Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: A Special Needs Parenting Series {Link-up and Giveaway}

Becoming a mother changes a woman, but there's something unique about mothers of children with "special needs."

When I was pregnant with my third child, I heard an inspirational story of a mother with a special needs child. I wondered if God would see fit to make us parents of a similar child. I didn't know that He already had.

It wasn't until just a few days before the birth of my third child, that my second child's developmental delays became obvious and significant enough to prompt the Pediatrician to refer him for evaluations. When the reality sank in, I had a moment in which I didn't see it as a blessing, but wondered if I was being punished or if I'd somehow broken my own son. I even looked at other families with "typical" children and wondered how they'd found such favor.

But as time passed, I realized that it's truly an honor to be entrusted with these exceptional people. Instead of questioning, I understood there was a plan for this little boy who would require certain parents to guide and train him. Out of all of the parents he could've been born to, we were chosen. What an extraordinary responsibility we have.

While I believe that we struggle with environmental and diet factors that create difficulties, I also believe that many of these children are placed in our lives to teach us something. I don't see them as mistakes or accidents but view them as having their own specific purposes for impacting our world.

And when it comes to friendships, I've found an instant camaraderie among other special needs Mamas and consider the following women kindred spirits.

Please meet the incredible women sharing their hearts and stories this week:

Dallas is the stunningly average homeschool mom to 4 boys. She loves Jesus, books, cupcakes, sharpies and vanilla cokes from Sonic. She is stubborn and opinionated. She can often be found chasing half-naked dirty boys around the yard. She loves her life and wouldn't have it any other way. This week Dallas shares her family's experience with Sensory Processing Disorder. You can follow Dallas on her blog or visit her Facebook Page Along the Road.

Kristy is a believer in Jesus Christ, a pastor’s wife, and homeschooling mother of four.  She is passionate about living simply, naturally, and Biblically for the glory of God. Kristy is the author of The Cottage Mama's DIY Guide, The Cottage Mama Plans Her Menu, and other natural living e-books. As the editor and owner of Little Natural Cottage, Kristy furiously writes about her loves during nap time. This week, Kristy writes about her family's experience with diet and nutrition, and its impact on the high needs child.

Ginger is the homeschool mommy of 9 blessings: five home-grown and four hand-picked. She is a book lover, Charlotte Mason fan, and loves to scrapbook family memories in her spare time. She blogs at Clark Chatter. This week, Ginger shares her family's experience meeting the academic needs of their Liberian adoptees.

Melly's story is about loving while letting go. She's a mother of three beautiful children, one of whom passed away from a degenerative disease at 7 months. Through her struggles she has come to understand and live by the words: When all hope is lost, love will always prevail.

To wrap up our week, we look forward to sharing from the O. Family! They have three beautiful daughters, Tristen (10), Aislinn (8) and Linden (3.5). Linden has Down syndrome and her family is excited to share her story. 





There will be a new giveaway each day! Thanks to the blog's sponsors for making these giveaways possible. Please "follow" and "like" them on Facebook, for a greater chance of winning prizes. 

Today's giveaways are:

 Special Diets for Special Kids, Volumes 1 and 2 Combined: Over 200 Revised and New Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Recipes, Plus Research on the Positive...ADHD, Allergies, Celiac Disease, and More!

Herbal Healing for Children (I've not read this book, but it comes highly recommended by a couple of Master Herbalists, especially when working with special needs children).





So, link-up your posts on homemaking, homeschooling, natural living, and special needs parenting, enter to win some prizes, and enjoy the week ahead!
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Sharing with Raising Arrows, The Modest Mom, and The Better Mom