Vacation Visual Schedule

A few weeks ago, we went on our first for real family vacation to a non-beach location. It was AWESOME.

In preparation, Sweetheart and I focused on two things I learned at the weekend retreat for moms of special needs kids with Rising Above. These two things came from a mom whose two little boys won SIKids SportsKids of 2012.

The first: When you're thinking about whether or not you should travel with your special needs kid - Just do it. As parents of special needs kids, you worry about taking them out of their routine. You stress about making them stressed. And logistically speaking, its just a TON to deal with and my family doesn't even face the same physical challenges as they do. Just do it.

The second: Instead of thinking (obsessing) about the latest therapy, the best diet, AM I DOING ENOUGH? I need to change my thinking to how can we best enjoy Little Handsome as a family? This shift in thinking changes everything. The list of cannots is replaced by a list of how can we live our lives (with therapy, etc) in the most fun way possible for every member of our family? I can truly say this has been the best summer. This statement has radically changed my perspective of our situation. I mean it - radically.

Back to the Vacation Visual Schedule - we knew we couldn't take our big pocket chart with us cause that would be ridiculous and I wanted a vacation too, thank you very much. Enter our daily flyers. Some things are just so clearly God's idea.

We decided each day we would enjoy no more than one or two activities. Either at breakfast or in the car before we left for our destination, we'd pass them out. Handsome can't really read a map at all, but he loved looking at it and would act like he was navigating - so cute. And of course Ladybelle had to have one too.

We knew what those would be before we even left and I think we had maybe two extra in the event we needed to do something else. I used Pages on my mac (Word for PC) and simply dropped pics from the aquarium (train station, etc) into the flyer templates. I created a short little note since Handsome is starting to read and included a map from Google Maps on the back, laminated it and boom - daily flyer. I even had one for the house we were staying in for the ride there. It had Chattanooga at the top so Little Handsome thought for the first couple of days that the house's name was Chattanooga. I mean, so good, I can't write this stuff.

Do yourself a fave and watch this short little video about the SportsKids of 2012 - brothers - one typical, one with cerebral palsy. Their mom was just so down to earth and a kindred spirit to hang out with. Click here to watch the video of the Sportskids of the Year 2012 if you don't see the video below.

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Typical Siblings (My Daughter Ladybelle)

Right Now: Have I mentioned how much singing is a part of my soul? Specifically, being a lead worshipper. For the last decade this has been happening from the audience (I'm kinda loud). God has seen fit for me to worship from the front again, and while I am so aware we are drawing others to know Him better - y'all it blesses me in the deepest way, just when I need it the most. Thank you Most High. You know my heart like no one else.

A Couple of Weeks Ago: My Ladybelle (2.5 years old) and I took our first girls' trip. She's typical (that's autism speak for she doesn't have autism) and hilarious, a little girl in every way and just generally a delight. She gets all up in Little Handsome's business all the time and on a personal level, I am just so grateful that she's been a talker from the very beginning.

This Girls' Weekend was simple and needed, but there was one thing that I didn't expect. Ladybelle was decidedly lonely in the backseat. She pleaded for a good portion of the trip for me to come back and sit with her. Although it hurt my heart, I love that she not only pushes and challenges and coaxes Little Handsome (big brother) out of his autistic world, but she loves and misses him when he's not there. On a side note, she also does a great job getting her little brother to giggle in the car.

So when I am torn, between all my kiddos and making sure they are getting to be involved in this activity or that, God used that trip to show me that the very important thing is that Ladybelle gets time with me - it doesn't matter if its to the grocery store or to visit our family or to the post office. And also, that she has a perfect Ladybelle role in our family. I just love that He does that for us. Grace.