Record-breaking snowstorm Jonas has finally made his appearance and exit, leaving the landscape over which he passed like that of the fictional world of C.S. Lewis when Jadis, the White Witch, froze Narnia in the Hundred Year Winter. We have no need for lamps inside during the daytime as the bright white from outside provides plenty of light through the slatted blinds, not to mention the sun that … [Read more...]
You Never Know Until You Try
Last summer, we celebrated Samuel's 10th birthday. Sam likes to add items to his Amazon wishlist for his birthday and Christmas. He had a few things on his list, but I had a different idea I wasn't very sure of. Most 10 year old's already have bikes and know how to ride them. He would definitely be too big for a tricycle, and other than his Big Green Machine (a low-riding three-wheeler with levers … [Read more...]
Christmas: Glory Revealed
Such innocence. Such sweetness. What joy and beauty to behold in the face of the newborn baby as his parents cradled him in their shaking arms. The responsibility to raise and care for the Son of God must have weighed so heavily on their hearts that first Christmas morning. For four-thousands years, the prophecy was told to dark and war-laden lands: "The kingdom of God is coming." Hearts and … [Read more...]
Planning Not to Plan
When our whole family (including grandparents and uncles) went to Disney World in September a few years ago, I spent the entire summer planning for the trip and preparing Samuel the best I could. There were still lots of meltdowns and he had lots of sensory overload, but overall, the vacation was wonderful. Without all that planning, it would likely have been pretty miserable for Sam, and the … [Read more...]
Enough Is Enough
Tensions have been mounting. Stress has been compounding. And the tears have been falling. Hard. Blame it on moving, transitioning and settling into a new home, a new church, a new school, and meeting new faces at every turn. Point to the three boys between ages 7-11 under one roof attempting to survive until adulthood - with parents intact. Or let autism take the fall for the havoc wreaked upon … [Read more...]
Take It To the Mattresses
Another school year looms around the corner. We just moved from one state to another when school was out in mid-June. School in the old state started the last week of August and ended in mid-June. School in the new state starts the first week of August and ends in mid-May. That leaves my kids, who are moving from a late-starting school to an early-starting school, only 6 glorious weeks of summer … [Read more...]