Pregnancy goes hand in hand with this common saying. If you’ve had pregnancies, you’ve heard it. Perhaps you’ve even (as I have) said those words to others. However, after having a child with special needs, we changed our response to, “Well, even if this baby isn’t healthy, we’re not giving it back.” We’re not sure if it’s taken seriously or with humor, but how does that sit with you, especially … [Read more...]
Provision Even in the Little Things
She always wanted a family of “four” – a dad, mom and 2 children. Apparently, her request was heard differently and God gave her TRIPLET GIRLS just days before her son turned two years old: thus a family with 4 kids! God’s sense of humor is really something! As I watched this mom navigate 4 children under the age of 2, I was ALWAYS in amazement. At the time I had 2 children spaced nearly 3years … [Read more...]
The Simple Life of “Special Needs”
Folks with special needs (often) tend to have lives that are simpler. I didn’t say easy; I said simpler. Over the course of our sons’ span of 39 years of life, it has been interesting to observe how little he wants, how little he asks for, and how little he has. Of course, what he does have is very important, meaningful, and necessary to and for him. Things like his: DVD’s Disney movies … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Get It All Done
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 I wake up every Monday morning a little anxious. Ok if we are being real here, I wake up Monday mornings more than a little anxious. Mondays for me can feel a little overwhelming with reviewing all I have to get done for the week. It starts really on Sunday evenings. Do you ever feel that … [Read more...]
Three Things You Can Do When Caregiving and Life’s Never Ending To-do List Leave You Exhausted
On Monday morning I woke up still feeling exhausted despite eight hours sleep. As many parents of children with special needs will confess, breaks and weekends are not really a time to relax. For those of us with school-age children often Monday morning can’t come soon enough. Before you think me a horrible mom, I want you to know I love both my sons, age 18 and 13, dearly. It’s just that my … [Read more...]
6 Ways Sharing Empowers Parents
April 17, 2018, is World Hemophilia Hemophilia Day. Before you tune out because you don't have a loved one affected by my son's rare bleeding disorder, listen to this year's theme — "Sharing Knowledge Makes Us Stronger." That's a theme I find to have relevance far beyond the hemophilia community. In fact, I would say that the theme of strength in sharing is extremely apropos for every parent … [Read more...]