I'm grateful for you

You may hear parents of a special need child say, "I hate (insert syndrome/disease here)." For instance, I always hear from other mom's, "I hate Rett Syndrome." I want to clarify what is being said. We LOVE our children, but are not happy with the trials they have to deal with on a daily basis because of their syndrome. It is very hard to watch your child struggle and there is nothing you can do about it. 

With Thanksgiving having just passed, I want to type up a gratitude post about Oaklynn. I want everyone to know what I love about her (because sometimes posting about what Rett Syndrome does to her can sound negative and I want everyone to know how grateful I am for her).

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1. I LOVE Oaklynn's smile. She doesn't just smile with her mouth. She smiles with her eyes too. Her smile can make anyone smile. It always brightens up my day.

2. The way she taps my back when I give her a hug. She tries to hard to let me know she loves me.

3. Her giggle is contagious. When I hear her in her room playing with her sister (or by herself) and she starts giggling, it makes my day.

4. Her patience with me. Sometimes it takes me a while to figure out what she wants/needs and she is very patient while I try to figure it out.

5. Her love toward her sister. When I sit her little sister next to her, she always tries to reach over and hold her hand. The joy on her face when her sister is around is priceless.

6. Her excitement when Daddy is home. She loves her daddy and I love how happy she gets when he plays with her.

7. The way she looks when she sleeps. She is so still and calm and looks so peaceful.

8. Her determination and hard work teaches me a lot. She never gives up. She is working so hard and I know one day she will be able to walk.

9. The happiness on her face when she gets to hang out with mommy. She was so happy she got to help me decorate the Christmas tree.

10. She loves going out running with me. She inspires me to keep going.

11. I love her silly personality. She is a huge ham and she makes me smile.

12. When we eat breakfast and lunch, we listen to Pandora "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" station. When she hears one of her favorite songs she looks at me and her eyes get really big and a huge grin comes over her face. It's the cutest thing ever.

13. When she get a word out or is able to pick something up that she wants, she is overcome with excitement. Her whole body shows how happy she is.

14. She loves all her therapists. She has it 6 times a week! Physical therapy is the hardest for her, but she is always smiling, giving hugs, and laughing with her therapist.

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These are just a few of the things that I love about her. She has taught me so much about life and how grateful I should be for everything I have. Despite all the trials she has, she continues to find a reason to smile. I am blessed to have her in our home. She is a perfect little girl and I have the honor of being her mom. I couldn't ask for anything better. THANK YOU OAKLYNN for being in my life. I thank you for all you have taught me and continue to teach me. You'll never know how big of an influence you have had on my life and how much you have changed me for the better.

YOU ARE MY HERO