Reflections a Year after Hurricane Harvey
After only one week back in school after a long summer, it was canceled until further notice starting on August 25th, 2017. Hurricane Harvey was on the way to our suburb south of Houston and no one knew exactly what to expect. Then on the evening of August 29th I called to my husband Lee, “The … Read more
Sensory Toys to Add Fun to Your Summer!
In the summer months, our son is out of his usual school routine and needs more sensory input to help regulate his system. Here are six sensory toys we’ve gotten to make this summer more fun for him! (affiliate links included) Gonge Riverstones – James loves jumping from spot to spot! Jumbo Nuts and Bolts Toddler … Read more
Type A Help for Your Plan B Life
5 Days to Better Organization for Your Home and Family March 12-16 The circumstances of your life weren’t your plan A. You weren’t expecting the extra challenges you face each day as you love and care for your family well. Some days it’s overwhelming. There’s always something else to do—cook, clean, fold laundry, go … Read more
Marriage Prayers: 14 days of prayer for special-needs parents
Lee and I sat in a therapist’s office a year ago and told our story. It was our first session and our first time to meet our therapist, Jane. “Whoa,” she said when we talked about James’s diagnosis, how we reacted to that news, and the years that have followed. “Not all marriages would … Read more
Reflecting on His First Day of School Seven Years Ago
It’s the seventh anniversary of James’s first day of school. That seems like such a long time, yet I remember that day as if it were yesterday … By far, the hardest day of our entire first year of James’s autism diagnosis was his first day of school. I went through all five stages of grief … Read more
2018 Goals
We’re deep into the second week of 2018, but I finally have my goals for the year mapped out and I’m ready to make some progress. I’m using Lara Casey’s PowerSheets this year, and they have been helpful. I also had a fun goal setting discussion with my friends Teri Lynne and Kristin and … Read more
2018 Reading List
Amazon affiliate links included Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt The Power by Naomi Alderman Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford* Are My Kids on Track? by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly Walden … Read more
Take off Discontentment, Put on Joy
Days after Christmas all our kids’ new toys seem a little less new. You may have even heard, “Man, I wish I had gotten …” or “My friend got what I really wanted and I didn’t!” It doesn’t take long for our appreciation of the gifts we’ve been given to become discontentment. It happens … Read more
Take off Worry, Put on Faith
Worry is at the top of every special-needs mom’s list of struggles. We can make a list of worries for our children that goes on and on. Worries for today, tomorrow, and after we’re gone. When we’re honest, we know worry is a sin. I once read that worry is practical atheism. It’s living … Read more
Take off Jealousy, Put on Lovingkindness
We’ve all heard of the “Mommy Wars,” where moms fight over who is parenting best or who has better children. But in the special-needs world, I find a different mommy war happening. I’m not proud to admit it, but I’ve experienced it. Sitting at our autism support group meeting, I listen to the mother … Read more
Take off Anger, Put on Patience
When my boys were really young we moved from North Carolina to Pennsylvania where Lee had gotten a job as the preacher. Soon after the move, we were at a Super Bowl watching party at the church, and they had a big screen set up to watch the game and a projector. David was … Read more
Take off Unforgiveness, Put on Peace
I talked to a friend yesterday about a situation in our family that happened months ago but left deep scars. Because of God’s grace and goodness, those scars are healing. What’s not healing are the relationships that were damaged because of the situation. I’m still holding on to unforgiveness. I want to start off … Read more
