Taking a Step Back.

Over the past few days I have taken a step back, a step back from the phone calls, the insurance questions, the searching for the right caregivers, taken a step back from all that is involved with a special needs child.

I took a step back and just enjoyed my daughter. Yes we still had a million appointments this week, yes the grass drove her over the edge while being outside, and yes I am sometimes so tired emotionally that laying around would be a better option. But this week I have enjoyed my child, allowed her to play in ways she never would before, and laughed at all the silly things she does!

Maelee is growing up so fast, she is no longer a baby :( but a sweet toddler who is changing into a little girl everyday. She loves her babies, loves to sing and dance, and last night we painted her nails. She loved it until she realized that drying them was either going to take the blowdryer (her sensory does not love the blowdryer at all) or patience....and we all know that toddlers have no patience! So some were smudge, some barely had any polish, but as she ran around to show us her pink nails I knew in that moment the imperfections didn't matter. She was happy with the way they turned out.

It was in that moment I realized that Maelee is a fighter, she is a happy girl, and no matter what problems may arise or what differences she has, she is happy with herself! Imperfections and all! I pray that she continues this path as she gets older, we all know how cruel the world can be and if she can just be happy with herself she will live this world wonderfully!

Maelee may drag her foot or catch her left toes, she gets upset by grass and other things outdoors (not because she is a girl but because it sends her into a meltdown), she may have episodes that appear to be like absence seizures, she may never use her left hand the same as her right, and some days she is so tired her body hurts. She will always have CP. She will always have PLMD and RLS but her jerking in the night can be controlled to some extent....those nights that it's not she will be tired following and that is ok. Maelee is Maelee, she is a ball of perfection made of imperfect situations.

I look at her and see determination everyday. She is happy 99% of the time, she loves to laugh and enjoy the day! Looking at her play this week I truly have realized that it will be ok. Many have said this statement to me before....but with the intention that nothing was wrong, that she would "outgrow" her situations, or that she would be "cured". Those are not true but what is correct is that It will be ok because my precious daughter is a living miracle and she is ready to take the world on! Struggles and all! God gave her a gift to shine through each situation and that is exactly what she is doing!

Reading the Bible to her babies! Melts my heart every time!

Nothing says girly like a Minnie Mouse Bug!

Her smile can change your day in an instant! :)