Making Some Music

I love music, so I'm thrilled that my kids do too...especially Grace. She has really good rhythm and great taste in music. (We like much of the same stuff)  So, I love this photo of her pounding the ivory.  Most of all I love this photo because 6 months ago she would not have been able to sit up like this unassisted.  She is getting stronger every day.  I'm thinking of possibly having her start piano lessons.  I'm not sure how well she will be able to do because of the spasticity in her arms.  She will probably never be a concert pianist but I know she will make beautiful music.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God;

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise;

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations.

psalm 100

ACCDAT on the news again!

Grace was on the news again!!  Well, really A Child Can Do All Things (Conductive Education of Dallas) was on the news, but Grace got some coverage (she's in pink).  Watch it here.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordy Wednesday

I know, I KNOW!!!  I have been very slack lately on photos and what not.  It just seem like they are extra busy right now...taxes, my other business thing, school, trying to put a house on the market and my Thursday GNOs :) are keeping us moving.  I'm also trying to arrange therapies and child care for the six weeks Grace will not be in camp.  

Last week we had 3 Valentine parties.  Two for Mack and Sophie and 1 for Grace at ACCDAT.  I chose to help with the Friday party at preschool with Mack and Sophie and in typical "Jacolyn fashion" I stressed about food, games, crafts extra.  For goodness sakes, they are 3!  Give them a sucker and they are good to go.  Below are photos at the party.  In the first one, Sophie is playing "Pin the Lips on the Teacher".  It was really fun!

I also was conflicted about Grace on Friday.  Should I take her out of ACCDAT for a few hours so she could attend the preschool party or leave her at ACCDAT and let her party with her friends there...I wouldn't be there.  I hate making these kinds of decisions....I shouldn't have to.  I know many of you have more than 1 child and deal with these decisions all the time...where to be...who to be with.  But they are triplets, they are the same age!  Why do I have to choose?!  Why can Grace not walk?  Why is she not able to be with her sibling every day?!  Why God, oh why!  It's just not fair.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Grace Loves Pilates!!

For almost 2 months now Grace has been doing pilates every Saturday with my sister-in-law Rachael.  She is a pilates instructor and had asked if she could work some with Grace in the studio.  I'm so glad she did!!  It has been such a good thing for Grace.  She works really hard and loves to do it.  One of Grace's major problem areas is the weakness she has in her trunk and I truly believe that this will help her developed the strength in her core she will need to walk one day.  She also loves telling people "I do pilates with Rachael".

I also found this interesting article about pilates and children with cp.

The photos are terrible, I know.  I was using a new camera, the studio was a bit dark, I was trying to not be a distraction and well, I'm just not a good photographer but hopefully you get the idea.  And hopefully, I can get Rachael to train me one day.   Thank you so much Rachael...we love you and your generous heart!

Friends to the End?

There has been some discussions in the past in some of my virtual and face-to-face support groups about the dynamics of friendships and how they may change after you have a child with special needs (SN).  These friendships may not survive, potentially due to...

1)  friend no longer knows how to relate to SN mom

2) friend hurts SN mom's feelings by saying something about SN child

3)  SN mom neglects friendship because is too tired...emotionally and physically 

4)  friend can't deal with the situation and neglects friendship or simply breaks up with SN mom

5)  SN mom hurts friend's feelings about non-SN child

6)  SN mom finds it difficult to hang out with non-SN friends

7)  SN mom isolates...it can actually get pretty lonely sometimes

8)  and others that I have forgotten

I never really participated in these discussions because I didn't think this could really happen to my friendships.  Well, the fact of the matter is...things change....1-8 do happen.  Now, I'm not blaming any rifts or breaks in friendships on the other party and for the most part I believe my strongest friendships are in tact but some have changed.  It's inevitable.  I think any life change could affect a friendship.

I want to apologize to all those I have neglected, because I know I have.  But no matter what, I'll always love you and I will try my best.

A friend loves at all time....    Prov. 17:17

Wordless Wednesday