Recently I was reading my facebook feed & happened upon a question that got the wheels in my head turning. A question to the tune of "what not to say to a parent of special needs child/ren.
Hmm...
The following is what I posted in response to this question, what comes next are my thoughts that came after that particular post was already sent.
There is so much to be said on this subject. I think that being a blind parent of 3 children 1 vision impaired, 2 has an auditory processing disorder, & my 3rd is typical; people are inclined to stare, whisper, or even yell their questions in to my & my husband's faces (he's also vision impaired). I've been blind since age 2 due to cancer tumors in my eyes which were passed from my dad to me & then to my son, & hubby was born with congenital cataracs. People can really be rude but I can tell you as a now grown child with special needs, I would much rather answer a genuine question about my disability than deal with someone screaming "HOW'w'W AAARe YOOOOUUUU" in my face. (when I say in my face, I mean literally 2 inches from my face) I think the other thing I would suggest to those who really want to help, ask how you can help before just pushing us out of the way. I say that because as friends, relatives, & even my own parents have done in the past; the thought process is "I can get it done faster" while it may take us more time to do something, it only makes our frustration that much greater. I once had a gentleman pick me up & cary me across the intersection. I'd much rather walk on my own thank you. :)
With things the way they are in society now, awareness has come a long way, but we're nowhere near where we should be. The comunity around us has no idea what our day to day life is & I personally feel that a day spent in sensory deprivation may just bring the light of awareness that much closer.
When I began the early childhood program at the Blind Children's Learning Center in Santa Ana California, my parents attended a lunch event. This event was held for the parents of blind children. Parents had to eat their lunch blind folded. Most parents were in tears by the hour's end because they were unable to complete the meal with out a spill or even at all.
In my own parents's words,"you never know until you walk a mile in a person's shoes. & every person in the world is different. What is easy for you may be hard for me & everyone is different."
I was blessed with parents who didn't hold me back saying I couldn't do something I was always given the opportunity to try. My parent's are responsible for the person I am today. I don't give up easily, I don't take no for an answer if it's something I feel I _can achieve, & although my financial status may not be as great as that of others (I am richer in blessings than I am in finances), by no means am I poor.
If I made a mess, it was my job to clean it up. If I needed help, they were there to help me, not to do it for me.
I asked my own parents what they thought the worst thing a person could say was & to be honest I have to whole heartedly agree,
Poor baby, s/he'll never ... I'm sorry"
There is no way to really show a person what it is like to be autistic, or to have any number of developmental disabilities; but if we start with the physical ones we may just break the ice & teach the "normal" *what is _normal anyway?* people what our everyday lives are like.
Most people that stop & stare have a question that is genuine, but once a person knows the answer, they no longer wonder & thus they no longer feel the need to stare. I believe that _everyone has a special need of some sort. Maybe you have a weak knee, maybe a lazy eye, maybe even an alergy? All of these are special needs, something you have to make an adaptation for; is a special need. Some needs are bigger than others & believe me it truly is a small world after all.
I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have; you can post them in the comments below & I'll try my best to answer your questions to the best of my ability.
I really do hope to hear from you,,It wasn't until I spoke to an adult friend who has an auditory processing disorder that I was able to understand more of how to help my son make the adaptations he needed.
As always; God bless, & Make it a great day!
:(
Wednesday, July 27
Monday, June 13
A Birthday Blog or Parenting From A Special-Needs Child-now-Parent's Point of View
Happy Birthday Annie Girl!!! My mom half shouted into my bedroom door on the morning of my 10th birthday. I stretched and lazily rolled out of my bed.
"I'm still tired," I yawned with a smile.
"Come on out to the living room," she said quietly.
So, I got dressed, & when I was ready to go to school, I made my way down the hall into the living room where I promptly flopped down on the couch or rather the box that had been there first.
"You're supposed to open it, not sit on it," laughed my dad.
I laughed and opened the big box.
"ROLLER-BLADES!!!"
I had what I had been begging and pleading for for months.
"I'm gonna wear em to school!"
"I don't think you... Um, How about after school?"
I was so excited and believe me those roller-blades got their fair share of wear and tear.
"Happy birthday son!!" I said in to the phone this past Sunday. The cherubs had spent the night at Nana & Papa's house (the same house I grew up in). This was my oldest son's 10th birthday & it's simply amazing how much he's grown, how much he's learned, and yet there is still so much he needs to know before he turns 18. I have 8 years left in which time I am responsible for making this boy into a responsible, functional, considerate, respectable, and educated young man.
"Can we say Yikes!!!"
Life has it's ups, downs, swirls, and twirls; but nothing can ever prepare you for the rude awakening that is your child's growing up. I think in this world, you can only do your best but sometimes I wonder if my best is good enough & I take solis in the fact that I'm not the only one. Oh, I can sit and play "What If" with the best of em.
But, my best gage is my son himself. He may test my pacients, work my nerve, and even just plain tick me off once in a while; but when I see the person that little bundle of blanket and diaper with a face has become, I thank God because even though there still a few quirks to work through he's on the right path. I have 2 more lights of my life, and by no means are they any different. While they all have their personalities, their own quirks, and their own perposes in life; they are all my cherubs.
Believe me kids will test you to infinity and beyond, but to be there for them at that crucial moment when they need you most is what helps make them who they are and who they will be.
As for me, I was blessed to have a set of parents who allowed me to fall, get messy, and let me pick my self up and dust myself off. They were there when I needed them (Heck who am I kidding they still are) and they were there when I needed them to kick my butt in to gear. It's important to let your children live, learn, and love; and when it's all said and done, they'll be better people for it. Especially if that child/ren has special needs, whether physical chalenges, blindness, deafness, or developmental needs, the best thing you can do is wind em up & watch em go. Of course you know your babies better than anyone else ever could, & each child reaches milestones at his/her own pase (special needs or not). But, experience is the best teacher even if it means making mistakes. I can tell you some stories about some sheltered children that would make you want to scream; ranging from a 16 year old blind child forbidden to use a fork, to a 7 year-old still taking a binky at naptime. I can also tell you stories about children who have successfully won olimpic compatitions, 5 year-old musicians, & a blind girl who grew up to write a blog (Can you guess who that is? lol).
I don't have all the answers, I don't even have a success story to tell yet, but what I do have is 3 cherubs, a lot of tough love to give, & most importantly the power of prayer on my side.
Parenthood, it's not all easy, it's not all bad, it's a blessing to be a parent, and remember that not all people are so fortunate to have children of their own. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am just having a mommy moment and I'm sharing it with you. I really don't know what the perpose of this post is, except to say
"Happy Birthday Nathan!!!"
Until next time, take care and as always, God bless &
Make it a great day!
"I'm still tired," I yawned with a smile.
"Come on out to the living room," she said quietly.
So, I got dressed, & when I was ready to go to school, I made my way down the hall into the living room where I promptly flopped down on the couch or rather the box that had been there first.
"You're supposed to open it, not sit on it," laughed my dad.
I laughed and opened the big box.
"ROLLER-BLADES!!!"
I had what I had been begging and pleading for for months.
"I'm gonna wear em to school!"
"I don't think you... Um, How about after school?"
I was so excited and believe me those roller-blades got their fair share of wear and tear.
"Happy birthday son!!" I said in to the phone this past Sunday. The cherubs had spent the night at Nana & Papa's house (the same house I grew up in). This was my oldest son's 10th birthday & it's simply amazing how much he's grown, how much he's learned, and yet there is still so much he needs to know before he turns 18. I have 8 years left in which time I am responsible for making this boy into a responsible, functional, considerate, respectable, and educated young man.
"Can we say Yikes!!!"
Life has it's ups, downs, swirls, and twirls; but nothing can ever prepare you for the rude awakening that is your child's growing up. I think in this world, you can only do your best but sometimes I wonder if my best is good enough & I take solis in the fact that I'm not the only one. Oh, I can sit and play "What If" with the best of em.
But, my best gage is my son himself. He may test my pacients, work my nerve, and even just plain tick me off once in a while; but when I see the person that little bundle of blanket and diaper with a face has become, I thank God because even though there still a few quirks to work through he's on the right path. I have 2 more lights of my life, and by no means are they any different. While they all have their personalities, their own quirks, and their own perposes in life; they are all my cherubs.
Believe me kids will test you to infinity and beyond, but to be there for them at that crucial moment when they need you most is what helps make them who they are and who they will be.
As for me, I was blessed to have a set of parents who allowed me to fall, get messy, and let me pick my self up and dust myself off. They were there when I needed them (Heck who am I kidding they still are) and they were there when I needed them to kick my butt in to gear. It's important to let your children live, learn, and love; and when it's all said and done, they'll be better people for it. Especially if that child/ren has special needs, whether physical chalenges, blindness, deafness, or developmental needs, the best thing you can do is wind em up & watch em go. Of course you know your babies better than anyone else ever could, & each child reaches milestones at his/her own pase (special needs or not). But, experience is the best teacher even if it means making mistakes. I can tell you some stories about some sheltered children that would make you want to scream; ranging from a 16 year old blind child forbidden to use a fork, to a 7 year-old still taking a binky at naptime. I can also tell you stories about children who have successfully won olimpic compatitions, 5 year-old musicians, & a blind girl who grew up to write a blog (Can you guess who that is? lol).
I don't have all the answers, I don't even have a success story to tell yet, but what I do have is 3 cherubs, a lot of tough love to give, & most importantly the power of prayer on my side.
Parenthood, it's not all easy, it's not all bad, it's a blessing to be a parent, and remember that not all people are so fortunate to have children of their own. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am just having a mommy moment and I'm sharing it with you. I really don't know what the perpose of this post is, except to say
"Happy Birthday Nathan!!!"
Until next time, take care and as always, God bless &
Make it a great day!
Time Flys When You're Having Fun
Hello again friends! It is now the middle of June and half of this year has just flown by like a rocket.
This past few months have been a bit hecktic with health issues, and unexpected chalenges. Getting settled in to our new place has proven to be a bit more time consuming than I had expected, and of course homeschooling always keeps us on our toes. But life would be borring if it never threw a curve ball in our direction at least once in a while; right?
So here I am once again and this time I have compiled a short version of a list of sights and resources that I hope will be of some help to you. Some of these I've known about for a while, still others are new additions to our ever growing list of resources. I will be creating a page of recommended resources but until then, here's a few to check out in the meantime.
Below are some websites that cary all sorts of gadgetry that will help you as a parent &/or as a homemaker, won't break the bank, and who knows, you may just find something you'd like just for the fun of it.
future Aids: http://www.futureaids.com/
(Formerly known as The Braille SuperStore, it's a great resource for adaptive toys, games, educational materials, & transcription services.(
American Printing House For The Blind: www.APH.org
(A great resource for braille, large print, and recorded materials, as well as some neat embossing and braille teaching equipment.)
Maxi Aids: www.maxiaids.com
(This site caters to all sorts of disabilities including blind & low vision.)
Independent Living Aids: http://www.independentliving.com/
(This is another site catering to all sorts of disabilities. Sometimes they may have a lower price or a product in stock that may not be available at Maxiaids.)
Seedlings Braille Books For Children: http://www.seedlings.or/
Seedlings offers brailled board books for early childhood development these are nice for children just beginning to read braille or for parents who are blind & wish to read to their sighted children. Don't forget to look for books for older kids too.)
Lakeshore Learning: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/
(a site dedicated to early childhood learning lots of neat toys, games, books & Teaching resources.)
Blind Mice Mart: http://www.blindmicemart.com/
(this site caries a large selection of discriptive audio movies, & some adaptive equipment including but not limmited to labeling machines and cook books.)
WGBH: http://main.wgbh.org/
(This is the company that describes television shows such as Sesame Street and The Simpsons, theater motion pictures, and also offer a wide selection of home videos with description, ranging from clasic disney movies, to scifi and documentaries, and anything in between.)
Extreme Geek: http://www.x-tremegeek.com/
(this isn't spacificly a "blind" site, but they cary a few kitchen & household products that may help you & some silly things you just might have fun with.)
IDTags: http://www.idtags.com/
(just thought I'd throw this out there, a site offering medical & child ID neckleases & bracelets maybe a good thing to have on yourself &or the baby just in case.)
Note: Future, maxi, & independent living aids; cary canes, labeling equipment, writing equipment, & so much more so don't forget to check for those things, their prices are much lower than the Braille instatute student stor.
I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave them in the comment section below, I'll do my best to find the answers for you.
Take care & as always, God bless, & Make it a great day!
This past few months have been a bit hecktic with health issues, and unexpected chalenges. Getting settled in to our new place has proven to be a bit more time consuming than I had expected, and of course homeschooling always keeps us on our toes. But life would be borring if it never threw a curve ball in our direction at least once in a while; right?
So here I am once again and this time I have compiled a short version of a list of sights and resources that I hope will be of some help to you. Some of these I've known about for a while, still others are new additions to our ever growing list of resources. I will be creating a page of recommended resources but until then, here's a few to check out in the meantime.
Below are some websites that cary all sorts of gadgetry that will help you as a parent &/or as a homemaker, won't break the bank, and who knows, you may just find something you'd like just for the fun of it.
future Aids: http://www.futureaids.com/
(Formerly known as The Braille SuperStore, it's a great resource for adaptive toys, games, educational materials, & transcription services.(
American Printing House For The Blind: www.APH.org
(A great resource for braille, large print, and recorded materials, as well as some neat embossing and braille teaching equipment.)
Maxi Aids: www.maxiaids.com
(This site caters to all sorts of disabilities including blind & low vision.)
Independent Living Aids: http://www.independentliving.com/
(This is another site catering to all sorts of disabilities. Sometimes they may have a lower price or a product in stock that may not be available at Maxiaids.)
Seedlings Braille Books For Children: http://www.seedlings.or/
Seedlings offers brailled board books for early childhood development these are nice for children just beginning to read braille or for parents who are blind & wish to read to their sighted children. Don't forget to look for books for older kids too.)
Lakeshore Learning: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/
(a site dedicated to early childhood learning lots of neat toys, games, books & Teaching resources.)
Blind Mice Mart: http://www.blindmicemart.com/
(this site caries a large selection of discriptive audio movies, & some adaptive equipment including but not limmited to labeling machines and cook books.)
WGBH: http://main.wgbh.org/
(This is the company that describes television shows such as Sesame Street and The Simpsons, theater motion pictures, and also offer a wide selection of home videos with description, ranging from clasic disney movies, to scifi and documentaries, and anything in between.)
Extreme Geek: http://www.x-tremegeek.com/
(this isn't spacificly a "blind" site, but they cary a few kitchen & household products that may help you & some silly things you just might have fun with.)
IDTags: http://www.idtags.com/
(just thought I'd throw this out there, a site offering medical & child ID neckleases & bracelets maybe a good thing to have on yourself &or the baby just in case.)
Note: Future, maxi, & independent living aids; cary canes, labeling equipment, writing equipment, & so much more so don't forget to check for those things, their prices are much lower than the Braille instatute student stor.
I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave them in the comment section below, I'll do my best to find the answers for you.
Take care & as always, God bless, & Make it a great day!
Labels:
family,
homeschool,
learning through play,
resources
Sunday, April 10
Common Cents - Some Tips for saving them
This recession has been on for a very long time. Now the government is having a "shut down" (leaving active military with only half a paycheck to work with until they get it together & pass a budget), some rely on supplemental security income, others are single income families, and Lord knows there are a million and one different reasons why families have to function on less than the ideal budget. Whatever your reason may be; I've been looking for and putting to use these tips & tricks I'll be sharing with you today.
These are suggestions, you may choose to use some or all of them, but I hope that if you do use them you'll consider that many of these suggestions take a little more hands on work, and while they don't take much time to make or put to use, they will save a very pretty penny. The following prices are based on California prices as of April 2011, The cost of a box of baking soda is anywhere between 1 and 3 dollars, a box of borax runs about the same, and a gallon bottle of vinegar is about $5 or so. These are the basics for most of the recipes here & a bar of soap is only a few cents to a dollar.
1. Making your own:
Soaps/cleanser: If you take a bar of soap, and grate it in to a bowl, then add enough distilled water (you can find gallon containers of distilled water for about a dollar in any grocery/drug store) to make it a thick liquid, pour it into a washed flip top bottle. You've made your own body wash. (Note: boys can use this for hair as well saving on actual shampoo).
Toothpaste:
By mixing a teaspoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt, and some peppermint or your preferred flavor extract, then just enough water to make a paste; you can make very effective toothpaste. Put it in a small jar with a lid and mix it with a clean toothpick or the like before each use, put the same amount on your tooth brush as usual and brush away.
Laundry soap:
Grate a bar of Zote, Fels Naptha, or ivory soap into a bowl, add a cup of baking soda, and a cup of borax to it, pour it into a zip lock bag and shake or move around to mix well. Add 1 tablespoon to each load. It lasts a good while and cleans clothes just as well if not better than the stuff you pay $17.00 for at the store every month.
Carpet freshener:
In a jar with a lid, mix 1 cup of baking soda, and a tablespoon of your favorite spice such as cinnamon or ginger; shake the jar to mix well. Sprinkle this on your carpet then vacuum it up. It keeps your carpet fresh, eliminates any odors, and makes your home smell good as well.
2. Barter:
Offer a service such as babysitting, meal preparation, or something you are good at, in exchange for a product you need or a service you might not be so handy with. In this way both parties benefit because you'll have saved each other an expense that could very well mean saving either one of you from overdraw or other unfortunate hardship.
3. Change some cleaning methods:
Washing dishes
Fill 1 side of the sink with hot water, add a cup of white vinegar (don't worry the smell will not be there for long), sprinkle some baking soda on your dish sponge and use it to scrub your dishes, once all debris is un stuck place the dish in the vinegar water and when that side is full of clean dishes, you can remove them and rinse them before setting in the strainer or drying them and putting them away. Baking soda cuts grease better than anything I've ever seen & using this method I've cleaned pans I had long sense lost hope for. The vinegar is nontoxic so if water usage is an issue there is no need to rinse the dishes after dipping them in the water.
All-purpose Cleaner:
Fill a spray bottle with the juice from half a lemon, half a cup of vinegar, a teaspoon of baking soda and top it off with water; to clean everything from surfaces to vegetables. Baking soda is safe to use on glass surfaces because it's a fine powder just strong enough to remove grime, but gentle enough not to scratch.
Mopping:
After sweeping the bare floor, sprinkle baking soda on the area to be mopped, in a bucket of hot water add a cup of vinegar. Mop floor as usual cleaning up the baking soda as you go. It is interesting to have someone see the bucket when you're done, because the surprise in his or her voice is genuine.
4. Menu plan:
It's always a good idea to have some sort of reserve just in case. Some foods I like to keep in my pantry are basic staple items that can be thrown together in a pinch. Create a menu plan based on lower costing foods such as rice, beans, pasta with canned or jarred sauces, and canned goods. I like to keep these foods in my pantry for emergencies. Think about what foods you and your family enjoy and see if you can figure out a way to make those meals using lower priced ingredients.
Home cooking:
If you buy a burger you eat 1 time, if you make burgers at home, you're more likely to have left-overs and feed the family at least 1 more time before your food is gone and for the same amount of money. The same rules apply for most any other food you can think of. Save restaurant outings for big celebrations such as birthdays or holidays.
Starbucks:
Well ladies and Gents, I'm going there. No, Starbucks. I realize that coffee shops and juice smoothies are simply awesome, if they don't feed the fam it's time to give em up for a bit. Buy coffee you can make at home then try adding your own spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg to your cup. It's just as easy to come up with flavors of your own, and who knows; you may even find that you like your creations better than the ones that cost 4 dollars a cup. Try brewing tea as well, grocery stores carry a wide variety of teas and there is bound to be 1 that you enjoy.
5. Shop with care:
Make a list and stick to it:
When shopping for groceries, make a list before hand of all the things you will need for your meals. Take that list with you and stick to it. It's tempting to grab that extra candy bar; bag of chips, or even soda on the way out, but it is not really a necessity so leave it for another time.
Coupons:
While I'd love to say go through your Sunday paper and clip out the coupons, I know that I couldn't do that if I wanted to because I can't see them. So, get online, google whatever company or product and then add the word coupon in the search field. You should be able to either print out coupons for these things or find online coupon codes you can use during checkout. Don't hesitate to ask friends or family to help you look for coupons and you can keep them in a set of envelopes labeled by category. Also, while a great bargain can be helpful, sometimes we buy things we don't really need because we can get them at a cheaper price. Instead, look for a bargain on a specific item you need & leave the rest for later.
6. Write out a budget:
Creating a budget allows you to see how much you have and then decide how much you can afford to spend on each bill. If you can set a certain amount each month, or each pay period you can save yourself time, stress and of course money. Take each bill you have and divide your earnings evenly amongst them. Be sure to add the category of groceries, savings, and household expenses. That way you can tell how much to spend on payday.
7. Reduce:
You can also reduce your expenses by calling the utility, gas, phone, cable companies etc, and asking about downgrading minutes, package plans, or baseline programs offered by the utility and gas company. Some of these programs may require a doctor's report, but it's worth the trouble to reduce the monthly cost. A LAN line phone company may also offer a reduced rate program. Ask if your state has a telephone Accessibility Program. These are programs that offer free accessible adaptive phone equipment to people with disabilities.
There are so many ways a person can save from the simple common sense changes like turning off lights and appliances every time you leave a room to extreme changes such as making your own baby wipes (some people make wipes from flannel instead of buying toilet paper or cotton fabric napkins for dining and clean up) and using cloth diapers either for a baby or for feminine needs. If you can sew this may be an option you may wish to consider. But no matter what changes you make, always remember that money isn't everything and money is not what makes us who we are, it's our family and the time you spend together. Getting the kids involved with making soap, baking your own snacks, or just a good board game instead of cable TV can create some awesome memories. An added benefit, these are skills that our children can use in case they run in to hard times when they grow up, and they can pass them on to the next generation.
I hope you take these suggestions and recipes with you and that they help you save as much as they've helped me. I'm not rich, I'm not anywhere near it, but I still have enough to keep my family safe, healthy, and happy. I wish the same and more for you.
Do you have any tips to share? If you do, I'd really love to hear them. Please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
Until next time, God bless you all and as always; make it a great day!
These are suggestions, you may choose to use some or all of them, but I hope that if you do use them you'll consider that many of these suggestions take a little more hands on work, and while they don't take much time to make or put to use, they will save a very pretty penny. The following prices are based on California prices as of April 2011, The cost of a box of baking soda is anywhere between 1 and 3 dollars, a box of borax runs about the same, and a gallon bottle of vinegar is about $5 or so. These are the basics for most of the recipes here & a bar of soap is only a few cents to a dollar.
1. Making your own:
Soaps/cleanser: If you take a bar of soap, and grate it in to a bowl, then add enough distilled water (you can find gallon containers of distilled water for about a dollar in any grocery/drug store) to make it a thick liquid, pour it into a washed flip top bottle. You've made your own body wash. (Note: boys can use this for hair as well saving on actual shampoo).
Toothpaste:
By mixing a teaspoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt, and some peppermint or your preferred flavor extract, then just enough water to make a paste; you can make very effective toothpaste. Put it in a small jar with a lid and mix it with a clean toothpick or the like before each use, put the same amount on your tooth brush as usual and brush away.
Laundry soap:
Grate a bar of Zote, Fels Naptha, or ivory soap into a bowl, add a cup of baking soda, and a cup of borax to it, pour it into a zip lock bag and shake or move around to mix well. Add 1 tablespoon to each load. It lasts a good while and cleans clothes just as well if not better than the stuff you pay $17.00 for at the store every month.
Carpet freshener:
In a jar with a lid, mix 1 cup of baking soda, and a tablespoon of your favorite spice such as cinnamon or ginger; shake the jar to mix well. Sprinkle this on your carpet then vacuum it up. It keeps your carpet fresh, eliminates any odors, and makes your home smell good as well.
2. Barter:
Offer a service such as babysitting, meal preparation, or something you are good at, in exchange for a product you need or a service you might not be so handy with. In this way both parties benefit because you'll have saved each other an expense that could very well mean saving either one of you from overdraw or other unfortunate hardship.
3. Change some cleaning methods:
Washing dishes
Fill 1 side of the sink with hot water, add a cup of white vinegar (don't worry the smell will not be there for long), sprinkle some baking soda on your dish sponge and use it to scrub your dishes, once all debris is un stuck place the dish in the vinegar water and when that side is full of clean dishes, you can remove them and rinse them before setting in the strainer or drying them and putting them away. Baking soda cuts grease better than anything I've ever seen & using this method I've cleaned pans I had long sense lost hope for. The vinegar is nontoxic so if water usage is an issue there is no need to rinse the dishes after dipping them in the water.
All-purpose Cleaner:
Fill a spray bottle with the juice from half a lemon, half a cup of vinegar, a teaspoon of baking soda and top it off with water; to clean everything from surfaces to vegetables. Baking soda is safe to use on glass surfaces because it's a fine powder just strong enough to remove grime, but gentle enough not to scratch.
Mopping:
After sweeping the bare floor, sprinkle baking soda on the area to be mopped, in a bucket of hot water add a cup of vinegar. Mop floor as usual cleaning up the baking soda as you go. It is interesting to have someone see the bucket when you're done, because the surprise in his or her voice is genuine.
4. Menu plan:
It's always a good idea to have some sort of reserve just in case. Some foods I like to keep in my pantry are basic staple items that can be thrown together in a pinch. Create a menu plan based on lower costing foods such as rice, beans, pasta with canned or jarred sauces, and canned goods. I like to keep these foods in my pantry for emergencies. Think about what foods you and your family enjoy and see if you can figure out a way to make those meals using lower priced ingredients.
Home cooking:
If you buy a burger you eat 1 time, if you make burgers at home, you're more likely to have left-overs and feed the family at least 1 more time before your food is gone and for the same amount of money. The same rules apply for most any other food you can think of. Save restaurant outings for big celebrations such as birthdays or holidays.
Starbucks:
Well ladies and Gents, I'm going there. No, Starbucks. I realize that coffee shops and juice smoothies are simply awesome, if they don't feed the fam it's time to give em up for a bit. Buy coffee you can make at home then try adding your own spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg to your cup. It's just as easy to come up with flavors of your own, and who knows; you may even find that you like your creations better than the ones that cost 4 dollars a cup. Try brewing tea as well, grocery stores carry a wide variety of teas and there is bound to be 1 that you enjoy.
5. Shop with care:
Make a list and stick to it:
When shopping for groceries, make a list before hand of all the things you will need for your meals. Take that list with you and stick to it. It's tempting to grab that extra candy bar; bag of chips, or even soda on the way out, but it is not really a necessity so leave it for another time.
Coupons:
While I'd love to say go through your Sunday paper and clip out the coupons, I know that I couldn't do that if I wanted to because I can't see them. So, get online, google whatever company or product and then add the word coupon in the search field. You should be able to either print out coupons for these things or find online coupon codes you can use during checkout. Don't hesitate to ask friends or family to help you look for coupons and you can keep them in a set of envelopes labeled by category. Also, while a great bargain can be helpful, sometimes we buy things we don't really need because we can get them at a cheaper price. Instead, look for a bargain on a specific item you need & leave the rest for later.
6. Write out a budget:
Creating a budget allows you to see how much you have and then decide how much you can afford to spend on each bill. If you can set a certain amount each month, or each pay period you can save yourself time, stress and of course money. Take each bill you have and divide your earnings evenly amongst them. Be sure to add the category of groceries, savings, and household expenses. That way you can tell how much to spend on payday.
7. Reduce:
You can also reduce your expenses by calling the utility, gas, phone, cable companies etc, and asking about downgrading minutes, package plans, or baseline programs offered by the utility and gas company. Some of these programs may require a doctor's report, but it's worth the trouble to reduce the monthly cost. A LAN line phone company may also offer a reduced rate program. Ask if your state has a telephone Accessibility Program. These are programs that offer free accessible adaptive phone equipment to people with disabilities.
There are so many ways a person can save from the simple common sense changes like turning off lights and appliances every time you leave a room to extreme changes such as making your own baby wipes (some people make wipes from flannel instead of buying toilet paper or cotton fabric napkins for dining and clean up) and using cloth diapers either for a baby or for feminine needs. If you can sew this may be an option you may wish to consider. But no matter what changes you make, always remember that money isn't everything and money is not what makes us who we are, it's our family and the time you spend together. Getting the kids involved with making soap, baking your own snacks, or just a good board game instead of cable TV can create some awesome memories. An added benefit, these are skills that our children can use in case they run in to hard times when they grow up, and they can pass them on to the next generation.
I hope you take these suggestions and recipes with you and that they help you save as much as they've helped me. I'm not rich, I'm not anywhere near it, but I still have enough to keep my family safe, healthy, and happy. I wish the same and more for you.
Do you have any tips to share? If you do, I'd really love to hear them. Please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
Until next time, God bless you all and as always; make it a great day!
Labels:
budget,
family,
frugal living,
lessons learned,
life
Tuesday, March 29
Human Again
Q: what’s worse on your sleep cycle, daylight savings or sick children?
A: A combination of both.
This particular week started with my youngest cherub screaming from the bathroom, “mommy I barffed.”
“Ok, I’ll have to call you back bye.”
I went to the bathroom took care of her & stayed up all that night (which just happened to be the night we sprang forward. IE: Losing an hour of sleep) &
My husband went to bed. He relieved me at 7 AM & I took a nap. Tuesday Hubby informs me that he’s sick, Friday was my smallest boy’s turn, & Saturday took me down. ON Monday my eldest son felt chills but nothing more. FEW! I was so caught up in taking care of everyone & myself; over the past week that I let mostly everything about me go. I am embarrassed to say it had been about 3 days since my last shower. (Can we say eeeew!)?
But the truth is I’m not the only mom out there that this happens too. It’s so easy to forget about yourself when you are trying to take care of everyone else. Whether it’s a new baby, a cherub with medical issues, or a tummy bug. At some point, we all need to feel human again.
Sometimes, it’s just a shower, clean teeth, & a fresh outfit that make all the difference in the world. Other times, it’s getting out for a moment to just blow off steam. Yes, we all need to “blow off steam” at some point or another. I remember when I had moved out of my parent’s home for the 1st time some of my friends asked me,
“What if you need to go for a drive, what are you going to do?”
Ok, let us be realistic here. If I had a license to drive, (even _if I was calm) you wouldn’t want to be on the road anywhere near me. (Note to newcomers: I’m totally blind.) Obviously I needed to figure something else out. & Eventually I did hit that point, I walked out, slammed the door, & stood there. Not having the slightest clue or idea of what in the world I was going to do next. So I sat down, cooled off, & when I was ready I walked back in the house. But it was that time alone. Sure, it would have been nice to see some trees passing by or to go somewhere else like the park or the mall, but aside from the fact that it’s not really safe to drive in that state of mind; I had neither the transportation nor the funds for such a trip. SO, I made due with what I had.
When we can regain our composure, boost our spirits, & maybe even feel special for just a moment, it makes tough days just that much easier to deal with. .
Here are just a few ways to boost those spirits without depending on anyone else or flattening our wallets.
1. A nice shower, with your favorite scented washes, & shampoo. Even if you turn off the water during your shampoo session, massaging your scalp will help you relax & release much of that stress.
2. Put on some music. Even quiet upbeat music can get some rhythm back in your step & relaxation or classical music can help slow things down when it’s time to take a break.
3. Buy a small treat just for you. Sometimes we forget how nice it is not to have to break a candy bar into 4 pieces & equal pieces at that. While it’s nice to share, sometimes I just don’t wanna. ☺
4. Make something just for you. We spend time making things for our children, spouse, & others; when was the last time you worked so hard to make something for you? It sometimes goes that we give everyone else a turn & when it comes to us we skip because some one else needs or wants something else. So even if it’s just a simple favorite meal, or a project you’d like; take that turn for you.
In doing these things, not only do we help ourselves feel human again, but we teach our children that we as moms & dads, Grands, or guardians are people too. We teach them that taking time for ourselves is important & when they have cherubs of their own, they will be able to make those same concepts apply in their lives.
So while we may not always be 1st in line, we need to make sure that we take our turn. I’ve shared a few of my favorite spirit boosters, but I’d like to hear what works for you. What do you do to feel human again?
God bless & as always, make it a great day!
A: A combination of both.
This particular week started with my youngest cherub screaming from the bathroom, “mommy I barffed.”
“Ok, I’ll have to call you back bye.”
I went to the bathroom took care of her & stayed up all that night (which just happened to be the night we sprang forward. IE: Losing an hour of sleep) &
My husband went to bed. He relieved me at 7 AM & I took a nap. Tuesday Hubby informs me that he’s sick, Friday was my smallest boy’s turn, & Saturday took me down. ON Monday my eldest son felt chills but nothing more. FEW! I was so caught up in taking care of everyone & myself; over the past week that I let mostly everything about me go. I am embarrassed to say it had been about 3 days since my last shower. (Can we say eeeew!)?
But the truth is I’m not the only mom out there that this happens too. It’s so easy to forget about yourself when you are trying to take care of everyone else. Whether it’s a new baby, a cherub with medical issues, or a tummy bug. At some point, we all need to feel human again.
Sometimes, it’s just a shower, clean teeth, & a fresh outfit that make all the difference in the world. Other times, it’s getting out for a moment to just blow off steam. Yes, we all need to “blow off steam” at some point or another. I remember when I had moved out of my parent’s home for the 1st time some of my friends asked me,
“What if you need to go for a drive, what are you going to do?”
Ok, let us be realistic here. If I had a license to drive, (even _if I was calm) you wouldn’t want to be on the road anywhere near me. (Note to newcomers: I’m totally blind.) Obviously I needed to figure something else out. & Eventually I did hit that point, I walked out, slammed the door, & stood there. Not having the slightest clue or idea of what in the world I was going to do next. So I sat down, cooled off, & when I was ready I walked back in the house. But it was that time alone. Sure, it would have been nice to see some trees passing by or to go somewhere else like the park or the mall, but aside from the fact that it’s not really safe to drive in that state of mind; I had neither the transportation nor the funds for such a trip. SO, I made due with what I had.
When we can regain our composure, boost our spirits, & maybe even feel special for just a moment, it makes tough days just that much easier to deal with. .
Here are just a few ways to boost those spirits without depending on anyone else or flattening our wallets.
1. A nice shower, with your favorite scented washes, & shampoo. Even if you turn off the water during your shampoo session, massaging your scalp will help you relax & release much of that stress.
2. Put on some music. Even quiet upbeat music can get some rhythm back in your step & relaxation or classical music can help slow things down when it’s time to take a break.
3. Buy a small treat just for you. Sometimes we forget how nice it is not to have to break a candy bar into 4 pieces & equal pieces at that. While it’s nice to share, sometimes I just don’t wanna. ☺
4. Make something just for you. We spend time making things for our children, spouse, & others; when was the last time you worked so hard to make something for you? It sometimes goes that we give everyone else a turn & when it comes to us we skip because some one else needs or wants something else. So even if it’s just a simple favorite meal, or a project you’d like; take that turn for you.
In doing these things, not only do we help ourselves feel human again, but we teach our children that we as moms & dads, Grands, or guardians are people too. We teach them that taking time for ourselves is important & when they have cherubs of their own, they will be able to make those same concepts apply in their lives.
So while we may not always be 1st in line, we need to make sure that we take our turn. I’ve shared a few of my favorite spirit boosters, but I’d like to hear what works for you. What do you do to feel human again?
God bless & as always, make it a great day!
Monday, February 28
My Miracle Cherub
I sat on the edge of my hospital bed holding my new baby in my arms. After 5 days of labor, & 2-1/2 hours of pushing, vacuum extraction, green fluid, & a traumatic birth; He was finally here. I remember thinking about how small he was in comparison to me as an adult. He was no small baby, he was 9 pounds 6 ounces, & he was 22 & 3-quarter inches long. He was my Nathan Angel (God has given Angel) I spent the next 2 weeks nursing, changing, & simply loving him.
The day of his appointment at Children’s hospital had arrived. I was nervous, because I knew these appointments all too well, they meant being held down while a doctor pried your eyes open, shined a light in them, & that was if you were lucky enough not to need dilation. My new baby, my sweet son would have to endure what I had felt many times before. Can’t I just take his place this time? No, he had to be checked for bilateral retinal blastoma (cancer tumors of the retina (. These are the same tumors that took 2 of my grandmother’s babies, my dad’s right eye, & both of mine.
So there we waited, in came the doctor, & I held my baby & my breath. Just as I had anticipated, he was strapped down, his eyes were checked, & he cried. So did I. But not as much as I would a moment later when the doctor who had treated me 15 years before proceeded to inform me that my son did in fact have the very same tumors.
I was crushed. I felt like someone had just kicked me in the stomach. He was so small, so innocent, and so sweet; & I was so sad. Would I lose my baby? No! We’re going to fight this. I held him, I cried, & tried so hard & so unsuccessfully to figure out what in the world I was going to do. I had so many questions & felt like nobody could possibly answer them all.
He had examinations under anesthesia several times over the next 4 weeks during which he received cryogenic treatments & laser heat treatments that killed some tumors but not all. It was decided that Nathan would need chemotherapy. At 5 weeks his pick line (a longer term version of an IV) was placed in his leg just _after waking from his examination that week. I took him home & tried to prepare myself, my baby & my family for what was to come. But I had no clue what to expect so really all I did was sit at home care for my baby & wait for the next step.
It was 2days later that we returned to the emergency room because Nathan being the now 5-week-old baby that he was kicked his pick line out of his leg. But we didn’t go home with a band-aid as I had hoped. Nathan had a blood infection & we were sent to the 4th floor & put in isolation for the next few days. Once his infection was gone, his doctor recommended a broviac line (a line placed just over the heart for the distribution of medication) be put in so he could begin chemo. Surgery was done after 14 hours of waiting for a space in the operating room. & The following Thursday he began his regimen. Nathan was now 6 weeks old & already so much had happened.
Every week we were at the hospital for 1 reason after another; infections, transfusions, examinations, infusions, & of course chemo treatments. Nathan was 3 treatments in to his therapy when he had a severe allergic reaction to 1 of the 3-chemo drugs he was taking. His heart rate was sky high, his body was almost twice its size, & he was a bright tomato red in color. I only know that his color changed because several nurses told me. I was so scared & so bewildered. Eventually that drug was stopped & he stayed on 2 of the 3 drugs for the remainder of his treatment. 6 months, of chemo, lasers, cryogenic treatments, & countless examinations under anesthesia Nathan was diagnosed with a retinal detachment. He had a clearal buckle (a band that squeezes the eye together so the retina can heal) put in his eye, 3 months later, that buckle snapped & was poking a hole in his eye socket. It was removed & at almost 3 years old he was finally in remission. In all, Nathan had had over 64 surgeries including his examinations, corrections, eye injections, & much more. We patched, we worked, & we did what we could for his vision but doctors could not tell how much vision he had. We would just have to wait for Nathan to grow up enough so he could tell us himself.
Nathan is now 9 ears old; He is growing up to be a wonderful young man. & I thank God everyday for that. We found out recently that the tumors took the center vision in his right eye, leaving him with nothing but perifferal & only about 6 inches of vision in that eye. & That his left eye has nothing but center vision, even though it’s his stronger eye. So he wears glasses both for correction & protection, but I am just glad he’s here. It’s been 6 years since his treatments. & This is the 1st time I am able to sit & write all of this out. It’s been too long, but until now I could not bring myself to revisit those years. It was so hard, but we prayed, & God saw us through. Nathan truly is a blessing as are all of my 3 cherubs, but I know that he is my miracle, God’s gift, & I love that lil boy.
If you take nothing else from my writing, please take my story with you & love love love your babies. I’m blessed to have mine, but there are so many others who don’t & I just pray that we don’t take our cherubs for granted. I know they try our patience, they test our strength, they simply make us crazy at times, but we even in those moments – especially in those moments, need to show them that we love those babies.
If you have a story you’d like to share with me please share. I’d be honored to have you guest post on my blog. I’m here sharing my stories with everyone in hopes that I can encourage someone.
God bless & as always, make it a great day!
The day of his appointment at Children’s hospital had arrived. I was nervous, because I knew these appointments all too well, they meant being held down while a doctor pried your eyes open, shined a light in them, & that was if you were lucky enough not to need dilation. My new baby, my sweet son would have to endure what I had felt many times before. Can’t I just take his place this time? No, he had to be checked for bilateral retinal blastoma (cancer tumors of the retina (. These are the same tumors that took 2 of my grandmother’s babies, my dad’s right eye, & both of mine.
So there we waited, in came the doctor, & I held my baby & my breath. Just as I had anticipated, he was strapped down, his eyes were checked, & he cried. So did I. But not as much as I would a moment later when the doctor who had treated me 15 years before proceeded to inform me that my son did in fact have the very same tumors.
I was crushed. I felt like someone had just kicked me in the stomach. He was so small, so innocent, and so sweet; & I was so sad. Would I lose my baby? No! We’re going to fight this. I held him, I cried, & tried so hard & so unsuccessfully to figure out what in the world I was going to do. I had so many questions & felt like nobody could possibly answer them all.
He had examinations under anesthesia several times over the next 4 weeks during which he received cryogenic treatments & laser heat treatments that killed some tumors but not all. It was decided that Nathan would need chemotherapy. At 5 weeks his pick line (a longer term version of an IV) was placed in his leg just _after waking from his examination that week. I took him home & tried to prepare myself, my baby & my family for what was to come. But I had no clue what to expect so really all I did was sit at home care for my baby & wait for the next step.
It was 2days later that we returned to the emergency room because Nathan being the now 5-week-old baby that he was kicked his pick line out of his leg. But we didn’t go home with a band-aid as I had hoped. Nathan had a blood infection & we were sent to the 4th floor & put in isolation for the next few days. Once his infection was gone, his doctor recommended a broviac line (a line placed just over the heart for the distribution of medication) be put in so he could begin chemo. Surgery was done after 14 hours of waiting for a space in the operating room. & The following Thursday he began his regimen. Nathan was now 6 weeks old & already so much had happened.
Every week we were at the hospital for 1 reason after another; infections, transfusions, examinations, infusions, & of course chemo treatments. Nathan was 3 treatments in to his therapy when he had a severe allergic reaction to 1 of the 3-chemo drugs he was taking. His heart rate was sky high, his body was almost twice its size, & he was a bright tomato red in color. I only know that his color changed because several nurses told me. I was so scared & so bewildered. Eventually that drug was stopped & he stayed on 2 of the 3 drugs for the remainder of his treatment. 6 months, of chemo, lasers, cryogenic treatments, & countless examinations under anesthesia Nathan was diagnosed with a retinal detachment. He had a clearal buckle (a band that squeezes the eye together so the retina can heal) put in his eye, 3 months later, that buckle snapped & was poking a hole in his eye socket. It was removed & at almost 3 years old he was finally in remission. In all, Nathan had had over 64 surgeries including his examinations, corrections, eye injections, & much more. We patched, we worked, & we did what we could for his vision but doctors could not tell how much vision he had. We would just have to wait for Nathan to grow up enough so he could tell us himself.
Nathan is now 9 ears old; He is growing up to be a wonderful young man. & I thank God everyday for that. We found out recently that the tumors took the center vision in his right eye, leaving him with nothing but perifferal & only about 6 inches of vision in that eye. & That his left eye has nothing but center vision, even though it’s his stronger eye. So he wears glasses both for correction & protection, but I am just glad he’s here. It’s been 6 years since his treatments. & This is the 1st time I am able to sit & write all of this out. It’s been too long, but until now I could not bring myself to revisit those years. It was so hard, but we prayed, & God saw us through. Nathan truly is a blessing as are all of my 3 cherubs, but I know that he is my miracle, God’s gift, & I love that lil boy.
If you take nothing else from my writing, please take my story with you & love love love your babies. I’m blessed to have mine, but there are so many others who don’t & I just pray that we don’t take our cherubs for granted. I know they try our patience, they test our strength, they simply make us crazy at times, but we even in those moments – especially in those moments, need to show them that we love those babies.
If you have a story you’d like to share with me please share. I’d be honored to have you guest post on my blog. I’m here sharing my stories with everyone in hopes that I can encourage someone.
God bless & as always, make it a great day!
Saturday, February 26
On The Move
The day I had waited for had finally arived! After 4 long years of hoping, praying, & frustration; it was our time to leave the 5bedroom house we'd shared with my inlaws. We paid the downpayment, 1st year's taxes, & staid in 2bedrooms & a bathroom. We fought, argued, & even shared a few laughs. But now it's over. I don't have to answer to anyone but God, my hubby, & my kiddos. I don't have to explain what I'm doing or why. I can have things the way I want them.
One of the many things that made living with my MIL next to impossible for me was the fact that I could not make her understand that I needed things to be set in 1 place & left there. I don't mind sharing but I want to find what I need when I need it. My frustration was almost unbarable at times, but God never gives us more than we can handle. He had many lessons for me & he put me in the house with someone who could teach me whether I liked it or not. I hope I was able to teach her something that would benefit her too.
I never realized that in my anticipation of our upcoming move. I had purchased many a dish, saved every box we ever got in the mail, & crammed my computer full of recipes, tips, & resources to use whenever that day came. Truth is, I'm glad I did.
We've been in our 2bedroom apartment for 1 week & a half now. & I'm sooo happy. I cook, clean, & do what I need to do much better than I did before. I had time to learn, grow, & adapt.
God knows why he does what he does. I may have lost all the money I had, but I gained priceless experience that has made me a better person, wife, daughter, mommy, & even though I didn't understand it then, I look back & see what God wanted of me. I've learned so much from all the bad experiences. I don't ever want to be in a situation like that again. But I can certainly be grateful for what I have now. I praid, ranted, raved, cried, then I put it in God's hands. I'm not going to say that I didn't take it back, cause I'd be lying through my teeth. I did that several times. But ultimately I gave it back to Him when I was done.
I am blessed to have my sweet yet simple apartment, with my sweet yet simple furnature, & my many baking dishes. lol But over all God has blessed the PinedaFamily5 with a place that meets our needs, & wants, but is perfectly sized for us. My God knows me, He knows my thoughts & Prayers, & He has blessed us in so many ways.
I think that sometimes we have to be broken down & rebuilt from the ground up. That is exactly what this experience was for me. I was broken & rebuilt, some old parts, some new parts, & a few gaps for filling in later. it wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty, & it wasn't my way; it was however God's hand that lead me to where I am & it will be God's hand that guides me to where I need to go. So as I've said before,
"experience is the best teacher, even if it means making mistakes."
& as long as I have God on my side, _ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Bad days are for learning, good days are for enjoying, & no day is a waste because they all come together to make us who we are.
That's my latest testemony, & I hope that it helps you in some way. If you are in a situation you aren't happy with, try as much as possible to take in all there is to learn from it, & always keep your faith. We may not be ready for what God has in store for us yet, but when He's ready, & only when He's ready We will see what that is.
I wish you happiness, joy, & strength in the Lord.
Make it a great day!
One of the many things that made living with my MIL next to impossible for me was the fact that I could not make her understand that I needed things to be set in 1 place & left there. I don't mind sharing but I want to find what I need when I need it. My frustration was almost unbarable at times, but God never gives us more than we can handle. He had many lessons for me & he put me in the house with someone who could teach me whether I liked it or not. I hope I was able to teach her something that would benefit her too.
I never realized that in my anticipation of our upcoming move. I had purchased many a dish, saved every box we ever got in the mail, & crammed my computer full of recipes, tips, & resources to use whenever that day came. Truth is, I'm glad I did.
We've been in our 2bedroom apartment for 1 week & a half now. & I'm sooo happy. I cook, clean, & do what I need to do much better than I did before. I had time to learn, grow, & adapt.
God knows why he does what he does. I may have lost all the money I had, but I gained priceless experience that has made me a better person, wife, daughter, mommy, & even though I didn't understand it then, I look back & see what God wanted of me. I've learned so much from all the bad experiences. I don't ever want to be in a situation like that again. But I can certainly be grateful for what I have now. I praid, ranted, raved, cried, then I put it in God's hands. I'm not going to say that I didn't take it back, cause I'd be lying through my teeth. I did that several times. But ultimately I gave it back to Him when I was done.
I am blessed to have my sweet yet simple apartment, with my sweet yet simple furnature, & my many baking dishes. lol But over all God has blessed the PinedaFamily5 with a place that meets our needs, & wants, but is perfectly sized for us. My God knows me, He knows my thoughts & Prayers, & He has blessed us in so many ways.
I think that sometimes we have to be broken down & rebuilt from the ground up. That is exactly what this experience was for me. I was broken & rebuilt, some old parts, some new parts, & a few gaps for filling in later. it wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty, & it wasn't my way; it was however God's hand that lead me to where I am & it will be God's hand that guides me to where I need to go. So as I've said before,
"experience is the best teacher, even if it means making mistakes."
& as long as I have God on my side, _ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Bad days are for learning, good days are for enjoying, & no day is a waste because they all come together to make us who we are.
That's my latest testemony, & I hope that it helps you in some way. If you are in a situation you aren't happy with, try as much as possible to take in all there is to learn from it, & always keep your faith. We may not be ready for what God has in store for us yet, but when He's ready, & only when He's ready We will see what that is.
I wish you happiness, joy, & strength in the Lord.
Make it a great day!
Labels:
Faith,
family,
lessons learned,
special needs,
strength
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