A Few Highlights from January

I would really like to write in my blog at least once a week since I am not very good a keeping a journal anymore, however it's been kind of difficult lately because there really hasn't been a whole lot going on around here.  I guess I need to keep in mind that the small things are just as important (maybe even more important), than the big things.  Anyway, more for journaling purposes than anything, I will list some of the highlights from the last month regarding each person in our family.

 1. Vanessa started piano lessons.  She is so excited about it and seems to already be taking her lessons very seriously. Hopefully her enthusiasm will continue.  I would love to see her progress a lot further than I did. 

2.  We discontinued Evan's therapy sessions; a very difficult decision.  I definitely  have seen Evan progress since we began our sessions there last spring, but it was just becoming too expensive, and of course our insurance would not cover any of it.  However, it was an amazing learning experience for me, and I hope to continue on with the therapy sessions on my own at home. 

3.  Ben continues to grow and learn new things everyday.  He talks SO much.  He repeats everything we say (which is sometimes not always a good thing).  He is really just a complete joy, and has added so much to our family.  He is learning his ABCs, numbers, shapes, colors,... he seems to absorb everything like a sponge.  Oh, and he also got a new haircut.  I guess it's called a faux hawk?  

4.  Marty's job as a P.A. continues to get more challenging everyday.  He continues to work longer hours, and see more difficult patients.  We thought we escaped all that when we left Washington, but if anything, it has gotten worse since we have moved back here.  Oh well, what can you do?  At least he has a job and will probably never have a difficult time finding one if he ever needs to, and it has been such a blessing to be close to family again.

5. I have just started training for another half-marathon.  I am pretty excited about it, and I really need to have a reason to run right now. 

It's time I had some time alone...

Well, it probably is time I had some time alone, but this isn't what this post is about.  It's mostly about the fun time I had dancing and singing with my kids last night to some of my favorite songs from when I was younger.  I rediscovered some old Depeche Mode, Alanis Morissette, and R.E.M. albums that we had a blast dancing to last night.  One song in particular (It's the end of the world as we know it) conjures up some great memories from my high school years.  Ahh,... I love that song, and the kids really seemed to enjoy it last night too.  It seems like it was just yesterday I was dancing around the cultural hall at church dances with my friends going crazy to that song.  Now, I am doing the same thing, except it's with my kids in my kitchen.  I guess, in a way, some things never change.

Sometimes it's just really nice to let go and have fun, especially with my kids.  I don't want my kids to think I was always this boring.  :]

Cute FREE Printables

I came across this blog today that has the CUTEST FREE printables!  I love free (who doesn't, right?), and since my walls are still embarrassingly bare, I have been on the lookout for some cute sayings to add to my wall decor.  I don't have any Valentines decor, so these printables are way cute for this time of year, but really they could work year round, and if you click on this blogs "freebies" link, you will see all the other cute free printables she has to offer.

Something a little personal (A Re-post)

I first wrote this post in 2008.  I have gone back and forth (as I do a lot with many decisions in my life) as to how personal I want my blog to be, but entries about our own personal experience with autism keep creeping their way back into my blog, so I guess there is a part of me that wants to keep sharing.  For a while, I thought I would just have a separate blog for those experiences, but hey, who am I kidding?  I barely have enough time to write in one blog.  So I thought I would re-post this entry, and start over again with an occasional experience here and there for the same reasons I gave below- I just need an outlet, so bear with me... :)


At first, I really wanted to keep my blog very basic. I did not want to post anything too personal or revealing to anyone who actually knows me (I tend to be somewhat of a private person). I even decided to start a separate blog for these "personal" thoughts. However, I think I have changed my mind (and I hope I don't regret this). Before, I get into anything too deep, I must confess that I am not a writer (maybe you have already noticed). English was never one of my stronger subjects. Luckily I have a husband, who is much more gifted in this area than I, who has been able to help me improve a bit with this weakness over the years. However, I still have a long way too go, so just bear with me.

For some time now, I have wanted a place where I can go to share my feelings, thoughts, experiences about my life and family with a son who has autism. I have kept most of these thoughts to myself for various reasons. However, I think everyone probably needs an outlet for something. We all have unique experiences, challenges that change our lives forever. I have definitely had my share of those experiences, as I know many of you have, but nothing has struck me like having a child with autism. This has truly been a life-changing experience, and yet I know I still have a lot to learn from it. I know my life will continue to change, be challenged, and be blessed because of this special experience with my son.

My view on this disease has also evolved and I feel the need to share this simple, non-scientific perspective with others. I know everyone's experience with autism is unique. Everyone deals with it in their own way. I am not here to judge anyone on how they have chosen to tackle this disease.

So, basically, every once in a while I am going to break from my usual family update, to share an "autism experience". I think that this is just something I need to do.

Ben's Love for Shoes

Ben has developed quite a fascination with our shoes.  He is also really into hats, I just haven't been quick enough to snap some photos of him when he is wearing them.

 

Luckily I got a two-for-one when he decided he wanted to wear my pink hat with Vanessa's boots.  He insisted on wearing that hat all day long.

  He actually seems to like my high heels the best.

Man I just love this kid!

Best Run in Months!

I have really been in a running rut.  I have felt absolutely zero excitement about running lately.  Of course, I always get in a rut around this time of year.  I usually end up doing most of my runs on the treadmill because I am such a baby about the cold weather, and I hate running on the treadmill day after day while staring at my unfinished basement wall.

But tonight, something came over me, and  my love for running has been renewed.  I feel like I could run through wind, rain, and fire (well, maybe I am exaggerating a bit).  Why?  Because I bought a new album tonight that I just LOVE and the music has gotten me so pumped up that I am really excited about running again!  Music makes all the difference to me when it comes to running.  If my music gets old, then running gets old.  Old music and cold weather is a BAD combination, but now with my new tunes, I think I can get through these long winter months to train for a half-marathon I wanted to do this spring.

So, are you wondering what I was listening too?  Well, I won't keep you in suspense any longer.  I will tell you one of the albums I bought tonight.  I bought the new Natasha Bedingfield album.  I highly recommend it.  I enjoyed the album so much, I ended up dancing around like a fool in my basement for about 30 minutes after I finished my run.

I feel like a new women.  No, really.  With the kids being out for winter break, and Evan being off of his routine, today was really rough and the rest of the week will probably not be much different.  I really needed to let go tonight, and now,... I feel like I can make it through the rest of this week.  And it just feels great to be excited to run again.

I will probably be dancing around like a fool with my kids all day tomorrow.

Thank goodness for good music!

A Christmas Video

Many of you have probably already seen this video, but I wanted to post it anyway.  I really love this video.  I get a little emotional every time I watch it.  Any time I am reminded of why we truly celebrate Christmas, I feel peace.

Enjoy!

Technical Difficulties

Apparently those large empty spaces I am seeing on my computer are filled with giant size pictures that others are seeing on their computers.  I am not sure what is going on,... so I apologize for the life-size photos.  Hopefully I can get this figured out soon.