Stuck in my Head

This song has been stuck in my head for days!

We're leaving bright and early in the morning for Cali. We will be there for TWO weeks -- one week with Oby's fam & one one week with mine. Oh my, Chloe is SO excited to meet "Mishka Mooshka Mickey Mouse," she can barely stand it! This is the first time I've seen her SO truly excited -- and it makes ME excited too! It's been crazy getting Christmas stuff ready. And packing for three people - two weeks supply of clothes and all other necessities for weather that's warm, but might be cold. And getting my house sparkling clean so it's a nice, peaceful place to be when we get back. And getting a pedicure. And Thanksgiving. And Oby built a shed in two days (with lots of help -- thanks guys!!!). So we had to reorganize all our storage, which I loved doing, but.... Well, I'm rambling. But do you get my point? It's been crazy around here! But that's okay, because, "California, here we come!!!"

Happy Turkey Day!

Chloe looked SO cute in her little Thanksgiving Day get-up, so I had to share.....


She didn't look quite as cute as Grandpa Bennett did, though!!! ;)....


Hope you all had a wonderful feast. I hope your day was filled with love and recognition of the abundant blessings in your life. I know mine sure was! xoxo

Our New Favorite Song!

The Songs of Love Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing personalized songs for children and teens currently facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges, free of charge.

(Songs of Love Foundation was featured on 60 Minutes with Dan Rather. Watch Here!)

I've known about the foundation for quite awhile, but wanted to wait until Chloe got a little older and we could understand her personality better so she could be better captured in a song. About a month ago, it hit me -- it was time for Chloe to have her song. And so we sent in an application. I was shocked when we got it in the mail today! It came so quickly AND it is perfect! It is SO Chloe!!! This is the very first video I've ever made, so sorry for its extreme simplicity. I guess that will help you focus on the lyrics a little more?!?! ;)

Enjoy....

((Words, music & vocals by Leah Clark))

Chloe's quite the fashion girl
Pretty bows decorate her curls
Fuzzy socks 'neath her funky shoes
And her ruffles make for "Ah's" and "Ooh's"
She could look at them for hours...
Tulips, daisies & sunflowers
Wishing on dandelions
Lilacs & daffodils in the sun

She's always smiling, giggling, splashing, kicking
Laughing when it's not the time or place
Stretching, swinging, dancing, reading
Blowing kisses through the air so they land
Right on your face

Chloe likes to watch cartoons
While she's eating popsicles
Riding 4-wheelers is fun
So is staying at the cabin
Chloe loves all holidays
There's more time to laugh & play
And when they're over, it's still cool
Chloe's glad to go to school

She's always smiling, giggling, splashing, kicking
Laughing when it's not the time or place
Stretching, swinging, dancing, reading
Blowing kisses through the air so they land
Right on your face

Chloe loves her family
Her Papas, Nana & Grammy
Mom and Dad and cousins
Plus all of her awesome friends
Horses that take her for rides
Out in nature with butterflies
And when it's time to take a rest
Teddy cuddles are the best!

You're amazing just the way you are
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!
Never, ever, ever give up
Our little girl with big dreams
Celebrating little things
Chloe Gayle, remember - we love you.

We love you!

Remember to Say It

My heart breaks for my sister-in-law and her family who just got the tragic news that her brother was shot and killed just 2 weeks before coming home after a 2-year service tour as a medic in the military. He was on his way home from delivering Christmas gifts to an orphanage. He was loved by all and will be missed.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

When I talked to my sister-in-law yesterday, she mentioned that last time they talked to each other and how she was so glad that she told him she loved him and that he told her too. Remember to say those words. I know sometimes we don't feel like we need to because those people know we love them. But.... you just never know what tomorrow will bring.

Checkin' it Twice

I usually like to have all my Christmas shopping done by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. This year we're leaving for over 2-weeks the day after Thanksgiving, so I have to have all the presents bought AND wrapped AND the house all decorated before we leave because when we get back it will be full-fledged Christmastime and no time for the details. Anyway, I was double-checking our list and getting stuff wrapped tonight. I decided to share Chloe's gift list in case any other special needs parents are seeking sensory/therapy ideas or things that just relate to our special kiddos. So here ya go! (images are linked to where I purchased them, if you're interested)....


For the bus: I always hook little toys to Chloe's wheelchair tray for her to play with while she's on the bus. I thought these two rattles would be fun (and not too expensive if they get lost)....

Ring-O Rattle

Shake & Chime Ducky Ball

For the car: Poor Chloe has had the same toys dangling in front of her in the car seat pretty much since she was born. She is SO bored with them! But she isn't interested in movies yet, so I found these couple of things that I'm crossing my fingers she'll like!....

Musical Nature Stroll

We're going to try hooking this on the seat in front of her so when she kicks it will make music. If she likes it at all, she'll LOVE it, so here's hoping it's a hit!....

Kick & Play Piano

Just because - some cute stuff to give Chloe PRIDE in who she is!....

Pink button to put on her backpack

Heart Wheelchair T-shirt

Heart Wheelchair Silly Band Bracelets

For Therapy: We use sensory toys, music, etc. to motivate Chloe and keep her going while we do stretches, tummy time and therapy. These toys looked like the type of thing Chloe likes and were reasonably priced. Again, I'm just crossing my fingers that they will work!....

Spin Ball

Jivin' Jukebox

Activity Triangle

Curiosity Cube

For Grammy's House: My mom was saying that she wished we could find something that Chloe could lay on and kick to make music. So I looked online and found this piano that is meant to be danced on to make music, but we think kicking will have the same effect! If it works like we think it will, Chloe is going to LOVE this (thanks to Grammy!).....

6-foot piano mat

I'm still open to other ideas. If I can find anything that might help entertain and/or motivate Chloe, then I'm open to it. So if you have ideas to share, please feel free!!!

Life is Good.

Today was one of those days where I had to pinch myself several times to make sure I wasn't dreaming..... Am I really so blessed to have such a uniquely special daughter, such an incredible husband and family, so many supportive friends and to live in a community that truly reaches out and helps each other? I really do. And life is good. To say that I am grateful would be a gross understatement. I am thankful beyond words.

Today was the Turkey Trot & silent auction. Chloe started by getting in the right attire....

Chloe in her Turkey Trot Tee!

Then we met with our family, friends and everyone else who came out from the community to support our cause!....

Chloe & Mayor Nagle

There were approximately 200 runners and many more supporters. It was incredible!

Ready.....


Set....

Go!!!....


Even though the wind made everyone's hair kinda crazy....




We were just glad the forecast was wrong and it didn't rain!!!

The silent auction was also a huge success. The winning bidders were thrilled with their winnings. Here are just a couple of the happy winners....

Chloe's cousin Caroline was thrilled to win this tie-dye shirt!

My friend's son won one of our hottest auction items, the X-Box!!!

This playground is a true community effort. And because of all the support I witnessed today, I am 100% certain that this community is going to build Chloe's Sunshine Playground. I'm grateful to be just a small part of this effort. Thank you, everyone!!!

After the Turkey Trot, I was able to meet up with my friend Shelly who came all the way from ARIZONA to participate in our little 5k! I haven't seen her in at least a decade, but back in the day when we were roommates, we were the dearest of friends. I also got to visit with some of our other friends who I haven't seen in years. It's amazing how friendship is. Even when you don't see a true friend for years, when you do get to spend time with them again, it feels like not a day has passed. Somehow I missed snagging a picture of these friends, but here are Shelly's cute girls, Abby & Emma....


Later in the evening, I went to help my friend Kendra with her amazing Leggings Project, A tribute to her daughter Makenzie who passed away last December. Instead of slinking away from life and lying in the fetal position while she tries to deal with her daughter's death, she is moving forward and doing things to help others. She has literally thousands of leggings that will be donated to the ICU where Makenzie spent the last few weeks of her life. Kendra is one of the most inspiring people I know and being a tiny part of her project was, well, amazing.....

leggings, leggings, leggings!

cutting, sewing, folding, bagging & tying

Last but not least, we got to celebrate Grandpa Phil's birthday. Despite his serious health issues, Grandpa Phil is one of the most positive and inspiring people I know. It's a privilege to love and be loved by him. Happy Birthday, Grandpa Phil!!!....




See what I mean? What a truly blessed day. Life really is good.

Proud Member

Check out the decal that we proudly placed on our van.


During this month of gratitude, I can honestly say that I am grateful every single day to be a part of this special needs "club." It's an honor to be in a group whose members embrace differences, recognize true miracles in the simplest things, and roll through life with a lot of heart.

Introducing

my new niece...

Miss Madison!

I've been waiting six whole weeks to kiss these cheeks!....


Finally they left medical school long enough for a quick trip into town and we got to meet our new little sweetheart! Chloe was obsessed.


Chloe loves having all these girl cousins to play with!....


She still loves her boy cousins, though. And oh my does Zeke love her. He is SO sweet to his Chloe. He is always holding her hand, giving her kisses, and making sure she's okay....

Chloe had so much fun playing on the back porch with her cousins and they had fun pushing her around in the wheelchair. They were just running and squealing and laughing -- it was SO cute!!!....


Look how much Zeke loves being in Utah with his family....


Medical school is overrated. Jus' sayin'.

What's in a Name

People always give me a strange look if I mention my husband's name is Oby. (pronounced Oh-bee).

"Do his parents love Star Wars or something?"

No. He is not named after Obi Wan Kanobi.

"Opie?"

No. He was not named after Ron Howard's character on the Andy Griffith Show.

Someone asked me about his name just today, so I figured I got some 'splainin to do. Here goes.

This was the picture I first saw of him. I don't think I've ever publicly explained how Oby and I met. It's long and complicated and funny and for another post. But here was the picture....


I thought he was a cutie. Then I found out his name was Oby and I had the same reaction that everyone usually has..... "What kind of a name is Oby?''

Turns out he is named Michael Obadiah Bennett. Michael is his dad's name and Obadiah is his dad's favorite prophet from the Old Testament. Mike, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that he loves Obadiah the prophet because he wrote the shortest book in scripture.... He had something to say, it was important, he said it and moved on. No beating around the bush. Mike is that kind of guy. Oby is definitely that kind of guy.

So if you're like I was, then you're probably thinking, 'Why doesn't he go by his first name?'

That was his mom's plan. She didn't want him to be named that, but Mike was persistent, so she gave in and said it could be a middle name and he would go by his first name.

It didn't happen. He has always been called Oby.

I found out while dating him that he is definitely an Oby....



Just like his name, he is unique, he makes people scratch their head and ask why a lot, and oftentimes even makes people laugh right to his face!....


But I wouldn't change him - not for the world. I wouldn't change his name either, just because it is so HIM and I love HIM. He asked me once if I would prefer for him to go by Michael or Mike. I almost slapped him for considering it. He is my Oby and that is that.



Just like the prophet he was named after, he is a very straight-forward kinda guy. Gets right to the point. NO beating around the bush. I don't believe he's prophetic, but he is definitely a man of God. His straight-forwardness and complete honesty was a big part of why I fell in love with him. I was seeking that after some of the dating experiences I'd had. And then I found it in Oby....


Chloe thinks he pretty much rules the world. She adores her daddy too!....





I'm grateful for my very unique husband and best friend. Where would I be without him? I don't even want to know....