Winter Happenings with Cerebral Palsy

Bullet journals are interesting when you have so much to say but only have a little time to write. My life has winter happenings whirlwind of gratitude and challenges, and I’m putting out fires while trying to make life meaningful. So here is what I’ve been doing for the last month and a half. Perhaps you’re facing similar challenges, so please know you are never alone. I’m praying for all of you and asking the same in return.

Gratitude

1.  The Disney trip was fun! I didn’t want to leave and looked forward to going back. I had many friends help me plan and figure out some tips to make travel easier. It was great to get away for winter happenings.
2. Laura lost her wallet while in Disney, but she found it through much prayer from many. It was a miracle.
3. Laura was in a parade in the Disney Magic Kingdom. She accomplished it despite having stitches in her foot. 
4. Laura is in the German Honor Society.
5. Jason performed in the Lion King at Springer Studio.
6. Jason’s grades are sound overall and looking forward to helping him more.
7. Jason is almost finished memorizing his monologue for a skit in May.
8. Jason enjoyed the pinewood derby and won first place in the second chance race.
9. I am keeping up with listening to the 40-day Lent challenge and catching up with the Catechism in a year.
10. Substitute teaching is going well. I’m happy to have an excellent aide to help me get ready each morning and an aide for lunch (or my dad, Jeff or Grace.) I handle work on my own, even asking for elevator help.
11. Students love my hair highlights.
12. My wheelchair is being fixed on Sunday.
13. Jason turned 10! He’s funny, intelligent, kind, witty, and a great animal person.
14. My laryngitis is better.
15. Jason and Laura are adorable, primarily when they altar serving together.
16. Laura likes winter guard.
17. Laura is overcoming some challenges this year as we work together to figure things out.
18. We seemed to heal from a lengthy sickness requiring multiple doctor visits and more potent antibiotics.
19. I overcame fear and auditioned for a play. Even though I didn’t get the role, I’m happy I overcame my fear and did it. I plan on doing it again.
20. Jeff and I are working every day on our marriage. We know it isn’t easy, but things are better than a year ago.
21. Jeff and I saw Jekyll and Hyde at FaceTime theater. We enjoyed it.
22. Jason will begin baseball soon.

Challenges

1.  I have a teenager and a tween. The attitudes and defiance are overwhelming. Parenting with a patient, kind, loving, disciplined heart requires many prayers. Staying close to God has gotten me through.
2. Before we went to Disney, my neck hurt whenever I turned left. I thought it would stop on its own and some Aleve and Advil. However, two days before our trip, the pain increasingly became intense. While in Disney, there were times when I could hardly hold my head up. It was scary and the most prolonged pain I felt in my neck. Long story short – I have arthritis that has worsened and mild to moderate degeneration. My pain level decreased with various medications, massage therapy, and physical therapy. I still need to take it day by day.
3. Because of my neck pain, I have to limit my exercise. I’m not a fan of that because I love exercising, but I’m trying to find other ways not to make my neck worse again. Winter happenings doesn’t help arthritis.
4. Laryngitis hit pretty hard. For a few days, when I spoke, nothing would come out. Not having a voice made my job difficult. With additional antibiotics, it helped, but it still comes and goes. So, I’m getting a test to see what is going on.
5. One of my friends I have known since I was 12 and who recently helped me plan my Disney trip has died. The shock and missing her hurts a lot. Don’t take any day or time for granted because you never know when you’re called home.

We can work on these and keep making the best of each day.