Guest Post/ Grandparenting a Child with Special Needs

I put my mother on the spot a couple of days ago and asked her to write a post for me. If you haven't already read 'How Do Grandparents of ASD Children Feel?', please click on the link and do so.


Before reading her words, however, I want you to know the first year of Cody's life was hard. Cody was born with multiple birth defects and we spent a great deal of time either in doctor's offices or in and out of hospitals. If it weren't for my mother, I could have never made it through that first year. She was by my side every step of the way. Years later, my mom even flew to Oregon twice within a six month period to take care of my younger children while Cody fought for his life in PICU.


From my point of view, grandparents play a significant role in raising a child with disabilities. My mother is an incredible person and I am happy that she wrote the following guest post:

Having Cody for a grandson has been an awesome experience. I can honestly say I would not want Cody to be any different than he is. He is truly a gift from heaven.

Everyone who has the opportunity to know Cody finds out what a great personality he has. I’m sure they will never forget him.

With that said, I have to say it has been hard at times to see my daughter, Cody’s mom, go through some very difficult times with Cody, most of them medical. I marvel at how amazingly strong she has become in facing these struggles.

Cody was my first grandchild. I didn’t have a preconceived idea what a grandchild should or shouldn’t be. I was never disappointed he was born different. My greatest worry has always been whether he is healthy or not.

I love Cody the same as all my grandchildren, we just have a different relationship and bond. I was privileged to be a big part of Cody’s first year. He loves his grandma, and grandma loves him!!

This Really Struck a Chord with Me

Source: pursuitoffelicity.tumblr.com via Felicity on Pinterest

Changing Priorities

One of my dearest friends Annie over at Adventures in Oz wrote a post that included a video by Steven Covey. As I watched the video, I realized that this is how I feel about blogging. I love, love, LOVE blogging, but sometimes I let it come before the important things in my life. I enjoy staying connected to my blogging friends all over the world, but realize that I have relationships right here around me that could use a little nurturing.

Annie asked me a thought provoking question yesterday. She said, "Have you thought about what you'd like to leave behind for your children and grandchildren when you're gone?" Then she got me thinking maybe, just maybe, I could make quilts and scrapbooks for them, both hobbies that I enjoy but have fallen by the wayside.

Since I'm on the morbid subject of dying, I definitely need to make exercise and eating healthy a higher priority (click here and here), or I might not even be around long enough to meet those future grandchildren.

My point is, I will keep reading your wonderful blogs and writing my own posts. I just may not be able to do it every day, because I have to take care of the big rocks first. No comprende? Watch the video...

Are You a Facebook Narcissist?

Narcissist Defined-

1. self-admiration: excessive self-admiration and self-centeredness

2. personality disorder: in psychiatry, a personality disorder characterized by the patient's overestimation of his or her own appearance and abilities and an excessive need for admiration.

I came across an article, which claims you can tell how narcissistic a person is by their Facebook profile. The researchers at the University of Georgia conducted a study on this. They got over a hundred FB users and had them answer personality questionnaires. They also asked random people to comb through FB profiles and rate how narcissistic the profile owners were. 

A couple of the tell-tale signs of facebook narcissism are:

1. “Quantity of social interaction”

In other words, do you have a lot of stuff on your wall or not? Apparently, the more stuff you have on your wall and the more ‘friends’ you have, the more narcissistic you are. They said, and I quote: “This is similar to how narcissists behave in the real world, forming numerous but shallow relationships with others.”

Well, that just made me feel a whole lot better about only having 116 Facebook friends. :)

2. “Degree of self-promotion in your main photo”

Apparently, most FB users post simple snapshots of themselves while narcissists post really glamorous pictures. So, if you have a photo of yourself wearing diamonds, faux furs or false eyelashes, you are a narcissist for sure. (hehe)

To find out if you are a Facebook narcissist, read the article in it's entirety at Science Daily. Just click the folowing link:


Facebook Profiles Can Be Used To Detect Narcissism

Conversations Between Cody and His Dad/ A Father's Day Post

Cody loves his dad. I could not begin to count the number of times Cody says "dad" when Don is home. Seriously, it would be a ridiculous amount.

"Good morning dad."
"What do you think of that dad?"
"Hey dad!"
"How come you clear your throat all the time dad."
"Dad. What did you do at the 'port?"
"Did you get dust up your nose dad?"

When my other kids were little, I use to tell them if they didn't stop saying "mom", I was going to change my name, but not Cody. He is perfectly happy yakking at his dad.

Cody and Don also like to tease one another and call each other names. I have captured a few conversations Cody and his dad have had over the last week...

Cody- "You smell like a bird dad."
Don- "Really? What does a bird smell like?"
Cody- "Kinda like manure."

Don- "Hi Fred."
Cody- "S'up Dollar Face?"
Don- "Not much Pocket Change."

Cody- belching so loud that he could win any burping contest
Don-  (quite annoyed) "Have you ever noticed that nobody else around here does that?"
Cody- "Not really."

Here is a Father's Day poem Cody made up for his dad:

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Splenda is sweet
and so are you! 

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