An Outing

Last night Sweetpea got almost a full night's sleep, with minimal wandering during the night. I got my first good night's sleep in a long time and woke up with a new perspective on life! Funny how sleep deprivation really can challenge you!

So today went so well, yes there were the 100 challenges before breakfast and more after but things kept going back to an even keel instead of the slow decline. After lunch I announced that I thought we might be able to go to the library. Well the other 3 were delighted as the library is as good as the candy store in their eyes. (I love that about them. I have always loved the library myself.) It takes a while to get the gear on and all the while Sweetpeas anxiety is cranking into high gear. She is so afraid that when we leave the house that she will be sent away, left somewhere or that the little safety she knows will be striped from her without warning. She has good cause to believe this as life has pretty much proven out that pattern for her. Yet, no amount of talk will quell the fear, and she hasn't any way to trust us yet.

We get to the library without incident and she cannot believe there is such a place! How much they cost? How much this cost? How much money all this? We stay and read and enjoy a few minutes. She sees the computers and want to play games. I tell her no and wait for the impending meltdown from being denied something. Remarkably, it passed over her face and didn't come! I was surprised and on my toes because off she sprinted to something else that caught her eye-------puzzles! Well, yes, you can sit here and do puzzles, that would be fine. Soon, too soon for all other involved in my party I called it a day and we went to check out the 1 book each that I was allowing this trip.

At the checkout the octopus arms kept me busy trying to keep all the things on the desk to not fly through the air. With bounty in arms we left the building in one piece and returned to the car without incident. Making it home I noticed that not only did she seem relieved she seemed calm and did not act out on her previous anxiety. That was such a blessing.

I was praising God for a successful outing. One small step for mama, one giant step for family time!