Pen--I like disagreements too! As long as the parties all play by rules of respect--at least no judgements or name calling--I'm a happy camper!
Seattle--I have read The Four Agreements. I loved it! Not taking things personally was the best jewel I found for myself in that book. It's small and it's an easy read... well worth the $.
Pen, back to you. Thank you for your encouraging words! I've mentioned her Dx before--which is Angelman's Syndrome--so I'm not hesitant in sharing it again.
She IS an elf! What a funny name! She's a lot of work and requires a significant amount of supervision and direction--she has bad ideas that seem good to her. And Mr. Wonderful and I have, in my opinion (which is shared by many others), done a really great job balancing our lives despite the significant changes that have resulted from her issues.
GO US!
The blessings FAR outweight the negatives. I would have never found a reason to venture into the world of disabilities. That would have been a real shame, because I have met many remarkable people on this journey. People who have really helped me see what is truly important.
Wherever we go, we have a fan club. It ain't me, so it has to be her! She may be nonverbal, but her messages are there for anyone who is looking for one. We walk into the supermarket and are typically greeted by someone squealing her name with absolute delight (and equally divided among adults and children).
Last night we went to the pool and 3 little boys rushed up and greeted her in the same manner. They actually argue over who gets to play with her first! D10 and I laugh at this, because she has no idea that she affects others like this.
She really makes life FUN. (I really must say this to myself more often, because discliplining her is a polar opposite sentiment.)
BTW, I've met families where the mother has left too, though by and large the fathers do the walking the most often. I've been told by our agency that the percentage of divorce in families where a child has a lifelong disability is 50%, and 70% of those divorces occur during the first 3 years of the child's life. We've already beaten those odds. And no matter what Mr. W. does, he loves his girls a whole lot.
The universal comment we get when we're out and about? "She has the most beautiful smile."
Yep, she does. And she uses it effectively and often.
Betsey
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
Betsey 
