about me

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Joanie and I am trying to look at the bright side of life. Some days, I'm more successful at it than other days...

I am the proud mother of three great kids. My one and only daughter graduated from college in elementary education and has a great job as a preschool teacher. My youngest son and I have been tackling the homeschool thing for the past five years.  Whoa, has it really been 5 years? That time has flown! My older son is an incredibly brave soul who happens to have severe autism.  I've been married for 24 years to a very kind and very busy man who does pediatric bone marrow transplants and research for a living.
  

I've created this blog to record all of the good things in my life. Our family, like most families, has its share of challenges. Some days, it is all too easy to forget the good things we have going for us. So, I would like to catalog them here in this blog. I've heard, successful blogs have a tight focus. Oops, I'm afraid that won't be found here. I'm interested in lots of different things and I always seem to be swimming upstream.  I love to travel, to teach, to cook and decorate. I love building things. My friend Tami and I finished my basement almost by ourselves (and I have the arthritis in my hands to prove it).  I'm currently exploring photography, healthy living, running and going green (not always easy for this late baby boomer).  

For the record, autism sucks. Harsh, but true.  Although, I must add, we have had so many special bright spots on this journey, that our lives have truly been enriched.  (Cue the music.)  I know it sounds sappy, but each small accomplishment has brought such joy.  We've learned to appreciate the little things and live in awe of the big things.  The first day my completely non-verbal son used a picture card to ask for a french fry was magical.  The day he learned to ride a bike, unbelievable!  And, of course, I can't forget to mention all of the incredible people we have met along the way.  There have been many.

At any rate, the things I write about here are the things that make my heart go zing.  Big or small. Oh, and speaking of zing...

 

 

This little spot here is my idea of heaven. I haven't been there yet, but someday soon.

Welcome to my little corner of the world. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Comments

[marci ytterberg]

Hello my friend and neighbor! What a wonderful blog you have here - I had no idea that you and Ryan were such passionate travelers. I would love to swap stories sometime as I have done quite a bit of traveling in years past. Henry is asleep right now and I work tomorrow but maybe on Sunday I can show him Ryan's website and we'll post something together. Thanks for writing! Marci

[Milinda]

You kids are beautiful! Where was your adventure? It looks like Okinawa.