Faith is not believing things will always work out but that you will be ok regardless of how they do.
It was an up and down week at school. So the start of the holidays was so welcomed.
T made a lovely note for Santa last night.
When he woke up this Christmas morning, he could hardly contain his excitement.
He even dressed up for the holiday occasion.
We went straight to opening gifts.
Among T’s bounty this year, included a Sonic plushy he had eyed during multiple visits at the mall and the new Sonic game for the Switch.
The hubby got me a black Power Ranger t-shirt and my favourite chocolates.
I got him his favourite chocolates and a book from his favourite author.
T had egg nog for breakfast and Whopper chocolates for lunch – and I didn’t bat an eye, because it’s Christmas.
I picked up and brought Ma over for hotpot lunch.
T asked her to cut him an apple while I finished prepping our lunch.
T also got a thank you card from Santa.
The note read:
“Dear T,
Thank you for the cookies and milk. How very thoughtful of you.
You have a wonderful smile and a caring heart.
Believe in your goodness, be kind and work hard – and great things will come your way in life.
Merry Christmas sweet boy.
Santa.”
This message was as much a reminder for him as it was for the hubby and I.
During the more challenging moments with school, it was easy to forget that at the core of this boy who gets disregulated and whose exhibited behaviour are related to a disability – is a sweet, caring, bright, funny child with so many gifts.
We got a Christmas greeting text from his school CYW this morning.
About two weeks ago, she got reinstated in his classroom to work with him 1-1 for the indefinite future – fingers crossed until June.
She has already made a difference, after several months of rotating classroom supports that has left T and everyone feeling frustrated.
She gets him and is achieving positive results.
We wished her a Merry Christmas and told her she is the best gift we as T’s parents could hope for.
Christmas to me has always been a season of reflecting on and restoring faith.
In recent years, and through this FASD parenting journey, the meaning of faith continues to evolve.
Today, it means that things may never work out the way we imagined, but we will be ok.
I enjoyed watching T open his gifts. Seeing his uninhibited joy is heart-filling. He gave me a big hug and said thank you afterwards.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.
What a wonderful Christmas Ab and how nice you were able to have your Ma there too.
Thanks Diane. It was nice to be able to celebrate with my Ma. A cozier and quieter one this year cuz of the winter storm. Were you affected?
No everyone made it Saturday and even more on Sunday.
So Beautiful, Heartwarming and insightful! Wishes for Merry happy and Healthy!
Thank you, Vickie. I read an article last night about the snowstorm in Buffalo. Sounded intense. Hope you’re all doing ok!
We are hanging
Sounds like a family day well-spent. It’s great that T’s CYW is back to be with him! I guess this is in itself a Christmas present for you, your husband, and more importantly, for T. Speaking of presents, did hubby also give you a Mastodon-engraved badge for you to morph? 😁 The chocolate you love is exactly the same with what my mom loves. Actually, the past few days she came to visit me and at one point I bought her Ferrero Rocher too.
You’re a good son for gifting your mom that! 😊 It was a nice family day indeed. Haha, I love that you recognize the Mastodon. I’ll need to do a travel post about going to Los Angeles in 2016 to attend a Power Ranger convention. 😂
Thanks Bama. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas/holidays with your family and friends too!
I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas!!!! We have a hot pot restaurant, how cool you all do it at home! I am happy Ts aid is back! Hopefully she can stay and consistency can continue!
Thank you! We’re lucky we can get the ingredients at the local Asian grocer, including pre-thinly sliced beef. And yes, fingers crossed for a consistent CYW for the rest of the year.
I nearly died when I saw the picture of T all dressed up for Christmas!! That’s hilarious. Sounds like you had a lovely day with your family yesterday. That’s wonderful news about how T’s CYW will be back in the classroom with him for the indefinite future! Enjoy the rest of your time off. Cheers. Linda
That is awesome! Love T’s note to Santa!
And the dedicated CYW for the rest of the year (fingers crossed)? That’s awesome! You guys are rewriting the story! It’s about overcoming and you are doing such a great job.
Merry Christmas, Ab!
Thanks Wynne. I like the phrase “rewriting the story.” It does feel that way on some days.
Hope you and the kids had a great Christmas and enjoy the time off together this week ahead!
So happy the 3 of you enjoyed a lovely relaxing Christmas. Sounds like we both needed this break.
Thank you! Yes, it has been quite the trying past few days – and some factors beyond T – but we take it a day at a time. Hope you get some rest over this break too!
Merry Christmas to you all! Christmas at your house looks loving and thoughtful (I don’t think that Sanata ever left a thank-you note at our house). Oh, the hotpot looks amazing too!
Thank you! My mom enjoyed the hotpot and marveled at how convenient things have come since her days of preparing it. The Santa notes are fun to do. There’ll come an age when he won’t believe in him anymore so gotta enjoy it while we can!