Read more about the article How we used our Ping Camera by Vivint Smart Home to protect our cat 
My thoughts / Vivint Gives Back

How we used our Ping Camera by Vivint Smart Home to protect our cat 

This is an unorthodox use of our smart home technology, but I'm always looking to share the creative things we've been able to do with our smart home technology by Vivint Smart Home. We've been having a problem with one of our cats. Our oldest cat Cleo is being bullied by our younger one named Greysha. She and her brother Blue were adopted as feral kittens, three or four years ago. Over the years, Blue has adapted well and enjoys his life as part of our family. Greysha, on the other hand, hasn't. She's always been easily frightened. She's retained her feral instincts, and we will only be seen when she wants to eat. Lately, she's been appearing more often, but when she does, she's very aggressive. We've spoken to our…

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April 22, 2017
Read more about the article Op-Ed: When a 10 year old with #Autism is arrested for assault 
My thoughts / Op-Ed

Op-Ed: When a 10 year old with #Autism is arrested for assault 

If you haven't already heard about this story, you can read in on CNN by clicking here.  After reading the article about John Haygood, a 10 year old little boy with Autism, being arrested for assaulting his teacher, I was at a loss for words. As a father of three boys with Autism, my gut reaction is one of anger.  Based on the article, it seems that John had been experiencing behavioral problems of varying degrees, not all that uncommon for kids on the Autism Spectrum.  The incident that apparently sparked this entire situation took place last October.  John was being disruptive in class, throwing paper balls at classmates, and was asked to go to time out. He refused and it appears the teacher went to physically move him and that's…

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April 21, 2017
Read more about the article The massive morning meltdown
My thoughts

The massive morning meltdown

It was a rough morning and Emmett was not easy to get off to school. He woke up in what's amounted to a horrible mood. He said he was tired and I'm not here to say he wasn't. The problem was all the fricking screaming.  Lizze was making lunches and I was trying to get Emmett dressed. The operative word in the last sentence is trying.  He was very anti-clothing, which usually means he's struggling with sensory issues.  I eventually succeeded in getting Emmet  dressed, but to be completely honest, I'm not sure how I survived this morning.  Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly grateful that he made it to school but no I'm completely drained. 

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April 21, 2017
Read more about the article I received some really awesome news tonight
Good News / My thoughts

I received some really awesome news tonight

I wanted to share some really amazing news. If you recall, I submitted my very first article to a company that hired me to write. This was basically a trial run and if all goes well, this could lead to more articles.  This is a big deal because this is really good money and great exposure for my blog.  I was really nervous because I really wasn't given much restriction and I wasn't sure what to expect.  As luck would have it, they absolutely loved my article and after one round of editing, it appears to be good to go. This is a pretty big company and it seems that I'm a good fit thus far.  When this article goes live, I'll be sharing the link and asking you all…

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April 21, 2017
Read more about the article The painful truth about my son’s condition
Gavin / Major Update / My thoughts

The painful truth about my son’s condition

I've been working on this update for a little while but haven't been able to keep my thoughts together. If you take one thing away from this entry, let it be that I'm very worried about Gavin. Lizze and I both are very worried about Gavin.  Let me begin with the fact that Gavin's heartbroken. His beloved Master Sword broke yesterday and it's like his entire world has crumbled around him. [videopress yBQWDnIr] Every single morning, Gavin trains with his visibly challenged, group of super best friends. This is one of the many teams he commands. These teams help to defend the Universe from evil villains like Eggman or Shredder. Just so we're on the same page, these are all Schizophrenic hallucinations and are only real to him. Anyway, every…

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April 20, 2017
Read more about the article Our plans for today
My thoughts

Our plans for today

Today has been somewhat of a waste because I was so exhausted I ended up falling asleep for most of the morning. The last week or so that the boys were sick really took its toll on me. I'm feeling much better now and able to take on the rest of the day. After I pick up the boys from school today, Lizze and I are going to take them to the park for a little bit. It's 80°F and aside from a cough, they're doing well. We're think some fresh air might do everyone some good.  In the mean time, I'm working on an entry to explain all that's going on with Gavin. It's a relatively bug update and is taking me some time to get my thoughts in…

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April 20, 2017
Read more about the article I’ve noticed something interesting about my kids with #Autism 
#Autism Discussions / My thoughts

I’ve noticed something interesting about my kids with #Autism 

My kids can say some crazy shit sometimes. That's got nothing to do with Autism, it's just their cheeky personalities. ☺  That being said, I have noticed something that seems to be a common phrase between my kids, in one particular situation and I don't think they're doing it on purpose.  Whenever they are encouraged to try something new, maybe a new food, a different TV show, rather than just saying no, they say something else.  My kids will almost always use the phrase I'm not used to this......  It could be I'm not used to these chicken nuggets or I'm not used to this show. What they mean is they don't want it or don't like it.  Do your kids say anything like that? 

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April 20, 2017
Read more about the article We doing pretty okay this morning 
General Update / My thoughts

We doing pretty okay this morning 

The boys are both going to school this morning. Elliott is doing a great job of getting ready and cooperating. Emmett is struggling a bit this morning. It would be fair to say he's moody and is sort of all over the place.  After taking the boys to school, I'll be taking Lizze to her therapy appointment.  I'm really tired but I'm hoping to push through everything today and avoid taking a nap. I've got a lot I need to catch up on and sleeping with definitely interfere.  Hopefully your morning is going well... ☺ 

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April 20, 2017