Three Things Thursday/ January 14

 Dear Life,

I love Kristine from The Foley Fam Unedited and when I saw she was doing this fun linkup I decided I wanted to participate!  So here it goes.....I am going to talk about three things on my mind today:


1.
These days getting a smile from this sweet boy is not so easy.  He has been battling a huge battle: debilitating anxiety, depression, and psychosis 
Psychosis is a serious mental disorder characterized by thinking and emotions that are so impaired, that they indicate that the person experiencing them has lost contact with reality. People who are psychotic have false thoughts (delusions) and/or see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations). These are referred to as “positive” symptoms; “negative” symptoms like loss of motivation and social withdrawal can also occur.
This has caused our boy huge amounts of stress, and the inability to do the things he should be enjoying and participating in.  Even his very favorite thing, basketball, has been impaired.  It has been a horrible thing to watch, as we are helpless to do much but love him and encourage him.  We are incredibly proud of him.  He fights this battle daily.  It's the hardest thing I have ever witnessed. Going to watch basketball games with him is our way of getting him out and trying to encourage him.  This photo was last night, watching our varsity basketball team playing a game.  Does anyone else have had to deal with this horrible mental illness?  Wishing I could snap my fingers and make it go away.  

2.

Our little princess has officially been ours for exactly 2 years!!  I can't believe it's already been that long.  When she came home, she was weeks from her fourth birthday, and she weighed all of 20 pounds.  Now she weighs 35 pounds and has almost grown out of her 5T clothes!  It's been amazing to watch her growth.  She is so more alert and aware.  She plays with her toys and purposefully will touch our arms or hands.  Her smiles melt us....they are like rays straight from heaven.  We are so blessed to have in our family!

3. 

These two are training for the running portion of the Challenged Athletes Foundation triathalon in October.  Kumaka is the actual "runner" and Kalani will be his helper.  They run everyday and are enjoying spending this time together.  Yesterday they ran 2.8 miles in 22 minutes!!! So proud of them and their hard work.  The Triathalon is a fundraiser for CAF.  Their mission is:  

Established in 1997, the Challenged Athletes Foundation recognizes the athletic greatness inherent in all people with physical challenges and supports their athletic endeavors by providing unparalleled sports opportunities that lead to success in sports — and in life.

Kumaka has been so blessed by this organization and we are so very proud that he wants to help raise money and give back! Look for more from #TeamRockinWheelies throughout the year!