1). The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W. Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. I am reading this right now and it is digging into me in a good-hard and healing way. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a (little or a lot of a) perfectionist. Even if you are not, there are powerful lessons about connection, vulnerability, Continue Reading
Pretty on the Outside But…. (a repost)
This is a repost from a well-received, well-loved January 2014 blog post. Note: we did NOT--for the first time--send out a card for this past Christmas. We can just use this one. HA! We haven't changed that much--except for Luke, age 14, who towers over me now. Don’t judge us by our Christmas card. We look pretty perfect. Like the quintessential all-American family. Don’t Continue Reading
Because We Begin Again
"Tonight's the night the world begins again..." so said wise sages The Goo Goo Dolls, but it fits. It is New Year's Eve 2014 and we are about to ring in 2015 with champagne, wine, craft brews, Moscow Mules, Smart water, or juice boxes (or all of the above). You may be wearing glitter. OR you may be wearing UGGs and pajamas happily like me. Whatever your costume of choice is tonight, the Continue Reading
You Are Not Defined By Your Elf
You are more than your Elf. Or any elf. Maybe you're like me and you don’t even have a darn Elf on the Shelf, or even want one more must-have-adorable-thing on your holiday never-ending to do list. I DO laugh at the Elf posts and pictures; I’m not all THAT Scrooge-y. Some of you people are witty and uber-creative when it comes to your elves, and I can appreciate that. Your kids will have Continue Reading
12 Things I Would Say to a Mother of a Newly Diagnosed Baby with Prader-Willi Syndrome
1). Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby boy (or girl)!! Your child has made you a mother and has created your first dose of family life. (Or if this baby is a 2nd or 3rd child, I'd say), Your family has grown to contain more love, joy…and diapers! 2). You are NOT alone. You have a community of mothers, parents, families, and professionals through your local Prader-Willi Continue Reading
Why Mama Got Herself a Tattoo
It sounds like a country song. Of a crazy-exhausted mom in the middle-of-her-life-crisis needing to rebel and do something wild. Yes. I totally get that. But that is not my story today. I never thought I would get one. I never wanted one. Until now. Several reasons drew me to this place of wanting a tattoo. Actually needing a tattoo. Now. Last summer I had an “AHA moment” on an Continue Reading
When We Are Forced to Tell Lies
It’s not something I am proud of. It’s not something I ever wanted to model in front of my children. But I do lie. I have lied. I will continue to, I’m sure of it. Because, it is part of surviving this life with Ryan and Prader-Willi syndrome. I have even encouraged Luke and Kate to lie, and be sneaky. It’s all to protect Ryan from his anxiety--getting triggered and having Continue Reading
And Today She Would Have Been 80
“Now that’s old,” my sister Julie said as we chatted a few days ago in anticipation of our mom’s would-be birthday, September 1st. Would Have Been. It’s still hard to believe it’s been 10 years (on September 12th) since I lost my mom. Since five of us—Steve, Jim, Julie, Jennifer, and I—lost our mom. Although the pain, the grief, the intense FEELING OF IT ALL has passed, I still wish she Continue Reading
7 Things I Learned From Going to Amusement Parks
1). Don’t ever wear WHITE clothes. Just don’t. Even though I am out of the sticky-gooey-small-fingers-all-over-me-stage, I should have known better. It’s the law of motherhood. Either they spill or I spill, just simply cause I have little people nearby. Plus if all seats are taken and you are in need of sitting SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE, you just can’t, in white shorts, that Continue Reading
When Compassion Collides
That breaking moment. With the ugly crying. In front of your children. I was sitting at the computer trying to complete some work tasks in order to get to Family Movie Time. The kids were sitting on the couch in anticipation. I was anticipating the down time with them. Actually just sitting, being, snuggling in even a bit. But then... Ryan was going over his summer calendar of dates Continue Reading
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