Graduation

I'll post more later! We have some on Daniel's phone too. I love this last pic. Look how proud he was.

I'll write a reflection sometime soon on here. We are almost to Lexington so only a few hours left. Love to you all.

All the sweet kids...

Precious kids and family.

Our little Iron Man is in the front row.

Here's an article about one of the sweet little girls at camp. http://www.northjersey.com/news/216871901_Wayne_pediatric_stroke_survivor_finds_comfort_with_traveling_awareness_bear.html

One more night

We only have one more night in this place. I'm surprised to say that I feel sad to leave. I miss all of you and our home... And choppy. But Jonah has grown so much. I have no doubt that he has grown more here than he would have without this camp. I hate for him to leave this experience. I hate to leave the families we've met with similar experiences. But there is always choice in any emotion. So rather than being bummed about leaving... I'm choosing to just be thankful for the wonderful blessing we've had this summer. 

Joe hanging out at the fire last night. 

On the way to camp.

Muppet show at home.

Taking in the view.

Thor at school

Liberty Science Center

Grossologu exhibit was not a hit. The kids actually ran. It was yucky to them. 

They did love the Hudson River learning experience though. 

Cousin lovin'

Watching a movie.

Building tents and play games from Grammy & Poppy. 

Relaxing.

Playing minecraft.

Sleeping in the tent.

Watching movies in the tent. 

Camp Helping Hands

He is learning a lot. :)

Jonah walked

Thanks be to God that Jonah walked. Best feeling ever watching him walk to us today. 

A few more from NYC

Cab ride, cannoli, and Clifford.

Elijah in Clifford at every NYC trip. 

A few more random pics. :-)

Good News!

Okay sorry for my negative rant earlier. I feel better.  Now, on to the good news.

Ready for it?
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We got a note from school today that said Jonah took SIX steps at camp today! :-) :-)

Yes, six steps.  Six.  The most ever.

That's all for tonight.   My big boy is throwing us a movie party in his bedroom and I need to get back to it.

Love you all.

Just being neighborly...

For those that don't know...  a couple of days ago our neighbor called and complained on us.  He said it sounded like we fell and dropped constantly.  Since then I have been fussing at the kids left and right to be quiet.  It was making me feel so stressed.  And you know what... I've decided that I've got a lot to be stressed about right now and I'm not going to let this be a stressor.  Here's my note to that neighbor.  (Of course, I'm not really going to send it.)  I just had to write it to feel better; so, I'll share it with you.


Dear person that lives below us:
I understand that it sometimes sounds like we are going to fall right through your ceiling and that's why you called to complain to the managers.   It must be annoying.  However, I have two boys. One that innately skips, hops, or jumps... never walks.  And another just learning to walk... falling stumbling and slamming his walker down constantly. We also use a ball multiple times a day for play and therapy.  It is also true that love to turn the record player and dance in the den. Again, I can only imagine what this sounds like from below.   It makes us think of home.  I understand this is less than ideal for you.  We are doing the best we can.  There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon for you, my friend.  The Bemiss family will be heading south in two weeks and you will be free of our noise.  - The family above you.

Swimming all the time!

Something we enjoy doing at our apartment is swimming.  If Elijah had his way, he would live in the pool.  Here is a pic of us having a good time in the pool!

Big thanks to Grammy and Poppy for the floating Batmobile!

A day for creativity.

Today it's a blue streak.

Can you spy the Bemiss Family?

Here's another photo from the awesome party that Joe's therapy camp gave the kids.
We are blessed to be here.

We've hit a milestone!

No tears and a smile at today's drop off! 

Big brother watching at the door. He loves him so much. 

Party People: The boys liked the party!

Liked is an understatement. It was like Christmas in July for the boys. They loved it! Here are the highlights.

Elijah: While at a pool party, a clown on stilts shot at him with a balloon bow and arrow. (Need I say more)

Jonah: Hamburgers, brownies, cotton candy, juice, and watermelon. A baby pool for games that he wasn't supposed to be in... (Again, need I say more?) 

On top of that they got prizes for playing fun games. Win-win.   

The boys had a blast. So thankful for this wonderful gathering put on by Joe's camp. We are so blessed to have this experience. God is good all the time. Thanks for your support. 

We love and miss you. 

We love You!

We love and miss everyone. 

This is a special message for Grand-daddy as he has his heart procedure tomorrow. We are praying for you and have faith everything will go well. 

I always feel like... Somebody's watching me.

Bedtime in the city. 

I look up and this is what I see. 

When we close the door he rattles the door handles. 

Just relaxing.

Thanks to the Key's for sending the giant coloring book!

He even tried very hard to put the crayon in his right hand. 

He may or may not have tried to color Elijah. Elijah was very patient.

Daddy and Elijah in a little finger hockey tournament. :-) 

Why we are here.

I realize this picture doesn't look like much to most. It is just sweet little hands holding a juice box. But, this one everyday photo explains why we've driven our family 13 hours from home to stay in New Jersey for a month. 

This photo is pride. 

This photo is progress. 

This photo is faith. 

This photo is hope.

 In the past Jonah would have only drink his juice with his left hand. His right hand would have stayed at his side. Dr.s call it right side neglect. On Friday his therapist sent us this picture of him. They said they looked up and he was drinking his juice with his right hand without any help. 

Then today I looked down and he was playing with his juice box. Holding it with two hands without any prompting, help or reinforcement. 

It's bigger than a juice box. 

This photo is hope. 

Love you! 

Thanks everyone!

Thanks to our parents for painting our hallway while we are away!! Cannot wait to come home and see it. :-) 

Thanks to Aunt Mindy & Uncle Chris for our care package! The boys were so excited. It was very thoughtful!  :-)