Celebrating the Wins (Even the Small Ones)

Hey y’all, welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting.

This week’s episode is all about celebrating the wins—even the small ones.

In the middle of therapies, appointments, and the day-to-day challenges of special needs parenting, it can be easy to focus on what’s still hard. But in this episode, we’re slowing down to recognize the progress that often goes unnoticed—the small steps that are actually big victories.

I’m sharing a recent “small win” with Evie as her communication continues to grow, and how moments like that remind me just how far she’s come.

This episode also feels especially meaningful because as it releases, our family is on the way to training to meet Evie’s service dog, Pearl. It’s a moment filled with hope, gratitude, and a reminder that so much of this journey is built on small beginnings.

We reflect on Psalm 126:3 and Philippians 4:8, grounding ourselves in the truth that God is at work in every step—even the ones that feel small.

If you’re in a season where progress feels slow or hard to see, I hope this episode encourages you to pause, look closer, and celebrate the growth that’s already happening.

Because those small wins? They matter more than you think.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

Hey y'all. Welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting. I'm your host, Marie Kennedy, and I'm so glad that you're here. Today's episode's going to feel a little bit different, but in a really good way, because today we're going to talk about celebrating the wins, even the small ones. And if you're a special needs parent, you already know sometimes the smallest wins are actually the biggest victories. One personal win to start us off today is that we have had a goal for Evie's weight to get over 40 pounds for the longest time. Right, Stephen? Yeah. Steven's here with me today. Uh, and so it's been a really long time that we've been trying to get her over that 40-pound weight. And she just does not gain weight, which is a feature I wish I I had, to be honest. Uh, but today she stepped on a scale and she has finally, finally, finally made it over 40 pounds. And that actually may be a big win, not a small win in my book. But I think it can be really easy in this journey to focus on what's hard, the constant appointments and therapies and the behaviors that we're still working through, and the things that just don't come easily. And while those things are real and and hard, they're not the whole story. It's important to hold space for those things and have expectations that every day isn't going to be sunshine, rainbows, but that doesn't mean that we have to get stuck down in the hard things all day, every day. And that doesn't mean that we can't celebrate those small everyday things that finally just clicked for our kids. I've really had to redirect myself kind of and like you know, learn this over time to stop and slow down and notice the the progress, not just the big milestones, but the small everyday moments that show growth. Like we talked about on an earlier episode, it's all about progress and not perfection. It's not every day, absolutely not every day. And it may not be some big huge milestone, but that doesn't make it any less important. I want to share another small win from our own life that has meant a lot to me lately. One of the areas that we've really been struggling with and and working on constantly is uh communication with Evie, especially being able to express what she needs and how she's feeling. It's something that we've always struggled with. Uh, and over time we've started to see so much growth in that area. It's been it's been really impressive. Lately, she's been able to tell us when she's mad or sad or happy. Now she doesn't always get it exactly right. Sometimes she'll say she's happy and she's very clearly not because she's like crying and very clearly mad, but she'll say she's happy. But she's trying. And and now she's also able to tell us, like when she feels full after eating, which is a biggie. She's able to tell us if she wants a snack or she wants something to drink, or if she's feeling bad, like she doesn't feel well. Um, although sometimes her default answer when someone asks her how she is lately has been, I'm sick, uh, as she's like playing and running around laughing. I'm sick. They'll say, How are you doing today, Evie? I'm sick. Okay. She's not sick. And that's something that that uh we didn't always have, you know. It somebody would ask her, How are you doing today, Evie? Or, you know, hey Evie, how's it going? And she would just not say anything. She would just not acknowledge you, or she would start talking about something completely random. And sometimes she still does that, but uh just engaging in that conversation in a meaningful way, even though it's not an accurate way, uh that's that's big. And when I think about where we started and where she is now, like that's a that's a big deal. It it might seem small to someone else, but for us, it's huge. And the point is, a few months ago, I would have prayed for this version of her communication. I did pray. I've one of my everyday constant prayers is for Evie is improved focus and communication and regulation. That's that's I I literally write my prayers, and that's literally what I write. And and look at my prayers being answered right now in real time. And it's just one of those moments that reminds me that progress doesn't always look perfect, it doesn't always look complete, but it is still progress. And so that's where I'm bringing in our first scripture today, which is Psalms 126.3. And it says, The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. And I love that verse because it invites us to take a step back and recognize what God has already done. Like I said, I get so wrapped up in the everyday that it's it's hard to notice the progress sometimes. I have to remind myself to focus on the bigger picture and see the change from even six months ago, even in the small things, even in the moments that might go unnoticed by anyone else. Our second scripture today comes from Philippians 4.8, and it reminds us to think about what is true, what is good, what is lovely. And I think that matters so much in this journey. Because if we're not careful, we can focus so much on what's hard, what is is right there in front of us, and it's frustrating and it's overwhelming. And we can focus on that so much that we miss what's good. It's so easy to fall down that negative mindset tunnel and and only focus on those hard things. I've definitely been there, I've definitely still struggled with that some days. And and just there's there's sometimes I've thought this is not what I pictured my life looking like while I'm in the middle of dealing with meltdowns after meltdowns or you know, self-harming behavior, or keeping Evie from running into traffic. I mean, you know, I definitely have those days. And it's it's so easy to to fall down that hole and stay there. And today uh feels especially meaningful to talk about this. Um but I I think it's important that we don't stay down in that hole, that we take a step back and and look at the bigger picture. So by the time you're listening to this, we will be on our way to something really special. We're traveling uh to the training class to meet EV service dog Pearl, and there's so much hope in that, there's so much anticipation, and if I'm being honest, some nerves too. I'm pretty nervous. This is such a massive change for us. It's a change in routine, obviously, which is always hard. Uh, it's a change in scenery and what's comfortable to her, it's a change in just about every single thing. But also changing up our normal isn't exactly a bad thing. We're hoping that this opens up new opportunities, new experiences, and continues Evie's growth and progress in a positive way. She is beyond excited, and so are we. It's been a long journey to get here physically, financially, mentally. I mean, it's been a long journey. But see, but spiritually, I feel God's hand all over this entire process. I've felt that way from the beginning. He's been there with us through the fundraising, through the entire waiting process, and his timing is perfect. He brought us to this place and this class at this perfect moment when Evie has started to have so much emotional growth and communication growth. He's absolutely shown us some God winks in the dog that we've been matched with and with her precious handlers and trainers. And now, you know, we've made connections with those people, and we're gonna, you know, set off and and meet all the other people who who are in this class as well, and learn their stories. But more than anything, this moment feels like a collection of so many small wins, so many uh hard days, so many prayers, so much growth along the way, from the NICU days to the diagnosis, to learning how to navigate everyday life, and like now this. And like I said, it reminds me that God has been working in every single step, even when it didn't feel like it at the time. So if you're in a season right now where things feel hard, I want to gently encourage you, look for the small wins, because they are there and they matter more than you think. I'd love to hear from you what's a small win your child has had recently. You can share it in the Holy Ground Parenting Facebook group. I would truly love to celebrate those moments with you because it's a big deal. Small beginnings aren't something to overlook, they're something to celebrate because they're often where God is doing his most meaningful work. Let's go to the Lord in prayer and talk about it. Father God, thank you for the small wins. Thank you for the moments that might seem small to the rest of the world, but they mean everything to us. Thank you for the progress we've seen in our kids, the steps forward, the growth, and the ways that they're learning and changing every day. Lord, help us to not overlook those moments. Help us to slow down and see them for what they are, evidence of your faithfulness. God, we also thank you for the seasons of hope, for new beginnings, answered prayers, the things that you're doing behind the scenes that we may not fully see yet. As our family steps into this new journey with Pearl, we place it in your hands. We ask for peace in the transition and safe travels. We ask for joy in the process and the opportunity to glorify you, God, and confidence that you're guiding every step. And for every parent listening, remind them that their work matters, that their child's progress matters, and that you are present in every small step forward. We trust you with all of it in Jesus' holy and precious name. Amen. Sorry, y'all. No one got me. Okay. Thank you. I'm just really, I'm really excited about that 40-pound goal, y'all. That's really got me in my fields. So thank you guys for spending this time with me today on Holy Ground Parenting. If this episode encouraged you, I would love for you to join us over in the Holy Ground Parenting Facebook group where we're sharing stories and celebrating our wins together. And if you haven't already, it would mean so much if you left a quick review on whatever platform you're listening on. It helps more parents find this space. And remember, even the smallest steps forward are worth celebrating because they're signs that God is moving in your story. I'll see you next time. And bye bye, goodbye, goodbye.