There's a verse I love that sheds light on suffering and promises it won't be wasted. Romans 5:3-4 says: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. I'm hesitant to use the word suffering to describe our special needs journey. Yes, sometimes the insurance denials, challenging behaviors and loneliness feel pretty hard, but that seems like small potatoes when there are people dying for Continue Reading
Keep Doing the Hard Things
We'd had a few really hard weeks. Crazy after-school meltdowns from the ADHD medication. More sad faces than smiley faces in his school folder. Doctors appointments to try and figure out his ADHD medicine. Aggression. Lots and lots of tears (from both of us). Starting a new therapy with little hope it would help. Putting our house on the market to move to a better school district. Honestly, there were a few days during that rough patch when I thought anyone else could do Continue Reading
Don’t Jump to Conclusions
On an ordinary Thursday, as we were crunching numbers and signing loan papers for our new home, we learned our insurance company had denied Jackson's speech therapy again! My response to the news wasn't one of faith and gratitude. I was angry, full of doubt and defeated. Why was I so quick to assume God was punishing me instead of calling out Satan and his spiritual attacks? I think there were several reasons... Sometimes you just grow weary of the daily grind of special needs parenting. Continue Reading
What Transparency Does
Monday I found myself in a bad spot. After a grueling few days in the motherhood department, I was sinking deeper to rock bottom. I sat on the couch, tears streaming down my face with one of two options. I could keep quiet about the struggle or I could be transparent. I posted a not-so-flattering photo of myself on my personal Facebook page with these words: The past week has been HARD. I sat on the couch after school today feeling completely helpless. I yelled at my husband Continue Reading
Wings for Autism
Last week John was out of town on a work trip. Monday, as he walked out the door with his suitcase, we reminded Jackson that Daddy was going to ride an airplane and be gone for a few days. Jackson didn't like that his Daddy was riding an airplane and he wasn't. Jackson ride airplane, too, he said. We've yet to fly with Jackson. Busy airports, long security lines, crowded planes (complete sensory overload if you think about it) has kept us from traveling via air. We've opted for road Continue Reading