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Oceans of Life: encouragement for challenged faith
As I sat in church next to my husband, blurry eyed and tired but completely content with life at the…
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Garden of Milestones
Every mom knows the feeling when you enter those hospital doors, bulging at the seams, aching with every contraction. It’s…
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The Good Mom
Right now, a good mom is perfectly planning her children’s rainbow colored, healthy snack, all while another good mom is…
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The Uncertainty of Special Needs Parenting
I assume that most, if not all, childhood diagnoses carry with them the heavy, backbreaking baggage of uncertainty. Autism most…
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My Expectations Failed Me
I spent days calculating the workings of making a dream day occur. Our city has held a local Easter event…
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The Autism Badge of Protection
Autism is a curious disorder. To the naked eye, it’s debilitating grips are unseen. In fact, if you’re an outsider…
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My Perspective Changed Everything
It’s been a year and 3 months since my son was diagnosed with Autism, but really the heartache began much…
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It’s Hard Growing Up
Awkwardly, I rock this big kid who was once my tiny little baby. His legs dangling over mine while his…
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Unanswered Questions Hurt Most
I’m posting this in honor of Rare Disease Day today. I have a few friends who have a child with…
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Raising a Child with Autism
What is it like raising a child with Autism? Some days it feels downright impossible. It hurts all over. Autism…
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Would you Cure Autism?
There is an ominous question that lurks around every special needs parenting group, and there never seems to be a…
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We Rock the Spectrum Gym
We Rock the Spectrum Gym invited us to check out their facility in Laguna Hills. Our visit can pretty much…
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Sometimes Approvals Hurt
Approval. Approval. Approval pending. This week I’ve been swimming in a sea of approvals. I should be back floating through…
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An Open Letter to My Son
Dearest Charlie: When you are older and read these stories I’m sharing, I want you to know why I’ve exposed…
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#whyiwrite
Do I write for my sons? Yes, but indirectly. I don’t write so they can read these stories later, unless…
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The Not So Facebook Life
As the saying goes, a picture says a 1,000 words. The picture below needs no caption; the story lies in…
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Raw, Unsweetened, Unfiltered Emotions from Today
Excited to see Charlie after his first day back at school, I was greeted with several hits and yelling: “No,…
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The Flexed Muscle of Anonymity
Even before Charlie was diagnosed with Autism, deep down I craved support and camaraderie from other parents in my same…
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Child of God
Walking into church alone, the smell of burning wax overwhelms my senses, taking my mind off the morning debacle for…
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Dear Neurotypical Mom
Dear Neurotypical Mom, You’re probably scoffing at my kid’s mismatched socks…need I say mismatched shoes that are on the wrong…
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The All-Consuming, Unfounded Guilt
My husband and I arrive at my son’s class for share week. He is over the top excited to share…
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This is Our Home
I equate ABA to a substantial earthquake. It’s massive enough to destroy everything but probably won’t kill you. It creates…
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God Has a Plan
I don’t believe anyone can truly understand the immense love that overcomes you when you become a parent. I thought…
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Christmas Train and Successful Outing Tips
While perusing my emails last week, I noticed an email from our local regional park offering up a free Christmas…
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The Lurking Questions
As I laid in the hospital bed, 35 weeks pregnant, each contraction reminded me how hard this pregnancy had been:…
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I’m Thankful for You, Special Needs Parent
Charlie is in an unusually good mood for this time of day. It’s almost 3 p.m., and his day is…
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But He Looks So Normal
But he looks so normal! I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard this, and it…
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Is Autism Really on the Rise?
According to several reputable sources, the overall percentage of people with any disability has NOT changed much over the last…
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The Undisclosed Heartache
I can’t tell you what kind of day it was or exactly when she entered our lives, but I can…
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From the Heart of a Special Needs Mom
My heart feels so heavy almost every day. I try to suffocate these malignant feelings with happiness and fun which…
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Glorious Success (video in post)
“I have a crazy idea.” I hear the intriguing words spout from my husband’s lips. “Let’s take all the kids…
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Thank you!
“No costume! No Mickey!” Charlie protests as I attempt to put his Mickey costume on for a Halloween party. Instead…
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The Drop Off
As I pull into the busy parking lot, painted yellow from the glare of the sun off the short school…
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Must Be Nice
“Must Be Nice!” I’ve heard this comment snidely spouted from friends, family, and acquaintances numerous times. You see, my husband…
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I Think My Child has Autism; What Now?
I write this list to prepare you not scare you. No one prepared me, and I was caught off guard…
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He’s Not Naughty; He Has Autism
The gorgeous SoCal sun shone its bright face on the day, so my husband and the two older boys drive…
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Functional Replacements
* I am not a professional. I am sharing strategies that work for us.* We do our best to replace…
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The Victories Will Come
It has almost been one year since my son was diagnosed with Autism. The diagnosis wasn’t just “Autism”; the doctor…
