Archive for July 2021
Good Morning From Camp!
Good morning from camp! We are just getting started! Everyone slept. Mostly. And everyone ate pancakes and sausage. Mostly. And everyone is having fun! Horses and laser tag are up first. Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome…
Read MoreA Camp for Autism Families
We are packed to the gills and headed to a family camp for children with autism. We. Are. So. Excited! We are also a little bit nervous because this is really brave for us. We don’t usually do things this adventurous. Two sleeps away. In a cabin. With itineraries. And activities. And people. But I also hear that there are no apologies at this camp. That little people can have hard moments and no one will stare or judge and moms and dads can breathe easy. And siblings can make…
Read MoreOur Girl is on the Mend
So many of you have asked for a Wynnie update. She is on the mend. Yesterday was a tough day but Children’s Minnesota did an amazing job. The care was exceptional as usual. Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our…
Read MoreWhat a Difference a Covid Year Makes
An old friend called me this weekend to check on our family. The discussion turned to the past. When Emily was a toddler, she was easily overstimulated by sounds or crowds. We were having dinner at their home and at some point Emily “lost it”. She was crying and inconsolable. The only thing that worked was to drive her around and play a Wiggles CD in my car until she calmed down. I missed most of that evening. A few weeks later Emily got upset when I was covering a…
Read MoreI Never Needed More Until You
“What do you want?” I remember as clear as day the moment he asked me that. I was nineteen. In college. I had a mediocre paying job that I loved, working at an independent video store. I was out to lunch with my boyfriend and we were chatting about life. He too, was in college, working on a business degree and I was juggling work and my studies to become a teacher. It was all I had ever wanted, since I was little…to teach. To be surrounded by little children..to…
Read MoreWaving the White Flag
Have you ever waved the white flag? Threw your hands up in the air and said no more. I’m there. Since my sweet baby girl was born on May 25 our house has been sick. Every member. 7 weeks. One thing after another. And I can’t seem to get a handle on it. We went from being healthy to constantly being at the doctor. All in all, with six people, we’ve had… Five colds. Three ear infections. Strep throat. Mastitis twice. RSV. Six negative covid tests. Ten visits to the…
Read MoreTime Changed When I had My Fourth Baby
There are a lot of things that change when you have your fourth child. Many that didn’t surprise me. Your house suddenly feels a lot smaller for one and it’s nearly impossible to find a quiet space. Your favorite car or truck that you have loved no longer fits two car seats and 4 other people and you ultimately have to decide if you are minivan person or not. I am not. I am fighting it. You can no longer fit at the kitchen island for meals. Someone or two…
Read MoreCoop’s Troop Changed My Life
A few years ago I created a space…a space that I needed. A space for families like mine to come together online. We chat, laugh, cry, and support each other. Coop’s Troops has changed my life. I’ve made so many friends and met the coolest kids. And tonight we had our second family meet up at edinborough Park. It was so fun to watch our kids play and be themselves and for the parents to relax without worry. Because we all get it! Thank you to everyone who came. I…
Read MoreThank You for Taking Care of My Son
I want to say the hugest thank you to the amazing staff at Midwest Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialists for providing exceptional care to Harbie today. He had ear tubes placed and his adenoids removed after suffering for quite some time with chronic ear problems. Over the years I’ve seen good, bad, and great medical care. Today’s was amazing. So much kindness for my son. If you are in the Minnesota area and need a great ear doctor, Dr, Karlan is the best of the best. As for Harbs, he…
Read MoreMoments in Time
There are these moments in time. They seem to slip by. As quick as they come their gone. I need to capture them, I think. I turn to look for my phone or camera, but something stops me. I forget the camera, the perfect picture. I return to the moment in front of me. My babies. My boys. They are laughing and singing and swimming and make believing. Soaking up the sun rays of one of their first summers together. Right before my eyes, they are getting to know one another.…
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