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Going to visit Chase's teacher in the morning.

Wednesday already!  Time flies when you are trying to get caught up.  Three more chapters to go and then the final.  After that one more class from BYU and I will be a graduate. Hope this one won't take me a year!  That is a year to get past chapter 2, then a few weeks to do the rest.

When the time comes I would love to do this picture just the opposite.  Although there won't be any pomp and circumstance for me.  More like trying to decide between DQ and Andy's.

Brooke did such a great job coming up with the concept and execution.  She won herself a photo session.  She will now have a great memory tied to her senior pictures.  And, we had a blast doing it.  Thanks Brooke and thanks Beth Stacey Photography for offering this contest.

Here is the kind and wonderful review by the judge, Anjuli Mills Photography:   (click to enlarge)

Creating is such a fulfilling feeling.  At least for me.  When ideas are flowing I feel wonderful.  I love watching my children being creative.  You can see their minds pulling things together.  I think those who use their creativity become very efficient at problem solving.  You have to look at how all the pieces fit together and how one affects the other.  

Brooke took this challenge to try and win a photo session for her senior pictures.  Let's hope she wins.  It will definitely make it worth it cleaning up the dog puke.  Which was a result of Mimi licking peanut butter off the continually reloaded wooden spoon while we tried to get the perfect picture.

We are so proud of you.  But will miss you each day.  One day you will share your journey.  You can tell those who knew you as a young child.  They know there is so much to your story.  You see it in their eyes.  And in my eyes as I see the woman you are becoming.

I think it is going to be a tradition.  Two girls out to celebrate one's birthday.

Happy 17th Brooke.  
Growing up.  Senior. Driving off to school every morning.  Letting her mom stay in pajamas.  Happy Birthday to me!  So proud of you Brooke.  Have a super year.

Studying apraxia... 

I called Dan McCool today to talk about Nathan.  It was a good conversation.  Nothing like talking to a professional who really knows their stuff.  They ask the right questions to get information out of you that you didn't realize was there.  We spoke of Nathan's regression and whether or not he has memory (of words).  He said Nathan was a very interesting case.  After he gathered his information he said he would like to think on it before he educated and advised me.  I had just really called to ask if he knew of a class that taught children how to use iPads as communication devices.  You can tell when their heart is in it.  They want to do more than just tell you yes or no.

We did talk about how because of motor muscle memory he can get some phrases out perfectly.  It is true.  I hear phrases all the time.  Whether or not they are of communicative value it makes him happy that he is understood.  And he has the most adorable voice.  Don't tell him though...he is ten now.

I have decided that the iPad is the first place to start with Nathan using a communication device.  I haven't fought the idea.  But, rather hoped he would get his language.  He is ten now.  It is time to make that commitment.  Which it is a commitment.  You can't just hand him a fancy device with well researched apps and expect him to learn to use it.  It is a big job to teach and program the devices.  I am hoping to attend a conference in St. Louis that will provide me with the best start and the best chance at success.  This will have to be done very carefully with professional precision to keep him from rejecting the device.

Nathan with cousin Chance

WOW!  I am so ready to give him more.

10th Birthday!

Bittersweet.

First day of 2012-2013 school year!

What a beautiful day.  (Until the air conditioning went out again.)

12th grade

7th grade

 1st grade

 

 

Today because of scheduling and my slippery mind I ended up with Nathan accompanying Chase to his 'meet the teacher'.  Which used to be Nathan's teacher.  After fighting going into the school he refused to leave.  It was hard to watch him struggle and insist he wanted to stay.  Tomorrow morning Chase will get up and get on the bus, but Nathan does not have a program to go to.  I couldn't drag him out of the school telling him he gets to go back in the morning, because he can't.   His program ended so abruptly and unexpected I am still looking at his options.  It sure lit a fire under me though.  There is so much inside of him he just can't get it out.  He is a big boy.  He is ten now and he wants to go to school!

 I really was excited to take Chase school shopping tonight.  Supply list in hand off we went with sisters and Grandma.  I think it is so important not to give up on these rights of passage, family rituals and memory builders.  But tonight I made a mistake.
Chase has done so well.  I think that was the hard part.

But in the end after I had squeezed his long legs though the cart seat and was off to get hair bands with Sam.  I realized my son was not the only wiggly, distracted hyper-stimulated child up late shopping.  And, I was not the most impatient mom in the store.  Brings things into perspective. Plus he did like picking out his own supplies.  Good idea...questionable.  Worth it...yes.

Wonderful presentation by author Anne Boushey yesterday.  So happy she accepted my invitation to speak at the SWAN support meeting. One of her insightful nuggets of wisdom is to get your child out of their comfort zone.  Seems like Dr. Grandin told me to stretch Nathan...  Hmm...  How many times must I get this message.

The opportunity has presented itself with having to take him out of his program.  So far his future is wide open.  I need to remember not to just plan his program on what makes him happy.  But, will help him strive to reach new goals.
fyi: The string represents holding on while letting go.

Mother and daughter at a fundraiser. Raising money for Team Quentin.  Supporting our friend and autism advocate Kaia!  I have such tiny girls.  You would think one would be taller than me (or at least have the possibility to be taller) but I don't.

Wonderful night, a chance to dress up and play grown up for a good cause. 

Nicole left a bit early.  Her friends were hoping she would join them & she did.  Congratulations Team Q on a job well done for Autism Speaks.

It is great to have her home.  Even if it is just for a time.  It is just like she was never gone.  Everyone was happy to see her.  Her friends even hid in the house and surprised her!  She is now a Disney Grad.

What is so fun is that Nathan has been giggling and smiling all day.  He is really happy she is here.  I wonder if all families are like this.  Gone since her visit at Christmas, but you would never know.  She steps right back in and doesn't miss a beat.

Mr. K. hasn't quite finished punishing her yet.  But, didn't give her the cold shoulder like last time. 
Looking forward to the week!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

She's coming Tomorrow

It's only a day away!!!

The conference planning is going great!  Looking forward to meeting Chantal Sicile-Kira and Matt Savage.

May 2-3, 2013

I am personally interested in Chantal because of the work she has done with her son to provide him with what he needed to find his voice.  I am desperately trying to help Nathan find his voice.  Maybe one day he will find a way to communicate as Chantal's son...

“Autism is an important influence in my life.
The hardest part is not being able to talk.
God must have been out of voices when he made me.”

– Jeremy Sicile-Kira

   

I believe Nate will.  Just tonight he told me, 'look, turn you head'.  Jeremy speaks with assistive technology and is non-verbal.  Whether Nathan uses assistance or becomes verbal it doesn't matter.  What matters is that I will hear him.

And Matt, what a treasure.  I have followed his career for close to 5 years.  An amazing young man.  He travels the world playing the piano.  And, just released his 9th Jazz album, titled 'Welcome Home'.

 "...this is Savage's album all the way, as he not only plays with a maturity well beyond his years but wrote and arranged every number..."
ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM

Milestone!

Brooke's first solo drive.

"It is everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling. And I give all the glory to God. It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to him and the blessings fall down on me," -Gabby Douglas

When our youth can stand tall with a gold medal around their neck and say this you know this is not a lost generation.  I see wonderful acts of kindness and commitment through the youth of our time.  I am so proud to be a mother of children in today's world.  When they do it right it is amazing!  (Right, not perfect.  No one needs that challenge.)

Today was another busy day.  Girls sleepover, pioneer picnic, baby shower, Brooke to the movies.

But the most significant event was a memorial I attended.  A gentleman from church passed away unexpectedly at 57.  One of Chase's teachers in fact.  The program was a beautiful tribute to his life and beliefs.  One of the most significant moments was speaking with his wife afterward and her concern that she had not yet had a chance to do something for me that we had spoken of earlier.  Her presence was one of  complete charity.  Her husband gone yet her thoughts were of others.  From learning more about her husband, they were a perfect match.  I have known this woman since I was a young teen and she always speaks with kindness.  And, today I saw what true grace is.  I pray that she is comforted in her time of loss.

Done.  She passed.  We are finished with our late night drives.  We had been sneaking off at bedtime to practice because our little car does not have air-conditioning AND it is hot!  We had a goal to get her license before school starts. AND SHE DID IT.

Well if we couldn't be there with her I am glad it was Grandma and Grandpa.

She only has 5 working days left of her internship.  She not only has had a blast, but developed into even more of a kind and generous lady.  The joy she gets from making other people smile makes me smile. 

I have my answer!  After scouring the web, talking to anyone who would listen at the pet store, and pleading with the vet for years.  Today Samantha said, "I got it.  I know why the cats eat plastic bags."  She had been rereading some old National Geographic Kids magazines and came across a question and answer page.

"Plastic bags are made of a substance that comes from petroleum, and the scent and texture drives many cats wild."  Of course they are not safe and despite the picture we do not 'let' them play with bags.

I now have peace...  Well, maybe not.  But, it still feels good to know that our cats are not as self-injurious as I once thought.