eSpecially Ben

 This is a letter I received last week from a company where Ben gets his orthotic braces made. I had been frustrated with the entrance to the building - no handicap accessible doors - and said so in their patient satisfaction survey. I am glad for this response and really appreciate the office manager writing to tell me about the changes being made. Advocating is a tough business and it does not always get you the results you want or expect. And sometimes, people do not react the way you think they might - both positively and negatively. I am checking this one off as a "Success."  

The photo above is just one from the weekly CD we receive from Ben and Logan's Sunday School teachers, Mr. Terry (photographer) and Mr. Jim. We also get an email telling us about the happenings within Sunday School and lessons to be studied for the following week. The emails, photos and updates are all wonderful, but they do not convey the love, unconditional support and pride that Mr. Terry and Mr. Jim have for Ben. You get that from talking with them. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how much Ben is loved every Sunday when he walks through those doors. This love carries through to the other kids in the class - the other boys and girls treat Ben with respect, love and friendship. As for Ben, he joins in the class, sitting, listening, eating and occassionally taking a break by walking down the hall to visit his little brother Sean, and sneaking a second snack from that wonderful Sunday School teacher...but that's a post for another day.

We have talked potty talk a lot on this blog - from toilet training woes to Medicaid paperwork nightmares. It looks like we may have some relief by next week. Okay, I will stop. But it is making me laugh. Long story short, we have been borrowing a Rifton Blue Wave Toilet for Ben from the NC Assistive Technology Program since last November. They have been more than flexible with letting us keep the toilet over our allotted time. Last week, I received an email asking us to return the toilet. I knew that all my favors had been called in, my husband had done his diplomatic best and it was time to bring it back. On the exact same day, Ben's new OT, told us that one of the families she works for has a brand new Blue Wave Toilet in their garage, unused. They got it for their son, but it was not what they needed. Hopefully by the time you read this, Ben will have his very own toilet. Thank goodness for the kindness of others to provide for the small comforts in life.

If you give a three year old the responsibility to set the table, you could get beautifully sculptured napkins.

Check out all the kids who are going to Disney with us. They are listed on this page: Meet the Grin Kids

This is just one of those funny things that happen in life - a story you tell when someone is willing to listen. Many months ago at Sunday School, someone opened the door to the room quickly and the doorknob hit a framed piece of artwork, breaking the glass. Although neither Ryan nor I had anything to do with it breaking, Ryan decided to take the artwork home to get the glass fixed. Ryan took the artwork to his office where they can get glass relatively cheap. He leaned the print against the desk, and for the first time, had a good look at it. So did everyone else who came into the office. Everyone’s reaction was the same, “How Awful!” Mine was, “What’s with all the nipples?” At the same time, Ryan realized the frame itself would have to be dismantled for the glass to be replaced. This was turning into an expensive project. Ryan and I decided that perhaps the piece was stuck behind the door for a reason. After all, the church was redecorating. I called the

Natalie with her sister. The moment Sophia came into my life, I completely changed as a person. Naturally my relationships with family and friends changed too. This is an area in my life that I am still trying to figure out. It can be hard to find your place with friends and and even some family after a life changing experience. They remain the same but I have forever been changed. At times, it can be an isolating experience. People you once felt you could relate to, you no longer do. Natalie with her parents. There were people that barely acknowledged or asked about Sophia. Others that offered no support and no compassion for what we were going through. Needless to say, I have limited to no relationship with those people. Then there were people I expected to be more supportive but, for some reason, were not. It can hurt but I try not to take it personally. I have had to let go of some relationships and expectations. I may be partly to blame for some of this. I am