~ Happy Cows ~

I love being able to get away from the house for a few minutes and go look at the rest of our "family".

These are some of our baby mama's. They will provide our family with cash flow next year and give some lucky person a hamburger. 

Their life is pretty great right now...  

It includes:

 eating- posing for pictures, and hanging out with the boyfriend... 

Some of the girls even have a sense of humor and like to throw in a little "photo bombing" !

See, They are all naturals! Line up and say "cheese"!! 

Piece of "cake" really... 

When we came by the big ol' boyfriend- 

Our neighbor thought he needed some TLC as well. 

Pasture bulls are not generally this sensitive, 

but this one really does have a soft side. 

I am pretty sure our neighbor could have had a full time job scratching him behind the ears, 

but like all pasture bulls- he had a few jobs to do... 

After looking through the cattle- we took a drive to the top of the hill and soaked up the view. 

I love this country- You can literally see for miles and miles and miles and ... you the idea. 

Its fun to imagine the history that took place on this land. 

The wagons, the cowboys, the indians- 

if only the land could talk...  

Gotta love this land of the FREE, because of the BRAVE~

Happy Independence weekend everyone!

~*~ One BLESSED mommie ~*~ 

~Sunshine and Wonderful Rain~

I thought I would share some more pictures that make me smile... 

This Spring/Summer has been such a dreancher here on the ranch. 

Every thing is as green as it gets. 

The country side is a site to behold. 

We have had a few calm days where our road just starts to dry out... 

And then another rain cloud rolls over and makes it all gooey again... 

I think we have had more days with rain this season than we have had in the several previous springs!

 This is a seasonal crick- On a "normal" day- it's bone dry... 
I believe 2+ inches of rain had just come our way! 

This green lushnesses goes on for miles and miles... 

(lushnesses- ie: the state of profuse lushness, 
you have to add an extra "es";) )

And the sweet yellow clover... 
I bet them bees are going haywire... Sweet times ahead!  

And the BEAUTIFUL clouds and sunsets... 

I took a walk outside and watched this little 
storm move right along. 

The clouds were spectacular.

And the night was so peaceful and calming to the soul... 
As the cool evening moved on, I watched this cloud open up and pour out it's goodness on our neighbors. 
While watching- I hardly saw any lightning in any of the clouds.

So when I looked down at my phone and saw this- I thanked the Lord above for his perfect timing! 

(though I doubt the neighbor was thanking God at that

 particular moment... ;) )

Blessings~ 

~*~ One BLESSED mommie~*~ 

~My Baby~

How does the time seem to go by so fast?!? 

My baby is now 18 months old- 

She has stolen our hearts and filled our lives with more joy and more laughter than we ever thought was possible... 

Here are a few smiles to brighten your day...

Fresh air in the "Buggy" 

Animation is her thing... 

1 year come and gone

Corn on the cob never tasted so good! 

Super Baby for being in the SMA blood study. 

Making friends with the new sibling

Wrinkley toes from soaking in the tub

Yummy Toes!

Say "Cheese"! 

Again- Animation- it's what she does! 

Sweet little blonde curls

Loving Story time

Chocolate cake is the BEST!

On the way to church

Trying to decide if this is fun or torture...

Just a happy baby. 

Always ready to spread the Joy around! 

We are so richly blessed to have her in our lives! 

Enjoy the video :) 

~Check that off the list ~

How old were you when you first rode a bike? 

How about a trike? 

I think I was around 5-6 years old by the time I got the bike figured out. 

Well- the point is: 
Denalli is 6 years old and has never been able to effectively ride any sort of wheeled toy by herself, due to muscle weakness. 

Until Recently!!

While we were in SLC at the hospital, we met a little girl who had SMA type III and used a cute "lowrider" trike to get around. 

The little girl was nice enough to let Denalli have a go at it and this is what happened: 

Denalli rode a trike and was finally able to make it go- 

ALL BY HERSELF! 

YAY!

At the end of the video, the PT went and got a roll of tape and we taped her feet to the peddles and she continued to go up and down the hall countless times- enjoying the freedom of independence! 

We are currently looking into getting her a trike like the one she rode, so she too can enjoy ridding in circles on the cement and working her muscles! 

Here is another video of her enjoying a radio flyer trike at our host families house:

PRAISE GOD for HIS GOODNESS! 


Thanks for your support and Prayers~

One BLESSED mommie

~More Miracles- More Changes- More of Gods Goodness~

The two girls, a friend, and I just returned from a medical check up at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. 

This time the visit to SLC was a "quick trip". 

We were only gone 4 days. (Sat-Tue)

It seems as though leaving should get easier- 

It would probably scare me if I went back and added up the days our family has been split up due to medical travel... 

We have had to do it many times and countless days. 

But it does not get easier... 

Actually- it gets harder. 

Having to drive down our gravel road with my child crying for her daddy and brother and sisters, and me trying to re-assure her- "We will be back soon", only gets harder every time we have to say goodbye.  

Casey also had a tough job keeping the middle 3 held together while they miss their mommie and sisters. 


Honestly- there is just not an "easy way" around this journey. 

Everyone is affected in some way... 

We just continually pray for strength, wholeness, and healing as a family.

~

This time a neighbor friend got to go with us on our adventures. 

She also had to leave her daughter and husband behind. 

Her daughter is 11 yrs old and this was going to be the longest that she had to be away from her. 

I am forever grateful for the sacrifices that others make, just to help us along our way. 

I have traveled alone with a 6yr old and an 18mo old, a wheelchair and a stroller, BUT the day is much shorter with an extra set of helping hands! 

This trip- we had connecting flights. 

This adds a whole new layer of chaos. 

On and off the flight, finding decent food at the airport, limiting the intake of germs, gathering up wheel chair, stroller and bags, arranging new seating for the next flight, ect...

Overall, the girls did a great job. 

We are so very thankful for the flights that are pre-paid. I am not complaining- just sharing with you part of our adventures... 

When we made it to SLC- we picked up our rental car and headed for our "family". 

It just so happened that they were having a big birthday celebration for a family member- so we were able to get in on the wonderful food and cheesecake. (yes- I consider cheese cake more than just "food".) :)  

The fellowship of friends and family in SLC has always been the highlight of the trips. 

It helps make all the medical appointments and procedures tolerable for the girls.

When preparing for a medical visit, we are always able to say- "Denalli- you get to go see Bapa and Gram, play with Ellie, and see the Bromleys and Pims!". 

Rather than saying- "Denalli, you get to go lay on a table while they shock your arm, poke you with a needle, make you do rigorous tests and draw blood!".

Perspective is everything... 


Our family in SLC is amazing- and I hope they all know that! 
;)


Sunday brought a nice lazy morning- filled with coffee and fellowship. (LOVE mornings like this...) 

We did attended the later church service at 11am. 

Going to the church our host family attends, is always a great experience. 

Later in the afternoon we went to the Pim's house to spend some time praying over the girls. 

God's movement is just amazing... (keep reading- more to come!)


Then later in the evening we headed to the Bromleys house for another B-day celebration! (we know how to pick the days! ;) ) 

Again- always good to be surrounded by people who love and care for you. 

I say that family is not always "blood related"... 

After more good food and ice-cream cakes- we headed back home, to our host family. 

Good fellowship, baths, things laid out, alarm clocks set, devotions read, checklist made, phone calls from home- and we were ready to face the day ahead that was filled with lots of medical tests. 


Even though the medical appointments are not always enjoyable- we are always happy to see the familiar faces at the hospital that also love and care deeply for our girls. 

We have been truly blessed with THE BEST nurses and doctors and therapists ever. 

We all were quite anxious to see the medical changes that have transpired in the girls since we came home from El Salvador. 

Before this medical trip, we already knew that God has been at work in their bodies. 

We could see a difference in the girls. 

Our friends and family could see the changes as well. 

So, to say the least- we were very anxious to see what the doctors would find! 

Both girls had regular check ups that include: Physical Therapy tests, muscle testing, nerve function testing, C-map (Shock test), Blood draws, and paperwork. 

The Physical therapy tests were first- Both the girls did great!

But Denalli did superb! 

Here is a video of her completing part of the physical therapy test... 

Be careful- her shear determination and heart to give it all she had- did not leave a dry eye in the room... :) 

If the video does not load: here is a link to see it directly on youtube:
 http://youtu.be/LQUHBcgCN88

Amazing huh?!? 


SMA is supposed to be a progressive disease. 

It is not supposed to get better... 

-BUT- 

Denalli has gotten stronger. 

She has not followed the "normal progression" of SMA. 

It is almost too much to wrap our little minds around... 


The rest of the testing went well. 

Ryka's tests came back normal. She still continues to have regular bowel movements without diet changes and medicine. 



Denalli's tests continued to show improvement and gains. 

Denalli increased around 1pt on the shock test. YAY!! 

Then in all of the muscle testing she showed gains in every part of the test!! 

And not just a few points... 

In some areas she gained 1.5kg!! 

This is a BIG DEAL!! 

It had been 1 year since she had any tests done and 


SHE GOT STRONGER. 


If you would like to see how medial visits usually go, feel free to go back and read our caring bridge site to see the proof! 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/denallivoss/journal


It used to be that on every medical visit, we hoped for minimal progression or a plateau. 


Now we are seeing STRENGTH. 



WOW. 


TRULY. 


AMAZING. 


GOD. 

We praise God! 

He is INCREDIBLE! 

 We will continue pray and seek God for a complete healing in both of the girls.

 We are anticipating to see great changes coming in the months ahead.   

We are seeking heavenly guidance in taking another trip back to El Salvador in the near future. 

We are seeking heavenly guidance in taking steps to do what is best for the girls and our family. 

Please join us in prayer... 

Much love and many thanks~
One BLESSED Voss Family