Sunshine Praises

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You are here: Home / Archives for parenting

The Day a Video of My Son Went Viral

April 17, 2016 By Melanie

In May I will have been blogging for seven years and even though I have had a few articles go viral, I have not experienced anything like I did this past week when a video of my son Ezra went viral. A few weeks ago I posted a cute little video of my son giggling… [Read More]

The Last Tooth – How I Failed My Oldest Child

April 2, 2016 By Melanie

I failed at mothering yesterday. Not in a big way. Not in the kind of “I permanently damaged my kid” way. It is even worse, it was one of those teeny tiny ways that leaves a lasting effect. A heart change. It really started last December while we were on vacation. My oldest son lost… [Read More]

Book Praise: 8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids by Dr. Todd Cartmell

March 20, 2016 By Melanie

  I have had  rough parenting week. My older, strong willed, preteen is in some kind of hormonal spring frenzy and this mama is about to lose her mind. He does not listen. He does not care. He does not respond to a single discipline tactic. To be 100% transparent, I can’t seem to find a my… [Read More]

Three Great Toddler Learning & Play Apps

February 7, 2016 By Melanie

I am sure you have seen the online articles admonishing parents for letting their young children use tablets or other electronic devices. The dirty stares when you are sharing an appetizer with your husband and your child is deeply entranced in their Ipad movie. Let’s just be real, sometimes, having a few minutes for uninterrupted adult… [Read More]

Slow the #&$@ Down!

January 30, 2016 By Melanie

It happened again early this morning. The sun was just barely coming up. I was trying to load a days worth of stuff into my car. The toddler was toddling around the van when I heard it, the sound of one of my neighbors treating the ally like it was the Indy 500. Pulse racing, I… [Read More]

Hope for Your Eleventh Year: Letters to My Littles

January 18, 2016 By Melanie

To my sweet little frog moose: Tomorrow you will be eleven years old. Tomorrow marks that day where you move closer to your independence and farther from your childhood. It is bitter-sweet to watch you grow older. The old “blink of an eye” adage has never been so true. I know this year is going… [Read More]

Parenting Survey – Church Attendance & Special Needs Children

August 19, 2015 By Melanie

Disclaimer: I am using the term “special needs” to include children with a range of medical, physical and sensory disabilities. While I prefer to use positive and affirming choices, I believe “special needs” best defines the intentions of the survey. Have you ever looked around your church and realized that there are no families with special… [Read More]

MommyCon Fall Schedule! Four More 2015 Events!

August 9, 2015 By Melanie

Disclaimer: I am on the MommyCon street team and receive payment and tickets in exchange for my promotion of these events. Can you believe that summer is almost over? My big kids head back to school in just a few days. I can’t believe that the much anticipated MommyCon Columbus is just around the corner. I… [Read More]

Why EVERY Mom Needs a Wet Bag or Ten!

July 30, 2015 By Melanie

*This post contains affiliate links. Wet bag? What is a wet bag you ask? In the cloth diapering world, wet bags are the way you store and transport your stinky dirty diapers. However, most cloth diapering Mom’s eventually stop cloth diapering yet still find a host of amazing uses for their wet bags. Wet bags… [Read More]

Ughh, I Hate the Word “Thrive” Used to Describe Deaf Children

July 23, 2015 By Melanie

In my new identity as a parent of a “special needs” child, I am continuously annoyed by parents regular use of the word “thrive” when discussing their children. It happened the other day when I dared to venture out into a cochlear implant discussion. The parent that was 100% against the use of sign language lambasted… [Read More]

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sunshinepraises

Chasing hidden rainbows and sprinkling #PixieDust 🧚‍♀️ about:
🤟🏼 #SignLanguage
💙💛#cheermom
🍊🏝#FloridaMom
#DisneyMom
#Adoption
#Newfie

Lulu working on that tuck combo! #islandallstars 💙💛
Happiest of birthdays to our sweet girl! She’s f Happiest of birthdays to our sweet girl! She’s fiercely determined, loves chocolate ice cream and can hit a 3 pointer like no one’s business! She read 6,000 minutes this school year, received the PE award and made safety patrol for next year. 

Happy Birthday 🎉🎈🎁🎂
👀 I spy this kid who came out in his very first 👀 I spy this kid who came out in his very first swim meet to win his heat in the 25m Free (8yo group)! 

First swim team, first meet! So proud of him for doing his best! 
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#deafkidsrock #deafcan #deafswimmer
We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two We’ve also started Summer Swim Club! We have two signing coaches!
My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track My little Z has a new sport! He’s learning track and field. Video is him running the 100m!
#deafkidscan #deafkidsrock
I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work I’m kitten sittin’ this weekend and had a work helper. Isn’t she the cutest?? 😝#kittensitten #kittenlove #hernameismeatball 😝
My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! Pe My BFFs and I made some crazy, stunning women! 
Perks of living close to 95 is being a great place for a quick stretch and hug. 

Love these girls so much! #sunshinesisters ☀️
When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoi When your mama soul sister goes to Disney and spoils you with goodies!!! And feeds all your passions. #orangebird #squirrels #ILY #LunarNewYear
I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabil I am so proud of @islandcheerandtumbling Cheerabilites Team Infinity! They are amazing and we had such a great time at @east_coast_championships in Jacksonville yesterday. This comp surely knows how to make their athletes feel special! Thank you ECC for being the best!
Happy 17th to the first one that called me mom! 🎂🎈🎉
Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good Daytona STATE cheer weekend is over. It was a good competition but cold!
Little man passed 200 lines this week on his readi Little man passed 200 lines this week on his reading log. Reading at night is exhausting for his ADHD brain but we fight through. I’m so thankful for his TEAM at FSDB who work so hard with him. Deaf kids can read! #deafkidsrock #signlanguage #literacymatters #allthelanguage
When one of your besties is driving through and kn When one of your besties is driving through and knows you are right off the interstate, she plans 30 minutes for a hug and break! Two years is WAY to long to go without a visit! Thank you @southernsun74 for taking the time to love on me! 

See you in February!
My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I tho My brain woke up at 4:30am - as I laid here, I thought about all the birthdays with you and all the ones that we have missed since you left us.

I’ve watched a lot of grief from the sidelines the past 6 months. I remember the days of counting Wednesdays then months, then years. And even though it’s been 26 years since we last celebrated your birthday, it feels like last year. 

There was no social media in 1996 but yet your smile and spirit continues to brighten lives. When people remember you, they do it with such love and joy. 

Oh my sweet Jenny - I miss your smile and your sunny outlook. I miss your goodness and light. 

Jenny and I bought these cute matching angels on our Christmas trip to the Galapagos. I haven’t thought of them in many years (I keep them stored away now after years of being in my car), but this morning as I sat in my grief they popped up in my mind. A broken wing, from a tragedy that still brings tears contrasted with the treasured moments of standing in a stall picking sweet matching angels for our Christmas gift to one another. 

Happy Birthday Sunshine ☀️
This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carse This kid is so stinking cute! #deafkidsrock #carselfies
Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do yo Queen NoName is finally eat from a bowl? How do you ask? Her kitten mousse is sprinkled with Lays Chips. #fedisbest #kittenstoo #bottlefedrescuekitty #sheloveschips
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