2014 Military Special Needs Network Holiday Guide Winter 2014 | Page 3

E very year, it seems to come upon us out of nowhere. That's ridiculous, of course. Especially this year since nearly all of the major retail outlets began stocking their Christmas decorations at the same time as their Jack O'Lanterns and toilet paper mummies. This year, more than ever, there is no excuse to be caught unawares of the impending merriment. And yet...I am not ready!

The near-forgotten holiday once known as Thanksgiving falls quite late this year, meaning that we only have a scant 28 days from Turkey Day to The Big Day. It doesn't seem possible that a few short weeks from now we'll be ringing in 2015.

Each and every year, my husband and I struggle trying to find the perfect toys for our children, our special needs sons being no exception. And each and every year, our children shred the wrapping paper, take a brief glance at the gadget or gizmo, and unceremoniously toss it aside. It's really been weighing on me. They don't play with these toys - they haven't given the kids joy (unless you count the enthusiasm of Tasmanian Devils shredding the wrap). What to do?

So this year we're going to try something new. This year, we're giving experiences: a family pack of tickets to LegoLand, a trip to the zoo, homemade "coupons" to a date night with mom or dad and "one free" cookie making appointment.

We're done with meaningless toys that won't matter after their opened. Time is passing too quickly. Our kiddos are getting older, as are we, and we want to make memories together that will sustain us through the challenging times.

-KLH

Wendy Kruse

President, Military Special Needs Network

Miranda Fort

Vice President, Community Outreach

Kelly L. Hafer

Vice President, Publisher

STAFF WRITERS

Lorraine Fonseca

Olivia Kuntz

Teddi Miller

Andrea Scott Thomason

Samantha Seagreaves

Adreanna Tarwater

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Heather Dierolf

Susan Reynolds

Melissa Ann Shenefelt

MILITARY SPECIAL NEEDS NETWORK

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Wendy Kruse

President, Military Special Needs Network

Miranda Fort

Vice President, Community Outreach

Kelly L. Hafer

Vice President, Publisher/Editor

STAFF WRITERS

Jessica Eastman

Lorraine Fonseca

Teddi Miller

Samantha Seagreaves

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Alysia Butler

Robin Frazier

Patty & Bil Hooper

Christine Passerati

Hartley Steiner

MILITARY SPECIAL NEEDS NETWORK

Web

www.MilitarySpecialNeedsNetwork.com

Blog

www.MSNNblog.com

Facebook

www.fb.com/MilitarySpecialNeedsNetwork

Pinterest

www.pinterest.com/milspecneeds

Twitter

@MilitarySNN

CONTACT US

General Email

[email protected]

Advertising, Blog, Giveaways & Reviews

[email protected]

Community Outreach, Peer-to-Peer Mentors

[email protected]