Writing about special needs parenting became a priority this year. I wrote many posts about Apraxia, Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. I wrote about the challenges we face and the victories we celebrate. I wrote with these goals in mind: to bring hope. to encourage. to share my faith in the midst of the mess. to make sure other special needs mamas knew they weren't alone. to advocate. to raise awareness and for my own sanity. I will continue writing about these topics in Continue Reading
Highs and Lows of 2016
As I look back on 2016, there were many mountain top highs and quite a few valley lows. The truth is, I didn't always handle the lows very well. In 2017 I hope to embrace the lows instead of letting them get me down. Special Needs Parenting is a roller coaster ride. I don't want the sudden dips to steal my joy. I don't want the long, slow climb to create a hard heart. I want to enjoy the ride - the twists, turns and sudden stops. I want to feel the thrill even when the moment isn't very Continue Reading
Six Things I Learned in December
Honesty Brings Healing I was feeling all sorts of blue last week. I decided to write because writing always helps chase the blues away. I wrote this post and almost didn't hit publish. Honestly, it was sort of depressing to read. But I'm super glad I was brave enough to post that list of Christmas confessions. I received a lot of positive feedback from people who took the time to read it! The holidays are hard. They aren't always jolly. Sharing those confessions opened up lines of communication Continue Reading
My Top Five Christmas Moments
Candle Light and Oh Holy Night Our Christmas Eve church service included my all time favorite Christmas song and candlelight. I choked back tears as we sang Oh Holy Night. This year the words a thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices, resonated with me like never before. Broken relationships and families celebrating the holidays for the first time without their loved ones. So many people needing hope. So many people who are weary. As we lit our candles, I was reminded there is no darkness Continue Reading
The Moment that Brought My Heart Back to Christmas
One thing we've done a lot of this season is read Christmas books by the glow of the tree lights. Sunday night, Jackson and I were snuggled on his bed, warm under the flannel sheets, with a stack of books beside us. Each one was about the true meaning of Christmas. One of the areas I often feel like I'm failing in as a special needs parent is teaching my son about Jesus. I had these dreams of Jackson attending AWANAS and Vacation Bible School. I thought we'd have daily devotions together. And Continue Reading