Monday, December 29, 2014

Pineapple Express '14

What else happened in December ... oh yes - rain! After too many years of drought, especially after this past Spring that almost never was, we welcomed rain from a Pineapple Express.


I think we received some delayed water shipments, because the storm on December 11th dumped so much on us in a short while that roads, freeways, storm drains, and creeks were overwhelmed.

From Kent Porter in the Press Democrat
For the first time ever up here, school was cancelled for both kids/districts. Really, it was because the roads were compromised and people weren't sure about landslides later in the day. Regardless, I am so glad James does not take the bus. Some kids were waiting in the rain for 30 minutes for buses that never came - that's how close his school district cut it.  I actually called him in sick first, because his lack of eating after his procedure plus his anxiety over getting spots of water on his clothing just made staying home the better option that day.

James' sister's school waited too late, in my opinion. I was almost in the car with her before getting their cancellation message. Some parents had already dropped their kids at school and had to go back and get them. Oh, there were MANY unhappy parents that day ... which is why both districts announced that same afternoon that schools would also be closed the next day (Friday).

While I was glad my husband could be home with the kids, it was a bit sad to be the only one in the family who did not get a Rain Day off. Still, I did get an earlier start (and finish) than usual. I even got to do what the locals do when we get Rain -- head up to Memorial Bridge and take some pictures while sipping some Flying Goat coffee.
Memorial Bridge, under construction - yes, the workers were there & working - almost at flood stage.

On the railroad bridge, watching the park flood. haven't seen *that* in a while!

On the Way Home

James' procedure took us in to San Francisco the day of Walt Disney's birthday, which meant that we'd be driving by the Disney Family Museum while it was FREE to the public.

We almost made it. James even thought about it. After all, the special exhibit is Walt Disney's trains, and James loves trains.

However, there was this slight issue that James could not walk very well and what he *really* wanted to do was to go home. He did, however humour me and let me drive by.

There was even an open parking spot RIGHT in front of the museum's front entrance! Free parking for 2 hours ... sigh.

But nope. It would only be fun for me, and James had already put up with a lot that day. So off we went, headed north.

Meanwhile, During the Holidays ...

I haven't been posting because things have been pretty white knuckled these last few weeks.

James came out of his procedure fighting mad. Literally. He started roaring before he came fully out of the general anesthesia; as soon he could talk, he was howling at the top of his lungs: "Owwwwww!!! It hurts! It HURTS!!!!!" and bucking on the gurney. I tried telling him I was there and everything was over and he was ok.

"No, it is NOT ok!!"

"These people are NOT NICE!!!"

"I HATE San Francisco. It is NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!!!!"

Then the recovery room fun really began.


"aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!! It hurts! IT HURTS!!" He hollered, as he thrashed about, kicking off his blankets and reveling the fact that he'd somehow also shucked the hospital gown and was now completely clothing-free.

Then he grabbed the IV line in his foot: "Get this OFF OF MEEEEEEE!!!" and almost yanked it out right then and there. We got hold of him as gently as we could and tried unsuccessfully to calm him. The nurse removed the IV line as soon as she saw he was as good as he was going to get and offered James a Spiderman band-aid. "I don't WANT a STUPID band-aid!" he informed her, before being reminded that the polite way to refuse something. "No. thank. you," he tersely amended his statement.

The recovery room nurse was so nice. Everyone one we met there was fabulously helpful and nice. But before too long the "it's okay, some people come out of anesthesia like that" changed to "okay, you can go now!" I got a big hug on the way out and was told to take care of myself.

But it was not over yet, oh no.

As we wheeled into the elevator to leave the building, a group of older people slowly got on the elevator in front of us. One lady saw James and kindly tried a smile at him. "I don't like you!" he yelled. I died a little more inside, apologised to her, and then apprised James, in a low voice, that he'd just lost iPad privileges for a good chunk of the afternoon.

I won't even go into line to get to the machine at the parking garage because the group in front of me didn't have their ticket and were trying to pay anyhow. If you wish, picture that with construction crews spray painting around us and James wailing for all he's worth on the sidelines. OMG with a side of lalalalalalala.

We did make it home without incident. James even ate some ice cream. Then I went in to work for a bit and made websites better.

Then James refused to eat PERIOD. Because food is evil, his throat and tummy were sore, and he still did not want to poop. See what you missed?

Friday, December 05, 2014

At the OR

Waiting is awful, when you are outside the OR. Even for minor procedures, such as the one James is undergoing right now, it is tough on the psyche. I hold his hand and smile, and try to not think of anything that could go wrong. We've sliced fruit, ninja-style. We've watched PBS kid programs. I helped him take his meds, hold the mask, and now I am waiting. Watching his number on a board and waiting for it to change from blue to pink, so I can sit by him in recovery.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Thankful Thursday, Special Edition

Thanksgiving post, a little late. Despite not having to host a gathering, still a lot to accomplish. A lot of wishes and pleas this Thanksgiving, mainly for health and fortitude for loved ones, among all the things to be thankful for. Stressful times, they keep on coming. Good things and people keep us going.

Yesterday, while baking side dishes to share at a family gathering, I observed James and his sister at play. I love it when this happens. It was mainly KJS, their version of follow-the-(older sister)-leader.

James did really well with the math questions thrown at him. Zumba time on my old aerobics step was priceless to eavesdrop on. The game was is old Curious George memory game. Story time hit a detour and turned into ....

Adop-a-pet!
James his bedhead ... and Doug

Big Sister and Kitty Boy

Most fun baking ever! Hope everyone enjoyed a good day with family and friends.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Things. in. Their. Places.

James has not really lined up toys in order, the way some kids on the spectrum do, but he has a very definite idea of what things go where and can obsess over things out of place.


Like tonight, when I made him change his seat on the way home, because there were bags in the back, where he's been sitting for the last few months (ever since he and his sister got too big to share a row in the car).

Oh. My. Goodness.

Twenty minutes of "I don't like _insert everything under the sun_" and "let me out Right Now!"

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall the way home.

And then he was fine. I am working on that myself.


Monday, November 17, 2014

Holiday Talking, Brought To You By the Letter "I"

Trying something a little new this year - talking about Thanksgiving and being thankful. A bit of a challenge when he's found the VHS tape of Sesame Street episodes I taped when he was a baby. He's focused on the subway scene at the end credits and why Big Bird has long legs.

We did manage to establish that Thanksgiving is when people give things like turkeys and chicken!

I explained that I am thankful for things like ... his smile, our family, a nice house, and good friends.

With a little prompting, James shared he's thankful for I Spy Treasure Hunt at the library.

Of course.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

CSI Elementary: The Case of the Missing Underwear

The time: Last Thursday. The place: school campus. The call: More clean underwear mom, STAT.


I delivered the goods in a manilla envelope, clearly labeled, for delicacy's sake. The front desk took them. The aide confirms receipt. Since then: poof. They have disappeared. About half the underwear in his wardrobe is now gone. We have confirmed they are not hiding out at home. Hoping the name on the envelope helps locate it at school.

Otherwise, I need to go shopping. Maybe these will keep this from happening again?
They are even Hanes, his favourite brand.

Epilogue: The perps were nabbed at a relative's house.  Case closed! 
                *cue the electronic gavel sound*

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Planning the Holiday Avalanche Campaign, 2014

Thanks to The Peaceful Mom for inspiration
Well, the IEP, Walkathon, Book Fair, School Photos, Halloween and first report cards are now behind us. Time to seriously get thinking about the holidays. Yes, I have become that person out of necessity. Especially now that I working full time again, and have to deal with Winter Break coverage for the kids.

Who collectively have birthdays right before and after Christmas and New Years. Well planned ...not!!

I have counted my PTO and booked it all away ... praying no one gets sick before then. I should be able to spend a good chunk of time with the kids over the hols this year. Trying to figure out childcare that last week between  the time our wonderful regular care person goes home for the holidays and the kids are off and I can start taking time to be with them is going to be a bit tricky.

I have started research for holiday and birthday gifts. It's looking like they've way outgrown their older bikes, so it might be time for some bigger ones. I have lots of ideas for James' older sister. For James, however, it can be a challenge to find something fun that he will enjoy that is NOT an electronic game or device.

So far, I am looking at all things I Spy, as it's high on his interest radar, helps his vocabulary and interpersonal play/communication, and has gift-worthy items that are not limited to books or electronic games.

James likes music so much that I'd like to get him some kind of music player ... preferably one that does not involve too much money and survive his inquisitive nature (he likes to disassemble things).

While James did love building and playing with the marble run a few years back, it was difficult to keep set up and the pieces started disappearing, so no LEGOS or little do-hickey play kits. Although these Squiz tempt me into thinking this might be something he'd enjoy playing with, and help his finger fine motor skills. Likewise, the Squap, which he could play with family or friends, even indoors.

I dunno .. open to suggestions here!


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

When Meltdowns Destroy The World

Thanks to Defying the Spectrum for this infographic
We've been up, down, and all around. We skirted a head cold just before Halloween. James has had good days, and ones where self care issues are still interfering with school. He's decided food is evil and refuses to eat foods he's enjoyed for years. I've resorted to constant snacks and calls to get help from a nutritionist.

I've found out that James has not been receiving his 2x weekly speech sessions at school over the past 3 weeks, as the therapist has been out on medical leave. I had to ask if he was getting them to find this out. Now I am asking what the make-up plan is. Communication and speech continue to be struggles for James. Sources of frustration.

There's been a run of healthcare issues that involve more angst and cleaning labor than illness. My eczema is having a fine time and is currently well on its way to splitting open the skin on all my right fingertips.

I am helping my daughter work out that the badly worded math word problems are asking for. Oh the irony. I long to answer "who cares?" for many of said word problems. James and I are working on his reading log. There is not a lot of free time in the day. At night, James has been waking up regularly at 11pm, crying. I help him to the bathroom and he starts hicupping, which makes him furious. I coax him back into bed and he crashes. I am wrung out.

Through it all we've been hanging in there. Discouraged and tired at times, but plugging along. Until this afternoon. When James decided to bug his sister while she was finishing her homework. He ignored requests and warnings to stop. He earned a time out. A meltdown ensued over the next 90 minutes.

Oh. No. All the plans I had for the afternoon (write a letter, bake some breakfast muffins, do some cleaning) went right out the window. Everything narrowed down to helping my daughter finish her math and staying calm while trying to get James to calm down. Both eventually happened. By the time James calmed down, homework was finished and he'd lost iPad privileges for the rest of the day. Most of the afternoon had gone.

I am sapped. And worried. James is going to be a big guy. He gets very upset when people attempt the shush him or restrict him. I am worried about his teenage years and beyond. I want James to have words and tools to express how he's feeling and try and get what he needs  ... not have meltdowns.

I finally figured out James needed to eat. His mood improved quite a bit after he ate something. I am still worried. Hoping we have a good night's sleep, and tomorrow is a better day, with no meltdowns in it.

Monday, October 27, 2014

This IEP Is Beginning to Feel a Lot Like ...

On Friday after school, the Services Coordinator gave to me: a big manilla envelope - 12 pages of a pre-IEP.
                                                      image borrowed from specialneeds.com

On Saturday I opened an envelope addressed to me; it contained results from James' CAPA test (the first to me I believe I have seen).

On Monday, while at work, two phone calls rang through to me:
 - The Behaviourist with clarification questions so she could bring recommendations to the table.
 - James' OT Therapist, full of encouragement for the tasks of which James was able.
    Who also notified me of his notes and the student OT respresentative, who'd take his place at
    the IEP and keep the meeting stable.

At pickup time on Monday, James' aide did share with me: funds were needed for a party; he was short on milk money; and he loved his music class and listened to Vivaldi.

Paperwork, money, presents, stress, get togethers, anticipation, trying to hold on to messages of hope ... this meeting is reminding me a lot of the holidays.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Weekend Summary

James loves driving around town with us to look at Halloween decorations. He has a new favourite decoration to supplant the Splatty Witch: big black Halloween cats, preferably inflated.

James, his Dad, and I lay siege to his room today. Out came 2 large garbage bags of trash, a bag of outgrown clothing & shoes, and 2 bags of outgrown toys and books (to be donated to his preschool). Oh, and a rocking chair. In came another book shelf for all the books that had been tumbled about on the floor, precariously perched on some things and buried under others. James now has room to play. And get dressed. This only took the entire afternoon ...

Realization: eating french fries together with milk will now almost aways trigger an upchuck episode with James. Milk alone is not the trigger. French fries are tricky but he has eaten them solo and not been sick. Adios to this duo for a while.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Adventure at the Library - Ahoy!

James, outside our library.
"Come on, James, time to get your shoes on. We're going!"
"Where we going?" (with reluctance - he's on his iPad)
"Where have you been asking to go all week?"

GASP

"The Liiiiiiiibrary!!!!!!!"

Happy dance ensues.

I wish I could tell you it was for the books. But really, it was for this. They have Eye Spy on the games computer at the library.

We do check out books too, for our weekly reading log. They don't get the happy dance, but they still get a bit of the shine from visiting our local library.

Some of the books we've checked out lately:


So far, Peppa's the favourite. So it goes.

Friday, October 24, 2014

IEP For Fourth Grade

James' annual IEP is next week, and so far I am relieved at the communication beforehand. It's rather organic this time around, and with a new team on a new campus. It's rather refreshing because they seem to be looking at James, rather than a standardized checklist.

t-shirt from zazzle.com
There was no issue with changing the date of the IEP (their request this time and they asked if it worked for me too), which right away made me feel better, There's been communication back and forth. When I wrote a note this week, asking to have a behaviourist added to the meeting to address the recent bathroom issues, I got a phone call 2 days later from the services coordinator to go over ideas she and the behaviourist had come up with and asking for input. I will hopefully get a look at a draft of the IEP before the meeting, which would really help.

AND: she shared with me that they have bought noise-cancelling headphones, especially for James, to help filter out noise and help him stay in the classroom and focus on his work. This, compared to the last 2 years? I think I've died and gone to IEP heaven.


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Throwing Back to Pumpkins Past

I was looking back through the pictures of the kids, visiting a local pumpkin patch over the years. Hard to believe these were taken 5 years ago!






And here are a couple that are 4 years old:




....

and then there's this year:




Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Diabolical Digestion (Not for the Queasy)

So we've been struggling still with James' digestive issues. After an epic visit at the medical office, involving a horrible howling meltdown and culminating with me pinning his head and four nurses restraining him to get a blood draw (two tries, because no blood appeared on the first stick) ... James came up negative for diabetes and positive for Celiac Disease.

I cried. I won't lie. Yes, I know it's always good to know what the issue is and we are lucky that there are now so many gluten free options ... It's another blow; another 20# weight to drag around and another endless series of trial and error while hoping for improvement.

Next step was a follow up with a pediatric GI specialist. Who is based in SF. Of course. Took a couple of weeks, but I scheduled a phone appointment. Which was interesting, because he saw the results and said the positive result was for a test with a 20% false positive rate and the more reliable test showed elevated levels, but not what he considered to be positive.

So, two options: (A) Bring James in to SF for an endoscopic biopsy for a definitive answer. (B) Retest in six months with another blood test. I totally went with B.

Option A entails me losing a day of work, James a day of school, and me transporting a car sick guy (who will be crying, because he won't understand why he had to fast this morning)  and putting him under anesthesia (after waiting around, checking in, etc.), and then driving back up in commute traffic.


Also, James' dad had brought home some probiotic powder, which I put into his yogurt squeeze-ups. They seemed to have a good effect. I also bought prune juice and started spiking his other yogurt squeeze-ups. The prunes helped things start to empty out. The vomiting stopped.

Until today. There's been some very messy, extended sessions in the bathroom both at home and at school. He has had a lot of gas. Yesterday, I had to pick him up early from school, as he kept using the bathroom and then whining about not feeling good. Lots of laundry. Lots of cleaning. At the end of today he kind of purged his system from both ends, thankfully in the bathroom here at home. The only reason I can write about it now is because James' dad cleaned it up.

Good lord, I hope tomorrow is better.

Monday, September 01, 2014

Constipation Constrictions, Encore

This latest all-stop constipation episode has been coming on gradually, in spite of my upping his morning Miralax dose in milk. He's stopped eating regular meals and claims he hates food. He wants a new James. The yammying and not feeling good have been taking a toll on James and the rest of us. Getting him out of the house is a trial and involves extreme, loud melt downs that are not typical for James.

Good news is that it's not as excruciating as other occurrences. Bad news is that his bowels are plugged with matter and air and he's good only while at home. So I have been looking up home remedies. So far I've tried adding probiotics to his yogurts, trying to get him to drink more water and less milk (which is always now spiked with at least a little Miralax. Tonight I added some Magnesium Citrate to his apple juice and he actually ate half a pb&j on whole wheat bread with plum jam. The pharmacy in town gave us some lotion that contains magnesium - I rubbed some on his tummy.

Next up: adding baking soda to some water -- supposed to be good for clearing air out of the system. He'll be out tomorrow from school and his doctor is supposed to call back with results from the epically screamy blood draw last Friday. Hopefully there will not be anything new to contend with.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Paging Mrs. Peacock ...

I have a 4th grader and a 6th grader. James is in 4th grade. Not. Possible!

Oh wait, I think it's coming back to me now ....


As per our district's cluster system, James has moved across town this year to a new campus, new team, new staff (new director of special ed, new superintendent ... ) ... and some friends. Not play date or sleepover friends, but friends who call his name and make sure to say "Hi!" when they see him. He got a hug from a sweet former classmate this morning. It helps a lot.

We've had a ton of pushback at home and testing behaviours at school already. Noisy, messy, and completely nerve-wracking for us all. We've had CONSQUENCES. I think the horror of a bath and shampoo in response to the bathroom drama had the desired result and things have quieted down.

When there has been no upchucking for 2 weeks, I will celebrate, probably by going out in the  back yard and dancing under the stars to the waning symphony of summer crickets. I think I still have some Sangria in the fridge from last year ...

I should not be surprised that services and communications in the district are in such disarray, but I am. What is different is the feeling I get when trying to work with this new crew. And that, strangely enough, is "welcome!"

So yeah, good and bad, but we're all in this together. And it's looking possible to make things better, if only for those who come after. Meanwhile, I'll be lounging in the Library with Prof. Plum, my Book, and a Candle Stick (for filling out all that blessed paperwork) ...


Monday, July 21, 2014

Undone By One Piece

So James and I are now both sick with a head cold. I *finally* found a way to get him his OTC cold meds & melatonin that will help him get to sleep and rest through the night (which gives me a chance to recover too). Now I am trying to keep him from being on an electronic device all day while I limp through some chores and try to rest.

The usual good solution, working on a puzzle, resulting in a whining stint because (horrors) ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE IS MISSING! He's put this puzzle together many times. I have no clue where that missing piece is. The puzzle came from the Dollar Store, so it's unlikely it's still in stock.

On a whim, I Googled "Missing Puzzle Piece" and ... wowsers - multiple web pages, two with links to the jigsaw doctor, who replaces missing pieces for a fee. Um ... no.

Usually James is very good about putting his puzzles away, so I really I hope I find that blasted piece.  I will probably end up making a new piece, the way his Dad did when he obsessed over the alphabet puzzle and THE LETTER U WAS MISSING.

Meanwhile, we played the SpongeBob Memory Game until James called a break.



I so want a nap now.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Peripherally Compatible

There is something relaxing about working on my laptop in the kitchen with James perched on my right, playing Angry Birds on his iPad that's propped up on the kitchen counter. He's checking out my blog post, I'm watching him explode through levels of Angry Birds.

Music is ELO through my online music account. We're all going through the cold now, and semi sleep-deprived. But we've nowhere to go and chores have been done. Rain is dropping fitfully around the county. It's a lazy Sunday afternoon. I'm doing stuff, but there's no big hurry. My buddy's by my side and we're hanging out together.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Sleep Deprived Morning# 2,842

Four thirty am wakeup. Augh. Colour me cranky and wilted.

Dude. You've got some
serious 'splaining to do - yarrr!
I was rousted from sleep and bed when James spilled water on his blankets, prompting howls they dry out Right. Now. Helped him rearrange his blankets and he refused melatonin, which would have helped him fall back asleep. He spent the next two hours humming & talking to himself in bed, punctuated with prolonged trips to the bathroom (that I had to get up and end when they ran past the 10-minute mark).

Past the usual time, he asked politely to play on his iPad ... which lasted twenty minutes before he started yelling at the new Angry Birds Game. Couldn't get him to stop yelling or change games. Finally took the iPad away, which resulted in a howling meltdown. HOWLING.

This is not like James. I know he is tired and fighting off a cold, but that is a distant thought when I need sleep as much as I did this morning.

Thanks, Steve!
So the way to deal with howling meltdowns recently: stay close by quietly and let him vent for a short amount of time. Talk soothingly. Let him know I hear him and get that he's frustrated and angry. Wait for him to calm a bit and then ask if I can give him a hug. Break the behaviour with a distraction, which this time was to come out and watch the video he'd gotten from the library: Blue's Clues. He had some breakfast.

James is doing much better now. He even came over and apologised twice for waking me up so early.  I am on my second pot of coffee. We're about to do the grocery shopping soon and he's looking forward to helping out. I am looking forward to a nap and an extra-happy Happy Hour this afternoon.

Epilogue: James just came over and felt my forehead, diagnosed me with the flu, and told me I should stay home from work and REST. Then danced away. Saved again by a sweet bedside manner!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Imaginary Matches

James does a lot of vocal scripting of things he's heard or watched repeatedly, usually from games or childrens' tv shows. His aide at school really worked his ability to take things in visually and give him some key phrases to use in social and school situations.

This morning, his more recent love of the Memory Game and scripting blended together in an unusual wakeup. Normally, James exits his bedroom and announces his intent to use the bathroom or ask to play on his iPad. This morning, he casually draped himself over the arm of the sofa and started matching imaginary cards, prompting me to play with "Your Turn."

We enjoyed flipping over nonexistent cards and naming really random things, occasionally matching things. It was a fun way to start our morning. Happy Friday!



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Furry Pals

Yesterday I took James in for an evaluation at the Swain Center. His former caseworker at North Bay Regional Center had heard about James' wonderful social progress with his peers and discovered that he was eligible for a Social Pragmatic Skills course at the ever-fabulous Swain Center.

James remembered coming to the office from years back. He was doing well until some companion dogs came through the office and someone outside fired up a leaf-blower - then he freaked. Those are two things that make him very uncomfortable.

Even though I can tell James *wants* to like animals, their random, independent movement freaks him out. This is how James likes best to interact with animals right now:


For more images that speak volumes and to share some of yours, visit Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Summer Reading 2014: Catching Up

Summer school is over for the year already. No cherries but plenty of plums to deal with in the back yard during a drought. I made plum jam for the first time! James is part of our wonderful library's Summer Reading Program. I did sign him up and he has been doing the reading, I just haven't been going to update his card - gah!

We are lucky to have an in-home daycare person who loves books and reading. It's actually her regular job when school's in session. Over a break-in period of several days, she recommended activities and books to read. The grammar series by Brian P. Cleary is a hoot and fun to read. It rhymes like Dr. Seuss and had brilliant illustrations.

 

What sets them apart for me is how well they visually parse sentences. In "Hairy, Scary, Ordinary," all the adjectives are in colour and the rest of the sentence text is black. The Nouns pop out in a sort of Technicolour riot across the pages of "A Mink, A Fink, A Skating Rink."

 


The self-proclaimed Word Nerd also has a marvelous website, which like the books is filled with the energetic and engaging illustrations from Jenya Prosmitsky. The content on the site is rich, and includes games and tests.

We're off and reading!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Summer School Lite

Summer school starts this morning for James. I am sorry to hear his teacher from the past 2 years will not be leading the session. She was organized and energetic. After managing restless and active regular K-1 classrooms, she could keep a class of special needs children grades K-5 under control and yet engage them in work.

This year we've lost Mondays. The session runs Tuesday-Friday, mornings only. I would be unhappy, except I know who is teaching the session. I am looking at this as Keeping Up A School Routine. I am about excited for this as James is, which is not much.

I will get a preview of his Services Coordinator for the next 2 years. I think she likes what she does, but I also am of the opinion that James is a different person from who she thinks he is. So, it's also an opportunity to try and introduce her to that more able person and hope for a better connection.

I am putting this in the back of my head in the hope that I will get some ideas for something helpful I can input into the classroom over the next 4 weeks, instead of just complaining or fretting. Some good ideas come out that way.

Sunday, June 08, 2014

The Autism Ticket

I saw this today and immediately my brain went to Autism ... more specifically finding out one day that you are now an Autism Parent, on a ride for life.


My next thought was "No, I didn't 'buy' that ticket, I was kinda handed the ticket." But that's not quite true.

James' Dad and I both knew we were definitely in the older edge of prospective parenthood. I've even been called his grandma (yeah, not fun for the ego). We both knew the increased chances of birth defects and other issues if we decided to try for kids. We agreed to accept whatever came along.

So yeah, I guess I did buy that ticket after all.

And the ride? Heart breaking. Lonely. Disappointing. Hard. Thrilling. Exciting. It's given me a new and deeper understanding of the meaning of love, and appreciation that the Little Things in Life often produce some of the best good news you could ever hope to find.



Not the ride experience I would have chosen, but it's part of our lives and I do not want a refund.

Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Baseball for All

A big, heart-felt thank you to George Lawson, The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise, and the Wonder League, for bringing us all the joy of playing ball with others and having fun together, regardless of one's abilities.





For more images that tell a story, and to share some of yours,
visit Wordless Wednesday!