Count My Blessings!

I attended a really great autism conference over the weekend. I have been to many of these over the years, but this one was different for me. Instead of learning about what autism is and how it was going to affect my boys, all the different types of therapy available and the latest and greatest, I focused on where we are headed in the future. I often wonder what lies in store for my sweet boys. The keynote speaker was Dr. Temple Grandin, a autistic 61 year old woman. She was raised in the 50's when children with autism where institutionalized. My mom and I heard her mother speak a few years ago and I found her to be amazing. Anyway, Dr. Grandin has written a new book about developing talents and job skills to our amazing kiddos so that they may find a career one day. She was fascinating to listen to, but more so to watch. She confirmed my belief that you cannot cure autism, just roll with what life throws at you with each developmental stage and do the very best that you can.

It seems like yesterday that I was worried my children would never talk, wear normal clothes, go to school or interact in their community. Now we are looking at teen age scenerios that are almost common, and looking at the best 9th grade options we can find. Jax will do amazing things with his bright, big mind. Today he is convinced that he will be the world's best palentologist.

As I talk with other mothers and listen to their stories I thank my Heavenly Father for my situation. No matter how difficult some days are and how much I wish my boys didn't have to deal with autism, I am so very blessed. I realize that things could be so much worse. Autism is a challenge, a very real and difficult one, but it has taught me to be patient, understanding, creative, appreciative and to treasure the insight my children give me.

I thought that my boys were so very excited for Halloween this year. Jackson was until he actually got into costume. I think he freaked himself out with his face paint and sprayed hair. All he could talk about was getting his haircut after going trick or treating. It did rain on us to start the night off, but it didn't get too cool. The boys called it quits after almost an hour, which means less candy for the parents!

My big boy, Kaylor, turns 16

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy! I can't believe I have had this amazing child in my life for sixteen years. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. He has really grown, both physically and emotionally, this past year. He takes great pride in the fact that he's grown taller than me. He is oh so ready to get his driver's license so he can be "official", which won't be until that eagle project is completed. The fact that he will soon start dating completely freaks me out. Any advice out there, please send it my way.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLOR!

The valley of the goblins

We took a last minute trip over the fall break to Goblin Valley. I love this place! Nowhere else can you let your kids run and climb all over without worrying about someone telling them to get down and behave. Not that that happens to us often!

We were lucky enough to have our good friends, the Hathaway's, join us for the day. It helped to have others there to be brave and show off for. I enjoyed watching Sadie, 4, pose for photos! Such a cute girl. We girls took it a bit easier than the monkeys who I claim as children.

We packed our bags with snacks, water, and sunscreen and ventured into another world. The boys were off without hesitation and immediately imagination took over. They acted out scenes from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, threw a football from goblin to goblin, and had a great game of both Sardines and Hide and Seek. They imagined the perfect hide out and what they would do for Emergency Survival. They just better hope they don't need to hide out in the heat of the summer or they may melt. They climbed up the rocks as far as they could without thinking about how they would get back down-why do they do that?

In all we had a great break from the regular chaos we call life!

I'm entering the blog race

I have decided to attempt to find time to start blogging. I have resisted for a long while, but I figure if I can find time to read my friends and loved ones sites, then I can find a moment in the controlled chaos I call life to record on mine.

I will most likely post family photos, insights, spiritual thoughts, quirky comments, tidbits on living with autism, and whatever else comes my way.

This blog site will also take place of my journal, which the keeping of is sporadic at best.