My Food for the Soul

So just this past summer, I decided that I wanted to start readying. And since my Mother, Sister, Sister-in-law, Aunts, Cousins... etc have read tons of Karen Kingsbury books, I decided... why not. That was one of the BEST decisions I have recently made!! It has really changed my life! It covers life, death, sickness, love, marriage's ups and downs, accidents that change you, good and bad choices that people make, but most importantly, it all is centered on Christ! And I want that "Baxter" faith! I started with a few independent books cause I knew that I didn't like to read! And I didn't want to start, and never finish. Little did I know, that I would fall in love with her work!! I literally have to make myself put my book down or I will stay up all night reading.

This is the first series... and the one that I am on. I am currently on the last book, "Reunion."

I guess I am telling you this because I have LOTS of friends that are struggling with something from sickness to just life, itself. And I want them to find the comfort that I have found through these books! I think the author has a wonderful gift and I pray that God would continue to bless her!! 

Ok, Now to tell you some FABULOUS News!!! We have been praying and praying for Baker to get a slot with the Elderly and Disabled Waiver since 2009 and FINALLY!!!!!!!! We got the call this week!! So, want to know what this mean now?? It means that Baker will receive his insurance due to his disability rather than Derek and my income!!! Derek is SO excited!!! This means he can provide for his family... like any other husband/father!

So I know this is a small and crazy blogg, but I haven't been doing all that much exciting things!! But soon I will blog about our Team Baker Scarecrow for the park and report from Opp Fest on the Team Baker booth!!!

Vent Camp Part 2

 

Can't get any better than this huh? Waking up to God's Creation!! We love Children's Harbor!!! This was the back porch of the cabin we were in. In the background you can still see broken trees from the horrific storm that destroyed parts of North Alabama (Children's Harbor included) 

Well here are the other pictures that I promised from the 1st Vent Camp post. The first one is cabin that we stayed in. What you can't see is a small couch to the right of the first bed and the bathroom that is on Derek's right side. We had just got there and Baker wanted to get into the pool!

 

Here is my family! This was the day of the parade and everyone was getting themselves and their wheelchairs all decorated! But I wanted to take time to get us all in the picture!! Can't remember who took it for us... but Thank you!! 

 

 Such a cutie!!! : )

Ok, we tried REALLY hard to get Baker to let the clown paint his face, but he wasn't going to let him. Every time he brought the brush up to Baker's face, Baker would just push it away!! So I decided to paint my face instead!!! He did a Great Job!!!

Here is Baker all decked out and ready for the parade!! Woody in tow! 

This is the end of the parade, but it is where Derek was standing to take the pictures!! There were people standing along the way with necklaces, bracelets, and goodie bags to give us! 

This is Tye and he was the leader of the pack this year!!

And at the end of the parade, everyone gets together to take a big Group shot! Usually it is under the awning, but since the storm, there was no awning! : ) I actually think that there were a few missing from this shot. If you have me on Facebook, there is a shot with all the family's too! 

The pool was always a fun activity for Baker and the other children, but since Camp Smile-a-mile was on the other side of the harbor, we had to share the pool, so we found other ways to have fun!! This picture is the last night at the pool, We got Baker out of the pool to dry off and to keep him happy, we brought out the bubbles!! A BIG hit with all the kids!!

I really hope you enjoyed looking at all our pictures from Vent Camp! We had a Wonderful time!!! And can't wait to go back!! 

Also, while I am talking about Vent Camp, I would like to thank all our family and friends that bought Team Baker shirts!!! I sold over 100 and was able to take a nice check to Kara (lady that does everything for Vent Kids of Alabama) to help foot some of the expenses that she put forth to allow families like ours a Great Vacation! So, THANK YOU!!! We will do more next year!!

Baker's First Beach Trip

My number one goal as Baker's Mommy is to allow him to do all things that he would do if he was a healthy 3 year old, running around with no MTM (myotubular myopathy). And one of those things would be yearly beach trips. Family Trips... and this year we FINALLY accomplished that!! And I might add that Baker LOVED it!!! I was so surprised!

A beach trip is something that was strongly discouraged against when Baker was younger. The salty air is great for his lungs, but sand and a ventilator isn't such a great mix!! :) But we were very careful! I thought Derek was gonna go crazy watching the vent to make sure it didn't touch the sand!! HA! Needless to say, we stayed at the pool for the most part!

This trip contained LOTS of first... 

1. Baker went to his First restaurant...

 

Waiting for a table...

 

Helping Daddy decide on some food!! 

 

He looks so cute with his Grandy's hat!! 

2.  His first trip to the Beach

 

Checking out the waves! 

 

He HATED the sand on his legs and feet!!! 

We also had family pictures made and here are a few!

 

He also went Bowling for the first time... But I posted pictures of that on the last post I did about summer. Check them out!! 

But... here are a few more... Enjoy!!

 It rained the first part of the vacations, so we watched Swamp people... Baker loved it, even had an alligator in his hands!

 Dipping his hair in the water

Throwing the ball.

Where did Summer go???

 This summer has been a busy, busy summer for the Mitchell's. It all started with Vent Camp at Lake Martin. Baker's first vacation! And I might say that he loved it! So did his mommy and daddy :) We enjoyed meeting all the families with a child on a ventilator. 

This is a picture of Baker and a few of his new friends after the Big Parade!!! 

Then from Vent camp, we had to get home and settled in cause it was then time to pack up the house and move out! UGH... did I mention that I HATE moving??? It is amazing how much stuff you accumulate in such a small space! Needless to say, that took up the majority of our time. Also, throw VBS in there too! 

 This is Baker in class... He wasn't wanting to color that night... So he threw his stuff on the floor...

 VBS 2011

One of my goals is for Baker to be able to enjoy all that life has to offer! And I meant that Baker was going to VBS even if I had to take him myself. (Derek had to work during the day and when he gets home... he is worn out, so that is why it was me.) Now, I know what you are thinking... But it is so hard to take him anywhere by yourself! Thankfully we just live a road away from church! : )

July 2nd was Derek and my 6 year anniversary and since we were going to the beach in the next few weeks, we just decided to go out to eat in Enterprise at Ruby Tuesdays... My favorite!! : ) Then since we were short handed at work, I offered to fill in some of the slots. (Saving up for the Beach) And on July 15, we packed up our van and loaded Baker up and we were off to the Beach! It was Baker's first trip, but also, it was the first time that Derek and I got to go with the family to the beach since he was born!

Unfortunately, we didn't plan good enough cause we assumed our room would be ground level... and it wasn't. Poor Derek had to pull Baker up all the steps every time we took him out of the room...
But he was a trooper and got an arm work out in the mean time!! HA! Make sure you check back to see lots of pictures from the beach trip! We had a Wonderful time!

This summer was a summer with lots of First for Baker:  First Boat Ride, First Vacation, First zoo Trip, First time to the Beach, First Restaurant, First time Bowling, First Camp, and we hope Baker will get to continue to experience all that life has to offer him! God has REALLY blessed my life with Baker, and I know that he has blessed others too!  Please continue to pray that God will continue to use Derek and me as an Advocate for special needs children. We really have a passion to help others. So HOPEFULLY we will soon start a Non-profit organization called Team Baker and minister to families with special needs children.