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Weekend Getaway

August 6, 2024 By 8
Tim and I celebrated our 13th anniversary last month. We planned for some time to get away for a weekend, and that was *this* weekend.

We found a place about an hour from home and made a reservation. When we arrived, we were offered a room upgrade, which was a pleasant surprise! This was a nice weekend to sit and rest, and really, to just do nothing. We did some shopping on Saturday and found a little museum to go to, but I had taken some reading and some knitting for the evenings, but I set it aside and tried to just “be”. It’s amazing how hard it can be to do that.

This was sunset, the first evening - we were driving back to the inn after dinner, and the sky was just gorgeous. A sky like this sure does make it a little easier to stop and savor the moment!
This picture is taken from the parking lot of the inn, looking up to the back of the house.
This is part of the room that we stayed in. It looked over the street that ran by the front of the inn. We saw many Amish and Mennonite walking by in their traditional outfits.
We sat out back for a few hours the second evening. This picture was taken after 8pm, so you can’t see just how lovely the pink crape myrtle bush really is. But it is gorgeous, I promise!
And this is the pond - in the middle of the picture there’s a stone wall and that is the far side of the pond. The crape myrtle in the top left of this picture is the same one as in the picture above. The lights added more beauty to the already-lovely backyard.
As a bed and breakfast, they take the “breakfast” part quite seriously. We had 2 mornings of 4-course breakfasts! (One could get used to that very quickly!!) The first morning we were served Canary Melon Gazpacho - a cold soup made from canary melon (similar to honeydew), a little yogurt and a slice of a plum in the soup. After that we had locally-made Amish granola that was sweet, full of flavor, and delicious! Following that was a plate of lemon crapes with Amish canned peaches with a side of pork roll. And for dessert (yes, breakfast dessert!) was ginger chocolate fudge. Delicious!
The second day started with a dish of roasted bananas with some sugar and yogurt. Following that course was another helping of locally-made granola. The main plate was eggs cooked in won ton wrappers, with a side of zucchini parmesan muffins. For dessert, a chocolate truffle. So, so good!
We had tea and cookies each night and some time to talk with the other guests. The innkeepers were extremely hospitable and had some fun, historical stories to tell about the inn. If you need a great getaway, check out the Churchtown Inn near Lancaster, PA.
Note: I am not being paid by the Churchtown Inn for this post.
I just wanted to share about a great outing at a wonderful place, with superb service and gracious hosts!
Filed Under: family focused, my happy place

The Little Things

July 30, 2024 By 9
flower pickingLast week, my son had 3 hours of back-to-back therapy. That’s not our usual schedule, and the day was stressful with an added, different therapist since one of his regulars was on vacation. By the end of the three hours, he was notably worn out - I mean, he’s 8 years old. 3 hours of therapy, no matter what kind, is stressful and tiring. He did a great job and kept himself together very well.On the way home, we pass a farm with many seasonal fruits and veggies. They also have a “cut your own zinnias” section. 20 flowers for $1.75. Couldn’t resist! Our weather has been hot, hot, hot, and that particular day was only about 87degrees (funny when that sounds cool) so we stopped to cut some flowers. It’s the little things…As we walked, we looked for good flowers. We talked about how to take care of the flowers. He picked different colored ones with different people in mind - sister, brother, Dad, Mom, himself. It was evident that his stress was minimizing as we walked up and down each row.The point? Sometimes, to get rid of stress and anxiety, all that you need to do is stop and smell the roses, or stop and cut some zinnias. It really is the little things that can help us to focus, de-stress and get back on track. Remember that as we start the week.
Filed Under: family focused, inspiration and motivation, special needs family

Happy Anniversary!

July 17, 2024 By 0
Today is our anniversary - 13 years!
Source
Dear Tim,
*Coffee & a kiss, every morning
*Encouragement whenever I need it
*That look that is just for me
*Winking at me from across the room - no matter where we are
*The funny things that you know make me laugh
*The way you snuggle more, the older you get
*Always available if I need you
*Covering us in prayer
*Quiet evenings to talk & laugh when the kids are tucked into bed
*Love notes. So many love notes!
*Being involved in every aspect of my life
*Being a great role model for our kids
*Loving us unconditionally
These are just 13 reasons why I love you - why I’m incredibly grateful that you are in my life! You’re a gift from God, and He gives good gifts! Thanks for being such a blessing. I love you!
Source
Filed Under: family focused

Engraved in the Palm of My Hand

July 13, 2024 By 5
Did you ever have something in life that you’d love to do, if the circumstances were just right? For example - maybe you’d go back to school once all your kids get a little older. I have some things like that in my life, too. The one I’m going to tell you about here is one that I spent time thinking about, only in an attempt to come up with “the right circumstances”. I know - doesn’t make much sense.

Let’s jump in.

Tattoos. Some are fascinating, some are repulsive, some are very thoughtful. I’ve never seriously considered getting a tattoo. What I *have* considered, though, is this: If I were to get a tattoo, I’d want it to be well-planned and with great meaning to me. So, what would it be?

I’ve thought about this question on and off, for years. Years. I didn’t obsess over it, I’d just think about it as the thought crossed my mind. After years of thinking, I was pretty sure that I’d never come up with something, and that was actually okay with me because I wasn’t actually planning to get a tattoo. I just wanted to know if I’d ever think of anything meaningful enough.

And then I found this:

Source

So I now know what tattoo I’d get - if ever I got a tattoo. It would be a tattoo on the inside of my left hand, with my children’s names. Oldest to youngest, top to bottom, with the reference of Isaiah 49:16 underneath. I think it would look pretty neat! But, I have no desire to “spend time” with a needle! I’m just glad to finally have a plan if ever I was to get a tattoo.
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Filed Under: family focused, finding the answer

And then….

July 12, 2024 By 12
Insert classic opening line here:
“It was all going so well…and then it fell apart.”

This morning I was helping the kids finish getting ready for an outing with my parents. Last night we had gathered most of what they needed for today. This morning it was just the final few things.
Our son wears sunglasses outside quite often because of his sensitivity to the sun. Because he’s almost always in sunglasses when he goes outside, nothing would do but for our daughter to have some as well. Like brother, like sister….
And then it happened. We couldn’t find her sunglasses. We looked inside - living room, dining room, secret hiding places. We looked outside - everywhere in the van - and couldn’t find them. I sent her upstairs to see if she could find her old pair which she usually keeps on her bookshelf. Why does she keep them there? Well, because it’s really so much cooler to wear sunglasses to read. You didn’t know that? You’re welcome! Seriously, though, I think she sets them there because she plays dress-up often and that saves her the hassle of putting them away.
So she’s off searching in her room and I came across a pair of Picasso’s sunglasses in the van. {You should know - I designated ONE box for everyone’s sunglasses. Sunglasses go into the box and never go missing. Genius, right? Organized, safe, always in the same place. Not a single child keeps their sunglasses in that box, despite my best efforts to remind them. Sigh.}
Since we found an extra pair of Picasso’s glasses, I told him that if his sister couldn’t find her sunglasses, then maybe she could wear his. That was a nice thought on my part (yes, I’m patting myself on the back) and he ran to tell her that he’d share with her.
Meanwhile, she found her sunglasses upstairs. All was well.
Until…
She called to me from the top of the stairs to say that he’d kicked her because she wouldn’t wear his sunglasses. She found her own & didn’t need his.
And that started the I-don’t-know-how-long tantrum/meltdown/being out of sorts.
I think he wanted to be useful. And helpful. And I think he misunderstood my suggestion of sharing his sunglasses only if she couldn’t find her own.
They set off on their outing with my parents. I really wasn’t sure how it would go, but had faith in him and confidence in my parents’ ability to interact with him and get him out of his slump.
Shortly before noon I missed a call from my parents. When I saw it, I thought, “Uh-oh.” I listened to the message and called them back. It turned out that he had eventually settled down and was doing well. My mom asked him if he wanted her to call me, to say that all was well. He said yes, so she called me.
He and I have a special attachment - much like I imagine most special needs moms have with their kids. We know - we just innately KNOW when something’s not right. We may not know what it is, or what caused it, but one look at our kiddo and we just know. I think he’s beginning to understand our connection even more, and looks for ways to express that to me. Sometimes, when things go wrong & he is feeling better, he’ll come over and just stand there and smile. Other times, he’ll come over and snuggle or smile right in my face. It’s a great step for his emotional processing!
Source
Filed Under: anxiety and autism, autism spectrum diagnosis, family focused, parenting

July 4th

July 4, 2024 By 1
Happy 4th of July!
This year, we’ve had several friends, and friends of friends, who have been in various branches of the Armed Forces, who have been injured or killed. It’s a huge reminder that our freedom isn’t free. There are men and women who willingly sacrificing to protect my family and this life that we enjoy. To them - Thank you! We are grateful!

As I think about parades and fireworks that we will enjoy, a favorite poem comes to mind. As our family attends parades, we teach our children - you stand up when the flag passes by. That flag needs to mean something to you. We clap and wave for the firefighters and we stand as the veterans proudly carry the flag. We cheer a little extra when the Vietnam Vets pass by, as they were not warmly welcomed after they served. Whether we agree with that war or not is irrelevant. They went to protect us - they deserve our respect.

As the flag passes by and as you enjoy time with friends and family, please remember - that flag is significant in your freedom to sit there and enjoy that parade.


1694. The Flag Goes By

By Henry Holcomb Bennett

HATS off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,

A flash of color beneath the sky:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

Blue and crimson and white it shines,

Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.

Hats off!

The colors before us fly;

But more than the flag is passing by.

Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,

Fought to make and to save the State:

Weary marches and sinking ships;

Cheers of victory on dying lips;

Days of plenty and years of peace;

March of a strong land’s swift increase;

Equal justice, right and law,

Stately honor and reverend awe;

Sign of a nation, great and strong

To ward her people from foreign wrong:

Pride and glory and honor,—all

Live in the colors to stand or fall.

Hats off!

Along the street there comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;

And loyal hearts are beating high:

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

Poem Source

Hats Off! The flag is passing by!



2008

2012


Filed Under: family focused, gratitude and appreciation, inspiration and motivation, summer fun

Reunion Weekend

July 3, 2024 By 0
This weekend we had the opportunity to go to western NY for my husband’s father’s family reunion. I met some of the aunts & uncles at our wedding, but that was almost 13 years ago. The kids have never met any of the extended family, so we were happy to have the chance to get together. My husband’s father and all his siblings are in their 70s, so it was a perfect time for a get-together.
Here’s a couple of our kids with the uncle who won the award for “Funniest”. He provided a lot of laughs for the kids and we all had a great time with him!
Here’s our son, managing the sound in the building. Note his headphones & the fact that he was standing on the chair to literally get a different perspective. And we let him drink a soda, so he was really in his glory!

A couple of the grown-ups (wise mothers!) organized a penny hunt for the kids. Except, it wasn’t just pennies - there was all sorts of change in that pile of hamster-cage-liner! One of our kids came home with over $7.00, another probably closer to $12.00, and while the third child didn’t get as much money, she still got a good amount and came away happy. Kudos to her big brothers for sharing with her!

Here are the 3 brothers. The two on the outside are twins - Walter and Don. Ron is the one in the middle. And no, Ron & Don are not the twins. Yes, I’m sure. ;-)

Here’s our son, introducing himself to one of the great-aunts and great-uncles. I bribed him with gum to get him to practice introducing himself, but hey, I’m not above that. It turned out that he had a great time conversing with them!
And finally, all 6 siblings. Sorry the pictures aren’t a little better quality - I forgot my camera & just had my phone. We had so much fun and laughed a lot, and had so much fun with the family!
Updated:
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Filed Under: family focused, summer fun

Life Changes

June 22, 2024 By 3
The past few years in our lives have seen many changes - changes in plans we had, changes in things we were able to do, changes in goals and dreams. None have been bad, but all have required a major step back to re-evaluate our plans as a family.A few years ago, our younger son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, among other things. What we had planned in terms of schooling and nearly every other aspect of his life, and ours, had to be let go of, so it could be replaced with something amazing that God had in store for us.
Tim has had the same job for the past seven years. At times, we’ve struggled over various aspects of the job, but we were grateful that he *had* a job, as we watched others around us lose their job. We held onto that job fiercely, as it enabled me to be home with our children, to homeschool them, to drive them to therapy and various activities. We were grateful that we had that opportunity.A few months ago, Tim began talking with someone who was starting a new company, or had just started a new company. It started more as a conversation of, “Well, how can we work together?” It ended up being, “Why don’t you come work for me?” We weighed the pros and cons, we discussed all the options, we prayed, and then we prayed some more.Because we homeschool, we have to have an adult in the house while the kids are doing their schoolwork. Because our children are young, of course this is a given. However, because we have to shuttle our guy back & forth to therapy several times a week - maybe more frequently in the fall - we were at a loss as to how to really make it all work for all of us. We don’t want to have to continue taking all 3 kids for one guy’s therapy, especially if it’s going to be for 10 days in a row, if therapy options fall into place as we’re hoping. The place where he receives his therapy is nearly an hour, one way. It’s tough on all the kids, but we’ve done it because it’s what we have to do.

Lunch with Daddy, at his office
Until now.

Tim took the new job opportunity that was offered to him. Starting Monday, he is officially employed by the new company, and will be working from home.

That’s right - Working From Home!

Music to my ears as I’ve prayed for a way to give the other two kids a break from having to juggle all the trips to and from therapy. Music to my ears as I worked and re-worked the schedule so many times last year because of all the trips to therapy. Music to my ears because Tim’s last job had him out of the house almost 12 hours a day, and when you’re raising kids, that’s tough! He left in the morning just after they got up, and he was home about 90 minutes before bedtime - and that’s if there were no meetings, or no one needing picked up from somewhere.

When he gave notice, one of the main reasons he gave for needing to move on was that he needed to spend time with his family - his wife, but also with his kids. They’re growing up and he wanted to be there more.

Today I am grateful. We dropped the kids off at a local VBS at 9am. *WE* dropped them off - Tim & I together. Unless I was awfully sick, or unless he took vacation time, he’s rarely been home at 9am that I can remember - not for the last 7 years anyway. Then we went to breakfast. Again, other than vacation or holidays, I’ve rarely eaten breakfast WITH my husband. Next week as I take our son to therapy, the other two will not have to tag along. They’ll be free to play and enjoy some time out of the car.

Gratitude. My cup runneth over

I’m linking up with Jenny today - stop by and read some gratitude posts and link your own!
Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: family focused, gratitude and appreciation, homeschool family, love, real life, special needs family

Our Journey

June 22, 2024 By 2
This post took time. Time and energy. It would not let go of me until I had written it: a walk down memory lane, you might say. I hope it’s a blessing to you.
—————————————————————————
Our Journey
Twelve years ago, I became a mother. Just like for everything else in my life, I had a plan. A great plan! And my life as a mom was absolutely going to follow the plan I’d laid out, because that’s what I do - I plan.

I envisioned everything typical for my parenting journey - sending my children to preschool, then to school, being involved in my child’s/children’s school, cleaning the house during the day while my kids were at school, being involved in church activities, time at the playground with friends, weekend birthday parties, travel, adventures. Mostly, walking along the general path that most families seem to walk.

It’s a beautiful path, that one. And to be honest, we did walk that path. We still do some days. We enjoyed preschool, many church activities, time with friends, play dates with others. The world is full of adventure and activity on that path. It’s a blessing to walk with others, to share interests, to celebrate life at birthday parties, to be at church with family and friends.

There are a lot of well-worn areas on the path. Many have traveled it before us, many seem to come behind us. The path is not without bumps or hills, but with some work and cooperation, they are easily traversed. Those ahead of us lend a hand; those behind us push us on. At times it’s hard - life is hard, walking the path is difficult. But you’re not alone, and that makes a world of difference.

I enjoy that path. I feel utterly successful as a mom, a wife, a friend, when I travel that path. Things seem to come easier along that path. There is rain, and there are puddles, but even they seem fun to jump into and splash. Some are deep and sometimes you get a little more wet and dirty than you thought you might. But the clean up is not too bad. It’s still a challenge, but it’s manageable. It can seem hard, and at times it is, but the clean up always gets done.

If I never knew any differently, that path would be amazing. I relish in the warm sunshine on my face, the wind at my back, the rolling hills full of sunflowers and daisies and bright summer colors, glistening drops of rain across the lush green fields. Friends, that path is a gorgeous path to walk as a parent. It’s a beautiful walk as you hold your child’s hand. Many who take that path are not disappointed! They see the beauty, just as I do.

One day, while I thought I was walking on that path, I realized we’d stepped a little off the well-worn trail. We had slowed down. In fact, we seemed to be stuck in one of those puddles that I once thought was fun. I figured that a second child would enjoy splashing in the puddles, cleaning up, and moving on, same as the first child. Why not? It’s fun! We splashed, I cleaned up the first child, then myself.

I turned to clean up the second child, but I could not get him out of the puddle. A few extra minutes - I could indulge him that time. After all, he is a boy. They all said that sometimes boys need a little while longer. I was a successful mom, along the beautiful path - I could take time for my son.

And so we sat. He played. He splashed. He was having the time of his life. But it was time to move on. I pushed and pulled, but he did not want to leave. I needed to clean us up and get us back on the path - the path I was sure we were supposed to walk. He wanted no part of getting clean, though. He tried to run away from me - farther off the path, through the taller grass, away from all that I could see and all that I knew to be right and good and normal.

What could I do? My husband and my son were waiting for us - on the path we were walking together. The gorgeous path of beauty and life. I called to my wanderer, but he went farther into the darkness, alone, but not afraid. My family was being divided. I could not pull my husband and son from all that we know, from all that had worked for us. Yet with each passing moment, my little blond-headed toddler was intrigued with everything he saw, as each new step that took him farther off the path.
Source
I took a step - a step off the path. My eyes were on my husband and my son, and their steps, though slower, as they waited for us, were progressing nicely. Lovingly, they nodded approval as I inched closer to our wanderer. My heart ached for the path that I wanted so badly to travel - together. With my whole family. But no amount of “good mothering” could distract my son. Any attempts at physically removing him from the trail he was wandering were met with fierce screams and opposition.

A deep breath. I could see the path - the path I loved. My family. My friends. And I could see my wanderer. My happy wanderer. My plan - the plan that kept me on the beautiful, sunlit path - I opened my hands and let the plan, comprised of list after list, float into the breeze.

Fear. Frustration. Many tears. My husband and our son waited - sometimes along the path, sometimes near the path, sometimes nearer to us. All the while, still a family. We welcomed a daughter - gorgeous, happy, full of life. Sometimes her joy for life got our son’s attention. At times, she was able to draw him closer to the path. Our older son was kind and patient with his younger siblings. What love he displays.

But we were not to return to the path as we hoped. We inched farther away from it, all the while still able to see it and feel attached to others as they made their journey.

One day, I looked around. I realized something had happened. We were off the path. All of us. My husband and our son and daughter had joined the wanderer and me as we sat well off the path, inspecting the under side of a leaf. I sat on the ground, while the wanderer sat in a mud puddle. I had no clue how he could be happy. I found the mud pretty disgusting; I didn’t like the feel of it on my skin. But there he sat, looking at the leaf, and then playing in the mud.

I did not understand. I didn’t recall anything like this from the plan I’d just let fly away. I mean, sure, kids like puddles, but getting caked in mud, and never really minding? That was new to me.
Source
We stayed there, in that spot, for a long time. At night, we’d sleep, but good rest never came easily. Sometimes our wandering child would stay awake till very late hours; other times he’d wake us while it was still dark, ready to tackle the day. My husband and I would try to take turns with him, but he wanted me. Day and night, night and day. Exhaustion didn’t even begin to describe how I felt.

Some days I tried to move him along the path - I would pick him up, clean him off, determined to move forward. We could do this - I had a plan before, I could make one again. The minute I would set him down, he’d find a new interest to occupy his time. I braved a glance at the path. I had to squint - I realized I could hardly see the path we had once walked - skipped - along.

Our life was different. Alone. Not what I planned at all. Everything that had come so easily at one point was now so difficult. I questioned every parenting skill I thought I ever had. How could life be normal for our children who needed normal, but new and interesting for the wanderer who required time and so much attention?

Prayer. A lot of prayer. A lot of wondering if God was really sure that He had done the right thing. I’m a planner; it’s who I am. Sometimes I asked friends along the path for encouragement, for prayer. This sitting near the mud was overwhelming. I reached out to anyone who might know why we couldn’t get our son back to the path. That’s the path we were supposed to walk - I was sure of it. But I couldn’t get our little wanderer to join us. I couldn’t move him physically - and when I did, he’d run right back to where he wanted to be. Far, far from where we were supposed to be. Those who I thought might know how to get us back on the path, only offered only small amounts of help and hope. Try this, or don’t worry about that. Those things helped - for a short time. But really, I enjoyed that time.

On this mucky walk far off the path, we felt alone. We were surrounded by bugs, grass and leaves, mud, mud drawings. On rare occasion, we’d encounter someone else also sitting off the path with us. Sometimes their child would twirl, sometimes their child would bubble over with gorgeous laughter. Laughter - we were never without laughter. Somehow, no matter how mucky or muddy we seemed, our children were laughing. They would hug and kiss us, covered in mud, or with hands full of wildflowers. They weren’t the sunflowers or daisies that I loved along the path, but they were pretty. Sure, they were probably weeds. They did die quickly. But they were weeds picked for me.

A long time passed, many ups and downs. Often it seemed like more downs than ups. Seems like we’d sled down a long, icy hill, only to have to work so hard to climb up the other side. Work. Life seemed like so much work. The school plan changed, the church plan changed. When I let go of my plan and let it blow away, it really did change everything. As we sat far off the path, often in the chilly shade of large, over-hanging trees, we realized we were often alone. Very alone. Sometimes just as stuck in our alone-ness as our son seemed stuck in his mud puddle. His own little world - and we were not a part of it. We were his source of survival while he became more and more covered in mud.

On occasion, he’d share something with us. He’d let the mud dry and make a picture for us. Yes, it was a picture drawn by a toddler. To us, though, it was an insight into his world. He drew a picture of the family. All of us. He was in the middle, we were all in a circle around him. {Looking back, today, this picture makes perfect sense. As we sat, though, I was just grateful to know that he realized we were there.}

Time passed. We never seemed to move very far. Others on the path would wonder why we were so far away. We looked like every other traveler. Surely we just needed to parent better. It was easy to let those people keep walking. We probably parented more while they slept, than they parented in a normal day. Touchy subject. Moving on.

One day, the sun was shining. The thick, over-hanging branches let through some of the sun’s rays. I opened my eyes to the bright sunlight. People. A lot of people. Some were busy with their work, but waved hello to us. Others were just hanging around, they greeted us warmly and sat to talk. I looked for certain friends but did not see them; I missed them desperately. There were some I hardly knew, or hadn’t seen in so long. Smiles. Everywhere. Laughter of children. Weeds. Arranged beautifully. No longer weeds, but wildflowers. Appreciated by all who received them.

I saw the path. I no longer had to squint. Somehow, we’d moved back closer to it. I’m not sure when, but it had happened. And then I saw it. There was a smaller trail. It led from the path, to where we were, to where others were walking or playing. Not just one trail - many trails - smaller, and leading from the main path, to many different areas. Many journeys were taking place - not just on the path, but beside the path, across it, around it, near us, farther from us, each family on their own, unique journey.

I looked for those who were mine - my husband, my boys, my sweet girl. I found my girl first - she was making a crown out of the wildflowers. She and her friends were skipping and playing games. Off the path. Friends. Holding hands, playing together, off the path. My boys, my husband - where were they? When we first ventured off the path, my husband and older son stayed close to each other. I started walking around, trying to find them. All those trails to and from the main path were very useful as I searched.

I found my older son next. He was learning - reading, talking with friends, tossing a Frisbee. Shooting water guns. Laughing. My daughter and my oldest son were fine - they were happy. Content.

My husband, where was he? My wanderer was hanging out in the mud still, playing, making pictures in the dried mud. Where was … I could hardly believe my eyes. My husband had tried to play with him before, but my son was never interested. I found my husband. He was sitting at the edge of the mud puddle, driving a toy truck through the mud, much to the wanderer’s enjoyment. They were playing together. Together. Tears flowed easily - happy tears.

As I looked around I saw so many people - people happily on the path, but so many people far off the path. It seems that the dark shade of the over-hanging branches was not a bad place to be. It was different. Those wildflowers near the shade were gorgeous. Mixed into a bouquet with the sunflowers and daisies, they made a lovely arrangement. I thought that some people would be like me - a strong need to stay on the path, as it was “home”. And there were a few - I don’t blame them. I was a path person. I would still be a path person if I had my way. The path is amazing - the things you hope and plan for, and the walk along the path is wonderful!

However, it took a child who wanders to get me to see things that I would have never noticed otherwise. God gave us a son who seems to be meant for places other than the path. Maybe God knew we’d never veer off of it on our own. I had no plan to veer off, not until I let my plan blow away in the breeze. I had decided to stick with my son, and I stepped off the path. He’s my son, I couldn’t let him go. And when I stepped off, my eyes were opened to a whole new way to walk through life - extremely different, but no less beautiful.
Source
We follow a less-traveled path and with each step, we know we’re making it smoother for the next ones to come behind us. Or beside us.

Friends. Travelers. Blessings. All on our own journey, but never truly alone.
Filed Under: autism spectrum diagnosis, family focused, gratitude and appreciation, love, special needs family

With Excitement and Some Fear

June 18, 2024 By 0
I’d love to title this post simply, “With Excitement” but the truth is, I have to add the fear part. This is my “testing phase” each year. The time of year when I can step back and evaluate how everything is going…with some fear.A local church is having their week of Vacation Bible School, and their program runs from 9am-3pm, Monday through Friday. Last year all 3 kids were old enough to go; this year they will all go again. Picasso did well last year - a few bumps in the road, but no phone calls to pick him up, no “please come see the teacher” messages at the end of the day (although, to be honest, I did go see the teacher every day. I asked how he did, if there were any major problems).

This is the time of year when I hand my children over to some people that I only sort of know, and hope that my kids will do well. I hope that all of Picasso’s social skills training will stick in his mind. I hope that he will listen to other adults with the respect that they are due.

And, I (almost) wish this was a brand new thing in his life. Because he’s already been for one year, he doesn’t want to do any of the planning that we usually do for new situations. To him, it’s not new. It’s been a year, why would I treat it like it’s a “new” thing in his life?! I’m learning that he seems to remember things that happened some time ago, better than he remembers anything more recent (and yes, we’re looking into this). In this situation, that actually gives me some hope.

I’m going to have hours free each day to get things done - alone! To clean, without the “un-cleaning” crew coming along right behind me. I’m already making my list (even though I’m not a list-making person) for things I want to get done during my free time. I’m excited! This break comes at a nice time, for a lot of reasons.

And yet, my phones will be turned on - loud enough to be sure that I can hear them. That’s quite opposite from how our school year usually goes. During the school year, I often have the phone ringer turned off, and my cell phone is never louder than vibrate. We work on a distraction-free zone for much of the school day and it works well. This week, all phones on, loud enough for me to hear them.

Deep breaths…lots of trust in all that we have done, and all that God is doing in our lives and in our home…and a plan to keep me adequately busy and focused on what I’m wanting to get done this week! It will all go well, I’m sure - and even if it doesn’t go as perfectly as we all hope it will, things will still work out. And I need to focus on the excitement and not the fear, I know this. I could give a long list of the reasons why I’m trying to be

 

Filed Under: family focused, finding peace
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