2015 Amputee Ski Trip - Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

    I don't think I've posted enough times about this trip. This video will sum up about everything I want to say!  Yuri said it well, "You guys went from not knowing anyone in this room to knowing and loving one another, to becoming a family."
    We lit up and let it go. We soared like eagles flying like nothing could stop us, and did the things that others said we couldn't ever do! We became fast friends, laughed and joked about the things people never joke about, told stories no one hears and acted like a family. We were ourselves and didn't hide the differences that people often stare at, we skied down mountains and laughed like we've never laughed before. We understood each other, we impressed people in the hot pole so much that they came and joined us. We celebrated a sweet girls 18th birthday and heard Zacks never ending voice filled with complete joy! We rolled in the snow after swimming, we teased Dr. Smitt endlessly and impressed Dr. Herring with our accomplishments. We thanked our amazing Ski trainers with Hernando's pizza on Thursday night! We cried together on the last night, not wanting to go home to people who don't understand the hardships we often face everyday. We gave our hugs, said goodbye and parted our ways; ready to face another year!
   Dr. Herring once said, " What we're proving is, it's not the differences that matter, but it's how we're all alike."
Thank you so much Dr. Herring for giving me this week for a third time and for so many other abilities you have given! Thank you for showing me not to look at what I don't have, but to see what I do have!
And to all you other 13 skiers, thanks for making me laugh all week!!

Amy. You did amazing on this video! Like I've watched it 10 times! No kidding. :) Thanks so much for being there to capture every moment!

A Man With A Vision

2015 Ski Trip                                    

There once was a man with a vision

A vision for Scottish Rite

He took patients across the country

On an American Airlines flight

The mission was to teach them to ski

To snowboard and to have a ball

To try new things and have no fear

And to get up after every fall

Marylou mastered this mission

A smile her expression of choice

Lauren was never deterred

Not even by losing her voice

Erika’s heart is as good as gold

She’s a true inspiration to all

Taj really likes his chapstick

But be careful, he might take a fall

It’s always fun to celebrate a birthday

Chelsea, thanks for being the one

Watching Sarah go over big jumps

Was really such great fun

Jazymn and her beautiful smile

Can brighten anyone’s day

Zack can make anyone laugh

You never know what he will say

MaBeth, wow...what a role model

Truly one of a kind

A friend you have made in Yuri

But watch out, he has one crazy mind

The energy Josiah has shown us

So uplifting and inspiring to all

A great example to Ryan

To push through the pain and forget the fall

Selam kept us laughing, so witty and funny

A true pleasure in every way

Cruz has embraced this week like a boss

Life long friends he will always have at bay

Thank you Dr. Herring for having this vision

You’ve really made dreams come true

These memories will last for ever and ever

Without you, we wouldn’t have a clue

Written by: Kara Davis & Sandi Greenberg

Memorial Day

   Happy late Memorial Day to all! Thank you to the men and women who have served and died and to those who continue to serve our country for the freedom we have.

Thank you and may you never be forgotten! 

Thank you Grandpa! 

A Country Wedding

      It's been a while since I've been to a wedding. Last night, I got to go to one. Our next door neighbors son was getting married and we were invited. At first I thought I wasn't going to be able to go but thankfully I was able too!! And I am so thankful I got to!

We got there a little late but just in time to see the groom kiss his bride as we pulled  up! 

The wedding was on beautiful country acres.  

 I loved these flowers with the wood

and candles!

It was perfect! Not to much but yet not to little! Most of the guests wore Cowboy hats and jeans, so I fit right in cause I didn't have time to get into a dressy outfit! It was simple but SO beautiful. It wasn't rushed, it was well planned out! 

I love this picture of my parents.

Such personality captured here.

     It was beautiful watching the groom gaze at his bride, as he danced with her, held her in his arms and kissed her! He looked at her and the look in his eyes said it all "I promise to love you, protect you, and keep you through good and bad tell death do us part."

    They had a daddy daughter dance and they played my favorite song!! "Butterfly Kisses".   I knew that song by heart.   I watched the father and daughter dance and saw the joy in the fathers eyes as he looked into his daughter; so proud of her! So proud of the beautiful lady she turned into and moments before he gave her away to the man of her dreams! I can't imagine how hard that must have been! 

    In the middle of the song they called up all the dads and daughters and had them dance! I didn't  pass that up at all. Papa walked me to the dance floor and started dancing with me as I sang the words to the song! I pondered everything, and then he whispered in my ear, "Someday, this will be you sweetie. It will be you!"  Those words made it hard to breath! It was a scary idea but yet exciting. One day, if the Lord wills it, he will give me away. He held me closer and sang the words with me! I would remember this dance, forever, especially on my wedding day! 

Next they had a mother son dance, which sadly non of my brothers were there so mama couldn't dance. I can't remember the name of the song for that dance but was as beautiful as the one for the daddy daughter dance.

Jacob and Whitney Danial! 

Jacob, you are quite the romantic one! Whitney, you are so beautiful! 

I want to congratulate you both and wish you a great and happy marriage!!

PS. So glad our adorable puppies made it into the the slide show!!

Congrats!!!!


Erika M.

Troop 437

 So I meant to post this earlier, but couldn't.

On Monday Sarah and I got to go to an Eagle Scout ceremony invited by 

two of our awesome friends, who are in Boy Scouts, Troop 437! Thanks so much for the invite!

I had so much fun! I loved hearing the ceremony, all the things they had accomplished, the badges given out to other scouters, the videos they put together for each Eagle Scout, and all the memories that each scout loved!. I loved being there to see Mr. Hall (Scout leader for 20 years of troop 437) give out his last charges to the 5 Eagle Scouts. This guy has been giving charges since Marcus was an Eagle Scout! What an honor! I loved getting to meet other scouters that I only heard stories of and seeing other familiar faces!!

It's cool being able to meet some of the people my brothers have known since T437 was started, and seeing some of the things my brothers did when they were young!!

 Congrats to Micah and Granger!

You guys are amazing!

Sorry about some of the pics being blurry!

Proud Parents!

Thanks for inviting us and introducing me to awesome people!

Erika M.

Chris Medina - What Are Words

I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this. Knowing the story behind this song brings tears to my eyes.

He purposed to his girlfriend and they planned to get married a year
later. Within that year she got in a terrible car accident that caused
physical disability. He wrote this for her!  Hope you enjoy this as much
as I did.

"What Are Words" Chris Medina


Erika M.

Algebra 1......Algebra 2

               Oh yeah!!! I am so happy to be done with Algebra 1!! 

Algebra 2 here I come, full force and ready to fill my brain with more complicated things!!! 

I love new books!

 

Erika M. 

Wish a Goofy Friend Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to this absolutely crazy friend.

 Thanks so much for making me laugh, like all the time and for being so helpful!!

Hope you have a most blessed 15th birthday!!!

Erika M.

A Very Special Mother

    So as most of you know, today is Mother's Day and I want to wish all those mom out there a most blessed Mother's day!!.
Boy do I have an amazing mother. This drop dead gorgeous lady is just so wonderful. I don't think there are enough words to describe her!!!. From the moment you were born Christ had an amazing plan for you!!. 

You married and bore 4 beautiful boys, whom are now all grown up and have wives and kids of their own!!

 

You've gone trouble hardship in life which has made you the most strongest woman I know! 

 

You have loved and served this man ever since the day you stood in front of him and said "I do"

You have taught me what real love is. It is unconditional. It never fails! It endures all things!

You have shown me what a real wife is and I hope in the future that if I get married I am like you. So patient, so kind, and so forgiving! Giving more than taking!

  You open your mouth with wisdom and teach kindness to all, just as the bible says!!

You are as goofy and crazy as dad!.

 Later on Christ brought 4 girls into your life. 

Stevie loves you to death!!!

 Sarah can't help but make you smile with her never ending laughter!

I love and treasure the time we have together. Whether going to the store to get groceries, or to pick up a part for papa, even to go test drive a customers car, it is such a special time. A time of talking and making more memories that I shall never forget!. I loved you and papa from the moment you guys came to Ukraine to bring girl, (who would of gone with Hitler just to get out of the orphanage,) to a most loving home on the planet!!. 

Like I said, " Where have you been, I've been waiting 50 years!"

 

Your an amazing mother and sacrifice so much of your time!!!. 

And Alli, what a hyper girl!!! She loves being rocked by you like a baby girl!!!!!

Every one of us have you to thank for the lives we have today!!!

I love you mom and hope you have an awesome Mother's Day! By the way, "Emma" was a great movie to pick!!!


Erika M.

Catch up!

Well, since all the ski trip pictures made it up on the blog, I thought I'd catch up on life. 

The Adelmans came down from Albuaquarqua and visited for a day. Sarah and I had the pleasure of having lunch with them at our favorite after church restaurant, Dickeys. 

I got to speak at the 2015 Undergraduate  conference which my mama attended! I spoke about "What the world loses when a language becomes exctint, and why is so important." It was a great time of fellowship with other language students! 

The last week of April on a Wednesday we had a fun game night at youth group. It was a blast!! We won!!!!

One of my friends from the skit trip came down and spent a Friday with my family. Love you Chelsey!! Thanks for coming down.

Marion!! This girl is awesome. Spent almost a whole Sunday with her!!

And yes, this is my crazy father!! It was Sarah's turn for a Daddy daughter date and this is how he was gonna go out. We all just stared at him like he was crazy and started laughing!!. Sarah made him change.

Sarah and I also got hired to work at  taco delite, which was such an excitement. After waiting for 3 weeks, yesterday we found out that they don't want us cause we don't have licenses. Bummer. Looking for more jobs now! 

Erika M.