Birthdays Call To Be Grateful

Another year, another day to feel incredibly blessed and grateful. It can be so easy to see the negatives, to see that things don’t go as ‘planned,’ as I’d like, as I wish they could be. But the storm doesn’t come in vain. It comes to teach lessons we may not see right away – in due time instead. It comes so that I may practice patience and love.

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And can I just add, thank you, your  patience with my being absent from this amazing community – for what feels like forever, is appreciated. Thank you!

A quick run down, my son that is in the spectrum / autism is growing up and while I am incredibly blessed to see his growth, it also comes with it’s challenges. My 5 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with Dyslexia, something that didn’t come as a shock, as I had already suspected she had it. If you have someone in your life with Dyslexia, I’d love to know more on it? Please share! And as for myself – well this mama is pushing through! Because He gives us grace to take on what would otherwise break us.

My final thoughts for today: Happy Birthday to this girl! To the one who continues to face challenges but refuses to let them define her, who’s carried SIX little ones when the professionals told her she couldn’t and to the one who refuses to give up!

YOU are AMAZING!

 

brooke lark

Happy Tuesday!

A-

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Mom Life With Chiari

Living with Chiari 1 Malformation and Syringomyelia since 2013.

67 thoughts on “Birthdays Call To Be Grateful”

  1. A lot depends on the next stages. So many strands to Dyslexia. Need to try to systematically unlock these. Find what works or not. Our area the education approach is basically can’t read never read. It’s down to cost. Without education support we have had to try and unpick this rather unscientifically. Speaking to a really good Doctor. He said the important period is between 5 and 12. Progress can be made with patience, humour and hard work. I’m no expert but if you ever want a chat offline I’m happy to.

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    1. Good to know! Thank you!
      I took her to the pediatrician with a paper she’d done for me at school. It was beautiful and bright yellow, and it said, ‘sub.’ That doctor told us to go to the neurologist. I have one already bc of my son that has mild autism. I took her, and both have said, she’s showing early signs. But that the school officials won’t want to diagnose her now bc they’ll say it’s too early. But, when is truly too early? When we’re trying to get her help a little too late, or when she begins to fail. The assistant principle at her school said, we need to wait for failing grades to begin to do anything. 😳 Nothing short of crazy!

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  3. Aw nooo, I’m sorry I’m late reading this and catching up!
    Firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 🌹🎉🌷
    Secondly, I’m sorry these have been such challenging times. But you’re definitely a tough cookie, and you can handle whatever life throws your way. You’ve already proven that. I’m sorry about your daughter, but she’ll take after her mom so I know she’ll be okay, too. It seems like many with dyslexia aren’t diagnosed until their teens or even adult years, so in that sense it’s good she’s been diagnosed early so she can get the support she needs through school. Does the school have anyone trained in dyslexia, could they point you in the right direction for further information and support services in the area that may be useful?
    Lots of love,
    Caz xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Caz! It’s never too late!
      No, schools unfortunately do not have anyone trained to help kids with dyslexia. And although it’s great we’ve found the issue with my daughter, it’s still too young to be formally diagnosed. They think that because she is young she can outgrow it. I will though try seeking help outside the school system and see where that leads me.
      How are you? How have you been feeling?
      – Ana

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      1. Argh that’s so frustrating, schools really should be more aware and be trained, at least very generally, in the basics to support their students. I should have said more like how it’s been picked up as a possible issue rather than ‘diagnosed’. Dyslexia can’t be ‘outgrown’ per se but obviously the level of difficulty will vary for everyone and I think support from a younger age can probably help considerably. It’s none of my business so I hope you don’t think I’m overstepping, I just don’t like feeling utterly useless! It’s hard to find what may be relevant, but I did see this on homeschooling because there’s general stuff on there, a blog, lots of articles that are less clinical than most sites about dyslexia – https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/. And this – https://childmind.org/article/understanding-dyslexia/ 😊
        Thanks for asking about me, but you have enough at the moment lovely! I’m okay, same old really.. grumpy as ever! 😂
        Caz xx

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  4. First of all….HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! WHOOHOO! 🎁🎉🍰
    Secondly, my grandson, Ezra who was born at only 26 weeks gestation, has cerebral palsy and is on the spectrum as well, I get what you’re saying.
    Thirdly, my son is in the highly successful, intelligent, brilliant group of those with dyslexia. I blogged about it a long while back and hope you find comfort, encouragement, support and answers in it.
    https://alltheshoesiwear.wordpress.com/2018/11/13/hidden-gifts/

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    1. 🥰thank you so much! Had me smiling at your message!
      Thank you for sending the link, I’ll go and read the post, I appreciate any help. She’s having trouble already reading, sounding letters, etc. However is still too young for a proper diagnosis. I took her to her primary pediatrician and pediatric neurologist to which both say she has dyslexia. The school she’s attending now – and all public schools at least in FL, do not have assistance for children with dyslexia. I’m hoping to do some research of my own and reach out to an organization to get help on how to get her help.
      I’m so glad your son has done well! That’s amazing!
      Thank you Laura! Hope you’re well 😊🙏🏽

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      1. Isn’t that just a shame? They had no assistance back then either! You’d think they’d had made some sort of progress by now for Pete’s sake!
        All they intended to do was place in a class where they stick problem children with behavior issues and learning disabilities. I wouldn’t have it nor put my son at risk for coming out of that situation the worse for it. Completely frustrating but I took matters into my own hands and he’s flourish.
        I am doing ok. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I’ve learned to manage the esophageal issues with what I eat, softer, moister foods and mindful yet excessive chewing. Lol. The medication they hoped would help didn’t and they only other to try can cause heart issues so..that’s a nope. Lol
        Because the specialist is concerned about the surgical proceedure not having been preformed very much ( hardly inspired confidence) and the possibility for scar tissue issues making things worse, I chose to forgo the surgery until I feel it’s absolutely necessary and I can no longer manage it. Thank you for your prayers, Friend. That’s the best medicine and warms my heart.💕

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  5. This Girl, who faces challenges head on, who refuses to let circumstances define her heart. So called professionals said she couldn’t, But God… said I will bless her womb. To put on display His love, and the heart of warrior. #ThisGirl Happy Birthday, God bless!

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      1. 🙂 you are so welcome……….I feel your pain girl, I really do. I have been doing all this with four kiddos (not as many as you ) and trying to keep our lives as “normal” as possible……..some days I totally suck at the mom thing and other days I do better.
        Never forget that YOU are amazing…….to live with what you have and continue to do it over and over is amazing girl! 🙂

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      2. You are amazing too! Four is four! I mean, one would be too many at this point, chronic pain and kids shouldn’t go together. 😌
        It’s incredible – a bit saddening too if I think about it long enough, how someone can live like this. I think I’m failing more than I am winning, but they’re alive, going to school and doing well. I’m sure I’m not the mother they hear about from their school friends. But I’m sure this life is helping them be strong and empathetic human beings. If anything at all, I’m so grateful for that, that not all is in vain. And that there are always take always from the life we are dealt. 🥰🙏🏽

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      3. 🙂 you are right……..one is a lot in this situation. You are winning, your kids are loved, clothed and fed……that is more than many kids in this world. Two of my kids have jobs and they continuously tell me how they work with others who have horrible parents, abuse, neglect, etc……….both have told me how lucky they feel to have me………..it was
        God’s way of telling me you are doing alright. I know how hard it is, and you can only do what you can do because apparently that is all God wanted from us. 🙂

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      4. Oh that is amazing! It truly is! Because I have doubt, I imagined so much more, doing so much more before my diagnosis. And here God stooped me in my tracks.
        But your children seeing your sacrifice and pushing through despite of how you feel – it’s truly nothing short of amazing! God knows what He does, and continues to do things perfectly.

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      5. I understand that doubt, I lived, and sometimes still do. As moms we have so many wonderful plans with our children, but now that I am watching my kiddos grow, what I have found is they treasure the small moments in life.
        One of my son’s favorite memories is when we laid in my bed watching a BBC tv series. I was SO sick I could barely move……..but he treasures this time.
        Please take heart Ana, you are WAY better than you think you are…….own it! 🙂

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      6. That’s the sweetest. Now that you mention that, and you know it to be true, we go to bed not to even necessarily sleep, but bc our bodies yearn to lay down. And I had mentioned to my husband of putting a tv in our bedroom – we are reluctant to put TVs in the bedrooms. But it’d be so nice to feel normal, even if it is – as you said, laying in bed watching tv with my little ones.
        I appreciate you Wendi! Hope you have an amazing night. 😊🙏🏽

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      10. Thank you! I’ve another ER visit under my belt in less than a month – last week Thursday. My thyroid which was removed last year, has been acting up. My doctors haven’t been able to get the right dosage and I’ve been on a downhill spiral. The weakness, vertigo has been worse. And my hair has fallen out so much, it’s so thin – within the expected symptoms. I’m even thinking of cutting it short.
        It’s taught me so much though Wendi, this recent dilemma. I’ve seen how ungrateful I’ve been. If you’ve seen my ‘about me’ I’ve had my hair long. And have complained. It’s too much, weighed, and got in the way! Simply unhappy with it. Well, now that it’s fallen, I’ve lost so much of it, I see how Gods plan is always a good plan. Nothing goes in vain. I’ve realized that I should move forward and attempt to complain less, be content.
        Hope you are well.

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      11. I am so very sorry Ana, I cannot imagine the amount of frustration you must be feeling right now. I know that for many of us, going to the ER is the absolutely last resort and it can bring on so much anxiety and fear.
        Please know that you are in my constant thoughts and prayers……I wish there was someting I could do for you!

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      12. Thank you so much Wendi. You do more with prayer than you would physically as I’m in bed for most of the day. Thank you! Yes! Exactly, we go the the ER when it’s just no longer tolerable. Yes. I agree.
        Have I mentioned this to you, I’m not sure. The last time I saw my neurologist, we spoke, I was a bit frustrated, again raising dosage, etc. And then he sighed and said, ‘you have the body of an 80 year old woman.’ And I was taken aback then and now, not in a bad way. But yes, my body is not that, that I see of a ‘normal’ 35 year old mom. But then, what’s normal, there is no normal. We’re perfectly made by the most high. 😊🙏🏽 hope you are as well as you could be.

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      13. Oh Ana….please know that I will continue to pray and send virtual hugs through the airwaves!
        …..please tell me you now have a TV w/ DVD player in your bedroom!
        The other thing that I did that helped was I had a very small “toy box” in our room that that kids could play with but ONLY in our bedroom so it made them special toys. I was strict about making sure they were put away after use so I did not trip over them.

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      14. Oh that’s such a great idea – the toy box. I’ll bring in some quiet toys. We’re working on that. I have my phone, and have Prime Video. But it isn’t the same. We have one tv in the living room, we’ve always been opposed to having TVs in the rooms. But seeing how this is a special situation, we’re going to do it. I’m asking for one this Christmas.

        Isn’t it a bit boring Wendi, just to lay there, knowing you have to because there are days, where even picking my head up brings me intense vertigo. And not that I like noise, because light and noise both make my head want to explode. However there also days, where I’d like to be entertained and have something to watch.

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      15. Yes! Being dizzy for me is the WORST symptom in the world, I would rather in in pain. And noise and lights both make everything worse. So we had a lot of Legos, blocks, trains, playmobile type toys for the kids.
        I completely understand, it is so boring and kids get bored and then they fight and then it goes down hill from there.
        I completely understand about tvs in rooms but this is a unique situation.
        The other thing we did was had a dorm size frige in our bedroom. I was able to have food and drinks in so available for the kids to eat so I didn’t have to go downstairs on my bad days and try to put together lunch while trying to hold mine down.
        So, between the fridge, our tv and dvd player, dvds and a small toy box they made my days go much smoother. I really hope this helps you Ana.

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      16. That’s amazing! I understand why you would have that, it’d help so much. We’re trying to adapt to this new life, and making changes to make it a tad easier would be great – even with a tv.
        Yes! 😂 Then they start to say, it’s my turn to lay next to mom, no it’s mine, and then come the tears. And yes, down down hill!
        Thank you for sharing, these will be so helpful. 🥰🙌🏽

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      17. Yes, those things made a HUGE difference in my life, it reduced a lot of stress and pressure which can make you feel a bit better!
        You are very welcome……..looking forward to hearing if the changes help you, I am praying they do.

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  11. Happy Birthday Ana !! I am happy to hear from you on such a wonderful day to help celebrate your B-Day here on WordPress.com !! I do know about those challenges we both face each day with out letting anything define who we are. This year has been full of hard times but God does not give us anything that we can not handle. As, you, I carry on.

    I do not much about other diseases especially your daughters one. I hope through reading and writing that she can over come this and be as successful as her Mom is.

    God bless you Ana and your six little ones and your ex-Marine husband. Bye for now my friend.

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