R4 Special Needs Retreat

According to 2007 US Census data, approximately 15% of individuals have some sort of special needs. Our family is touched by Timothy's autism as well as Samuel's health issues. While I see my children as so much more than just their disability or diagnosis, there are days where life is hard. In fact, some days, life is very hard.

That's where our support group comes in. We are so thankful to have family and friends nearby who will love us and help with the kids and household needs when it gets hard. However, sometimes that isn't enough. Sometimes you just need someone else who lives the same struggle day in and day out.

Enter R4 Retreat Center. Based out of DFW, this non-profit's goal is to empower and encourage families impacted by special needs. Yesterday, they had their "Summer's Coming Mini Retreat." Words can't even describe what an amazing time we had!

The retreat was held at Sabine Creek Ranch. Even though this place is only half an hour drive from our house, it felt like we were in the deep countryside in the middle of nowhere. It was amazing! We got to see horses, cows, and rabbits. The kids liked the basketball, blob, horseshoes, tetherball, campfire, and wide open spaces.

I want to talk for a moment about "finding your tribe." I work from home, so I sometimes go days without seeing a human being outside of my immediate family. I long for companionship. I yearn for social interaction. It's easy to just feel....alone.

But, with my unique family, I always worry. Are they judging my parenting? Will my kids say something inappropriate? Will there be a meltdown? Will we fit in? Do they even want us here? 

But yesterday was such an amazing, abundant blessing in so many ways! Because I'll tell you this...I found my people. 

All the special-needs children were assigned a buddy. Now, individuals from all over the DFW area came for this retreat (both to volunteer and to be campers). But Timothy's assigned buddy happens to live one street over from us...and we had never met! She spent the entire day helping Timothy and pouring herself into him, and he said it was one of the best days of his life.

The adults in the group got kid-free time to talk, to ask questions, connect, and commiserate. Guys, it made my soul so happy. To hear other parents who also struggle....to hear I'm not the only mom who sometimes cries in the closet...to be in a safe space free of judgment. I left with phone numbers of new friends and a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

There were so many awesome experiences....like watching my tiny five year old make it to the top of the zipline ladder and jump without hesitation or fear.

And watching my children cheer each other on as they conquered the climbing wall.

And playing (and losing) Connect 4.

It's so easy for us to want to stay home. It's comfortable. Not much can go wrong. It's air-conditioned and safe. No one will judge us. No one will see our meltdowns. Timothy's in his room watching doctor shows. Samuel's on the computer. Hannah's in her room doing art. I can browse the internet and the Hubs can watch Sci-Fi shows. But these times that we leave our house, meet new people, take on challenges and try new things...that's when we're truly living.

My favorite part of the entire event was the end-of-day talent show. Now, individuals with varying needs were present. Some were verbal. Some weren't. Some were toilet trained. Some weren't. But each child who wanted to got up on stage and did a "talent." A few kids sang. One child went on the stage and demonstrated a cartwheel. Another just log rolled from one end of the stage to another. One non-verbal little boy made a few noises into the microphone that somewhat resembled language. And after each child was done, there was thunderous applause. The children beamed. They were the stars, and they were loved and accepted. The crowd went wild with every single act. I still get goosebumps just thinking about that evening. I wouldn't trade that talent show for a Celine Dion or New Kids on the Block concert...no, that was the perfect show last night....exactly what I needed.

As I celebrate Mother's Day today, I thank God for these 3 children who were hand-picked especially for me. I wouldn't trade them for the world!

Thank you, R4 Retreat Center, for the amazing blessing you were to our family. 

Epic Waters: Grand Prairie, TX

We love indoor waterparks! There's something extremely satisfying about putting on a swimsuit in the middle of Spring and splashing around in the water. It reminds your soul that summer is coming soon!

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure to experience Epic Waters. in Grand Prairie, TX.

We went for Family Fun Friday. For $99, you can get

• 4 admissions after 4pm
• 1 pizza
• 4 drinks
• 2 $20 arcade cards

We typically spent this amount for dinner out and a movie, so that's a great deal for a waterpark! Plus, when we went (mid-April), it wasn't at all crowded.

The temperature inside was just right, and there were tables everywhere.

We've been to Great Wolf Lodge, and I would say Epic Waters is more geared toward the older kids/teens. Great Wolf Lodge has a larger water playground for young children, but Epic Waters has more thrill slides. In fact, some were so scary that none of our kids even wanted to attempt them. 

They have a wave pool, lazy river, several larger slides that even Hannah could ride, a surf simulator, and several slides that we were too chicken to attempt.

The surf simulator did have a line, but we didn't wait more than 15 minutes for a turn. It was a big hit! 

The food there was also surprisingly good. Timothy is very picky about his pizza but gave this a thumbs up. It was nice that a pizza was included with our Friday passes, but I took a look at the menu and found it to be more affordable than many theme parks. They really thoroughly search your bags on entering, so don't think you can sneak in any picnic supplies. Instead, feel prepared to spend money on their food. At least it takes good!

The entire family had a great time. Even though we couldn't get in until 4pm (and actually didn't arrive until more like 5), I found the evening pass was enough time for us. We would have stayed about that same amount of time anyway; we were all so tired! 

I have a love/hate relationship with the Epic Waters arcade. Who puts an arcade at the water park?! The kids kept asking, "Can we go to the arcade?" I promised them we would before we left, but apparently that's what all the other parents did, too. It was packed the thirty minutes before closing. While the games are fairly awesome and the $20 arcade card lasted much longer than I expected, the line for the coveted "arcade junk prizes" was extremely long. I still have our tickets and promised the kids we'd cash them in next time.

So, go to Epic Waters. Don't pack food. Plan to buy food there. Do the arcade first. And enjoy! 

Spa Castle: Why you should "Get a Room"

Yesterday, I shared all about our experience in the spa part of Dallas Spa Castle (spoiler alert: it was awesome!).

Today, I want to share our experience with the hotel at Spa Castle: The One Boutique Hotel. 

I've stayed in many hotels over the years, but The One Boutique Hotel was one my favorites. Because it's so small, it feels exclusive and fancy. In addition, the spa bathroom was just amazing. There was an enormous spa tub large enough for two people.

If you're visiting the spa, it simply makes sense to "get a room" at the attached The One Boutique Hotel.

First, hotel guests can come and go from the spa as they please. We could go to the spa and then go back to our room for a break and then visit the spa again. Also, hotel guests can wear the spa uniforms to their rooms! This is a major benefit. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm not really comfortable with nudity. Being able to come and go from the room meant I could just wear the uniform back to the room to avoid changing in the locker room.

For an adults-only evening away, it doesn't get more relaxing than a visit to Dallas Spa Castle and the attached hotel.

Plus Size at Spa Castle

Two years ago, my husband got me a Groupon for Spa Castle for my birthday. At first I was excited. However, when I read more about the Korean spa, I started to get nervous. I read of nudity and uniforms and was so nervous that I ended up letting my Groupon expire.

After embracing myself and committing to trying new experiences, I told the hubs that I was ready to give Spa Castle another chance...if he would go with me.

What follows is an idiot's introductory guide to Spa Castle (or Spa Castle for dummies).

First, I'll talk about the actual spa. I don't have any pictures of the spa (it's not really a take pictures kind of place), but I will describe it.

After you check in, you're given a bracelet. This bracelet is the key to two locks, and it's also linked to your credit card so you can make purchases. We had to split up into single-gender dressing areas. When you first enter, the initial locker is for your shoes only. You go barefoot, wear socks, or rent slippers. The second locker is larger and has room for your clothes (and even a hanger to hang them on).

Before you stop at the second locker, you're asked to put on the Spa Castle uniform. This was the part that makes me most nervous. I'm plus size, at a size 18, and I had read online that the uniforms are rather small. So, when they asked me what size I needed, I told them I wanted the largest one they had. I went to my locker, which happened to be in an isolated area. I took a deep breath and changed shirts. Then, I went to put on the shorts. They didn't fit. They were elastic athletic shorts, but they were way too tight. I was embarrassed, but I talked myself out of disappointment and walked back to the uniform counter. "Do you have a larger size?" The girl shook her head. "That's the largest size we have." But then, she said, "Feel free to wear whatever bottoms you want!" I had worn some grey athletic capris, so I simply wore them with my Spa Castle shirt. I worried that people would give me funny looks, but no one did, and I was happy to see there were other plus-size women wearing them own shorts in the spa, as well.

So, if you're plus size and worried about Spa Castle (as I was), don't be! Just be sure to bring your own athletic shorts to wear (and if you want to blend in, make them dark grey or black).

My second largest fear had to do with the nudity. Just the idea of changing clothes around other women made me nervous. In the locker changing area, there weren't many women there (thank goodness).

Now, spa castle is divided into three wings: A swimsuit area (co-ed), a uniform area (co-ed), and a nude area (single gender).

My plan was not to enter the nude bathing area. I'd just stay away. It worked for the first part of our trip when we visited the uniform area.

The uniform area is on the second floor. It has amazing saunas and various places to relax. We stayed several hours and still didn't get a chance to see them all. What I really enjoyed is that signs tell you not to talk loudly; it's quiet. I didn't have my phone with me, so I was left alone with my thoughts for the first time in a very long time. That was nice.

Some saunas have seats; some have mats on the floor for you to sit or recline. Some are very hot, some are hot, and some are even cool. We enjoyed that.

Then, we were off to the swimsuit area. We had to go back to the locker room to change. However, my plan of avoiding the nude area fell apart here.

Spa Castle normally has doors that go straight from the locker room outside to the amazing pool area. Unfortunately, those doors were locked for some reason. The uniform lady informed me that I'd have to walk through "the naked area" (her words). However, she said I was welcome to wear my swimsuit as I walked through. Let me tell you: People truly are naked. Like, fully naked. I walked quickly to the swimsuit area and decided that nude bathing just isn't my thing at this point in my life.

The swimsuit area was my favorite part! Hot tubs, pools with amazing jets, and lounges in the water for relaxing. Plus, I felt much more comfortable in my own swimsuit and saw women and men of various sizes.

If you're wondering if a plus size girl can enjoy a Korean spa, the answer is yes! Just don't forget to pack your own shorts. Do it! You'll be glad you did. 

Safari Splash at the Fort Worth Zoo

Timothy hates the zoo. When it was time for us to go to the Fort Worth Zoo, our excitement was met with his sarcasm.

"Why are you acting excited about the zoo?! Animals. Woo. Hoo." 

Our most recent zoo trip, though, was the best one we've had. We spent a good portion of our time at the Safari Splash at the Fort Worth Zoo, and I can't say enough good things about it!

Remember, our children are 6, 8, and 11, but this zoo sprayground had enough to entertain all of them. I also wouldn't hesitate to bring a young child here. 

The first way I evaluate any waterpark is how well it entertains the children. This waterpark had 4 larger slides and 2 smaller slides. While we certainly couldn't spend all day there, plenty of fun was had in a couple of hours.

I also look for shade. Safari Splash does have cabana rental for only $40 for two hours, which seemed reasonable enough. We planned to rent a cabana (as I burn in 5 minutes flat), but it turns out we didn't need to. There were many wonderful round tables with large umbrellas to keep away the sun, even when we went mid-day on a May weekend. 

Another great feature of Safari Splash is that the area is zero-depth water. The water is only a few inches deep, so there's no worrying about children getting in water that's too deep or having to wear floaties or puddle jumpers. Plus, there were 4 "lifeguards" making sure children obeyed the safety procedures, which meant less supervision was needed on our part. This allowed the hubs to take a nap while I was on waterpark duty (poor teachers at the end of the school year).

Mind you, this isn't the thrilling waterpark with exhilarating slides that we'll experience this summer. However, it is a wonderful place to cool off on a day trip to the zoo. And even though I don't have a toddler anymore, it had two wonderful areas with small slides for the little ones to enjoy.

Did I mention you're also allowed to bring a small cooler or ice chest in with you?! You don't find that often. Pack a lunch, put on some sunscreen, bring your swimsuits, and enjoy a day of fun in the (partial) sun.