Saturday, January 15, 2011

She's happiest when...







Guess who spends most of her time sitting in a wheelchair, but got outside to go sledding for a few minutes today? Yep, that's Wyndham! We've been getting lots of white, fluffy snow the past few days and Wyndham was watching Chip pulling Crew in the sled and he was all smiles. I asked her if that looked like fun and if she wanted a turn too. She got a huge grin on her face. She didn't even have to say "yes". I just knew we had to make it happen for her.
Sometimes she thinks things look fun that the other kids around her are doing, but she herself is hesitant or not interested in actually doing it herself. So I asked her a few more times as she continued to watch Crew and she did nod her head as she kept grinning.
Bundling up a 10 year old girl who can't help all that much in getting her snow clothes on was a bit tricky. Getting her out the door and into the sled waiting for her outside was tricky too. But I was happy to help make it happen, and so was Chip. Our driveway is fairly steep and Chip said she laughed outloud everytime they made it to the bottom.
She even had hot chocolate when she came inside. =)
The other pictures here are of Wyndham on her cooking night with Daddy. They made some asian-style beef stirfry and she was able to stand next to the pot and stir the sauce for a minute- which she felt so grown up doing. You also see some homemade macaroni and cheese {which the kids all ate well} and a whole-grain chocolate banana cream pie too. We've been sticking to our non-processed food diet for the majority of our meals and as you can see we're eating well. Our house usually smells great and feels warm because of the extra heat coming from the oven these days. It's been fun to try lots of new recipes too!
While Wyndham is still almost full-time in her wheelchair since her surgery back in September, we're always so glad to see her wanting to jump in and do something that the other kids are doing. She is often so content to just sit back and watch or just find something else to do. But when her eyes light up and a grin spreads across her face, we can't help but sense her happiness and her desire to be as much like the rest of her siblings, even though she has limitations. Her little outing in the sled today reminded me that sometimes we need to just go for it. I hold back and don't jump into as much fun as I should sometimes because it's just so much easier to look on or make excuses of which I am queen.
Witnessing Wyndham's joy in the littlest things like cooking and sledding has inspired me all over again today. I hope you feel a bit inspired by her little {major!} triumphs too. I know I look forward to finding happiness in some unusual and unexpected ways this year!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go Wyndham, go!!! So glad to see these photos -- she's AMAZING Jody and SUCH an inspiration! Oh and that photo of Chip with her by the stove? Priceless. Love. It.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much. This is a great reminder for us all. We all have disabilities of some sort (all though many of ours are self imposed). We deside what we can't do, because it is scarey, or unbecoming to who we normally are. Conversely, we may have developed disabilities by others imposing their opinions of us over the years, of what they can do better than us.
Through the years, I have been inspired by you and your family, pulling together, to get through anything that was thrown in your path. You have always looked to God to give you the ability to perservere. Today... I will do the same. I will look at the areas that I have disabled myself, or let others disable me...and give them to God... allowing him to work through me. His abilities surpass any disabilities we can have here on earth... and I will focus more on Him... for strength, wisdom and joy. God Bless you and your beautiful family, Jody. Thank you for touching my life, over and over again through the years. Kim M.

Unknown said...

I love these pictures of Chip and Wyndham. So fun to see her in the Kitchen and outside with dad :-)

You guys are doing such a great job and a blessing to all of us.

Much love and prayers and a big hug for Wyndham :-)

jenny said...

Yes, Wyndham inspires me too. And so do you and Chip. May God bless you with a wonderful year in 2011.

Marie said...

You and Chip are an inspiration to all of us. Love the pictures of Chip working with each child, especially Wyndham...the smile on her face says it all.Thank you Jody for sharing your thoughts and feelings and your love of the Lord.

Regina said...

She has such a wonderful smile - it reaches out so far!!! so glad she was able to smile and laugh - and the cooking photos are awesome!!!!

Lauren said...

LOVE this!!!!!!!! So precious!!!

Anonymous said...

Prayers that seeing Wyndham sled has brought you new joy and been a light of God's grace shining through the winter. Praying for her healing and that you will be bolstered in your daily life. The pic of she and Chip cooking is tender! Beth

Mommyto3andahusky said...

What a cook! :) Those recipes look amazing! I found your blog while out blog hopping! Love it!

Nuts in a Tree said...

Thanks for sharing Wyndham's fun with us! She's really so tall standing next to her Dad. :) Maybe you all should make a recipe book of all your Cooking with Dad recipes...I always get hungry when you mention what was made. :)

Rhonda

Stacy said...

oh the joy on her face!! i love all your pictures today they touch our hearts

kate blue said...

as a mom of an awesome kid with "different abilities" too, I so get it! Whenever my Brandon decides to try something new, it's MAJOR! The pictures I could show you of how much he used to cry just even LOOKING at snow from inside the house...but NOW? He sees a single flake and wants to go out! It's so funny and it's those things we special moms treasure :) love your pictures :):)

darcie said...

YAY! So glad you guys are all embracing the snow! I can send you some of ours too if you need it!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Beautiful child, Godly parents!
The sweetness shows thru the pictures. What a wonderful thing that Wyndham got to go sledding. Brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for posting and thank you for the inspiration. All things are possible for those that Believe. I pray for healing for Wyndham.
rita