Cobra Starship was playing on the radio, when Izzy threw her head back and screamed, at the top of her lungs, “La la la la”.  She grabbed Nathan’s hand, who was standing up held in between Owen’s lap, and started dancing with him.  Her head gyrated, hips rolled, feet bouncing, eyes beaming as she danced [...]

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People often tell me, “I don’t know how you do it.  You have so much on your plate.”  The thing is, to someone looking from the outside there’s a facade that looks pretty good.  It’s like one of those fake houses at Universal Studios, the ones you see from the tram tour?  They look like [...]

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Happy New Year’s everyone! Hope everyone had a fabulous New Year’s Eve and Day. 2012 Found me all dressed up, even wearing make-up, and out having fun, while the kids stayed with my mom. Honestly, I don’t think we could’ve started off the New Year in a better way. Because 2012 is going to be [...]

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I tend to be the kind of person who takes on a “project” and then focuses body mind and soul into that project. For years my “project” was helping Nathan. This changed towards the middle of this year. During my trip to Colombia in May I spent a lot of time reflecting about my life. [...]

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I know it’s been a long time… and to all those die hard fans that still stick around, sorry! I’ll try harder to write more often. The kids were pretty sick for a while there. Nathan went down with pretty bad pneumonia, ear infections, etc. He recovered pretty quickly from it and is back to [...]

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When Nathan was smaller I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to help him develop. Now he is in a stable routine and I spend less time researching therapies etc. Instead, I spend all my spare time trying to figure out how to be a better mother to Isabelle. She is [...]

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I have been listening to the Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting series by Noel Janis-Norton, and really enjoying it. The first step towards calmer easier happier parenting, according to Noel, is called “Descriptive Praise”. She explains in the first CD that if we notice and praise our kids about all the things they are doing well, [...]

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I find that I prefer not to blog if I don’t have something good or helpful to say. Last night a friend suggested that I should write anyways, that people don’t just want to hear the good. I hope she’s right. Nathan’s Dynavox is down. Nothing happens after I press the power button. I had [...]

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It was 8:23 and we were 8 minutes late for the bus. The day had started in chaos, with Isabelle refusing to shower and get ready to go to preschool and Nathan refusing to eat his breakfast. So I was late for the bus, and stressed. Then Gryffin woke up and started screaming at the [...]

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Most of my updates are about the kids…this one is going to be about me and something I’m proud of. While I was pregnant with Gryffin I decided to take better care of myself. I started eating differently and exercising. I know this will sound weird but I ended the pregnancy with Gryffin at the [...]

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One lesson I’ve been learning is that attitude is EVERYTHING. What happens externally in our lives unless affects us based on how we choose to respond. I’ve learned that the most difficult situations can be transformed into the most peaceful ones if we find a way to view things positively. So I chose to put [...]

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Today was one of those days. I couldn’t stop asking myself, really? Seriously? Nathan’s nurse who has been an amazing friend and support, quit today. It was devastating to hear; I was reeling. Nathan and Izzy love her so much, it will be hard for them to have her gone. Fortunately Nathan’s previous wonderful nurse, [...]

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In the past, my number 1 priority was Nathan’s rehabilitation. I spent time every day learning, reading, researching. I was always up to something, trying out a new therapy, learning about new healing techniques. During my trip to Colombia in May of this year, everything changed. Some stuff happened (not ready to talk about that [...]

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I’m still in shock at the thought of having 3 children. How did this happen? Somehow, don’t ask me how, it’s all working out. Baby G is a dream, very calm and peaceful. If he’s fed, he’s content and sleeps most of the day. Izzy has been giving us a run for our money and [...]

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In the past few weeks I’ve rediscovered the beauty and pleasures of journaling…as in privately writing my thoughts in an actual notebook where I can just spew out everything that I’m going through and finish writing feeling 1000 lbs lighter. It’s been a great joy for me. Consequently the blog is getting a bit neglected. [...]

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We got back this past weekend from Colombia, but unfortunately I developed a sizable kidney infection and have been in the hospital for a couple of days. Will try to blog when I get out of here!

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The most important thing I can tell you is, please do not believe you are in Holland. You have NOT found yourself in Holland. You are in a land much richer than Italy, more spicy than Brazil, more enlightening than Tibet. You have found yourself in a place where you will become a very different [...]

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* Today I went for an OBGYN appointment, and the front desk lady seemed to be on the phone with a social worker regarding a teenage girl that was pregnant. She said, “She seems well put together every time I’ve seen her.” It made me stop and think. Wow. If anybody ever inquired about me, [...]

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We’re going camping this weekend. Thinking about it is making me tired. Getting ready to spend a month in Colombia (we leave next Friday)! Thinking about it is making me tired. We have some big decisions to make. Regarding Nathan’s education, etc. Thinking about it is making me tired. Most times I am enthusiastic about [...]

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We’ve entered the era of “so what” in the Andrew household. So what… …if Nathan never walks – he’ll prance in his pony and roll with a baby on each side of his lap. And when his laps not big enough? Then we’ll all find a way to roll together. …if Nathan never talks – [...]

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To my mother, to whom I owe so much, who raised me to be the woman I am today, a woman I am proud of – Happy Mother’s Day. To my friends and family members, those with children with special needs and those with typical kids, you have supported and inspired me in this journey. [...]

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I really love this quote: :: Children ALWAYS Cooperate :: Parents often feel frustrated when their children don’t “cooperate” — when they don’t go along with the parents’ stated intentions. Today, no matter how your child behaves, take the perspective that your child is *always* cooperating with you — if not behaviorally then *vibrationally*. Children [...]

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Today it struck me that Nathan alone is like an economy. He needs a business manager. That’s me. Here are some of the things that I am CURRENTLY working on: – Scheduling his PERCS surgery – Finding an AAC clinic and setting everything up (paperwork etc) – Getting his wheelchair (appealing with insurance) – Switching [...]

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I feel like I am starting to sound repetitive in my posts, so I thought this would be a good time to open it up and see if anyone has any specific requests for topics? Perhaps questions, or just thought-provoking statements? I feel like I’m starting to sound like a broken record so let’s see [...]

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Why 3 posts in one day, you may be wondering? Because it’s my blog and I can We came home from watching RIO a little bit ago. It was soooo cute! Nathan loved it! Belle danced through most of the movie…and climbed up and down the stairs of the theater..and ate lots of handfuls of [...]

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I am feeling the itch again…the itch to wander, travel, feel the hot sun on my (fat) bikini clad skin, let down my hair and forget about therapies, todo lists, daily routines. If I can combine some travelling with HBOT for Nathan? Even better! I found an HBOT chamber in Cartagena, Colombia, the most beautiful [...]

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Thank you so much for everyone who called, emailed, txt’ed, or Facebooked me Happy Birthday wishes. It meant a lot! You guys are awesome! 31 years, a wandering soul, a need for adventure, a will to fight. My 31rd birthday gift was to find my ROAR. That ROAR that I had lost. That ROAR that [...]

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I watched “The Secret” again the other day and I loved remembering that our thoughts create our reality. I’ve been in such a funk lately, it was great to remember that I can change my experience of life simply by changing my thoughts. So this whole week I have gone to bed thinking, “I am [...]

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This morning I woke up at 10:30 am, simply because my body was rested and did not need more sleep. It’s been years since I’ve had such a beginning to a day. The kids are with my mom, who graciously takes them overnight on Fridays so Owen and I can have a date night. Owen [...]

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There are little things about life with Nathan that keep things interesting. Little things that I would’ve never in a million years imagined having to do but nowadays are second nature. Little things that have become inside jokes to us because if only people knew… [simage=2270,max,n,center,] So here are a few of them… [simage=2271,max,n,center,] * [...]

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It’s raining cats and dogs at our house. Our pool flooded over, the wind is blowing, and we are huddled at home. Cuddled together, as if we were floating on a boat in the middle of the ocean, staring out at the wind and water as it blows all around us. The peace is punctuated [...]

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A good friend called me recently and left me a message.  She verbalized a question that I ask myself almost every day.  It goes something like this: When do I draw the line?  How do I know when enough is enough?  I have traveled all over the world to help my daughter.  I have spent [...]

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I’ve been watching Raising Hope on HULU and I think it’s my new favorite show.  It is HILARIOUS!  I find myself in stitches almost every episode.  It’s sure helped to improve my mood And talking about mood…thanks to everyone who commented or emailed me kind words of support.  They meant, and helped me, a lot!  [...]

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I feel like I’ve hit a wall. For years my life has been go go go.  I’ve always had at least 100 plates up in the air and I’ve loved it.  I’ve loved juggling projects.  I’ve loved creating several businesses from scratch, and watching them grow and flourish.  I’ve loved being on the move – [...]

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I may not be many things, but there is one thing I am – PERSISTENT. I have a hard time giving up. Where I see potential, I see opportunity. Where I see opportunity, I see the need for extra effort. Where I see the need for effort, I give it all I’ve got. So a [...]

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Can you tell? Do you see it? The little hand? Pointing at something? A very definitive something? We are ecstatic. Beyond ecstatic. Thrilled. Overjoyed. And peanut’s brain? Completely normal thus far. Perfect separation between the hemispheres. A healthy, overactive, beautiful baby boy. Joy joy joy!

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Sometimes if I’m out without the kids I’ll end up striking conversation with strangers. Often the topic will turn to our children and I’ll be asked how many children I have. Proudly I say I have a 4.5 year old, and a 10 month old. Then we start talking about our children, how fun they [...]

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I know I’ve been slowing down on posts lately. I find my life is different these days. This pregnancy is taking a lot out of me and I spend much of my time exhausted and with severe nausea. Energy has become my most valued commodity and there is precious little of it. I find myself [...]

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I’ve been told that people “don’t envy my life“. When I try to tell them that life with Nathan is wonderful, they think I’m either lying or in denial. They can’t see beyond the disability and all of its implications. Yes, I can view Nathan’s situation through a different perspective and to choose to transform [...]

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[simage=2129,max,n,center,] Today at the appointment with the homeopath Nathan burst into desolate tears. I got upset with him because he was crying at the wrong moment. His cries had a meaning but I was so focused on the task at hand I didn’t stop to dig deep into myself to try to decipher them. Usually [...]

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In July, Owen and I were finally going to get married at my dream church. We were going to go on a honeymoon, probably to Hawaii, and party ourselves to oblivion (kid-free). I was going to lose weight. I heard about Cinch from Catey, and was ready to start the diet. I had already purchased [...]

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What an amazing start to 2011. This morning a friend asked me to go to a church with her. The morning I set foot on the grounds something within me stirred and I knew deep in my heart that I’d found the place where I would get married. I immediately saw myself in this church, [...]

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Midnight found Owen and I sipping wine in the spa while the kids slept inside the house. Minutes before we had seen the biggest, longest falling star of my entire life. It was pure beauty. What a sight to behold! A sign of things to come? We vowed to make 2011 our best year yet. [...]

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Hey everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR’S!!! I hope 2011 brings all of you nothing but joy and happiness. 2010 was a great year at the Andrew household. It brought us amazing accomplishments: * A new baby!!! A baby girl that all of us love to pieces. * Nathan learned to walk in his pony gait trainer. [...]

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Kristina wrote an AWESOME post that I wanted to share: When real magic unfolds Please stop by her blog to read this post it is so well written and true about our kids! Also, since we only have 2 days left for our Giveaway, I wanted to show and example of how Kristina promoted the [...]

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Mid-last week I got really really sick with the stomach flu. I had a fever, diarrhea, vomit, and felt terrible. 2 days later Nathan started throwing up. And the following day, Belle. I am better, but both kids are still a mess. Neither of them has held anything down in 2 days. Poor Nathan lost [...]

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Step 1. Start by vomiting your guts out in the middle of the night Step 2. Add in some diarrhea Step 3. Do not eat anything because anything you eat ends up as Step 1 or Step 2 Step 4. Drink lots of water to flush your system and stay hydrated Step 5. Weight yourself [...]

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While taking the dogs for a walk tonight I was thinking about many of the kids we’ve met on our journey with Nathan and just how special they are. I was also thinking about yesterday’s post. And I came up with a theory. In the first year of life, typically developing kids spend a lot [...]

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I was reading Kara’s blog today and her post really got me thinking. It’s about a father who killed his 12 year old daughter with severe CP: A Canadian man was released today on parole after serving ten years of a life sentence for killing his twelve year old daughter by asphyxiation because she had [...]

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You are all really cool people and I could really use some advice on a number of things: So I am really struggling with Belle. She wakes up every 2 hours at night. During the day, unless she is being held, she will only sleep for 20 minutes. She doesn’t like playing by herself and [...]

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