Must Read.

First Feelings. 
I love this post by a fellow blogger.  Her words were my feelings in those first months of dealing with Smith Magenis Syndrome.  They were dark, lonely days.  I have learned however that those days get brighter, and that there is hope.

I want these mornings back.

We were in a pretty good place with Mallory's sleep. 

She was sleeping in till 6 a.m.  She was rested.

With the ending of school, our nice sleep scheduled has disappeared.
Mallory has been back to waking up between 3 and 4 a.m.  She is restless, naughty, and out of sorts.
It's not a good place for her to be.
We usually go through this every summer for 2-3 weeks till she gets adjusted.

Since Mallory has not been rested. Neither have we. 
I want the mornings back.  The ones where I would have to wake Mallory up.  The ones where she was almost hung over on sleep. As rough as the mornings are now, I know that better ones will come.  They have to.

Block Party.

Mallory and I worked at the Block Party for our church, LifeHouse.  This was a first time event and rain taunted us that morning.  I was nervous at how well Mallory would respond to the task.  She stepped up and worked endlessly.  Our job was to sell LifeHouse bags for $1.  She loved this job.  She spent 3 hours greeting people and collecting money.  We were suppose to finish selling before the start of the outdoor service but Mallory was having so much fun we continued to sell till lunch.  The Block Party was a wonderful time for our whole family.  Matthew and Hannah loved the games and activities.  There was pancakes served before the service and hotdogs for lunch afterwards.  The outdoor service was refreshing and a nice change of pace. 

To view the promo video for the Block Party, click below- trust me it's worth your time.

Spread the Word.

Back in the saddle.



Mallory's therapeutic riding sessions have started back up.
She has grown so much since last fall. 
She has almost outgrown her horse, Freddy.



Under Fire.

One of my favorite bloggers, Shawni, had a wonderful message today.  She recently gave a speech at the American Mothers National Convention and posted it today for her readers.  To see her post, click on Shawni's Speech.  To learn more about her sweet Lucy, click The I Love Lucy Project.

Shawni's Speech

This journey.

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.

Sometimes I need a reminder. 

Raising Mallory is not what I planned to do,

but it was what I was destined to do. 

I wouldn't have life without her. 

She has taught me so much.

The gravity of Smith-Magenis Syndrome sometimes shadows over the joys.  It is so easy to get lost in this vicious cycle. 

To start to doubt.  To wonder.  To fear.

But in the end, God gave us to Mallory.  

To protect her. To love her. 

To allow her to grow despite circumstance.  

I am the one she wants when she is tired, sick, in need.  ME.

I am her mother.  I know my daughter best.

I wouldn't have it any other way.