With all of her energy and zest for life, Kendall has been a bundle of joy for us. She continues to amaze us in the love she has for life and those around her.
It's not easy though. We've been dealing with some behavior issues and struggling with disciplining her. What works? What doesn't? To spank or not to spank? Time out for 2 minutes or 5 minutes? No TV or just a little TV? Nick Jr or PBS Kids? It's a lot to try and figure out on your own.
And it's not just being parents that is frustrating. While dealing with both the little and big decisions of raising Kendall, we also have to make sure we - as married parents - are doing the right things with our lives, our finances, our home, our careers and that we keep on the right journey.
This one thing I am sure of ... God is leading us. Each decision that we make I can feel Him near us.
The decision to help lead a special non-profit group, Palmetto Hearts, is one of those decisions that I do not regret. We help, support and connect families across South Carolina who have children with congenital heart defects. We've had a few big events so far this year and each has come with hard work from our board members, but have resulted in blessings that only God can create.
Another thing that God has revealed to me is that there is help and guidance if we ask. I've constantly been asking for answers and direction for being a mom. Not only am I a mom, I have to realize I'm a mom of a little girl who is blessed to be alive. Not that she should have extra privileges, but I also have to realize that while she was on a heart/lung bypass machine at 2 months old, she also was not receiving the normal oxygen to her brain. These are the times that babies are having major brain development and though it was only for less than a day, we are not sure what that may have caused down the road. She is smart and brilliant and the only way you would know she had any obstacles in her life, is the beautiful mark on her chest. But that beautiful mark is proof that God made her different. I can't compare her to the "growth chart" or a normal "developmental" chart. I need to make sure that her development is on a chart for her. And ultimately, we live the life that God has made for us, not for the one we create for ourselves.
This being said ... my heart2heart is this. If we wait, if we watch, if we listen, we will learn. Our answers may not be heard with a megaphone, but they are there.
I have many friends and family facing difficult decisions and events. But know that someone out there is listening ... and praying for you.
Waiting Here for You on You Tube, by Kristy Nockles: http://youtu.be/em8EAHrW9fY
