Luke's favorite thing lately has been finger painting. And he also loves cars so of course he had to finger paint with a car. 

Luke's muscles may not work very good, but his brain is growing just right. He knows all his letters and can count to 12! His speech is becoming a little more clear to us which is so helpful. He still speaks alot of chinese too.

Livi turned 5 on March 28th!

My little pony pinata

Party at our church's gym

Livi giving her friend Rupert a smooch. We are trying to encourage hugs only, but she forgets.

Easter with the cousins

We closed on our old house and are living with my parents until we move into our new home. We are really looking forward to moving in! At the moment though we are pretty tired from the move and all the stresses of buying a house with inspections and repairs. Its easy to get stressed out with so many things that seem so big. But God has been so faithful to take care of us through everything.

I've been thinking about how I really don't like it when people say God won't give you more than you can handle. It makes me feel like I should be stronger than I am on my own. God gives us way more than we can handle. We wouldn't have a relationship with Him if we could take care of ourselves. Maybe instead we should say God won't give you more than He can handle. He can handle anything of course! For me its hard to keep believing that he can actually carry my burdens. I don't know how to let go of them sometimes. There is a scripture that says God won't let us be tempted beyond what we can handle. But it doesn't say anything about us being supermoms that can do everything on our own. I'm so glad because I feel like I need Him more than ever and I'm so glad He wants to carry my burdens and love me through all ups and downs we go through.

I like this version of Matthew 11:28 from the Message Bible

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

We have some really good news. Our house sold! After almost a year of trying to sell we are so grateful and excited about finding a new home.

We are also grateful Luke has stayed so healthy this winter. Even with all the bugs going around he didn't catch anything. We are still working on getting his power chair. Its been a challenge to figure out which joystick is easiest for him to operate the chair especially since he's not very motivated to drive yet. Its a new experience for him to be able to move so it will take some time.

Sometimes I feel sad because Luke and Livi can't play together like other kids. I know it really doesn't matter though because they love eachother.  She's been trying to teach him the alphabet and it makes him laugh. She helps lift his head up when it falls down. She helps me get him in the bathtub. They love bath time together. Even though they can't run around together they have a special bond.

My princess helping me with the dishes.

And here's the birthday boy. We had a blast celebrating Luke's 2nd birthday with family and friends.

Happy Birthday! I'm so thankful for these two years. When Luke was first diagnosed we had no idea what to expect. Each birthday means so much to us.

Luke's new hot wheels race track.

He got a Lighting McQueen guitar

Luke's friend Dylan

 Lexi reading Luke a book after the party. 

This past Sunday I heard a really encouraging sermon at church. It was all about the spirit of grace. The pastor talked about how a lot of Christians don't fully live in God's freedom and grace because there is a mountain that they can't get past. The mountain is any sin or struggle that keeps coming up in their lives. We fight and fight to move the mountains out of our lives. I feel like for me right now there are several mountains, Luke's SMA of course is one. I hate it. I hate SMA. I know that God can use it and will bring good out it, but I still hate it. Only God's grace can knock that down. As Luke's mom I feel like I'm supposed to fix it and take it away, but I know this mountain can only be leveled when I let God's grace fill me and let it go. Its hard for me to let God be God, I try to carry my own burdens.

Its been so humbling for me and Jeremy to be given so much from friends and family. Its not a great feeling to be in need of help. It feels good to give. I try to think of how I can repay people or give them something in return, but I don't have the ability to do that. This is another little mountain I have to give up to God's grace. None of us can repay Jesus for his gift of salvation. Nothing we do can repay that. I've always struggled with feeling like I need to do great things to repay God, but the thing is I can't do anything good without him so when I'm good its his grace in me doing it not mine. So although its been hard needing help, God is showing me more of how much I am loved and showing me how to receive his love even though I don't deserve it. So thank you helpers and prayer warriors! We love you and pray God's blessings on your lives, and that God would level the mountains in your lives so you enjoy his grace and freedom.

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.  Zechariah 4:6

Luke's doing well. We are so grateful that he has been so healthy this winter so far. We went to the muscular dystrophy clinic in OKC this week and met some more great people that can help us to take the best care of Luke possible. We are also going to be attending a support group next week with other families. 

Jeremy and Livi went to visit Grandma and Papa in Pennsylvania earlier this month and had a blast.

Livi made some new friends, Libby and Reagan, while she was there. 

Grandma and Papa and Cassie (dressed-up)

Cousin Maddie

Here's the link to the website our friends started to raise money for a wheelchair accessible van for us. We are so blessed!

http://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/A-Van-for-the-Knapps/40112