Rhema: Me: No, you cannot have a pop for dinner. Maybe after dinner. Rhema: Me: Really? A waffle? You have not eaten a GF waffle in ages. Are you sure? Rhema: So I made her a waffle. And sure enough, she ate it. She really wanted it! (I’m still getting used to the idea [...]
Archive for May, 2009
Dinner Conversation
Posted in Ordinary Miracles, tagged autism, casein free, conversation with PECS, gluten free, PECS on May 31, 2009 | 24 Comments »
Sacrifice of Praise
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged MS, multiple sclerosis, praise, sisters, twin on May 27, 2009 | 22 Comments »
“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.” (Psalms 89:15) On Sunday, my twin and I spent the entire day on a stretcher in the emergency room. Multiple sclerosis decided to throw a punch. I was so afraid that my sister was having [...]
Remembering on Memorial Day
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged autism, hero, iraq, memorial day, soldiers, war on May 22, 2009 | 25 Comments »
As my husband prepares to deploy to Iraq again in a few months, Memorial Day is more meaningful this year. Brandon has lost friends and classmates in this war. He has had the honor of being a “casualty assistance officer” to a local Massachusetts family who lost a son, husband, father and brother in this [...]
Hi’s and Bye’s
Posted in Musings, tagged autism, greetings on May 20, 2009 | 24 Comments »
“Communication is difficult without the grasp and execution of appropriate greetings and responses.” Rhema’s after school team of therapists have introduced a greeting program. That is, Rhema is prompted to actually say hi or bye appropriately. Eye contact is preferred, but currently not required. I am thrilled about the new program, but surprised at [...]
More
Posted in Ordinary Miracles, tagged autism, more, request, spontaneous on May 17, 2009 | 23 Comments »
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6 Hope has shown me how much a little kid can want. As we drive here and there, she keeps me informed of her needs from her carseat: “Mommy, I’m hot.” “Mommy, [...]
An Argument
Posted in Uncategorized on May 14, 2009 | 21 Comments »
The scene unfolded like it does every day in our house. Rhema and Hope each get a popsicle. Rhema sucks hers down in a matter of seconds. Hope prefers to savor hers in Rhema’s presence, which is her downfall. Every time. Rhema has been reprimanded many times for swiping Hope’s popsicle. Now, instead of just yanking [...]
Dresspectations
Posted in Musings, tagged autism, clothing, expectations, faith on May 11, 2009 | 19 Comments »
Rhema went through a phase in which she was extremely sensitive to various types of clothing. She loathed socks and shoes, shirt sleeves had to be pushed up, and pants with buttons or zippers or anything “heavy” were not tolerated. No hard or scratchy materials, no tags. For her, dresses were absolutely out of the [...]
Mother Stuff
Posted in Musings, tagged autism mothers, mother's day on May 7, 2009 | 12 Comments »
I remember the first time I dragged myself to a “support group meeting.” I was a new special needs mom, and the whole night, I could not take my eyes off the other mothers. Their hair was combed. They seemed sane. They were organized. They were knowledgeable. They were strong. They were beautiful. They could cry. They could [...]
His Glory On Their Faces
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged ehtiopia, mother teresa on May 4, 2009 | 15 Comments »
Over ten years ago, I took time off from college to work for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My time there was life-changing, to say the least. Lately, in reading Angie’s accounts of her mission trip to India, I have been drawn back to my Ethiopia experience. This is Haylin. As an infant, Haylin [...]
Running In Circles
Posted in Musings, tagged autism, periphery, play, playground, running in circles on May 1, 2009 | 14 Comments »
We had a beautiful, sunny afternoon free last week so I drove the girls over to the playground. The playground was a little crowded. This was the first time we’d been to one since last fall. I always get a little nervous when I’m on my own because it is difficult keeping up with both girls. [...]
