A Very Merry Christmas

Today's gift is a Very Merry Christmas.

Happy Birthday Jesus!  What a day to celebrate!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Today was the first Christmas in at least three Christmases where my daughter with Rett Syndrome did not get upset on Christmas morning!  This right here is a gift!!!

Every Christmas our kids get up SO early....wait what am I saying this is every morning!  Of course when they get up they want to run downstairs and see what Santa brought them....what kid wouldn't want to do this???  In the past, our oldest has not been awake when her siblings are ready to go downstairs, so we wake her slowly as we do not want to go down without her.  In doing so, somewhere between opening stocking stuffers and breakfast she gets upset, which makes us all upset, especially on Christmas.

This year I told the kids, no matter what time they come into our room we were not going downstairs until their sister was awake.  And they completely understood why without me having to say a word.  They wanted their sister to be happy on this special day!  I also mentioned how her waking pattern has been early, so they probably didn't have anything to worry about.

And I was correct!

I heard my youngest two around 5:30am and at 5:50 my oldest walked into our room.  However, the other two didn't figure out she was awake until 6:45 so we got a little extra shut eye!!!

Seeing my children's expressions when they see what Santa has left for them warms my heart.  A child on Christmas morning is one of the sweetest moments to remember!

And this Christmas morning, December 25th, 2012, it is definitely one to remember as our daughter did not get unhappy and was all smiles!!!!!  Her siblings were praising her all morning as this was special to them too!

The whole day was wonderful....kids opening presents, spending time with family, eating good food, playing with our new dog, face-timing family who could not be with us and every little moment in between.   Without a doubt, this was one of the best Christmases for me personally in a long time!  And I think it was one of the better ones for my daughter too....I could just tell by the sparkle in her eye!

Here are some quotes for today...

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope and the warmth of Christmas grant you love- Author Unknown

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other- Burton Hills

The magic of Christmas is not in the presents, but in His presence

Playing the Christmas Song Game

Today's gift is Playing the Christmas Song Game.

I don't know about your kids, but my kids are wired!  They are so excited about Christmas!!  They are literally bouncing off the walls!  If I don't try having some fun down time with them I think I'm going to loose my mind.  

As you know from a previous post I love Christmas songs!  Tonight at dinner we played a made up (by me) Christmas song game.  You had to sing part of a song but the part you sang could not have the title of the song in it.   

For example, for my first song I sang..."....with every Christmas card I write.  My your days be merry and bright.....".   Immediately my son said... "White Christmas!"  He was correct.  When it was my oldest daughter's and husband's turn he of course went with the one song she can help sing...and it's her favorite.   My other two knew what it was going to be, but we told them to let her say it all the way first.  They were hot to jump on the answer before we even got the fourth word out! 

It was so precious!  My husband started the song..."...had a very shiny" and my daughter said "nose".  Then he said, "if you ever saw it, you would even say it", and then she said "glowed!"   My youngest two went wild and said "Rudolph!"  My daughter lit up and was so proud of herself!!!

I love it when we can play a game and I can find a way to include her.  Sometimes it is hard, I will not lie.  But the reward is so worth it!

Here is a quote for today...

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month- Harlan Miller

P.S. I was having a glitch with Blogsy last night and posting....if you did not read the post titled, No Behaviors, I have attached it below.  Enjoy!

Post from Friday, December 21, 2012


Today's gift is NO behaviors........

AT SCHOOL ALL FIRST SEMESTER!!!!!!!!

I honestly do not think you could possible know how incredible this is for her! I am beyond proud of her progress not only academically, but personally. She has come so far since her diagnosis 6 years ago.

Now if we can figure out how to make all behaviors at home disappear too. However, in saying this she has come amazingly far with her behaviors at home too! Where we used to be and where we are now are worlds apart, but of course we always wish for more.

On days like today, it makes me stop and realize how far she has come since her dreams were altered when the Rett monster entered her life. Days like today make me stop and truly appreciate all she has overcome to get where she is today. Days like today I will always remember, even when the next great thing happens.

I know one day we will be behavior free, just like I dreamed of behaviors coming out only occasionally every month. I am so proud of my little ninja for ending 2012 at school on a great note! I can't wait to see what progress she makes in 2013!


Here are two quotes for today....

 Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful - Joshua J. Marine

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow- Author Unknown