Here are some photos from our church's summer retreat to Cornet Bay at Deception Pass.  It was  BLAST!   We left Cody at home - which is always a heart breaking decision.  But I always try to think about what's truly best for him.  He just would not function at a campsite - his entire world would collapse.  So he got to stay at home where he's comfortable - and with his beloved nanny Veronica who makes sure he's well cared for every single second.  Unfortunately for her, he threw up on one outing, and had a big seizure the other time she tried to take him outside the house.  She is a trooper and we love her - she never complains.  We missed him, but it was for the best. 

This is our annual stop for a photo at Deception Pass - one of the most breath taking sights I know of.

Another beautiful sight was our campground.  Here's Don playing with the kids after dinner, right before the sun started to set.

One of the most gratifying moments I had was watching Casey play with (finally!) some friends.  He is so cooped up in this house all the time with us...he really has never had an actual play date, or time to just be a little boy with other little kids.  This was a marvel to me.  He played 'chase' with Eric and Christian by the water...

he looked at a carefully caught potato bug with Roman...it was so wonderful to see him interact and connect with kids his age.

And he even found his first girlfriend -  a doll named Cheyenne.

He was her shadow all weekend...with stars in his eyes!  She was so wonderful to him, and really helped him when it was time for the kids to have 'church time' of their own - while the parents went to hear a message on their own.  She sat next to him as the kids did arts and crafts, and paid extra attention to him. 

We had a few teaching sessions, lots of worship in song, great food, great fellowship...and for Don and I...a rare getaway from the intensity of our typical daily lives.  As I told Don as we pulled out of our driveway heading to Deceoption Pass, 'I can't believe that I don't have to dole out 20 meds a day, wake up in the middle of the night to a seizure, or do a tube feeding for 2 days straight!' 

We ADORE our dear little Cody bug.  But to be the best parents to him that we can, we need occasional breaks like this one where we can escape the medically intensive life we lead here at home.  And when we got back, Cody was a bundle of giggles and hugs, none the worse for our mini vacation.

We are blessed with an amazing church family  - I can't imagine life without these people who so steadfastly have walked shoulder to shoulder with us.  What a blessing it was.

love,

Shawna