Feeling Thankful for These 10 Things!

Thanksgiving is of course a time to reflect upon the things for which we are thankful. But like I told Faith the other day, I think we both thank God every day for the blessings he has bestowed upon us. 

Each night, we read a scripture together (it's usually one Faith has memorized such as Psalm 23 or John 3:16-21). After our scripture, we recite "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). At the end of that verse, we add our little cheer, "Do good deeds! Say nice things! Be kind!" 

This little cheer is just a way to remind both of us, that's how God wants us to act every day. Then we pray, which often begins by thanking God for all that He has done for us and then we pray for others. But the other night after prayer time, I asked Faith to tell me some things she was really thankful for. I told her what I was thankful for as well. 

This year, we are feeling especially thankful for these 10 things: 

1. Beautiful Fall Weather 

Prior to this past Tuesday, we had been having the nicest fall I can remember. The grass was still green at the end of October, and we even saw a rainbow, which is rare for this time of the year! It's also kind of rare that we don't get snow until late November. 

Faith enjoying some beautiful fall weather.

One of my favorite parts about our mild fall is that we didn't have to don our winter gear for most of the season! In fact, there were some days in November that we didn't wear any coats at all. And if we did, it was usually just a light sweatshirt. Not having to deal with the cold and the snowmake s life a little beat easier for those in wheelchairs! 

2. Good Grandparents 

Faith came up with this one all on her own! She said she likes having such good grandparents. My parents live about 10 minutes away and it's nice when we need help with something and they can just pop over. 

For instance, Faith gets a lot of supplies every month and usually Fed Ex just plops them in the mailroom. It can take quite a few trips with my little cart to get everything up. Last month, my dad brought his dolly over and we did it in just 2 trips! Plus, Mom is always dropping stuff off for us, so she just lets herself in with our passcode and leaves things by our door. 

Faith with one set of "good grandparents!" 

We also keep in touch with her grandparents in Canada. It's been over 10 years since we have seen them in person, but thanks to technology we are able to video chat with them on a regular basis. Faith is certainly blessed to have all of her grandparents in her life! 

3. Our Apartment 

It has been just a little over 3 years since we moved to our current apartment, and it has been such a huge blessing! It is nice and quiet, the elevator never breaks down, we have underground parking, they are quick to plow out our parking lot after it snows, and our neighbors are the best! 

Faith hanging out in our cozy apartment watching Wheel of Fortune

Oh, and also, we have central air, which is so nice in the summer. There are times I wish we had a little bit of extra space, and I have looked at a 3-bedroom, but it is just too expensive. In those moments, I'm reminded to be content in all my circumstances! 

4. Our Accessible Van 

I will never stop being thankful for the amazing gift of our accessible van that we got in 2020. God provided in an amazing way through my brother and those who donated to our fundraiser to help us get an accessible van that actually works. The odometer recently hit 100,000 miles and it still runs well. 

Faith loaded up and getting ready for our trip to South Dakota

I just recently put new all-season tires on it (just in time before the snow and ice came) and I now have to replace the thermostat, but I will gladly keep up with maintenance to keep it running for as long as possible! 

5. Dawn's Cookies 

I bet you can guess who came up with that one! Yes, Faith truly loves her auntie Dawn's cookies (as does everyone else!) Faith's favorite are homemade sugar cookies, monster cookies, and chocolate chip cookies. 

Faith's birthday cookies from Auntie Dawn (she shared with her day program)

My vote is for her chocolate chip cookies, which are absolutely amazing. When they have sleepovers, you can bet that baking cookies is on the agenda! 

6. Aquatic Therapy 

Faith has been going to Kids In Motion for her therapies since 2021 and since then, they constructed a new building complete with a swimming pool for aquatic therapy. Faith couldn't go right away, as they needed to get a special lift to get her (and others with mobility challenges) into the water, but it was well worth the wait!

Faith trying some side-lying during aquatic therapy 

At first, she would just keep pretty still in the water but after getting used to it, she kicks around and moves her whole body. In fact, she can kick herself across the swimming pool with minimal support from the physical therapist. 

Going to aquatic therapy on a weekly basis has helped reduce her tone, which alleviates the need for regular Botox injections. It has become the highlight of her week! 

7. Reliable Respite Care 

I am beyond grateful for all the excellent care Faith receives when she is not with me. She has wonderful staff at her day program that truly care about her wellbeing and help her to achieve her goals. Her "staff" also includes our respite care providers, Auntie Dawn and our friend Chris. 

I don't know what I would do without them! Each of them comes at least once a week and my sister also does one overnight a month, which means at least once a month a get a full night's sleep, without having to get up for anything! 

Chris also does overnights every now and then, which she did on Halloween so that I could attend the MercyMe concert with Mom and a few friends. It's just so nice to be able to get out every now and then and not have to worry about Faith at all, as I know she is in the best hands possible. 

8. Church Family

Besides our family, we can always count on our church family for support, encouragement, and lots of prayers. We belong to a wonderful church that we have been going to for just over 4 years, and we have been blessed in so many ways. 

Faith with some friends from church at a surprise birthday party

Faith had so much fun a couple of months ago when I helped plan a surprise party for a good friend from church. And then, for her birthday, all she wanted was to have a party at church. They truly blessed her with a cake, cupcakes, gifts, cards, and lots of hugs. Another wonderful blessing is that a family from church gave us their used electric piano, which I have thoroughly enjoyed playing once again! 

9. Mr. Rogers 

Speaking of her birthday, this year she wanted to have a "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" theme. She has been watching him since she was about 5 years old. That's when he used to be on PBS every day. Since then, he is just on Sunday mornings, but Faith usually watches him on YouTube and also has some of the DVDs. 

Faith wearing her Mr. Roger's Neighborhood trolley T-shirt 

Besides his calm and gentle demeanor, she loves how he has special guests and takes his television neighbors on field trips. I honestly don't mind watching Mr. Rogers either and am pretty amazed at his insight into children and the way they think and develop on an emotional level. I have even learned some things from him! 

10. Living in North Dakota 

Yes, it gets cold and snowy, which is kind of hard for wheelchair users and having to transport Faith back and forth to Mandan during the week. But I still believe that North Dakota is a good state for those with disabilities and special needs. 

I recently joined a Parents of Adults with Special Needs group on Facebook and have learned that each state is so different when it comes to the programs and other things available for those with special needs. 

I just read a post of someone in another state that said their adult disabled child could not attend a day program because they needed assistance in the restroom. I have seen other things about the strict guidelines that day programs have in place, along with long wait times for certain Medicaid waivers, and the shortage of good staff. 

We found North Dakota in South Dakota! 

While North Dakota has its disadvantages, one of which is the lack of specialists, there are some good things that this state does for those with disabilities. There are many advocates in this state, and as a result of that advocacy, the state implemented a family paid caregiver program, which is something many states have had for years, but others still don't have at all. 

It's just so interesting to me how each state is so different, but am thankful that in living here, Faith's medical needs have always been met and there are so many wonderful programs and activities in which she can participate. 

Of course, there are many other things we are thankful for and like I said at the beginning of this post, we try our best to have an attitude of gratitude. We will never stop thanking God that He continually provides for all of our needs. 

What are some things you are especially thankful for this year?