Disqus - Latest Comments for JD_Ladybugs999

Re: No Greater Joy Mom: an amazing read and a giveaway

JD_Ladybugs999 — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 22:11:24 -0000

I appreciate an opportunity to win this book... LOVED Hole In The Gospel, Radical, Kisses From Katie, and all such "wake up call", intense truth books... looking forward to reading this one.

Re: No Greater Joy Mom: when parenting decisions get tough

JD_Ladybugs999 — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:45:33 -0000

My youngest was 7 when she was diagnosed as being on the spectrum, in addition to having some learning disabilities and CAPD - central auditory processing disorder. I didn't realize until she started school that she was experiencing so many challenges, all I knew is that I'd had two boys, and that girls just seemed to be so much more, uhm, intense and spirited and challenging... Once her diagnosis came, everything made so much more sense... her inability to speak, her inability to cope with stress/transitions (going from sleeping to waking up was the most difficult transition for her, and she would immediately 'shut down'), her myriad sensory issues... at 7, she could not brush her hair, couldn't get herself dressed in the mornings, struggled with hygiene and toilet training, and would sit in class and rock under desks or be in her own little 'bubble'... she had no sense of fear, no sense of cause & consequence, little self control or impulse control... I did my best, along with her amazing teacher, to work with her that first year, and most of what helped was understanding what she was experiencing -- the diagnosis alone helped us change our approach, which in and of itself lessened some of the stressors for her (and for us).

We knew she was likely add/adhd, but so many people disapprove of meds and judge people for it, that I dragged my feet and held back for years... we prefer natural remedies and hard work too, but had tried everything else we could, everything... without success. The last straw was when she started failing in school because she had reached her capacity to be able to focus and absorb what she was being taught -- she just started going downhill not only academically, but emotionally, mentally, and in spirits. The last day of her school year that year, she wrote a suicide note -- that's how distraught she was. Her neurologist helped us understand that it was time... and we were blessed with a good experience on the first meds he chose for her -- it was night.and.day.... She was 10 at the time, almost 11, and said to me "Mommy, I don't feel like my brain is in a blender anymore -- it's not screaming at me all the time." It hurts to think that this is how it felt for her all these years, and I just didn't know -- it makes me wish I'd done something sooner... but I know God walked us down that road for a reason, and it helped us understand more of where she was, how to help her do her best on her own, until we got to the point where she needed more than we could offer without meds. She's on Vyvanse, it is not the ritalin family, but the other group of meds on the add/adhd umbrella. It helps her with self/impulse control, organization and focus. The teacher knows the moment my daughter gets to school whether or not she missed her dose -- not because she looks drugged when she's on them, not at all... but because when she's not on them, it's like she's somewhere else entirely and can't be reached - a ghost.

Re: Quick Update: All is Well

JD_Ladybugs999 — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:28:33 -0000

Thank you, Jess, for the wonderful update.

Re: A Prayer Please

JD_Ladybugs999 — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:05:25 -0000

Praying for peace that passes understanding, for good results, for healing.

Re: I'm Happier When I'm Reading

JD_Ladybugs999 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:50:56 -0000

I'm reading "For Women Only: What You Need To Know About The Inner Lives Of Men" It sounded like a completely cheesy, *roll-your-eyes* title when it was recommended to me, but in just a few weeks, it has helped improve my marriage. I learned things about my husband that blew my mind.

I'm also reading One Thousand Gifts, except I keep giving away my copy, and buying another one.

I have a Lynn Austin book that's been calling my name, it's patiently waiting on the nightstand... her books are the "don't start reading them at 10pm type, you won't be able to put it down". Always worth it.

Re: Socrates, Heart Attacks, and Perseverance

JD_Ladybugs999 — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:10:24 -0000

Thank you... that last quote from John Maxwell reminds me of the adoption journey we're on right now. We refuse to give up, we want to bring our child home as much as that young man wanted air... but there are days when it seems as though the entire point of the process is to make people want to give up. This is one of those days, days when we look at each other with a deeper understanding of why there are still 147 million orphans in need of families.

And yet, we keep going, somehow. What keeps us going is God, and the knowledge that this process it's even harder for our daughter while she waits to come home. It will be worth it in the end -- following the gospel always is.

Re: No Longer Waiting

JD_Ladybugs999 — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:09:35 -0000

It has been such a blessing to walk this journey by your side, witnessing the beginning of this prayer, right through to the answer... in God's time, however difficult, because His time is always worth the wait.

That's what I'm doing my best to focus on in this adoption journey -- not always easy, but always worth it... in His time.

Re: I have a heart for you.

JD_Ladybugs999 — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:11:30 -0000

My husband used to tell me that these people weren't his problem -- I agree, they're not his problem, or mine, they're OUR opportunity to respond with love.

Re: I have a heart for you.

JD_Ladybugs999 — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:59:47 -0000

Amen!

Re: Purposing to Slow Down and Live

JD_Ladybugs999 — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:01:09 -0000

I love your list of three things, and their definitions and purpose... what stood out for me the most was "Define by decreasing. Only by removing the unimportant will I see what’s truly important." and "intentional intimacy, with all of life". Those are words I live by, and even living by it, it helps sustain me to see reminders such as these.

Thank you for sharing... I'm bookmarking this!

Re: http://g9ine.tumblr.com/post/2191918788

JD_Ladybugs999 — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:54:49 -0000

What a great photo!

Re: http://g9ine.tumblr.com/post/2588685302

JD_Ladybugs999 — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:53:27 -0000

Love this quote, Chris. It reminds me of "Outrun". It could even be changed to make it rhyme...

The deeper the love,
The greater the grief...
The stronger the faith,
The more relentless the thief.

Re: http://g9ine.tumblr.com/post/2595736458

JD_Ladybugs999 — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:51:24 -0000

Anyone who has climbed onto the death-master, I mean, stair-master at the gym has some kind of an inkling that it won't be comfortable or easy... but always worth it. In this case, always more so, beyond measure.

There is no other way to live life.

My word this year is "outrun" -- http://compassioncan.blogsp...

Re: http://g9ine.tumblr.com/post/2988761315

JD_Ladybugs999 — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:43:33 -0000

**chuckles** Sweet :)

Re: Four Temptations Christian Leaders Face

JD_Ladybugs999 — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:05:11 -0000

Brilliant self-reflection question -- pardon the pun :)

Re: Four Temptations Christian Leaders Face

JD_Ladybugs999 — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:04:05 -0000

Beautifully said! That's one of the most important "heart checks" we should do!

Re: A Day to be at Home

JD_Ladybugs999 — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:51:43 -0000

I am really good at doing the 12 stops on the way home thing, but it has to be planned well and done efficiently, or it's not worth doing. I LOVE my 'at home' time very much too!

Enjoy your day!

Re: Project Life 2010: An Update

JD_Ladybugs999 — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:11:54 -0000

I confess that these days, the only photos we print are the ones we send faithfully to our Compassion children each month... thank you for the reminder to print some for ourselves as well.

Re: Three Months

JD_Ladybugs999 — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:16:47 -0000

What a beautiful treasure!!!!!!

Re: Dancing the Pounds Away

JD_Ladybugs999 — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:35:42 -0000

Me + dance = frog + blender. :D The good news is that I LOVE going to the gym to run and do weights, and I've almost reached 80lbs lost.

That skirt will look great on you!! Keep doing what you love!

Re: What to NOT Expect ...

JD_Ladybugs999 — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:23:18 -0000

Amen!!!! That book seems to feed the fear rather than celebrate the miracles and blessings - glad you didn't invest more than 50 cents into it ;)

I wish I could recommend a Christian, faith-based book on pregnancy, but I've been out of the pregnancy loop for quite a while, and I don't have any suggestions for you... I'm thrilled that you're doing well, though, and I can't wait to see pics!

Re: Back to the intuition thing…

JD_Ladybugs999 — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:06:45 -0000

Covering you both in prayer -- Mother's intuition -- God sure knew what He was doing when He blessed us with that!!

Much love... and a blessed birthday to you both, Angie!

Re: flood, winners, a truck

JD_Ladybugs999 — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:22:17 -0000

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!!!

Praying for those in Nashville affected by the flood... I can't even imagine.

Re: w

JD_Ladybugs999 — Sat, 01 May 2010 21:37:20 -0000

Wonderful!

Re: stream of consciousness

JD_Ladybugs999 — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:53:03 -0000

I remember those days -- of potty accidents and makeshift clothing changes!!

Love Big Mac's cool hair photos!!

This weekend... finishing touches on my Compassion blog, writing up support/fundraising letters, did 2 photo shoots this morning, preparing for my trip to Ohio next week, and doing my Bible Study homework. Oh, and the usual... kids, laundry, groceries, cleaning, etc, etc, etc.