Here I am, sitting down to write. We’ll see how long this lasts. Life is always full here in our home, but the past few years, especially this last one have really made it feel a bit more like a full that is busting at the seams. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much and then there’s all Continue Reading →
You ever have one of those experiences in life where you wonder what in the world you were thinking when you signed up? Ya, that’s me this week. Our new church, a place of safety and healing, is having their Summer Extreme Days. Extreme they are. Our whole family is either serving or participating for 3 hours every day, plus Continue Reading →
A week ago today, my DOP got to enjoy one of those rare moments where the spotlight was on her, not the braces on her legs. Thank you, Special Kids Rodeo and Break the Barriers. She needed that.
Some people may say that I should protect my daughters’ stories. I get that. By no means do I share any of DOP’s “dirty laundry” in order to humiliate or make fun of her. Instead, my heart is to put my life raising a child with FASD into the best words that I can so that others can learn. Often Continue Reading →
Before I figured out what was going on with DOP, I remember thinking that I was crazy with my observations. And unfortunately, I spent much too much time being angry with her and thinking not too kindly of my own child. I felt like I was raising the biggest idiot on the planet. I loved her, but this put a Continue Reading →
Many years ago when we began the journey to add to our family through adoption, we knew God was leading us to Eastern Europe. We considered all of the countries that were open to American adoptions, the cost, the travel, time required in-country and more. There was one more thing we needed to consider, but I’m not sure we understood Continue Reading →
As I sat at my desk, checking a few more things off my to-do list, I readied myself to head down the stairs to start school. It was a quiet, uneventful morning. My children were all downstairs making themselves ready by eating breakfast and playing while they waited for me. My oldest had just gotten up, popped her head in Continue Reading →
Many years ago when I started The Mommy Map, I had no idea where the mapled. I was taking it day by day. I had no idea that it would lead me to places like Adoption, Learning Disabilities, Polio, Sex, Autism,FASD, nor the not-so-great areas oflife likeBrokenness, Grief, Depression and even the roads that seem to go on for forever Continue Reading →
More and more often I find my myself operating at such a pace that a few hours into my day, I have to look down to make sure I put my underwear on, check my face to see if I put all of my make up on or if my fly is up. Sometimes I find myself with fuzzy teeth Continue Reading →
Autism. I am the mother of a child with autistic characteristics. Never in a million years did I think I would ever type that sentence. But instead, autism has come into my life and made itself at home. It has attached and bonded with me, made itself comfortable and has yet to leave my mind for 18 months. Autistic characteristics Continue Reading →