eSpecially Ben

For what seemed like eternity, our neighbor's RV was parked outside our bedroom window. When I looked out, the dad from the Walton's and a bald boy with a knit hat stared back at me. The RV is wrapped to advertise the movie, Letters to God , which comes out on April 9. My neighbor promotes films and thought this might be a good way to get the word out. We certainly got the message. Last week, my neighbor asked if I wanted to see a sneak preview of the movie. Curiosity and a night out ensured my acceptance. The film is based on a true story - and to the credit of the writer, producer and director - they deliver a message of hope and prayer. In addition, they share resources and information about cancer organizations available to help families and individuals affected by this disease. A number of national and international organizations support the movie. The movie is about a boy, Tyler, who has brain cancer. As a coping mechanism, he writes letters to God explaining wha

Perhaps I have mentioned before that Ben loves Bob the Builder. This photo captures Ben watching his new "Bob" video from Santa on Christmas Day while we opened presents, something he does not particularly enjoy. It was our way to involve Ben in something he likes and be with us at the same time. Rather than feel guilty and sad about Ben not participating in Christmas morning activities in the traditional way, we tried this innovative approach - and it worked well for the whole family.

I started a journal in October 2006 that focuses solely on the accomplishments of our children. From what they say, do, eat, like, dislike - you get the idea. I know ten days after something happens, I will most likely forget because some other skill has taken its place or as some say, Mommy Brain has taken over. When I look back, I am astonished at the progress Ben has made and how things have changed. My first entry in this journal is about a beautiful fall day that I remember so well, Ben was 3 and Logan was 1: "We went to Davidson, NC and relaxed at a park. The boys discovered leaves and how they will blow in the wind. Ben sat up at least 8x in an hour just because he wanted to do it. Logan chased the blowing leaf he'd let go in the wind." December 2006 "Ben has been standing up in his pack-n-play and pulling lamps, photos...off the table - he's sneaky." We did not know he could pull himself up and could not understand why items on a side table w

I was doing a bit of arts and crafts last week and thought I could pass this idea on to others. A few years ago, I started this collage of the photos of my friend and family's children from the Christmas cards we receive. I felt guilty throwing away the photos because I know how much trouble it is to get those pictures taken and sent out, but never knew how to keep them in a meaningful way. This was my solution - a collage of the photos. I simply tack all the photos to a bulletin board that hangs in my laundry room. After the holidays, I toss the old ones and put up the new. It is a great way to decorate our laundry room, somewhere I seem to spend a lot of time, and celebrate all the wonderful children in our life. The photo was taken from far back so that the children are not recognizable and for you to see that I really do hang it in my laundry room! And unfortunately, Dr. Pepper and Pledge did not pay for product placement.

If someone had told me that I would do the following things on the first day of the year 2010, I would call them crazy. Wake at 6am. Be outside in 30 degree temperatures. Wake sleeping children. Drive 90 minutes to run 5 miles up and down steep hills in the freezing temperatures with once sleeping children. But I did, and I do think I am crazy. Hair of the Dog was my first race of my 12 Race Challenge for 2010. The race was coordinated by a YMCA in another state, about an hour and a half south of us. I chose this race because it was the only one in January relatively close to our home - and it was warmer when I was planning this challenge. The race itself had about 100 participants, many wearing t-shirts from previous Hair of the Dog Races. This was the 28th Annual. It seems to be a big tradition with the regulars in this town. The course took us through beautiful neighborhoods with older bungalow style homes, a nature preserve and also crossed over creeks and old railro

We baked oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies over winter break. In order to get both Ben and Logan involved, I moved the "staging" area lower to the ground, moving a kid's table to the kitchen. For most every ingredient, I gave Ben a small portion to play with in a bowl allowing him to feel the oats, flour, sugar and tastung them if he wanted. The chocolate chips were his favorite. Ben really enjoyed the mixer - I bet the sound and vibration were interesting to him. Logan helped Ben with the brown sugar, Logan was an excellent helper. He scooped the batter onto the trays, getting them ready for baking. I must give credit to Logan for the photos with me in them. He did a great job!

In the fall, I received the One Lovely Blog Award from Bendigo at Bendigo's Rage . As stated in the rules, I must give the award to 15 other blogs. I have done it in increments - these are the next 5. They are all chosen for different reasons - one because it plays ABBA music while reading the blog, and a couple because of the excellent special education law they provide. Have fun reading: 1. Special Education Law Blog 2. Wrightslaw Blog 3. Special Needs Reads 4. The Blog of the Courtier The rules, upon receiving this award, state that you must: 1. Accept the award; 2. Post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link; 3. Pass the award on to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered; and 4. Contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.