First American Idol and now a CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie. Really, what is this blog becoming!!

I have so much to say that I just know already, I'm going to miss something. I actually took notes while I was watching the movie last night, so a little insight into my geekiness.

I hope you were all able to watch it, but if not, 'Sweet Nothings in My Ear' is a movie about a deaf mom and a hearing dad who are conflicted over whether or not to implant their deaf son. I think I started crying when I heard the intro music. (yes, a little over-emotional) It was a beautiful intro with the hands signing, speaking without words. I knew I was in trouble.

Almost immediately there was a birthday party for the son, and they were signing 'Happy Birthday'. My memories literally flew back to Rhyan's first birthday party. We had found out only a few weeks before that she was deaf, so we all learned 'Happy Birthday' in sign language. I watch the video now and just sob. She was mesmerized by our hands in motion and started moving her hands along with us. I guess that's why I have so much to say about this movie. The memories it envoked were painfully strong.

Of course I have my opinion on why the Cochlear Implant worked so well for our family, but I am so grateful for this movie because it gave me insight into the deaf community. When the mom said that if there was something wrong with her son, there was something wrong with her, I felt that pain and better understood why so many deaf people are opposed to the implant.

But, how I feel is simple. There isn't a single thing wrong with Rhyan. I've said it before, God made her perfectly. She is exactly how He designed her and she is perfect. And I have no doubts that without the implant she wouldn't have grown up to be extremely successful in anything she desired. But, that doesn't stop us, as her parents, from wanting to make things easier for her. And the dad said that, too. It isn't admitting she's not right, it's helping bust down obstacles.

The ending to me couldn't have been better. There were no decisions made. They agreed that the best thing for their son was to have his family together. And it ending showing them as a united front. That, to me, spoke volumes to the hearing and deaf community alike---the Cochlear Implant is an individual family decision. That's it.

So, to the cast and the producers of the film, who will never, ever read my blog and probably wouldn't give a hoot about my opinion, well done. Well done.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=23451

I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I am. I’ve gotten letters and encouragement from strangers that I’ll probably never meet. I’ve reconnected to friends that I haven’t talked to since high school. And I’ve been reminded that I have an amazing group of loved ones that will always be by my side. It’s been quite an emotional ride these last few days and I don’t know how to thank anyone, really. I say ‘thank you’, but this is one of those things that ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like enough. I am just continually grateful to have you in my life.

I saw this article this morning and I thought it was pretty neat. :)

I have been an underachiever with Mary Kay, Creative Memories, and anything else that involves asking people to spend their money. It’s just not in my nature to ask for things. I think that’s one of the biggest reasons that Rhyan’s Hope has been a little nerve-racking. I believe in the cause. I’ve seen the miracles. But, even asking for a dollar was difficult. It wasn’t until yesterday that I understood more clearly. Rhyan’s Hope isn’t just about raising money to provide cochlear implants. It’s about our story.

We had business cards printed up for Rhyan’s Hope, and I handed them out to people that I care about at the YMCA that weren’t on my email list. They are people that have known Rhyan as a baby, took care of her with her hearing aids, kept watch over her and made sure she was extremely careful while playing in the weeks following her surgeries. They are people I love. I handed my first card to one of the child watch workers, and she asked, “Do you want my money now?” I was so taken aback. I immediately said, “No, I just want you to read her story.”

Rhyan’s Hope is definitely about helping little ones get cochlear implants. It will take funds. But what I want more than anything is for every life to be changed by what they read, and what they see God accomplish. When I say that it’s about our story, it is. It’s about Rhyan, Matt, Evynn, me and our family. But it’s about you, too. This is your story now. Thank you so much for the part you’ve played.

We love you to pieces.

Just a few days after my last post, we received a letter in the mail regarding our TIN. All I had to do was call the IRS and we had it over the phone. So, God didn't make us wait after all! He continues to amaze us in our walk through this.

I can't even describe how I felt when I hit the 'send' button today to tell our loved ones about Rhyan's Hope. I felt like everything that we had been through was somehow all worth it. God gave purpose to our devastation. I have to admit that I was putting stress on myself about it all, especially with our unveiling in the middle of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I keep listening for His still small voice to tell me that He's in control. That the good to come from Rhyan's Hope will be beyond my imagination. And I hear Him ever time I listen.

In the middle of writing this, I got our first online donation from my sister-in-law, Brittney. Shortly after, I got our second donation from a friend of someone in my email address. I cried. I really just sat here and cried. It was just the encouragment that I needed. He uses you all to speak to me of His love. If you are reading this right now, please know that I am just so unbelievably grateful for you!!

Last Tuesday we filed on-line for our non-profit inc. We have approximately 4 weeks until it is finalized, but we then apparently have to apply for our TIN and 501(c)(3) separately. This is so unbelievably new and crazy strange for me, so I'm learning minute by minute in most cases. I thought we were done and ready to go once we filed and received the confirmation of the incorporation. I was a bit disappointed to learn that we still had more to do before we could get started. But, I am determined to remain in God's will and I know without a doubt that His timing is perfect. If we have to wait, I choose to be faithful and patient. I am still in awe that He desires to use us in this way. I am humbled and excited and I want more than anything to make Him proud.

I emailed the hospital last week to obtain an exact dollar amount that we'll need for the surgery. I'm going to follow up with a phone call tomorrow. We are continuing to work on the website. I am also finished with our mass email going out to loved ones. That will be our first and most important email for our fund-raising.

God is working. I can see it, I know it and I can't wait to see where He takes us! He is so good.

Rhyan took her Program up to 4, Level 15. That is very encouraging. She was still not responding to my voice and seemed increasingly frustrated as the day wore on. I know she's tired, which might be attributing to her outbursts. I can't wait until I can write that we have reached our goal. I know we will.

Yesterday remained difficult and this morning is not proving to be much better. I've realized just now that I haven't concentrated my prayers on her understanding. I haven't been able to get into an in-depth quiet time at all. I miss Him so much. I'm sure that's a big part of my frustration. So, with that, I will make sure I find the time to focus my prayers and talk with my Father.

She did end on Program 4, Level 7 last night. That was exciting. This morning we haven't adjusted it at all, so that's where she started. We remain grateful and expectant.