I've Learned To Let Go...

I am so very proud of my accomplishment. All Justin wanted for his family birthday party was a cake. I must admit that since going gluten/casein-free, I don't make cakes for him because they never taste good and there's no way to make them look good.

It is very hard for me to make a cake if it doesn't look just the way I like it. Here's an example of the kind of cakes I typically make...

So I got to my baking of this GFCF cake for Justin and immediately realized it was going to be a disaster. Instead of throwing it away {oh, I was sooooo tempted}, a little voice kept telling me

"Justin won't care.

He just wants a cake."

I am so proud of myself and my

non-creation!

And the best part--

Look at Justin's reaction

He couldn't be happier

He's so proud of his cake

Guess what???

It tasted better than any other cake I've made

I kid you not!

Bittersweet Birthdays!

For the last few years, Justin's birthday has been a little hard for me to truly celebrate "Melissa Style". I want to, but then I am secretly saddened about this moment also.

I am excited he's one year older and I want to treat him like a king on his birthday. But as each year passes, that's one year that went by without Justin being fully recovered from Autism.

He's now 8. In lots of ways, he is truly 8, but he has the impulsivity of a toddler...{STILL}, and it's wearing me OUT.

I called a dear friend of mine the morning of Justin's birthday (whose child also has Autism) and she told me it was normal for me to feel happy, yet sad during his birthday and to remember that even though they may be subtle, there are always areas that our children have improved each year.

I know this...but I needed to hear it from someone else.

How can I not celebrate this sweet faced little boy's birthday? He has come such a long way and I am always seeing signs of victory in him. I love you little man!