Another dreary day....hectic mornng, mondays are shower days for the kids, which means getting them up a bit earlier and laying out their clothes in the hallway outside the bathroom. We can do 5 showers in about 15 minutes, assembly line style....then meds, teeth, hairbrushing, glasses, shoes, breakfast, after breakfast we blowdry hair....I guess it would look a little crazy to someone who didn't live here, but the kids know the routine and it typically goes quite smoothly.

We have a PCA assesment for Annie this morning, I hate those appointments, they focus on all the ways my child is not like other children, no focus at all on all of the amazing accomplishments she has made. I know it is neccesary, but I hate that on paper, my child looks so incapable.

There is a story of what it is like to parent a child with needs. They say it's like saving all your life for an amazing trip to Ireland. You dream of seeeing the Emerald Isle. You plan, save, and finally pack for your amazing adventure.....then the plane lands and the captain announces "Welcome to Italy". Italy is amazing, the language, the people, the buildings. You see and do everything you can, but your heart aches for Ireland.

With adoption it's a bit different, we knew we would go to Italy. But seeing my child struggle, to see her stared at in public. To see her poked and prodded by specialists....my heart aches for Annie to go to Ireland. For her, not for me, I chose Italy, she wanted Ireland. That said, we know God has amazing plans for Annie, she is an amazing child.

Anyway, since Annie is the topic today, I will post another layout of her..... You can click the image (as with all the layouts) to see it larger....