Packing for the Hospital

Last week Nate had three doctor appointments at the children's hospital (2 hours away from our home).  He usually has about 3 a month, but I was fortunate enough to be able to schedule all three of these for the same morning.  Anyway, after the appointments we drew labs (12 vials! That's a record. We had seen a new specialist for the first time, and the neurologist had been concerned about last month's labs and wanted a repeat).  Then we drove home, arriving about 30 minutes before the other kids got home from school.  I checked my messages, saw a message from the new specialist's nurse, and called back.  They got back to me within 20 minutes...(uh-oh).  "We want to admit Nate."

Of course they do.  Now that we're home.

Our Family Portrait 2017

Wheelchair Accessible Children's Train

We love Wamego for many reasons.  This train has always been a favorite: it's really cool and it's free!!  Recently, they added a car that is wheelchair accessible.  WHOO-HOO!!!  Now our whole family can ride together!!  Nate doesn't really like sunlight or wind, so when he rides, he wants his canopy down.  But he likes it!!  See if you can catch a glimpse of "Super Nate" in the promo video Rusty  made.

Meltdowns/Processing Delays

Ran across this article about meltdowns and what others can do to help.  To me, however, it really helps clarify how processing delays lead to meltdowns.  Either way, a good article!

"What's Wrong with your Baby?"

Seriously, I hear this one ALL. THE. TIME.  Usually from small kids (particularly around age 5-7, but as young as two and sometimes from a kid well into the teens).  If you have a child with a visible disability, this question (or a close variant) will pop out of random strangers' mouths on a steady basis.

This is a HIGHLY sensitive subject for parents of children with visible disabilities, and I can't begin to guess how many "rant" posts I've read about all of the snarky things parents wish they could say (or, frankly, do say) to the ignorant child who let those words escape their lips.

Hearing those words from strangers is very painful, I won't deny it, but honestly...I welcome it.

I'm so GLAD every time a random child says that "rude" sentence, and I'll tell you why!

Potty Training

Naomi is finally potty training!  She's more than 3.5 years old, but until yesterday, she had NO desire to potty train.  Sure, she'd sit and claim she had done something, but, well, the language and comprehension skills just aren't reliable yet.  I'm a big advocate of waiting to train until the child wants to train, so yesterday when she started stripping and running to the bathroom every twenty minutes, I was pretty excited.  FINALLY!!

Here's the thing- she's my fourth child, and I've never really potty trained any of the kids before.

My Favorite Quote

I like this one:

Life isn't about

waiting for the storm to pass.

It's about

learning to dance in the rain.

But my favorite quote for the last 17 years has been this one:  

Be not discouraged, neither allow the spirit of doubt or gloom or despondency to come into thy life, for these are tricks of the evil one to destroy thy faith and thy usefulness.  But look upon the bright side of life, to be cheerful, humble, prayerful, and pure in thy devotion, and in thy habits, and the Lord will remember thee in mercy.  His power and blessings will be upon thee.  Therefore, look unto the Lord in humility, and thou shalt be comforted in the answers to thy prayers and be guided in the path of thy duty, day and night.

                                                                                          - Hyrum Smith

I could say "amen" right now- this is truth.  This council (and even more so, the gospel of Jesus Christ that inspired it) has been the foundation of all the strength and hope and understanding that has carried me through everything as a young adult and parent.  So, I say a big "Thank You!" to the random professor in the Smith Annex at Ricks College who had many copies of this quote in a little pass-along box next to his office door.  You touched one student custodian's life in a profound way!