Special needs, special blessings

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I take Willow to therapy.  It pretty much consumes my whole day.  I take my happy-go-lucky toddler, Landon, and his big sis and we just GO.  We are so blessed to have the therapists that we do.  Some have been with Willow since she was two.  Anyway, the past few days I have been in prayer about what to do with her therapy/school schedule.  Chris and I are also considering home schooling her at least part time.  It would give her one-on-one instruction and more time for private therapy.  I happened upon this article at Faith and Family Live.  It just reminded me of how blessed we are.  The article that struck me the most was Mary Ellen Barrett.  She says most people view special needs kids as damaged.  Mary Ellen has also had to endure the anti-life attitudes of doctors. When Ryan was diagnosed, she was pregnant with her third child. “The neurologist said to me, ‘You know this runs in families, but I guess it’s too late to do anything about that’ — he was pointing to my big belly,” said Mary Ellen. “With each subsequent pregnancy, I have been warned that the child will likely be ‘damaged.’ That’s the word they use. I think people who consider these children damaged are themselves broken.”   I have endured that attitude too.  We had two more children after Willow was born.  Willow is doing amazing and inspires our family every day.  I had a conversion experience at her bedside when she was two weeks old in the NICU of Baptist Hospital.  I have come to rely on the Lord so much.  I am constantly in prayer for her.  The Barretts also realize what a blessing Ryan has been: “My faith has greatly deepened due to Ryan’s disability,” said Mary Ellen. I gave him to Our Lady’s care and began praying Rosaries regularly. Ryan’s abnormalities were accepted and treated as part of his uniqueness. We have grown in faith together, and the biggest blessing has been the conversion of my husband, David, to the Catholic faith. I don’t know that any of this would have happened if Ryan had been born without his disabilities.”  People just don't know what they are missing.  You can visit Mary Ellen's blog at: http://maryellenb.typepad.com/
     

Abundance

Once again, God came through.  This week we had NO money.  I have been scraping for kids lunches!  I have been feeeling anxious even though I know he always provides.  I prayed my Rosary this morning and gave it to God.  I asked for an "explosive blessing."  Chris was supposed to get his check mailed.  It would have put us even further behind.  It was also supposed to be less than average.  Well, he spoke with the young woman who is doing his exit interveiw.  She is overnighting it!  We will get it today and it is going to be MORE than what we thought.  God is so Good.  JEHOVAH-JIREH, MY PROVIDER.  “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)







 

5 worse things than being in debt.

This woman has eloquently put into words what I have experienced over the last 13 years.  This blog was powerful for me.  It is called the 5 worse things than being in debt.  Please read the entire article!!!!!

They are:
1. Worse than being in debt is losing your peace. 
2. Worse than being in debt is not realizing how much good comes out of a real struggle.
3. Worse than being in debt is not having a baby because you think you don't have enough money.
4. Worse than being in debt is getting a job (the woman) to make ends meet.
5. Worse than being in debt is having your husband think he's not a good provider.

Small Successes

It seems like it has been forever since I have done this!  Here it goes:
1.  I took six children to Target today.  No one got lost or hurt.  We actually had a blast and they helped me pick out my first Christmas present of the year.  Tiana also came away with some much needed new bedding.  She is thrilled!
2.  I cleaned my living room top to bottom today.  I even cleaned the blinds and glass.  Try not to be too jealous.  I ALSO did three loads of laundry, steam cleaned Willow's room, and finished the kitchen.  While watching between 4-6 kids.
3.  I started simplifying my life.  I know it doesn't sound like it...but trust me.  This is as simple as it's going to get.
4.  I counceled a friend.
5. We moved Landon out of our room and into his big brothers room.  They have become best friends. 
6.  I realized I don't really care if I ever get back down into a size 6 ever again.  I think I am going to learn how to cook.  Like Paula Deen.  Lots of butter.  Yum.
7.  I also realized that all this stuff that we "had to have" will probably end up at a garage sale (for pennies on the dollar) or donated to charity.  It is making me seriously consider new purchases. 
8.  I am waking up at the crack-o-dawn in the am.  Alex's BFF (Cody M) is staying the night.  It is his birthday tomorrow.  I want him to remember it for the rest of his life.  Doughnuts for everyone.  Silly party hats at breakfast too!!!!  I love that family.  Love em.

Winter Cleaning.

Chris recently took a new job and the impact is life changing. For the first time in our 14 year relationship we will have the ability to live beneath our means and have a LITTLE left. So we are turning over a new leaf and getting rid of all that is unnecessary. Clutter is distracting. I am starting with our home. Since I won't be doing 20 million things at once I am tackling the house one room at a time. I mean clean top to bottom go through toys, organize closets, throw away trash and give away or sell the rest.
Here is my "winter cleaning" list:
Willow's room
Willow's closet
Alex's room
Alex's closet
Tiana's bedroom
Toy room
Office
Alex's Pullman bath
Willow's Pullman bath
Upstairs hall bathroom
Tiana's bathroom
Master bedroom (I should have taken pictures of what was under the bed. Scary.)
Tosha's closet
Chris's closet
Master bath
Dining room
Family room
Kitchen
Pantry
Eating area and built ins
Laundry room
Garage
Chris's tool chest!
Cars

This is just to keep me on track for projects. We are wanting to finish painting the house and redo some furniture. I told Chris that before I get started I want it all marked off the list!  Join me.  I am wanting to go into the Holidays joyful and prepared to relax and celebrate.  Happy cleaning.