Read more about the article Today will mark a major milestone in our new journey as a reunited family
My thoughts / Reunification

Today will mark a major milestone in our new journey as a reunited family

There's a cookout at my parents house today and it was at Lizze's request.  She's worried that the awkwardness won't be gone and it will make ruin Thanksgiving.  This will be the first time Lizze and my siblings will be in the same room since she left.   The whole idea is to just get everyone together and try to break the ice, so to speak. This hasn't been an easy process and my hope is that we can finally begin to put this behind us and move forward as a family.   I'm looking forward to this but at the same time, I'm really nervous because I want this to go well.   We could use some positive through in our direction.  If you don't mind sending them our…

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August 21, 2016
Read more about the article I guess we’re going Pokémon hunting 
My thoughts

I guess we’re going Pokémon hunting 

Lizze is going out with her Mom tonight and the boys and I have the house to ourselves.   The boys want to go hunting for Pokémon tonight and try and hatch some eggs by walking the track.   I'm hoping this will Tucker them out before going to bed tonight.   Wish me luck... 

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August 20, 2016
Read more about the article Great News: Grocery shopping we did go
Emmett John / My thoughts

Great News: Grocery shopping we did go

We were able to finally go grocery shopping today.  It's not as much as we really needed but I'm grateful for what we were able to do.Emmett went with me because he wanted to go along and help.  He also wanted to pick out hot chocolate and there's a story behind that. Last night, Elliott asked for hot chocolate and after he made it, Emmett decided that he wanted some as well.  Unfortunately, as well as because that's just the way life goes for us, Elliott had used the last packet.   Emmett, who'd already been struggling yesterday, lost it.   He had a massive meltdown and the only thing that eventually calmed him down, was the idea of going to the store with me and picking out a new…

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August 20, 2016
Read more about the article It’s so hard to shutdown when you’re an #Autism parent  
My thoughts

It’s so hard to shutdown when you’re an #Autism parent  

I'm laying in bed at 2:30am, unable to sleep and it's really frustrating.   All I want to do during the day is just curl up in a ball on the floor and sleep but I can't. When I do get a chance to sleep, I lay here and can't shutdown.   It should be said that for Autism parents, it can be extremely difficult to shutdown, even though they desperately want to sleep.  That's something that I struggle with rather frequently myself.   There's so much adrenaline being pumped through my body during the day because of this constant state of hyper-vigilance, it just takes its toll. For many of us as well, we sleep with one eye open and an ear to the ground because we can never…

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August 20, 2016
Read more about the article Our Naughty Dog Caught On Camera: You have to see this to believe it (@vivinthome)
Maggie / My thoughts / Vivint Gives Back

Our Naughty Dog Caught On Camera: You have to see this to believe it (@vivinthome)

It's been a really long night already and it's not over yet.  The boys came home today and when we went tried to put them in bed, we ran into a a problem.   Elliott soon discovered that his bed was soaked and I mean soaked. I'm not talking someone spilled a water bottle kinda wet either.  We're talking someone or something dropped like a gallon of pee all over his bed.  Everyone was confused because the amount was so much that it had to be a person.   With the boys being gone all day, we could rule them out and I know of it wasn't Lizze or myself.   I had no idea what happened.  Then it occurred to me that I could check the camera feed from…

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August 19, 2016
Read more about the article A small break does a Daddy good
My thoughts

A small break does a Daddy good

The boys are gone for a day of fun with their Grandma, Great Aunt and some cousins.  They're going to be touring a local chocolate factory.   Lizze and I are really tired and will be taking advantage of the rest.   I haven't even thought about dinner yet but I suppose I should.  Grocery shopping didn't happen because our budget fell through.  I should be able to go on Saturday, so we only have to make it one more day.   I've been sitting on the porch, listening to neighbors fighting but trying to enjoy the weather anyway, cause it's beautiful.  Lizze is taking a nap on the couch but she did some writing today as well. She's opened up about the classes she's been taking and why she's…

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August 18, 2016
Read more about the article A break from the chaotic week
My thoughts

A break from the chaotic week

It's going to be a slower day for us.  That's not a bad thing at all because it's been a really challenging week so far.   Lizze has an appointment in the morning and when she gets home, I have to take Gavin for his bloodwork. At some point, God willing, we'll go grocery shopping.  One of my goals is to get caught up on some writing, reviews and get my monthly newsletter back on track.  It's been a few months since I've published one and I'm supposed to be doing it monthly.   Depending on the weather, maybe I'll work in the yard for a little while. My Dad and I have been working on getting the outside of the house caught up. It's a lot of work but…

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August 18, 2016
Read more about the article You won’t believe what I’ve found in my bed over the last three or four nights
Elliott / Emmett John / My thoughts

You won’t believe what I’ve found in my bed over the last three or four nights

As I get back into writing after a day or two of life getting in the way, I thought I would start off with something that's just too fricking adorable and precious, not to share.   As you know, Emmett and sometimes Elliott, just can't fall asleep in their own beds.   This is habitual for Emmett and occasional for Elliott.   I don't know what's behind this for sure but I know Emmett has nightmares and Elliott has anxiety. They can't seem to relax or feel safe enough to fall asleep, unless their in our bed.   This is especially true for Emmett.   What happens is that they will try to fall asleep in their own beds. Elliott usually can but Emmett simply cannot.   After an hour…

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August 18, 2016