Today's gift is happy happy happy!
My daughter had a overall happy day today. Whether you consider Sunday a day to wind down the weekend or to start the week....our day was a great one. A happy one!
She started the day by sleeping in....she is her mother's daughter! Then we went to church. My daughter truly loves going to church. Just like there is something about being by the water that calms her, she is equally as calm in church as well. She loves the music, she loves listening, she loves people watching, she loves it all. I love seeing her like this!
After church we took the kids out to lunch and then we came home to relax and get ready for the busy week ahead. Camp Amica (the camp I run out of the home for my daughter and her typical peers) starts this week!!! When we talk about it she lights up...she loves being around her friends!
Then we enjoyed a delicious dinner at our friend's house with two families. Two families who "get" our family and are beyond supportive of us. We love being around these friends as they understand our family and will do anything to make our daughter feel comfortable. I remember the days we would do all of the entertaining because it was easier for us and easier for our daughter. Now because of the amazing friends we have we can take our daughter to their homes and she feels right at home.
Today was one of those days where you look back on it and say...wow...it was a great day. From the moment my daughter woke up to the moment she went to bed, she was happy. Days like today make me happy. Days like today I wish we could have all the time. Days like today are the ones you will remember most.
Days like today you hope is an indication your week is off to a great start!
Here is quote for today....
I can only think of one thing greater than being happy, and that is to help another be happy too- Jim Thomson
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Fun Day with Her Friend
Today's gift is a fun day with her friend.
My daughter has a fun week planned. Two friends are coming over this week to hang out! Today one friend came over.
She loves spending time with her friends. They truly make her happy. There are no words to describe how it feels as a mother, to see a friend of your child's....your child with special needs....treat your child with such compassion. My daughter's friend understands my daughter. She helps her whenever she needs assistance. She communicates with her using not only her own voice, but the iPad and iPODD....to be an example to my daughter as modeling is key. My daughter's friend is patient with her and doesn't take it personally if my daughter is not on her A game one day. She is one of my daughter's true blessings.
"Anne Sullivan" took my daughter and her friend out on the town today. They started at PT with my daughter this morning. This isn't the first time my daughter's friend has accompanied her to PT. I love it when her peers go as they get to see exactly what my daughter goes through on a weekly basis just to keep moving. They get to not only see what my daughter experiences every week, but others like her. It is a glimpse into a world they do not see often, but one that exists for to many.
After physical therapy the three of them had fun going to a local art museum, walking around downtown and enjoying lunch out. We are so incredibly blessed to have "Anne Sullivan" for many reasons, but one I never truly thought about was until my daughter started getting older. When my daughter "hangs out" with her friends or goes places with them...."Anne Sullivan" can go with her and it is "cool" and accepted by her peers. If I went, it wouldn't be so cool at all! Even my daughter wouldn't want her mom tagging along all the time...who can blame her. But "Anne Sullivan" is truly thought of among my daughter's peers as the big sister.
My daughter's friend stayed over well after "Anne Sullivan" had left. I love watching my daughter interact with her friends. I love seeing the genuine friendship they have....one built on actions and few words. I love watching her friends get involved in her world....because they want to. I love watching how comfortable my daughter is around them....and them around her. I love it all!
One of the sweetest moments today was sitting next to them as they watched a movie. My daughter was tired from not only a busy day, but also from getting up early. As they watched, my daughter laid her head on her friends shoulder.....and her friend didn't mind. It melted my heart...
Friends are important for all of us. I couldn't be happier for my daughter that she has some amazing friends in her life. I just hope and pray as time goes on, they remain true friends.
Here is a quote for today....
Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest. It's about who walked into your life, said " I'm here for you" and proved it- Author Unknown
My daughter has a fun week planned. Two friends are coming over this week to hang out! Today one friend came over.
She loves spending time with her friends. They truly make her happy. There are no words to describe how it feels as a mother, to see a friend of your child's....your child with special needs....treat your child with such compassion. My daughter's friend understands my daughter. She helps her whenever she needs assistance. She communicates with her using not only her own voice, but the iPad and iPODD....to be an example to my daughter as modeling is key. My daughter's friend is patient with her and doesn't take it personally if my daughter is not on her A game one day. She is one of my daughter's true blessings.
"Anne Sullivan" took my daughter and her friend out on the town today. They started at PT with my daughter this morning. This isn't the first time my daughter's friend has accompanied her to PT. I love it when her peers go as they get to see exactly what my daughter goes through on a weekly basis just to keep moving. They get to not only see what my daughter experiences every week, but others like her. It is a glimpse into a world they do not see often, but one that exists for to many.
After physical therapy the three of them had fun going to a local art museum, walking around downtown and enjoying lunch out. We are so incredibly blessed to have "Anne Sullivan" for many reasons, but one I never truly thought about was until my daughter started getting older. When my daughter "hangs out" with her friends or goes places with them...."Anne Sullivan" can go with her and it is "cool" and accepted by her peers. If I went, it wouldn't be so cool at all! Even my daughter wouldn't want her mom tagging along all the time...who can blame her. But "Anne Sullivan" is truly thought of among my daughter's peers as the big sister.
My daughter's friend stayed over well after "Anne Sullivan" had left. I love watching my daughter interact with her friends. I love seeing the genuine friendship they have....one built on actions and few words. I love watching her friends get involved in her world....because they want to. I love watching how comfortable my daughter is around them....and them around her. I love it all!
One of the sweetest moments today was sitting next to them as they watched a movie. My daughter was tired from not only a busy day, but also from getting up early. As they watched, my daughter laid her head on her friends shoulder.....and her friend didn't mind. It melted my heart...
Friends are important for all of us. I couldn't be happier for my daughter that she has some amazing friends in her life. I just hope and pray as time goes on, they remain true friends.
Here is a quote for today....
Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest. It's about who walked into your life, said " I'm here for you" and proved it- Author Unknown
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Meeting New Family and Friends
Today's gift is meeting new family and friends.
Usually when we travel we always meet someone new. This is no different for our current trip we are on.
My children have seen more family in the last two months than they ever have. Between my grandmother's 85th birthday party and now this trip to Texas. While in Texas they have visited with their grandfather, grandmother, great-grandmother, two aunts, cousins and boyfriends. Of all these people, my daughter had never meet three of them before.
She loves meeting new people. I love watching her when she interacts with new family or friends. She says things in "her lingo" and I love to watch them try to figure out what she is saying. But the best part is watching both of them when they "connect". She gets them wrapped around her little finger too. She gets them to smile as her smile is contagious. She lets them get a glimpse of her world...one they want to learn more about.
This afternoon we were visiting with my cousins and meeting my cousin's boyfriend for the first time. She just kept smiling at him and trying to get his attention. It was so cute. And then when they left we all went into the pool. This was the first time my dad had all his daughters and grandchildren together! And his son-in-law and my sister's boyfriend...and his mother. We were all either outside by the pool or in it.
It was a very happy moment for me to see everyone playing with each other and having fun. I loved watching my daughter tell my sister's boyfriend "d" which means down...as in you must go underwater. He quickly learned every time she said this to him, she wanted him to go underwater. And she would belly laugh every time.
Just as much as it warms my heart to see my daughter interact with new family and friends it equally warms my heart to see them treat my daughter just like my other two children. From a mother's perspective this is all I could ask.
Today was a fabulous fun- filled day. One which filled my heart with lots of joy. Family is important and I couldn't be happier for my children that they have so many family members who love them. And who knows...maybe the "boyfriends" will be family one day too....and if so my daughter gives her seal of approval!
Here is a quote for today....
Family...we live, we laugh, we play, we love- Author Unknown
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Usually when we travel we always meet someone new. This is no different for our current trip we are on.
My children have seen more family in the last two months than they ever have. Between my grandmother's 85th birthday party and now this trip to Texas. While in Texas they have visited with their grandfather, grandmother, great-grandmother, two aunts, cousins and boyfriends. Of all these people, my daughter had never meet three of them before.
She loves meeting new people. I love watching her when she interacts with new family or friends. She says things in "her lingo" and I love to watch them try to figure out what she is saying. But the best part is watching both of them when they "connect". She gets them wrapped around her little finger too. She gets them to smile as her smile is contagious. She lets them get a glimpse of her world...one they want to learn more about.
This afternoon we were visiting with my cousins and meeting my cousin's boyfriend for the first time. She just kept smiling at him and trying to get his attention. It was so cute. And then when they left we all went into the pool. This was the first time my dad had all his daughters and grandchildren together! And his son-in-law and my sister's boyfriend...and his mother. We were all either outside by the pool or in it.
It was a very happy moment for me to see everyone playing with each other and having fun. I loved watching my daughter tell my sister's boyfriend "d" which means down...as in you must go underwater. He quickly learned every time she said this to him, she wanted him to go underwater. And she would belly laugh every time.
Just as much as it warms my heart to see my daughter interact with new family and friends it equally warms my heart to see them treat my daughter just like my other two children. From a mother's perspective this is all I could ask.
Today was a fabulous fun- filled day. One which filled my heart with lots of joy. Family is important and I couldn't be happier for my children that they have so many family members who love them. And who knows...maybe the "boyfriends" will be family one day too....and if so my daughter gives her seal of approval!
Here is a quote for today....
Family...we live, we laugh, we play, we love- Author Unknown
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Thursday, May 30, 2013
The Rose Dance
Today's gift is the rose dance.
Just yesterday I mentioned how much I enjoy reading about my daughter's day...didn't I??!?! It truly is a highlight of mine. But next to words, pictures and videos of her day are the priceless!
This afternoon on my way to get the girls from school I received a text. When I pulled into the girls school to get into carpool line, I looked to see who it was from. It was from one of the teachers in my daughter's class sending me two videos of her.
Today she had music with her mainstream class. In class they were doing the Rose Dance. Have you ever heard of it? I had not, until today. I don't know if there is a "story" to go with the Rose Dance (didn't find one online), or if it is something the music teacher made up. But here is what I was told....you have three chairs at the top of the room and two lines facing the chairs. There are three students (two girls and one boy/two boys and one girl). The person in the middle will be choosing who he/she wants to dance with down the line in between the rest of the class. The person they do not chose, gets the bouquet of roses and moves to the middle, while the one they choose gets the dance. Make sense?!?!
My daughter was picked on both of her turns and she also picked someone on her turn. She really enjoyed the "dance" too....all smiles. I think she was a little shy too....she just had "that" look on her face! I love how the kids always want to include her. I love to see all the children have an interest in her and not just the girls. I love how they treated her just like them today!
It was really bittersweet for me to get these videos today of her!
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Just yesterday I mentioned how much I enjoy reading about my daughter's day...didn't I??!?! It truly is a highlight of mine. But next to words, pictures and videos of her day are the priceless!
This afternoon on my way to get the girls from school I received a text. When I pulled into the girls school to get into carpool line, I looked to see who it was from. It was from one of the teachers in my daughter's class sending me two videos of her.
Today she had music with her mainstream class. In class they were doing the Rose Dance. Have you ever heard of it? I had not, until today. I don't know if there is a "story" to go with the Rose Dance (didn't find one online), or if it is something the music teacher made up. But here is what I was told....you have three chairs at the top of the room and two lines facing the chairs. There are three students (two girls and one boy/two boys and one girl). The person in the middle will be choosing who he/she wants to dance with down the line in between the rest of the class. The person they do not chose, gets the bouquet of roses and moves to the middle, while the one they choose gets the dance. Make sense?!?!
My daughter was picked on both of her turns and she also picked someone on her turn. She really enjoyed the "dance" too....all smiles. I think she was a little shy too....she just had "that" look on her face! I love how the kids always want to include her. I love to see all the children have an interest in her and not just the girls. I love how they treated her just like them today!
It was really bittersweet for me to get these videos today of her!
The word "dance" makes me sad....when I think of the future. It does. Cotillion, homecoming, prom, first father/daughter dance at weddings....they all make me a little sad for my daughter. So seeing videos like these are bittersweet for me. I love them dearly and pray and hope her future holds special dances. You know the dances you always dream about when you are little.
Deep in my heart, I know her future will have lots of dancing!
Here is a quote for today....
Sometimes the best you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best- Author Unknown
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
iPodding with Friends
Today's gift is iPodding with friends.
Every day I get "Notes and News" home from my daughter's school. I love reading about her day...it is always a highlight of my day.
This afternoon I was so excited when I read what it said!!!!! Here was the note...."she had speech today with T using her PODD and the children used her PODD today to say various things to her! AC sat with head phones on while watching a video after she requested an item using her PODD"!!!
Wow...just wow!!!
I don't even know what to say. So much excitement in one note...and that was only part of her day. I love how she wants to use her iPODD and sees how when she requests something, she is given it. This helps her to realize...we understand...we hear her.
I love it even more that her friends want to communicate with her using her iPODD! This is a huge bonus to my daughter...she sees them use it and thinks...wow....they can communicate to me using my communication book....which only makes her want to use it more too! I would love to know what they talked about. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall.
Just like the speech therapist from NYC said...it will take baby steps for my daughter to start communicate with her iPODD, but once she "gets" it she will take off. She is taking baby steps indeed, but I have to say she is further along in 10 days than I thought she would be.
Wow, I can't even believe it has only been TEN DAYS since we introduced PODD to her and she is doing so well. I can't wait to see where we will be in TEN WEEKS!!!
I am one happy mom tonight and couldn't be more proud of my daughter and her friends. The iPODD took on a new meaning to them today. I hope they understand the importance of this iPODD....while it doesn't play music and you can't watch movies on it....it opens up a way for their friend to communicate to them with her voice.
Here is a quote for today....
I thank you for your part in my journey- Author Unknown
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Every day I get "Notes and News" home from my daughter's school. I love reading about her day...it is always a highlight of my day.
This afternoon I was so excited when I read what it said!!!!! Here was the note...."she had speech today with T using her PODD and the children used her PODD today to say various things to her! AC sat with head phones on while watching a video after she requested an item using her PODD"!!!
Wow...just wow!!!
I don't even know what to say. So much excitement in one note...and that was only part of her day. I love how she wants to use her iPODD and sees how when she requests something, she is given it. This helps her to realize...we understand...we hear her.
I love it even more that her friends want to communicate with her using her iPODD! This is a huge bonus to my daughter...she sees them use it and thinks...wow....they can communicate to me using my communication book....which only makes her want to use it more too! I would love to know what they talked about. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall.
Just like the speech therapist from NYC said...it will take baby steps for my daughter to start communicate with her iPODD, but once she "gets" it she will take off. She is taking baby steps indeed, but I have to say she is further along in 10 days than I thought she would be.
Wow, I can't even believe it has only been TEN DAYS since we introduced PODD to her and she is doing so well. I can't wait to see where we will be in TEN WEEKS!!!
I am one happy mom tonight and couldn't be more proud of my daughter and her friends. The iPODD took on a new meaning to them today. I hope they understand the importance of this iPODD....while it doesn't play music and you can't watch movies on it....it opens up a way for their friend to communicate to them with her voice.
Here is a quote for today....
I thank you for your part in my journey- Author Unknown
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Proud Big Sister
Today's gift is being a proud big sister.
This week my middle daughter was special friend for the whole week in her class. The whole week they get extra "special" attention, they give a 20 minute presentation about themselves and one/both of the parents can come into the class to read.
Today was my day to read to the class.
My middle daughter asked her teacher if she could invite her sister down to listen to the stories when I came to read. Pretty much everyone in the school knows my other daughter with special needs....and if you didn't "know" her, you definitely knew her name. My middle daughter wanted her friends to spend time with her.
How sweet is this?!?!?!
Around 9:00am this morning, I was in the 2nd grade class, sitting on the sofa with 22 second graders all around me while we waited for my other daughter to come up from her classroom. As soon as she reached the doorway, the class went wild! They were saying her name, saying hello...saying hi...it was incredible to see the excitement....you would have thought she was a celebrity!
I honestly do not know who was more excited and more proud....my daughter with special needs or my daughter who was special friend for the week. They both were glowing and they both were extremely happy for the other one.
My daughter who was special friend was thrilled she could share this special week with her sister, in her classroom and knew she would love to be there when I came in to read. She wanted her friends to spend more time with her sister.
My daughter with Rett Syndrome was beyond ecstatic to be in her sister's classroom with her friends and she could tell by her entrance they were excited to have her be with them too! She loved the attention and loved being accepted by her sister's peers.
Needless to say, I was glowing too! I had both of my girls sitting next to me...the one on the left who has special needs and the one on the right who was special friend for the week. No matter how you look at it, they are both special in their own ways and today they both made me extremely proud!
Here is a quote for today....
Individually we are special, together we are spectacular- Author Unknown
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
This week my middle daughter was special friend for the whole week in her class. The whole week they get extra "special" attention, they give a 20 minute presentation about themselves and one/both of the parents can come into the class to read.
Today was my day to read to the class.
My middle daughter asked her teacher if she could invite her sister down to listen to the stories when I came to read. Pretty much everyone in the school knows my other daughter with special needs....and if you didn't "know" her, you definitely knew her name. My middle daughter wanted her friends to spend time with her.
How sweet is this?!?!?!
Around 9:00am this morning, I was in the 2nd grade class, sitting on the sofa with 22 second graders all around me while we waited for my other daughter to come up from her classroom. As soon as she reached the doorway, the class went wild! They were saying her name, saying hello...saying hi...it was incredible to see the excitement....you would have thought she was a celebrity!
I honestly do not know who was more excited and more proud....my daughter with special needs or my daughter who was special friend for the week. They both were glowing and they both were extremely happy for the other one.
My daughter who was special friend was thrilled she could share this special week with her sister, in her classroom and knew she would love to be there when I came in to read. She wanted her friends to spend more time with her sister.
My daughter with Rett Syndrome was beyond ecstatic to be in her sister's classroom with her friends and she could tell by her entrance they were excited to have her be with them too! She loved the attention and loved being accepted by her sister's peers.
Needless to say, I was glowing too! I had both of my girls sitting next to me...the one on the left who has special needs and the one on the right who was special friend for the week. No matter how you look at it, they are both special in their own ways and today they both made me extremely proud!
Here is a quote for today....
Individually we are special, together we are spectacular- Author Unknown
© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift
Friday, February 22, 2013
Eight Fairy Godmothers
Today's gift are eight Fairy Godmothers.
Today my daughter is very lucky to have eight Fairy Godmothers (nine including me) flying to Disney to run in the Princess Half Marathon in her honor on the Girl Power 2 Cure Team.
If it were not for my daughter having Rett Syndrome she would not have:
I know how hard it is to train for this race, between finding time and being there for your family....and I don't work (well, I actually have this incredible full time job, but the pay isn't what it should be...CEO of the Home!). Of the eight Fairy Godmothers running this year every one of them works a full time job AND we have 21 kids between us! And they found time to not only train for my daughter, but take away time from their families to be there for mine!!!!
My daughter is one lucky girl and thanks to her, I'm equally as lucky!
Here is a quote for today....
Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget - Author Unknown
Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest...It's about who came, and never left your side...- Author Unknown
Today my daughter is very lucky to have eight Fairy Godmothers (nine including me) flying to Disney to run in the Princess Half Marathon in her honor on the Girl Power 2 Cure Team.
If it were not for my daughter having Rett Syndrome she would not have:
- Eight Fairy Godmothers running for her in the Disney Princess Half Marathon
- I would not have met three of her Fairy Godmothers as our paths only crossed due to Rett Syndrome.
- I, along with two other Fairy Godmothers would never have (probably) run a half marathon.
- I would never have met or have the amazing friendships I do with these eight incredible Fairy Godmothers.
I know how hard it is to train for this race, between finding time and being there for your family....and I don't work (well, I actually have this incredible full time job, but the pay isn't what it should be...CEO of the Home!). Of the eight Fairy Godmothers running this year every one of them works a full time job AND we have 21 kids between us! And they found time to not only train for my daughter, but take away time from their families to be there for mine!!!!
My daughter is one lucky girl and thanks to her, I'm equally as lucky!
Here is a quote for today....
Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget - Author Unknown
Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest...It's about who came, and never left your side...- Author Unknown
Monday, February 4, 2013
Up, Down and All Round
Today's gift is up, down, and all around.
Wow...my daughter was all over the place today...from first thing this morning till she crashed in bed. She was up...then she was down...she was up....then she was down....then she was running all around.
I think she was super excited to be back at school. She missed her friends, she missed her routine, she missed learning.
I am beyond thankful she can be all over the place, trust me. But I also have to be honest and say it is exhausting to watch. I can't just let her be on the loose...well I could if I didn't care about messes and things breaking. So when she is like the energizer bunny, I (or anyone else who is with her) have to be on her. Not just to protect all the "things" but also to protect her.
Tonight before bed, we just let her get the rest of her wiggles out. Her sister was in our bedroom practicing her gymnastics and my daughter loves telling her when to go "up" into a handstand. Tonight was no different...except when my middle daughter went "up" into a handstand, my daughter with Rett Syndrome went "up" too...into a jump on one foot!
Every time her sister did a handstand, she would jump up! But it didn't stop there...after about 5 jumps she would run down the hall and then come back....laughing the whole time. I don't know what got into her today or tonight, but it sure was wonderful seeing her want to try to do what her sister was doing, but on her level.
I think it is safe to say, she will sleep tight tonight! And me too as I am exhausted from just watching her....if I could just have half of her energy...
Here is a quote for today...
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams- Eleanor Roosevelt
Wow...my daughter was all over the place today...from first thing this morning till she crashed in bed. She was up...then she was down...she was up....then she was down....then she was running all around.
I think she was super excited to be back at school. She missed her friends, she missed her routine, she missed learning.
Lunch today at school with some of her "besties"!
I am beyond thankful she can be all over the place, trust me. But I also have to be honest and say it is exhausting to watch. I can't just let her be on the loose...well I could if I didn't care about messes and things breaking. So when she is like the energizer bunny, I (or anyone else who is with her) have to be on her. Not just to protect all the "things" but also to protect her.
Tonight before bed, we just let her get the rest of her wiggles out. Her sister was in our bedroom practicing her gymnastics and my daughter loves telling her when to go "up" into a handstand. Tonight was no different...except when my middle daughter went "up" into a handstand, my daughter with Rett Syndrome went "up" too...into a jump on one foot!
She was moving so fast I couldn't get a good picture of her on one foot...this is the best I got. But you can see it just coming down and her pointing at her sister to tell her to go back "up"!
Every time her sister did a handstand, she would jump up! But it didn't stop there...after about 5 jumps she would run down the hall and then come back....laughing the whole time. I don't know what got into her today or tonight, but it sure was wonderful seeing her want to try to do what her sister was doing, but on her level.
And there she goes running down the hall!
I think it is safe to say, she will sleep tight tonight! And me too as I am exhausted from just watching her....if I could just have half of her energy...
Here is a quote for today...
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams- Eleanor Roosevelt
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)