Meet one of our Earth Angels -- Ms. Stacey Rhodes

Let me start with I cannot say enough about this amazing lady whom has become a true friend. We met Stacey nearly 4 years ago when she first began working with S-Bear through early intervention. I was impressed with her positivity, passion & talent upon meeting her. What makes her a standout are all those things, plus she truly wants to COLLABORATE! I never take that for granted in working with the myriad of professionals surrounding my nest of 4 extraordinary blessings. Before meeting Stacey, I had never known a therapist to want to have a team meeting, share a binder of written team notes, etc, etc. I always felt the weight of being the integrator as the family matriarch & scheduler of all therapy work amongst the 4 kids.

Stacey has seen us through some of the roughest times of our journey. When she started, Bella & S-Bear alone had been enveloped into Autism. Within the following 2 years we hit rock bottom, witnessing our 15 mo old baby drift away & only months later, Roo then 3.5 years old regressed sharply & became very ill. Stacey was one constant whom kept me grounded. She truly has an unmatched compassion for others and is driven to HELP them. Her love of music & enrichment for others comes through her work so apparent. Though our youngest has really cycled through MAAAANY regressions, Stacey never gave up on her. Even when my mind was fragmented & not so sharp-- she never gave up on me. She even came back to us after having her own little one & did so much more than could ever be expected of a professional-- all out gift of her beautiful heart.

Today Stacey is still a key contributor to SJ through her SonRise home program, and soon she will be expanding to S-Bear this summer. We'd never be where we are today without this remarkable & ambitious professional. She brought SonRise back into my sights, after ABA failed for SJ. My kids are blooming in front of my eyes & you've had a tender hand in it; I'm forever grateful, Stacey. 

It is with pleasure that I share this very talented professional's Summer Programming information.

Happy Mother's Day!

Adaptation of Martina McBride's "In my Daughter's Eyes" 
 
In my child's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
S/he was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my child's eyes

In my child's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my child's eyes

And when s/he wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about






It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my child's eyes



In my child's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though s/he'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
s/he made me



 
For I'll be there
In my child's eyes

Easter Blessings

In the light of what this incredible day means, I find myself reflecting.

8 years ago today, we spent the day with our extended family in Chicago-- my brother & sister –in-law hosted. It was a beautiful spring Easter day, just as today. I remember we took pictures out front & the Earth had given us all the promises of Spring I see today… the sun shining, green grass, the soft scents of new life were in the air, flowers blooming, birds singing. God’s blessings were abundant as we gathered with our Schoonveld clan.  Three little Schoonveld’s had already blessed our family—Nolan, Erika & Charlie. Baby Sophie peacefully snug in Momma Sara’s tummy would bless us in a few months later that summer.

E and I had been prayerfully hoping we’d be blessed with a little Schoonveld ourselves to nurture, love & raise at this time of our union. Only a month prior, we had felt loss of a pregnancy that was not meant to be. It was very difficult to endure the loss that resulted in all the hope & dreams we had for the child/children we dreamed of at that time. I cannot help but think of what our Lord felt, as He gave us the gift of His only son through Jesus’ suffering & death. And, how the Lord saw our loss after the *fall* in the garden, before Jesus’ sacrifice to redeem us. Through Christ, our Lord gave us salvation. Through the challenges & loss, God’s promises reign. 

This makes me consider the challenge & loss we feel in this world. How through the obstacles of this fallen world, we have the ability to see God’s promises & love if only we give our hearts to HIM. When E & I had experienced the loss of promise we felt in our babies’ pregnancy—it was so hard to know why & be faithful that God’s plan was truly with us. When we backed away from the loss a short time after, we felt hope again though not intentionally (I know now because God’s light was on us). We never ever expected to be given the gift of life the very next month in our Bella’s pregnancy. We were astounded and so joyful at such a beautiful surprise of new life, God had blessed us with. We learned of our gift that Easter day, eight years ago this Easter. Amazing! Bella’s due date was Christmas of 2003 and yet she saw fit to find her way to us the day before Thanksgiving. There are just so many messages that are so clear, as I think about all this consciously today. I am truly humbled & just so grateful, God believed in us to gift us with our princess.

Today, as I watch the 3 eldest kids all discover their Easter baskets with true awareness & intent, enjoying the whole process for the first time—I am astonished & grateful. They are 7/5/5 years old & it was worth the wait. I know in God’s time, our littlest will find the awareness we see peeking through each day, like sunlight’s beams penetrating the exterior of Autism that is part of this extraordinary little love bug. These 4 little angels (and yes, with some devilish moments) are so incredibly amazing, in all they have done, overcome, all because God’s love is within their innocent & pure hearts. As I fumble forward, they triumph with grace, just as it was planned. When we hit a roadblock & I am discouraged, resolve to complaint, anxiety & lose my grace—they persevere. Whether heart surgery, failure to thrive, preterm births, enormous medical challenges, loss in skills, body cast, seizures, hours of endless therapy, extended schooling & all the things that are their normal—they just accept & go beyond. I see God’s love & promises in my children, my 4 beautiful children, just as they are—just as He intended them to be here in this now.

Thank you Lord, for the blessings which are too abundant for my comprehension. For the gifts of your promises we feel, see & miss each day. For the infinite beauty you craft into this world amongst the chaos. For always providing, even when we are too broken to recognize it. For eternal hope & life you’ve given us first through our birth & the life everlasting, through Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  – John 3:16