This is Real Life

This was one of those days where it just seemed like nothing was going right. We had plans to take Brennen out for the afternoon, to pick strawberries and to enjoy the last of the warm Summer sun, but he was having no part of it. It was just too sunny, or too windy, or too something. 

There are some days when I am harshly reminded that my life isn't going anything like I had imagined it would. I remember being a young girl and playing "house" with my dolls, pretending they were "the perfect family" - a generic Mommy and Daddy, a little boy who loved cars and trucks and a girl who practiced ballet. Both children smiled in photos, and they drove a funky convertible.

I think there is a point in parenthood (special needs or not) when you realize that nothing is perfect and that every day you wake up there will be challenges. Real life is so much more complicated and challenging / beautiful and rewarding than I could ever have imagined it would be. 

I am blessed with two great loves - Andrew and Brennen, and we have a family that transcends anything I could have dreamed up as a child. Sometimes life is hard. Not because we're doing it wrong, but because it's supposed to be hard. This is real life. Sure, we don't drive a convertible, but we have a pretty cool wheelchair van, and we are enjoying the ride!

 Thank you to Andrew Smith for these beautiful photos!