Thankful Every Single Day

Well, we all know how much I really enjoy spending time with Miss Hailey and Thanksgiving certainly is a perfect time to reflect on all of the blessings we have in our lives. I would be lying if I said that it didn’t bother me to watch her struggle as she attempted to eat the whipped cream off of the spatula from the pudding pie that she and Natalie made for dessert. Of course I wish that such a simple task could be accomplished without such difficulty, but for Hailey, it will always be difficult. But we will never forget that the mere fact that she is here today is truly a blessing.

Life certainly has a way of throwing you curve balls, but it is how you deal with them that defines your character. I am so proud of the way Tommy and Natalie have grown both in maturity and character since Hailey’s birth 4 years ago. As young parents they have learned more about life lessons, health issues and therapy sessions, than most of us will ever learn in a lifetime.They have learned more than they should ever have to know. When you have a child with a disability it is important to be able to look past the medical issues, past the limitations and all of the challenges that someone like Hailey faces every single day.They even have to look past the ignorance of others. Instead the importance lies in seeing the beautiful and courageous little girl that Hailey is. After all, that is what defines her anyway... not her disability.

For others it may seem a bit difficult to see their blessings, especially in this challenging economy, some have lost their jobs, others their car payments or the luxury of enjoying a night out to dinner. To my family our blessings are quite clear. Hailey is our blessing. We see things a lot more clear than in years past. We celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Our priorities have shifted and our lives have completely changed, because when someone that you love has Cerebral Palsy, (or any disability) it’s as if the entire family has Cerebral Palsy, and you know what, we wouldn’t have it any other way, because we will never let Hailey go through this alone. We count her as our number one blessing, not only on Thanksgiving, but every single day.

Yes, Let's.

Unlock the Doors of Heaven

Burdens Into Blessings

Blessed

It's the first two lines of this song that touch me the most.
Welcoming and being grateful in ALL circumstances...
THAT is the key!



I welcome the sun,
the clouds and rain,
the wind that sweeps the sky clean
and lets the sun shine again.
this is the most magnificent life has ever been.
here is heaven and earth
and the brilliant sky in between.



blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive.
blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

I dwell in the darkness
I let in the light
I sleep in the afternoon
and become the noise in the night
I trespass in temptation
suffered in sacrifice
but I awake each day with a new sunrise

blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive
blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

Thanksgiving Fun Ideas

There are a BAZILLION cute turkey & Thanksgiving ideas, but I picked out just a few of my favs to share with you all! I really cannot believe it's almost Thanksgiving. Where oh where does the time go!?!?!! Images linked to sources.

"Thank You."

I find myself burdened today...

My day starts the same way it ends....

I check on my children and my husband. I am generally the first one up and the last one down.

Today, however, someone told me I was doing a good job.

As a mom, this is not something we hear often. As a mom to special children, this is something we need to hear more.

I am burdened by not saying thank you enough to those that touch my life without even knowing it. I am constantly and effectively inspired by the moms of other special children and their ability to persevere. It gives me hope in the midst of a bad day. It lightens my heart when I am feeling heavy. It lifts my spirits when I need to laugh.

So here's to you:

For the never ending conversations with well-meaning doctors

For the 2:00 am diaper change or glucose test

For the weight of making medical decisions

For the revolving door to therapists, nurses, and program managers (whom we LOVE)

For the oh-so-fun testing of the urine every morning

For the dirty looks you receive while tending to your "not normal" child in the grocery store

For the late nights scouring the internet for products, treatments, or information

For the equipment that IS necessary even if you have to fight the insurance for it

For the humility and grace it takes to advocate for your child

For wearing your heart on your sleeve while carrying your armor to every single doctor's appointment

For feeling alone because no one really understands you

For celebrating every single milestone in your child's own time

For seeing the beauty in a face(s) that society sees as different



THANK YOU



It is not said often enough!



~William A. Ward

Look Forward to the Future

Life isn't easy.

I don't think anyone ever claimed anything else. Did they? I mean, really, crazy is the man who says life is easy. But, it's also incredibly good, isn't it? I know there have been those who believe Samantha's story is tragic, that it's sad, that she is a trial in our life. I guess I understand why they think that, but I don't agree. She's not tragic. It's not sad (well, ok, sometimes it is). And she's all blessing. There are circumstances (because of her situation) that are trying, but she's in NO way a trial. She's beauty. She's kindness. She's generosity. She's forgiveness. She's love. She's a child of God -- right here in my home -- just the way she is. Because of her and all that she is, I am optimistic for the future. After all, if this

is as bad as it gets....life is pretty sweet...and I look forward to the future. Let us be real here: I'm in no way looking forward to some of the inevitable circumstances that will arise, that may bring sadness and pain that I will most surely experience due to, again, circumstances and situations that our out of my control. But, I am optimistic because I know that there's a loving God who knows more than I do. I am optimistic because (even if I didn't believe in a loving God), Samantha lights my world in ways I had never experienced before she was born. Because of her presence in my life ~

I have felt more pure

joy

pain

humility

anger

frustration

sadness

happiness

doubt

delight

faith

hope

charity

desire to improve

desire to relax (!)...

my priorities have realigned...

I have also

grown closer to family and friends

added amazing people to my circle of family and friends

...among other things.

So, yeah. Because life is pretty sweet, I can...or maybe choose to...look forward to the future with optimism. And it makes me smile.

Sensory Decorating

Given the fact that Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, I find it only fitting to do a post on what I am thankful for. I think that anyone who knows me knows that I am going to say that I am most thankful for Hailey. It’s amazing how much one little girl can teach us just what is most important in life. Through Hailey we have learned to live in the moment, to not take everyday tasks for granted, and she has shown us the true meaning of strength and spirit. She has warmed our hearts and our home, just like the Thanksgiving apple pie!

This time of year take advantage of the seasons abundance of textural elements to bring the outside in.


The above picture is an example of a textural table scape for the Holiday. Make this a fun event for you and your child by foraging through the woods, or if you live in New England you may be lucky enough to find all of these beautiful treasures right in your own backyard. I think this is a wonderful thing to do especially if your child has any textural issues. There is something to be said about picking your own pine cones up off the ground and putting them in a basket to bring home and decorate for the holidays. These things will easily transition into your Christmas decorating as well. How easy and inexpensive! Your child will be happy to be included in the fun and the creative process. We all have glassware in our cabinets. I used a variety of heights and shapes to create interest. You don’t even have to have expensive glassware to look elegant. In fact if you look closely you can see that I have inverted the cover of my cake dish and placed it on top of a very generic cylinder vase. Add brilliant colored foliage from a maple or oak tree for height and visual interest and flank the base of the table with gourds, small pumpkins and a few candles for a reflective element.

What are you thankful for this Holiday Season and what things do you have planned with your child to help with the Holiday Decorating? Please let me know if I’ve inspired you and share with us the ways you engage your child in the holiday decorating.

Thanksgiving Daily

A Tradition of Gratitude

In high school I started a tradition of sending quick text listing the things I was grateful for that day to a handful of my friends every night before bed, and the idea quickly spread. Now, two years later 25 people participate in the nightly exchanging of a 'thankful text'.

“Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude.” — Joseph Wood Krutch

I have found that practicing gratitude daily HAS made me a happier person. Sometimes at the end of the day, when it has been 'one-of-those-days' I stare at my phone for a long time trying to find the humility to make my list. Some nights I can only write "Tonight I am thankful that today is almost over." However, for the most part, I look forward to writing that text every night. It invites a simple peace into my life, realizing again and again that I have more blessings than I can ever take in.

"Gratitude is a positive experience that comes from recognizing gifts or blessings and feeling thankful. It is also an attitude, a way of perceiving life, in which individuals are willing to receive and acknowledge the beneficial actions of others on their behalf. Those who consistently display such an attitude are said to have a grateful disposition. Gratitude is also a habit that can be cultivated, causing one to focus on the blessings of life. Finally, gratitude can be defined as a coping response to challenging or difficult circumstances." -Vaughn E. Worthen

Worthen lists gratitude as an experience, an attitude, a disposition, a habit, and a coping response. I can see how practicing daily thankfulness has helped me use gratitude in all of those ways. I am coming to believe that gratitude is almost as powerful as love, in it's ability to reach out to others and heal an aching heart.

Current case studies and research show that cultivating and practicing gratitude can reduce symptoms in cases of mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Practicing gratitude can also lead to increases in optimism, vitality, happiness, a sense of well-being, and a greater satisfaction with life. Grateful people tend to generate more positive memories, reminding them of the good in their lives. Those with higher levels of gratitude are viewed as more empathetic and supportive, more forgiving, and more likely to assist others. Grateful people also report feeling less envious and more generous with their possessions. They thus enjoy better quality relationships.

Isn't that awesome, being grateful can make you a healthier person! I love that more and more research is coming out that proves a connection between our mind and body. I truely believe there is one!

"Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road." -John Henry Jowett

If you would like to join in on the thankful text tradition, let me know! Live happy, be grateful!

used with permission from the blog Live Happy.

Thankfulness

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

(D&C 78:17-19)

All Things

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanksgiving Ideas

Want something fun for the kiddos to do to celebrate Thanksgiving? Here are some cute ideas! Images are linked.