Sorry for being sort of absent. The last week has been long and draining. We've been to too many doctors with still another appointment tomorrow.
Our sweet little Israel has been growing and changing but according to the doctors not everything is the way it should be. I can tell you that we've experienced deep depression and still great joy in the midst of all that's been happening!
I've been really wrestling with how to address this in a blog setting, how open should I be and what do I keep private? I'm still unsure, to be honest. I do think you should at least have an idea of why I have been or may be sporadic with my posting. The blog is still very important to me and I don't see myself giving it up any time soon. Just know that we're still here and I will try to keep you updated as much as possible as things change.
Israel is nearly 18 months now, full of life, curiosity and laughter. We thank God for him daily.
We are praying Jennifer! God is able:):)
ReplyDeleteI am praying.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
I can understand you, i have a little boy of eigth month old and following you and Israel for almost a year... i can not imagine what you must going through. I hope everything is going to be fine,
ReplyDeleteI´m sure. Don´t worry for the blog, we´ll be waiting for you.
You have all our support.
Kisses
Thinking of you and wishing you and your little family all good things.
ReplyDeleteDear,
ReplyDeletedon´t know you or what happens to your sweet little son. So I can only talk in general. I wish you and your family strength and trust for all you have to face. Almost no single life - seen in the whole of its length - will be lived without sunshine a n d moon. All the several shades belong to life. We all know that but in most of our cultures it isn´t so common to talk about. I have made the experience that talking about gives everything the space to be instead of denying it what costs much more strength. The strength you need otherwise. And wonder belong to life, too. Wish you all the wonder you can hold :o)).
Ally and Polly
Wishing you strength and resilience.
ReplyDeleteAll the Best,
Monica
Thank you for being that open; it shows a lot of strength! Life is a journey with ups and downs and keeping that out of blogging or art would feel kind of artificial. On the other hand, we need our secret corners to hideaway. I think you've done exactly the right thing. Looking at Israel, he will make his way. With the love of his parents, everything will be good!
ReplyDeleteoh poor thing!!! well, you should really think about what your heart says, if it says to share, go ahead... if it says to keep private, we will understand and be here as well! i just hope everything will be just great with little israel, he is so sweet! sending you love and happy thoughts all the way from lisbon :) twiggs
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family and hoping everything turns out well. xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you and your family.
Wishing you all the best,
Kathy
And also, what a beautiful little boy! :)
ReplyDeleteoh, sending you a huge hug and lots of love. you are wonderful, and israel is such a little darling. sending you so much love. xoxo joanna
ReplyDeleteIsrael looks like such a cool kid -i know you will all keep strong.
ReplyDeleteLots of hugs and thoughts to you and your family!
love you heaps, take your time, HE is so worth it!! praying for you & excited for the days ahead!
ReplyDeleteI am praying for you and your beautiful family. Do not lose faith, and take the time you need, we all understand, family is first priority. God bless and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you are going through...go through it. Go through it however you need to whether that's sharing it on here or not. No apology needed for being absent, do whatever you need to! Much love your way!
ReplyDeleteJuliexo
Sending you lots of love and good energy!
ReplyDeleteI don´t know what to say. It´s worst when your child is having something wrong. Lot´s of hugs, energy, nerves to all of you. I hope he´ll be fine.
ReplyDeleteI am brand new to your blog, this is my first time visiting. I am sorry to hear about your beautiful Israel, I will be praying for you and your family--peace in your mind, strength in his development and overwhelming joy in each smile you see from Israel.
ReplyDeleteSending you love.
your sweet baby boy is beautiful! sending you love and hugs.
ReplyDeletejustine
i hope everything will be okay & i'll be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteIm in agreement with Simply Grove!~ God is able. What a sweet sweet boy. I love those pictures of him.
ReplyDeletexxx hope you got my email
ReplyDeleteSending lots of positive thoughts your way!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh. i will be praying for you guys. Strength, joy and peace. xo
ReplyDeleteSending hugs and prayers!!!! xo
ReplyDeleteOh, dear. I'm sending every good vibe I've got your way. xo!
ReplyDeleteKeeping your sweet Israel in my thoughts and prayers. And wishing you strength. xo & hugs.
ReplyDeletei am sending lots of love to you and your family. don't worry about the blog, its true, we will all be waiting here for you, supportive and with open hearts.
ReplyDeletesending love and prayers. wishing you strength and faith. enjoy your precious and adorable little boy. things will be however they will be.
ReplyDeleteyou will all be fine.
Thanks for sharing--will definitely be praying for you guys.
ReplyDeleteWill keep you all in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteNew to your blog and keeping your family and son particularly in my thoughts
ReplyDeleteso sorry to hear this. your little family - and israel especially - will be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWe too have been to many doctors lately. Thinking of you and sending best wishes your way.
ReplyDeleteHi there. I have been following your blog for sometime. Our sons are almost the exact same age. Thinking good thoughts for you all.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family and hoping that everything with Israel will be OK! XOXO
ReplyDeleteO I am so sorry to read this!! I pray that everything goes smoothly with future doctor appointments! Know that the blogging community is behind you :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
i am going through something very similar, and my little mickey has that same tshirt israel is wearing here!
ReplyDeletemy husband and i were, for a while, in deep deep depression. but then one day i woke up and realized - before i knew mickey wasn't developing "normally" i thought he was the best most amazing kid ever! and he thrilled me! and i thought he couldn't get any better! and the truth was, I STILL FEEL THAT WAY! so i decided not to let anything ever get in the way of that feeling, and every morning i wake up overjoyed at my amazing child and honestly, do not care if he is the same as other children. he may be different, but we don't care, we wouldn't trade him for the world! and we don't feel the sadness at all anymore.
but, i know this feeling you are having, and my heart is literally pounding in my chest right now as i almost relive it by reading your post. hang in there, and love that little boy, he is SO cute! i have never posted on your blog before but i do follow it, and love seeing the adorable photos of your boy!
just remember you don't love him any less, and that will really help lift your spirits. enjoy him the way you always have. i hope that he is healthy.
Anonymous-Thank you for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteWe've come to the same realization, I love what you said. Thank you so much for leaving this comment. Please feel free to email me whenever, it's such a support to hear from others who know where you've been.
Thank you to everyone else for your comments, it means so much!
I am so sorry to hear this. Before I had my baby boy I never knew what real worrying is. It the worst when there is something 'wrong' with your child. I am sending positive vibes to you, to your beautiful little boy and to you family!
ReplyDeleteI will say a prayer for little Israel tonight. Strength and peace of mind to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I missed this post and am just now seeing it...but wanted to say that I am praying for your family...as well as wisdom for the doctors. Our God is big and will take care of Israel, hopefully you can rest in that knowledge. He is such a sweet looking boy :) Thinking of you...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your troubles and worries. You have a whole community of people thinking about you and hoping for the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story with us. Israel is beautiful. Sending you lots of love and strength and good vibes to help you and your family pull through this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteJennifer -
ReplyDeleteSomehow I missed this post, I'm not sure how. I can only imagine how you must be feeling. I am not a mother, but I love Kai and Asher as though they were my own, so it's the closest thing I know. If either of them were ever dealing with anything, I know I would be sick with worry and heartache.
As everyone else has already said, you are wonderful parents and have created a loving and happy life for Israel. You are already being exactly what he needs.
We are all here for you. Sending you both love and little Israel big hugs!
I have a 16 month old baby myself and I can only imagine what your going through. I wish you and Israel the best.
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog since my pregnancy with my now 9 month-old son and enjoy watching Israel blossom into such a lovely little boy. You are in my thoughts and we will be wishing you and Israel the best and praying that everything will be ok.
ReplyDeletei've just started following your blog and it's lovely.
ReplyDeletethis beautifully heartfelt post broke my heart. your little israel is so beautiful! wishing you peace and love as you go through this time. xx
as a mother myself, I can only imagine what you and your family must be going through. having gone through a divorce and the flowering of a new relationship - I can see how it would be hard to decide what to share and what to keep to yourself. I think that you will find support and love in your readers if you chose to share; and respect for your decision should you chose privacy. Somehow, knowing that there are people out there thinking of you and Israel may give you comfort. You're all in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the unexpected can lead to more joy than you might have otherwise...he is obviously a wonderful little boy and will be able to handle any challenges with parents like you behind him. I pray for his health and your family's peace.
ReplyDelete