I’m sitting, staring, and thinking back to these two people I used to know. They were young, spunky and in college, meeting for the first time, only to be married a few years later. The two were fierce, but unknowingly naive in thinking they could plan out how many kids they wanted, and about how...
I stumbled upon West Elm’s new Market line of home and personal goods and instantly fell in love– especially with their kitchen stuff. A few years before I got married I started stock piling aprons, pots and pans, and tea towels. I think it was my secret way of admitting I wanted to be a...
Whether your guy won or lost, it’s over. Finally. This was a rough election. Some of you are super excited and thrilled beyond belief, while others are deeply saddened and feel really upset. I hope that we can be kind to each other in the aftermath. For some reason this seems like one of the...
It’s been a while since we went out exploring, but once again San Antonio has delivered a real gem. I’ve heard about and driven past the Japanese Tea Gardens numerous times, but never took the time to stop and explore. An invitation from a friend luckily changed all that and we’ve been back 2 more...
My name is Kevin Timpe. My wife, Allison, and I live in Idaho where I teach philosophy at a university. We have two children—Jameson (4) and Emmaline (2)—and a third on the way (currently nicknamed Scout until we find out if it’s another boy or girl when she/he is born). When Jameson was...
We never really do Halloween decorations outside. As if on cue a plump neighborhood spider took notice and decided to help us out by spinning a very large web near our front porch a week before Halloween. Fortunately my husband took one photo with PSP standing behind the web for perspective’s sake. (Yes that is...
Hey, I'm Amy!
I'm an author, artist, and disability advocate. I live with my handsome husband and three beautiful daughters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Wow. Jen, you are my hero. Seriously – and not because of the tragedy of your story and your amazing grace in facing it everyday. I have been through the infertility, and the adoption, and very very different difficulties with our child, but I identify with so many things you wrote, and feel so inspired by your thoughts. Thank you. God bless you.
WOW. I feel truly inspired, humbled, and in awe. Thank you for sharing your story- I will think of your words often. Thank you for shifting my perspective too… your strength is a gift and it blessed me even though I'm a stranger to you. I wish you blessings, hope, love, and light.
Your daughter is so beautiful!!!!Amazing story and such wonderful parents. God Bless you all!
Thank you for sharing your story. It's a true tale of love.
AMAZING story. And an amazing family! Thank you so much for sharing =)
What a beautiful, amazing, and inspiring mother (and family). Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story. Your daughter reminds me of mine, brought tears to my eyes. Many prayers for beautiful Aviana.
Aviana, a daughter of the King. God is with you in this! What an amazing conversation you will all have together in heaven someday. "When we all get to Heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be!" This pain is temporary. Thank you for loving her. It helps all of us love our children more! Lean on Him. God loves all of you!
Thank you all for your comments, I appreciate them more than I can put into words : )
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And Miggy….thank you so much! I feel the very same way about you, and your family. When I heard about your blog, I was at first looking around to see if this was a place I wanted to share our story. I found you to be honest, straight forward, true to your feelings, but yet dedicated, inspiring, and so incredibly loving. So it was then that I thought this the perfect place and asked you : )
You are doing such an incredible thing here, bringing us all together, creating a place of somewhat commonalities in a world where we can often feel otherwise isolated, while at the same time opening us up to new and different ways of thinking about things.
I hope you don't mind if I do the same sort of thing in the future on my blog, and I'll invite you as my very first family if you'd like : )
My love to you ~
Jen
Jen–
Thank you so much for your kind words. I really do love doing this spotlight–it's been a blessing to me and I hope to others. Yes, of course I think that would be great to do a version of this on your blog and I'd be honored to be a part of it. Even though I have my blog, I still love sharing our story. Just let me know and I'll be there. 🙂 Hugs to you. And thanks again for your fantastic spotlight.
I "met" Jen online after the accident and after she started blogging. I've had the pleasure and great fun to see her twice even though we live about 10 hours apart. We talk on the phone and I can assure you she is one of the most HONEST, true, funniest, people I've ever met. Aviana is just the sweetest girl and my daughter, also from Guatemala, talks about her all the time and asks when she can see Aviana again. Jen, Dave, Aviana and their families are so amazing and again, just so HONEST!!!! She can make me laugh so hard at some of the dumbest things and that is what I consider a sign of someone who is so strong and can handle things you never thought possible. What you see is what you get with Jen and I love her dearly.
loved this. her attitude towards others' staring or saying the wrong things was so encouraging. i can't imagine how it feels, but being on the other side, i know it's so hard to know how to be kind and not offensive to people who aren't typical. i love her words "remember to be gentle with each other" and "when people look on.. i am sure it is more with compassion and concern"
what a great attitude!
i hope to be better at giving people the benefit of the doubt.. thank you!