(flash back Friday- originally published April 25, 2011) Drifting off to sleep last night, in my mind, I “saw” three large words- like a neon sign. Slowly, each one lit up, one at a time as I read- JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING. I was fascinated with the changing colors and brilliance of each word as I […]
all things new, change, everything, Jesus, treasure
You may (or may not) have noticed I don’t ever capitalize “downs syndrome” . I just can’t- never have- never will; my apologies to the British scientist, John Langley Down who discovered the syndrome. I know its grammatically wrong but it makes perfect sense to me. I refuse to capitalize my problems or challenges! This […]
capitals, downs syndrome, encouragement, fallen world, Jesus, overcoming, perspective, treasure hunter
If you put on the right filtered glasses tomorrow night (31st), you could literally see a blue moon. Most of us will be content to gaze with our naked eye and see a typical, white, full moon. But no matter the color- tomorrow’s moon will be the 2nd full moon in this month- thereby gaining […]
blue moon, Christian family, God of Grace, joyful journey, limitations, special needs parenting
You’ve heard of the 3 R’s- Reading- Writing- and Arithmetic- referring to to the basic and essential educational skills that must be taught in schools. This younger generation might think of 3 R’s- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- a good mantra within itself. However, I’d like to share our Learning Rules- The 4 L’s! Listen, […]
devotionals for moms, homeschooling special needs, joy in the journey, special needs Christian encouragementWhew! What a week! First the COOL part! Micah and Adrienne gave birth to their little girl- drum roll please- ************** Mataya Joy- meaning God’s gift of joy! Adrienne’s water broke Saturday morning and I rushed to the hospital to sit and pray and anticipate. The day wore on and still no baby. Finally, […]
Bethany, celebrate, Cohen, Finley, homeschool, life, Mataya, school, treasureBethany and I are still working on “talking fast” (see previous post) Days of practicing is opening my eyes to the MAMMOTH task set before us. I didn’t realize how many aspects to talking and conversation there really is. She wants me to “script” her talking LOL- and that just isn’t possible. I feel like […]
Bethany, concrete learner, downs syndrome, humor, perseverence, special needs, talking, transformation
My most challenging ongoing lesson: “Letting Go-d” Years of protecting, nurturing, & shielding her from the “looks”, “nonacceptance”, negative experiences, or situations where she would flounder, have left me with a bit of a “nest” mentality. I know the “nest” where we are safe- where we thrive- where Bethany is safeguarded and secure – where […]
Bethany, controling, downs syndrome, encouragement, overcoming, parenting, perspective, special needs, special needs parenting, worry
To everything (Turn! Turn! Turn!) There is a season (Turn! Turn! Turn!) And a time to every purpose under heaven Yesterday, I found myself singing this oldie by The Byrds who wrote the lyrics directly from Ecclesiates 3. The dog days of summer appear to be waning and I can feel the inevitable “turning” […]
Christian family, Cohen, down syndrome, eternity, Finley, God of Grace, home schooling, Joshua, joyful journey, Micah, Noah, perspective, Sarah, seasons, Silas, times, treasure hunter
Every choice not to quit, every due diligence to try our best, every determination to live our life for God’s glory no matter what “life” throws at us- will lead us to a place in eternity where our Father will beam His approval at our “tryings”!! ~ Jesus will award His ones who have overcome […]
abortion, downs syndrome, eternal perspective, eugenics, identity, Olympics, overcoming, perfection, treasure“Mommy- I need your help. I want to talk fast.” Somewhat distracted, but thinking how cute she is when she’s so serious about something, I reply, “Hmmm? What? What do you mean, Bethie? My brain began scrambling for an interpretation- does she mean she wants to talk without stuttering when she gets excited or […]
Bethany, disabilities, downs syndrome, encouragement, family, home schooling, Josh, overcoming, special needs, talk fast
July 23rd- Bethany’s 12th Birthday! After 364 days of telling everyone- “Today is my Birthday!” – she finally could say it truthfully! She awoke with a giggle and a shout, “Happy Birthday Bethany!” she sang out. “Mommy, aren’t you glad it my birthday? I am.” She then proceeded to inform everyone how happy she was […]
Anger churns until my stomach is in knots. Reality, in form of fantasy- a gunman lauding himself as “The Joker”, shot and ultimately killed 12 people in a movie theater, while 11 more are listed in critical condition and yet another 30 were injured! An isolated incident? Just look at the headlines or listen to […]
deliverance, eternity, evil, fallen world, Lord's prayer, Nicole Mullin, perspective, promises, Thine is the Kingdom
The term WALKABOUT was made famous from the movie Crocodile Dundee! Background: Australian: A journey through the wilderness of one’s choosing in an effort to satisfy one’s itchy feet, a need to be elsewhere, the craving for the open road, that space over the horizon… you can’t quite touch it so you have to go […]
Christian encouragement, Christian parenting, disabilities, Down syndrome parenting, downs syndrome, family, God's surprising treasuresPIRATES don’t just live on the high seas! I’ve got a sneaky pirate, who resides with me! She “pilfers” my phone with great skill. At anytime, at any moment, a text message might be sent forth to any unsuspecting victim, from my phone. “i love you call me skype” “sonic date call me” “come see […]
Bethany, overcoming, perseverence, pirates, treasure, treasure hunterCheck list- What are you stockpiling? ~ “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and thieves. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want […]
Christian family, God of Grace, hoarders, joyful journey, special needs parenting, treasure