Keys to a Calm Christmas: Managing Our Emotions and Responses
My boys have four cousins, two on my side of the family and two on Lee’s side. Two of those cousins were born the same year as James, one just ten days later. Over Thanksgiving I was texting with my sister while James was in the bathtub. He was playing with little PlayMobile people and … Read more
The Third Key to a Calm Christmas: Responding to Others’ Expectations
I hate not living up to someone else’s expectations. That will happen a dozen times at least in the next few weeks. When we can’t make James sit still at the dinner table. When we he and I can’t make it to every church event. When he won’t smile for the family picture. It isn’t … Read more
The Second Key to a Calm Christmas: Help for Our Sensory Seekers and Avoiders
One of my favorite Christmas books when I was growing up was The Sweet Smell of Christmas, a scented story book. You could scratch and sniff a pine tree, an orange, hot chocolate, and a candy cane. But when I bought it for my own boys, they reacted to it differently than I did over … Read more
The First Key to a Calm Christmas: Help for Our Routine-Loving Kids
I’m so glad you’re joining me for 5 Keys to a Calm Christmas! I’ve been praying for each of you, and asking God to help me share information that will bring more peace to your Christmas season. If this is the first time we’ve “met,” I’ll tell you a little bit about my family! As … Read more
Protected: 5 Phases of Special-Needs Parenting
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James’s Amazon Christmas List
I know how hard it can be to shop for our kids on the autism spectrum, so I’m sharing James’s Christmas list this year! It’s all from Amazon, so you can click the affiliate links to check them out and hopefully be inspired! Stuffed plush Julia from Sesame Street– Julia is Sesame Street’s character … Read more
Unexpected Blessings Playlist
It took months to write Unexpected Blessings. And there were many songs that inspired me during the writing process and are still encouraging me through the next steps. I thought the playlist would also be encouraging to you. It focuses on God’s presence through our Plan B situations and reminds us we are never alone. … Read more
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 … 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
