Thinking all the thinks
My girl is three today. I am, admittedly, a bit of a disaster. Teetering on a tightrope between relief as she becomes older and more self-sufficient, and a deep sense of fear for what this next stage of life will throw at her. I felt guilty writing this. Like it was inappropriate, somehow, to not focus only on the positive milestones reached. But I’m just … Continue reading Thinking all the thinks
Review: Ever the Hunted
Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill is fast-paced, edge of your seat reading. I fell in love with the fiercely stubborn Britta Flannery immediately and could hardly put the book down. Adventure, magic and powerful emotional bonds led me from one page to the next and I found myself thinking “just one more chapter” until I consumed the entire story — at which point I … Continue reading Review: Ever the Hunted
do good work and be nice to people
Each morning before my husband leaves for work, he asks our son the same question… “What are we going to do today?” “Good work and be nice to people!” Sam repeats with pride. Occasionally, “and listen to mama” gets added on for good measure. Do good work and be nice to people. It’s simple, straightforward, yet a message need not be complex to be profound, right? … Continue reading do good work and be nice to people
what about brother?
In the days and weeks after Maggie’s regression, as the words “autism” and “on the spectrum” became part of our every day vocabulary, I spent a lot of time reworking my expectations. I expected our priorities would need to shift. I expected to worry for Maggie in all sorts of new ways. I expected that we would get our heads wrapped around it all and … Continue reading what about brother?
i will worry with you
How did you know? This has been the most common question I’ve gotten since opening up about Maggie’s recent autism diagnosis. And I’m so grateful for it, because it shows a genuine interest and desire to understand. Maggie’s relatively quick diagnosis can be attributed to some pretty glaring “red flags” and a vigilant pediatrician. And research supports early intervention for these kiddos to improve long … Continue reading i will worry with you
how was your day, can you tell me about it?
Whenever we sit down to a meal, Sam asks us this question, word-for-word, same cadence and inflection, without fail. “How was your day, can you tell me about it?” I love that this interest in others is being cultivated by his wonderful teachers at school… and hopefully substantially reinforced at home. At breakfast, when it seems that “nothing” has yet been accomplished, one is not … Continue reading how was your day, can you tell me about it?
we rise by lifting others
You all know I like to take pictures of my kids (one of whom is far more cooperative than the other). And today especially, this shirt seemed fitting. But did you know there’s more behind a lot of the clothing they wear in these photos? When I owned Too Rah Loo I had the incredible privilege of working with so many talented small shop owners. … Continue reading we rise by lifting others
punkins, boos & spiders, oh my!
*originally published on my old blog in fall of 2015; it feels particularly fitting to republish this in honor of little Miss Haylee’s 2nd Birthday today! And can you believe little Boo Maggie was barely in my belly then?! It’s been a while! We knew we had to get back on the blogging bandwagon somehow, and what better way to make that happen than with a … Continue reading punkins, boos & spiders, oh my!
if a child is unhappy, put them in water
A while back I saw a cute little poster that said, “If a child is unhappy, put them in water,” with a picture of a happy tot splashing away. I don’t know that this is necessarily fool-proof, but it worked for us today. Sam totally woke up on the wrong side of the bed… well technically he woke up in the middle of the bed … Continue reading if a child is unhappy, put them in water
grief is not a four letter word and so much else is noise
On Saturday I’d made a list of things I wanted to write about this week. I had expected to share with you all the details of Sam’s 1st Birthday party… the recipe for the cake I made him, his outfit, the decor… but none of those details seem important enough to write about anymore. The morning after Sam’s party we woke to the news that … Continue reading grief is not a four letter word and so much else is noise