A visit

Over break I decided (again) that I needed 

some time with my sb family.  

So what does that mean?

Nate and I take a mini-road trip.

This time to Fort Wayne 

to see my friend Jen and her beautiful family.

It was a great day.

Aside from Nate falling asleep the minute we walked in the door,

we talked and talked 

and the kids played and played.

Jen made me an awesome wrap for lunch 

(which I have perfected-thanks!)

and we were having so much fun we even stayed for dinner!

Owen was nice enough to share his trains

This one is so cute-remines me of the one from this post

Nate wasn't cooperating

I just loved their little blonde heads in this one!

I was also fortunate enough to hold their newest edition, baby Evie!  I tried to get Nate interested, but he wasn't.  I can see how he is going to be with his baby cousin in a couple months!

I will forever be amazed and in awe of this community we have built.  And it continues to grow.  Jen was the one who helped me find it all and continues to be a source of inspiration, both through her advocacy and Owen's beautiful spirit.  My hope is that some day I can pay it forward-give the hope that was given to me when I felt like I was alone.  I am so lucky and blessed to know all of you, and know that together we are going to do great, great things.

Full circle, part II

I love that Nate has cousins he can grow up with (and two more on the way!) and neighbor pals he can play at the park with. But as much as they love him, and as much as they want to include him, there are always obstacles. And as much as I love my family and enjoy spending time with other mommies on the block, they simply can not understand what it means to be a mother to a child with special needs.

So, what do I do about this?

I reach out to one of my sisters, load up, jump in the car and drive three hours to Grand Rapids to spend some time with people who get me. And even better, Nate gets to spend time with someone who is just like him.

I wrote about a similar experience when my friend Jen and her family stopped by on their drive to Chicago. It was so awesome. And again, when we briefly had dinner with the Gibbs on our way through Michigan. We didn't have a lot of time together, but we hit it off right away. So when I was feeling really lonely and needed some time with another sb family, I e-mailed her about getting together and she more than graciously offered for Nate and I to come stay with them for a night. AND she put together a little sb play date the next day.

Two days just hanging out, watching our boys play and talking about stuff only we get. Awesome.

To say Grey and Nate hit it off would be an understatement.



Leigh and I had to do double takes a couple times because we realized we had just checked on the wrong kid. Must have been the blonde hair. Or the matching shirts. :)



We also got to meet Carson and his mommy Emily and daddy Nate. Carson is adorable and is walking with a walker! It was awesome to see him doing so well. Even more awesome to see the three boys together.





Yeah, I'm going to use the word awesome a lot in this post. Just get used to it!

Nate got to play with lots of other kids and I got to talk with lots of other mommies. Leigh is blessed to have a wonderful support group right in her own city, and for a day I felt like I was part of that.



Nate has been talking about Grey since we left. When he sees a picture of himself on my blog or on facebook, he points and says, "Grey".

They had so much fun together. And I think Grey was smitten. :)







I don't know what I enjoyed more. Watching these two boys love on each other,



or watching Leigh snuggle up in a big chair and read them bedtime stories,



or watching Grey try out Nate's wheel chair.

Probably all of it.

But, being in a place where I totally felt safe talking about my fears, sharing scar stories, chatting about floor plans, therapy and mobility over Diet Dr. Peppers was awesome.



I hope these little cuties can be buddies for a long, long time. Because watching Nate play with someone who is just like him



was priceless.