“Parallel warriors,” I call them! They are strong. They are tender. They are empathetic. They are generous. Who am I talking about? The amazing siblings that surround a special needs kiddo. These siblings create a story all their own and it needs telling. These...
The holidays can be such a wonderful time, but there are also times it can be hard, confusing, and cause deep grief. In fact, the holidays, filled with joy, can also be a reminder of our unique family situation, and our limitations. For years, we have tried different...
I love the Holidays! I always have. I remember all the little things that my mom, who was a single mama, did to make the season so much fun. It was a special time, rich with tradition, even when money was tight. I could not wait to hand some of those little things...
Our beloved daughter Shelby got baptized a few Saturdays ago. She had been asking for a while, and after some coaching through church, she was ready! She was over the moon excited and shared her news with everyone. I mean EVERYONE, at Starbucks, at the grocery store,...
I kept hearing that still small voice in my head, “Just go!” I had made every excuse in the book to just stay home. Excuses like, “No one will sleep.”, “There is so much to pack!”, and “My hubby and I will be on full go even more than usual.” Yet, that small voice...
I remember the scene well. It was a year ago in a tiny coffee shop. I finally met my friend for some much-needed girl time. We had been trying to connect for months but with the busyness of both our lives, we rarely had time. We cozied into our seats and sighed. I...
Sometimes the most powerful therapy is just a pause. ~ Amanda J. Friedman I am writing from a place of struggle this afternoon. I left my house in a huff to come here to the coffee shop to work. It was not an eloquent departure, and heaviness followed as I...
The moment her eyes met mine she enveloped my soul. I instantly had a deep love for her. As her story unfolded, and we realized she had Down Syndrome, my mama heart swirled. Her bold red hair…. a gift. Her beautiful blue, almond shaped eyes…. mesmerizing. I knew we...
I recently had an idea to ask some friends a question. The question was: “If you were talking to me and Elizabeth, as the parents of special needs children, what question would you want to ask?” The first question that came up was: “What positive impacts do you see...
Mamas, there is nothing that squeezes my heart more than thinking about you all on Mother’s Day. It brings joy to my heart and tears to my eyes thinking about all the love and constant encouragement you pour out on your diverse need’s kiddos. Not just this one day,...
Hi there! We are the crazy cool parents to 5 amazing and crazy cool kiddos. But, first, we are Dan and Elizabeth Thorndike – married 15 years and living this life one moment at a time. We have a full and blessed life, but we are clumsily tackling a journey we never foresaw ourselves living.
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