Summer

The summer is winding down with school starting for Madeline is just two short weeks. We have been just very busy trying to do as much together as we can before August 24th gets here. It is such a relief  that I will not be going back next week, to start another year teaching.  However here have been times that I have been sad with the thought of not being apart of it all.The day I registered Madeline at her new school was the hardest. We both rode home very quiet, my heart hurting knowing I would not be with her. However more so than ever I know that we made the right choice. Clara has at least four appointments in September and eye surgery.What a relief not to have the guilt and worry of taking all those days off. 

One of my greatest moments this summer was our beach trip. If you has asked me four months ago were we going to go, I would have said no. In fact Jason and I had  made our decision in March to stay home because it was going to be incredibly hard (remembering last summer's trip). It was something I prayed about and probably a month so before the trip I personally came to the realization that we all needed time away especially Clara and Madeline. We both decided it was worth the try, and I am so glad we did. 

With a special needs child, I think sometimes we tend to want to stay where it is comfortable. Fearing and focusing on how ridiculously hard it would be to go away. We want to stay where all of her supplies, equipment, her nurses, doctors and hospitals are. I think we focus on making  it easy for US, forgetting what opportunities there for her outside of OUR comfort zone, ie home. She like any other child will, and did, adjust beautifully to the change, and I feel foolish now to ever doubt that she could. 

Also having a special needs child, sometimes (most of the time) short changes the other child. With everything Madeline has been through she needed to make memories of her own with her cousins. She dreams each year to the next of our Edgerton family beach trip. I just couldn't take that away from her. 

As for Jason and I we need to discover how incredibly normal and adaptable our family is. One great thing about us, is the way we work together to get everything done. We are always amazed how much we can do..especially after the day is done. Most importantly we need time away together to make new memories, however different or hard they may seem to be in the beginning. 

We are also so blessed that one of Clara's nurses, Julia, came with us for three days to help out. Also it was so totally helpful to be with family to help in whatever way possible.  

With an exception of messing up Clara's medications one night, calling her doctor about that, and Madeline getting stung by a jelly fish the week went great. 

I am so glad to we took a chance, and spent a week away as a family. The week was another example how we are so capable of mainstreaming  into normalcy. I will continue to find new ways to get us all out together, at least until cold and RSV season come back around.