The day after we got back to Ankeny from picking the Byrd up from Camp Carson in Indiana, the most incredible thing happened — they were taking out the recycling, and all of a sudden this torrential rain just came out of nowhere! It was ☀️☀️☀️☀️ sunny ️hot and humid out, and they looked back at me with these longing gazes and I could just see the pure excitement and feel the joy that was so obvious in their eyes! 😍 Of course, they didn’t say a word … they didn’t need to. I knew what they were asking me with their mischevious smiles, so I hollered from the steps — “Go dance in the rain! I’ll be right there!” And so we did, and it was magical — this is what childhood looks like, unplugged.

The Bug wanted to feel the rain fall upon her, so she laid down on the sidewalk in front of our house – It made her feel alive!

We got an Autism Spectrum diagnosis shortly after we moved to Iowa … she was 6. For the longest time, Dr’s called it this or that. Behavioral issues, she’ll outgrow it, she’s just wild, etc. Then there was GAD, ODD, SPD, a huge speech delay they thought was Dyspraxia. We signed for her first two years, and partly into her 3rd. She perplexed everyone because she seemed so, well … what they called “normal” … but no one ever bothered to take the puzzle pieces and glue them together to see the bigger picture. Through our struggles, we’ve grown stronger … our love is fierce and our courage is ever evolving. Through her, I see the world in a completely different way. She’s amazing and inspiring!

She called out to her sister — “YOU’VE GOT TO DO THIS TOO!! LAY DOWN! IT FEELS SO GOOD!” They laid like that for a good 5 minutes …

Then the Byrd ran up to the house for a break … and to show me the worm she found. Eeew. They have this fascination with worms … and anytime they see them out on the sidewalk, they rescue them … and put them back in the grass or dirt. Worm rescuers!

The rain eventually slowed, and the puddle fight began … it really is the little things in life that seemingly bring you the most joy … like playing outside in the pouring down rain. It doesn’t cost a thing and I’m certain this is something they’ll share with their children MANY MANY MANY years from now. 😉

Seriously … this was one of the BEST days of our lives.