Thankful for it all

I will be thankful because my parents taught me early that there is always something to be thankful for. I will be thankful because the alternative doesn’t serve me—or my boys. Gratitude is what makes the hardest moments less painful and somehow more meaningful.

Pivot

This week I had a gut check. I was brought back to reality. I was told my son is not making gains academically and it has come time to consider a new educational path for him. I wasn’t shocked and knew it was coming, but what has become the most soul-sucking is the fact that … Continue reading Pivot →

Standing Out

Nico starts second grade this week. He will be back in-person at his elementary school after being a virtual learner for the last year and a half and I feel like we’re prepping for his Kindergarten year all over again. All of his first grade experiences were remote. I didn’t want Nico to connect school … Continue reading Standing Out →

Being Seen

Today autism won. Today it got the best of my Nico and me. I learned today that even though Nico has grown in so many ways, he is beginning to struggle with new issues that will bring about all new coping mechanisms for both him and my husband and me. Today I felt like I … Continue reading Being Seen →

When Family Shows Up

This last month has been filled with some really amazing highs and some incredible lows. Such is life, I suppose, but when you're trying to wade through the tumultuousness of a nationwide pandemic--while raising a child with Autism in the midst of it--the highs just don't ring as high and the lows leave a more … Continue reading When Family Shows Up →

Music Can Move Mountains

2020 has truly thrown me some curve balls and the year isn’t even over yet. I feel like once the summer came the days blurred together and I haven’t been able to catch my breath or tell one day from the next. I’m sure I’m not alone. This year seems like it will go down … Continue reading Music Can Move Mountains →

Freeze Frame

I wish I could freeze time. Right now. Just freeze it as it stands—regardless of all the chaos that is enveloping our world at the moment—because Nico is having an amazing summer. I don’t think I have ever felt this at ease with my son in the five and a half years since his diagnosis. … Continue reading Freeze Frame →

The Great Regression

I knew this wasn't going to be easy. The goal was to take it day by day. It was not supposed to be this long. This was not supposed to be the new normal. March was just supposed to bring with it an extended Spring Break and then back to school he would go. The … Continue reading The Great Regression →

Teachable Moments

Nico was not able to sit and do any of his schoolwork today. I had a feeling it was going to be a tough day as soon as the first meltdown started ten minutes after he woke up. First the whining began for no reason. Then, he started making weird noises that got louder and … Continue reading Teachable Moments →

Social Distancing Silver Linings

I danced with Nico in the kitchen today and as I held him in my arms (yep, he still loves nothing more than to be picked up and held tightly by his mama) and waltzed back and forth with him I couldn't help but cry. I didn't let him see me; he gets very upset … Continue reading Social Distancing Silver Linings →