If you didn’t catch my post about our daughter, Moriah, becoming engaged, you’ll want to click here to read their sweet story. It’s so – sigh- romantic! ♥ But as happens with life, one story has many back stories. There is no such thing in life as clear cut or one dimensional. Millions of […]
We just remembered to change our air conditioning filter yesterday- ewwwww- ick! All that gunk would have gone in our lungs- if not for the filter! From filtering water to the new devices that filter obscenities from your TV shows- Filters are more than just wonderful- they’re necessary. After walking Bethany in, I was leaving […]
Thank you Amazing God who cares about the details of our lives! I just have to praise you for Bethany’s educational experiences this year! The administration, teachers, para’s and support at Middle School this year has been bent-over backward accommodating and gracious! And though the “law” says every child with a disability is “entitled” […]
The first day of school has come and gone- but not without a fashion show and a lot of debate about what to wear. Amy, Bethany, and Finley (5th, 6th, and 2nd) tried on outfits. ( many outfits! 😉 ) I was barely holding in my laughter as they debated about what was too fancy, […]
I “pride” (tsk, tsk 😉 ) myself being one of Bethany’s foremost advocates; insisting she can learn, expecting her to achieve, facilitating inclusion, reaching for the stars. The Middle School meltdown opened my eyes! My role is shifting gears! Did you hear the sputter as I went from 2nd gear to 3rd? LOL- I’ve […]
Bethany and I really need your prayers this week and into the next. PLEASE. The smiling face above is not representative of our current situation 🙂 I know there will be treasure found in this leg of the journey- but we’re definitely not there yet! We’re facing the mountain of middle school. Yesterday, we went […]
Make a stone altar and burn the fatted calf! Monumental Milestone! Our 7th child just turned into a teenager! Last time through the turbulent, terrific teens! Jesus was once a teenager! That kind of blows the mind eh? Of course He was perfect, but still, remember the “walkabout” He took when He was twelve? You […]
We just got back from a whirlwind trip to visit my sister & family, my cousins, and my Aunts and Uncles. Nostalgia- magic memories of days gone by- a time when things were simpler, kinder, sweeter; played in my mind like a haunting melody. Both Aunt Eleanor and Aunt Mary, who in my child’s […]
When I submitted this poem to Faithwriters in 2010, it became the catalyst that gave me courage to write about my journey finding the Surprising Treasures hidden among the challenges and difficulties of life. Here’s the poem that started it all 🙂 ~ Through Almond Eyes ~ With childlike faith and simpleness Trusting and […]
When we went to Disney World a few years ago- one of the highlights of our trip was a big family luau- On the wall of the entrance was a big sign 3 O H A N A s Because of watching Lilo and Stitch (see- watching movies with children are educational 😉 ) I […]
Breathing a sigh of relief here today. Yesterday was Bethany’s annual EVALUATION. Six years ago, Bethany finally got off a waiting list and was approved for a MR/DD Waiver. ick- ick- ICK!!!! (was that enough emphasis to get my point across 🙂 ) I hate the label- Mentally Retarded/ Developmentally Disabled. I mean really, who […]
If I gave Bethany an icon, it would be a cute cuddly lamb, but the Don’t Tread on Me icon could be my new “down syndrome” mama T-shirt. Benjamin Franklin esteemed the courageous symbol because the rattlesnake never begins an attack, And once engaged, never surrenders! For the last year and a half, Bethany […]
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21st IDSC is uniting with bloggers and parents all over the world to celebrate “Who I Am” – an awareness campaign to help people understand that ALL of life is precious! Don’t forget to come back this Thursday, the 21st, to view the exciting video but for today- Here’s […]
Do you remember the story of the two women coming before King Solomon….. fighting about who “owned” the baby in question When Solomon offered to cut the baby in half so that they could “share” the baby, the true mother became evident by her sacrificial love. ~ I read an even more bizarre news […]
God makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. Psalm 104:3 Grace and Inspiration have kept our home functioning since Jeff has been in Cuba, on a mission trip. I miss him terribly, but God’s helping me see the bigger picture- the eternal perspective- [Tweet “Sometimes we need to be […]