This weekend we packed up the car and kids and took the drive to Rockford…my home turf. We were going to spend some time with Nana and Papa and our family and friends out there, but our trip also had another purpose. We were going to meet our new friends, Kelly and Jake.
Kelly was the first person I spoke to after finding out we now had a new title, “an MPS family”. See, Kelly and I share something very special…an understanding of what it looks like to live and parent children with Sanfilippo. Kelly and Jake have a beautiful daughter, Livia 2 1/2, with Sanfilippo, same as Jayden and Brooklyn, and a lovely daughter, Finley 5 mo. who is a carrier but is unaffected. They live minutes from Rockford and we decided to get together for a play date and dinner. Kelly and Jake are gifts to us from God. They too, are leaning on Christ completely. They were the missing link in this whole thing for us. They have the uncanny ability to think the same thing as us. A shared experience. Not to mention they are SO FUN and COOL!
Can I just mention how adorable Livia is?! Jayden already has a crush! They played so well together and as Kelly put it, Liv doesn’t know a stranger! She warmed right up to us. We played in the tent and in her kitchen…she made me noodles and Kelly let Jayden and Liv do her hair. Kelly and Jake are wonderful parents and are so amazing! Would you pray for their family too? Thank God for putting them in our lives. Thank God for their beautiful girls. Their new family phrase is LIV life. In tribute to Kelly, I added her new “anthem” to my playlist, “just fine”. We get it now just in the few hours being with them and they are doing just that. Liv is hard to be around without smiling. I really think God uniquely blessed our children with the ability to light up a room with a smile. Here is another “God” thing.
They decided to go to Disney. They are going the same days, on the same airline, on the same flight down, in the same hotel!
Thanks God!
Here are some pics of our time with them.








you sound a little revived stef… isn't God good to know when you need someone to step in and build you up and give you hope and to walk the path you are on He never leaves us alone love you Jill
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We love you guys and felt such a quick connection with you. We feel so blessed to have you in our lives. We will be here for you through it all! God is AWESOME and I thank Him for allowing us to find one another!
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Dearest friend…How I LOVE time with you and your family…I love you all so much!! Every time I spend with you is a gift! I wish I could do more…will start with getting up earlier on Mondays!! HA!! I could have stayed all day watching you be an amazing mom, helping with Brooklyn…I love it so much! I had a moment of sadness when I was giving sweet Brooklyn a bath and watching her smile and melt my heart while I was singing “you are my sunshine”…I wanted to yell “IT's NOT FAIR!” and get mad…but you aren't in that place, so I can't be either. You are amazing and strong my dear friend! I LOOOOVVEEE YOU!!!!!
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SO glad you guys had a good time in Rockford. I love that J has met a new friend. You guys are going to have a great time in Disney!! I wanted to thank you for being a great source of advice and guidance for me while I'm trying to figure out this “mom” thing. You are such a comfort to me. I love you guys SO much!! We continue to pray daily and that will never stop.
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