Fourteen - - - - Sunshine!

To all my Tens of readers....Sorry I did not Post a picture for my 365 of thankfulness.


We had a tough time last night   and I did remember to do it, I just didn't get to it until after 1 AM so I figured I would just skip rather than do it so late.
Yesterday we had anxiety  Today things are better!

I want to tell you that Jessie has been learning about nutrition in school, and I am thrilled that she is criticizing my dinners :-)  "I don't see the fruit group"  "where is the meat group Mommy?"  How Cool is that?

here is a pic of a daffodil form our Yard, Moo is thrilled they are finally blooming!  :-) 

Today I am thankful for Sunshine....and Daffodils...and the color Yellow
Sorry I needed to be thankful for three things today :-)

Twelve -- report cards

Today we got Jess' report-card
Reading report cards is blah!

I spent the day preparing For kindergarten registration.

Moo had to get immunizations :-(
I offered to buy her an ice cream as a reward and she said "mommy it's still going to hurt, even with ice-cream" so true little one, so true.

Happy Birthday to my sister Nan!

Today I am thankful for this five year old future kindergartener
They grow up so fast!

ELEVEN --- not perfect!

Well I am totally refocusing my blog today :-) because today was a great day! But there were some things that went so good! Like coming home expecting a crockpot full of delicious food only to discover that I had forgotten to set the crockpot up properly so disappointed! Or gaining a pound despite the working out, Or the iPod going dead for no reason right after I took a picture of the boy readin to his sisters. Thankfully i googled and found out how to fix it. Or the blog entry I wrote about Moo playing in the playground at her school, and Christcare group umm I accidentally lost it. I could whine but, I will embrace the imperfection. Today was awesome! today I am thankful for imperfection.

Here is the pic of the boy reading to his sisters - - picture is edited by Devin who used some app.

Sent from my iPod

Ugh lost my blog entry

Forgot that this app won't save what you are working on if you back out of the app to check your facebook grr the whole blog entry is gone! It was the best blog entry ever too and I don't think I can recreate it ROFL. Yeah that's the ticket! LOL. I will post the new blog entry in a few :-)

TEN -- Church

Today I want to tell you that I belong to the best church, they have gone out of their way to make myself, and my  kids feel at home!  I almost didn't join, the situation at my last church did not end well at all, I didn't want to join another church like the last church. I was very weary, but I did and I am so glad.

I'd like to offer words of hope to those of you with kids with Special needs, and are struggling with your church.

There are churches out there that are accepting, kind caring and loving toward our kids!!!!!!  

Today I am thankful for my church, that they are there for me when I need them, that I can sit and be part of the service without being bogged down with worry about my kids
here is a picture of Jessica after church today.

NINE -- Shopping

Today was a great day! The family was together, we did some shopping and just enjoyed each other.

I want to talk about my Jessica. It used todos me run and hide, the idea of shopping with her, the meltdowns, the tantrums, the looks we would get.....ok well we still get those but they are not as bad as they used to be, and today she actually put things back. Reluctantly but still..... She has been making so much progress lately it's hard to know but I would say part of it is the iPod touch and the talking apps she loves so much. She will sit on the couch and think of things to say just to hear them repeated back to her. I love it!


So well today I am thankful for the iPod touch! Even though I really t bought we were kind of sort of using Jess' autism as an excuse to get it, it really has helped her in my opinion!

EIGHT - Sisters

Today Was Disco day in Jess' class  We got instructions to dress Jess in 70s attire . Most people who know me, know that I hate these special days when they are supposed to dress  in pajamas, or other such things KWIM?
Instead of stressing  over it, this time I utilized my good buddy Google Images LOL   I showed the girls what 70s fashion was like and I let them lose in their closet LOL  and I was really amazed, Moo loves clothes and fashion and she went to town dressing up Jess the giggles and laughter was awesome.


So Today I am thankful for Disco Day because I think it gave my girls a chance  to bond and become a little closer, Just look at  these sisters... I ask that you look NOT at the actual fashion but focus on the smiles :-) 

Seven -- forgotten

GeoTagged, [N42.60740, E71.30879]

So yesterday I forgot to do my 365

I have decided to do 365 days a picture each day of things I am thankful for. I started it on April first and here it is April seventh and I have already forgotten a day. Oh well, six out of seven ain't bad LOL yesterday was an awesome day so it would have been hard to put it all on one post.

Today I went to work out at the gym
My step toward a healthier life. It went well.


Ok speaking of healthy, have you tried this yogurt (see included image)
I tasted it and was instantly reminded of my mothers blueberry pie I mean really I had to look in the mirror and check to make sure I wasn't turning violet Violet. ;-)
Today I am thankful for a lot, but specifically Yoplait  blueberry pie yogurt! Thank you for reminding me that my mother made blueberry pie for me! I had forgotten!

Joined a gym - FIVE

I've been trying to eat healthy, and work out once in awhile but today we took a bigger step, we joined a gym. I'm really feeling like this was the right step for me and DH---Today was election day-we voted on our way to check out the gym. How amazing it is to be able to do that... No big deal hmm
they said about 20%. I could whine about that, but I won't.

So tonight I want to say I am thankful that I live in a country where I am free to vote or to chose not to vote, and have my say in the government.

school meetings -Four

I am Posting this entry on April 5th but I really wrote it on April 4th  it is number 4 on my 365 of thankfulness :-)  as soon as i post it I will then write my April 5 post :-)

Today we spent most of the day  talking about, thinking about, or dealing with My boy's issues we had the Eligibility meeting for an IEP  and I am not going to bore you with the details, but I thought today I would tell you that I am thankful For my boy. He is struggling so much right now his self esteem is low, his anxiety is high, he is so amazing, if only he knew how amazing he really is.

I did not forget the 365

I took the picture I just need to upload it...the computer has been otherwise occupied. LOL I'll have yesterday's and today's later today!
Thank you!

Friendship - Three

Tonight I want to talk about my son's friend Hunter. When we first met him we were not yet aware that our kids were on the spectrum, our boy Devin had recently been diagnosed with ADHD we had no idea what Jess' issues were.

Hunter was in the same Sunday school class as our boy and well they didn't get along so well. Every Sunday you could here me saying "if you can't get along with Hunter why can't you just play with the other kids" Boy was I one lucky mom that my boy didn't take my advice.

They are the best of friends! Hunter is such a positive influence on Devin. he convinced him to join scouts, to try new things, he encourages him when he needs it most!
but there is more to it than that
We carpool to scouts and it we pick Hunter up and I can tell you that all three of my kids look forward To that ride to scouts once a week. He gets into the car prepared with jokes for the little ones, and he treats Jess with compassion and understanding when she gets overwhelmed. He gives me hope! This is a kid I told my son not to play with an it turns out that he is such an amazing kid. I have hope that my kids are going to do ok.

So tonight I want to tell you that I am thankful for Hunter - his family is pretty awesome too!

Two --autism awareness

So today is world autism awareness day
So what's the thing I want the world to be aware of? I guess it would have to be. Sibling awareness! autism impacts every member of the family!

I feel like the world doesn't understand how much autism affects Moo, come on if you have siblings there must have been at least one time in your childhood where you felt that life was unfair. Imagine what it's like when both of those siblings have autism? I've seen Moo stand up to protect her sister, and I've had to sooth her when she has been the recipient of one of her sister's rages.
she is amazing really! she seems to have the ability to understand Jess when no one else does. And she gives up so much weather it's being quiet during homework time, or going with Jess' choice when they are fighting over what game to play or show to watch.

So here I am sitting at Wendy's with my family updating my blog via the iPod touch. And the thing I am thankful for is Megan my youngest kid who is anything but typical she may drive me batty at times but she amazes me even more!

We love you Moo!

Sunset

Testing

Can I post from the iPod?

the beginning-ONE

Today i am trying to start something new, I need to be more appreciative for all that I have, more positive, less negative, i also need to take more pics, it really is a favorite thing to do, but some days it's just hard.

Well now here I am On April 1st,  the fools day,  the day that starts the autism awareness month, the birthday of some really cool people, you know who you are :-) The day i got the evaluation report for my son, not an easy thing to read!

Alright I can feel crappy and still be thankful right?


So I thought I would start with a picture of Jess....OK it was late and I remembered that I needed to take a picture and Jess came in to finish eating her dinner...So I took her picture....see what a careful planner I am :-)





Number one,

I am thankful for you my Jess! Pasta sauce, freckles, ADHD,  autism and epilepsy all of the things that make you you!  I love the way your eyes flash turquoise when you are upset and bright blue when you smile, When you are working on your homework and you get the right answer Joy just flows from you! I love it when you jump, and when you giggle, then there are the moments when you need a rock, or when you need a hug and we connect PURE AWESOME!   I am so thankful that God has put you in my life!

Love and Pain

I
know
you
would
never
want
to
hurt
my
girl
I
know
you
love
her
I
Know
you
can
see
that
she
doenst
really
know
you
are
laughing
at
her
so
maybe
you
think
it
doenst
matter
She
Loves
you
So
Much
She
doesnt
understand
I
know
you
do
not
understand
why
you
should
NEVER
LAUGH
AT
MY
CHILD!



she may surprise you someday.

What I wish I could say to the person at the mall

Dear Woman at the mall with your absolutely adorable toddler boy,

My girls really enjoyed playing with your boy while you were not watching him while you were in line at the pretzel place.

It was fantastic watching my girls interact with your child, what a happy go lucky kid!  but I noticed my oldest girl cringe whenever he came too close to her, and I suspected you noticed this too, you came closer and started talking with me a little. I saw the look of concern, and  I suspected that you  might have thought she was rude, since my girlio was acting like a regular 8 year old  and her difficulties were not obvious at that moment, I chose to share with you that she has autism.

I was quite surprised at the abrupt manner in which you scooted your child away into the coffee shop, I wonder if you even noticed that you didn't get your pretzel. At first I was offended, imagine that!  I was worried that you thought my child was rude when you were the one who was rude, then I had flashes of anger and sadness while looking at my pouting kids who had just lost their playmate.

Now I just feel sorry for you, I don't really know anything about you, but I imagine you live in a closed up perfect little world. Dh told me to think back to the way I was before we had kids Ok so yeah  I used to be like you....I am a far better person now!  I wish you and your family well!  Us? we  have moved on,  our feelings are no longer hurt, we are a tough group our family!

It's Hard Having a Sibling with Special Needs

moo looking up
Originally uploaded by machris (Mary-Ann)

Yesterday when I picked Moo up from school she was very excited for me to open up her backpack, I found a puppy dog she made from cut out hearts, very cute! And a yellow envelope, she took the envelope out of my hand and pulled the report card out and handed it to me. My first thought was “argh why does a preschooler need a report card?” I knew it was good, her last report card had AC (accomplished) on everything except “Knows address” and when her brother found out he went to work drilling her on what her address was, so we know she has that covered. As I looked it over she was very excited and asked if I liked it, I told her that I was very impressed and gave her a high five.

I have to say that I really wasn’t all that impressed it was exactly what I expected, so as I drove home I was trying to figure out why a good report card for Moo didn’t give me excitement, as a good report card for her siblings would, am I a terrible mother for feeling this way? We try to treat all the kids equal and I have to tell you when you have a kid with ADHD and Asperger’s, and a kid with Epilepsy and Autism, and a kid that is NT treating them equal is HARD, but I imagine it’s hard for any family.
My mind goes back to when I was a kid and the resentment I felt with my brothers they were twins and a year older than me, they struggled with grades, and I didn’t. I remember feeling upset because they got praised more for their mediocre grades than I did for my good grades. I do remember when they passed the 8th grade and made it into the high school, as promised my mom bought them a stereo. Oh boy I had passed too but I did not get anything. I remember being so upset about it. there are a lot of “wounds” like this that have not begun to heal until now! Being a parent of children with special needs changes your perspective.




Maybe I am over thinking it a bit too much since she is only five, but I really need to make sure she doesn’t feel invisible like I did. How do you keep things equal? Any advice I can get on this is greatly appreciated.

The perfect Blog!

Why is it that I stop blogging?

even though I really want to blog every day and be this perfect blogger....
Well ive been thinking a lot about thhat this weekend and I think I have some changes to make.


Well I think it is because I have read so many good blogs....and I am jealous.


I WANT A PERFECT BLOG!!! I want the perfect message, the perfect grammar, the perfect spelling,the perfect poem,  the perfect images, I want the cute little stories that change people's lives ROFL


Now if you know me, you know that this is the silliest thing in the world!  I am far from perfect, I am so lazy about spelling and grammar, I usually have trouble getting my thoughts out properly. My ADD overtakes me and since I have such perfect blogs to read and want to emulate, I have anxiety about it.

So I am going to try something different.


I'm going to blog like I used to way back when I started
I am not going to try blog like others

I'll blog about whatever comes to my mind
it will be quotes, and prayers, and cute stories about how my kids have change MY life :-)
pictures, and of course I will b log about my adventures in the kitchen :-)
I also thought I would post links to various stories or blogs that I like here :-)

So if imperfect grammar bugs you please go on to the next blog, I wont be offended :-)

No more stress!