Author Archives: cindyatkinson0516

It’s Friday night. That’s family movie night in the Atkinson house. And it’s Collin’s week. You know what that means…. Star Wars. Tonight, I was snuggled up on the big couch between Collin and Alexa, all covered in blankets. We were the coziest. Suddenly Alexa said, “Mom, nothing could ever break up you and dad.”Continue reading “What He has for us….”

Expectations. We all have them. We have them of other people. We have other people who have them about us. Some expectations are good and healthy. Some are not. Two years ago, Cheyenne came into my life. She was so sad. So sad and so anxious. As I tried to connect with her, and reallyContinue reading “Setting the Bar”

What’s the plan? People are always asking me that. The question comes in a variety of ways. In different combinations of words. Or it’s sandwiched in the middle of a conversation. “What’s the plan for Caleb?” “Will he live with you forever?” “What will he do after you guys are gone?” “Will he get aContinue reading “The Plan”

Wow. I really can’t believe it. Silas is 13. Of course, we already had a teenager. Sweet Caleb is 15 1/2. Even though Caleb is not “typical” the teenage years have been different even with him. I wasn’t really planning on writing about this but oh well. Warning: Rabbit Trail. A few years ago aContinue reading “Age of Opportunity”

I have extremely vivid memories of my childhood. Of course, all of those memories are from my perspective. So who knows how accurate they are. When I was a little girl, probably about 9 years old, my parents went on a long trip. To Japan! So cool! They were gone for almost 2 weeks. MyContinue reading “My girls…”

I realize that a lot of my blogging lately is about Caleb. Being Caleb’s mom. What I have learned from being Caleb’s mom. Today is no different. At least that is where I will start. If I only knew…a diagnosis. If felt so important. I mean come on. If I am going to be theContinue reading “If I only knew…”

I am a planner. I love to make plans so much. And I like a REAL old-fashioned pen and paper planner. I just got a new one that says “Good things take time” on the front. And it has a whole section for meal planning! Meal planning! I am so 1950s housewife at heart… exceptContinue reading “Why don’t you tell me…”

I hope this doesn’t sound like bragging. But really, that’s up to you. If you hear my heart through my words it is obvious. I’m not bragging. God is so big. In my family, he is so big. Our family has been knit together. Piece by piece. Exactly as God intended. Our youngest 3, Chey,Continue reading “Golden”

Do you remember how I mentioned that Caleb is super connective? I have really never seen anything like it. You would not believe how many lives that sweet boy has impacted. Men, women, children…. they are impacted by him. God uses Caleb. When he was three years old I completely accepted that he had specialContinue reading “A Caleb-sized hole”

Our home is full of love. So much love. I have a huge sign in my den that says “LOVE LIVES COZY HERE.” And it does. We all love big around here. In our own way. After Silas was born, Ryan and I made the decision together to have my tubes tied (TMI I know….Continue reading “What I wish I had really understood before we stepped into foster care…”