Yes, Indeed...

Move Over Winter

 Life has been pretty calm lately besides the fact that spring is boldly and quickly making itself known around our home. The sun stays out later making the neighborhood full of bikes, scooters, basketball games and friends coming and going through the yard. Playhouses are being cleaned out and prepared for the sunny months of entertainment and the trampoline has been cleaned for bouncy adventures. The cherry blossom trees are in bloom welcoming anyone who drives into the driveway. The daffodils I did have were in color before being picked by little loved ones and the lawn has had it's first haircut. The family of six deer frequent almost daily making the spray necessary to keep any bush clothed in leaves; hungry furry creatures they are! Buckets have been filled with winter weeds including the millions of maple starts 

I had the kids helping to carefully pull from the soft soil.

This week we had our vent ducts cleaned and outside pressure washing was completed. On the list for spring cleaning are still the windows, the blinds and the seasonal cleaning/organizing of all closets. Ahh, it feels good to have some decent spring cleaning taking place. 

{ Jumping the winter crazies out. }

Yesterday, I spent over an hour cleaning Myriam's carseat, using toothpicks for the tight spots, finding close to a meal sandwiched, smushed, and shoved into the tiniest of places one could find on a joyride. Sure I could implement a new rule of no more Goldfish, coffee shop treats or whatever else I have in my purse for snacks consumed in the car, but let's be real. I believe most mom's shamefully could agree that we all have a happy meal hiding somewhere in our mom cars giving us a moment of silence cruising through town. 

 { Self inflicted SHORT haircut. }

 { The chair of shame knowing she done wrong.}

The kids are busy with school projects including classroom speeches which Addison blew me out of the water LOVING. Say what??? You, of extreme shyness, silence and fear of stages or performances LIKED to stand in front of class and give a speech??? Folks, you have yourself a modern day miracle. Seriously, this is an amazing feat for our Addi Jean and it brings such delight to this mama seeing how much she has blossomed into a shining star at school. 

On the other hand, it was an emotional week as we made the decision to send Charlie to "real" school next year. Charlie and I have always struggled to make the homeschool schedule flow with focus, motivation and determination to complete assignments. It's been a year of butting heads, pulling hair and tossing pencils in the air trying to get through a lesson of anything at home. I had a lump in my throat after I told Charlie this as he had instant excitement on his face. Feelings of failing him as a teacher were very real that day but since then, we are all excited for what he will accomplish in his third grade year at Fisher. My goal now is to make sure his re-entry into the traditional classroom is one that can be confident in his learning abilities, prepared for all opinions ready to become the leader some may never have and that makes us proud of our decision to switch schools. 

As Spring brings lots of sunshine and potential allergy flare-ups, it also brings many running races that I've been happily training for. Last October when I tore my calf muscle, I honestly wasn't sure if I could manage longer runs ever again much less a 50k come this May. It has been an absolute joy being able to run the Bellingham trails again with my running gals. Oh, how I love Galbraith and a muddy trail! Wednesday's have become the favorite day of the week as Papa watches Myriam (and sometimes Marley) so I can get a longer run in before all the kids are home from school and visits. I look forward to these days and so does Papa as he's embracing the retired life of chilling with grandkids. Last week Linda and I tackled the Interurban Trail completing twelve miles from Fairhaven to Larabee and back with just the last mile having some light drizzle before the rain came in with a force. This week we pranced through the Lake Padden horse trails climbing up and over many trees that had fallen victim to last week's wind storm.  We live in a gorgeous area full of beautiful hiking trails, friendly trail faces and have been blessed with perfect weather for running. 

The birdies are chirping and my coffee cup is empty. I have a few bags of bulbs to plant and more Spring cleaning to tackle today. 

Happy Spring time to you and yours.

Eight Years of Chuckles

Hard to believe it's been eight years already since we first laid eyes on our son. Born early, Chuckles quickly gained rolls giving us more places to kiss and snuggle his sweet baby face. No doubt the kid was healthy and happy. Charlie was and still is, full of smiles. Charlie, Chuckles, Chuggy Dougie, our Middle Man... one of the most sensitive, compassionate little men I know. 

Even last week as we were focusing on our school studies, he burst into tears simply wanting to just "be" with his Auntie Traci. He has a sixth sense of knowing when she is rejoicing or mourning. He knows when extra hugs are needed or when a joke is needed to make those hurting laugh. Charlie sees the needs of others and does what he can to pursue a solution for them. 

Recently, Teacher Dawn from church, has approached Tim and I praising the attention to detail, cleaning up messes others have made and putting others first at church. The joy hearing these sweet remarks of our son fills us with
pride for our man.
Charlie has been introduced to the world of fostering and adoption which has only grown his heart bigger. And not just for the kids, but for the entire families involved asking how to pray and make things right. When he sees a homeless person he's quick to ask if we can give them a blessing bag. If someone needs praise, he speaks it. If someone needs help, he gives it. If a sibling needs a button pushed, trust me, he pushes it! Sweet can also mean sassy, talks back, extends eye rolls at times and may have selective hearing at times chosen with no idea what "checking in" means while playing at the neighbors.
Regardless of those sour moments, we are incredibly blessed to have a son with the size heart God is growing and find it a gift to help train him, nurture him and live life with our Charlie.
Happy Birthday Middle Man.
Let the music begin...

#Sensory Child # Me Too

This past weekend Tim and I attended the Re-Fresh Conference, at Overlake Christian Church, surrounded by 1400 other foster and adoptive parents. I had attended this event three years ago and found myself giddy to go again. The rat race of dropping a kid here, some there and organizing respite for Miss Bee was exhausting, but successful. ( Thank you to all who cared, tucked in and fed our babies. It takes a village...) By 7:30pm Thursday evening, we were kid free, bellies full and heading south. 

With our church family submerged in this adoption/foster community, we found many familiar faces once checked in and ready for the conference to begin. The worship is LOUD, powerful and something my heart was yearning for. I could worship all day and walk out feeling refreshed, but that's not the only purpose of this weekend. What the organizers have done, is provide six break-out sessions personally selected to cater your own needs in home along with four general session speakers that challenged us, broke us and gave way to a brighter day. The main theme this year was #Me Too, as in a place where most everyone experiences the same struggles on some level gets each other. 

Fostering and adopting kids from hard places, and even easy places from birth, can leave you empty, exhausted, confused, frustrated and ready to walk away some days. It's the other side of the spectrum that keeps us fighting, advocating, praying and celebrating. 

I could tell you all about the things we learned, all the break through moments we had and ways we were blessed in these jammed packed two days, but my intent is to share what has been working and shown proof of steps towards progress in our little lady who struggles with sensory processing disorder.  I left feeling convicted to provide more sensory output in our home and guilty for not doing enough.


{ You know you have a sensory kid when...
you'd rather roll around in the sand and rest then build a sand castle. }

Our journey in understanding the world of sensory needs began when we met with our friend, Megan Eastwood, who specializes as a Children's Occupational Therapist. We quickly immersed ourselves into this life of providing ways to help teach Myriam how to regulate herself in times of struggle. It was out of these appointments, or "play dates" as Myriam called them, that we filled our shopping carts with sensory toys and turned ideas into process in our daily lives.
Here are a few ways we regulate in our home. 

PLAY DOUGH (Shaving Cream works too!)

Took me 11.5 years to FINALLY purchase the nasty smelling, sensory seeking play dough. If using shaving cream, add a little corn starch to stiffen the "cake mix" up a bit. We often build cakes or simply dig our fingers into the mix and yes, it makes a mess. Nothing that can't be cleaned up. Great opportunity to use your imagination. 

RICE BIN

Our bin has colored marbles, animals, and other items to search for in the mix of beans and rice.

SAND BOX

Messy; potentially. Worth it; absolutely. 

FOAM BALLS

Sticky yes, but they clean up easily.

NUTS & BOLTS

If you need a fidget item this works great. Keeps the child busy, helps them focus on sizes & gives you at least five minutes of entertainment.

LACING MAT

Great for fine motor skills & hand/eye coordination. This is a fabulous quiet game for at home or in the car. 

TRAMPOLINE

Foster license nightmare, but a gift to the parent with busy ones. Meets the deep muscle needs of some sensory kiddos. 

SWINGS

We have outside swings and inside swings. IKEA provides a great option that we have in Myriam's room. She will often say she needs some swing time and after a while will come out a different child. 

CARS ON WHEELS

Scooters, plasma cars, and bikes with semi-flat tires. Again, this activity provides the deep muscle engagement that meets the sensory need. Kids feel like they're having fun playing outside, but little do they know they are self-regulating.

MASSAGE

Megan has given us a few different techniques to use which help provide the release of cortisol. Hard to capture in a picture, but seriously works wonders at bedtime as we do the embracing squeeze on her arms and legs.

PEANUT SEATS & BOUNCY BALLS

With this seat, we can use as a busy seat when watching movies, reading books or use to roll on our tummies and engage our arm muscles walking in and out.

EGG CHAIR

For some kids they need the security of feeling protected. This chair from IKEA offers a secret space, hide out & isolation space. The chair also spins for those needing spinning therapy. A cardboard box will act as the same for a safe place if needed.

GUM

We have gum in every bag and use it often. I buy the Spry brand from Amazon.  Dr. John's makes a chewier lollipop that can't be cracked. These both provide great sensory input and fit in your purse or diaper bag easily.

ESSENTIAL OIL
We have found some improvement when we are consistent with Doterra Oil. Our potion of choice is Serenity (not pictured), Lavender, Aroma Touch & In Tune. I keep Serenity in the car and use the roll-ons under the big toe or behind the ears. Ask me for details if you are interested in trying a few of these oils.

BRUSHING THERAPY
We don't use this often, but when we do Myriam loves the "tickle." We only use this on her arms.

SPINNING THERAPY

THE BODY SOCK

This is new to us and we haven't yet used it, but knowing the benefits, we will be putting this to use soon for our sensory seeker who needs the deep calming pressure. I'm not including the picture of myself trying this on for obvious reasons.

WIDGETS & GADGETS
We have many others, but for older kids at school, these pencils work wonders. We also keep a Tangle close by when needing to sit quiet for awhile.


MISS MONKEY (better known as the child harness)
We have the flight child. Myriam feels much more in control if she can walk hands free, but also have the security of not getting lost. I have no shame using this to pick up kids from school, grocery shopping or any other public outing. Can I get a #MeToo???!!! If not in use, some said children may end up in the Dave's Sporting Good's display windows...(I told you to use it Dad!)

We have a few new toys on order that will be delivered soon...

SNOW BALLS

WATER BEADS

PINWHEELS

You can always look for more ideas by clicking HERE to be connected to our Pinterest Sensory Board. I'm sure I forgot a few tools we use, but you get the idea of how we navigate sensory in our home. The more I discover and educate myself in this area of sensory needs, the better I understand our child...and even see traces in our bio kiddos benefitting from these activities.

Is it hard? Yes. 

Is it exhausting and embarrassing some days? Yes. 

Does it sometimes look like child defiance or disobedience? Absolutely.
As a mommy, do I feel like I'm failing some days? Often. 

Is it rewarding once you meet the need and see the connection made after regulation has been found? Priceless.

We are a sensory family.