5 Things to Know about the Mother of a Child with Autism, Part 1
This is the first in a series of 5 posts dealing with understanding a mother of a child with autism. The series is originally authored by Amy Fenton Lee, is being used with permission, and can be found at the blog for The Inclusive Church. As April is Autism Awareness month, I’ll be posting this [...]
Waiting for the King
Yesterday I shared some thoughts on Good Friday, and an amazing video that reminds us of what Jesus did for us on the cross. But do you know the One for whom the world was waiting? They were waiting for the king - the King of Kings. Jesus died on Good Friday, and rose on [...]
It’s Friday but Sunday’s Coming!
It’s Friday - but Sunday’s coming! I love this video for Good Friday. This is the message of Easter - that God sent His son to die for us. Thankfully that is not the end of the story. {It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!} We would be just as lost in our hopelessness if it [...]
My Oxygen Mask, part 2
Yesterday I shared about my “oxygen mask” approach to life these days – the need for us, the caregivers, to care for ourselves so we are better equipped to care for those who truly need us. I shared a few changes that I have made in my life in order to focus on my own [...]
My Oxygen Mask
A little over a year ago, I began purposely taking time for myself - wearing my “oxygen mask” so that I could be a better wife and mother to my family. I never would have guessed how tenaciously I would cling to this change. It started with giving myself permission to finish my coffee…while it [...]
A Grand Adventure
This is day two of spring break in our home, so the kids and I dropped my husband off at work and then we headed into the city. Our plan was to visit the zoo, but we ended up on a grand adventure that took us around the world! (Well, not really, but sort of.) [...]
When Forgiveness Is Difficult
There have been many opportunities for forgiveness in our home this week, which means so many things going wrong. Our son has been struggling again, and it all came to a head this week. He recently finished another intensive - 10 days of Occupational Therapy in a row. Along with the turmoil that can cause, [...]
Welcome!
Hello! If you’re here, that means you’ve been redirected from an old blog (www.paintingwithpicasso.blogspot.com or www.buildingonjoy.blogspot.com), or you’ve joined me very recently. I’ve combined my two previous blogs - one focused on special needs and one focused on finding joy - into one blog that I’m hoping will allow me some opportunity to blog a [...]
Special Needs - Not Just Disabilities
When someone says “special needs” many people - often, myself included - immediately assume a disability or a diagnosis. And quite often, we’re probably right. However, I often come back to this phrase and I keep on thinking - I think more broadly. Special needs are not *just* disabilities. I’m a proponent for individualized education. [...]
Paper Clouds Featured Artist
Paper Clouds Apparel is selling shirts, greeting cards and 8×10 prints with our son’s designs on them! These are available from March 4-17. Paper Clouds Apparel collects artwork from individuals with special needs, and puts those designs on shirts, greeting cards & 8×10 prints, and sells them for a 2-week period. 50% of the proceeds go [...]
