The Highlights

It’s been so long since I’ve written, I hardly know where to start. Lots of things have been happening; from large and life-changing to small joys only I can apprieciate. I will touch on what I can with no promises to do better with blogging in the future (because who am I kidding?) My mom …

2023 Resolutions: Hopefully Joy and Fruitfulness

Well, I’ve had plenty of time to overthink about my New Year’s resolutions. Seems like it’s time to actually write a post about them, and see how I did on last year’s resolutions. First, the review! What did I hope to accomplish in 2022? So, I don’t think I did too terrible. You won’t be …

How to Support a Friend Whose Life Sucks Right Now

My own life has finally calmed down after a challenging few months. During that time, I was blessed to have good friends I could reach out to when I felt overwhelmed with our decision to foster a child. Some friends could offer tangible advice based on their family’s own personal experiences. Others knew how to …

First Semester Burnout

I think I’m burnt out. Which is discouraging since we’re only nine weeks into this school year. Thankfully, we’re off next week but, for better or worse, I will be busy catching up on everything that’s been slipping through the cracks. I’m doubtful it will seem like much of a break. I know why I’m …

Winner Winner!

Rebecca Enriquez come on down! You’re the winner in my Better Than OK Basket of Awesomeness giveaway! I look forward to mailing you a copy of my book and lots of other awesome goodies! Thank you to Rebecca and everyone who entered. Full post later. Link up your own Quick Takes posts below! You are …

‘Better Than OK’ Has Arrived

TODAY IS BOOK LAUNCH DAY! Let me tell you about my book! Of course I think everyone should run out and buy a dozen copies, but in the words of the great Levar Burton: via Gfycat “If Kelly Mantoan wrote a book about watching paint dry, I would buy it, because she’d somehow manage to …

Why You Shouldn’t Say “Special Needs”…

and why I put the term in my title anyway. I know the majority of my readers are not the parents of disabled children, and so you may be wondering what the point of this post is. You’re probably completely unaware that there’s actually a controversy over the use of the term “special needs” in …

Little Takes

I created a huge, beautiful spreadsheet detailing everything I need to do to successfully launch my book by October 8. The only thing I couldn’t come up with? A topic for this week’s blog post. So just a few Quick Takes in the mean time. First, know that the NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION was just as …

Taking Addie to Cleveland

Enjoy some pictures from our trip taking Addie to Cleveland State University. I’ll be updating through the rest of today. We’ll drop her off at her dorm Saturday morning and then head home. Edie and I arrived back in New Jersey Saturday evening. Addie has already texted me about all the swag she’s picking up …

SMA Month: Pride and Awareness

It’s Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month! Or as some are dubbing it, SMA Pride Month! The two titles show the two sides to the SMA community; the adults living with SMA, and the parents of children with SMA. Most of the time, we all get along in our social media groups and at events. But …

The Florida Summer Camp Experience 2021

Time for a vacation recap post! Some camp pictures, some vacation stories, and one trip extension later, we’re finally all home and fully unpacked. Saturday – We kissed the older three goodbye and were on the road by 8:30 a.m. We hit some awful traffic around Washington, DC, and we arrived at South of the …

It’s Camp Week!

No Takes this week while we’re maxing and relaxing in Florida!!! All the details will be in next week’s post. But until then, know that it’s been a great time for Tony and I. I’m hoping when we pick Fulton and Teddy up later today (Friday) that they say the same thing. Saturday we’ll be …

Last Day of School!

It’s the last day of school, and I hope that means I regain a few hours (minutes??) of time for writing during the day over the next few months. These Takes are late, and short, but hopefully things improve in the coming weeks. This week had some nice, hot days which meant we could finally …