Thoughts...

**I wrote this on November 19th.  I wasn't going to publish it.  I've decided that I should.  I am leaving all the typos and spelling mistakes because I was in a fragile state of mind when I wrote it.  I think it should remain just as it is.  I am sure some think I whine too much, but I think it's important to know that tragedy to one person isn't necessarily tragedy to another.  My world has been forever changed, and I'm not sure I will ever get over it.  I try everyday.  It gets easier and easier everyday, but it is always there.  A little black spot on my heart.  The spot where I have laid to rest my idea of what I thought all of my childrens' lives would be like.  Every hope and dream I initially had for Betsy has been buried there, and in it's spot I have planted new hopes and dreams.  Different ones.  It is a learning process.  One step forward, two steps back.  Certain things trigger my mourning to surface all over again, and I quietly push those feeling back into their grave and dust myself off, and carry on.  Yes, I am selfish in that sadness.  I can admit that.  In those moments, I have to remind myself my sadness is pity for myself and the way I thought things would be, or should be.  I definitely have other worries and sadness when I think of what Betsy's future will hold.  Jake and I cannot be there for her forever, but my darkest times are when I let the evil of self-pity grip my broken heart.  Pray for me.  Pray for sweet, sweet Betsy.  And always remember...EVERYONE has a cross to bear.  No one is immune from that.**

So, I've been watching 'American Horror Story'.

Not much to report. I guess I'm still waiting for it to get as scary as everyone says it is.

But, that's not really what this post is about.

There is a character in the show named, Addi. She is an awesome person living with Down's Syndrome.

Jessica Lange plays her kind-of-psychotic-but-has-good-intentions mother. And she plays the role well.

In one of the episodes, she's upset with Addi. She asks her if she knows what people think when they see the two of them walk down the street together. She goes on to tell her that they think two things:

1. That they feel lucky they're not either of them.
2. That she {Jessica Lange} must be a hero.

I watched this episode in one of those rare, rare, rare instances that I was home alone, and I cried.

Like a baby.

I wondered if that's what people think when they see my Betsy and me.

Grateful, and full of pity.

I am no hero.

Jessica Lange's character goes onto to say, "As if I had a choice.".

I didn't. Most mothers's do not.

Oh, well, I'm sure some think there is a choice.

But to the ones that are in it, really in it...they don't.

I had a choice in making her, but not how she turned out. Not how God thought she would be most perfect.

My, how long it's taken me to realize that she is just as she should be. Perfect in every way.

My perfect little girl.

We speak a perfect language only we understand.

She walks a perfect way that only I know when she'll fall.

She loves me so perfectly, sometimes I think I might burst from it.

One day, even she'll want to leave. She'll want to spread her wings in her perfect Betsy way. And, I will have to let her go.

And it will hurt.

More than with the other 3.

And the thing is, they'll understand why it will be harder.

Those other 3 are my hero. They know so much more than the average kid their age. And they didn't have a choice either. But I'm thankful. Thankful they know that kind of love, tolerance, empathy.

They let me love her the way I need to, and they get it. Even at their tender age. They know without being told why. Sure, they will resent me, or Betsy one day, for something, at some point for having to be so patient, and lenient. But it will be fleeting.

After 7 long years, I think I'm starting to get it. Why Betsy is all mine.

And the answere is simple...because she is supposed to be.

That's it.

Whatever I learn from it, no matter what I decide to so with those lessons, it's just 'to be'.

It's exactly what I needed exactly right now.

Maybe that doesn't make sense to anyone but me.

And that's okay.

Maybe it shouldn't make sense to anyone but me.

And her perfection is what I will always need right at that very moment

To bunk or not to bunk?

image via Dmagazine, photo by Stephen Karlisch

So, we've only been here for about a year, but I'm thinking about {per Rosie's urging} putting bunk beds in the girls' room.  They can use the ones the boys used to sleep in. 

It really would give them a lot more room since they have a shared space.  I could even give them a little art table, ballet barre and mirror, and a dress-up center.  Sounds like a long list of pros. 

The big con...talking Big Daddy into moving things around and putting the bunks back together.  Yikes!  That is a BIG CON!  I think he is done with house projects for awhile.  {Little does he know the master bathroom reno looms in his future.}

IF I can work my magic on the old man, I have another big idea to try a simple mural the girls' bedroom.  I'm loving the pagoda in the image above.  One of those in glossy red would fit perfectly on the wall space next to their closet. 

What to do, what to do?



Party in the works.

Betsy's favorite thing to eat is probably cereal.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  No matter.  I saw this amazing cereal buffet birthday party on the internets, and I stupidly didn't bookmark it.  I can't find it for the life of me, now.  BUT, it gave me the spark I needed to throw a little something together for Betsy's 7th birthday.

Just her cousins, cereal galore, and Saturday morning cartoons! No cake to bake, no craft to come up with, no stress to kill my party buzz!

Here's what I've come up with so far...
Simple and quick invite I made in Photoshop.

I've hooked up with a few great Etsy vendors to lend their artistic hand.  I found this great shop that makes custom pinatas.  If there is one thing Betsy loves more than cereal, it's a pinata.  Even if she never cracks it open.  She could whack it forever!  Enter the amazing 'Whack'.  Below is just a sampling of 'Whack's' amazing work.  They are replicating the cereal bowl and big spoon from the invite for the festivities.  

Yipee!

I've heard great things about Makmaydesigns from friends.  She was running a great deal on preorders, so I ordered Betsy a t-shirt and ruffle pajama pant set.  She's using the invite as inspiration, and I can't wait to see the finished product!  Sadly, she is closed for the next couple of weeks because she is THAT busy with custom orders.  I'd say that is a good sign!

Here's a sampling of some of the goods...

Then, I found ApropoRoasters.  They're whipping up personalized spoons for each of Betsy's guests.  They are too cute, and something that will actually be used post party.  Aren't they cute?

I'm planning on tying them up with some of those individual servings of cereal you can buy for take home favors.  Like these...

In my searching for the original cereal party, I did find this one from The Purple Pug.

Pretty amazing, right?  I love the oranges with the juicer straws stuck right in.  Fabulous.

I'm really excited about this party.  I think Betsy will LOVE it!

You can find all 3 mentioned Etsy shops on Facebook, too:
AproposRoasters                             Makmaydesigns                              Whack!

What cereals should I include on the buffet bar?  Any favorties?  We are big Fruity Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch fans!  You know, the healthy ones.

Pick up the pace.

The other day, whilst in Hobby Lobby with all 4 of my brood, I noticed Betsy was purposely walking slow and scuffling along to get us all to laugh.  Normally, this would have made us all laugh, but I was on a mission.  To get in and get out.  At the rate she was walking it could have taken the better part of the evening to get my 1/8 yard of fabric and 1 piece of 12x12 scrapbook paper.  Hey, if it were 1972 and legal, I probably would have left them all in the car that's how fast this stop would've been. {And, no, I don't feel bad for saying that.}

I was trying to not let my frustration show.  With Betsy, that only makes things worse.  {Normally, she shuts down and lays on the ground wherever she may be.  She weighs 75 lbs. and has low muscle tone, so you can imagine how difficult it can be.}  The other 3 could feel me about to boil over, I suppose.  Enter Pete.

He put his arm around her and turned it into a sort of game to get her to pick up the pace.  It worked.  Jake picked up on what he was trying to do, and helped in the 'game'.  Rosie loved it, too. Not only did it work, it instantly broke the tension.  We giggled and skipped through the store, and in 15 minutes {still longer than if I'd left them in the car}, we were on our way home with 1/8 yard of fabric, 1 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper, AND Skittles for all.

It is difficult to express how a situation like this one {which happens almost every day in some shape or form} makes me feel.  My normal reaction is sadness.  In many forms.  Sad for her that she doesn't understand typical social cues or that she isn't a typical kid, sad for myself because, at times, I show that I'm only human and wonder why this happened to me, why God chose me to raise a girl like her, sad for my other kids that they will not have a childhood like most children.  And then, after having a pity party, I get slapped in the face with guilt.  Guilt for feeling so ridiculous on all accounts.

We are lucky.  For many reasons, but concerning this situation, blessed beyond belief.  Some of you may not see the blessings in this story.  So, I will explain...

We are blessed, blessed, blessed to have Betsy.  Just to have her is the biggest blessing of all.  Sure my children may have more responsibility than the average bear.  It's not intentional.  We have all evolved because Betsy is in our lives.  The boys have stepped in for her so many times, when I simply cannot {think she's having a meltdown, needs a glass of water, and I have raw chicken juice up to my elbows}.   It's not like an older sibling helping a toddler: she's almost 7, she isn't potty trained {no, they have never changed her diaper or will ever be expected to}, she doesn't speak, she is extremely strong, she doesn't walk so great, she can reach things most 3-year-olds cannot, she develops much slower than a toddler, and the truth is, she may never be independent.  The list goes on and on.  And just like myself, they have learned how to 'handle' tough situations involving her by knowing what calms her down amongst other things.  They have been scratched until bleeding, taken down to the floor, squeezed, pushed, BUT they have also been hugged, tickled, laughed until they've fallen on the floor, kissed so hard it hurts.  All from that 75 lb. sister of theirs.  Their sister has made them, in a sense, blind to differences.  The notion that different IS normal.  I couldn't think of a better way to teach that lesson than with those 75 lbs.

I anticipate a time where they will resent her and me.  Possibly, go through what I hope will be a phase of rebellion when it comes to helping out with her.  And, I know it will be okay.  I wouldn't expect anything else from a hormonal, self-involved, teenager.  {My mom has said that God plucks the souls of teenagers, and gives them back when we become adults.  It's a joke, but with an ounce of truth, I think.}  At the end of the day, they will come to understand what a true beacon of light their sister is in their lives.  How just by her being there they have learned acceptance and empathy beyond what a typical kid or adult will ever know, and how they have the unique opportunity to share that lesson with others.

I will leave you with a final story...

Several weeks ago, we were all piled in our bed on a rainy Sunday afternoon.  I asked Lil' Jake if Betsy could live with his wife and him when he gets older and is married.  Very matter of factly, he told me that it would be okay with him, but he'd have to make sure it was okay with his future wife.  I thought that was a very diplomatic answer.  I know better than anyone what an undertaking it would be to take on full-time care of Miss Betsy Jane.  I assured him that was a great answer.  Pete had a different approach.  Emphatically, he said yes.  I asked him what he would do if his wife didn't want her to live with them full-time.  He said, simply, "I would tell her that Betsy lives with us, or you're out!".

His sister aside, I think Pete has a few things to learn about the ladies.

**Let me add, I would NEVER leave my babies in a car.  So, if you're new around here, and haven't gotten a handle on my sense of humor...know that.

A girl and her dog.

Betsy and Chopper have had it 'going on' since she was a baby.  I can't pinpoint why they seem to be so connected.  However, their bond is evidence of the power of canines in one's well being.  I'm not suggesting our lil' schnauzer has healed her in any way, but his presence has always lifted her spirits.  

Keeping the two of them apart is almost as hard as keeping clothes on Betsy Jane.  Or keeping a ponytail in her crazy hair.  I have admitted defeat on both accounts.  Don't judge.

Do you have a special little woofer in your life?  I would love to hear about him or her.  Especially names...

Too cool.

It is pretty clear she is a rock star.

She is getting more and more independent every day.

Case in point, she put her own nightgown on in these photos.

Sure, it's inside out and backwards, but she did it herself.

She has quite a love affair with my shades as of late, too.

And, as every knows, it's a unique fashion sense and a great pair of sunglasses that makes one a rock star.

Now, if only she could work out a guitar...

Spread the word.

Many of you probably don't know that it's 'R-word' day.  Or that there is even a national campaign called 'R-word'.  It's main focus is to shed light on individuals with intellectual disabilities.  In March, they have a special day set aside to 'spread the word to end the word'.  Today is that day.

I could go on and on about this topic.  Back in 2008, I did, HERE.  So, today, I thought I'd share with you a couple links and You Tube vids that speak volumes on the topic.

#1: "The retard in the next booth" from J.C. Wert
This is a post I can relate to.  Unfortunately.  I haven't encountered ignorance to quite this degree, but it undoubtedly exists.  Sad, but true.

#2 "Stop Using the Word 'Retard'" from Jeff Goins Writer
Straight forward.  To the point.  Who you are when no one is watching speaks volumes about, well, who you are.  The REAL you.

#3 Johnny Knoxville, Eddie Barbanell and the R-word {probably my favorite of all}

#4 We Need a New R-word


#5 ABC's "The View" discusses the R-word {I hate 'The View'.  But, I'm posting this because I am amazed that not all of these women agree on this ONE topic.  No matter what your political affiliation, job, religion, race: THIS WORD IS UGLY!  And, yes, Whoopi, it is VERY much in the same category as the 'N-word'.  All of the same principles apply. Used to describe someone who is thought of as 'less than human'.  And, Joy, literally it does mean to 'slow down', but get real, that's not the way it is intended when used in everyday slang.  Remove your head from your butt, please. Elisabeth, get off of your right wing soap box for just a moment, and let's not use this opportunity to advance your political agenda. Because, ladies, until we can agree on the bottom line here, we aren't making any forward progress.  Know better, do better.}


So, now you know.  


Spread the word.

100th day.

It was Betsy's 100th day of school today. I'm not sure it really was with all the snow days, but who cares, right?

She got to wear the Grebe '100th day' sweatshirt lil' Jake and I made 5 years ago for his 100th day celebration.  Then, Pete wore it in 2009.  Now, it's Betsy's turn.

I love the fact that they have all worn it.  I love the fact that some of the paint is pealing off.  I love the fact that I have had to reglue eyes back on it for the last 2 wearings. I love the fact that in two more years, it's Rosie's turn.  I just love all of it.

She is going to have a great day!

Now, if only I could figure out what to do with that hair.

Stars & Sinks.

Betsy is "Star of the Week" this week at school.

It requires a poster, among other things.
Including: 5 show & tell items, a favorite snack to share, and a Q & A interview sheet.

After having to make many "Star of the Week" posters,

I have grown weary.

Plus, I like to wait until the absolute last minute.

That way, the pressure is so freakin' great that only my best ideas blossom.
Except this time.

Good thing I know Julie.

What are the chances that she was in the same pickle as I?

On Friday, I saw THIS.

My creativity issues were solved.

By someone else, but solved nonetheless.

Rest assured, you can do this without a MAC.

I am a PC girl, and did it pretty easily in a combo of Photoshop & Picasa.
I used photos from 2009 & 2010 taken by Laura Siebert and Brenda Shelton.
Both sites feature a photo or two that I am quite partial to.
Wink, wink.

I like the free fonts from HERE, too, in case, you're interested.

Then, I sent it off to Costco for some cheap {but good} 1-hour processing.

Now, she probably won't even get to use it.

We are going to have a snow apocalypse here beginning later today.

They say it will be worse than the "Snow Event" of 1982.

Yipee! {said tongue in cheek}

I can handle it, as long as the electricity does not go out. 

Food is stocked, sleds are greased up, but electricity is not negotiable.

I've had many of you email me or comment on the kitchen post about our faucet.

It is from Lowe's.

The brand is AquaSource.

I will admit being a little leery about buying an 'off-brand'.

But, this faucet is the real deal.

It's really heavy & substantial stainless steel.

It was easy to install, and we've had no problems with it.

It has an optional deck plate if you have a drop-in, over mount sink.

It also comes with a soap dispenser.

FYI...

if you live near a Lowe's it is cheaper to buy it in the store than on-line.

Hope that answered your questions!

A Helping Hand.

Betsy tickled pink about her bowling success or laughing at my 'Bat Cape'.  One or the other.

Recently, Betsy bowled in a local Special Olympics event.  She got to use this fancy-fangled contraption at the smelly bowling alley to help give her ball the momentum it needed to get down the lane.  Since then, bowling has become a favorite activity of hers, and luckily, ever since St.Louis County passed the "Smoke-Free" legislation, the lanes are much more enjoyable.

It got me thinking that we could all use a thing-a-ma-jig to help give us momentum.  To get our figurative ball rolling.  For me, it's my husband, my sister, my mom, my friends.  Even music, or my camera, or a good book, or a long run.

I prefer an honest, good hearted shove in the right direction.  But, I've learned, sometimes you have to ask for it. People aren't mind readers.  But, boy, oh boy, sometimes I wish they were.

I'm not sure why I wrote this, but I'm bored.  The snow continues here, as it is everywhere.  49 out of the 50 states have seen it in some form or another. I love winter, but I'm cold to my bones, and for the first time in forever, I'm ready for spring in January.

I need a vacation.

Do you?

Fiesta...Dora style.

Betsy's 6th birthday fiesta was Saturday.

It was lots of fun, and she had a blast!

Sombreros, mustaches, Jarritos, cascarones, coconut lime cake,
dulce de leche cupcakes, Dora bracelets, maracas, taco bar.
It was definitely a FIESTA!

On a side note...

sorry I haven't been blogging regularly.

I need a bit to get into the new school routine,

and haven't figured out the best time to allot for posting.

Remember: patience is a virtue.

:)

For she's a jolly good fellow...

Happy Birthday, Betsy Jane!

I cannot believe you are 6-years-old!

It seems like only yesterday your big brothers were

preparing for your arrival. 

When you finally arrived...

 {your delivery was my first c-section because you were breech, they pulled you out hiney first}

they couldn't wait to get to the hospital to meet you.

The candy they knew they would get 

probably had nothing to do with it.

Wink, wink.

You are becoming quite a young woman!

You amaze and astound us on a daily basis.

We love you!

She's done & some other stuff.

Betsy is officially done with preschool.

Her last day of summer school was yesterday.

And, boy, did she know it.

I think she gave everyone from her bus drivers to her teachers to her therapists 342.8 hugs each.

Kindergarten...well, let's just say she is ready!

Lucky for my psyche, I don't have to officially say good-bye to her teachers because I will see them all next year when I drop-off and pick-up Rosie.

Since Ro isn't in St.Louis County Special School, no bus for her.  Boo! Because, she would totally love it.

But, the good news is she will be in a classroom with typical AND special kids.  I think it is such a good learning opportunity for both groups of kids.

Wow, I am really deflecting from the fact that Betsy is going to kindergarten!  Totally and utterly done with the safe haven that is preschool.  Maybe because my feelings about all that are so complex.  Much more than with the boys.  Can you imagine?  Is that even possible?

Avoidance is the only way I can deal right now.

I normally don't avoid, but I've found with Betsy, it's best to deal with things as they come.  One step, one day at a time.  And, let's just say it took me a long time to get here.  So, for now, that's the best coping mechanism I can manage.  Take care of what needs to be taken care off, and quit worrying about the rest for needless amounts of time.

Aaaaaaaaaaand, I will see these lovelies tonight...{maybe more of the cousins, too}

which is always a good thing, and a fabulous distraction.

We are going to stuff our faces with dumplings and plantains from here.

Then, on Saturday morning, we're gonna kick back and enjoy a show...

Not to mention, birthday parties, baseball parties, some house projects.  Ahhhhhhhhh!

Yea, summer!  Busy, busy. {I know I'm not alone in this.}

Special times.  Good times.

Have a super-duper weekend, even if it's crazy busy!

Biker chicks.

The girls have learned a new skill.

Pedaling.

Betsy's tone prevents her from going up-hill, but she's pretty darn good.

I cannot believe she finally learned to pedal!

On the opposite end of the spectrum...Rosie is a machine.

Obviously, based solely on this photo, her safety {no shoes, no helmet} is our top priority.

I jest but, I can assure you, dear readers, that isn't the norm around here.

It's crazy, hectic when we go outside because all they want to do is go, go, go.

Baby, they were born to run ride. {sang in my best Bruce Springsteen}

Girls vs. Boys

Girls are very different from boys, indeed.

Having had my 2 boys first in the Grebe line-up, I've had the unique opportunity to observe both sexes separately for an extended & isolated period of time.

Currently, a couple of things are standing out to me about the girls at the ages they are.

1.  Little girls have opinions about what they wear.

That alone could be a 3 part post.

It is exhausting.

All I will say on the subject is this: I don't understand what the big, life altering difference is between a pink t-shirt with satin trim and one without.  But, whatever it is, it seems to affect the whole mood of, not only the ensemble, but the child wearing the ensemble.

Thank you, Rosie, for teaching me that lesson.

2. Girls like 'stuff'.

My boys collect bits of 'stuff' here and there and keep their 'stuff' in special places and old cigar boxes, but the girls' love of 'stuff' is something else entirely.

For Rosie, 'stuff' includes, but is not limited to; costume jewelry, chap sticks, purses, dress-up shoes, pens, keys, business cards, calculators, wallets, blank check registers, finger nail clippers, head bands, crowns, magazines, old receipts {tickets to her, tickets to what, I'm not too sure}.

For Betsy, 'stuff' includes, but is not limited to; gloves of any kind {although she has a special hankering for the surgical variety}, baggies of all shapes and sizes, playing cards, post-it notes, reusable shopping totes, pens/pencils, tissues or paper towels, belts, binkies, a certain Dora book.

This 'stuff', either in part or whole {depending on Mommy's mood}, seems to follow us wherever we go.  Outside, in the car, Target, grocery shopping, the pool, on the school bus, backpacks, Grandma's & Grandpa's house...you name it.

It's, seriously, going to send me to the loony bin.

Someone with older girls, please tell me this stops.  Or lessens.

I don't remember having this passion myself.

Mom, did I?

Did any of you?

***Next up, the boys.  :)***

Someone's in trouble.

Where in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks is the Tooth Fairy?

Is he on vacation and no one told me?

Betsy lost her first tooth SIX DAYS ago, and still nothin'!

Maybe, he's confused.

See, we asked that Betsy not receive the typical cash exchange for her incisor.

She'd eat it, and that's no good.

For anybody.

So, I'm sure he's just deciding what would be an appropriate prize.

He better get it together soon, or, I tell ya, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

The Tooth Fairy is about to get unleashed upon.

Watch it, Tooth Fairy.

I got my eye on you.

I take no prisoners, mister.

The father to the daughter.

Betsy and Big Jake went to a father-daughter dance at Betsy's school on Friday night.  It was the most precious thing I've had the opportunity to be a part of in long time.  We were both thrilled that she got to participate in such a 'normal' little girl activity.  It meant a lot to both of us.  And, she thought she was the cat's meow!

                                                     The Dress:

I got her dress form Target's Liberty of London line.

Originally, it was a halter dress, but Miss Bets doesn't do

so good with halter style things.

That and the straps were as thin as spaghetti. 

Not a good combo.

I added new thicker straps out of scrap pillow fabric.

Every dance dress needs some bling,

so I added little sparkly buttons here and there,

on the straps, on the pockets.

Overall, it turned out great, and she LOVED it!

When Big Daddy gave her the corsage,

she was in awe.

Immediately after, she bent down, picked up a clump of leaves,

and gave it to Jake.

I guess she felt bad she didn't get him a boutonniere.

It was the most sensitive, thoughtful gesture.

She's a doll.

This is my favorite photo!

Betsy is in love with her Daddy's truck.

It only made sense to get photos of them and the truck.

Duh!

Plus, she wouldn't get out of it.

I pick my battles.

I am so glad they had a great time!

P.S.

Thanks, Aunt Jilly-bean, for the hair did.

Betsy's 'buns' were perfect!

My lil' scrapper.

injury: day 1

injury: day 2

Betsy fell at school, yesterday, while pushing a couple of other girls

on this merry-go-round bike thingy.

It got going to fast, and she couldn't keep up and wiped out.

It could've happened anytime, anywhere, with anyone.

With her, it breaks my heart into 10.347 more pieces than usual.

I can't help but wonder if she'll always be taken advantage of.

I'm not saying in this situation she was taken advantage of,

but this is what was running through my mind...

"Betsy, come push us, because we know you're super strong,

and you're willing to do the gigs no one wants, and we don't really want

you to ride with us, but you're good enough to push us."

Now, I know for a fact, that's not what happened.

It was innocent.

But those cursed thoughts of possible similar future situations crept in.

"Betsy, if you spray paint the side of the teacher's car,

we'll think you're super cool, and everyone will clap for you,

and you won't even get in trouble."

Wink, wink.

Stuff like that.

It's a cruel world, and let's face it,

she doesn't talk, wants to please,

and, generally, just wants to do what the gang is doing.

We all have anxieties about raising our children.

What can happen to them once they leave the safety of our homes?

Imagine for a moment that your child cannot speak,

and will do just about anything anyone asks of her.

The worry can be grueling at times.

The cherry on top is that since her communication skills are quite primitive,

I don't know how bad she hurts, if she needs Motrin,

if she'd like a backrub, or to rest in Momma's bed.

She's like a 60 lb. infant/toddler,

with 5-year-old wants and needs.

The good news is this:

she seems fine.

A little bruised, but back to her ole self.

Ten minutes after her fall, she was back to laughing and coloring.

Her teachers and therapists adore her,

and even called this morning to check in.

I couldn't ask for her to be in better hands.

Once again, my worries seem to be my own stupid hang-ups.

When is some of Betsy's outlook on life going to rub off on me.

Geesh!

Half the time when she looks at me,

I could swear she's saying,

"Mom, chill out!

Don't sweat all this stuff that you can't predict,

or, better yet, control.

Enough, already!"

Thank you, Betsy.

I will do my best.

Betsy's room: revisited.

Betsy's room is almost complete. 

 A floating shelf needs to be hung,

and some more letters need to be handpainted 

in spots where furniture used to be.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.