Well I submitted the boys' photo to a cover contest for Autism Spectrum Quarterly.  The fun part was the photo-shoot!

These are the two I sent.

 

Took my final, finally!  May have missed one.  The hardest part of the test was the course evaluation where I had to mark my age.  My group was the second to the last group!  I hope I am not in the last group by the time I finally graduate.

The boys had their 3rd swimming lesson tonight at the Arc.  Chase is doing very well.  His instructor is really helping to understand how to use his arms.  Years of 'floaties' have produced a very confident and brave swimmer who has no idea that he needs to use his arms.  I knew it was happening.  But, I only have so many eyes and arms in the pool at one time.  We do what we can as parents...then we bring in the professionals.  Right or wrong, I want the boys to be safe.  
Nathan has always enjoyed the water, as long as he could touch the bottom.  She is working on building trust first.  She is so patient and sees the accomplishment in getting him further down the steps each week.  How a skill that is worked on does carry over to the next week.  Even though she challenges his obvious need for security it is displaced by his want to try.  Children are amazing and their capacity to learn things that they fear is unmatched.

I was at a loss for tonight's blog after reviewing Chase's video that I had planned for my entry and well, it is indecent.  So asked Sam what I should blog about.  She said, "chocolate bunnies."  So we googled chocolate bunnies and decided on this one.
Why?  It actually holds a very special memory of a relationship between one of my daughters and her teacher, Dr. Kerri Duncan.  And a company that recognizes the value of being an "Unsung Hero of Autism". (2011) Thanks Lindt for hosting such a wonderful contest.

Dr. Duncan is second from the left.

Well the Pirate Party was a success.

The boys even survived walking the plank!

Transitioning is not just an isolated event.  Chase is doing so well with his transition from Rivendale to life in the public school system.

Trip to nurses office=seeing Dr. Burson.

First Open House.

Showing off a bit of work!

3-day weekend and making nature stew with Sam.

Friday night football.

Hanging out with the band.

Playing with the band!

SLEEPOVER!!!

...finally sleep.

But it is only Saturday.

And, there is a pirate party at 4:00!

It was so long ago that Nicole met her favorite author, Obert Skye.  Eighth grade at Barnes and Noble.  A chance errand brought to my attention a book signing.  He was to be there that weekend (or maybe the next).  She was so excited.  She was there early and closed the place down.  He treated her like he was honored to meet her.  Like anyone should treat a fan.  Little did he know she was/is his biggest fan.  What a wonderful man and mentor.

Excited to read his new book.

Today was a wonderful day.  She definitely needed a pick me up.  She purchased his newest release.  Very pleased she began her ritual reading of his series.  And then something amazing happened.

During!

Her words exactly..."*Is reading Geth and the Deception of Dreams. Reaches page 120. Stops, rubs eyes. Reads again. Screams with delight!!* Thank you thank you thank you!!! I can't even describe how happy that makes me!! I wish you could have seen the expression on my face! You're the best!"
You guessed it.  Someone just became immortalized in conversation with her favorite character.

I had the most incredible time learning at the Touch Technology Conference in St. Louis this past weekend.  I have been researching and studying what the next move for Nathan's communication is.  I now know what I want to do and even what I don't want to do.  Which is very important given the time factor.  

Conference Buddies

I had an amazing time with a great friend, Malinda.  This is sure to be only the first of many excursions for us.  Hopefully with a few more joining us.  Over the next few posts as I am processing the information I plan on posting some of the wonderful things I have learned.  I would really like to track Nathan's progress as we move forward.
But for now I will post some pictures and tend to Chase who came home early from school with an earache.  Now I just have to figure out how to sneak Nathan out of the house for swim lessons tonight.

The Renaissance, right across the street from the airport. 

 

LUNCH!

View from the 9th floor.

There are so many wonderful and inspirational stories that I run across.  This one is about a personal journey and facing fear head on.  Seen on stage as a man finally shares his gift with the world.  

He has found his bailiwick.

Today after Nathan and I went to the farmer's market he spied the mall.  To encourage his communication I obliged his request.  We quickly found a play area that of course was full of toddlers and babies.  Nathan was happy and I was on my toes.  We met a young mother with the friendliest 1 year old.  He loved Nathan and Nathan was overjoyed.  After playing for a time the mother asked Nathan how old he was and if he was my youngest.  Thus my opportunity to give information that was not asked for but was desired.
We said he was 10 and had just left his school because of insurance and I was still working on his programing.  This mother asked me if I knew of Dr. Duncan, that she had interviewed her for a story in 417 magazine and she highly recommended her.  I said yes I do and that she (this woman) had actually interviewed me over the phone about our experience with Dr. Duncan!  What a fun reunion that resulted from a chance meeting. The world is full of wonderful people and I was privileged to meet one today.

Dr. Kerri Duncan

Pure Magic.

Having both brothers do hippotherapy together is amazing.  Calling to each other, waving and smiling.  

Couldn't be much better.

Take a moment today to remember...

...and listen.

It is good to be back!  

Chase is working on hitting without the tee.  

And, Nathan worked with a buddy...Mom stepped back.

Grandpa took some fun video I need to post later...just a little teaser...

A day to walk. A day to remember.  

Family and friends dedicated their walk to Danielle who we lost last year.  She spent her last moments with us doing what she loved...supporting families with autism.  

We will never forget you.

It was a beautiful day.  While there were tears, there were many smiles.  Honoring and remembering a special mother and teacher couldn't help but bring a smile to your face.  I am so glad that Nathan had this special angel in his life to teach him. What a tight group they had that year.

12/22/1964 - 9/04/1982

As we clean out cabinets and prepare for a family dinner with our extended family I can't help but think of all the years we spent our Labor Day collecting coins and dumping them in the fish tank.  The MDA telethon was part of our lives.  But not just the telethon the whole organization.  We were part of the Jerry Lewis days.  Whenever there was a chance to do a school report on a hero I always chose him.

I miss my brother and wish my children had known their other uncle.  But, he is always and forever in our hearts.  This weekend is a time to reflect on his life and death. That was the the weekend we were all going to stay up with him and watch the telethon through the night.  He probably did.  He just had a different view than the rest of us. 

I miss you my dear brother.