Twenty three ---- vacations

Today I am writing my blog entry while on our way home from our little
Mini vacation I won't be able to send it until I get home but I am writing it now!
It's been a great week and I am very thankful for re time we have spent together but I sure am looking forward to get back on the same
Old schedule Also can't wait to get back to the gym again, I hurt my knee one day just landed on it wrong so it's probably a good thing I haven't been making it to the gym this week huh?


I had made some goals for the family of things to achieve for this week and I have to say that we didn't reach one of them but I think we all had fun so that is good!
Tomorrow is Easter we are looking forward to spending the day with good friends!

Today I am thankful for school vacations! For this opportunity to bond as a family to just have fun! It was nice! Even If we didn't finish our set goals!

Here is a picture of my youngest and my oldest just being kids :-)

Twenty two --- Butterflies!

Oh it's so hard to keep this up while on v acation


sorry I didn't do Twenty One *sigh*
So Today we went to the place with the butterflies
everyone was so excited, until we got inside and we all remembered that Jess is terrified of butterflies landing on her!!!!! It took most of the day to get her to stop being so frightened and actually look at the butterflies once she did she had a great time.

Today I am tired LOL So i will get right to the point :-)
Today I am thankful for the patience I have learned to have with my daughter, and rice paper butterflies (I think that's the name) which is her favorite

Twenty - - - video

Today I will try something new
I have a video that I took today at Jordan's Furniture. Why did I decode to change it up? Well I like to keep it fresh....ok so maybe it has something to do with my taking that video and then running out of batteries LOL so not being able to take any pictures all day LOL
Lets hope the upload works :-)
Today the kids wanted to go to Jordan's Furniture. The water fireworks show, the Trapeze was great the kids loved the ice cream LOL the furniture was nice----and expensive!!!!! I actually enjoy making fun in my mind about how pricey it is LOL

The kids did fantastic!!!
What s great day!!!!
Ok can't do a video

I'm going to try it from the computer.

This is Wally the green monster taking care of a pesky Yankee, Moo thought it was so funny she asked me to take a video of it :-) No Yankees were harmed in the making of this film ROFL!

Today I am thankful for computers that do what you want them too :-)
So glad this worked out!

Nineteen -- a Day at the Zoo

Today we went to the Zoo with some friends
Jess was very happy on the way to the zoo, but once we got out of the car and she realized it was cold AND raining she wanted to go home....it was tough but I must say she did awesome!  it used to be we would have had to leave, but she didn't even have a real meltdown, just a mini mini tiny one :-) and she eventually  recovered and we even saw her smile and have some fun later on :-) I'm so proud of all my kids, they have been doing so well  even with the disappointment of finding out we were not going to DC this vacation there was not too much complaining, And they are getting along pretty good! Well you know they are siblings so it's never going to be perfect!

The boy had a headache....He seems to be getting a lot of headaches lately. *sigh*

Today I am thankful for the ability to see how far we have come.

here is a picture of my Jessica actually having fun today :-)   Ohh can I also be thankful for the Church, and Judie  who gave her this thing....what is that called anyway?

Oh here I jsut watched  The redsox lose in Oakland and I realized I crossed over the date again....it's tomorrow ROFL

Eighteen--- Bird watching

OOPS THIS DIDNT POST LAST NIGHT FOR SOME REASON....OH WELL YOU CAN SEE IT NOW!

Today we did a bit of work around the house....seems like our 50-50 Vacation (50% projects around the house, and 50% fun activities  is turning into more fun than work LOL and that is ok for me at least for now.....ask me in a week when I still have projects to complete LOL
When we finished our work we went to Parker river  it was a great day and totally Meltdown free!
the kids and parents are doing so great   Sibling civility LOL

Today that is what I am thankful for....Sibling civility!!!!!

we were lucky enough to see a pair of osprey there and a kestrel  No I didnt get a picture of the birds LOOL but I did get a picture of this
Daddy got a spontaneous hug from this little redheaded   cutiepie!

Seventeen -- Thankfulness

We have been so busy with vacation and all
I didn't stop being thankful, I just stopped blogging about it.

But I am trying to stick with it.
Friday we went to the drive in we saw Rio and Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The kids had a blast!
Saturday we went through and purged a ton of toys....well actually not quite a ton.

Today (Yesterday) Sunday, Palm Sunday and the egg hunt :-) you should have seen my boy, an his friend Hunter helping my two girls find Easter eggs I am thankful for those boys, my wonderful church family, and the chocolate that the kids brought home! HA HA!!!!!!

so I want to say that since I've been doing the 365 of thankfulness I have notices that i have an improved attitude, I think about things I am thankful for all day long....so much so that I at times Find it hard to choose what thing to blog about.
How cool is that?
So today want to say that I am thankful for thankfulness

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