Faith Lodge ( Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 )

This is SMA awareness Month.

What better place to find hope than Faith Lodge http://www.faithslodge.org/

We ourselves did not think we would be able to go to Faith Lodge this year but pulling resources together for this special week-end was something we just had to do. It has been really crazy around here this summer with all the things we have had to do. There were a few families unable to come back this year. The Kuesters and the Doebberts. We did miss them. This special time was something we just had to do. For ourselves as well as the kids. So, we found a way to go this year. We took off last WED with everything ready to go and off we went on our 8 hour trip(according to map quest) to Faith Lodge. Let me tell you though..... its more like 10-12 hours because of the Dell's traffic. We were doing pretty good time and these two semis had us pinned in between them for about 10 miles. With encouragement from her father (since he had to pee like a "rushing race horse") to get out of that situation. Christen finally got a chance to pass and had to speed up to get around these truckers who were messing with her. . Well, hid behind some bushes on the highway was Wisconsin's finest trying to catch a out of state speed violator.... Well, he did.... Christen. First, ticket she has gotten since she was 16 years old. He got her good. The ticket is over $200.00!! No mercy in Wisconsin so BEWARE!! So, we got behind but arrived at Faith Lodge before dark. We were welcomed by Katie Poole and Tammy McDanel.

Faith Lodge is a place where you can just relax. The feeling you get when you walk in the lodge is inner peace. No other way to describe it. Peace... Our minds and bodies seem to never get enough rest we are always going. It was so great having no agenda. We all in our every day lives have schedules and on this stay we had none. Sleep as late as you want, Stay up as late do what ever you want. Take a walk, Cry together, do a puzzle, do crafts, make Tye dyed T-shirts, make necklaces etc. Paint a bird house. Its just amazing how the place makes you feel a part of it.

We all got together every evening for dinner. Just talking to other families and sharing our lives is so great. We got to take our time and do what ever. The kids all loved being together. We could suction at the dinner table and it was OK!!

Unfortunately, Avery Poole was not feeling so well. Cory (Her Dad) took her home on Saturday. She was probably over tired and ate too much . She was fine the next day I hear. We missed Cory and Avery both very much.

Mary Kate is such a neat kid. We just love her. She kept asking Lizzy if she could laugh and Lizzy would roar laughing. Like ,Lizzy you NEVER know what Mary Kate will say next. Mary Kate is going to get a IPV soon so was asking Lizzy her opinion on the IPV. Mary Kate watch Lizzy do the IPV and ask Lizzy if she likes it and Lizzy said "Yes, it helps her so much." Hmmm interesting huh from a little stinker like Lizzy that fights me ever once in awhile because she says she doesnt need it.

We met Katie Poole parents Just great people. We loved them. Katie's Mom Sandy cooked a two HUGE dinners. Lasagna one night and the next a Huge cook-out with everything you could imagine that tasted so great.

Aubrey Poole was the youngest child there.She is too cute and little. She is 2 years old. Lizzy was using a toothette and cleaning her mouth out!!

The Doebberts were unable to make it this year but Andrea's Mom (Judy) and her Dad (Bill) popped in. It was great to see them. They feel like family to my family and we just love them also.
We had two campfires and Lizzy discovered smores. She was say " Uhhhh theeeeeeeese are just soooooooo good" and kept moaning the whole time she was licking them. "Oh my gosh she said I NEED more!"

It was great to see everyone. It seems most of the kids seem stronger and healthier this year.

The Kays drove from Kentucky again this year. Julia looked great. Rachael just loves Holly and Maria besides she said Julia is just like Lizzy. All the kids seem to be "sassy" !!

It was good to see Tammy, Todd and Brianna McDanel from IL also. They had Madizon Tammy's 13 year old niece with them.

Lizzy loves Jerika. Jerika and Jen came with a friend they met when Jerika got her dog. Peg from Boston. She has Spinal Bifida.

I could go on and on but seeing some of our friends again and spending quality time with them was great. Seeing the kids interact was priceless.

"Its a place where HOPE grows. "

We believe in miracles because we live with one.
www.our-sma-angels.com/elizabeth