SPECIAL thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches we all give thanks for our blessings in life. Suddenly small things we take for granted start being counted as huge blessings and the bountiful blessings we new already existed become that much bigger. But as a caretaker and mother to an angel on earth, I want to take this time to share something I ran across written by Terri Mauro. Reasons to give thanks for special needs children. I hope whether you have a special needs child or not you can appreciate it and it will make you smile.

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As if you need a reason! Parents of children with special needs know more than most that every child is a gift worthy of thanks, every one, the ones who thrive and the ones who strive, whether they become our legacy or we become theirs. But on those days when there doesn't seem much to be thankful for, or others are suggesting that your child must be just a burden, or well-meaning charities suggest giving thanks for healthy kids, check this list for a smile and a little inspiration.

1. You never have to worry about worrying over nothing.Let other parents obsess over the frivolous and the shallow. Your child will make sure you always have something worthy to worry about.

2. Developmental delays = more years of hugs, kisses, and little-kid sweetness.My 13-year-old still wants to sit in my lap, give me hugs, and tell me he loves me. What mom of a sullen teen doesn't secretly wish for the same?

3. Maybe someday, Ty Pennington will come build you a house.Hey, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition loves families of children with special needs. Your little one may be your ticket to a lavish living space.

4. Any little milestone is a cause to throw a party.Your child works hard for every step, sit-up and syllable, giving you lots to be excited about.

5. Every day is a learning experience.Some days it's a pop quiz, some days it's a crash course, but life with your child is always an education, for sure.

6. You have the privilege of putting several doctors' children through college.After paying for all those appointments, you may feel like a one-family scholarship foundation. Put your child's name on some letterhead and take pride.

7. You meet a better class of parent in waiting rooms and support groups.Your child frees you from having to hang out with those snotty parents on the playground, and gives you entry into an exclusive club of people who are sensitive, sarcastic, and sure of their priorities.

8. You have an iron-clad escape excuse for any occasion.You'd love to stay at that boring party, crowded event, endless church service, but, you know, your child just can't tolerate it. (And if sometimes it's you who can't tolerate it -- who's to know?)

9. Coming up with new strategies every day keeps your brain sharp.They say doing crossword puzzles helps ward off Alzheimer's. Figuring out your child's schedules and treatments and lessons and rights and restrictions must easily provide twice the protection.

10. Your blessings will always be fully counted.Other parents may take the gifts that their children bring for granted. Not you. Not ever.

Take a walk!

Go on, get out of here! Get off the computer. Put on your sweats and your tennis shoes, then grab your coat and gloves and all the cold weather essentials. It's close to Thanksgiving, so give thanks that we have a BEEEEEAAUUUTTTIFFFULLL day to enjoy so go out and enjoy it! I'm not a fair weather walker. You can dress your body for the elements, so there is no excuse unless it's pouring rain or blinding snow or dangerous ice. It may be cold today but the fall colors and sunshine here make it so tempting to just throw caution to the cooooold wind and go for it! How good will you feel coming back into a warm house and your face will be all rosy and you will feel so rejuvenated. It will give you energy and on your way thank God for all His blessings that you can enjoy today.

So go take a walk! I am!

Making Memories

This is how I want to drive my kids to school everyday. My 10 year old son wouldn't appreciate it, but it would definitely make a memory. That is what I always say when I do something a little out o' the ordinary with my children. Making memories, we are making a great memory. So even if I go and do something so stupid my son looks at me with the look of, I am in your care?!! What do I say? Making memories. We just made a memory. A memory that will make us smile, even if at the time we are embarrassed, mortified and never think we will live it down. Well, you probably WON'T live it down but you've....made a memory!

Do you call your children nicknames? When my son was a baby, I called him pumpkin head. PUMPKIN HEAD? That's the best I could do? It seemed to fit him well. He was big and plump and round and so was his ittle wittle head. Well, his pumpkin head. So cute. Now I call him by abbreviations, not to embarrass him. He is my SLL. My sweet little lamb. Can't call him that in public. But SLL I can, so I do. When he gets hurt he is my PLL. Poor little lamb. When he is tired he is my TLL, tired little lamb. He is 10 and I don't think he will let me do it much longer. Oh! He is so cute. He is my HLF. Handsome little feller.

My little girl is princess, or sweet girl, or even just beautiful. Because she is regal and sweet and beautiful on the inside and out. She has a beautiful heart, and it radiates through her sweet little eyes and her disposition. Even on her worse days, yes it does. They are both my SLL's.

Yesterday as I was dropping off my son to school, he turned around and shouted, not far from his friends on the playground. He said, "Thanks for the biscuits this morning and thanks for all of your love!" I just sat there, in the line up of cars waiting to drop off their children also, waiting for me to move my sentimental butt out of their way, and contemplated jumping out of the car and pinching off his SLL cheeks.

Making Memories.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

-Theodore Roosevelt

Single Chick

Okay. Comfy seat. Check. Diet Coke. Check. Fingers aligned in the proper keyboard position. Check. Ready to discuss what I have been putting off? Nope.

But here goes.


I am a single mom. Just a minute. Let me get my tissues. I am. a. single.mom. Its sooooo trying. Its soooo difficult. Its exhausting. Its everything they tell you but you don't want to believe. I am learning that I have embrace my singleness. Yes, embrace it. Right now that is my calling. I am. to be. single. And proud. and happy. and single. BUT not alone. I do have amazing friends and family. My children are wonderful and a joy and it's not that I am lonely. But it is tough. I have dated a little and they basically proved I am not ready to have a relationship yet. So this choice, this choice I am taking to be a strong, independent woman, with her head held high and leading her children in the right direction and making the right decisions for herself and her family is a right one. But. it. is. hard.

Some days I don't want to get out of bed. Some days I don't want to go to bed. Some days I look at my children and wonder if I am making the right decisions for them and helping them as much as I should. Thinking too far ahead for them, not thinking past tomorrow, playing the amidoingtherightthingforthemrightnow game in my head.


It's exhausting. (Insert sleepy faced yawn and stretch here)


But it's worthwhile. There are times when the children seem as though they are flourishing, happier than ever. Giggling and enjoying life and doing well in school and at home. Then I stand back and give myself a pat on the back.


BUT there are times I don't feel as though I am doing the right thing, making the right decisions for them. I feel as though every day is a check mark another screw up for me day, and carry it on my shoulders. The weight of that is too heavy for one person to carry. Wish there were another to help.



But there is another. He is my soul mate. He is my everything. I talk to Him and He listens. He doesn't always do what I wish He would. What I ask Him to. But he is ALWAYS there. He is what gets me through. So I pray. I know whatever happens He will get me through.

It is so tough being a single mom. But there are ways to help along the rocky path, to make it a smoother ride. Here are my oh so useful tips for the single mom or any mom or busy lady out there.

1. Pray. Not going to harp on the subject (insert sounds and images of an angel playing the harp) Heehee.



2. Take time for you. If your ex has the children, make time for you. Do things you enjoy that are not about children, but about you. Rent a movie, paint your toenails. Shave your legs even though the only thing that will notice are your bed sheets. Just don't forget about you. Your children need to know mom is happy when they leave, and that when they come home she will be rested, refreshed and renewed.


3. Baths.


4. Baths. Hot ones. Ones with bubbles, ones without. Ones with candles, ones with music, some with all the above. Loofahs and back brushes and bath pillows. AAAAHHHHHH take me away!


5. Caffeine. Caffeine works wonders. Drink lots. In large quantities. Most effective in the am, pm and every time in between.


6. Walk. Walking is a big stress reliever in my life. It clears my head and helps me stop and smell the roses. Well, I don't actually stop, because when you exercise you are to keep your heart rate up. But enjoying the nature in all it's glory and walking through the neighborhood is such a feel good exercise. So go get rosy cheeked by walking, you'll feel better!


7. Music. Download your favorite music on your mp3. When you are busy around the house keep your ear buds in and dance. Nobody sees you. IF your kids see you how neat will they think it is that you have lost your mind and are dancing around the house and happy? When I am down I listen to Frank Sinatra. Love him. His voice soooooooothes me. He is singing to me. He told me so.


8. Magazines. I love house decorating magazines. Love to look at decorating websites online also. It's fun and gets your mind working for projects your handy woman self can do too!
   


9. Girlfriends. My best friend makes me giggle every day. She reads my mind, even texts me when she can feel I am having a rough time. Don't ask. Its a weird thing we both can pick up on. My sister is a good girlfriend of mine too.


10. Moms. Love my mom. She is amazing. She gives me advice on the worst of days. It consists of "Deal with it and put on your big girl panties!" What would I do without her?


11. Play with your children. With no distractions. No TV. Take in the sites and sounds of the experience. It is fleeting. Etch it in your memory. There is no time like the present. Enjoy YOUR gifts. Your blessings.

And as my mom says, wear your big girl panties.

One of my favs

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower

We will grieve not, but rather find

Strength in what remains behind.