Our Own Camp Blessing

By Sandy on July 1, 2016

This summer many of Josiah’s friends are spending a week away at camp. A week away from family and the comforts of home. A week away at an incredibly amazing place called Camp Blessing.

Josiah isn’t signed up to go. I don’t think he is ready for Camp Blessing. Not just yet anyway. I don’t think Camp Blessing is ready for the likes of Josiah. They’d probably shut the place down if he signed up. A few days before we would get a notice camp has been canceled or suddenly closed due to unforeseen circumstances.

From what I hear, the staff and volunteers are amazing. The kids have a blast. Everyone comes away with a positive experience. For the life of me, I can’t see how that would ring true for Josiah. Maybe I’m underestimating my kid. Maybe Josiah wouldn’t be the most challenged, overwhelmed, unwilling participant there, should we ever register him. I don’t know.

But this year, we had our own Camp Blessing of sorts.

Movies and More, the Sequel

By Sandy on March 29, 2016

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Two days after our initial screening of Zootopia, Josiah and I tried it again. This time we went on a Sensory Friendly Day, with the lights turned up (at least they were for part of the film, not sure whey they suddenly went out) and the sound turned down, so everyone can get up, dance, walk, shout or even sing if they want. One of the local theaters offers this option four times a month.

Josiah made it through the entire film this time. Read more…

Movies and More

By Sandy on March 24, 2016

Today Josiah and I went to the movies. We spent more time preparing for the movie than actually enjoying it.

We were the first to arrive. The doors were locked when we got there. We sat in the parking lot for 10 minutes while I downloaded an app, entered a gift card number and opened up my email to get electronic tickets.

We watched as the ticket taker attempted to copy the authorization number from my phone in order to print out paper tickets. It wasn’t going well for some reason. He walked away to get help, leaving Josiah and me to wait. Josiah walked away too, many times actually.

Big Tandem Bike

By Sandy on March 9, 2016

Oh the places you’ll go

Oh the things you will see

When you ride on a big tandem bike with me

You’ll pedal fast and I’ll pedal slow

It won’t really matter as long as we go

As long we’re out in the warm Texas sun

You working hard, and me having fun

HUGE Decision

By Sandy on October 25, 2015

Exactly one day after Josiah turned 13, I began praying some very specific prayer requests for him. I’ve been asking God to keep him free from aggression and self injurious behaviors; for protection from germs so he can stay healthy; for a functional form of communication in all of his environments and for wisdom about his medications.

Given all Josiah has been through since then, one might think God hasn’t been paying attention, but I know He is at work. Josiah’s medications have been tweaked and he’s doing really well right now. His mood is stabilized. He’s sleeping great. He’s even beginning to have success using his Ipad for some basic communication.

In addition to these prayers, I’ve also been praying for something else. Something huge. It has been on my heart for a while. A small part of me has always felt it’s what’s best for Josiah. However, I wanted to be absolutely, positively, without a doubt, SURE before moving forward. I need to know it’s the right thing to do since it so greatly impacts many other things. For the past 9 months I’ve been praying for wisdom about whether or not to home school Josiah.