A Poem for Momz

"When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all

I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough

The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you

This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak

So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry

To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday

But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't always good

But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too

A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth."

Miracle

by Devon of The Daily Dakin

Sundays at church I play the piano for the kids' lesson. This last Sunday the topic was miracles--namely the one Jesus performed of healing and raising from the dead. They talked about Lazarus and the daughter of Jairus, as well as a few others I can't remember, probably because I had a little person who was distracting me.

Anyway, I got to thinking about this, and I shared some of my thoughts with the kiddos. I wanted to share them in entirety here.

Do I wish Dakin could be healed? Could walk? Of course I do. I often wonder why there are so many others who are healed of their infirmities but my son won't be. It makes me angry sometimes. Sometimes it makes me sad.

But you see, Dakin is a rather special little boy. Despite all his difficulties and hardships, he smiles. He radiates joy. He is the single bravest soul I have ever met.

So I am led to believe that while others are healed--and that is the miracle--Dakin is different.

Dakin is the miracle. He is the miracle in what he teaches others about themselves, in what he inspires them to be. He teaches them to be better, to love more, give more, to understand the pure joy of small moments. He teaches smiling when the only thing one wants to do is cry. He teaches others patience. Perseverance. Happiness. Laughter. Light.


Love.

Am I jealous of Jairus? Of course. I think I would be loony not to be. But in considering it now, I suppose it is pretty darn special to have a living, breathing miracle asleep in the next room. Wonder how I got that lucky.

Let Go

Let Toys R Us Know What You Think of Their "Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids"

Guest post from Cathy of Bellagio Dove.

A friend of mine who is an OT is working with Toys R Us on toys for special needs kids. I had mentioned to her my issues with the Toys R Us "Differently-Abled" catalogue.


Now Toys R Us have asked for some feedback from special needs Moms. The purpose of this is to see if Toys R Us and their special needs catalogue is appropriate and caters to the varied needs of special needs kids. Please take some time to post a comment on my blog so we can give our honest feedback to Toys R Us. The type of things they would like to know are what are the strengths and weaknesses of the Differently-abled guide and what would be valuable to us as mothers when shopping for toys for our special children.

Please ask all your fellow special needs Moms to participate so we can make a difference!!

Please give me your feedback via a comment on my blog and I will be giving the feedback to Toys R Us.

Toy Guide here.
Comment here.

~~~

What a great resource AND a great opportunity to let your voice be heard. I'm excited about this. Thanks, Cathy!!!

Walk and Roll

One of my husband and I's favorite pastimes is hiking.... It literally elevates! Well, when we were expecting Chloe, we had plans to get the nicest, fanciest hiking back pack for her so we could all enjoy hiking together.

We've tried them all. Her trunk and neck control is just insufficient. What a bummer.

Well, my favorite time of year for hiking is fall, and this year I decided to try to find some accessible hikes in our area, thinking I would be lucky to find just one. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are lots! We've got enough places to go to fill up every weekend with a "walk and roll" if we want!


I found these great resources and had to share them with you all.

Great Wheelchair Accessible Hikes
Trail Link
Other Resources

I also found some other hikes that weren't listed on those sites just by googling "wheelchair accessible hike Utah." You could try that for your area as well!

In the midst of the complexities of modern life, with all its pressures, the spirit of man needs to refresh itself by communion with unspoiled nature. In such surroundings- occasional as our visits may be- we can achieve that kind of physical and spiritual renewal that comes alone from the wonder of the natural world.

- Laurance S. Rockefeller

Re-Post: Back to School Ideas!

(sigh).... Remember my craft 'Family Fun Friday' posts? I enjoyed them, but they were a lot of work. I was peaking back, though, and decided this one was good enough to share again, especially right now when school is getting back in session! Enjoy (again)!


Here are some fun ideas to celebrate back to school!!!

'The wheels on the wafer cookie go round and round!" Head to Family Fun for this idea....


I love this owl bookplate from Gingham Cherry....


Martha is giving these notebook labels away for FREE!....


Want to send a message to your kids in their lunch? These free printable labels from alpha+mom are perfect!....


Martha's lunch labels are too cute!....


More cute book labels, these are from Blue Bird Lucy's....


FREE printable bookmarks (did I mention they are cute???) from blogroomshop....


I love this desk dot idea from Oilcloth Addict....


Free printable bookmarks from Tricia-Rennea....


I know you won't believe me, but these crayons are edible - pretzels! Ya gotta check this idea out from Parties by Hardie....


One Charming Party has the cutest idea to recycle old crayons and turn them into alphabet-shaped crayons. I want these for myself!....


Bakerella never disappoints, and she certainly didn't with these Apple Cake Pops!....


Blackboard cupcakes from Family Fun....


Honestly, these labels from babalisme are so cute, it makes me want to go back to school, just so I can use them!....


Kara's Cupcakes helps you create apple cupcakes!....

Expressions of Courage

The other day in a typical doctor's office, I saw a not-so-typical coffee table book. Its lovely artwork captured my attention. A closer look revealed that although the images were beautiful, the story behind the images was even more beautiful.

Sunflower Days by Darla T.
Winner, 2009

Expressions of Courage is an organization created with the goal to provide a way for people with epilepsy to express themselves through art. The program includes people of all ages and distributes the artwork in holiday cards, calendars, and coffee table books.

The artwork symbolizes the spirit of the millions of people who have been diagnosed with epilepsy. It is truly an expression of courage.

Anyone with epilepsy, of any age, may enter the Expressions of Courage contest. See Rules and Registration for more information.

JOY

(I read this quote today and it made me think of this picture. Someone once asked me how I could possibly smile at the burial service of my son. I wish I had this quote at the time because THIS answers it perfectly.)

'Joy is not the absence of pain,
it is the presence of God'.

You

You will make a lousy anybody else,
but you are the best you in existence.
You are the only one who can use your ability.
It is an awesome responsibility.

~Zig Ziglar

The Special Child

You weren’t like other children,
And God was well aware,
You’d need a caring family,
With love enough to share.
And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven’t been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.
We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The job that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.
A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who’s taught us many things,
But most of all- “Real Love”

Author Unknown

Now I Can

I just found this amazing organization that does intense physical therapy in Utah called Now I Can. I am intrigued and excited to learn more. I had to share it with all of you!


Here is a video introduction from/about the owners of the organization:

And a news clip:

Isn't amazing? I just found out about it and it's too late to call. You better believe I'll be on the phone to them first thing in the morning to find out more!

This incredible organization is in the running for a $100,000 donation, but needs votes. Go to their main page and click the 'APX Gives Back' button to vote for this cause!

Thru the Tulips

I met 'Tiptoe Mama' at Chloe's dance class tonight. She told me about her cute blog, Thru the Tulips, a forum to meet other special needs moms. Check it out!




If you would like to guest post or become a regular contributor to "Thru the Tulips" please e-mail tiptoemama@gmail.com.

Just the Way You Are

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are