Read more about the article We have to get the tree removed and our house fixed
Link / My thoughts

We have to get the tree removed and our house fixed

It's Monday and while I'm not looking to tempt fate here, I need to get a few things done today. Mondays aren't historically fun in my house for a number of reasons. The main reason being that the kids have to transition from being home to going back to school and that doesn't always go well. Anyway, I need to get a few things done today. I have some writing that needs to get done and published before an upcoming deadline. It's not hard but it's really important and a little overwhelming, if I'm being honest. The biggest thing that needs done today is getting someone out here to give a quote on getting this tree the hell out of my yard. I made arrangements to have a very popular…

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October 22, 2018
Read more about the article It really sucks when you have to put groceries back because you don’t have enough money
Autism Parenting Confessions / My thoughts

It really sucks when you have to put groceries back because you don’t have enough money

It's been a rough day in general. The highlight has been my 3.1 mile walk. I've walked every single day for the last 2 months and I'd like to maintain that record as much as I can. Anyway, that was the upside. The rest of the day has been a bit on the unpleasant side. Gavin's driving me nuts with his talking, while Elliott and Emmett are fighting over everything. I'm overwhelmed by life right now and it all sorta came to a head this afternoon while I was running errands. After walking, I had to hit the grocery store, gas station and Little Ceasars. Elliott needed pizza for his school lunches because it's the only thing he will eat. We need gas to get the kids to school in…

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October 21, 2018
Read more about the article This #Autism Dad is not coping well with the incessant talking today
Autism Parenting Confessions / Gavin / My thoughts

This #Autism Dad is not coping well with the incessant talking today

There are so many things that can be frustrating and/or overwhelming when it comes to being an Autism/Special Needs Parent. Most of them are things that I've had to learn to either ignore or cope with in some other way. If I didn't, I'd lose my mind. I have days where I can cope fairly well but there are also days that I seriously struggle. On any given day, one of the hardest things for me to cope with is incessant talking. I'm fully aware that many parents have never heard their child talk and I have some experience in that arena with Emmett. My heart goes out to them. I'm not intending to be insensitive to that and I'm incredibly grateful that my kids are verbal. The reality I…

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October 21, 2018
Read more about the article How the @clevelandclinic gave us hope
Cleveland Clinic / Lizze / Migraines / My thoughts / Neurological Center for Pain

How the @clevelandclinic gave us hope

It's been a couple of days and I've still not gotten around to updating you on Lizze's appointment at the Cleveland Clinic. As a quick reminder, she was at the Neurological Center for Pain, seeking help for her migraines. Lizze went into this appointment with very, very low expectations because for the most part, she's without hope that she will ever live a day without pain. I get where she's coming from and it breaks my heart to see her go through this. That said, I'm carrying the touch in regards to hope because I cannot accept a reality in which she can't find relief from her migraine. She deserves to exist without pain and I will keep working towards that end. We arrived a bit early but only had…

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October 21, 2018
Read more about the article Emmett had a great time
Autism Parenting Insight / Emmett John / My thoughts

Emmett had a great time

Emmett had an amazing time at his friend's birthday party today. It was at Chuck E Cheese and while it's not very adult friendly, the kids loved it. ☺ I hung out the entire time and met some the parents. They were all super nice and it helped to offset the fact it was at Chuck E Cheese.. Lol This is a not a sensory friendly place by any stretch of the imagination. I know Emmett will likely experience some fallout but at least he had fun. I don't have sensory processing disorder and it's overwhelming for me. I can only imagine what it's like for those that do. Anyway, it was largely positive experience and we need more of those in our life. ☺

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October 20, 2018
Read more about the article Emmett has another birthday party today
Autism Parenting Insight / Emmett John / My thoughts

Emmett has another birthday party today

This is the second Saturday in a row that Emmett has a birthday party to attend. I'm thrilled that he's got the opportunity but two weekends in a row is a bit much. 😜 This afternoon he has one of his best friends party and it's at Chuck E Cheese. It'll be just Emmett and I because this is way too loud for Lizze. I'm not personally a huge fan of the noise and the crowds but I don't have a constant migraine or severe social anxiety. Hopefully, this will be fun for Emmett and his friend. I'm so happy that he's able to do this but I not so happy about the inevitable overstimlation and meltdowns that will follow. Par for the course I suppose. ☺

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October 20, 2018
Read more about the article You won’t believe where we found his missing #IVIG Infusion supplies
Gavin / My thoughts

You won’t believe where we found his missing #IVIG Infusion supplies

After some serious searching in every conceivable place, we finally were able to locate most of the missing supplies. We found 4 sets of tubing and 2 needle sets underneath the small couch in our dining room. It was the last place we looked because it didn't occur to us that they could have been crammed through a half inch gap between the couch and the floor. I can barely fit my hand under there. I don't know how or why they were under there and at this point, I honestly don't want to know because it will just make things more frustrating for me. We're still missing a needle set and we'll continue looking for that. The only thing I know for sure is that I'm grateful we found…

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October 19, 2018
Read more about the article This is a perfect example of why being a #specialneeds parent can be so exhausting, frustrating and overwhelming
Autism Parenting Struggles / Gavin / IVIG Infusion / My thoughts

This is a perfect example of why being a #specialneeds parent can be so exhausting, frustrating and overwhelming

We're not off to a good start today. I basically woke up to Elliott and Emmett fighting and it went downhill from there. I could have weathered the fighting but then Gavin entered my morning with news that very much pushed me over the edge. Gavin casually approaches me and tells me that he's only got enough tubing for one last IVIG Infusion. I told him that's not possible because as you can see in the image below, there are supplies for 8 complete IVIG Infusions for the month of October. Maybe you can't see that from the image but I confirmed upon delivery, that he was not shorted anything. Gavin should have enough supplies to do 4 more IVIG Infusions this month and he's basically saying that he's missing…

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October 19, 2018