Read more about the article We need some time away from the kids 
My thoughts

We need some time away from the kids 

I always feel the need to add this little disclaimer, when saying I need a break from my kids. Lizze and I both love them completely, but they're absolutely exhausting, and we need a break.  Lizze doesn't have class today and that meant she was here to help get the boys off to school.  I'm glad she's getting the help she needs, but at the same time, it creates so much more work for me. As it is, I'm already burnt out and in need of a break. Adding more to my plate makes everything more difficult.!  Anyway, it's awesome to have her home today. Class takes so much out of her, and when she gets home she crashes. I feel like I haven't seen her in awhile, and that…

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May 19, 2017
Read more about the article It’s a really big day for our #Autism family
Elliott / Emmett John / My thoughts / School / Victories

It’s a really big day for our #Autism family

I'm really looking forward to today. Not only is this the last day of the second to last day of school, but it's martial arts promotion. Both Elliott and Emmett have been anxiously awaiting today.  This is always a really cool experience, except it's unbearably hot in the dojo, and there are a lot of heavy, heavy smokers. Obviously, no one's smoking inside but you can still smell it, and it's horrible.  Aside from that, the only downside is that Elliott's promotion is first thing in the morning and Emmett's is towards the end of the day.  Typically, they have always been one after the other. This time however, there's roughly four hours between them. I guess we will have to go home and grab lunch or something. 😁  Anyway,…

4 Comments
May 19, 2017
Read more about the article We are saying goodbye to an important #Autism therapy
Emmett John / My thoughts / Occupational Therapy

We are saying goodbye to an important #Autism therapy

I took Emmett to occupational therapy this past Tuesday, only to find out that this is his last session. I had no idea this is what was going to happen and frankly, I'm not sure what to think.  Having said that, it's not uncommon to take a break from things during the Summer and pick things back up in the Fall.  Unfortunately, that's not the plan, at least not at this point. They billed this whole thing as graduation. We can always re-evaluate in the future but they feel Emmett can use the skills he's learned to get through the Summer/rest of his life.  I didn't make a big deal out of this at the time because Emmett was upset enough, and I wanted to get him through this before…

18 Comments
May 18, 2017
Read more about the article It really has been positive 
Good News / My thoughts

It really has been positive 

It's really been a positive day. My writings been on hold but I'm working on that. I felt amazing after walking this morning. I didn't plan on taking a nap today but Gavin went for his nap and I decided to take a power nap before having to get the boys from school.  I'm not sure what our plans are for the rest of the day, but we'll figure something out. 

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May 18, 2017
Read more about the article Finally……. 
My thoughts

Finally……. 

The boys finally slept through the night and I was able to sleep in my own bed. I was in bed by midnight and up at 7AM.  Lizze was on her way to class before we were up, but I was able to get the boys to school without any significant effort.  I felt recharged enough to go walking with Gavin, after dropping the boys off... ☺  I'm feeling pretty good about today... ☺ 

16 Comments
May 18, 2017
Read more about the article Why I’m having my son draw pictures
Artwork / Gavin / My thoughts

Why I’m having my son draw pictures

I asked Gavin to draw another picture today. I do this because I want to pull him away from his tablet, and have him work on something he used to really enjoy.  Gavin loves sketching, but has gotten away from it this year, for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that he's spending too much time on his tablet, and that's something I can influence. Another reason is very likely the result of his tremors.  Gavin has tremors in his hands, and it's pretty significant.  I'm slowly working to get him back into drawing because if he doesn't practice, he's more likely to lose the skills.  Here's today's drawing from Mr. Gavin... ☺ 

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May 18, 2017
Read more about the article Did I do well enough today? 
Autism Parenting Advice / Autism Parenting Insight / Inspirational Posts / My thoughts

Did I do well enough today? 

Folks, I'm burned out. It's been about twenty-four hours since I've written anything. It's important to understand that while I'm physically and emotionally exhausted, I'm not giving up on anything.  One of the things I've learned on my Autism Parenting journey is, that I have no idea what tomorrow has in store.  No matter how bad today has been, as long as I live to see tomorrow, there's always hope. It's so easy to get lost on this treacherous, exhausting, overwhelming, and all consuming journey. I've found myself lost many times along the way. In fact, that's where the title of my first blog came from.  I felt lost and tired, especially in the beginning. I can totally relate to what many of you are going through.  Sometimes, the only…

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May 17, 2017
Read more about the article This shit isn’t easy
Autism Parenting Insight / Emmett John / My thoughts

This shit isn’t easy

I've had a longer day than normal today. I already shared that I was up with Emmett last night because his nose was really stuffy. You might be saying to yourself, everyone's nose gets stuffy, why is that a big deal? To put it simply, it's a sensory thing.  Emmett has never done well with a stuffy nose.  I don't know what he experiences when his nose is stuffy, but if it's in line with the way his brain perceives many other stimuli, it's a nightmare for him.  Last night, he finally fell asleep while snuggling on the couch. He had found a position he was comfortable enough in to fall asleep. Unfortunately for me, that position was partly on the couch and partly across my chest.  I was pinned…

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May 17, 2017