Over the past year, I’ve been in high-octane mothering mode. I know all of you are familiar with this. One or more of your kids suddenly has extra needs and…
Special Needs
A Lesson in Tenacity From My Daughter with Autism
Even though she is minimally verbal, my 9-year-old daughter Rachel can stick to a subject. For example, this year she decided she wanted to ride the special needs bus to…
Are Special Needs Real?
“There’s no such thing as special needs children. All children are special, and they all have needs.” I stared at the screen, re-reading the statement above in an online forum….
Sorry About That, My Child Really is “Special”
Have I ever mentioned that I am a speech-language pathologist? Before I got married, I worked with preschoolers with special needs. I had ideas about discipline: Keep the mental age…
Autism: 5 Things Moms Can’t Say
A recent visit with a dear friend was highlighted with the phrase, “I can’t say this to too many people.” Our hearts shared openly, knowing we’re on the same team,…
Fear Came to Live at My House Today
Fear came to live at my house this week. Not irrational fear, but reasonable, understandable fear. My son, like so many children, has a form of asthma. Normally it is…
Fall is Here … and that Means Wardrobe Changes
I used to look forward to the first nip in the air, the first leaves on the ground, the first browning of the cactus (I grew up in the desert),…
Called Toward Home To Bake Bread
Over a decade ago when I started writing, I had plans. Big plans. Or at least I had big dreams about where God would take me on that journey. For…
Be Still…and Stop Worry-Praying, Mom
Have you ever struggled to be still in the moment? Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.” I’ve sung these words, recited that verse,…
Accepting A Special Needs Diagnosis
About thirteen years ago, my husband and I went on a rare date to the movies. At the time our girls were toddlers. Although we didn’t know specifics, we knew…