We were at a gathering recently, and Rhema was having a rough day. There was a big tantrum. Then lots and lots of running. She could not stay still. I chased her into a kitchen where two women were chatting and cleaning up. I heard: “… So hard… But their daughter Hope? Now that one is [...]
Archive for March, 2009
Smart
Posted in Uncategorized on March 31, 2009 | 28 Comments »
Waiting rooms
Posted in Waste Material, tagged autism, doctor appointments, waiting rooms on March 27, 2009 | 20 Comments »
… are the bane of my existence. As JoyMama can attest. A few weeks ago Rhema had a neurology appointment. She was hyper seeking a lot of sensory input. I chased her around the waiting room as she hurdled chairs (with people sitting in them), jumped on the table, and tossed children’s books on the [...]
Know That I Am With You
Posted in Musings, tagged autism, deployment, God with us, iraq, military on March 25, 2009 | 18 Comments »
My husband recently received official orders to deploy to Iraq this August. (He was originally scheduled to leave in May, but now we get to spend the summer together before he departs.) I have been thinking about how to prepare our daughters for the 15-month separation. Although he has been to Iraq before, this is [...]
On the Mat
Posted in Ordinary Miracles, tagged autism, gymnastics, special olympics on March 22, 2009 | 19 Comments »
Thanks to some desensitizing exercises this week (thanks for the mat, Mom) and some encouragement from Aunt Nay… and a lot of love and help from her Maker… this Saturday, a plucky little girl… had her feet firmly planted on the mats. Best of all? When she was able to walk and then run and then jump [...]
Extra Special Olympian
Posted in Ordinary Miracles, tagged autism, gymnastics, special olympics on March 18, 2009 | 21 Comments »
An amazing thing happened. A local Special Olympics gymnastics team that normally has a minimum age requirement of eight decided to change the age to five so that Rhema could participate. This past Saturday was the first practice. I was excited about this opportunity for Rhema, and also nervous because of our last experience at a [...]
From Strength to Strength
Posted in Uncategorized on March 17, 2009 | 11 Comments »
For some, it seems like it’s one thing after another. Sick kids, flat tire, laid-off parent, dead pet, bad back, etc., etc. (And that’s putting it mildly.) I was reading about a pilgrimage in Psalm 84. The sojourners were on their way to a heavenly city. But they had to pass through the Valley of [...]
This is What I Get
Posted in Uncategorized on March 13, 2009 | 14 Comments »
…. for forgetting to close the bathroom door. Caught white-handed. Is that a look of guilt?? Looks like all those exercises to decrease tactile defensiveness paid off… Fingerpainting that exhibits such fine motor control… her OT would be so proud. (It’s lotion, by the way. Vanilla Body Lotion made from “Original [...]
Out to Dinner – Part 2
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged autism, eating out, restaurant on March 11, 2009 | 18 Comments »
Saturday night my twin and her husband came over. We hashed a plan out loud that Carrie, Melissa, my twin and I would go out to dinner first while Brandon and Joel (my twin’s husband) watched the kids. Then, upon our return, the men would go out. A few times Rhema took my hand and [...]
Autism Takes a Weekend Off – Part 1
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged autism, balance, friendship on March 9, 2009 | 23 Comments »
Friday morning I woke up and did not want to face the day, did not want to get out of bed. I had yet to put a foot on the floor, and I was already overwhelmed. People were coming to see the house. I had tried to do a little spring cleaning all week, but [...]
No Cheap Blessings
Posted in Musings, tagged autism, blessings, christianity, elvis sightings, God on March 4, 2009 | 19 Comments »
Several weeks ago I got an e-mail from an old friend. He was telling me about his 9 year-old daughter Allison, who was troubled by a belief that her teacher didn’t like her. She explained to him that her teacher (who gives stars for positive behavior) used to give her tons of stars. Allison was [...]
