MAYBE

Maybe you're the perfect parent.  Maybe you have perfect children.  If (when) your children happen to have a tantrum, I'm sure you react perfectly, and it's over quickly.  I'm sure if (when) you children throw a fit, they have a good reason that you can easily understand.  (No, you can't have a cookie right now.)
I have a confession to make: I am not the perfect parent.  My children are not perfect.  Yes, my children act like, well, children.  They beg.  They get told "no".  Quit often, actually.  One of my children happens to have Asperger's Syndrome (a high-functioning, mild form of Autism).  I tell him "no" every day, multiple times a day.  "Aspergians" are very smart and have large vocabularies (often beyond what they comprehend).  They also tend to get stuck on particular subjects and activities.  They think about it non-stop, which creates tension.  They will almost obsess until they can resolve that tension by participating in the activity, etc.  They have a hard time managing relationships and emotions.  For instance, if a conflict occurs in a friendship (even something simple, like not being able to sit with a friend at lunch), that stress can build and build and build until a completely non-related event (e.g.not getting a quarter to play the "crane game" at the grocery store) results in a total melt-down.  When I say melt-down, I'm not talking about a tantrum, like a typical young child.  A melt-down usually involves screaming at full volume, various shades of the face, complete body stiffness, hitting and kicking of anything close-by, and refusal to comply with any type of demands, commands, or requests.  Melt-downs can last a few minutes to several hours (days).  As a parent it's difficult to understand why my child has had such a fit over not getting a quarter to play a game.  Often, I am physically and emotionally exhausted after a melt-down.  After they are over, it's like my son doesn't remember even it happening.  It's difficult to not be angry with him.  It's only after these "fits" are over that we can sometimes discuss what he is really upset about (not sitting with his buddy at lunch earlier in the day).
I've come to the conclusion, however, that unless you have a special-needs child, or have been privileged enough to experience a true melt-down from start to finish and see the resolution, you can never understand what it is like.  In the same why, I don't know what it is like for parents who have children with cancer.  I don't know their struggles.  However, you can be sure that if they decide to share a need with me, or explain their situation, I will do my best to listen.
What about you?  How do you react when someone is going through trials very different than your own?  Or how about when you see a "spoiled child" who is "misbehaving" out in public?  My request to you is that you don't be so quick to pass judgment.  My request to you is that you, if only for a moment, put yourself in that parent's situation.  What if your children had special needs? How would you want others to react?  How would you feel when all eyes are on you in the mall?  Would you want compassion?  Would you want someone to listen without rolling their eyes?
In Matthew 5, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount.  These are some of my favorite passages.  This is where we find the "beattitudes".  "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" Matt 5:7
Please keep this in mind when you encounter things you don't understand, or think you could handle better.
If you don't understand, please feel free to ask.  Most parents of special needs children will happily explain to you, if you are genuine in your concern.

By my wonderful husband Daniel

The princess palace at ECM Hospital.

On Thursday September 25th Maddie awoke with a fever. By the middle of the day it reached 103.2 and that was her being on Tylenol and Ibuprofen. I called the doctor , they of course wanted to see us quite soon. By the time we got there just 20 minutes later her temp was 105.2. yikes. Because she was also hydrated the doctor thought that it was best for Maddie to be admitted to the hospital. We did not get to leave the hospital until Sunday the 28th. It was a very interesting experience. At first she just wanted to be rocked. You could not put her down without her fussing. It turns out she had the cox -sack- y virus. Basically she had a very sore throat with red spots that kept her from wanting to eat or drink. Jonah then proceeded to get the same thing on Saturday. So as you can imagine that weekend took awhile to recover from. I am happy to report that they now are both well.

Best models in town!!

I have starting a new venture. My own Children's Clothing Line. Good thing I have some perfect Models at home to help show off some creations.

30

I am now 30 years old. hummmm what does it mean to be 30. Well I guess I am going to have fun figuring it out. Some say I have now truly become an adult. Well this decade I want to laugh more, love more, and most of all follow God's will for my life.

Thank you all so much for your Birthday wishes.

Childrens Clothing.

Wow a lot of things have happened since I last blogged. I do not know if I will catch the blog up or just move on. This Week I have started my own business. Abigail Jamieson clothing line for Children. I am hoping to set up a web site and sell to local stores. Of course I will still be making clothes for individuals. I will also be making bags, curtains, pillows. Basically anything having to do with sewing. I may even start making clothes for moms to match their little ones. I am so very excited to be using the talents that God has given me. Here are some samples of the things that I have made.

The 30th Birthday Present!

This year is a big Birthday Year for me. One of my requests was a Chocolate Lab to be added to the Family now that we have a home that can support two dogs. Well this weekend we adopted Rex from the Cullman County Animal Shelter, even though my birthday is more than a month away, when your talking about the pound you do not wait . It could mean their life. Rex is 10 months old and is a happy go lucky guy. He slobbered all over the kids and greeted Mia. We will be bringing him home on Monday afternoon after he is neutered.

Playing with Water.

We went to a new park with our good friend Chris and Brandy and their son Braxton this past Friday evening. This park has a water fountain that you can play in. After we convinced Jonah that it would be lots of fun he and Braxton ran and played and of course got soaked. Maddie , we could not convince to play in the water. She instead wanted to play with the really big cup. She even shared with Jonah when he came over for a drink.