Precerpt from Raising God's Rainbow Makers - Harried Elizabeth

 

With four kids—two with disabilities—and a full‑time job, Harried Elizabeth (that would be me) spent years living in a state best described as perpetual motion with occasional collisions. I was always trying to get everyone where they needed to be, preferably clothed, fed, and not crying. Some days I succeeded. Other days… well, those became stories.

The Lollipop Incident

One afternoon, after lunch with Donny and three‑year‑old Lizzie, I rushed back to an important work meeting. I sat through the whole thing feeling very professional—only to discover afterward that Lizzie had lovingly stuck her lollipop to the back of my skirt. I had been presenting with a cherry‑flavored badge of motherhood proudly displayed to the entire room.

Bread and Water

Cold lunches were a daily assembly line, and occasionally I missed a step. Or two. At Lizzie’s school, kids swapped lunches like miniature diplomats negotiating treaties. One day she came home indignant: “Mom, nobody wanted to trade with me. You sent me with an air sandwich and water. I felt like I was in jail—bread and water!” Apparently I had forgotten the meat and the Kool‑Aid. A minimalist lunch, but not a popular one.

The Missing Skirt

Then there was the morning I dashed out the door, juggling backpacks, permission slips, and a half‑finished cup of orange juice. At the bus stop, someone gently pointed out that I had forgotten one small detail: my skirt. I had to go back home, red‑faced, and start the day over—this time fully dressed.

The After‑School Stampede

When the older kids were teenagers, they took turns picking up Doah after school. I kept the name of the responsible teen on the refrigerator so everyone knew whose day it was. One morning I forgot to update it. Panicked, I begged off work and rushed to the school myself—only to find Lizzie, Shane, and Barron (a friend staying with us) all converging on the poor teacher at the same time. She later told me that after that day, she never worried about Doah being forgotten. With three teenagers and one frantic mother descending on her, she was probably more worried about being overrun.

The Couch Episode

And then there was the evening I toppled over on the couch, sound asleep from sheer exhaustion. Lizzie tried to wake me and get me to go to bed. Once I’m asleep, I’m immovable, but she persisted. I mumbled that I had gone to bed but someone was already in it. Lizzie checked and came back, exasperated: “Mom. That’s Dad.”

Harried Elizabeth survived those years with humor, stubbornness, and a deep love for her kids. And if she occasionally showed up at work with candy stuck to her clothes or without half her outfit—well, that was just part of the adventure of raising God’s rainbow makers.

Book Description:

Raising God's Rainbow Makers

A Family Memoir of Grace, Grit, and Growing Up Different

What happens when a military family welcomes four children—each with wildly different needs—into a world not always built to support them?

In Raising God’s Rainbow Makers, one mother shares the remarkable journey of raising two children with complex disabilities—one with spina bifida, one with CHARGE Syndrome—and two intellectually gifted children, all born in different states during years of military life. Through medical crises, educational challenges, and societal roadblocks (both intentional and unintentional), this honest and inspiring memoir tells the story of how one family built a life of strength, compassion, and resilience.

With warmth and unflinching honesty, the author reflects on emergency surgeries, IEP battles, unexpected victories, and the fierce sibling bonds that formed in the face of it all. The children—now grown—bear witness to the power of support, faith, and never giving up.

This is not just a story of survival. It is a celebration of difference, a chronicle of hope, and a powerful testament to what love and determination can build when the world says "impossible." 

Keywords:

Parenting memoir; Special needs parenting; Raising children with disabilities; Military family life; Family resilience; Inspirational family story; Faith-based memoir; Coping with medical challenges; Sibling support stories; Gifted children; Spina bifida; CHARGE Syndrome; Hydrocephalus; Congenital disabilities; Complex medical needs; Pediatric neurosurgery; IEP and special education; Gifted education; Educational advocacy; Inclusive education; Hope and healing; Courage and strength; Love and perseverance; Raising different children; Disability acceptance; Parenting through adversity; Overcoming barriers; Finding joy in hardship; Special needs journey; Family unity and support; For parents of disabled children; For parents of gifted children; For educators and therapists; Christian parenting memoir; For families facing rare diagnoses; Real-life parenting stories; Memoirs about raising children; Stories of medical miracles

 

For more posts about Elizabeth and her books, click HERE. 

Read more stories -- and photos -- about the Mahlou family in the blog (no longer maintained), Clan of Mahlou.

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