school got bit by a dog that climbed over the fence. Each of these were just stories and although I love that he uses his imagination, sometimes I have to ask whether what he is saying is untrue.

Given his tendancy to exaggerate, it was no surprise that when he mentioned to me that he had killed a lizard that was attempting to bite his younger brother, I completely dismissed him. We were over at my grandparents' house visiting - my aunt, my mom and I were chatting in the kitchen. Owen quietly walked up beside me and told me about this so-called killer lizard and I told him that if he really killed a lizard in the backyard he needed to bring it in the house and show me. I figured since he didn't actually kill a lizard that he would go back outside and play with Luke. So off he goes through the screen slider and I begin to engage back into the conversation with my aunt and mom. As we were chatting Owen walks back into the house and gently places the dead lizard beside my aunt on the kitchen counter. The extra added bonus was that he also brought in its tail. You know, the one that he somehow had chopped off, the tail that was now wriggling frenetically back and forth. My poor aunt screamed and I did what most moms of boys do, Iaughed hysterically, grabbed a paper towel, picked up the dead lizard carcass and writhing tail and threw it away in the trash can.

Owen simply replied...I told you mom. Yes, you did and mama will believe you from now on!

This story will forever be dedicated to my Aunt Sylvia -- sorry for the little afternoon excitement!

Sea World Spring Break

Vacations for our family seem to look so much better a few days after we have unpacked and unloaded the RV, finished all of the loads of laundry, restocked the refridgerator, and had a good night's sleep in the comfort of our own beds.  

 

Invariably during our vacation, Chris and I nearly always end-up reconsidering any and all future vacations, because honestly they seem so exhausting, especially with the two rambunctious, energetic and very dependent (and independent) little boys.

 

But give it a fews days, a lot of great pictures, and it becomes like child-birth - we forget about the "pain" and are so grateful and appreciative for the experience, the time away from our hectic work schedules, and the ability to unplug, reconnect and focus on our little family.  

 

Our latest adventure took us down to San Diego where we spent four glorious days on Mission Bay. Notice "glorious" because we are post-vacation now by about two days and we've recovered from whatever drama was unfolding at the time!

 

We visited the boys' favorite place - Sea World.

When we arrived, Luke became our designated tour guide, with both boys outlining what we were going to see first (Sharks), second (Orca Whales), third (Manta Rays), and so on.





Luke is still about three inches too short to go on most of the rides, but Owen was quite excited to ride alone with Daddy.

 I love me some flamingos!

The boys loved sticking their arms and hands into the ice cold water to feel the slick Manta Rays glide past their fingers. Again, Luke's arms are still a bit too short to reach anything so Chris had to grab the back of his t-shirt so that he didn't go flying into the tank.

 

This picture was taken just before we entered one of Owen's favorite aquariums because it has an octopus. This was not the face he had when he exited the aquarium -- in fact he had a big ole' meltdown because there wasn't a single octopus in the entire aquarium or Sea World for that matter. I'm going to have to do some research and inquire what happened to Mr. Octopus, cuz' this kid is so disappointed when he doesn't get to have a glimpse of his eight-armed friend.

 

 Starfish hunter.
 

The walrus was quite active while we were in the arctic zone...the boys loved watching him swim back and forth. Look at all those whiskers!

Beluga whales always look like they are smiling, even when they are snoozing!

A trip to Sea World would not be complete if we didn't have ice cream in the shape of Shamu!

I mentioned to Chris that I take the best pictures of my kids' backs. Seriously, now that I look at all of my photo albums, nearly 80 percent of the pictures are of the back of their heads. Oh well.

Profiles...don't they look like their daddy!

And the trip ended with smiles from everyone...