That was the bestest birthday ever -

Thank you Greg, Susan and boys for the beautiful birthday flowers!

Cake before.

Cake after.

The end to a perfect birthday - A living room slumber party with her brothers -

Gooey Sticky Birthday Cake.

Three years ago -

Happy 3^rd Birthday Ivey!!!

Has it really been three years? And look where you are now. Amazing. We love you and are so proud of you. You are an inspiration. You are proof that miracles do exist and dreams really do come true.

Once upon a time a Princess was born

Then one day the princess was trached. All grew quite in the land. The princess's beautiful voice was taken away. Everyone in the kingdom whispered her name and prayed for her. She prevailed and her people stood in amazement at the courage of one petite princess.

and met one of her fairy Godmothers.

At times she would sleep peacefully, but not very often.

For her bravery,the princess was presented with her royal crown on her first birthday.

The second year of the princess's life was full of wonder.

Through means of magic great gifts were presented to the princess. And one miraculous day she was granted beautiful emerald eyes.

And another fairy Godmother wept with joy.

And for all those who were so blessed to be loved by the princess, they were humbled by her smile and their hearts melted instantly from her touch.

And again at the end of the princess's second year the members of her kingdom came to celebrate. For the kingdom which once had been in disarray was now vibrant and full of life.

There was much to celebrate.

And this time a fairy Godmother breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled.

Even the fairy Godfather whisked the princess up and showed her off at a royal celebration.

Then came a great day. Like all fairytales, the lovely princess had been carrying a heavy laden burden. On this day her long carried burden was to be taken away. The heavy cross that the young princess had been carrying for so long was removed. Once again the kingdom celebrated and parades marched through the streets. For the beautiful voice of the princess had been restored.

Upon the lifting of the heavy burden, miracles began to happen. The princess went to preschool just like all the other princesses.

She went to parties and slid down magical slides with her father and brothers, prince Knox and prince Walker.

The princess even met the mermaids in the ocean.

She was even granted more jewels, silver hearing aids to wear on her ears. Unfortunately, she often had to wear unattractive hats in August just to keep them in.

And most importantly, the princess made friends.

Normally this is the part of the story that says "The End", but not this fairytale. The fairytale of princess Ivey is on going even today. She is a beloved princess whose kindness and courage reaches beyond the borders of her kingdom. At night when all grows quite, stories of the beautiful princess are recounted to all those in need of miracles and magic, selflessness and determination. And today she celebrates another year. And I am most positive that each gift that God grants this year will be a miracle too.......

JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY MIRACLE.

A Birthday Request From The Birthday Girl

For Ivey's birthday she would really love it if everyone started to learn a little sign language so that she can get to know you. She loves the interaction and is picking up new sign rather quickly. We practice what is called hand-under-hand with her. That means we place our hands under Ivey's to sign to her or to guide her hands. Her hands are ALWAYS on top. Remember when approaching her gently touch her on her on the top of her forearm first. Her hands are her eyes, so we much treat them with respect. The more we offer her our hands, the more she will learn - we will enrich her life and introduce her to the world that she does not see and the sounds that she can not hear very well. To help facilitate this goal I will begin a list of words that Ivey's knows and is in the process of learning up on the sidebar.

TODAY AT PRESCHOOL...A BIRTHDAY PARTY, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND THE PET STORE

Petting the rodents outside.

Giving Mrs. Ashley a run for her money with that eye.

Playing peek-a-boo with the kitty.

Aunt Beth and Ivey. This is a Walker look. You can read every thought in her mind on that face. Obviously the non-so-pleasant urine smell of the animals was not her thing.

Cupcakes at preschool.
Can you see that grin?

She can make a pretty picture, but what makes me smile is her two best-est friends right there by her side.

And this is the middle child climbing the tree right in the middle of town.

April with us and Christa and some random Jungle Book picture

Easter with the boys, Ivey, Maggie and Lindsey

Hunting Chirpy Eggs with Maggie...Listen to the eggs talk..Watch her find them...See her clap for herself..

Dandelion Wishes

I have officially had a case of writer's block. It's crazy. I sit down to update Ivey and can't think of a thing to write about. This has been going on for a couple of months now. Really, I never thought I would run out things to jabber about. Maybe it is not from the lack of things going on, but sifting through the surplus of craziness. I have even wanted to post some pictures, but that means downloading them- ugg. So, its mid-morning and Ivey's Wednesday OT session was switched, so I have a few moments. Of course I could fold the laundry that is piled up, even iron it, but who wants to do that? And at the beginning of the week we had two rooms painted, one being Ivey's room, because we are switching her to a different bedroom. Now if I were really motivated, I would start moving her furniture, clothes, medical supplies and toys....or sweep up the dust from places the painters had to sand. Instead, I am sitting here doodling through emails and now this. If you are wondering where Ivey is, she is sitting here next to me playing with her musical flowers and eating.

Last Thursday at the boys tennis lesson one of their friends was intrigued that Ivey did not have eyes, remember, she has not been wearing them in quite a while, months actually. Four year olds are the cutest things; she asked all kind of questions and just loooved on Ivey. Then she picked a dandelion to make a wish…and she wished for 'the baby' to have eyes. Those seeds just few in the wind from that Dandelion Wish.

Friday morning I had the itch to look at Ivey with her beautiful green eyes. And guess what?? She left them in. Of course, she has tried a few times to take them out, but only a few times. Now it is Wednesday and I am sitting here looking at a green eyed girl. Guess that sweet Dandelion wish came true.

If this doesn't work long term, I have a new plan. I think we'll have an "Ivey's Eyes Weekend Marathon". We'll have to come up with a cuter name for it though. Literally, have anyone we know signup for a time, whether it's five minutes or an hour, and simply sit and play with her or hold her while she sleeps. I really think that she would leave them alone if we could just 'desensitize' her from them. Maybe if we could entertain and distract her for an entire weekend (Friday – Sunday) she would leave them alone. What do you think? Anybody up for playing with Ivey??

So I'll let you know in the next few days how it goes. In the meantime, we may have pictures of a green eyed girl on her third birthday….

Remember, Saturday is the big day. Ivey will be three….3….. Ha

Well, more on that later, the feeding pump just went off and Ivey and I have a list of things to do today.

 

California and Kisses

Between a six year olds birthday party, homework, sinus infections and trips away from home, there has been little computer time. So I wanted to take second a let you in on a couple of small things learned over the past couple of weeks.

One, Ivey has decided she LOVES to give kisses. And don't think you'll get a normal kiss. Ooohhh nooo. It's a nice slobbery kiss with a giggle from her. That's okay. They are some of the best kisses ever (even if we all come away with a little drool).

Two, Matt and I took a trip. And not just a one night trip, but a real five day away trip. It was the first in a long time. Honestly, one that we weren't sure if we would ever be able to take (alone) again. Well, we did and it was wonderful. So, for all of you with kids and especially those of you with special needs children that think you can never leave, you must go. Whether you think they can or not, there are others who are willing to watch the little ones and do just as well, even though it is hard to imagine, as we parents do. And guess what? Our kids survived. The world kept right on spinning. And we had a great time. And so did our kids.

Remember, couples with special needs children on average have a higher percentage rate of divorce. That special time is very important. So thanks mom and dad for taking time to stay here so that we could go. And thanks to our friends who made for a very special and FUN Trip!!

Also, can you believe that Ivey will be three in a couple of weeks? My how times have changed.