One thousand gifts...

I recently joined a cross-country book club with some bloggy friends (thanks, Amy!) in reading a book by Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts. It is a book about living a full and joyfully contented life right where you are, wherever God has you. I was hesitant to read this book at first. I have read her blog for quiet a while and though I love her writing, her style is such that it has to be read slowly and deliberately. Almost like a novel? However, I have been pleasantly surprised in reading this book. It is really an enjoyable read, and it is also encouraging me to look at the little things in my life and truly be thankful. It is amazing the joy and contentment that comes from thankfulness....from "being thankful in everything."

As I'm putting these principles into practice in my own life, here are a few things I've been thankful for lately.

The mess that is my kitchen. The signs of life. That they are here and they play. The wagon, the blocks, the smiles they bring.

A work in progress. The things still to be done. The music that such labor will bring.

His patient hands.  All that he does for us. 

The mess that is this boy.  Chocolate from head to toe.  His energy and his mischief. 

Slurping spaghetti. Meals that make them happy.  Sloppy faces and smiles.

Gifts made by a heart friend.  Reminders to pray. Beauty in the cross.

Homemade ice-cream, shaken by little hands. Trying new things. Sweetness.

Her love for poetry. Writing in the quiet time of the morning. Seeing her love for the written word and catching a glimpse of her heart through it.

Birthday parties.  Pinatas.  Friends and growing older. Her pigtails and love for everything pink.  Candy that spills out.  Excited squeals.  6 years worth of blessings and then some.

Bright colors that fill our house and lives right now.  Crayon on everything and beautiful works of art. Things that are in row and neatly sharpened.

Birthday breakfasts. Our family traditions.  Breakfast served with candles. Sticky smiles.

Sneaky boys. His love for all things green. Little fingers, reaching hands.

Brothers.  Garbage trucks. Playtime in PJs. Sunny mornings. Working together. A rare moment of sharing. Knowing they love each other.  Seeing them learn from one another.  Marveling at the gift that they are to each other. 

Raisins. Snowsuits. Cozy hats. A break from the cold.  A peak outside on a snowy day.

Peacefulness. Quietness.  Solitude. A soft place to fall.

Crocheted hats. Pink flowers. Colorful braces. Wrinkled noses.

Icicles. The wonder of nature. How everything seems new with every snowfall.

Snow angels.  My angels in the snow.

Flying through the air.  Landing on our feet.  The freedom of childhood. Swingsets and snowboots.

Hearts, interwoven. Valentines Day. Thoughtful gifts and friends with which to share them.

Care in each letter.  Sounding out words.  Spelling from the heart.

Rosy cheeks.  Red noses.  Eating snow. Numb fingers.  Diving right in.

Paw prints outside the window. Anticipation.  Waking to see the snow as the sun comes up.

Helpers in the kitchen. Mommies in training. Pretty girls in pretty aprons.

Tip-toes beside me.  Straining to be grown. Knowing they will be soon.

Silly faces.  Homework. Being able to take the time to laugh. 

Sun-filled faces. Newness of life.  Joyful expectation.

These are a few of the things I'm thankful for today. I think I'm going to enjoy the journey of writing a few of them down.  Bringing them to the front of my mind.  Learning to enjoy the little things.

a little something pink for Valentine's Day

I got something little and pink for Valentine's Day.

If you're thinking something sexy...or a baby....or both.... you'd be wrong.

This is the little pinkness in our house right now....

4 of the seven of us got Strep throat for Valentine's Day!  Lovely, no?

And now we have a house full of little pink bottles of meds to hopefully make us all better.  And for that I am thankful.

Grace, Claire, Jake and myself are the ones who are down so far.  And it is no fun.

 

Thankfully, Ken had taken the day off already so that we could spend a romantic day together. Instead, he took care of us in every way.   He served all of us and showed us unconditional love.

And I guess that's what Valentine's Day is all about, right?

Thanks for being my hero, honey.... this Valentine's Day and everyday.  I love you.

light reading

Jake finished his first full week of ABA therapy last week.  It went fantastic, and I am so thankful that we have been blessed with this resource for him.  Recently it has been shown to be the most effective form of therapy for kids with ASD, and I can totally see why.  It is behavior training at it's finest.  He's going to "preschool" three mornings a week, but while he is there he is being worked with one-on-one the entire time with an ABA therapist.  She walks him through the whole day.  Every interaction, every playtime and every school time.  She is teaching him the skills that he needs to navigate the day.  He is taught appropriate behaviors and rewarded generously with praise and tickles.  (She told me that those seems to be his favorite reward... she knows my boy well.)

I'm seeing progress already, albeit in baby steps.  As he progresses in this environment, his therapist will begin coming to our house, teaching him appropriate behaviors and the mastery of skills at home.  She will go with us to the park or the library, wherever he goes.  Helping the world be a friendlier place for him, until he is ready to tackle it on his own.  I think it would be nice if we all had a therapist to walk us through life, no?

As we focus on all the areas to work on with him and set goals for him, I am reminded constantly of all that he can do rather than what he can't do.  He is a brilliant, funny little boy... his mind just works differently than some.  I recently heard ASD referred to as "neuro-diversity".   That made me laugh.  I think we could all fit into that category.

For Christmas, we bought George W. Bush's new book Decision Points for my father-in-law.  Jake came across it and it quickly became his favorite book.  He read it every day.  We wrapped it, and he unwrapped it.  We hid it for fear of it becoming overly-worn before it was gifted... but he found it.  He loved this book.



Obviously he didn't understand every word, and I doubt that he comprehended much of what he was reading, but the fact that he spent so much time reading this book was so funny.    He's four... and I'm pretty sure he's a Republican.

Whatever the reason this book struck his fancy, it was a good reminder of all of the gifts that are inside our little neuro-diverse boy.  He is a treasure to us, as are all of our children.  And he adds so much to our family, as do they.  What a blessing.

catching up

It's been a while since I've had the time to blog about day to day things.  It's just that there are so many little things.... and so little time.  Anyway, a few weeks back we had Ken's parents in town for a visit.  The kids enjoyed some grandparent attention and got to a couple of fun outings.  One was a tour of one of the carriers, the USS Bush, that is in port. We live so close to all this, but rarely do you take the time to visit and see these things up close.

This one, the USS Enterprise, is now deployed and carrying with it our prayers for the sailors and a friend of ours.    We're praying with you, J!

The older kids (the top 4, as we like to call them) got to go on the tour, while I stayed home with the little guy.  He would have loved it too, but carriers aren't the safest place for busy toddlers.

Dancing on the flight deck.  That may be a first.

Jake really enjoyed the whole thing... boats and planes.  Every boy's dream.  His Bumpa enjoyed it too... for the same reasons.

This weekend, we're having a few special outings with the kids as well.  Ken is taking the boys to see "Thomas Live".  I wish I could see their faces.  They soooo love Thomas.  While they have guy time, the girls and I are going to a paint-your-own pottery shop.  Right up the alley of my creative girls.  Hope your weekend is fun, too.