Adoption Mama: January 2020

Friday, January 24, 2020

Sensory Table and New Bed: Week Two

Friends, how many of you enjoy being on a break from things? Maybe school, chores, making dinner, an adult vacation from the kids? Currently, we are on a break from therapy, and I couldn't be more happy about it!!! After 18 long months of multiple therapies (sometimes 4 therapy appointments per week), WE.ARE.ON.A.BREAK! Yay!!! Not only am I enjoying saving all the money on co-pays each week, but also life seems to have more time. We've slowed down. We've had more time for play, and reading and just "being." And my soul has needed this.

In an effort to continue to help Man Cub with his skills, I have been making him all sorts of sensory experiences at home. I bought this Flisat table from IKEA about a year ago, and finally put it to use. I am absolutely in LOVE. It is perfect and small and interchangeable, and he LOVES bouncing off the school bus to see what is in his table today.

Do you ever feel like you just need "less" in your life? I have been feeling that way for several months, and finally I am having the opportunity to step back from some things. Currently, I am on a break from teaching VIPKID. That is the beauty of the job. When I need a break, I can take one. I will probably return in March, after the time changes back. In the meantime, I have been enjoying staying up late and not getting up at 4am.

The end of the week saw Man Cub get a new twin sized bed. He is a pretty tall guy and a CRAZY sleeper, and often would wake up in the middle of the night and then sleep with us. I theorized that a new bed would help him sleep longer and wake up less. I found this one on a Facebook Marketplace site and picked it up. It is just what I wanted for him. And guess what? I was correct in my thinking. He has been sleeping longer and sometimes completely through the night in his new bed! And all the tired parents said, "AMEN!!!"

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Disneyland at Christmas Time: Dahlhouse Style

In November, we were able to take a family vacation to Disneyland and to visit my brother, David and sister, Katie. We enjoyed several meals at In-n-Out burger (our favorite). We also were able to see my brother and Katie's house and their sweet doggies. They were even able to take off a day of work and come to Disneyland with us.

The parks were beautiful and all decorated for Christmas! Disneyland is a magical place anyway, but all decorated for Christmas was extra magical. The holiday goodies and Christmas music was wonderful, but when it "snowed" on Main Street it was over the top AMAZING!!!

I was also very proud that I was able to earn enough money from my side hustle, VIPKID to pay for this vacation in cash. I saved every penny for six months! It was very rewarding for me to see what I could accomplish if I set my mind to it. I enjoyed taking this trip with my family.

There are many photos below of our amazing time at the parks. We spent four days between the two parks. I highly recommend Disneyland during the Christmas season. I hope you enjoy the picture overload!