Reading, Writing, Arithmetic... Homework Really Makes Me Sick!!!

Well sick may be a strong word, I guess overwhelmed is more like it. In my opinion the homework we are getting in 3rd grade is a lot for a typical kid, so with Austin's Autism it's like triple. His first big project of the year is over the scientific method. This is something I did not learn about until the 6th grade. (insert 20 years ago)

After the initial shock of a project this big we finally sat down and started brainstorming. (Which by the way is not the best word to use with Austin because he is scared to death of storms and I can only imagine the picture he saw.) So, after some Pinterest searching I came up with 2 ideas for him to choose from, the fewer the better. His options were A.)  Will bananas brown faster in the fridge or out on the counter? B.) Will glow sticks glow brighter in cold water or hot water?

He chose B, of course glow sticks are more fun than bananas!! Lydia was eager to put her 2 cents in as well and helped us decide on what all we need and how to go about conducting our experiment. More on how this experiment turns out coming later.


Speaking of Lydia, I am proud to say that she was chosen as the first Student of the Week for Kindergarten. We are so incredibly proud of her and her eagerness to learn and strive to do her absolute best. I can see already that she is going to have a competitive side, but I hope she always uses it for good!! She brought her first homework packet home last night which is not due until Friday. Within 30 minutes she had completed it all and then began trying to help Austin and I with his. I'm amazed at how much she learns and retains at such a young age and that she is going to be beneficial in helping Austin even if he is 3 grades ahead of her.

Hello School Year 2015-2016

Both kiddos started school last Wednesday August 12, 2015. Austin started 3rd grade and Lydia started Kindergarten. First of all may I ask where the time goes? 

I had been mentally preparing myself for 3rd grade all Summer. Knowing that it would be a huge transition year and a move to another building for Austin. I had already heard horror stories of the mounds of homework, projects, reading, writing, testing, etc... But, what I wasn't ready for was the fact of how often he would be changing classes and how many teachers he would have in 1 day. We went from 4 a day in 2nd grade to 7 a day in 3rd grade. Yes, I said SEVEN!! I'm still a little in shock over this, but we are hoping it may be a good thing for Austin to have the time to move around between classes. The time will hopefully allow him to release some built up tension and energy and get some hopping and flapping out of the way. The first 3 days of school were basically just the getting to know me stuff and what to expect. Yesterday was when the homework came home. And, boy it is already double what he had last year!! More on this will be coming when Mama here is more comfortable and a routine is placed.

Now to Lydia, my social butterfly LOVES Kindergarten. Of course she was ready to go the day after Pre-School was over. She has a wonderfully sweet teacher Mrs. Shannon (whom also had Austin in Kindergarten) and her aide Mrs. Cheryl. She will eventually have homework but so far just the getting to know me stuff for her. She says she is ready for homework and had to have something to work on while Austin did his work, so we worked on writing the letters. Things with Lydia are so much different that with Austin, not only because of the Autism, but the fact that she is a girl makes a huge difference as well.

I think with some time, adjustment and routine placements we will rock this 2015-2016 school year. Of course it's still early and my glass is half full!! 

4 years... Look How Far We've Come!!

March will mark 4 years since we got Austin's official diagnosis of Autism. At that time I had hardly ever heard of Autism, had no idea what all it included nor how broad the spectrum really was. I consumed myself with literature, research, studies, testimonials, and found a support group a county away. Met with professionals, teachers, other parents, etc... We were scared and intimidated, but we were also hopeful. Many, many prayers went up (and still go up) for Austin and our family. At that time Austin couldn't tell me when he was hurting, hungry, sad, happy etc... When he needed something he would point and grunt. Sometimes he would just cry and cry. Fortunately, we were blessed that he wasn't aggressive, but passive. He would hug us and allow us to snuggle him. One thing that he used to do (even before we suspected anything) was pat. He would gently pat everything, his high chair, people, toys, etc... It was so sweet when you would hold him and he would pat you on the back.

After the diagnosis he was able to start getting therapies at school and a more hands on approach with learning. And, along with God and all the prayers and love he slowly began to come out of his shell. He started talking, although at first it was just repeating what everyone said. After a year he was talking to us, able to tell us what he needed.although it was still limited. I will never forget the first time he was able to tell me his ear was hurting instead of just crying and us not figuring out why. One of the most cherished moments happened during our first trip to CCK. He was 5 years old and we had just gotten to our room and unloading our stuff and he hugged me and my Mom and said for the first time "I LOVE YOU". We were in tears and so, so happy to hear him say those words. So many parents take for granted when their children say those 3 little words, but when you have gone 5 years without hearing it the first time is monumental and heart warming.

Here we are 4 years later now and he is a totally different child. Talks all the time, sasses, back talks, gives attitude etc.... He has come so far and though we still have struggles when I look back I see how minor those are compared to where we were.

A friend of mine shared this video with me and it reminded me of where we used to be and where we are now. And, that we are getting by and will continue. Austin is my Hero and I love him more than infinity!!

2 Hour Cleaning Job

How do kids accumulate so much stuff? Lydia's room had gotten quite out of hand and I just kept looking over it and kicking a path, but I just couldn't stand it ANYMORE. Below are the before pics. Don't ask me why there is a step ladder right in the middle of the floor.

I sent Pete the above pic at work and said if you don't hear from me please send a search party. After 2 hours of throwing junk away, arranging books, toys, clothes, jewelry, make up, hair bows, and shoes I finally seen an actual room. Oh, I can't forget all the stuffed animals as seen on her bed below.

The toy kitchen was also a wreck.

But, this happened....

I'm happy to see the floor, but it also makes me CRINGE. I forgot about all the little stains that have surfaced over the last 10 years and now am super ready to pull it all up.

Now, that it is clean I'm going to attempt to work out a daily to do list for Lydia to help keep it clean. The next big tackle will be Austin's room. Luckily, it's much bigger and doesn't look as messy.

CCK Autism Weekend Retreat

This past weekend we attended The Center for Courageous Kids Autism weekend retreat. This was the 5th time Austin and I had been. 3rd time for Pete and 2nd time for Lydia. We had a wonderful weekend, even if there was snow.

The kids always have such a great time enjoying all the activities which include Gym, wood shop, arts and crafts, cooking, bowling, game room, swimming, dancing, movie night, horse back riding and of course the great food.

Austin didn't want to do much, but play in the gym and swim this trip. He bowled 1 game and made a UK house in wood shop, and spent some time in the game room. But, most of his time was spent in the gym playing basketball, kick ball and running around. Lydia wanted to do everything and pretty much did. I didn't get pictures of everything we did, but fun was had by all.

We also got an excellent counselor this weekend. Miss Abby from Lindsey Wilson College was our volunteer and was excellent with the kiddos. Lydia took right up to her and Austin was hugging her by the middle of Saturday. It is the first time that a volunteer has sent me a Facebook friend request. She plans to work in Special Education and I just know she will be perfect at it.

Also, need to give a BIG shout out to Hart of Autism who helps make it possible for us to attend each year. We had a blast and can't wait for next year. 

Fresh New Look & Name

As time changes other things need to change including the Blog. I haven't posted since August of 2013 and decided some things just needed a revamping, including myself. So, what's happened since 2013? Probably more than I have time to say. So, in a nutshell.... kids got older, I've gotten older, Austin's homework has gotten harder, Lydia's attitude has gotten bigger, but one thing that hasn't changed is God!! And, you know what? That excites me. I've been in church mostly all my life. I've known about Jesus since I was old enough to understand and have always believed in him. I got saved when I was a child, but as an adult I slipped off the path into the world. I was going out to bars frequently, drinking, dancing, and having a "good" time. But, one night God laid conviction upon me bringing me to my knees begging for his forgiving mercy. My eyes were opened that night and changes were made. That was in June of 2008, 6 1/2 yrs ago, and since then things have not been perfect and recently I have felt reserved from the Lord. But, I'm trying to find that connection again. I want to seek him and use his word to guide my life. And, I want to build my faith in him and his promises. So as a new year has started I'm hoping a new me will emerge as well. So, that's a reason for the Blog name change. I hope to keep it up this time whether anyone reads it or not, because it's more for myself at this point!! Good Day and God Bless!!