Parents Say Autism A 24-Hour-A-Day Challenge|NewsChannel 8

Parents Say Autism A 24-Hour-A-Day Challenge|NewsChannel 8

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It takes a village

Please watch Channel 8 news tonight a 6:00pm. Willow, her therapist, and I are going to be featured tonight. A little boy with Autism was hit and tragically killed this week. Since our daughter is the poster child for the need for Autism safety her therapist, Lauren Hutson, asked if I would like to interview with her. It was an amazing experience and I hope that I represented the community well. Please pray for the family that lost their son. I am crying as I write this because it could have very easily been us on so many occasions. I hope the interview will help shed light on the need for our community to help keep our children safe.

4 Mom

I had an amazing 4th of July. I was all set to tell you about the fireworks...and then I missed my Mom. I went through a "dark night of the soul" for several months. Actually, it really started two years ago but it took this long to get really ugly. The end result being a Renaissance of my faith. I guess I must be a really slow learner but I finally get what He has been trying to tell me for 39 years. I love you unconditionally. I am your Father. I want you to have a happy, faith-filled life full of joy and abundance. Everything that is in your life, including suffering, is for your benefit. I know this does not seen like rocket science. It's in the Bible, right? The problem was I understood it but I wasn't really living it. The 'peace within the storm' moments were fleeting. I have major anxiety problems. I thought if I just got through things that I was doing great. My entire life all I have ever wanted was stability. My childhood was chaos. I reminded my mother of this all the time, trust me! I have spent my entire adult life trying to give my kids what I thought I never had. Imagine how mortifying it has been for me to deal with moving 9 times, job losses, complicated pregnancies, financial problems, and a raising a disabled child. Don't get me wrong. I love my family. I have the most AMAZING friends. I am married to my best friend and soul mate. The only thing that has ever really eluded me is stability. Which brings me to my point. I had it but I really was just to stupid to see His point. All I should need is Him. Not the same address and phone number. My mom gave me something better than a white picket fence. She showed me that stability is not in things. Houses will go and people will fail you. She has loved me my whole life with her entire being. Without condition. She sacrificed for me so that I can have my wonderful life. She showed me that being a Christian is more than going to church. It is the same gift that I am giving my children. Chris and I chaotically loaded the kids up tonight and went out seeking fireworks. It is our typical style. No pre-planning whatsoever. Like mother, like daughter. We found a patch of grass that nobody else wanted and four wheel drove our truck into it. Did I mention we don't have four wheel drive? We forgot to unload the truck last night and our chairs and pack and play were still in the back! Right about the time the mosquito's were about to eat us up another suburban pulled up and they had bug spray. It was the most amazing, magical night. My Mom would have loved it.

YUCKINESS

1. Had my niece, nephew, friends 2 children, and my four kids all at the house today. Nothing got broken and no potty play time.
2. Took the kids swimming. Willow had a playdate.
3. Did not give in to any frivelous spending...you ain't seen nothing yet!
4. Made my friends Enchilada recipie...DH ate it!
5. Did my evening devotionals.
6. Watched my sweet Willow fall asleep...its been a long time.
7. Realized that my 15 year relationship with my husband is the greatest thing God ever gave me.
8. Trump that. My 5 kids. Every one is a miracle. I have babitis. Daddy better watch out!

CHAOS is over

CHAOS, otherwise known as "Can't have anyone over syndrome" is getting ready to stop. Willow is so bored and irritated she is on a search and destroy mission. This has included two new episodes of "potty play time." Don't ask. Images are available to those of you who can stomoch it. Chris and I are at our wits end with the house and kids. It is like Lord of the Flies over here. I'm serious. So I am entrusting Flylady.net to get me back on track. The kids need some structured activities to combat boredom and I need structure to combat insanity. I am going to concentrate on the three areas of my life that need a makeover: my home, my spiritual life, and my body. I am also going to have mandatory "Mommy Time" for at LEAST 30 minutes per day. My goal is one hour. I would like to dedicate the same to my prayer life and include Chris and the kids. So, here it goes. My blog is pretty much going to be dedicated to this the rest of the summer. I have included two new websites on my "go to" list. I hope you will join me. I could always use a partner in crime.

"It's the thought that counts"

Willow and I were both sick today. My oldest is extremely nurturing and did not miss the opportunity to do something nice for her sister. So, she filled a couple of glasses with water and some interesting items. Of course, Willow loved it! I came in to witness Willow grinning at her sister's creation and dumping the water and its contents all over the floor. Afterwards, my oldest looked at me and replied: "Remember it's the thought that counts...and NOT what happens."

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