Leo, Our Little Lion Man

God gave me a sweet gift in parenting today. I think that lots of parents have experienced something like this in their own way. I also think that Leo being not neurotypical means I experienced this in a different way. I want to share this because I hope that other people--parents specifically--can relate and not feel alone. I also share this because I want to express a way that Leo's therapies can affect how I view things. So, I want to relate to people by feeling like this is a normal parenting thing, and I also want people to see how my parenting journey is different... (just to be clear, that doesn't mean that I have to get both of those things. just recognizing in myself that i am desiring both of those things) I've been anxious today for a variety of reasons. And--time for a personal moment here--recently God and I have been talking through my screentime habits and how I use watching a screen (tv shows or social media) to escape my anxious feelings. Screentime is how

 Pictures that--I think--do not seem like significant things, but mean something significant to me.  A book in Spanish, a coffee shop, and Leo's stroller and food. It's a defiance of expectations: expectations from my past self and a perceived social norm. My past self thought that speaking to him in Spanish or being out and about with a g tube were not possible. When we learned the extent of his brain damage, I questioned the reality of teaching him Spanish. And, while I wish I spoke it to him much more than I do, it's a sweet opportunity to communicate to him, myself, and others that he is capable of learning even if initially his level of comprehension is questioned. And it reminds me of the greater picture, too. One of the best parts of being Leo's mom is that I get to expect things from him every day. Being immobile and nonverbal his communication or lack thereof can be perceived as a baby's level of comprehension. The truth is his comprehension is there. And I

 What a month! We're all saying all the things, right? "Can you believe it's JULY already?!" "The summer is flying by!" "We've got a lot going on!" "Wasn't it just January?" In light of the fullness of life, I'd like to invite you to take a moment and breathe deep with me. I mean this in all seriousness. If you relate to any  of the above, take a breath. What has 2024 been like for you? What richness have you experienced? How do you know God better? What has fallen apart? How are you different? What  is your life full of ? In the midst of bustle, don't forget the beauty in life, the needs you have that are beyond met, and the presence of Jesus. Now. June for our household :) We had an exciting June. The first full week of June, Brad and I got away for 3 nights. We are, again, reminded of the beauty of community. And we are so deeply grateful for our community around us. We do and have done nothing to deserve it. So, our fr