Today is World Wish Day!

I can't hardly believe it has been almost a year since Nathan's trip.  The trip that brought him back to us.  He had been a year & a half into his regression.  I documented it on the blog:  Nathan I Am.  But, things changed on the trip.  He was happy once again.  He remembered life is worth living.  It is fun and exciting.  He came out of the shell he built around himself.  He still does not have the same skills he used to.  Although last week he passed off recognizing all his lowercase and capitol letters.  He might not be reading or spelling, but it is the first step.

Make-A-Wish gave us hope and a fresh start.  It truly changed our lives, especially his.  I can hear him in the other room...making happy sounds.  I love him and love Make-A-Wish!

I haven't finished his wish blog but I am half way there.  I would like to continue it even after all the pictures are up.  We are now life long supporters and I would like to document our time with this great organization.

Anonymous package in the mail today! We have such wonderful friends. Thank you.

The package was full of lego guys.  Packed to the rim!

You can't see it in his hand, but you can on his face.  He has a new lego guy(s).

Way to wear your new snuggie.  She says she can now sleep in style.

Grandpa and Chase on field during a Miracle League Game.

So here is the schedule...

April 30th at 7:00.  Dodgers vs. Cardinals

May 7th at 6:00.  Dodgers vs. Braves

May 14 at 7:00.  Dodgers vs. Redsox

May 21 at 6:00.  Dodgers vs. Cardinals

No game May 28th for Memorial Day.

June 4th at 7:00.  Dodgers vs. Braves

Popsicle season has started early at our house because of the beautiful weather and intense outside play.

I am not sure this counts though.  
Chase's favorite is a Pickle Popsicle!

Who wouldn't want to take Miss Morgan's music class?  Not every day is Mardi Gras in class, but each class is fun.  The boys sing, dance and play instruments with Miss Morgan.  Then to end the class they make instruments with Miss Christine to bring home and keep music alive all week long.

Music is such a part of our lives.  We know music taps into different parts of our brains.  Various pathways are strengthened.  The research is there.  But, I didn't need anyone to tell me the power of music.  It can lift the dreariest days and lighten the worst of moods.  People ask me how I do it with so many children and the extra time it takes to tend to special needs.  Well, here is the SECRET....I sing in the car.  Oh it is awful!  But, the amount of tension it releases it near miraculous.

Thanks Silver Dollar City performers!

Chase loved this day.

Thanks to Special Artist Academy for giving us such professional music classes at a more than affordable rate.  This is how we do it! 

Paul Cimins of AutismRadio.org posted this.  It really struck me.  Not only for myself and confirming that my work is within the field of autism.  Not just because that is what I live, breathe and eat (for the last 19 years), but it is what I know.  And, I know there is great work to be done.  Why?  Because, our children are great.  Parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, therapists and physicians.  We can enjoy this journey.  Success is sweet.  But, even if our children never overcome their limitations.  Every moment working with them is time well spent and done right can be very satisfying.  We must find our own Bailiwick.  How I do things might not suit you.  Nathan's progress is very experienced based.  New experiences open his mind.  And Chase loves to learn.  I can't define our bailiwick yet but I don't fight it.  I am learning it is okay to have fun.  That I shouldn't feel guilty that not every moment is consumed by "getting better".  I have amazing children.  We get out of our house and experience life.  We welcome opportunities.  Sometimes we twist an ankle, but it heals and we learn to be patient. 

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs

Our outfielders!

The team got their jerseys today.  Boy are they looking cute.  Nathan stepped in a hole in twisted his ankle on the way to the field.  They are going to fill it in.  He was really hobbling out there.  But, every time I asked him about sitting out he wanted on the field.  And then, after it was over he limped to the playground!  

What a wonderful program.  So proud to have Chase running to home plate on their website.

Can't wait until next week!!!

Sometimes simple things 

are the best therapy.

Chase would plant for hours if we had things to put in the ground.  Hopefully Nathan will catch the planting bug too.  Samantha did! Therapy is time and what you do with your time.  Just taking time to stop and plant the pansies.

Summer cuts.  

Thanks to Aunt Rachel who works magic.  

I remember the days I used to try and cut it. (Click to view)

Nathan and Chase fresh after the cut.

Before

After

The Miracle Field-Our first game.

Could it be a homerun?

Absolutley!!!

I got to be Nathan's buddy on the field.  And, Grandpa was Chase's buddy.

Nathan running home being cheered on by the opposing team.

Is that a mom coaching from behind home plate?  What does she think she is doing?

Chase loved fielding the ball.

What a night at the Miracle Field.  The boys' first game.  What an amazing time we had with old and new friends.  It makes my heart swell to think of all the volunteer time and donations that make this league and the wonderful field possible.  The league is set up for the players to make their way around the bases one base at a time until the last batter brings them all in with a homerun.  Well we forgot to tell Chase.  He hit that ball and ran all the way around the bases for his first homerun.  He even passed Nathan and me, not even slowing down for a high 5.  Thanks for joining us Grandpa and Grandma.

The boys enjoyed Weird Beard, the Asperger's Pirate performed by Spectrum Theatre Ensemble today

 Nathan was so happy to see his teacher Miss Vanessa after his spring break.  But, I really don't know who was happier!

The Spectrum Theatre Ensemble traveled from Columbia to perform for us here in Springfield.  The performance was sensory-sensitive.  Before the performance started the audience was told this performance was for them.  We didn't need to hush our children, we could take breaks whenever we wanted, and we could move our chairs. 
The boys had a great time and got to meet the cast afterward and were given a gold coin.

 Chase was quite impressed and proceeded to play a pirate upon arriving home.  Being involved is what we do.  We don't hide away.  When opportunities like this come along we embrace them. 

This ensemble is made up of a variety of actors, some on the spectrum.  All performed together and no diagnosis was distinguishable.  Although the individuality and gifts of a diagnosis was the theme.  And fun was to be had by all!

Nathan's first day at Dynamic Strides

Before Therapy

 I was so excited to take Nathan to his first hippotherapy session.  I dreamed and prayed that this therapy would touch him.  That the sadness and distance that is common in my young son would ease, at least for just a moment.  It did.  But, not for a moment.  It lasted well beyond the hour he spent with his new friend "Thunder".  Nathan opened up his heart for this horse and his therapists.  He let his happy sounds ring loud and free.

After Therapy

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day I would like to share our song.