eSpecially Ben

First in Families is a statewide organization that does a number of wonderful things for people with special needs. Here are a few I borrowed from their website: Helps people with developmental disabilities and their families to create the lives they want now and for the future. (Visit Lifetime Connections ) Provides guidance and oversight to local First In Families Chapters. (Find a local FIF Chapter ) Nurtures the growth of new FIF Chapters. Assists in developing statewide policy for implementing self-directed supports for people with disabilities. (Visit Advocacy ) Our family applied for help from First in Families when Ben needed a computer that would run pre-literacy programs and activate his touch screen. Ben received the funds to buy the computer. If you have the hankering for some flapjacks, consider attending this fund raiser. Feel free to share this with others. It would be great to eat Applebee's out of pancakes!

It has been two years since we last went to the circus, but with coupons in hand, we were not going to miss Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus this year. This was Ben and Logan's third time, but Sean's first time seeing the circus. I love the circus, but seeing the boys so excited was a thrill - that whole seeing things again for the first time through your kids eyes phenomenon. According to them, we had the best seats, the guy on fire was their favorite part and Sean now believes elephants exist. To my surprise, on the way to the arena, Ryan picked the kids up, one by one and let them look over this big wall. The secret - this was the behind the scenes of the circus. We had a good view of the white tigers. I even got a heave-ho over the wall to see. Our seats were on a higher level, and the first in the row so we had the wall right in front of us. It helped because Ben was not distracted with people directly in front of us - meaning he did not have peop

There are many interesting people in the world. Individuals with cool stories, living amazing lives changing the world. I am in awe of people like this - especially when I get to meet them and realize they are regular people, just like you and me. They have made the choice to do something different with their path in life...reminds me of Frost's The Road Not Taken . A new neighbor shared her families' story with me and then forwarded their blog:  Casa de Sion . Take a look at it.