Halloween Treats

Last weekend the girls and I decorated the house for Halloween and made yummy shortbread cookies. These girls are little bakers and just love the frosting portion of cookie making. I mean really who doesn't?? After our afternoon of deorations we had a cup of hot chocolate and enjoyed our cookies. Happy Halloween and we hope your fall is full of fun!

Therapy and Gracelyn

Gracelyn has been a bit of a challenge lately and the older the gets the more signifigant her developmental delays emerge. There are days that you would never know there is anything wrong with her and then there are days like last Tuesday where I found myself in tears because I don't know how to help my child. Academically she is doing great in school, she is very social and overall copes great. Then there are the moments when nothing is right in her world like the feel of her clothes, the many noises that flow in and out of her ears or the overload she gets from just going to the store. The shaking she does has increased immensly and is more intense then ever. I use all the tools given to deal with what I have been given but there are times when I feel like I am helpless. These are some pictures of Gracelyn from therapy last Tuesday. All day long she was trying to get a sensation to her body and it just wasn't happening. Mary her therapist let her do shaving cream which is typically done on the mirror but Gracelyn needed to feel it on her body so we let her. This is something that often happens with her food, drink etc. Autism, PDD, Sensory disorder and OCD are the very things that torture my daughter everyday. There are days that I am fine with it and then there are days that I want to have answers. Like what caused it and how can I help her???? Something that helped her yesterday may not help her tomorrow. I have always been a person that when someone is injured or sick you take medicine or get surgery to fix it. I don't have these options with my daughter but the one thing I know more then ever is that she grew my heart more then I ever thought possible and her delays have taught me the most patience I have ever had in my entire life!

There is a movie that was just realeased called Temple Grandin and I highly reccomend it. It gives you a little insight into the mind of a Autistic individual.

Mara

Mara: Shes a little cooky, super creative and always funny. This picture pretty much says it all and for no good reason other then it is fun to dress up!

I love you Mara and all that you are!

Waterpark

Gracelyn is really missing sumertime and all she asks to do is go to the Jane Clark Pool. Last Sunday this little spitfire was bound and determined to swim. I was thinking of all sorts of distractions but it was never good enough until..... I thought, lets make our own pool here at the house. I got out our suits, goggles and swim rings and off we went to the pool. Gracelyn and I had such a good time swimming together. We pretended we were floating, going down slides and every now and then she snuck me a smooch. Sometimes with this one it just takes a little creativity to put that big smile back on that sweet face!

Weddings Weddings

Another thing to add to my list had been weddings. Business has really picked up and the last few weekends have involved a whole lotta flowers. This wedding I made 30 arrangements and all the bouquets. I stayed in Seattle for the weekend to get creative. It was a busy weekend that wiped me out but I had a great time with it all. The end result always makes it all worth while!

Happy Birthday Papa No Toes "79"

I'm a bit behind but that is the result of being a single mom, working a full time job, coordinating fundraisers, volunteering in our wonderful community and just basically life in general. The fall is a busy time but there is a lot going on and I am finally going to get to sit down and share it with you!

The fall is a busy Birthday time in our family and it wouldn't be a celebration without getting to have Papa home from the nursing home. Last year we all had to go to the nursing home to celebrate with him. It was a sad day and we had no idea what the future held for him. After a crazy year of surgeries and healing he is coming home often and as you can see from the following pictures is doing great. A custom made cake, a food spread to die for and all of his family around to celebrate made for a pretty big smile on this old geaser.

How I am feeling at this point in my life!

I am feeling great! I have two beautiful little girls who I adore, a great family, wonderful friends and I love my new job!!!