Lancaster, Pennsylvania

In September, we took a little "weekend" (because Justin never has weekends off) getaway to Lancaster, PA ... just the four of us!  It was our first TRUE "family vacation" with the kiddos without my parents' help.  In Lancaster, we explored Amish Country ... complete with a horse drawn buggy ride, authentic cuisine, and a trip aboard the Strasburg Railroad.  Jackson even had the opportunity the meet Thomas the Tank Engine (parent tip: go the Strasburg the day BEFORE "Day Out With Thomas" ... your children get to see Thomas, you don't have to wait in lines, and it is much cheaper!).

The following day, we took the boys to Dutch Wonderland - a theme park geared toward ages 3-12.  Jackson could ride almost everything in the park.  Oliver could ride probably 75% of the rides as well (so could Justin and I).  I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dutch Wonderland!  Next year, I foresee season passes for the Heath family!

For this trip, I exercised the freedom of traveling without my DSLR camera.  Therefore, these are authentic, candid, unedited iPhone images.  Don't hold it against me!  Gosh, though ... it sure felt good!

Myrtle Beach 2013

Yes, we did in fact take a vacation this Summer.  Two, actually (the second post coming soon).

After two years in a body cast ... Jackson was finally able to return to:

MYRTLE BEACH

... this trip was bittersweet ... both relaxation and celebration of how far we have all come ...

The End.

So Proud of You, Buddy!

I'll take it!

Each student in Jackson's 3-year-old preschool class brought home an "award" on Monday.  Some were for champion listeners, sharers, artists, potty-users, and cleaner-uppers ... but, call me a sap, Jackson's award literally made me tear up.

He received the "Kindness Award" for his class.  In addition, Jackson's teacher, Ms. Laurie told me that he is potentially the most socially aware 3 year old she has ever taught.  She said that he is very attuned to the feelings of his classmates and makes an obvious effort to learn and call everyone by name.  She said he welcomes each person and tries to include everyone in play.  It just makes me so warm inside to hear such things about him.  I am so proud!

It also ... ahem ... helps me not freak out that he is not exactly the #1 "listener" in his class.  :)  Ms. Laurie told me that he is so incredibly concerned with his peers that he, at times, excludes the teachers because they're "not part of the gang."  She encouraged me that a lot of this is initial excitement and they will continue to strengthen his listening skills throughout the year.  Thanks, Ms. Laurie!  That'll help me out at home as well.  

*** And, since he's getting award from preschool ***

I guess that means I should update the blog with his "first day of preschool" photographs too, right?  Told you I was WAY behind!  So, for the record ... Jackson began "real" preschool on Wednesday, September 4th, 2013.  He attends a wonderful little Christian-based school twice a week for 3 hours.  So far, I can see a lot of positive growth in him already.

Okay.  No more stalling ... here are a few preschool photos from back in September!

(I can't imagine him not listening, can you?)

hehe

(ready to see his classroom)

So proud of you, buddy!

REALLY belated Happy 4th of July

Okay ... so this is kinda a ridiculous post.  Ridiculously late, that is.

Confession:  I (obviously) majorly slacked on updating this blog over the Summer 2013.  Truth is, I was far too occupied with other adventures (good stuff) and journeys (challenges).  For starters, this was "the summer of the newborns" for my photography business.  I had SO many newborn sessions to shoot and edit (these are my favorite, but most time consuming sessions too).  Then, we had the normal, typically-fun, summer family activities (coupled with an urgency to go to the pool as much as possible due to it being Jackson's first summer cast-free).  We had holidays, birthdays, and vacations.  I also took on the God Healing Patrick blog for my best friend, Emily Shaw, after her husband's cancer diagnosis in April 2013.  So ... forgive me ... a lot has been competing for my technical-attention.  ;)

Bigger Confession:  I have toyed with the idea of ending this blog.  FEAR NOT!  I have also decided that this blog creates such a wonderful record of the boys' early years ... that it is far too valuable to just "end."  It, instead, needs (and hopefully will) to return to a higher spot on my list of priorities.

.......... so ..........

Better late than never ... Happy 4th of July!!!

haha

Here are a few photographs from July 4th and July 5th, 2013 (mixed) ... our nights at the fireworks!

(one of these days, I'll hop in a few frames!)

Jackson's First Brace Check

Last week, Jackson had his first "brace check" at Shriners Greenville.

I have to admit that it was very anxiety-inducing.  I am (shocker!) a bit of an overanalyzer and worrier.  So, for the last few weeks leading up to this check-up, I proclaimed aloud "I think I can see a small curve!" each time I saw Jackson's bare back.  Statistically speaking, this was unlikely ... being that once at 0 degrees, VERY FEW children relapse significantly ... and also that a spinal curvature is typically undetectable by the naked eye unless greater than 20 degrees.  Nevertheless, I found a way to worry.  And this might sound crazy, but I even packed a roll of Angry Bird duct tape in Jackson's suitcase "just in case."

Thankfully, praise God, I was utterly WRONG!  On Wednesday, Jackson had his first followup x-ray since graduating to his TLSO brace.  I was so proud of him as he stood BY HIMSELF for the film for the very first time as well.  The x-ray technician was wonderful too.  She took the extra time to show Jackson the x-ray image and explain to him about bones.  Guess what he's been talking about since last week?  :)

After the films were taken, we met with Dr. Pete.  He watched Jackson walk briefly, and told us that "his back continues to look beautiful and completely straight."  We were thrilled to hear this wonderful news.  And ... we do not return to Shriners for SIX MONTHS!!!  That is the longest our family has gone without a hospital visit since Jackson's birth in May 2010.  Before his next appointment, Jackson is to go without his brace for 24 hours ... so that his x-ray won't be taken so quickly after brace removal.    This technique should give an even more accurate idea of Jackson's continued correction.  For now, the plan is to continue wearing his current TLSO brace 23 hours/day until his appointment in April 2014.  We are immensely thankful for this good news.

I didn't snap any photographs in the hospital this visit ... but I did get this cute one at Justin's Mammaw's house with his Pappaw and "brother" on our way back home.

Enjoy and rejoice with us!

Your continued praises and prayers for PERMANENT CORRECTION are greatly appreciated.