April 27th, 2009. The day of infamy that turned our lives upside down. Who knew that the next two years would bring so many challenges and change? I will never take Zak's employment for granted again. I thank my Father in Heaven every day for a steady job. But, truth be told, I've also been asking that he blesses us with a steady job somewhere else. Ha.
Today we commemorate that day with a self-reliance activity--canning strawberry jam. Not something we've ever done before (freezer jam is so much easier!), but if Zak ever gets laid off again, at least we can survive on PB&J.
P.S.-I packed my first box today. I've decided that if I start loading boxes maybe a job will come. Hey, it worked in Field of Dreams.
Many moons ago, I ran camps for people with disabilities during the summer. I worked for the Arc (an organization that provides social and recreational activities for people with disabilities) for about 6 years and developed an enormous, enormous love for the children and adults I had the privilege of spending time with. Isn't it amazing how the Lord prepares us for the challenges we will face in life? Because of the time I devoted to camp, I was able to cultivate a better understanding and regard for children with autism even before I had my own.
I could go on, but the point is, if I ever run camps again (I hope to someday), I will require that all of my staff read Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.
I just finished the novel and it was one of the most amazing, touching, revealing books I have ever read. Obviously (since I mentioned camp) it is about a girl with a disability, specifically cerebral palsy, and the conclusions those around her make because she cannot communicate verbally. It literally made me question everything I've ever assumed about those with special needs. I especially wonder what I don't understand about the way Jakson processes the world and the inferences I constantly make about him and the reasons for his behavior.
It is such a quick read and can be found in your library's juvenile or young adult section. Five stars and two thumbs up.
Did you know that you can regrow green onions? Me neither. But apparently, you can. Even when it is still snowing outside.
Since moving to Utah, we've suffered from the lack of Goodwill Saturdays. In Phoenix, every other Saturday was 1/2 off everything in the store. And I'm so cheap that I don't even shop full price at a thrift store (I'm not willing to pay more than $1.50 MAYBE $2 for an article of clothing for a child. They just go and ruin it the first time its worn. The only exception I'll make is with jeans and shoes. Never more than $5). As a result, while I used to collect clothes one year out, I haven't been able to for a long time.
While going through Storey's clothes a couple of weeks ago, I realized that not only do I not have clothes for a year from now, I didn't even have a summer wardrobe for her. Everywhere I looked there were long sleeved shirts, sweaters, pants, coats...appropriate for our current April weather, but hopefully not too much longer.
So I set out to create a wardrobe from clothing she already has-"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." I grabbed a bunch of too-short pants and chopped them off, making shorts and capris. Then I collected all of the outgrown onesies (without stains) and created a bunch of play dresses (onesies fit a lot longer if you don't take into account the length-when you cut them off to make dresses, the length of the onesie is insignificant). I absolutely love the way they turned out. I have a few more left to make, but her summer wardrobe has quadrupled in size. Here are just three of the dresses I finished (in one weekend-they are quick projects).
Dress supplies: a long sleeve 12 month onesie and strips of three old t-shirts. I cut off the onesie sleeves to make them short and used a little elastic thread for a gathered edge (no need to hem, jersey doesn't fray).
Dress supplies: 12 month onesie and a jersey bedsheet used for the skirt. The main purpose for these dresses was comfort. I want one in my size.
Dress supplies: long sleeve onesie (with sleeves cut off and gathered with elastic thread), vintage bed sheet, eyelet lace I had laying around
Well folks, we have survived a birthday party. And I will just state for the record that Jakson is not a birthday party person. I mean, at.all. Fast forward 1 hour and 15 minutes in and he's done and melting down. Good thing the party was over 15 minutes later.
Besides that the only issue was that I specifically asked for no presents on the invitation (in order to avoid the meltdown that seems to follow a session of opening said gifts). Well, apparently, parents read directions about as well as 6th graders. Meaning: not at all. And it was a little awkward when the two parents who DID comply with my written instructions showed up in the middle of Jak opening the well-intentioned, but overwhelming presents. Not real sure what Ms. Manners would have suggested on that one. 
Notwithstanding the small hiccups, the party overall was a success. Kids came despite the lack of RSVPs (man, I was nervous about that!) and Jakson jumped to his hearts content (the party was held in warehouse full of bounce houses). It was a sensory needy kid's dream celebration. And he loved having so many of his friends to play with.
A few of the details (there weren't too many, this was a low key event)....
Behold! A cake that was not a total disaster!
Facebook came to the rescue after Jak insisted on having a Hot Wheels cake. I am terrible terrible terrible at decorating cakes, so asked for advice from Facebook friends and I got some amazingly creative ideas. My friend Covey even sent step by step instructions for making marshmallow fondant, which is totally awesome, but I think slightly out of my non-cake making league. The best part was that most of my messy frosting job was covered up by candy and Oreo road.
I made the invite using Picnik. So easy and totally free.
It's kind of random (like the lone dinosaur??? what is that?), but I was trying to integrate some of Jak's favorite things. Green and dinosaurs. He was very pleased.
She did not inherit this from me. Zak's genes strike again. 
She has dressed exactly like this for the past 5 days straight. Complete with the klonky princess shoes that don't work with the snowy weather we've been having.
And I thought I was getting a tomboy....
If you want to read more or sign up, head on over to my photography blog for details and the registration form here. Should be fun!!
Hope you are having a great Monday!
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