I have noticed that most of the blogs I follow have not posted anything (or very little) in the last 1 to 2 weeks. I guess that has to do with the holidays. I wonder if blogging is something we do in the absence of social events . . . or if more social events simply mean less time to blog. Well, for me it was just not enough time.
Every year I think I'm going to get my Christmas shopping done early and not at the last minute, but it never happens. In consequence, my week before Christmas is very busy. Add to that the fact the two days after Christmas my four-year-old got sick with the stomach flu. You know, an autistic child doesn't know how to tell you he feels sick, so it just comes out without warning. I've been doing lots of laundry and cleaning. He's better now, except that his stomach is sensitive.
In spite of all that, though, it has been a good Christmas, because it was, for me, a Christ-centered Christmas. I purposed that it would be. Not just in reading the Christmas story before opening presents (which we did), but in being conscious of His presence and His place in this season.
12.30.2008
12.18.2008
bleeegch!
Something funny that happened last night:
Yesterday in the late afternoon I found PJ5 in my bathroom pumping some soap into his hand and wiping it onto the the counter. (I think I've mentioned his affinity for "pumping" things.) I thought I had caught him early because there was only one smear on the counter. That night when going to bed I went into the bathroom to get a drink of water and noticed there was a little soap on the faucet handle, though not much. But, when I drank the water I had put into my cup it tasted very strongly of anti-bacterial SOAP! I guess he had already smeared soap all over the faucet before I found him. Now I know why washing your mouth out with soap was such an effective threat for kids!
Yesterday in the late afternoon I found PJ5 in my bathroom pumping some soap into his hand and wiping it onto the the counter. (I think I've mentioned his affinity for "pumping" things.) I thought I had caught him early because there was only one smear on the counter. That night when going to bed I went into the bathroom to get a drink of water and noticed there was a little soap on the faucet handle, though not much. But, when I drank the water I had put into my cup it tasted very strongly of anti-bacterial SOAP! I guess he had already smeared soap all over the faucet before I found him. Now I know why washing your mouth out with soap was such an effective threat for kids!
12.08.2008
A day in the life...
All this happened on Saturday and I wanted to blog it, but didn't have time so I wrote in a notebook to post later. (and after you read it you'll understand why I didn't have time to blog)
--NB spilled a cup of Sprite that PJ5 left out somewhere.
--NB sat in a puddle of applejuice that he himself created.
--PJ5 pumped out a lot of lotion which he smeared onto the sheets of my bed. (he loves to pump lotion, soap, etc.)
--We cleaned off about $20 in change off PJ's dresser.
--NB tried to dismantle the front door.
--Someone(?) scattered the clothes that I had JUST folded on the sofa (while I had carried off a stack to put away).
--NB squealed in delight while PJ5 yelled in protest as we walked into Walmart. (I tried not to notice if anyone was staring.)
--PJ5 dumped an almost full container (trial-size) of baby powder onto the floor of NB's room.
These are the type of things that happen on any given day around here. It just so happened that this all occured within the same day. I should perhaps mention that PJ was gone most of that day.
--NB spilled a cup of Sprite that PJ5 left out somewhere.
--NB sat in a puddle of applejuice that he himself created.
--PJ5 pumped out a lot of lotion which he smeared onto the sheets of my bed. (he loves to pump lotion, soap, etc.)
--We cleaned off about $20 in change off PJ's dresser.
--NB tried to dismantle the front door.
--Someone(?) scattered the clothes that I had JUST folded on the sofa (while I had carried off a stack to put away).
--NB squealed in delight while PJ5 yelled in protest as we walked into Walmart. (I tried not to notice if anyone was staring.)
--PJ5 dumped an almost full container (trial-size) of baby powder onto the floor of NB's room.
These are the type of things that happen on any given day around here. It just so happened that this all occured within the same day. I should perhaps mention that PJ was gone most of that day.
11.20.2008
Update
It's been a couple weeks since I posted anything, but it's been a busy two weeks.
One positive thing that has happened, though:
PJ5 said "I love you", spontaneously (without prompting), for the first time!! (And, yes, I'm speaking of my son here and not my husband!) He has said it a few times when I try to get him to repeat the words after me, but not on his own initiative. I was leaving him in the nursery and gave him a kiss over the "half-door" then waved and he said 'I love you' in his little sing-song voice. It was very sweet.
There have been a few other words he has spoken, as well. Last night, when I put him to bed, as soon as I said "amen" to my prayer, he said "ni-night" before I said it. He has been saying 'bye-bye' a lot more lately. And the other night as we were walking up the hall at the hospital I was telling him (as I have each time we go up there) "we're going to go see Mema and tell her 'hi' and 'I love you''. He is always looking all around and I never know how much attention he's giving me, but this time he said "mema", very clearly. That was a first!
These may seem like small accomplishments, and for a typical kid they might be(especially at 4 years old). But for a child with autism, every small step is actually a huge step. And I praise God for every progress that is made.
One positive thing that has happened, though:
PJ5 said "I love you", spontaneously (without prompting), for the first time!! (And, yes, I'm speaking of my son here and not my husband!) He has said it a few times when I try to get him to repeat the words after me, but not on his own initiative. I was leaving him in the nursery and gave him a kiss over the "half-door" then waved and he said 'I love you' in his little sing-song voice. It was very sweet.
There have been a few other words he has spoken, as well. Last night, when I put him to bed, as soon as I said "amen" to my prayer, he said "ni-night" before I said it. He has been saying 'bye-bye' a lot more lately. And the other night as we were walking up the hall at the hospital I was telling him (as I have each time we go up there) "we're going to go see Mema and tell her 'hi' and 'I love you''. He is always looking all around and I never know how much attention he's giving me, but this time he said "mema", very clearly. That was a first!
These may seem like small accomplishments, and for a typical kid they might be(especially at 4 years old). But for a child with autism, every small step is actually a huge step. And I praise God for every progress that is made.
11.07.2008
It's official
I am now "officially" the mother of two autistic children. Nathan got a diagnosis yesterday. He is on the autism spectrum; on the mild end.
It was a profitable visit, though. The doctor asked how she could help us, or what we wanted from the visit. So we were able to ask specific questions and get detailed answers.
We were not surprised, really. And in the whole scheme of all the things that have happened this week, on a local level as well as national and global events, this diagnosis seems like a small matter. I am not in despair. I haven't cried (though there may be days I will--I am human).
I told PJ once that for the parents of autistic kids, the pains and sorrows are bigger than those with typical kids; but so too are the joys. Who else rejoices over their child jumping off of a step without holding on to something? Who else marvels over their child pointing at and identifying letters? Some of the small steps in a typical child's growth that are taken for granted are huge leaps for an autistic child. And every success is cause for celebration.
I'm not sure how to end this post, but I do want to thank every one of you who have been praying for us. That does bring tears to my eyes when I think of all the love and prayers of our friends and family. I know that God is still in control. My hope is in Him.
"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."
Psalm 59:16-17
It was a profitable visit, though. The doctor asked how she could help us, or what we wanted from the visit. So we were able to ask specific questions and get detailed answers.
We were not surprised, really. And in the whole scheme of all the things that have happened this week, on a local level as well as national and global events, this diagnosis seems like a small matter. I am not in despair. I haven't cried (though there may be days I will--I am human).
I told PJ once that for the parents of autistic kids, the pains and sorrows are bigger than those with typical kids; but so too are the joys. Who else rejoices over their child jumping off of a step without holding on to something? Who else marvels over their child pointing at and identifying letters? Some of the small steps in a typical child's growth that are taken for granted are huge leaps for an autistic child. And every success is cause for celebration.
I'm not sure how to end this post, but I do want to thank every one of you who have been praying for us. That does bring tears to my eyes when I think of all the love and prayers of our friends and family. I know that God is still in control. My hope is in Him.
"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."
Psalm 59:16-17
11.05.2008
I had my say, but I found someone who has put things very well. This is from Joel Rosenberg's Weblog
This man has a unique insight and wisdom when it comes to seeing current events through the lens of God's Word. He pays particular attention to what is happening in the Middle East. If you haven't read his book "Epicenter", I encourage you to do so.
"Congratulations to Sen. Obama. His victory last night was an historic moment, further evidence of how far Americans have come in moving beyond the racial divisions of the past. This is good, and should not be underestimated.
It is now our solemn responsibility to pray faithfully and consistently for him, his wife, his family, and his advisor. We must pray for their safety, their wisdom, and their discernment. This is the right thing to do and honors the Lord. As the Apostle Paul teaches so clearly in I Timothy 2:1, “I urge that entreaties, prayers and petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
We must also pray faithfully for the safety of our nation, for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the advancement of freedom and security throughout the world, and particularly in the Middle East. I am very concerned about what the next year to 18 months may hold. Vice President-elect Biden warned us that the world will test this young new president. We must therefore pray for peace while we prepare for war.
I’m paying particular attention this morning to how people in the epicenter are reacting to Sen. Obama’s victory. Leaders in Iran are thrilled since the likelihood of decisive U.S. action to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program has just dropped dramatically. Leaders in Iraq, by contrast, are trying not to be worried given that the likelihood of rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces has just increased dramatically.
Palestinians seem to be thrilled, since they seem Obama as pro-Palestinian and open to dividing Jerusalem and pressuring the Israelis to make further concessions of “land for peace.” Many Israelis feel quite unsettled this morning, concerned that they will be all alone in the Middle East as the U.S. begins to pack up and go home from Iraq. They are also concerned that Obama and his team do not appear to fully understand or appreciate the seriousness of the threat of Radical Islam. Sen. Obama told us during the campaign that Iran was a tiny country that did not pose much of a threat. Israelis are not convinced he will stand with them in a nuclear showdown with Tehran.
A senior political strategist in Israel emailed me last night with this thought: “The State of Israel is now facing the most unfriendly American administration ever….Israel’s will to live will be tested in ways that will not e pretty. Many of Obama’s foreign policy team and Middle East advisors see Israel as the obstacle to peace. And we can not count on Jewish supporters of Obama to have any standing in setting policy in this administration.” A new poll released yesterday also caught my attention: 46% of Israelis would have voted for McCain, while only 34% would have voted for Obama. That tells us something about the concern from Eilat to Haifa and from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem about losing a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people in President Bush to someone who has not indicated convincing support for Israel in the past.
I know many of you are very worried about the direction of our country. I certainly understand this sentiment, but as I wrote yesterday, let us not lose heart. The Lord knew who would win. He allowed it to happen. He has a plan. He has a purpose. And now He is calling us to serve Him faithfully — to do whatever He tells us to do, to go wherever He tells us to go, to say whatever He tells us to say. Now is the time to draw close to Christ, to advance His kingdom, and prepare for His return. He is, after all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Now is certainly no time to forget, or to be discouraged."
This man has a unique insight and wisdom when it comes to seeing current events through the lens of God's Word. He pays particular attention to what is happening in the Middle East. If you haven't read his book "Epicenter", I encourage you to do so.
"Congratulations to Sen. Obama. His victory last night was an historic moment, further evidence of how far Americans have come in moving beyond the racial divisions of the past. This is good, and should not be underestimated.
It is now our solemn responsibility to pray faithfully and consistently for him, his wife, his family, and his advisor. We must pray for their safety, their wisdom, and their discernment. This is the right thing to do and honors the Lord. As the Apostle Paul teaches so clearly in I Timothy 2:1, “I urge that entreaties, prayers and petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
We must also pray faithfully for the safety of our nation, for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the advancement of freedom and security throughout the world, and particularly in the Middle East. I am very concerned about what the next year to 18 months may hold. Vice President-elect Biden warned us that the world will test this young new president. We must therefore pray for peace while we prepare for war.
I’m paying particular attention this morning to how people in the epicenter are reacting to Sen. Obama’s victory. Leaders in Iran are thrilled since the likelihood of decisive U.S. action to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program has just dropped dramatically. Leaders in Iraq, by contrast, are trying not to be worried given that the likelihood of rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces has just increased dramatically.
Palestinians seem to be thrilled, since they seem Obama as pro-Palestinian and open to dividing Jerusalem and pressuring the Israelis to make further concessions of “land for peace.” Many Israelis feel quite unsettled this morning, concerned that they will be all alone in the Middle East as the U.S. begins to pack up and go home from Iraq. They are also concerned that Obama and his team do not appear to fully understand or appreciate the seriousness of the threat of Radical Islam. Sen. Obama told us during the campaign that Iran was a tiny country that did not pose much of a threat. Israelis are not convinced he will stand with them in a nuclear showdown with Tehran.
A senior political strategist in Israel emailed me last night with this thought: “The State of Israel is now facing the most unfriendly American administration ever….Israel’s will to live will be tested in ways that will not e pretty. Many of Obama’s foreign policy team and Middle East advisors see Israel as the obstacle to peace. And we can not count on Jewish supporters of Obama to have any standing in setting policy in this administration.” A new poll released yesterday also caught my attention: 46% of Israelis would have voted for McCain, while only 34% would have voted for Obama. That tells us something about the concern from Eilat to Haifa and from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem about losing a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people in President Bush to someone who has not indicated convincing support for Israel in the past.
I know many of you are very worried about the direction of our country. I certainly understand this sentiment, but as I wrote yesterday, let us not lose heart. The Lord knew who would win. He allowed it to happen. He has a plan. He has a purpose. And now He is calling us to serve Him faithfully — to do whatever He tells us to do, to go wherever He tells us to go, to say whatever He tells us to say. Now is the time to draw close to Christ, to advance His kingdom, and prepare for His return. He is, after all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Now is certainly no time to forget, or to be discouraged."
Sound Off
Well, I want to have my say about the election.
I am disappointed. I still have a hard time believing that this nation has elected a person who wants to redistribute money from those who work hard to those who have their hands out; who wants to talk to leaders of terrorist-friendly nations without preconditions; who sat under the preaching of someone who preaches that America is a terrible country for 20 years; who has said there should be a "civilian national securty force" with funds equal to the military; who said in an interview "my muslim faith" and was corrected by the reporter, "your christian faith"; who has been friends for years with a person who is an unrepentant domestic terrorist; and I could go on. This is not about race, it is about important issues and the future direction of our country.
That said, I must also say this: I will respect his position and authority as God's Word tells me to do, and I will pray for him that he will have wisdom as he leads our nation.
Some people think we should not speak against the nation's president because that's not showing respect. I can respect his position and our nation, but I don't have to agree with what he says and does. Because I live in this nation of wonderful freedoms, I can speak my disagreements (at least for now I still can!) with his policies and ideology.
We have the privilege and responsibility as citizens of a democracy to cast our votes and to elect the persons we believe will be best for our nation into positions of power and authority. It speaks volumes about our nation today that we have elected this man into power.
Our pastor encouraged us to pray that God would give us the kind of president we need instead of what we deserve; and to pray for His will instead of just what we want. Our Sovereign Lord knows what is best and he sees the bigger picture. We don't know what the future holds but He does and He has promised to be there with us, to the end.
I am disappointed. I still have a hard time believing that this nation has elected a person who wants to redistribute money from those who work hard to those who have their hands out; who wants to talk to leaders of terrorist-friendly nations without preconditions; who sat under the preaching of someone who preaches that America is a terrible country for 20 years; who has said there should be a "civilian national securty force" with funds equal to the military; who said in an interview "my muslim faith" and was corrected by the reporter, "your christian faith"; who has been friends for years with a person who is an unrepentant domestic terrorist; and I could go on. This is not about race, it is about important issues and the future direction of our country.
That said, I must also say this: I will respect his position and authority as God's Word tells me to do, and I will pray for him that he will have wisdom as he leads our nation.
Some people think we should not speak against the nation's president because that's not showing respect. I can respect his position and our nation, but I don't have to agree with what he says and does. Because I live in this nation of wonderful freedoms, I can speak my disagreements (at least for now I still can!) with his policies and ideology.
We have the privilege and responsibility as citizens of a democracy to cast our votes and to elect the persons we believe will be best for our nation into positions of power and authority. It speaks volumes about our nation today that we have elected this man into power.
Our pastor encouraged us to pray that God would give us the kind of president we need instead of what we deserve; and to pray for His will instead of just what we want. Our Sovereign Lord knows what is best and he sees the bigger picture. We don't know what the future holds but He does and He has promised to be there with us, to the end.
10.27.2008
The finished product
I have had a request to "see" the results of the labor which I blogged about several months ago when we were building this swingset. So, here it is. We replaced one of the "sling" swings with a baby seat swing for NB (though PJ5 likes it too). They both like to use the two-seater swing, even at the same time! And PJ5 will sit in the sling swing and push with his feet a little bit, but he's not ready for us to push him on it (not secure enough).I hope this comes out alright. This is the first time I've posted a picture on here and I wasn't sure which size to make it.
The dangers of motherhood
Saturday I was sitting on the floor and my two-year-old came running at me like a linebacker. The first time I saw him coming and just rolled with him. The second time his head hit my mouth and busted my lip.
My four-year-old does not like to walk in the wind, so he clings to one of my legs with his head against it and covers the other ear with his other hand (he's been trained, you see, to hold on to someone or something when he walks in the parking lot). However, this makes for difficult and sometimes dangerous walking. I stumble around trying to keep my balance (I'm often trying to carry my 2-year-old at the same time) and very rarely walk in a straight line. And in a parking lot, it's safer to walk in a straight line so that drivers know where you are going. Sometimes I just stand still and let them pass before our little staggering train moves on.
My four-year-old does not like to walk in the wind, so he clings to one of my legs with his head against it and covers the other ear with his other hand (he's been trained, you see, to hold on to someone or something when he walks in the parking lot). However, this makes for difficult and sometimes dangerous walking. I stumble around trying to keep my balance (I'm often trying to carry my 2-year-old at the same time) and very rarely walk in a straight line. And in a parking lot, it's safer to walk in a straight line so that drivers know where you are going. Sometimes I just stand still and let them pass before our little staggering train moves on.
10.21.2008
Nice pictures
I found some really neat pictures here.
I were really blog-smart and experienced like some of my friends, I could probably put a window here where you could see the photos. But I'm new at this :-)
I really like the animal pictures and the scenic shots, but a few of the people shots are interesting, too.
Speaking of pictures, PJ told me he would like to do a blog where he could just put up pictures he has taken and I told him that was possible. The difficulty will be that he wants to put up pictures that he took on film, so we'd have to find a way to scan them. Given time, we may figure something out!
10.15.2008
Oh well, maybe next time
Well, like the VT pirates, we didn't do anything...
My hubby had the day off Monday (Columbus Day), and we thought we might do something outdoors-y. But PJ5 still had school, and NB has Sooner Start on Mondays, plus it was overcast all day. So, we didn't do anything. He worked on his car for some hours, and for me it was a typical Monday.
But the rest of this week will not be typical as it is Fall Break for the schools. So I have both boys at home all day for the rest of the week. Today is still rainy so I think we're just going to be lazy today. By tomorrow we should be able to enjoy the outdoors again.
Hopefully the next time he has a day off we can go do something!
My hubby had the day off Monday (Columbus Day), and we thought we might do something outdoors-y. But PJ5 still had school, and NB has Sooner Start on Mondays, plus it was overcast all day. So, we didn't do anything. He worked on his car for some hours, and for me it was a typical Monday.
But the rest of this week will not be typical as it is Fall Break for the schools. So I have both boys at home all day for the rest of the week. Today is still rainy so I think we're just going to be lazy today. By tomorrow we should be able to enjoy the outdoors again.
Hopefully the next time he has a day off we can go do something!
10.09.2008
Save gas---ride a horse
Today is one of those days where I feel a need for nature's peace and tranquility.
I'd like to cuddle up with a cat in my lap, stroking its silky fur while it purrs contentedly.
I'd like to lay in a field of wildflowers and let the wind blow over me while I close my eyes.
I'd like to sit on the bank of a stream and listen to its bubbling, gurgling laughter.
I'd like to ride a horse down a quiet country lane.
I'd like to watch a sunset across a lake.
It's been a long time since I've done any of those things. sigh
I'd like to cuddle up with a cat in my lap, stroking its silky fur while it purrs contentedly.
I'd like to lay in a field of wildflowers and let the wind blow over me while I close my eyes.
I'd like to sit on the bank of a stream and listen to its bubbling, gurgling laughter.
I'd like to ride a horse down a quiet country lane.
I'd like to watch a sunset across a lake.
It's been a long time since I've done any of those things. sigh
9.29.2008
My Rant
I am so aggravated and disgusted. I was at the store and an older gentleman stopped me as I was going down an aisle and said, "Can I tell you a joke? It won't take long." I politely smiled and said okay. He then proceeded to tell me a blonde joke. I rolled my eyes, smiled and moved on.
Talk about prejudice!!! I am ready to dye my hair! The only reason he stopped me was because of the color of my hair.
Typical blonde jokes are not funny to me, because they portray blondes as stupid. I don't know why a person tells blonde jokes to a blonde. If the blonde is as dumb as the joke portrays, they're not even going to get the joke. If they are intelligent enough to get the joke, they're not going to think it funny that the person is stereotyping them.
I am blonde. I am not stupid! So I've decided to change my hair color...
Alright, maybe I'll wait until PJ gets home before I do anything drastic...
Don't tell me a blonde joke right now...
Talk about prejudice!!! I am ready to dye my hair! The only reason he stopped me was because of the color of my hair.
Typical blonde jokes are not funny to me, because they portray blondes as stupid. I don't know why a person tells blonde jokes to a blonde. If the blonde is as dumb as the joke portrays, they're not even going to get the joke. If they are intelligent enough to get the joke, they're not going to think it funny that the person is stereotyping them.
I am blonde. I am not stupid! So I've decided to change my hair color...
Alright, maybe I'll wait until PJ gets home before I do anything drastic...
Don't tell me a blonde joke right now...
9.27.2008
Concerns - Part II
Like I said before, I have read the summary, but not the full document of the “Manifesto”. But I went to the “Talk about it” page to see what others had to say. Some of the comments from various people illustrate/define my concerns:
First, what some have said in support of the manifesto:
I hope those statements scare you the same way they scared me. Why is there a need for mercy if we are not first condemned by law and justice/judgment? Read Romans 6-8, especially 7:7-12. “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law…So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” (I could go on, but I will stop.) So, secularism has found a place inside the religious community, eh? Well, it doesn’t fit in my Bible.
Now here are some comments in criticism of the “Manifesto”:
(A very good question…Brian McLaren is a big spokesperson for the emerging church movement.)
It sounds like this person has already aligned their thinking with the emerging church, but their criticism of the manifesto’s statements actually causes me to look more favorably upon it.
Well, now I need to read the document in its entirety, but what I have seen so far provides much food for thought. I welcome people's comments on this.
First, what some have said in support of the manifesto:
“Thank you so much for much wisdom of the Manifesto. I pray that hearts will lean towards more love/mercy then judgement(sic) and laws.”
“The relativism expressed, i.e. tolerance for diversity, and the notion of a open plaza for public discourse permitting the rational and the faithful to congregate is a powerful notion.”
“Glad to see secularism beginning to stem inside religious community.”
I hope those statements scare you the same way they scared me. Why is there a need for mercy if we are not first condemned by law and justice/judgment? Read Romans 6-8, especially 7:7-12. “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law…So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” (I could go on, but I will stop.) So, secularism has found a place inside the religious community, eh? Well, it doesn’t fit in my Bible.
Now here are some comments in criticism of the “Manifesto”:
“Why were polarizing left leaning evangelicals like Brian McLaren (to call him an evangelical is charitable) and Jim Wallis asked to sign this, while prominent right leaning evangelicals left out of this process?”
(A very good question…Brian McLaren is a big spokesperson for the emerging church movement.)
Some eye-opening objections there. Those all speak for themselves, but this next one is interesting. This person signed the Manifesto, but apparently has some reservations.“it tries too hard to appease the sophisticated unbeliever (many of whom identify themselves as Evangelical), and fails to draw the firm lines so sorely needed in church circles.”
“Holiness - not one mention about Holiness - which we are called to in Jesus Christ. The glaring issue with the Church today is there is no talk about Holiness or Sin - which the Gospels, and letters spent more time talking about than anything else.”
“I applaud the effort to "re-reform" the church - but this looks like more a change to meld with today's culture than no - as the manifesto states” [“than not”- is what is meant here]
“It seems to me that it is an impossible document. We don't want a naked square or a sacred one; we can't be liberal or fundamental; etc., etc., etc. The trick there is picking the middle ground. They appear to have left too much space and not enough at the same time.”
“However, I have some issues with this manifesto, and so I suppose, with Evangelicalism: 1. I think right belief is emphasized way too much. "Believing" in the Greek has connotations of trusting and faith, and intellectual belief is only a small part of it. Over-emphasizing belief is, I believe, a modernist, culture-based, reactionary distortion of Christianity. 2. The manifesto says Evangelicals want to respect all varieties of belief, Christian or non-Christian, and decries people who believe their way is the only way and try to coerce people to believe like them. Maybe Evangelicals don't want to coerce people, but in the beliefs section, the manifesto states strongly that Jesus is the only way to God. How can a person be so absolutely sure that she is right and still be open-minded and respectful? I tend to agree with Brian McLaren, who I paraphrase here, as saying "I am sure I am wrong about some of the things I believe most strongly." Wouldn't a little more skepticism be a healthy thing for Evangelicals, in order to be more open-minded and respectful? Moreover, you can grow a lot by being open to diverse opinions and recognizing that you may be wrong. Also, the belief that Jesus is the only way would tend to connote that non-Christians are going to hell. Is that what Evangelicals believe? If so, how is telling people they're going to hell if they don't believe like you spreading Good News and not coercing them?”
It sounds like this person has already aligned their thinking with the emerging church, but their criticism of the manifesto’s statements actually causes me to look more favorably upon it.
Well, now I need to read the document in its entirety, but what I have seen so far provides much food for thought. I welcome people's comments on this.
Concerns - Part I
I was challenged by a conversation with my sister at the beginning of the summer, which led me to examine closely the Evangelical Manifesto and some issues around it. I wanted to blog about these issues, but it needed time and research. I have begun, and am continuing, to research and think about these things, but I am going to get started here by talking about my concerns. I expect to make other posts related to all this, so this is not my final thought or conclusion. And if anyone wants to agree, disagree, or discuss these things, go ahead.
I have concerns about the Evangelical Manifesto. I went to their website and read the summary and have downloaded the full document. From reading the summary there are some good things and some not so good, but I will wait until I have read the full document before I raise any questions on it. In the meantime, some of the things on the Manifesto's website were eye-opening. So I will begin there.
The “Intro” to the manifesto has some disturbing aspects:
Stop here for a minute. It sounds okay so far, but why do they say “not out to…exclude anyone”? If it is indeed a “declaration of…what they stand for” how can it not be exclusive? It says it is intended to be read by anyone, but not everyone is going to agree with them. Alright, that may be a technicality, but there’s one other problem here. This sounds a lot like those who push for tolerance, acceptance and inclusion in the church, at the expense of sound doctrine and absolute truth. Let’s go on.
Again - tolerance and being inclusive of everyone. It is a fine line to have such an open, non-offensive (if that is the intent) discussion without compromising your faith or lowering your standards. Also, the overall premise here is somewhat disturbing, because it sounds a lot like the dangerous, post-modernist “emerging church” movement, which promotes “dialogue” and dismisses absolute truth. (I will probably talk more about the emerging church movement, but if you’re not familiar with what it is, you can find a lot of articles just by Googling “emerging church”.)
This is good, though I’m wondering what they mean by “reposition Evangelicals in public life”.
That's enough for now. I don’t want this post to be too long. I guess this can serve as my “introduction” of this topic.
I have concerns about the Evangelical Manifesto. I went to their website and read the summary and have downloaded the full document. From reading the summary there are some good things and some not so good, but I will wait until I have read the full document before I raise any questions on it. In the meantime, some of the things on the Manifesto's website were eye-opening. So I will begin there.
The “Intro” to the manifesto has some disturbing aspects:
“An Evangelical Manifesto is an open declaration of who Evangelicals are and what they stand for. It has been drafted and published by a representative group of Evangelical leaders who do not claim to speak for all Evangelicals, but who invite all other Evangelicals to stand with them and help clarify what Evangelical means in light of “confusions within and the consternation without” the movement. As the Manifesto states, the signers are not out to attack or exclude anyone, but to rally and to call for reform.”
Stop here for a minute. It sounds okay so far, but why do they say “not out to…exclude anyone”? If it is indeed a “declaration of…what they stand for” how can it not be exclusive? It says it is intended to be read by anyone, but not everyone is going to agree with them. Alright, that may be a technicality, but there’s one other problem here. This sounds a lot like those who push for tolerance, acceptance and inclusion in the church, at the expense of sound doctrine and absolute truth. Let’s go on.
“As an open declaration, An Evangelical Manifesto addresses not only Evangelicals and other Christians but other American citizens and people of all other faiths in America, including those who say they have no faith. It therefore stands as an example of how different faith communities may address each other in public life, without any compromise of their own faith but with a clear commitment to the common good of the societies in which we all live together.”
Again - tolerance and being inclusive of everyone. It is a fine line to have such an open, non-offensive (if that is the intent) discussion without compromising your faith or lowering your standards. Also, the overall premise here is somewhat disturbing, because it sounds a lot like the dangerous, post-modernist “emerging church” movement, which promotes “dialogue” and dismisses absolute truth. (I will probably talk more about the emerging church movement, but if you’re not familiar with what it is, you can find a lot of articles just by Googling “emerging church”.)
“For those who are Evangelicals, the deepest purpose of the Manifesto is a serious call to reform—an urgent challenge to reaffirm Evangelical identity, to reform Evangelical behavior, to reposition Evangelicals in public life, and so rededicate ourselves to the high calling of being Evangelical followers of Jesus Christ.”
This is good, though I’m wondering what they mean by “reposition Evangelicals in public life”.
That's enough for now. I don’t want this post to be too long. I guess this can serve as my “introduction” of this topic.
9.26.2008
Little bits
This is not good---I feel like my cold from three weeks ago is coming back. I have that raw-throat-feeling again!
We just returned from a quick trip to take PJ5 to the specialist we've been seeing since January. (Little Giant Steps: a Neurodevelopmental approach) They do re-evaluations every four months, which allows them to make changes to our program. Right now he's stuck in one area, but he seems quite happy to remain there and not move forward, so we're going to try something new to help push him out of his comfort zone.
Evaluations and tests are always hard. It's a stinging reminder of how far behind your child is, in spite of the little bits of progress you see.
PJ was very excited to get the parts he ordered for his classic Chevy (the '56, as we call it). I think I know what he will be doing this weekend!
We just returned from a quick trip to take PJ5 to the specialist we've been seeing since January. (Little Giant Steps: a Neurodevelopmental approach) They do re-evaluations every four months, which allows them to make changes to our program. Right now he's stuck in one area, but he seems quite happy to remain there and not move forward, so we're going to try something new to help push him out of his comfort zone.
Evaluations and tests are always hard. It's a stinging reminder of how far behind your child is, in spite of the little bits of progress you see.
PJ was very excited to get the parts he ordered for his classic Chevy (the '56, as we call it). I think I know what he will be doing this weekend!
9.22.2008
Some, but not all
That is what our pediatrician said at our 2-year visit for NB. He has some symptoms of autism, but not all. She is not pushing for an official diagnosis, because it will not change the things we are already doing for him, to help his development. We are going to put him on the waiting list of a doctor in this area who specializes in autism. The list will probably be a year long (at least), and by that time we can see where he is and what direction we want to go in.
That's my update.
That's my update.
9.16.2008
A New Repertoire
A few weeks ago I let PJ5 pick out a Veggietales CD to buy at the store. It's an "On the Road" album with traveling songs. We have been listening to it in the van at his insistence. So here are some of the surprising new songs I have heard him singing recently:
-Daisy, Daisy (A Bicycle Built for Two)
-Dinah Won't You Blow Your Horn
-Are We There Yet?
-Oh You Can't Get to Heaven (On Roller Skates)
-Happy Trails to You
(The words are sometimes recognizable, but the tune always is.)
-Daisy, Daisy (A Bicycle Built for Two)
-Dinah Won't You Blow Your Horn
-Are We There Yet?
-Oh You Can't Get to Heaven (On Roller Skates)
-Happy Trails to You
(The words are sometimes recognizable, but the tune always is.)
9.13.2008
9.12.2008
Today I am thankful for:
- cough drops
- afternoon naps
- paper plates
- a child's smile
- the fact that I don't live near the ocean
- President George W. Bush
- the fact that I live in a country where there is freedom of speech, and still a few people who report the truth instead of what the political party wants them to say
9.09.2008
You're not allowed...
To be sick when you're a mother of toddlers.
But I can't stop the pounding in my head, the burning in my throat, or the nose....well, I won't get too graphic. I haven't slept well the last two nights. And there's not much opportunity to sleep during the day. My boys like to be close to me, but I'm trying to stay away so they don't get this cold. Since I don't have anything going on tomorrow morning, I'm taking some night-time "so you can rest" cold medicine. It usually works for me, although I sometimes have weird (or wierd) dreams. (How do you spell that word?) Anyway, that's what's going on around here.
~~~~~~~~~
NB is laughing in his crib to keep himself awake, and PJ said it sounds like "Woody Woodpecker".
:-)
But I can't stop the pounding in my head, the burning in my throat, or the nose....well, I won't get too graphic. I haven't slept well the last two nights. And there's not much opportunity to sleep during the day. My boys like to be close to me, but I'm trying to stay away so they don't get this cold. Since I don't have anything going on tomorrow morning, I'm taking some night-time "so you can rest" cold medicine. It usually works for me, although I sometimes have weird (or wierd) dreams. (How do you spell that word?) Anyway, that's what's going on around here.
~~~~~~~~~
NB is laughing in his crib to keep himself awake, and PJ said it sounds like "Woody Woodpecker".
:-)
8.26.2008
(almost) Two
This has been an interesting week for NB, my youngest...
Twice now he has ended up in a bathtub full of water with all or most of his clothes on --- including a diaper, and one time his shoes! Both times the bathtub was filled for someone else and not him, but he "found" it and climbed in (regardless of his clothing) before anyone discovered what he was doing. You know, he didn't do this before we went swimming this month...hmm.
Also this week, NB has been shut inside of a room at least twice. This has more to do with PJ5's affinity for closing doors, rather than any behavior on the part of NB. PJ5 likes closing doors and doesn't think about who is on what side of the door. At least I don't think it is deliberate. The most recent time, NB was crying with actual tears in his eyes, although I think that had something to do with him being tired.
But it reminded me of an evening not long ago. I heard NB fussing/crying, but I couldn't figure out where he was. I checked the usual places in the house, in the process asking my husband if he knew where the boy was. Finally I opened the bathroom door, which was closed, and finally found him. I knew PJ5 must have closed the door because he had left the water running (another of his affinities). But what surprised me was where NB was....squatting on top of the tank of the toilet!!! He loves to climb so there he was: as high as he could get and wailing pitifully!
this kid....and he's not even two yet.
Twice now he has ended up in a bathtub full of water with all or most of his clothes on --- including a diaper, and one time his shoes! Both times the bathtub was filled for someone else and not him, but he "found" it and climbed in (regardless of his clothing) before anyone discovered what he was doing. You know, he didn't do this before we went swimming this month...hmm.
Also this week, NB has been shut inside of a room at least twice. This has more to do with PJ5's affinity for closing doors, rather than any behavior on the part of NB. PJ5 likes closing doors and doesn't think about who is on what side of the door. At least I don't think it is deliberate. The most recent time, NB was crying with actual tears in his eyes, although I think that had something to do with him being tired.
But it reminded me of an evening not long ago. I heard NB fussing/crying, but I couldn't figure out where he was. I checked the usual places in the house, in the process asking my husband if he knew where the boy was. Finally I opened the bathroom door, which was closed, and finally found him. I knew PJ5 must have closed the door because he had left the water running (another of his affinities). But what surprised me was where NB was....squatting on top of the tank of the toilet!!! He loves to climb so there he was: as high as he could get and wailing pitifully!
this kid....and he's not even two yet.
8.18.2008
New school
PJ5 starts school on Wednesday. The Pre-K developmental delay class includes 3-,4-,and 5-year-olds. So he was going to be in the same class (same teacher, assistants, therapists) as last year. But because the number of special needs students in the district has increased, they had to open a new class, with a new teacher, at the new elementary school.
So...everything is going to be new for PJ5 this year. We met the new teacher tonight, and she seems nice and very well-organized. We had to "persuade" her to put him in the afternoon class (she planned to have all the younger children in the morning session and the older ones in the afternoon). Actually, I did the persuading. When she realized our reason, she agreed to have him in the afternoon. (If you're curious about the reason, it has to do with him being a late sleeper and not at his best in the mornings. I felt that he would receive less benefit from his instruction if given at a time when he's tired, hungry, etc.)
I'm still a little anxious, though. His IEP (education plan) is still the same, but the people carrying it out don't know him as I thought they would. I still don't know who his speech therapist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist will be.
We will wait and see how things go. If we need to make an appeal to the district, we can. Or we can look for another school.
I know God is in control and will work things out, but if you think of us, say a prayer for extra peace and wisdom.
So...everything is going to be new for PJ5 this year. We met the new teacher tonight, and she seems nice and very well-organized. We had to "persuade" her to put him in the afternoon class (she planned to have all the younger children in the morning session and the older ones in the afternoon). Actually, I did the persuading. When she realized our reason, she agreed to have him in the afternoon. (If you're curious about the reason, it has to do with him being a late sleeper and not at his best in the mornings. I felt that he would receive less benefit from his instruction if given at a time when he's tired, hungry, etc.)
I'm still a little anxious, though. His IEP (education plan) is still the same, but the people carrying it out don't know him as I thought they would. I still don't know who his speech therapist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist will be.
We will wait and see how things go. If we need to make an appeal to the district, we can. Or we can look for another school.
I know God is in control and will work things out, but if you think of us, say a prayer for extra peace and wisdom.
8.09.2008
Men
Why does it have to go so fast?
Men:
When they're kids, they race their bikes.
In their late teens/20's, they race their sports car/hotrod.
In their 30's, they race their minivan/SUV.
In their 40's/50's, they race their corvette/porsche (mid-life crisis).
When does it end?
In their 70's and 80's, they will probably race their walkers and wheelchairs.
I guess it's just one of those "guy" things.
Men:
When they're kids, they race their bikes.
In their late teens/20's, they race their sports car/hotrod.
In their 30's, they race their minivan/SUV.
In their 40's/50's, they race their corvette/porsche (mid-life crisis).
When does it end?
In their 70's and 80's, they will probably race their walkers and wheelchairs.
I guess it's just one of those "guy" things.
8.06.2008
Sing along
I came out of the house this evening and saw a few (non-productive) rain clouds on the horizon and became inspired......
(to the tune of "Let It Snow")
Oh, the weather outside is the hottest,
And it sure does feel like August,
The sun is causing so much pain,
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!
----------------------------------------------
I've lost count of how many days now we have had over 100-degree temps. Of course this happens every year at some point during the summer. But every year we think 'When will this ever end?', and then we're thankful for highs in the 90s, even though you can't feel much difference.
We can't wait for winter, but then when the freezing temps come to stay for awhile, we can't wait for summer. Personally, my favorite seasons are spring and fall. Comfortable weather and colorful nature. Well, the weather is comfortable until the sirens go off---we are in "Tornado Alley" after all.
(to the tune of "Let It Snow")
Oh, the weather outside is the hottest,
And it sure does feel like August,
The sun is causing so much pain,
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!
----------------------------------------------
I've lost count of how many days now we have had over 100-degree temps. Of course this happens every year at some point during the summer. But every year we think 'When will this ever end?', and then we're thankful for highs in the 90s, even though you can't feel much difference.
We can't wait for winter, but then when the freezing temps come to stay for awhile, we can't wait for summer. Personally, my favorite seasons are spring and fall. Comfortable weather and colorful nature. Well, the weather is comfortable until the sirens go off---we are in "Tornado Alley" after all.
7.21.2008
What it's like
I recently read an illustrative story of what it's like to have an autistic child that I think really says it well. I'll try to put it in my own words...
Having an autistic child is like this: You're at an amusement park and you get in line to ride the carousel. It's a safe, predictable ride. You can see it ahead as the horses go around in a circle, some moving up and down as they go, and think 'I can do that'. But when you get to the front of the line you discover you are in the line for the roller coaster and you have no choice now but to get on. It's wild! It climbs up and you don't know what's after the top of each hill---will it be a curve, a steep drop, a gentle slope? It has crazy twists and turns and you can't see what's coming next. It's totally unpredictable. As you climb yet another hill, you look down at the people that riding the carousel, and they are looking up at you and saying 'Wow, I could never do that!'
As a fan of safe, predictable rides I found this very appropriate. You think you're prepared for parenthood, you see other parents and know to expect some learning curves as you go along. But then you realize that nothing about parenting this child is "normal". And if any rules about raising children have an exception, then your child is it. There are some things that are the same. All children bring love and joy, as well as pain and sorrow. They all need the love as well as the God-given authority of their parents. There are other similarities as well. But nothing is as you expected it to be when you 'signed up' to be a parent.
At the risk of creating a very long post, I want to include some excerpts from an article I read recently. It was written by a Christian man about a year ago titled "Cancer's Unexpected Blessings". I am not comparing cancer to autism. It is just good encouragement for anyone who is suffering in any way. I'll include a link at the bottom.
". . .we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the why questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer."
". . . we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise."
"There's nothing wilder than a life of humble virtue—for it is through selflessness and service that God wrings from our bodies and spirits the most we ever could give, the most we ever could offer, and the most we ever could do."
"Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? "
"What is man that Thou art mindful of him? We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place—in the hollow of God's hand."
www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/25.30.html
Having an autistic child is like this: You're at an amusement park and you get in line to ride the carousel. It's a safe, predictable ride. You can see it ahead as the horses go around in a circle, some moving up and down as they go, and think 'I can do that'. But when you get to the front of the line you discover you are in the line for the roller coaster and you have no choice now but to get on. It's wild! It climbs up and you don't know what's after the top of each hill---will it be a curve, a steep drop, a gentle slope? It has crazy twists and turns and you can't see what's coming next. It's totally unpredictable. As you climb yet another hill, you look down at the people that riding the carousel, and they are looking up at you and saying 'Wow, I could never do that!'
As a fan of safe, predictable rides I found this very appropriate. You think you're prepared for parenthood, you see other parents and know to expect some learning curves as you go along. But then you realize that nothing about parenting this child is "normal". And if any rules about raising children have an exception, then your child is it. There are some things that are the same. All children bring love and joy, as well as pain and sorrow. They all need the love as well as the God-given authority of their parents. There are other similarities as well. But nothing is as you expected it to be when you 'signed up' to be a parent.
At the risk of creating a very long post, I want to include some excerpts from an article I read recently. It was written by a Christian man about a year ago titled "Cancer's Unexpected Blessings". I am not comparing cancer to autism. It is just good encouragement for anyone who is suffering in any way. I'll include a link at the bottom.
". . .we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the why questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer."
". . . we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise."
"There's nothing wilder than a life of humble virtue—for it is through selflessness and service that God wrings from our bodies and spirits the most we ever could give, the most we ever could offer, and the most we ever could do."
"Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? "
"What is man that Thou art mindful of him? We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place—in the hollow of God's hand."
www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/25.30.html
7.01.2008
Male-Female Communication
Men and women think differently. We all know that. Which often leads to miscommunication and frustration. Especially when a husband and wife are trying to reach a decision together.
When a woman presents her reasoning for a decision or opinion, it often goes over a man's head (or in one ear and out the other). It's like she's speaking a foreign language. This is because his logical-processing mind isn't working the same way as hers. What makes this so ironic, is that he often would reach the same conclusion, but by a different, male, pathway of thinking.
So, I have found a very simple solution. Learn to argue like a male. If you can think logically (and most women can), then simply offer the reasoning that a man would understand. His eyes will be opened and decisions are made more quickly and smoothly. It also helps if you can "get inside" that man's mind and understand his particular way of thinking and reasoning. Then your argument can even more closely resemble something that makes sense to him.
Sadly, this doesn't usually work the other way around. It is much more difficult for a man to understand how a woman thinks. There may be exceptions, of course.
One thing a man can do, however, is learn to listen to a woman's reasoning; and then to understand that it is something important to her, even though to him it may have no importance or perhaps not even any bearing on the case whatsoever. Again, he may not understand why it is important to her, but he learns what is important to her. And that is very valuable indeed. Warning: it is rare to find a man that is willing and able to do this!
But I am lucky. Or perhaps blessed is a better word.
When a woman presents her reasoning for a decision or opinion, it often goes over a man's head (or in one ear and out the other). It's like she's speaking a foreign language. This is because his logical-processing mind isn't working the same way as hers. What makes this so ironic, is that he often would reach the same conclusion, but by a different, male, pathway of thinking.
So, I have found a very simple solution. Learn to argue like a male. If you can think logically (and most women can), then simply offer the reasoning that a man would understand. His eyes will be opened and decisions are made more quickly and smoothly. It also helps if you can "get inside" that man's mind and understand his particular way of thinking and reasoning. Then your argument can even more closely resemble something that makes sense to him.
Sadly, this doesn't usually work the other way around. It is much more difficult for a man to understand how a woman thinks. There may be exceptions, of course.
One thing a man can do, however, is learn to listen to a woman's reasoning; and then to understand that it is something important to her, even though to him it may have no importance or perhaps not even any bearing on the case whatsoever. Again, he may not understand why it is important to her, but he learns what is important to her. And that is very valuable indeed. Warning: it is rare to find a man that is willing and able to do this!
But I am lucky. Or perhaps blessed is a better word.
6.27.2008
Why
Why is it that when I have time to blog I can't think of anything interesting to say...but when I have a lot I want to blog about I have no time?
Wouldn't that be fun?
euphuism • \YOO-fyuh-wiz-um\ • noun1 : an elegant Elizabethan literary style marked by excessive use of balance, antithesis, and alliteration and by frequent use of similes drawn from mythology and nature *2 : artificial elegance of language
Example sentence:Cora, given to euphuism, exclaimed, "Oh, glorious auroral orb!" and Paul agreed, "Yeah, nice sunrise."
Example sentence:Cora, given to euphuism, exclaimed, "Oh, glorious auroral orb!" and Paul agreed, "Yeah, nice sunrise."
6.18.2008
Car conversation
Sunday evening as we were driving home PJ pointed out a field with flowers in it. I said "It's a fallow field." That began a back and forth game that ended with this:
"The formerly fallow field is no longer full to overflowing with fantastic, fabulous flowers."
"The formerly fallow field is no longer full to overflowing with fantastic, fabulous flowers."
6.07.2008
Dream Night at the Zoo
That was one of the best zoo experiences we have had as a family.
It was a private party from 4 to 8p.m. for families of children with disabilities. It wasn't quite so warm because it was in the evening. The rides were free and both boys loved the carousel. Chick-fil-a provided a meal for everyone----yummy! It wasn't quite so crowded; and if your child had a meltdown no one was going to stare with that look of "what a spoiled brat!" or "what bad parents!". PJ5 actually looked at and noticed some of the animals (he hasn't always done so in the past).
We also got a bag of "goodies" as we left---free stuff from sponsors and some local resource information. I could see a brown fuzzy animal in the bag and thought "Oh, cute...a bear or something." But I pulled it out and it was a stuffed plush dinosaur---a triceratops to be exact. It is pretty cute, but not what I expected. PJ5 has never shown any interest in dinosaurs before (at least not that I have seen). But I showed him the dinosaur and he took it and gave a big smile and then kissed it right on its smiling mouth! Two or three times, actually. He really likes it.
NB enjoyed everything, but I think his favorite thing was the carousel. We rode it twice and after the second time he got off and squatted down and tried to spin it by pushing with his hand. (For those who aren't familiar with this carousel, it is rather large, so his efforts were fruitless, but amusing.)
It was a private party from 4 to 8p.m. for families of children with disabilities. It wasn't quite so warm because it was in the evening. The rides were free and both boys loved the carousel. Chick-fil-a provided a meal for everyone----yummy! It wasn't quite so crowded; and if your child had a meltdown no one was going to stare with that look of "what a spoiled brat!" or "what bad parents!". PJ5 actually looked at and noticed some of the animals (he hasn't always done so in the past).
We also got a bag of "goodies" as we left---free stuff from sponsors and some local resource information. I could see a brown fuzzy animal in the bag and thought "Oh, cute...a bear or something." But I pulled it out and it was a stuffed plush dinosaur---a triceratops to be exact. It is pretty cute, but not what I expected. PJ5 has never shown any interest in dinosaurs before (at least not that I have seen). But I showed him the dinosaur and he took it and gave a big smile and then kissed it right on its smiling mouth! Two or three times, actually. He really likes it.
NB enjoyed everything, but I think his favorite thing was the carousel. We rode it twice and after the second time he got off and squatted down and tried to spin it by pushing with his hand. (For those who aren't familiar with this carousel, it is rather large, so his efforts were fruitless, but amusing.)
6.06.2008
Autism walk
We are participating in the Autism Walk in Oklahoma City tomorrow morning. I found some "stories" on the website where we registered, and I wanted to share what one mom said. I'll include a link so you can read other stories if you want. This one is from "My Two Little Miracles" (about halfway down the page).
"I still spend many nights and days crying for what might have been, but I now know this will not help them, so I fight. I fight so that my boys will lead good, happy lives. I fight so that every parent of an autistic child will know that we must never give up on these precious children. I will walk so that the people who may stare and speak harsh words when our chidren cry will understand what heroes really are. Heroes are these little human beings that struggle every day to do the simple things. I will walk so that Autism will become a thing of the past, so that more research can be done to help my little angels, and the little angles yet to enter this world that may be touched by autism. I will walk because this villan, Autism, does not know it's most fierce warrior is a mother. I will walk because this is a war I will wage until I close my eyes, and because those two little boys are the air that I breath."
http://www.walknowforautism.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp?c=jeIKLMOnGjF&b=3620101
And now I will head for bed, because we have to be downtown in the morning by 9:30.
P.S. I must admit that I still cry, even though it does them no good.
"I still spend many nights and days crying for what might have been, but I now know this will not help them, so I fight. I fight so that my boys will lead good, happy lives. I fight so that every parent of an autistic child will know that we must never give up on these precious children. I will walk so that the people who may stare and speak harsh words when our chidren cry will understand what heroes really are. Heroes are these little human beings that struggle every day to do the simple things. I will walk so that Autism will become a thing of the past, so that more research can be done to help my little angels, and the little angles yet to enter this world that may be touched by autism. I will walk because this villan, Autism, does not know it's most fierce warrior is a mother. I will walk because this is a war I will wage until I close my eyes, and because those two little boys are the air that I breath."
http://www.walknowforautism.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp?c=jeIKLMOnGjF&b=3620101
And now I will head for bed, because we have to be downtown in the morning by 9:30.
P.S. I must admit that I still cry, even though it does them no good.
6.02.2008
IFBC Camp
We're going.
We're not going.
Okay, we're going.
Well, maybe not.
I wish we could figure this out! Actually, it depends on whether PJ can get that time off. So until we find out, we're not going....maybe....we don't know.
We're not going.
Okay, we're going.
Well, maybe not.
I wish we could figure this out! Actually, it depends on whether PJ can get that time off. So until we find out, we're not going....maybe....we don't know.
Summer fun
We almost finished the playset Saturday, but it is to the point where they can go down the slide, at least. I took them out today, but it was just after lunch and it was pretty hot. So I decided to turn on this new sprinkler I had bought. It's one of those where the water comes out of this little arch and the arch moves back and forth..you've probably seen them.
Well, the boys thought this was really interesting. They abandoned the new slide and came to investigate. Like every kid I've seen, they wanted to get right up to where the water was coming out. But because the angle of the water spray changes, they got sprayed of course. PJ5 was pretty quick to figure out how to run away and avoid water in his face, but NB wasn't so quick.
It was hilarious to watch NB. He would sit down on the ground real close to the sprinkler on the side where the water wasn't going so he could put his hands in the spray. Then as the water slowly came towards him, he didn't "remember" to move until the water was hitting him in the head and then he would turn around and crawl/run away. Then after it went back to the other side, he would come back and do it all over again. Sometimes he would go around to the other side and try again. My verbal description doesn't really do it justice, but it was really funny to watch and the expressions on his face were great.
After about 10-15 minutes he figured out how to lean back or scoot back on his bottom so the water wouldn't hit him in the face. (That was about the time I got out the video camera, of course.) By the time we turned off the water they were both soaked, but NB was soaked first. :o)
Well, the boys thought this was really interesting. They abandoned the new slide and came to investigate. Like every kid I've seen, they wanted to get right up to where the water was coming out. But because the angle of the water spray changes, they got sprayed of course. PJ5 was pretty quick to figure out how to run away and avoid water in his face, but NB wasn't so quick.
It was hilarious to watch NB. He would sit down on the ground real close to the sprinkler on the side where the water wasn't going so he could put his hands in the spray. Then as the water slowly came towards him, he didn't "remember" to move until the water was hitting him in the head and then he would turn around and crawl/run away. Then after it went back to the other side, he would come back and do it all over again. Sometimes he would go around to the other side and try again. My verbal description doesn't really do it justice, but it was really funny to watch and the expressions on his face were great.
After about 10-15 minutes he figured out how to lean back or scoot back on his bottom so the water wouldn't hit him in the face. (That was about the time I got out the video camera, of course.) By the time we turned off the water they were both soaked, but NB was soaked first. :o)
5.29.2008
You should have seen us
The situation might have been scary had it not been so amusing. We have been working on this fort/swingset in the back yard. When PJ got home I had the "floor" of the fort done, which is about four-and-a-half feet above the ground. The next step is to attach the ladder (already assembled), then climb up and attach "slats" to the insides of the fort, like rails, to keep kids from falling off. (Two sides of the fort are partially open: one for the ladder and one for the slide.)
PJ5 was waiting for this moment. As soon as he saw "daddy" up in the fort and the ladder there...he was up. Of course, he was "helping" with a wrench--putting it on bolts that were already tightened. I went inside to check on NB who was taking a nap and when I came back out the neighbor-boy was there and up in the fort too!
The only problem is that the total "floor space" of the fort is 4'x4'. So here's a man over six feet tall (folded up) and a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old in this 4x4 space. Quite a picture, but just wait: it gets even better. I had let NB up from his nap and he was eating a snack, but soon discovered where all the action was and came outside. At this point, I suggested that my tall spouse come down and let me get up there and work. A little easier for me to fit up there plus I'm lighter. Then of course, NB wanted to get up. He had no problem getting up the ladder and no fears either. I said something like "I'm not sure if we will all fit up here", and the neighbor-boy said "Oh, that's okay I can just stand here on the ladder." And he did. (He's quite a character. I could do another post on some of the conversations we've had when he's around.)
So there we were. All four of us. The neighbor-boy told me it was okay cause he only weighed sixty pounds and "your babies" don't weigh much. "Not 170 pounds like him" (looking at PJ). I curiously asked him how he knew what PJ weighed, and he said "He told me." Then he proceeded to tell us how much his dad weighs. We had some more interesting conversation (e.g., boys can hit boys, and girls can hit girls, and girls can hit boys, but boys should never hit girls), but all the time I was trying to maneuver boards, screws, and screwdriver in a tight space, and worrying that someone was going to fall off (namely NB)! I kept saying "Ack! PJ! go stand over there in case he falls!" I should mention that PJ wasn't just standing idly by, but was actually working on the next step (at ground level) in between responding to my yelps.
Eventually the neighbor-boy went home, and I had the slats up on most of the two sides, so I felt a little safer about the boys. Unfortunately, the now-available space seemed to spark a desire in NB to move around more, and try to climb over me, and sit on my lap, and take the bag of screws or the boards and drop them over the side. He also decided that if my legs were dangling over the edge, his should too. When he leaned against me it was hard to work, but when he wasn't leaning against me I was constantly checking to make sure he wasn't about to fall.
We did finish that part and moved on to something else, but it was almost dark so I soon took the boys inside, much to NB's sorrow.
PJ looked over the rest of the instructions and estimates it will take us another 3 to 4 hours to finish, so hopefully we'll get done tomorrow. Ay-ay-ay!
PJ5 was waiting for this moment. As soon as he saw "daddy" up in the fort and the ladder there...he was up. Of course, he was "helping" with a wrench--putting it on bolts that were already tightened. I went inside to check on NB who was taking a nap and when I came back out the neighbor-boy was there and up in the fort too!
The only problem is that the total "floor space" of the fort is 4'x4'. So here's a man over six feet tall (folded up) and a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old in this 4x4 space. Quite a picture, but just wait: it gets even better. I had let NB up from his nap and he was eating a snack, but soon discovered where all the action was and came outside. At this point, I suggested that my tall spouse come down and let me get up there and work. A little easier for me to fit up there plus I'm lighter. Then of course, NB wanted to get up. He had no problem getting up the ladder and no fears either. I said something like "I'm not sure if we will all fit up here", and the neighbor-boy said "Oh, that's okay I can just stand here on the ladder." And he did. (He's quite a character. I could do another post on some of the conversations we've had when he's around.)
So there we were. All four of us. The neighbor-boy told me it was okay cause he only weighed sixty pounds and "your babies" don't weigh much. "Not 170 pounds like him" (looking at PJ). I curiously asked him how he knew what PJ weighed, and he said "He told me." Then he proceeded to tell us how much his dad weighs. We had some more interesting conversation (e.g., boys can hit boys, and girls can hit girls, and girls can hit boys, but boys should never hit girls), but all the time I was trying to maneuver boards, screws, and screwdriver in a tight space, and worrying that someone was going to fall off (namely NB)! I kept saying "Ack! PJ! go stand over there in case he falls!" I should mention that PJ wasn't just standing idly by, but was actually working on the next step (at ground level) in between responding to my yelps.
Eventually the neighbor-boy went home, and I had the slats up on most of the two sides, so I felt a little safer about the boys. Unfortunately, the now-available space seemed to spark a desire in NB to move around more, and try to climb over me, and sit on my lap, and take the bag of screws or the boards and drop them over the side. He also decided that if my legs were dangling over the edge, his should too. When he leaned against me it was hard to work, but when he wasn't leaning against me I was constantly checking to make sure he wasn't about to fall.
We did finish that part and moved on to something else, but it was almost dark so I soon took the boys inside, much to NB's sorrow.
PJ looked over the rest of the instructions and estimates it will take us another 3 to 4 hours to finish, so hopefully we'll get done tomorrow. Ay-ay-ay!
wake up and stop hurting!
I think I'm going to reintroduce caffeine into my life. I need it. I have been so tired this week and can't find anything to relieve the weariness. Napping is not an option because PJ5 no longer takes naps. I made him lay down this afternoon and gave him some books to look at, but he was up about 30 minutes later. Yes, this is good, except that I went to sleep and it was too short---I woke up with a headache! I think I'd rather be tired and sleepy than have a headache.
I'm going to go take an aspirin.
I'm going to go take an aspirin.
5.17.2008
Nutrition: a piece of the autism puzzle
That was the name of the seminar I went to today. It was very, very, VERY helpful. I have struggled to make sense of all the biomedical issues and how they fit together, and what is the safest way to address them. This really helped me get an idea of how to proceed.
The only thing I didn't enjoy was the length. It was from 9AM to 4PM. They gave us breaks so we weren't sitting all that time. But there was so much information! By 2:00 my brain started feeling overloaded and by 4:00 I had a headache. (But it was worth it for all the valuable information I received.)
"Meanwhile, back at the ranch...."
I'm not sure I will ever get PJ to consent to watch the boys all day ever again! In PJ's defense, NB's sickness made it harder because he was so cranky (that is, NB was cranky...not PJ, of course). I just told him we got to swap roles for a day :0)
The only thing I didn't enjoy was the length. It was from 9AM to 4PM. They gave us breaks so we weren't sitting all that time. But there was so much information! By 2:00 my brain started feeling overloaded and by 4:00 I had a headache. (But it was worth it for all the valuable information I received.)
"Meanwhile, back at the ranch...."
I'm not sure I will ever get PJ to consent to watch the boys all day ever again! In PJ's defense, NB's sickness made it harder because he was so cranky (that is, NB was cranky...not PJ, of course). I just told him we got to swap roles for a day :0)
5.12.2008
Learning
Hey Cerys, you remember that boat you made in toddler class that NB was so proud of? The one with the play-doh in the bottom and the sail stuck in the middle that he didn't want to put down?
I just found this morning's bowl of leftover oatmeal with a sippy cup and a spoon (upside down) stuck in it!
I just found this morning's bowl of leftover oatmeal with a sippy cup and a spoon (upside down) stuck in it!
Yeah!
I finally figured out how to successfully add my friends' blogs to my homepage. Now I can quickly see if there are any new posts. I tried it once before but it didn't work for some unknown reason.
I also just found Idril's blog, which I had not seen before. She said something about a blog once, but (silly me) I didn't ask her about it at the time.
My IEP meeting at the school went well. They said they have seen a lot of progress in PJ5, though there's still room for more, of course. He will be in the same classroom next year, which is nice because we really like his teacher (and so does he).
We went last night to play "42"--the favorite game of PJ's 87-year-old grandmother. It was interesting as always (you never know what she will forget or thinks she remembers about the game). NB kept climbing onto the table and I made him sit in time out as a consequence, which he hates. I overheard great-grandma saying "I used to spank my kids." PJ told her that NB hates having to sit still worse than being spanked. What was really funny though was what happened after the third time of making him sit in time out. NB made a beeline for the chair at the table that he was using to climb on, and great-grandma quickly shoved the chair under so he couldn't climb onto it. "THERE! That'll take care of that" (with a satisfied chuckle). It did temporarily distract him until about ten minutes later when he found another chair. That boy is so stubborn!
I also just found Idril's blog, which I had not seen before. She said something about a blog once, but (silly me) I didn't ask her about it at the time.
My IEP meeting at the school went well. They said they have seen a lot of progress in PJ5, though there's still room for more, of course. He will be in the same classroom next year, which is nice because we really like his teacher (and so does he).
We went last night to play "42"--the favorite game of PJ's 87-year-old grandmother. It was interesting as always (you never know what she will forget or thinks she remembers about the game). NB kept climbing onto the table and I made him sit in time out as a consequence, which he hates. I overheard great-grandma saying "I used to spank my kids." PJ told her that NB hates having to sit still worse than being spanked. What was really funny though was what happened after the third time of making him sit in time out. NB made a beeline for the chair at the table that he was using to climb on, and great-grandma quickly shoved the chair under so he couldn't climb onto it. "THERE! That'll take care of that" (with a satisfied chuckle). It did temporarily distract him until about ten minutes later when he found another chair. That boy is so stubborn!
Sick
N has a fever and acts lethargic, but no other identifiable symptoms. I hate these mystery illnesses.
Wichita Mountains!!!
We finally got away on our much-needed camping/hiking trip! No kids, no cooking, no strict time schedule. We enjoyed a short campfire (not good wood), listened to the night sounds from our tent, woke up to the birds singing above us (and a sore back from sleeping on the ground), went on three different hikes, talked a lot, enjoyed the sunshine, saw lots of wildlife, etc. I even made it to 2:00 on Saturday before any veggietales songs popped into my head! It was a good time.
Development
NB has a developmental delay. That's all we "know" right now. What that tells us, though, is that we need to work with him to help those areas in which he is behind---primarily speech. Because he is over 50% delayed in speech, he is eligible for help from state services, so we will be starting that soon. Yes, tomorrow I have an IEP meeting at the school for PJ5...and next week I have an IFSP meeting for NB. (Ask me if you want to know what that stands for, but essentially it's setting goals for their education/therapy and stating how we will work toward those goals.) I've been through all this before but that doesn't necessarily make it easier.
I had a conversation last night that gave me a better perspective on NB. (thanks, Cerys!) It's hard to know what his social skills are when I don't see him with other kids his age. It's also hard to know if my fears/worries cloud my judgment, so it's good to "see it" through someone else's eyes. I have decided to put him in a MDO program (part-time), so he'll have more opportunities to play with other kids.
I had a conversation last night that gave me a better perspective on NB. (thanks, Cerys!) It's hard to know what his social skills are when I don't see him with other kids his age. It's also hard to know if my fears/worries cloud my judgment, so it's good to "see it" through someone else's eyes. I have decided to put him in a MDO program (part-time), so he'll have more opportunities to play with other kids.
5.06.2008
Milk is out
Well, we tried one week of giving milk to PJ5 to see if it was having any effect on his behavior. This was at the doctor's suggestion--because we weren't sure if taking milk away had made an improvement.
That was a week of screaming and tantrums. Saturday was the end of the week and we stopped giving him milk, and Monday I never heard one scream. He did scream once today, because I wouldn't let him do what he wanted to do. But it was one scream, not a long series that turns into a tantrum.
That was a week of screaming and tantrums. Saturday was the end of the week and we stopped giving him milk, and Monday I never heard one scream. He did scream once today, because I wouldn't let him do what he wanted to do. But it was one scream, not a long series that turns into a tantrum.
4.29.2008
Happy Birthday, Daddy
I'm not sure if my dad reads this, but yesterday was his birthday and I just want to say here how much I love him. I'm so thankful for a father who not only was present as I grew up (unlike so many fathers today), but who also prayed for me and demonstrated a Christian life before me. He taught me to drive, taught me math, corrected my Spanish, drove me to work, and helped me in so many ways. He still prays for me, as well as my little family, and I am thankful for that.
I have been blessed!
Thank you, Daddy.
And thank you, Lord.
I have been blessed!
Thank you, Daddy.
And thank you, Lord.
4.22.2008
Too young
The day is calling me outside....but I have things to do inside. Besides that, NB is laying down and PJ5 will be home from school soon.
The boys went to the park last night with their grandmother. While they were there an older (but still little) boy attacked them! I don't know how else to say it. I was shocked when I found out. She said she saw the other boy push PJ5 down and start hitting him. Then later he did the same thing to NB! NB was crying, but we don't know if it was fright or pain. PJ5 didn't really react to it. NB has a bruise on his chin (but that could be just from playing), and PJ5 has a bright red mark on the back of his shoulder that is either a bruise or a bite-mark.
Before bed last night I said (emphatically) to my husband, "Our boys are going to learn how to defend themselves and maybe sooner than I thought" He laughed and said "I never thought I'd hear you say that!"
The boys went to the park last night with their grandmother. While they were there an older (but still little) boy attacked them! I don't know how else to say it. I was shocked when I found out. She said she saw the other boy push PJ5 down and start hitting him. Then later he did the same thing to NB! NB was crying, but we don't know if it was fright or pain. PJ5 didn't really react to it. NB has a bruise on his chin (but that could be just from playing), and PJ5 has a bright red mark on the back of his shoulder that is either a bruise or a bite-mark.
Before bed last night I said (emphatically) to my husband, "Our boys are going to learn how to defend themselves and maybe sooner than I thought" He laughed and said "I never thought I'd hear you say that!"
While I'm at it...
A few more confessions:
I like to cook, but I don't like planning meals.
I would rather read a book than do housework.
I get to sleep in (most days) while my husband has to leave for work at 6:30am.
I put in a Veggietales video for the kids when I need to do something without their "help".
Just to name a few.
I like to cook, but I don't like planning meals.
I would rather read a book than do housework.
I get to sleep in (most days) while my husband has to leave for work at 6:30am.
I put in a Veggietales video for the kids when I need to do something without their "help".
Just to name a few.
Confession
Confession is good for the soul, right?
Well, I confess that I should have been wearing my glasses Sunday. And because I wore my contacts instead, my eye infection flared up. That's why my eyes were so bloodshot the rest of the day on Sunday. I just couldn't bear to wear my 11-year-old...big-round lens...80's-looking glasses from high school. (vanity, vanity...)
The good news is that I found an eye doctor that will accept our insurance. The bad news is that they can't get me in until next week. So this Sunday I'll have to come up with another idea to avoid wearing those glasses. I'm willing to wear them in order to drive, but when I get to a drive-thru window or have to go inside, I take them off.
You might think "They can't be that bad!" But even my husband (who is wisely careful of what he says about my appearance) admitted they looked 80's style. (he said this with a hidden smile)
--------
BTW, I am using eyedrops for the infection but apparently it wasn't completely healed and the contacts just irritated it again. Or else there's something on the contacts that is causing the infection.
Well, I confess that I should have been wearing my glasses Sunday. And because I wore my contacts instead, my eye infection flared up. That's why my eyes were so bloodshot the rest of the day on Sunday. I just couldn't bear to wear my 11-year-old...big-round lens...80's-looking glasses from high school. (vanity, vanity...)
The good news is that I found an eye doctor that will accept our insurance. The bad news is that they can't get me in until next week. So this Sunday I'll have to come up with another idea to avoid wearing those glasses. I'm willing to wear them in order to drive, but when I get to a drive-thru window or have to go inside, I take them off.
You might think "They can't be that bad!" But even my husband (who is wisely careful of what he says about my appearance) admitted they looked 80's style. (he said this with a hidden smile)
--------
BTW, I am using eyedrops for the infection but apparently it wasn't completely healed and the contacts just irritated it again. Or else there's something on the contacts that is causing the infection.
4.14.2008
Here we go again...
Well, our computer is running again. So I've been catching up on reading my friends' blogs. Along the way I discovered that we no longer have flash player, so I can't see the videos that have been posted---have to fix that.
I took NB for his (18mo)well-child visit last week and mentioned (again) his lack of speech. They checked his ears and there was fluid. So now he's on antibiotics and a powerful decongestant/expectorant (both of which my nurse-sister warned me can cause an upset tummy) and we'll be going back to re-check his ears in a couple weeks. "In the meantime" they said, "go ahead and contact Sooner Start and see if you can get some speech therapy started." (It can take 4 to 8 weeks from the time you contact them until you actually get therapies---that is, if you are eligible.)
Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for any help we can get. And we had a good experience with the speech pathologist PJ5 had through Sooner Start. I just hate to be going down this road again. We don't know if NB's lack of speech is a developmental problem. There's a good chance it could be related to the fluid in his ears. We just have to investigate all possibilities, then see.
I took NB for his (18mo)well-child visit last week and mentioned (again) his lack of speech. They checked his ears and there was fluid. So now he's on antibiotics and a powerful decongestant/expectorant (both of which my nurse-sister warned me can cause an upset tummy) and we'll be going back to re-check his ears in a couple weeks. "In the meantime" they said, "go ahead and contact Sooner Start and see if you can get some speech therapy started." (It can take 4 to 8 weeks from the time you contact them until you actually get therapies---that is, if you are eligible.)
Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for any help we can get. And we had a good experience with the speech pathologist PJ5 had through Sooner Start. I just hate to be going down this road again. We don't know if NB's lack of speech is a developmental problem. There's a good chance it could be related to the fluid in his ears. We just have to investigate all possibilities, then see.
4.02.2008
Instructions
We just bought a swingset/playset for the boys, and now PJ has the fun of assembling it-ha! He told me it has about 100 pieces of wood included and they are not labeled, so he'll have to lay them out and identify the different ones. The instructions say that assembly should take "6 to 12 hours, after inventory of parts. Therefore, we recommend you set aside a full day for assembly." PJ read this to me, then looked up and said "How many hours are in their day?" He also read this from the assembly manual "a slide should not exit in front of a swing" He's going to have lots of fun with this! I told him I would help him since I love puzzles!
4.01.2008
Has it really been that long?
Over a month since I last posted anything!
Reason #1: We have been having computer problems, which still aren't completely resolved yet.
Reason #2: A month of multiple practices, rehearsals, and late nights for the Easter program---which, BTW, was well worth it!
Reason #3: I "fell ill" with a severe sinus infection the day after Easter.
I'll try to list a few interesting things that have happened during this "period of silence". PJ5 said "mommy" for the first time a couple weeks ago! His words have increased, as well as his attempts at words. NB has discovered gargling! The day he disconvered this, I think he gargled every time he had a drink. I even heard him gargling in his crib after I put him to bed!
PJ5 had a birthday recently. I had plans to have a big party and invite all our friends, but that was the week I was sick and I didn't feel like tackling something that big. So we scaled back to just family. He moves up to children's church next week. I have mixed feelings.....I hate to see him leave Cerys' class. He'll probably do fine because he loves the older kids. But I'm anxious to see how the workers handle his occasional tantrums.
That's all for now. Things around the house have fallen behind since the week before Easter, so I have a lot to do. Hopefully I can get back into the blogging habit now (barring further computer complications).
Reason #1: We have been having computer problems, which still aren't completely resolved yet.
Reason #2: A month of multiple practices, rehearsals, and late nights for the Easter program---which, BTW, was well worth it!
Reason #3: I "fell ill" with a severe sinus infection the day after Easter.
I'll try to list a few interesting things that have happened during this "period of silence". PJ5 said "mommy" for the first time a couple weeks ago! His words have increased, as well as his attempts at words. NB has discovered gargling! The day he disconvered this, I think he gargled every time he had a drink. I even heard him gargling in his crib after I put him to bed!
PJ5 had a birthday recently. I had plans to have a big party and invite all our friends, but that was the week I was sick and I didn't feel like tackling something that big. So we scaled back to just family. He moves up to children's church next week. I have mixed feelings.....I hate to see him leave Cerys' class. He'll probably do fine because he loves the older kids. But I'm anxious to see how the workers handle his occasional tantrums.
That's all for now. Things around the house have fallen behind since the week before Easter, so I have a lot to do. Hopefully I can get back into the blogging habit now (barring further computer complications).
2.29.2008
Vaccines and autism?
This is big news. The CDC and AAP have long denied any link between vaccines and autism, in spite of the many children whose symptoms of autism showed up after receiving a vaccine. (I can't remember a specific time of dramatic regression with PJ5, just that he seemed to reach a plateau and go no further around 18 months.)
Check out this story on WorldNetDaily.com
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=57629
Check out this story on WorldNetDaily.com
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=57629
2.26.2008
Small successes
In spite of being sick, PJ5 has said some new words the last few days. While he was sitting with me in church Sunday, I got out my Bible and he said "bi-bu". Yesterday PJ4 was swinging him back and forth from his arms. He stopped and PJ5 grabbed his arms again and said "swee". Also yesterday, he brought me a bottle of bubbles and I told him to say bubbles and he said "ubbus".
He was feeling well enough to go back to school today and NB cried like his heart was broken because I wouldn't let him climb onto the bus with his big brother.
He was feeling well enough to go back to school today and NB cried like his heart was broken because I wouldn't let him climb onto the bus with his big brother.
2.22.2008
More frustration
Autistic kids can be frustrating, but when they're sick it's even more frustrating. They can't tell you how they feel. They don't like their temperature taken. They won't take their medicine.
Well, PJ5 has "Flu A" according to the doctor. To us that means sore throat, fever, and whatever else may yet happen. They gave us a prescription that is supposed to help shorten the duration, and lessen the symptoms of the flu. But he will NOT take it! We even mixed it in some juice and he took one sip and no more. (We tasted the medicine and it does taste pretty bad.)
So I tried giving him some over-the-counter stuff to at least help him feel better. No success. It doesn't taste that bad---it's made for kids. But he refuses. When I force him to take it, he just pushes it back out of his mouth instead of swallowing. Right now it is in his sippy cup with juice, but he won't even touch it.
If anyone has some ideas, let me know.
In the meantime, us parents just got over a 24-hour stomach bug which has left me feeling weak and tired.
Excuse my rant, but I just had to complain.
Well, PJ5 has "Flu A" according to the doctor. To us that means sore throat, fever, and whatever else may yet happen. They gave us a prescription that is supposed to help shorten the duration, and lessen the symptoms of the flu. But he will NOT take it! We even mixed it in some juice and he took one sip and no more. (We tasted the medicine and it does taste pretty bad.)
So I tried giving him some over-the-counter stuff to at least help him feel better. No success. It doesn't taste that bad---it's made for kids. But he refuses. When I force him to take it, he just pushes it back out of his mouth instead of swallowing. Right now it is in his sippy cup with juice, but he won't even touch it.
If anyone has some ideas, let me know.
In the meantime, us parents just got over a 24-hour stomach bug which has left me feeling weak and tired.
Excuse my rant, but I just had to complain.
2.20.2008
Frustration
PJ5 fell asleep after school today, and didn't wake up until it was time to leave for church. Then we didn't get home from church until after 9:00, so we just put the boys to bed. Therefore, we didn't get much of our home program done today.
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I remembered this morning that I was supposed to have the devotional for tonight's meeting. I had been thinking about it last week, but had not written anything down yet.
I don't know where my mind has been. It's just not there...or here.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I remembered this morning that I was supposed to have the devotional for tonight's meeting. I had been thinking about it last week, but had not written anything down yet.
I don't know where my mind has been. It's just not there...or here.
2.19.2008
My list
I really like writing lists. It helps me get things done and stay prioritized. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment to check things off. But it's a good idea to be realistic....
1-Clean the house
2-Find a new house
1-Clean the house
2-Find a new house
2.13.2008
Word update
I posted some time ago that PJ5 was saying "popcorn" pretty clearly and using the word as a request. Well, he met with such success that now he says "popcorn" any time he wants something to eat---even if it's not popcorn. I know this happens occasionally. A child will get a word or "sign" right and try to use it for everything.
So we're trying to get him to say the appropriate word for what he wants. He has added a few new ones so far: chicken, drink (he could say milk already), apple, and grapes. I should perhaps clarify that he can say these, but it requires some prompting and motivation.
Actually, I think (hope?) that the success of "popcorn" may be motivating him to at least try some other words.
So we're trying to get him to say the appropriate word for what he wants. He has added a few new ones so far: chicken, drink (he could say milk already), apple, and grapes. I should perhaps clarify that he can say these, but it requires some prompting and motivation.
Actually, I think (hope?) that the success of "popcorn" may be motivating him to at least try some other words.
2.07.2008
Fun Music
Alright, I have to share this. It's too fun.
I played something close to (if not actually)"boogie woogie" at church Sunday night, and I got away with it!
Not only that, but someone told me that their husband (of an advanced age) was walking back up the church side-aisle, shuffling and snapping their fingers! Oh, the mental image---it's almost beyond my imagination!
I played something close to (if not actually)"boogie woogie" at church Sunday night, and I got away with it!
Not only that, but someone told me that their husband (of an advanced age) was walking back up the church side-aisle, shuffling and snapping their fingers! Oh, the mental image---it's almost beyond my imagination!
Who do you want for president?
For the first time in my life (well...since I turned 18), I am considering not voting. I don't want any of the choices it appears will be on the ballot. But this is only February and a lot can happen in nine months.
2.01.2008
Raise Your Hand
This was a random thought that I pursued in a rambling fashion
I was thinking today about "raising your hand". Sometimes we do it tentatively with our hands about shoulder level. Sometimes we just raise a finger. Then sometimes we throw our hand in the air as high as we can. It depends on the situation.
Then I thought about raising your hand in worship (while singing) at church. I know some people who are comfortable doing this, and some people who are not comfortable. Some think it too 'charasmatic' or emotional and just don't do it (especially if you grew up in a church where it wasn't commonly done). But really---why don't we feel comfortable raising our hands at church? (oops--did i just put myself in that category?)
Outside of church, why do we raise our hands? As children, we raise our hands to answer a question, to ask a question, or to volunteer for something; but mainly to get someone's attention. As we get older there is not as much need to raise our hand: perhaps to volunteer to do something, to get the attention of a group of people, to associate yourself with something ("how many people here are under age 30?"), to reach for something.....ah......that's something to consider.
Some people still view raising your hand as an attention-getting device and don't want to draw attention to themselves (which is valid since we want the attention to be on God--not us). (I hate to say it, but some people do raise their hands for this reason---remember the Pharisees?) Maybe some people are afraid that if they raise their hand they are volunteering for something. If you think of raising your hand as associating yourself with something, it might not be bad to raise your hands in worship along with those around you. Now, about raising your hand to reach for something----that just occurred to me as I was writing. Are we reaching for God when we raise our hands during singing? I don't know if that is what people are doing, but we don't have to physically reach out to "get God". (Though sometimes He asks us to reach out or step out in faith and obedience to Him.)
I think when people raise their hands while singing to God, it is symbolic. They are saying "God, this is my offering of worship to You." Or, "I lift my hands because I am giving my whole self to you---everything that I am, that I have, and that I will ever be." Or they lift their hands because the words of the song resonate within their heart. And there are probably some other reasons I can't think of right now.
All that said, I do not criticize those who do or do not raise their hands. Nor do I believe people should be forced to raise their hands, either by peer pressure or by the direction of a worship leader who is trying get people to "feel" a certain way (I have seen this happen). Most people that I see raising their hands in church do so as a selfless act of worship.
I am one of those who did not grow up in a church where everyone raised their hands, but I have grown accustomed to it and now feel comfortable with people doing so. I have even done it myself occasionally, though not often. Why not?? Well, it's kind of difficult to raise even one hand when you are the church pianist----but sometimes I have wanted to :-)
>>>>My son just raised his hands for me to pick him up. I often feel like doing the same with my Father.
I was thinking today about "raising your hand". Sometimes we do it tentatively with our hands about shoulder level. Sometimes we just raise a finger. Then sometimes we throw our hand in the air as high as we can. It depends on the situation.
Then I thought about raising your hand in worship (while singing) at church. I know some people who are comfortable doing this, and some people who are not comfortable. Some think it too 'charasmatic' or emotional and just don't do it (especially if you grew up in a church where it wasn't commonly done). But really---why don't we feel comfortable raising our hands at church? (oops--did i just put myself in that category?)
Outside of church, why do we raise our hands? As children, we raise our hands to answer a question, to ask a question, or to volunteer for something; but mainly to get someone's attention. As we get older there is not as much need to raise our hand: perhaps to volunteer to do something, to get the attention of a group of people, to associate yourself with something ("how many people here are under age 30?"), to reach for something.....ah......that's something to consider.
Some people still view raising your hand as an attention-getting device and don't want to draw attention to themselves (which is valid since we want the attention to be on God--not us). (I hate to say it, but some people do raise their hands for this reason---remember the Pharisees?) Maybe some people are afraid that if they raise their hand they are volunteering for something. If you think of raising your hand as associating yourself with something, it might not be bad to raise your hands in worship along with those around you. Now, about raising your hand to reach for something----that just occurred to me as I was writing. Are we reaching for God when we raise our hands during singing? I don't know if that is what people are doing, but we don't have to physically reach out to "get God". (Though sometimes He asks us to reach out or step out in faith and obedience to Him.)
I think when people raise their hands while singing to God, it is symbolic. They are saying "God, this is my offering of worship to You." Or, "I lift my hands because I am giving my whole self to you---everything that I am, that I have, and that I will ever be." Or they lift their hands because the words of the song resonate within their heart. And there are probably some other reasons I can't think of right now.
All that said, I do not criticize those who do or do not raise their hands. Nor do I believe people should be forced to raise their hands, either by peer pressure or by the direction of a worship leader who is trying get people to "feel" a certain way (I have seen this happen). Most people that I see raising their hands in church do so as a selfless act of worship.
I am one of those who did not grow up in a church where everyone raised their hands, but I have grown accustomed to it and now feel comfortable with people doing so. I have even done it myself occasionally, though not often. Why not?? Well, it's kind of difficult to raise even one hand when you are the church pianist----but sometimes I have wanted to :-)
>>>>My son just raised his hands for me to pick him up. I often feel like doing the same with my Father.
1.31.2008
Trying to get back to normal
I started to post something Monday, but haven't gotten back to it until now.
We are all well now, thank the Lord. We made it to our appointment in TX on Thursday. (Although PJ5 was sleepy and lethargic, and us parents were trying not to feel sick.) We made it to church on Sunday. I am slowly catching up on things this week.
My husband's company contract ends today and the new one starts tomorrow (sorry no details here). So he has been working late because of the transition.
We have our new "home program" to do with PJ5, but I am still gathering things we need, getting together a tracking system, and learning how to do all the different activities with him. It's actually very interesting and addresses many different issues; including sensory input and processing, helping the brain to make the right connections (sounds hokey but I don't know how else to say it), reducing self-stims, helping fine motor skills, and even some "obedience" training. My goal is to have everything ready to start on Monday.
I would write more, but time (and housework) doesn't permit! I'll have to learn how to do quick posts!
We are all well now, thank the Lord. We made it to our appointment in TX on Thursday. (Although PJ5 was sleepy and lethargic, and us parents were trying not to feel sick.) We made it to church on Sunday. I am slowly catching up on things this week.
My husband's company contract ends today and the new one starts tomorrow (sorry no details here). So he has been working late because of the transition.
We have our new "home program" to do with PJ5, but I am still gathering things we need, getting together a tracking system, and learning how to do all the different activities with him. It's actually very interesting and addresses many different issues; including sensory input and processing, helping the brain to make the right connections (sounds hokey but I don't know how else to say it), reducing self-stims, helping fine motor skills, and even some "obedience" training. My goal is to have everything ready to start on Monday.
I would write more, but time (and housework) doesn't permit! I'll have to learn how to do quick posts!
1.24.2008
(Almost) 3:00 in the morning..
There's nothing worse than waking out of a sound sleep to hear your child crying frantically---especially when he's sick. (yes, now PJ5 has it)
It's really hard with an autistic child because they can't tell you how they feel and they don't know how to express what they want or need. All he has been doing for the last hour is crying or fussing, acting agitated, making weird noises with his throat, screaming, and...well...you know (it's the stomach virus-yuck!). He wants the comfort of his pacifier (which he only gets at night), but I think that actually makes his stomach upset.
Well, another hour has passed and he is finally asleep. Hopefully soon we will be too...also...you know what i mean. good night.
It's really hard with an autistic child because they can't tell you how they feel and they don't know how to express what they want or need. All he has been doing for the last hour is crying or fussing, acting agitated, making weird noises with his throat, screaming, and...well...you know (it's the stomach virus-yuck!). He wants the comfort of his pacifier (which he only gets at night), but I think that actually makes his stomach upset.
Well, another hour has passed and he is finally asleep. Hopefully soon we will be too...also...you know what i mean. good night.
1.22.2008
Oh dear...
NB got sick this afternoon. I'm hoping it was something he ate and not a stomach virus! I don't want the rest of us to get sick, too. PJ5 has an appointment with a specialist in Texas on Thursday and if we have to reschedule (because of sickness), it may be awhile before the next opening.
Pray for us.
In the meantime, I'm going to eat as little as possible for the next day or two (just in case) because I hate being sick!
Pray for us.
In the meantime, I'm going to eat as little as possible for the next day or two (just in case) because I hate being sick!
1.20.2008
You want me to do what??
Have you ever agreed to do something, then later realized that task entailed more than you originally thought?
I agreed to several things today, and I will give them all my best. But I'm wondering: am I a "softie" or a "sucker"?
I agreed to several things today, and I will give them all my best. But I'm wondering: am I a "softie" or a "sucker"?
1.18.2008
Popcorn!
That's what he said (and quite clearly)!
Instead of leading me to what he wanted and putting my hand on it, he led me to the kitchen and said "Popcorn" several times. He didn't even put my hand on it. Hopefully he's making the connection between speaking and getting what he wants. He continued saying "popcorn" while it was popping in the microwave.
I know it's a small step, but you have to celebrate those, too.
Instead of leading me to what he wanted and putting my hand on it, he led me to the kitchen and said "Popcorn" several times. He didn't even put my hand on it. Hopefully he's making the connection between speaking and getting what he wants. He continued saying "popcorn" while it was popping in the microwave.
I know it's a small step, but you have to celebrate those, too.
1.17.2008
No thank you
Blonde jokes don't offend me, but sometimes I get really tired of them. Especially the ones that are grossly exaggerated. And why do people send them to me? Do they think I am going to find them amusing?
1.16.2008
Outlet
That's why I'm doing this.
No one may be listening.
(Though there is One who sees.)
Sometimes you just need to put your thoughts into words.
No one may be listening.
(Though there is One who sees.)
Sometimes you just need to put your thoughts into words.
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