Bring on Those Awesome Waves

Can you believe this incredible painting of our girl?! It was created by a friend of James, and she painted it off of a photo on my Facebook page! Every time I walk by it I catch my breath.

Cannon misses his sister too. He is always at our heels, and he hates to be alone. He is getting so extra super duper spoiled...and that's ok. It makes us feel better to spoil him. My lovey boy.

Anyway, wow, what a busy summer it has been! A good way to balance the grief over losing our Ruby girl, and a good way to stay motivated and happy... in addition to building Sunschein Photography, I have also taken a new job as a Noonday Collection Ambassador, and I am loving it! Check out our beautiful jewelry and accessories, handmade by artisans in vulnerable communities around the globe. Our purchases enable the artisans to earn a sustainable income, become independent, and provide for their families. marcierandall.noondaycollection.com

I am really enjoying this new endeavor! I love the pieces, of course, and it is so much fun building my sample collection. More importantly, I have found a way to get out of my "special needs mom" bubble. I am, as we say, making an impact. I am doing something. For others. For people who are not as fortunate as I am to have the support we all need for a fulfilling life.

This is good for me. I am learning new things. I used to try to learn something new every year- drive a stick shift car, scuba dive. Then I was forced to learn new things, like how to change a trach and a g-tube. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that when I learn something new I feel more confident, productive, proud. So this is good. Self care.

And it makes me better at the rest of my life. Confidence, enthusiasm, puts me in a much better mood to deal with the every day stressors and tasks of making Harrison's life happy and fulfilling. Having two jobs makes me get more done- I am forced to make time for photography AND Noonday, in and around my job as Harry's mom. I've joined a women's networking group, made some new friends, great connections- I feel like I have re-entered the greater world, and it is refreshing.

Harrison- he's having a great summer as well! He did a week at Camp Arrowhead, where he has gone for, what, 5 summers now? He was already passed out by the time I picked him up. Every Single Day.

And this week he is finishing up summer school at TEC, which he attends during the regular school year. He has had a blast! So busy, giggly, silly, exhausted. He sleeps so hard at night that sometimes he doesn't even wake up until he is on the van to go back to school in the morning! Makes it a tad difficult to get him dressed and ready, at 65 pounds, but, hey, do what you gotta do to gear up for another full day, kid. Oh, field trips too! Arcade and bowling, farm animal visits- fun!

We have gotten into a nice routine, too. He gets home around 2:45, spends some time in the bathroom since he has been "holding it in" for the whole ride home, and then he pretty much passes out on my lap. Not a bad routine for either of us.

Now, however, unless it is raining, I think my lap has been replaced...

I wish all of you as relaxing a summer as Harrison is having!