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Faithful, Not Successful

The spiritual practice of special needs parenting

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That time we went to Lourdes and our son was healed
What really happened in the baths at Lourdes
10 ways to love a special needs family
Suffering, redemption, and standing in the gap

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Guess who has a shiny clean soul today? And also some pretty nice cursive handwriting? #thisguy #firstreconciliation #firstconfession #catholiclife #sacrament

Getting ready for Lent, but you feel like your back is already against the wall? Stressed out? Sick? Anxious? Depressed? Does the thought of deepening your prayer practice right now make you want to roll over and play dead? . Take it easy. You don't have to do all the things. Sometimes, your daily life is a school of offer-it-up. . If that's your truth right now: Simplify. Here's how to offer a beautiful, different kind of Lent to the Lord. (Link in profile) 🙏🏻🌾💔🕯 . . . . #lent #lentendevotion #catholic #liturgicalliving #prayer #fasting #almsgiving #specialneedsparents

Out of the ordinary things added to the schedule this week while #soloparenting: . Concussion neuropsych testing, ear piercing (botched), angry phone calls about botched ear piercing, dinner for a birthday girl, 1-on-1 with parish priest, extra night of volleyball practice, major term projects due for each kid, surprise last-minute diorama assignment, orthopedist consult, skunk removal, two sleepovers. . And some kids had the audacity to complain that I offered scrambled eggs for breakfast not once but TWICE. . Stick a fork in me and pass the #bourbon. #ordinaryweek #weekinthelife #itscomplicated

When you think your kid is doing algebra but it turns out she’s doing this... Well, it’s hard to be TOO upset. Especially since she did do the algebra first. I wish I were half as productive as my 13yo. #macarons #baker #pullingherweight #kidswhobake #kidswhodohomeworkfirst

Oscar made us a #valentine. . Remember, not that long ago, when I used to wail and moan and wonder whether my boy would ever be capable of surprising me? Would ever appear in my doorway with a fistful of wildflowers? Would ever produce something delightful without my help? . #School has made that possible, y'all. Our son made us a valentine, and I am surprised and delighted almost beyond measure. Look at all those tiny little dots and scribbble marks, made by his chubby fists. . Oscar has settled in beautifully to his new classroom. When I dropped him off yesterday, he brightened up as soon as I moved him from his carseat to his wheelchair, and hoo-hoo-hooed contentedly, watching kids at recess while we waited for his teacher to come bring him inside. His teacher stopped to chat and said, "I love the way he raises his little eyebrow at you when he's thinking." . I never told her this. She noticed on her own, and stopped to mention it. . She emailed me a picture of Oscar using his favorite toy, tongue extended. We know this as his happiest happy face. She said, "He loves this new toy and I got a great shot of his excited face!" . Teachers who notice and know your children? They are a GIFT. I feel foolish now for ever having worried that school might be too much for him, too much for me, too much, too soon. It has been amazing. ✏️🎁❤️ #preschool #ppcd #developmentaldelay #specialneedskids #specialneedskid #superoscar #teachersrock

You may use us for your work, And send us #crosses, #suffering and #hardship; Whether we meet with #failure or #success, We want to #proclaimyourlove. . This prayer used to petrify me, turning my heart to stone within my chest. It's recited daily at our children's school. I hated praying it, for years. Sometimes I honestly just wouldn't say this part. . It's still a pretty terrifying statement, but I can also see how the crosses and hardships in my life have been a vehicle for proclaiming God's enormous, shattering love. . FIAT. Your will and not mine, Lord, always. . #schoenstatt #kentenich #instruments #inscriptio #blankcheck

This is the cup of coffee I brewed to replace the one I brewed at zero bleary-eyed thirty... without a mug under the Keurig. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I cannot recommend this as an effective method. Also, yes, those M&Ms were breakfast. . Shortly after that happened, the rest of THIS happened: . I discovered a short in one of our breakers—the one that controls Oscar’s bedroom, but also controls the internet and phone for my elderly in-laws’ house down the hill. ⚡️ I scheduled the electrician, which required me to rearrange Stefan’s first half-day back at school, which led to him having an anxiety/panic attack. 😱 I paid it forward by yelling at three kids without shoes on 3 minutes before it was time to leave. 🤬 We left the house and drove straight into a traffic jam that made me and Oscar 15 minutes late for therapy. 🚗 “Where we encounter Resistance, somewhere nearby is a Dream.” Steven Pressfield writes about Resistance as a universal force keeping us from becoming who are meant to be and doing what we are meant to do. ⚠️ No matter the name you give to Resistance, never let the bastard grind you down. I’m going to come right out and declare: NOT TODAY, SATAN. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 #nolitetebastardescarborundorum #resistance #dothework #bewhoyouaremeanttobe #dowhatyouaremeanttodo #nottodaysatan

A blessed feast of #OurLadyofLourdes and #WorldDayoftheSick to all of you! . O Holy Virgin, in the midst of your glory, do not forget the sorrows of this earth. Cast a merciful glance upon those who are suffering, struggling against difficulties, with their lips constantly pressed against life’s bitter cup. . Have pity on those who love each other and are separated. Have pity on our rebellious hearts. Have pity on our weak faith. Have pity on those we love. Have pity on those who weep, in those who pray, on those who fear. . Grant hope and peace to all. Amen.

We had a charming afternoon with Miriam’s friends celebrating her (almost) ninth birthday and the (almost) feast of Our Lady of Lourdes! Swipe to see the amazing Grotto-shaped cake made by @foursmallwords34 🥐🧀🎂 #liturgicalliving #catholicschoolgirls #catholiclife #domesticchurch #ourladyoflourdes #nineyearsold

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