Read more about the article How to easily check @VivintHome Smart Deadbolt battery levels
My thoughts / Vivint Gives Back

How to easily check @VivintHome Smart Deadbolt battery levels

In this brief video tutorial, I show you how to check the battery levels of your Vivint Home Smart Deadbolts. It's much easier than you think, and you can do it from your favorite mobile device.   This super short video is just over a minute, but you'll be checking your deadbolt batteries like a boss. ☺   https://youtu.be/JvhJrpm8hTk If you are a special needs family and need help, please visit Vivint Gives Back. This is a program that provides special needs families with the equipment to make their homes both safer, and smarter. The goal is to limit the ability of your special needs child from getting out of the house and wandering away.  The equipment is free, monthly service is based on your income. Visit Vivint Gives Back and see what you qualify…

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June 5, 2017
Read more about the article 7 reason I know Emmett’s in a fever cycle
Emmett John / My thoughts / PFAPA

7 reason I know Emmett’s in a fever cycle

As the morning goes on, it's become very clear that Emmett is in a new fever cycle. He's a little tyrant today, and isn't super pleasant to be around. This, taken with all the other symptoms he's presenting with, makes it very clear this is a fever cycle.  Unfortunately, he's supposed to be at the dentist in the morning, and he keeps missing these because of fever cycles.  In review, here are the symptoms he experiences during a fever cycle: Painful mouth sores Fever Not eating  Not sleeping Very moody Very aggressive Joint pain

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June 5, 2017
Read more about the article #Resist @realDonaldTrump: I’m taking a stand for what I believe is right and here’s why
My thoughts

#Resist @realDonaldTrump: I’m taking a stand for what I believe is right and here’s why

I'm using my platform, to help take a stand for something I believe very strongly in. I want to make a few things very clear, so that there's no confusion about where I stand on this issue.  I stand firmly against Donald Trump, and everything he stands for. This isn't about party loyalty, because I'm a registered republican, and have been my whole adult life.  This is isn't about Hillary Clinton, or any other candidate for that matter, not winning the election. Frankly, I don't care who's in office, so long as they represent our country's values, with the dignity befitting someone in the role of President of the United States. They need to cross party lines and work together for the betterment of our country, and it's citizens.  It's…

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June 5, 2017
Read more about the article Way too much shit going on this week
My thoughts

Way too much shit going on this week

We had enough a jam packed week ahead of us. Thankfully, today is an off day. This week we have two dentist appointments, four psychological appointments, and a big meeting with the department of developmental disabilities. We're also going to try to make it to see my Grandmother as well.  Lizze will finish up one class this week and begin another eight or ten week class. While these classes are big sacrifice, they are priceless. ☺  This is also the first week the boys and I are going to take in the house, room by room. I'm actually excited about this because I crave organization. I can mange chaotic situations, but I don't like living in chaos, if that makes sense.  I have quite a bit of writing to do…

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June 5, 2017
Read more about the article This really sucks 
Gavin / My thoughts

This really sucks 

Gavin and I were on our way to the grocery store when we got hit by a pretty major rain storm. Gavin doesn't walk in the rain, because he doesn't like to get wet. I suppose I don't blame him for that.  We're currently sitting in the parking lot at Giant Eagle, waiting out the rain.  They say in Ohio, if you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes. 

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June 4, 2017
Read more about the article #Autism Parenting Insight – When #SpecialNeeds families have to make difficult decisions 
Autism Parenting Insight / Inspirational Posts / My thoughts

#Autism Parenting Insight – When #SpecialNeeds families have to make difficult decisions 

I wanted to update you on what we decided to do, in regards to our family cookout, and why. The reason it's important to share this experience is because special needs families face these kinds of decisions all the time. Circumstances will vary, but the need to make a difficult decision, that will undoubtedly leave some people upset, is very common.  I can't stress enough, how often we live our lives minute to minute. When we're dealing with various chronic health issues, things pop up all the time.  My goal is to provide some insight into why we made the decision we did in this particular situation.  After a long, sleepless night with Mr. Emmett, Lizze and I made our decision not to go. We decided to err on the…

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June 4, 2017
Read more about the article Some creative ways of meeting my kids sensory needs
Some creative ways of meeting my kids sensory needs
Emmett John / My thoughts / Photography / Sensory

Some creative ways of meeting my kids sensory needs

  I'm trying to find some creative ways to help meet my kids' many sensory needs. The idea is to find constructive ways to getting a sensory fix, without destroying our house. lol In the picture above, Emmett is running this rock wall, like it's an obstacle course. He loves it, and it seems to help him get what he needs. Unfortunately, he wants to continue increasing the difficulty level. The challenge for me is finding ways to do that without making things too dangerous. For now, this is working and it will buy me a little time... :-)

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June 4, 2017
Read more about the article We are facing a tough decision – What would you do? 
Elliott / Emmett John / Gavin / My thoughts

We are facing a tough decision – What would you do? 

Later on this afternoon, we are supposed to travel to Y-Town. We are having a big family cookout for my Grandma's birthday. We are all pretty excited about going, because it's been awhile since we've been able to visit.  Unfortunately, we aren't sure whether or not we should go now.  On Friday, Gavin puked while at his Grandma's house. He says he's fine now, but we have to go by his behavior, and not his words. He spent a large part of the day sleeping, and that's a bit odd. He's also running a mild fever as well. He did have his IVIG infusion on Friday night, and perhaps it's still his body reacting to that. The other possibility is that he's actually fighting something off.  Next we have Mr.…

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June 4, 2017