Right Where We Need To Be

Kristin and I moved from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado eight years ago today.  I couldn’t have put a good reason for the move onto paper and there certainly is no camera in the world that could justify a move from Breckenridge Colorado to KANsas.  However, I grew up in Kansas (Topeka) and always thought I would return someday, and with Kristin’s sudden onslaught of “Snow Allergies” (Apparently not everyone likes 7 months of snow) the timing seemed right.

We took a week and toured the Kansas City area, on both sides of the state line and looked at over 30 houses.  Before we pulled in front of our current address in Olathe we knew our realtor was not only representing us but he was also selling this particular house (the coveted “double dip”).  What we didn’t know until the van went into park was that the price was going up $5,000 from what he had quoted earlier.  His actions put my temperature on the rise and I was also about to learn that my wife has NEVER played poker in her life.  We walked in the front door and her mind began hanging pictures and placing furniture.  The house was great but on the higher end of our budget and back in the van I suggested we at least offer $5k less (which took it down to the price from earlier in the day) Our realtor simply shook his head no.  Disgusted, I insisted on looking at more houses and wanted to find something different.  I was determined to find something different.

We didn’t find something different.

Today, 8 years later, I FINALLY release the anger I harbored for our realtor.  I now realize that THIS house is where we were meant to be.

Assuming Jadon and SMA were our destiny, I now see that this was “Our House” before we knew it. I don’t typically like to play the “what if” game, but today I indulge.

Our house in Colorado sat at 10,000 feet above sea level and Jadon most likely would not have lived to his diagnosis at 2 months of age.  Lack of oxygen does not mix well with SMA.  We most likely would not even know about SMA, but instead we would have a very short story of unexplained tragedy.

Many of the houses we toured were split level, with bedrooms on the top floor, kitchen half a story down, and the living area on the bottom floor.  Maneuvering Jadon up and down those stairs would have been a challenge.  In this house we can wheel him to the bedrooms, living room, and kitchen.

Schools didn’t weigh into our decision at the time but we knew there was an elementary school across the street.  What we didn’t know is how much that school would impact our lives.  We found an amazing church that continues to stay in contact despite our inability to attend regularly.  Infant toddler services and Jadon’s case worker have been incredibly helpful and we now call them our friends.  Of course being close to so many of my longtime friends and family has been a blessing.

School was something we had given up on for Jadon but this year he completed a full year of pre-school with an amazing teacher and incredible faculty.  They continually said “yes” when it would have been easier, and understandable, for them to say “no”.  When Jadon couldn’t attend class because of cold and flu season he became the first student in the district to Skype into the classroom.  The PTO contacted us and said they would like to do something for the Foundation and the fight against SMA: The 1^st annual Jadon’s Hope BUG RUN was born.

Jadon has been a part of a little league baseball team.  While he is physically unable to participate, to be included is so incredible.  On Tuesday (6-25-13), Jadon’s 4^th birthday, following the game Jadon “ran” the bases and the team sang Happy Birthday to him at home plate.  It was a night never to be forgotten.

This past weekend our church refurbished our neglected landscaping for us with a concentrated work day of 15 people.

Last night our new friends (from that school I mentioned) threw a birthday bash that any 4 year old boy would love.  It was a sports theme with Star Wars characters.  They went all out and would not allow us to do anything.  They said it was a day for us to simply enjoy.  ENJOY we did.  It was both emotional and amazing.

So we may have paid $5,000 more for our home because of greed but I am soooo glad my foolish pride didn’t cause us to live somewhere else.

I certainly believe there are good people around the world but I believe that God has surrounded us with the best people for us.  We continue to be humbled and recognize the blessings surrounding us.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

Jadon Skyping with his class

BUG RUN

Happy Birthday after rounding the bases

Yard Day

Birthday Party

Happy Birthday BUG