Read more about the article They finally went back to school
My thoughts

They finally went back to school

Thank God there's school today. I love my kids, I truly do but there schedule has been so messed up since before Christmas break, they need to go back. I need them to go back. There were closing around us but we weren't one of them. We got the kids off to school, and both Gavin's and Lizze's blood work done. All I need to do today is call the pharmacy and remind them to call for his lab results so they can deliver his Clozapine in the morning. Gavin's good until Wednesday night. So far so good. The day could definitely be worse but I'm grateful it's not.. ☺

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January 16, 2018
Read more about the article Heatbreaking: I wish I could carry his burden for him
Gavin / My thoughts

Heatbreaking: I wish I could carry his burden for him

We celebrate Gavin's 18th birthday this week. This is a moment that's absolutely worth celebrating, for a million reasons. While there's so much to be grateful for, it's really hard not to notice things that are cause for worry. Over the last few days, I've noticed that Gavin is forgetting what some words mean. The one that took me by surprise was the word maintenance. He doesn't remember what it means to perform maintenance on something. There has been a few others as well but I can't remember them off the top of my head. I know I'm not the only one taking notice because Gavin will ask what a word means and Lizze will look at me in concern. Elliott and Emmett are noticing as well. They're very respectful…

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January 16, 2018
Read more about the article Depression Confession: Major progress has been made
Confessions / Depression Management / My thoughts

Depression Confession: Major progress has been made

Today begins phase 2 of my withdrawal from Paxil. I'm officially on half on my original dose and that's progress. The first two weeks were absolutely horrible. It was like the worst case of the flu I've ever experienced. That lasted about a week and a half. After that misery was over the insomnia began. My experience for the last week or so has been much, much better. The first two and a half weeks sucked but it definitely got better. For the next four weeks, I'll be taking 20 mg/day. That's 20 mg/day less than I've been taking for the last few years. More likely than not, therr will be more unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and I suspect it may follow the original pattern. I know how ridiculous it sounds…

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January 16, 2018
Read more about the article Dry air makes it so hard for me to sleep
My thoughts

Dry air makes it so hard for me to sleep

I had a rough time sleeping last night. Majority of the problem was related to the air being so dry, it made me really stuffy and that always makes it hard for me to sleep. It's like a fricking desert. Around 2 AM I ended up downstairs on the couch. Its easier to breathe down there for some reason. I need to put the humidifier on the second floor because that should make a difference. I didn't end up fall asleep with Ruby curled up next to me. Thankfully, the boys are at Lizze's parents house, so I was able to sleep in. Gavin didn't need anything this morning and I wasn't disturbed. All we have to do today is take Lizze to the dentist, get stuff for the boys…

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January 15, 2018
Read more about the article Doing right by Gavin for his 18th birthday isn’t as easy as it sounds
Autism Parenting Insight / Gavin / My thoughts

Doing right by Gavin for his 18th birthday isn’t as easy as it sounds

Gavin will turn eighteen in a few days. To be honest, that's a pretty big deal for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that he's physically made it to eighteen and I say that because of his fragile health. He's had some close calls over the years and there were times we weren't sure we would ever see this day. Instinctively, we want to make a huge deal out of this day. We want Gavin to have the best birthday of his life thus far. There are so many things that Gavin will never be able to celebrate. Things like high school graduation, getting his driver's license, going to college and truly living on his own. As much as we want to through a huge party for him…

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January 14, 2018
Read more about the article Ruby fell asleep on my lap
Family Pets / My thoughts / Photography / Ruby

Ruby fell asleep on my lap

So I've found a new subject for my amateur photography hobby. Right now I'm loving taking pictures of Ruby. For one thing, she's adorable and the other is she's super cooperative. ☺ The ferrets are impossible to photograph clearly because they never stay still. I need a way better camera to capture them. Perhaps someday... ☺ Anyway, I took this one of Ruby while she was napping on my lap this afternoon.

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January 14, 2018
Read more about the article When your child with #Autism turns 18 and you need to obtain legal guardianship
Gavin / Guardianship / Inspirational Posts / Link / My thoughts

When your child with #Autism turns 18 and you need to obtain legal guardianship

Gavin will be turning eighteen years of age on January 18th. Unfortunately, he's unable to survive on his own and is also unable to make his own decisions, at least not without major help. His cognitive ability is continually declining and we have no choice but to seek permanent guardianship over him. We've never been through this process before but have acquired the paperwork and have the appointment with his psychiatrist to fill it out. I hate the idea of having to do this but it's unquestionably in Gavin's best interest. My goal is to share this new journey and help provide insight into this process. It's important to understand that not all kids with Autism will need something like this when they turn eighteen. Gavin is severely cognitively impaired…

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January 14, 2018