Back to School

I just happened to be about 15 minutes late dropping Grace off to school one day last week.  That's not unusually, really. It takes about an hour to feed Grace in the morning, and we don't always wake up on schedule.

So, even though it's not unusual for us to arrive late, one thing never changes. As soon as I push Grace into the classroom, several preschoolers stop whatever they are doing to meet her. "Grace is here!" "Grace is here!" 

Grace was ALL smiles on the first day of preschool.

Family photo opportunity on the first day of school.

This is the start of Grace's third year at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church Preschool program, which is also our church.  Just before Grace's third birthday, we opted for this particular preschool program, which meets three mornings a week.  Grace has always had a full-time aide to help her with activities, and it's been a really great experience for her.

Grace's aide, Miss Alex, helping her paint an owl.

One thing that I like about the program is how they try to include Grace in as many activities as possible throughout her school day.  She participates in circle time and story time, and she loves when the kids talk to her. If the class is painting pictures that day, Grace's aide helps her to paint.

These kids can't wait for Grace to get to school in the morning.

During free play time, often other students will come and interact with Grace, playing doctor or house. One morning, the students even had a puppet show just for her.  Some days, I think the world would be a much better place if we all thought like three and four-year-old children, accepting those around us, regardless of their limitations or abilities. 

Enjoying an apple-themed Story Hour with Miss Pam.

This year has been tougher than the past two for me in sending Grace to school. When she first started, Grace could sit up in the school chairs and was more able to participate with the other students. Last year, she was able to sit up in a booster seat for most of the year. But this year, Grace really isn't able to hold herself up anymore. She goes to school in her medical stroller, her head propped up with a neck brace.  But the students don't seem to mind, or even to notice, that Grace is a bit different than they are. They simply love her for being Grace, a lesson that will never be learned from any textbook.

Grace's class also supports her outside the classroom, like Volley for Grace nights.

I'm not sure what the future holds in terms of school for Grace. Our home is only one block from the elementary school in town, and I have such fond memories of walking to school every morning with my friend, Kristin, riding on square scooters in PE, or playing class games like Around the World or Heads Up-7 Up. For awhile this summer, every time I drove by the school, I would find myself in tears, sad for all the things Grace would miss out on.

Miss Alex helps Grace to cut up an apple during snack time.

And while it's okay to have those feelings, what I really needed was to refocus on what's really important. Just because Grace won't be able to share in my memories of school doesn't mean that she doesn't have a lot of opportunities of her own. No, it won't be the same as what other students experience. And I will never have the chance to have her tell me about her school day or what she likes about her teachers.

An Ag in the Classroom lesson about pumpkins.

But if you spend your time focusing on what Grace can't do, or what any child can't do, you will find yourself missing out on all the things they can.  Grace may never know the words to the Pledge of Allegiance or count to ten, but I know for a fact that she enjoys her time at school, and we are so grateful for all the opportunities that her teachers and her students provide for her each and every day.

Grace loved taking the class bear, Charlie, home for the weekend.

As Grace and all the kids go back to school this fall, always remember that some of the most important lessons are those they might not learn from a textbook. Grace has some really special opportunities at school, because her class refuses to see her limitations, and instead recognizes the potential inside. Maybe we could all benefit from going back to preschool for a bit.

mlh

Bedtime Stories and Unconditional Love

I have always loved reading, so I feel blessed that Grace loves when we read to her, and also that she has plenty of books to pick from.  We have our favorites that we like to read to her at night, like Curious George, the Berenstain Bears and of course, Dr. Suess.
But Grace definitely has her favorites too.  So, we usually read one or two of our favorites and then two of her favorites every night.  Kyle and I are also enjoying reading the Harry Potter series to Grace, so we usually read a few pages of that to her too.
Among Grace's favorite books is one called Hooray for My Family, written by Victoria Osteen. It was a set of three board books given to Grace shortly after she was born by Greg and Kim Matthews from our church family. They have always been among her top choices, especially the family one.
When I lay beside her to read it at night, her eyes completely light up when you hold up Hooray for My Family.  It has a photo of an illustration of a family at the dinner table, and we always point out the daddy, the mommy and the Grace, as well as the kitty, Joey.
It's a "touch and feel" book, and when Grace was able, she knew exactly the places on each pages that were special.  She also liked to help turn the pages, which always made me smile.
The book has a page for each family member, and each one rhymes.

• Hooray! Hooray for family!
• I love the one I've got!
• My mommy helps me take a bath,
• so I won't smell like Spot!

Funnily enough, Grace's favorite page is about being thankful for her aunt and uncle. The aunt in the illustration has red, curly hair, and she starts talking as soon as we turn to that page, even though two of Grace's aunts have very blonde hair.
But most importantly, the book is a constant reminder of the importance of family.  We are so lucky to have both sets of our parents close to us, and they are a great help with Grace.  Grace loves the chance to play with her cousins and her aunts and uncles, and just loves being around the people that love her the most.  I think that's probably why she loves that book so much.  It seems like it was written about the people that she cares the most about. 
We have read it to her so many times that both Kyle and I know it by heart.  But we never stop reading it to Grace each and every night, because her eyes light up when we read it, just like they light up when she spends time with her family.
The other book we read every night is called, All the Ways I Love You, and was a Christmas present from her Grandma and Grandpa Galer one year.  It's another rhyming book, and a short one. But it's also one that we know by heart.

• I love you quicker than a minute.
• I love you longer than an hour.
• I love you like the honeybee
• Loves buzzing round a flower.

The book talks about all the ways a momma bear loves her baby cub, and it makes my heart so happy to read it to Grace. The final page talks about the unconditional love that parents have for their children.

• I love you round and round the world.
• I love you through and through.
• And when it seems impossible
• to love you more . . . I do.

Sometimes, if Kyle and I are reading it together to her, we change all the I's to We's. I don't actually know if Grace understands the words as we are reading them to her, and I know she may never be able to say the words, "I love you." But I do know without a doubt, that Grace knows the unconditional love we have for her. We see it when her eyes light up when we are playing, or in the smile she gives us when she is happy. And we know that she loves us too, even if she can't use those words.
I don't know the exact number of times we have read these books to Grace, yet I never tire reading either of them to her.  I will share with her the importance of family and unconditional love as many chances as I get, especially since I already know the stories by heart.



MLH

Volley for Grace - Night One

Oh what a night!

We had so much fun at this season's first Volley for Grace night Thursday night, Sept. 15, when the Hillsboro Lady Hiltoppers hosted the Vandalia Vandals. Technically, this was supposed to be the second of three Volley for Grace nights, but Lincolnwood High School was without power one night last week, so their game against Morrisonville has been rescheduled.

The bake sale and some of the goodies Grace got to take home!

All four high school teams participating in this year's Volley for Grace games (Hillsboro, Vandalia, Lincolnwood and Morrisonville), joined together in creating new purple and white shirts, and the teams gathered a total of 61 sponsors to help fund INAD research.  

Grace and her friend, Dahlia, before the game!

Wearing our new shirts, we arrived at the high school during the junior varsity game. The most striking thing walking into the gym was that instead of seeing orange and black for Hillsboro and red and white for Vandalia, the gym was a sea of purple for Grace.  It was really awesome.

Grace helped me pick out some treats at the bake sale.

In the lobby, parents had set up a bake sale by donation to raise money for INAD and we had the chance to see some of our Grace-Filled Journey scarves.  Before the start of the varsity game, we picked out some bake sale items, and they were delicious.

Presenting checks for INAD research before the game.

Just before the start of the varsity game, the announcer called us to the gym floor.  Grace and I went out, and Kyle arrived a little late at the game because he was covering a meeting. The two coaches and a player presented us with checks from their sponsorships, totalling $1,500. Each team had also taken a team photo with Grace, and presented us with a framed and signed copy for our house. It was pretty special.

Getting to share our story and say thanks to the crowd.

As we headed off the floor, one of the Toppers biggest fans, known for leading the infamous "TOPP-ERS" cheer, started a new cheer across the gym.  He yelled out "Amazing," and the student section yelled back "Grace." I have to admit it brought a few tears to my eyes on such a special night.

The players wore purple ribbons and socks during the game!

The Hiltopper student section was decked out in purple too!

One of the Hillsboro players had asked if Grace could give high-fives to the starting line-up, and we were thrilled.  Many of the players had worn special purple socks and purple ribbons in their hair.  Grace and I stood mid-court, and wished good luck to all the players on both teams, giving a high-five before the start of the game.

Our friend, Rich Bauer at the Vandalia Leader Union, captured this special moment before the game.

Just before the start of the varsity game, one of the Hillsboro student fans gave Grace some purple beads to wear during the game. When I looked up, she had purple writing down her legs.  One said "Grace," and the other said "Beat INAD." It's really neat to see the students so excited about helping out our cause.

Grace and the awesome volleyball coaches!

All too soon, the game was over.  Hillsboro would win in two games, but the outcome of the game wasn't nearly as important as the hearts of the players, who have so graciously joined A Grace-Filled Journey. With the bake sale raising just over $400, the night raised a total of almost $2,000 to benefit INAD research.  We feel so blessed to help support research that we know will make a difference in the lives of INAD families for years to come.

Hanging out with Betsy before the game!

Family photo op after the Volley for Grace game!

If you missed out on the first game, you have two more chances to be inspired by the generous hearts of our local high school teams. On Monday evening, Oct. 3, Lincolnwood will host Hillsboro in Raymond for another special Volley for Grace night. They will also host Morrisonville on Tuesday, Oct. 18, for the final fundraising event of the season. If you have a chance, stop by one of the games and wear your favorite purple clothing. I promise you will be inspired by players and coahces who know there is so much more to life than winning and losing. It will be a night you will never forget. I know we won't.

mlh