Full Moon?

We've noticed a huge correlation between several of our kids - Callie in particular this past time - and an increase in impulsivity or other behavioral issues.  Everyone who works in group homes, hospitals, nursing homes, the court system, etc. they all have notice that there is an increase - this is not a new phenomenon it's a well known fact.  Now, why it occurs is up for grabs, but there is no denying it does happen.  Hello - where do you think the term lunatic came from?  Just google moon cycle and behavior and you'll see a list of the increase in violent crimes etc. etc.

Here are two of Callie's creations over the past super moon - the biggest in almost 20 yrs.  The fish survived and thankfully we did not have a reinactment of the book, "A Fish out of Water".  In case you've never read it the boy in the book can't resist feeding the fish over and over again instead of the small pinch the pet store owner told him to feed it.  The fish ends up huge - too big for even a swimming pool.  

The "mural" on her bedroom wall will take longer to fix.  Yes, it's permanent marker, so painting is in order.  However, my dear Mark, is already in the process of creating a new bedroom for Ella who has been a patient roomate, but as she nears 10, she really needs some space to herself.  So,  he just finished painting her new room and still has woodwork etc. to complete before he can then turn his attention to yet another repair job.  Hence the often stated - no wonder we never get ahead in this joint!

You can see the progression from right to left as she practices the playground scene she wants to draw.  Happy children on a slide - the sun is smiling.  I'm thinking if we hadn't been in such a hurry to clean it up, maybe we would have just framed it and called it art. I've seen worse.

Patience is a virtue

Patience is a virtue. Where did that annoying expression come from.  I've never been a particularly patient person, which for some odd reason seems to surprise people.  I have certainly come a long way, but every once in awhile that ugly snapping impatient head pops out and watch out or better yet get out of my way.

In Wikipedia it states, "Patience is the level of endurance one's character can take before negativity."  I sure hate when my character is called into question.

But Thomas Jefferson said, "Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances." So then, if I develop more patience than I can be just a little bit superior - but then I have an issue with pride which is another character flaw. Who am I kidding being cool and unruffled at all times is never going to happen.  Sometimes you just can't win.

What's broken mean?

Yesterday during worship at church Callie was in her usual spot, front and center, singing and dancing her dolls on the stage as she stood before it.  The song was Hosanna by Paul Baloche and one line states, "In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new,  You make us new."  As soon as that line finished she rushed over to me and said, "Mom, what's broken mean?"  I was already feeling emotional from a long week and tears were threatening to spill over just from weariness as I held her face in my hands and said, "It means hearts - broken hearts Callie."

She rushed back to her spot to continue singing and memories of her face when she first came filled my head.  She was beautiful, but her face lacked all expression and she was a perfect example of a broken life. Then I watched her continue to dance her dolls and sing along - what an awesome vision of a broken life made new.  How grateful I am that God has allowed us to be a witness to her transformation and what hope it gives to me that He will continue to make lives new.

Dancing at the edge

For about a week now, we've had a child who is dancing at the edge, as we call it.  This means they walk right to the edge of misbehavior or a temper tantrum and then at the last minute step away.  It is exhausting to parent during those times as you never know when the cliff will be jumped.  Today the edge was stepped on in a store as the child threw down a toy, crossing the arms as they didn't get their way.  With a typical child I'd have scooped them up and out we'd gone.  This is not possible with this child.  Too big and they would likely have run top speed away from me which would have been incredibly upsetting to the other child with me and dangerous for the child who would have run.

Parenting children with attachment issues is a whole different kind of parenting.  Yes, you must hold them accountable, but in order to safely go through the day, sometimes concessions are made.  It's been a long week and Mark and I both feel as if we're walking the edge too - the edge of our own temper tantrum.  

Next weekend is our anniversary and boy could we have used some time away, but that is not to be.  Hopefully, next week will be calmer - hope does spring eternal, but frankly tonight, we're just very weary.  Perhaps tomorrow we will all take a big step away from the edge - that would sure be nice.

She's My Hero

Today Callie had a field trip to a museum and our state capitol.  All week her school staff have been trying to prepare her.  Their biggest concern was her extreme fear of the "big" bus.  You see she is picked up daily at the end of our driveway by the "little" special ed. bus.  She always wears her headphones which mute the sounds she has to deal with.  Her driver knows to never honk the horn or warn her if it's really necessary.  Even then, she may have a meltdown.

Well, she did it.  She got on the bus and had a great time and her behavior was awesome!  She has overcome so much and I'm so proud of her.  I wonder how many fears I have that prevent me from my full potential - ones I may not even be aware of because I have worked around them for so long.

Callie you are awesome and totally my hero - way to go!