We have a small amount of the Hope Cards left from this print run and so I have lowered the price in the store, from 6.25 for a pack of 5, to $5, which is the price from my speaking events. The price of the children’s book, “Shining Treasures“ has also been lowerd to $10. The book is great for siblings of kids with differences, to help them understand the value and worth of everyone, regardlesss of their handicaps. I am looking into some of the charities at Wolfsons to donate a few. It was a great message to share, and something so relevant for my 12 yr old when he was young and so close with his brother, Joshua.  A good portion of the proceeds will always benefit the idic-15 parents group, I.D.E.A.S.

I walked over to my neighbor’s today, as Bear was already there sittin’ for a spell in her front porch rocker. He is my 7 yr old social butterfly. It was so nice. She has a little butterfly garden set up. He was so excited to see this hummingbird and ran and got the camera . While we were there, we were also entertained by another visitor we did not expect. He hung out in her yard, then flew back into mine. Not sure if he was old and lost, but he let me get closer than normal. Cody the cockapoo told him to quickly leave our yard or else.
What a blessing to get them in a photo!

Well I usually do not have a “political” blog of any kind, but I am so elated that we have a potential VP that is a special needs mom!! In addition to all the other ways she has proven she can handle the pressure (issues she has handled as Gov.), there is a special responsibility and honor that is given to those who have been blessed with a child that is different. I think God has given them a unique perspective of the world and what we should value most in our lives and she would definitely be an asset to the team. The challenges that they faced on a daily basis, most will never experience and my heart goes out to all the families that have walked that walk, as we did for eight years with our sunshine boy, Joshua, and still do with a different experience of my youngest being in the spectrum. Check out this site for the article.

I am anxious to see how this all plays out. Either way, her life and publicity of her story on overcoming and triumphing in the face of adversity will undoubtedly encourage so many.

Have a blessed day!

Well, we are just waiting out this hurricane here in Fl. Bear’s little private school just started this week, and had to cancel today and tomorrow for fear of torrential floods.
What to do with 2 boys that are bored silly being in the house with each other? We tried something new. The South Metro YMCA (by the ice skating rink) happens to have some 25 and 30 foot walls to go rock climbing, complete with the belay equipment. This was all new to me, and we got hooked up and started climbing. Yes, mommy did too.  I will not tell you how far I got, but it is definitely harder than it looks. The nice thing about it is that it is FREE to all Y members. The boys had a blast and got to flex their muscles for a few hours. Bear (7) climbed over 15 times and could have stayed the day, but we had to go to try to beat the storm home. I have always suspected that he would do better at individual sports versus team sports and I think we found a new love for him!

I highly recommend it the next time you are looking for a way to get out some energy!

I found out that one of my old college room-mates just lost her Dad last week. We knew him and he was an exceptional man in his community and in his family. They are devastated. I was getting ready to sit down and use one my butterfly hope cards to write her a condolence note. Then I realized that sometimes I may take for granted the fact that I can write a note of this kind.

Several years ago when we were walking through the grief of losing our 8 yr old son, it was really quite surprising to see that some of our peers, whom we thought of as close friends, just dropped out of our life.

For the most part, we were totally floored by the outpouring of LOVE from all the rest, but those few, I always knew, just did not have the words to say. My heart actually went out to them, that they were so affected by the loss, it became too painful to speak. It does take a tremendous amount of courage to do the uncomportable thing, and reach out. So cards have always been important to me. However others could reach out, I appreciate more than I could ever say.

I was sitting down, putting together this note, and ran across a website article that writes about this very thing. It was very helpful for someone who is trying to put together a sincere note to  someone. Dr. Dyer has a very thorough site on the process of grieving called Journey of hearts but I especially liked her article which offers a memorable acronym, NOTE, helpful in the writing process. 

I know most all of us are inundated with texting and emails and calls and errands. I cannot believe how many people lately are unable to even stay in their own lane of traffic because of the cell phone glued to their ear. I made myself quit texting in the car for the same reason!  Emails are great and a necessity nowadays, as well as the online cards, But when we take the time to sit down and write with our own hands, and offer a thought to someone afar, it is really special. and I know how impacting those letters can be. I also know how impacting NO letter can be. I am not claiming to be the perfect condolence-giver byfar. In fact i feel sure that in the last few years, as I have been consumed with my own circumstances, I have dissed someone, unknowingly along the way. But we all are a work in progress, and hopefully pressing on towards the HIgh call.

Today I must go get some homemade, handwritten, thought-provoking, envelope-licking, stamp placing, letters done and mailed.

I encourage you to write a friend today.

Wow! The gallery that holds my originals now has a new website that is beautiful! Each of their artists has a personal page, where you can view all of the pieces they currently represent. It is really nice. If you find the time to stroll down to Green Cove Springs, just below Orange Park, on 17, you will find a beautiful little (and growing) community on the river. I warn you- you must slow your pace down, turn off your cell phone, and relax. Spring Park is a great place to play with the kids, have a picnic, tour the historical church on the riverfront, and visit the restore-home/art Gallery on Center Street. For more information, check out their new site, http://hollerithsartgallery.com/.

If you are interested in homeschool Art lesson ideas, this mom at “The one thing” has an incredibly in-depth site, with complete instructions. While you are there, you may want to visit her other blog site, All About Him, that has some beautiful nature study, very detailed.

I placed some new (to the site) artwork in the gallery. I love painting scenes of captured moments with children (our biggest blessing) and still try to manage it into my schedule when I am offered a commission job. These two were done this past spring. It is a shame that I never painted my own boys, and now my 12 yr old is 6′1″!!! But I have plenty of photos to use in the future when there is more time. Right now I am just “in the moment” with boys.

I have been teaching a class this week at Homesweet Homeschool, as we planned a Hands-on Art class in the summer curriculum. It has been a JOY, and the kids are loving the hands-on mess and creativity. I know we will add more into the schedule this year. I will add some photos of our Paper mache creations in the works. Most of the class is Nim’s Island-crazy right now so we had several sea turtles and Bearded Dragons. FUN!


Paper mache animals in the works
 

I still remember how impacting Ms Carroll’s art classes were when I was in the 5th grade and am so excited to see the smiles when they create something new.

I ran across a great website called www.restministries.org  for those who are living with illness or consoling someone with illness. Lisa Copen and her husband started this nonprofit. 

As I have written and spoken on grief over the past 6 years, specifically on losing a child,  I try to help others understand that ANY situation that feels like a loss, IS grief.  Many times it is not a death, but a life of challenges and ongoing loss that we cannot change. It may be having a family member with special needs or dealing with divorce, but it is all grief.

I think the subject of grief is a place most do not want to venture until there is an actual death. I know I did not. Having walked through the valley with my son, I am more cognizant of the process and others that are living with loss.  I am so glad to find sites like this that are helping others deal with illness and loss and find answers. My article, Just Be There, explored the basics of consoling a friend that is grieving through the holidays, but Lisa has expounded on this by giving some very creative, hands-on ideas for getting into their life and making a difference. Her book, “Beyond Casseroles:505 ways to encourage a chronically ill friend“, looks like a must-read for those in the ministry of encouragement. As I am joining our CARE team at church, I just ordered three copies!

Quote from book: Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief. - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Boy-when I said I had the painting “bug” I did not know the half of it! I have been a little out-of-the-game for a few days, but not minding it one bit. I caught a little flu bug last week that must’ve landed on me while I was teaching my drawing classes. It is inevitable around children, to eventually catch something, and I have been fortunate to avoid this for a few years.

Since I have not felt like working out at the gym or leaving the house at all, (with the exception of a few errands), we are just enjoying home. Sometimes my phone is even accidentally left off and I am finding that it can be peacefully rewarding.  I am getting some photo boxes organized, laundry done, school portfolios cleaned out from last year, and heavens, yes! even resting a little. The boys have been a help to me, and in between, they are catching baby lizards (many hatched from the eggs in the playset), writing their cousins, and playing chess, (or sculting a new hair-do).

I know that sounds really tame and peaceful, and so I must add that we are implementing a new behavior program since we had so many challenges in that area this summer. TV and videogames are reeally limited. The boys are learning to enjoy (and get along with) each other. It is going quite well so far. I may write more on that in another post once we have walked through the process, but I am so thankful for BMC, our ABA therapists. Heather is wonderful!!!

We still have typical boy challenges but the slower pace is definitely not a bad thing. I love my quiet times with them both, so I am focusing on staying in the moment. Only a few weeks left of summer….

I would love to hear some of the most peaceful things you have done with family this summer?