Friday, June 27, 2008

Dylans Couch

OK...this has really been the week from hell. We have has a construction project go TERRIBLY wrong...talking about $10,000 wrong!!!!! I haven't blogged in a week, haven't slept in a week and my business has had to be put on the back burner.....My husband tried to remind me that "it could be worse"....thanks honey.

I AM SICK TO MY STOMACH!!! Who has 10K lying around their house????

Well in the effort of trying to get back to the land of living, I ran across "Dylans Couch" on youtube. This kid is funny!! You can check him out. The first one I watched was "the note" then I watched some of the others. Funny Kid! Maybe he can bring a little cheer to you as well. Stories are kind of long, but if you have the time to watch...you won't walk away with out a smile.

Happy Viewing!

Monday, June 23, 2008

A Work in Progress

All to often I think about my daughters future. Sometimes it really bothers me to think about how things might be. I recently found this quote and it has helped put things into perspective. Her future is not set in stone. ANYTHING is possible.

" Your future is not an occurrence but a process, a work in progress. It's a road you have to pave. The hardships of life should not destroy your capacity to do well. The state of your life is nothing more than the reflection of the state of your mind."

Written in 2008 by Khothatso Tshirufu --- South Africa

Monday, June 16, 2008

Our Inspiration

Typically on Monday morning I search out and try to find the perfect quote to start my week out just right. The quote is something that goes along with my mood. Dealing with special needs sometimes means that you have HIGH highs and LOW lows. As someone who strives on planning things well and organizing my life this is something that doesn't sit well with me. You want to know how to shake up my internal emotions? Put me on this roller coater....It is truly a struggle sometimes.

My Monday motivational quotes help keep me on the right track. Today as I was trying to find the right motivation, I can't help but to think of something that happened on Thursday of last week.

There is a little boy that goes to school with my little M. We have heard stories about him for years. At first it was just stories about a little boy that got a walker and took off walking in it. He then fell down and became very afraid of walking. We didn't know his name at this point, because the stories were coming from his therapists and they couldn't share his name for medical reasons. Then my little M took off walking in the same fashion. She got her walker and next thing we new she had her new found freedom. We were off to the races...Literally. I had to run everywhere to keep up with her. You know what is odd? Have you ever thought about what a baby sees when you carry them? Think about it....they have to see things at our speed, they see it from our level, if something catches their eye, they can't stop and check it out. Well I carried my daughter around for about 3 years, never once thinking about what the experience was like for her. Then we got the walker, and for the first time, I let her explore at her speed. The first thing that struck me, was when she walked up to a car tire and stared at it. She reached out and touched it. Then she walked over to the rose bush that I had walked past every day for 3 years and checked it out. We took a walk around the block and saw cats, bushes, flowers, and gutters with water in them. It was then that I realized, up until this point, her life was going at my speed. It was exciting for both of us as she started to explore things at her speed and level.

Back to my story about this little boy...this year when we started preschool we had the honor of being in his class. It is funny because I felt like I already knew him. I had heard all of his triumphant stories and how he had overcome some of his obstacles and now we get to be in the same class. He is a VERY happy little boy, an inspiration to MY family. I saw his Mom leaving the school and stopped to speak with her and share with her how much her son has influenced my family. I shared with her that my daughter follows his path. She was a very passionate mother as she spoke about her son. She told me about how her son's grandfather recently asked when his grandson was going to run. He said "he is always left behind when the other boys go off running around", The Mom said he would run when he was ready to run. Then one day he took off running. She said they don't pressure him to do things, they just support him with what he is doing. She said he would eventually do everything he wanted, on his own time schedule, not ours. She also said not to worry about my little M. She said M would do what she wanted when it was the right time for her.

Her words were very inspirational since we have followed this little boys path for quite some time now.

I'm not sure if this counts for a Monday Motivation or not, but it is very motivational for me.

IN THE SPIRIT OF MY FEELINGS TODAY, I FOUND THIS FANTASTIC QUOTE:

Albert Schweitzer:
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Did You Know?

Your body is creating and killing 15 million red blood cells per second!
**
Or
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In space, astronauts cannot cry properly, because there is no gravity, so the tears can't flow down their faces!
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or
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An earthquake on Dec. 16, 1811 caused parts of the Mississippi River to flow backwards!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

QUIT COMPARING!!!

Ok, this has bothered me for a VERY long time. Yes, I am a parent of a special needs Angel, and Yes, I am also a parent of a "typical developing" angel as well.

I have some friends that have a special needs daughter and every time we get together, it seems like we have a contest to see who has improved more. I can see them over there watching my little one and grading their own daughters disabilities based on the severity of my daughters condition. It really pisses me off! Get over it people, your daughter has special needs....quit living in denial. What ever her degree of disabilities are, they are real. Yes, she needs to wear orthopedics. Yes, she is in a special needs school. Yes, she may always need a little extra help..... SO WHAT....DEAL WITH IT. Your daughter is beautiful and she is an amazing little girl.

I have watched this happen many times with other special needs parents. We meet and start chatting about our kids. Watching each others kids, trying to spot what is wrong with them. We talk about medications and diagnosis....but really the whole while we are trying to figure out who is worse off. WHY DO WE DO IT???

Now for all of you with your "Normal" kids....Please stop walking on egg shells around me! I love the fact that you just had a beautiful baby. I love the fact that your kids walked at an early age. I love the fact that some of you have kids that borderline genius. I AM HAPPY FOR YOU. I mean it. You do not have to be afraid to hurt my feelings by sharing your perfect children. Yes, it may sting a little when I see your 3 year old run up and say "I Love You Mommy", but that is OK. I am still HAPPY for you. Please don't be afraid of me or my feelings. I want to hear your prideful stories. I want to feel joy for you.

For as much as I would love my daughter to say those three words, she just can't yet. I truly believe that she will, when she physically can. Even though she can't say the words...I get the message in other ways....it really takes a special someone (maybe just a truly devoted mom) to look into the eyes of their child and see the universe. I think sometimes looking into her eyes, I can see her tell me she loves me. It is magical. Sometimes she can look at me and make me melt. Maybe it took being a parent of a special needs child to slow me down enough to appreciate those silent messages.

So, all I am asking is let my little one be. Let her excel with what she can, let her show you how hard she is willing to work. Let her be the most perfect kid and quit grading her. Let your own child shine and grow. Be proud of your kids accomplishments and don't be afraid to share them with me, just because you THINK that you might hurt my feelings.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Motivational Monday

"Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life."
--Wayne Dyer

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Don't Forget the Other One

OK....I know how important it is to be sure to show each of my children how much I love them. I think overall I do a pretty good job, but lately I am finding it harder to show my oldest the same affection. I think that partly it is because she is growing and becoming a "little person". She has her own style, attitude, like and dislikes. As a parent it is a little frustrating. Well....maybe frustrating is a little harsh. It is just hard. My youngest, my special needs child, is still young enough that she likes having me around. She doesn't mind me doing things for her. She still wants to cuddle. Not to mention she is just "pure love". There really is no better way to describe her. I don't think she has an ounce of bad intentions in her. As a mom, I don't EVER want to show one child more affection, love....well anything more than the other. IT IS REALLY HARD.

I only know what it is like to have two VERY different kids. Sometimes I wonder if it is my little one's disability that makes me want to favor her. Is it because I feel like I need to protect her more? What will it be like when she is an adult? Will I still feel this way?

I wonder if ALL mothers have this struggle?

Monday, June 2, 2008

Motivational Monday

I love getting my week started with a little jump start! Sometimes I search for great motivational things that I can use when I am down and out. Being a Mom of a special needs daughter means that we go through many bad days...especially when doctors are involved. I grab onto any inspiration and motivation I can get.

I decided maybe there are others out there that need a little boost......So here you go. I am going to share my Monday Motivation with you and hope that we all start our weeks out right~



"The only disability in life is a bad attitude." ~ Scott Hamilton

"There is no easy or quick plan to happiness, there is no single spot where you can start. Where you are right now is the best place to begin. Be careless in your dress if you must, but keep a tidy soul." ~ Mark Twain