Sharks, Sting Rays and Sunshine..........

Today was a beautiful day spent at the Long Beach Aquarium with my daughter and our friend, Lindsey........

We spent the day with sharks, sting rays, seals, otters, eurchins, crabs and these guys.....

What a great day!!!!!

Understanding My Aspie...........

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts."

                                       Winston Churchill

I just started reading this book:

So far, I am really excited about it!  The author is an Aspie, she married an Aspie and they have three Aspie kids!  Written in layman terms and perspectives so that even us NT's can comprehend.  I am hoping one day to be able to read this with my daughter so she too, will be able to better navigate the complexity of the social land-mines our society takes for granted..........

I have so much to learn about the difficulties my daughter faces in her every day life.  I sometimes do not understand how confusing small social cues like body language and vocal tone, perspective and empathy are for her........And just when I think its finally sinking in, I still find myself standing in a room with my mouth wide open and chin on the floor!........

Sometimes I just don't know.......I just don't understand.........

I desperately want to.......but it hits me like a ton of bricks that I still just don't get it!....

Its then, in that moment, that I want to hold my daughter close (she doesn't like to be hugged much) and tell her, "I'm trying, baby!  I'm REALLY working hard to understand!!!"

Sooner or later, I m really gonna grasp this Aspie stuff.........

But more importantly.......I'm never giving up trying!!!!

This book, so far, makes me hopeful............

We Are All In.........Welcome Homeschool!............

Well, we have finally decided........

We are joining the ranks of millions of other families around the globe.......We are homeschoolers and could not be more excited to join the club!

Today, after countless hours of research, I have ordered some of my very first homeschool curriculum......

We have three children, two of which have been educated in the traditional, classroom model.  It works well for them!   We chose a private, Christian education for them from 6th grade.  My first born is beginning his third year of University and my middle child is beginning his third year of high school. 

My final child, like all three of my children, is exceptionally "special" to us........however, she has some very special needs as well!....She will begin her final year of middle school this year, homeschooling!  She is over-the-moon!  So are we!!

This sweet girl is heavy on my heart today as I order our books for this year........

I pray that this new adventure knits our hearts together as we both find a new way to enjoy learning....hand in hand.......together......

May God nurture and guide us as we journey on into this largely unknown territory of "homeschooling"......

May he grant us His grace and His peaceful reassurance that with Him, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!....

May we honor Him as we soldier on........

Amen!

Welcome, HRH, the Prince of Cambridge!........

Today.....a prince was born.

I wasn't unlike many other gawkers on the planet today, waiting for HRH, the Prince of Cambridge, to make his appearance......

But it also drew me to his mama.  What must be going through her mind and what must be on her heart as she holds her firstborn child in her arms?

The child the whole world is waiting for.......

This very past Saturday, we celebrated my firstborn's 20th birthday!  It was amazing to think of two decades with this amazing being, yet I remember it boldly, in living color!  Every suspended moment of those finals hours as he prepared to come into my arms.......His life has changed mine completely.  He has given me a purpose I had never known before him.  The instinct to nurture him, protect him and love him was and is deeper than anyone could have ever explained to me in words.

I can't imagine what it must feel like for her today..........to know that this tiny human being may someday be the king of many nations.  What must it feel like to know the responsibilities he may hold?  To want to protect him in a world that may beyond hers to embrace?

Almost sounds like another familiar story, doesn't it?  Not unlike what Mary must have felt holding baby Jesus in arms.......The Prince of Peace........The Son of God..........

What I am sure of is that Kate Middleton is also just a woman....Like you, like me......She has been blessed beyond what she could have ever imagined.......I am also sure that this child will change her life and her heart.......That she will know no other love like the love for this child........There will not be another quite like it......Ever......That her arms will long for this child when he is not in it, everyday, for the rest of her life......

I pray for this child......That he may be blessed with a heart to seek God. 

That he is a righteous and loving leader of the nations he reigns over........

That he never forgets that he is "blessed to be a blessing"..........

And as we hold all of our children today, may we bless them with the warmth of our arms and the love of our hearts so that they know, tonight, as they close their eyes.......

That they are "So Loved"..........