November 2012 - Praying for Parker

A Hodson Halloween

I actually thought about taking Parker to the Halloween party at school. Then I remembered the last time we took Parker to school and the stomach flu that followed. sigh. Parker loves school. He loves the kids. He loves his teachers...

Published Thu, Nov 01 2012 12:41 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: down syndrome, crafts, Halloween, Life With Special Needs

The Very Best Adventure.

It’s been a wild few days. Days filled with puke, fevers, and decisions as to whether we should make a run up to Primary Children’s hospital, or whether the storm at home. We’ve turned a corner. Things are looking better. Home turned...

Published Sun, Nov 04 2012 9:48 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: down syndrome, Life With Special Needs

A Local Community College for People with Disabilities.

One major concern for parents of children with disabilities is what will life hold for them after they leave the public school system It’s the stuff that late night worry is made of. Lehi City, in Lehi, Utah has begun something beautiful. A Community...

Published Fri, Nov 09 2012 7:50 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Advocacy, Life With Special Needs, Lehi Community College

On Down Syndrome and Baptism

It wasn’t long after Parker was born that the question of baptism came up. Does a child with Down syndrome need to be baptized? What if the child could understand and answer the baptismal questions, didn’t he deserve to be baptized...

Published Mon, Nov 12 2012 8:03 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: down syndrome, Life With Special Needs, baptisim

Where the future takes us.

I’m running around today, 50 million things on my ever growing to-do list. I’ve got the water for tonight’s pasta on the stove, laundry chugging along, coupons strung out in anticipation of hitting the grocery store to...

Published Fri, Nov 16 2012 12:19 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Advocacy, frugal living, blogging

Eight Birthdays.

There’s been a bit of celebrating going on around here. Eight birthdays. So many memories made. So many prayers answered. Here’s to many, many, MANY more birthdays and memories and answered prayers. Read More...

Published Mon, Nov 19 2012 5:31 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Holding On Tight To My Faith, Life With Special Needs, 8th Birthday

Acts of desperation: Special Needs Style

I used to be…..oh, what’s the word I’m looking for…..oh, yeah…. VAIN. Not a hair out of place. Make-up just so. Even my jeans were perfectly pressed. Enter a medically fragile kid with special needs. These days find me clothed...

Published Tue, Nov 20 2012 6:58 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: down syndrome, Special Needs, Life With Special Needs, acts of desperation

Jelly Marbles and Sensory Experiences

Parker is a sensory seeking kind of kid. He loves the undersides of carpets, sandpaper, and the plastic mesh that needle workers use. A tub of pine cones and this Hero is in Nirvana. I often brush Parker down before a lesson. If I don’t...

Published Tue, Nov 20 2012 7:04 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Special Needs Homeschooling, Sensory Tubs, Jelly Marbles, Steve Spangler

Black Friday: Hodson Style

We don’t do Black Friday around these joints. Nope. We have our own take on the day. There’s the cleaning up that has to be done after the cleaning up I already did. Anticipation for a ride outside! My parents gave Parker...

Published Fri, Nov 23 2012 5:15 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: frugal living, Black Friday

Asking for prayers on Tuesday

I can’t quite put my finger on it. The feeling I get right before any and every Cardiologist appointment. It’s like I’m preparing for disappointment just in case. I’m mourning in advance. Just in case. Always the very real possibility...

Published Mon, Nov 26 2012 8:30 AM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: Holding On Tight To My Faith, down syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, faith, Frequent Flyin' ar the PCMC

The Gift of the Magi: Special Needs Style

One thing about having such a tight (and often non-existent) budget during the holidays is the feeling of helplessness in giving back or reaching out to bless the lives of others. Being able to give has always been such a big part of our...

Published Mon, Nov 26 2012 6:28 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: frugal living, gift giving, no spend christmas

Making my list…..but can’t afford to check it twice.

I remember feeling a little bummed when my older kids were younger and wanted things that were simply beyond our budget. I’d eventually get over it, and more times than not, they’d eventually forget that they even wanted it. It’s...

Published Wed, Nov 28 2012 8:19 PM by Praying For Parker

Filed under: The HIGH Cost of Health Care, Shiley trachs, Portex Thermavents, mini one button

Making a list…..