eSpecially Ben

I have wanted to write this story since it happened, but then life got too busy and the emotion of the experience dissipated. As weeks passed, it was like, as my long-time friend, John, used to say, "It's out of the moment." Circumstances over the last month make it important for me to tell the story now because it marks a big change in Ben. Christmas Eve last year , we attended the family service at our church and had an absolute wonderful time. Since I was pregnant with Logan, we have attended services three times at this church - Logan and Sean's baptism and last Christmas. To our credit, before Ben was born, we were active participants and luckily, church members remember us from then. So this year, I had high expectations for the Christmas Eve service. As usual those expectations were thrown out the window as soon as we sat down in our pew. Ben was very noisy, so I took him to the back of the church in his Convaid chair . Using eye gaze, he lead me down the s...

  For over 13 years, Ryan and I have been buying our Christmas Tree from the same lot near our home. This tradition has a lot of details to it: we get it the Sunday after Thanksgiving Day, we take a photo of us at the lot and we choose a Charlie Brown tree from the sale rack. Sometimes we get short and stout, others times, full on one side and naked on the other. This year we have tall and skinny. It's a 4 week commitment, we can cope. What's your Christmas Tree tradition?

In 2005 & 2006, Ben visited the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC several times. We became acquainted with the Shriners and their hospitals through a co-worker of Ben's grandpa, after she gently harassed him for months about the work they do for children. At the time, we did not have great insurance, were new to the medical world of orthopedic care, so we gave them a try. The Shriners provided us guidance, free assistance and medical attention for Ben. When Ben was accepted into the Medicaid program, we were able to use local doctors. The drive to Greenville was hard on me with two little boys and it was usually an all day venture by myself. Although I am happy to have more convenient options now, I am sad not to have the Shriners' expertise and caring atmosphere. Every year since Ben began treatment at Shriners Hospital, we have received an invitation to attend their annual Christmas Party, held at their club in Charlotte. This year was our third one, after taking a...

I was doing a bit of arts and crafts last week and thought I could pass this idea on to others. A few years ago, I started this collage of the photos of my friend and family's children from the Christmas cards we receive. I felt guilty throwing away the photos because I know how much trouble it is to get those pictures taken and sent out, but never knew how to keep them in a meaningful way. This was my solution - a collage of the photos. I simply tack all the photos to a bulletin board that hangs in my laundry room. After the holidays, I toss the old ones and put up the new. It is a great way to decorate our laundry room, somewhere I seem to spend a lot of time, and celebrate all the wonderful children in our life. The photo was taken from far back so that the children are not recognizable and for you to see that I really do hang it in my laundry room! And unfortunately, Dr. Pepper and Pledge did not pay for product placement.

The week before Christmas, we visited a small town close to where we live, that has a long history of decorating for the holidays. The entire town - businesses and homes - participate by hanging lights, putting out Santas, reindeer and playing music. It is a beautiful sight. This year we were lucky to get a group together of teachers and their families who Ben has known since his preschool days. One family brought along Ben's former classmate. This photo shows them enjoying a bright reindeer together. The other photos are from other sites we saw on our walk. Special Exposure Wednesday , a part of 5 Minutes for Special Needs , is a wonderful way for families to share inspirational photos with others. Each week dozens of sites will post their photos - please check them out.

As the children's choir sang on Christmas Eve, Ben got out of his seat and scooted himself closer and closer to the alter. He remained there throughout most of the service, with the pastor and other members of the church moving around him. Ben was quiet, calm and in the moment. It was a wonderful thing to witness.

This year it took 28 photos to get the "best" Christmas Card Photo. They were all good in their own way - funny faces, poses and expressions. This is one of the 27 that did not make it this year. Special Exposure Wednesday , a part of 5 Minutes for Special Needs , is a wonderful way for families to share inspirational photos with others. Each week dozens of sites will post their photos - please check them out.

Ben and Sean in search of the perfect tree.