Did anyone else find this as interesting as I did?

Note the story title, 

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HEAR

"YOUR SON HAS AUTISM" 

In the upper right.

Studying for my class.......  Tonight's reading included the following.

"Energy for Motivation.  To be motivated--that is, to be moved to behave or to think---assumes a supply of energy.  Without energy to power muscles and the neurons of the brain, motivation is impossible.  Which prompted the invention of chocolate."

*Okay maybe I added the last sentence on my own.

After a week of losing skills Nathan pulls off a surprise.  He picks a 100 piece puzzle and sits down to work on it until it is done.  He never ceases to amaze me. 
His video was too long to fit on the blog so it is HERE on our YouTube channel.  I just couldn't keep it short!

Springfield Little Theatre never disappoints.  Thanks to Panthers for Autism and the theater 21 families with children who have an ASD diagnosis were welcomed free of charge to this evenings glorious dress rehearsal.  It was a packed house between our families and the theater's donors.

And a special thanks to Katie who dreams big and leads with her heart!

Chase and Katie

Some days she is just too far away!

Especially when she needs her mother to nurse her back to health.

Her tininess (yes, spell check tells me it is a real word) finally got her in trouble.

That combined with a ski lift and two large men who thought she would be safer in the middle.

My sweet daughter ended up with a concussion.

I miss her and wish I could be by her side.

Love you Nicole!

Congratulations Brooke!  All four years of high school making the All-District band-what an achievement.

You sounded beautiful tonight.  Glad Grandpa and Grandma could join us.

Registered for my last class.  Watching 4 films.  A reason to sit down and watch a movie...wonderful!  Now if the instructor would have just added chocolate to the course requirements I would be assured an "A".
Course requirements:
1. View and informally analyze the assigned film;
2. Read the assigned chapters in the textbook and take the Speedback Quiz; and
3. Read the assigned supplementary reading and submit a written response to the Application Activity. I will grade your responses to the Application Activities.

There is a See's opening in our local mall this month.  Maybe I should e-mail the instructor!

Chase is working on flu proofing me.

He decided to do this all by himself.  I don't even know were he came up with it.

What a loving son.

And yes, I did drink the lemon juice he made for me too.  I was not going to pour it down the drain when he wasn't looking.  Anyone else would have done the same after his efforts.  That is what we do as parents!

...so she writes a book (series) decides it needs some illustrations...and teaches herself to draw.

Characters from Keys of Rilaegis

Brothers Rule!!!

 

Don't believe me check out this video about 

two very special brothers 

from Sports Illustrated Kids.

"Daisy"

has a new family along with her new name.

Our dear neighbor that found a skinny, dirty puppy allowed me to teach my children a lesson in compassion that no amount of talking about could do.  To teach acts of kindness we need opportunities.   Thanks to a family, this puppy and the ice storm that has visited us tonight we will all sleep well knowing that our little visitor of 5 days is safe and warm with her family tonight because we took the time to care.

Before

After

For those of you who think I have lost it (including myself).  

This video is why we do it.  Why we rescue dogs.

"Nibbles" as Sam calls her has a few families interested.

Hoping she finds her home soon!

She is a real sweetie.

And thus why I haven't blogged in a few days.

After searching for a communication app for Nathan for many, many months I ran across this review by A4cwsn.  Then when Gary James asked who would like a copy I told him about Nathan.  Then last night I was tagged on facebook in this post:

Congrats to Elizabeth Stillwell Obrey on winning the Avaz App, please email me Gary@a4cwsn.com with your details 
G

 I am so excited to get the AvazApp

for my boy

 

Who would have ever guessed that I would be the tall one!?

Nicole left to return to college after a 3 week blissfully wonderful Christmas break.

Miss her already!

What a way to start the new year.  This came in the mail today.  

I can finally finish my degree!

LAST CLASS!

2013 will be amazing!

We have trained for this day.  But, in the end it was up to Nathan.  It was he who quietly slipped to the other room to try a new food for himself.  It was time.  He had gotten hungry enough waiting for his meal at a family gathering that he helped himself to Hint of Lime Tostitos (shocking) and has never turned back.  Trying new things every day.  He has even put on some height.  

I love this new adventure we are on!

Today it was orange wedges, with the peel.

That's okay though.  They are good for you.  One benefit is that they can reduce the risk of heart disease.  With his congenital heart disease I would say this is good medicine.

One of our Christmas miracles caught on camera.  Chase is growing and understanding more and more each day.  He has his struggles learning the unwritten rules of 1st grade social communication, especially the girl rules.  But this day his mind opened up just a bit more as he played with his big sister.

And a second miracle is watching the bond between cousins.

Nathan and Chance

Sunday...we spent our day learning and praising the 

birth of Jesus Christ. 

And today we remembered as we enjoyed each other and the gifts we graciously accept from

 our loved ones.

 Nathan went to his favorite gal's birthday party.  Her first party!  She is such a treat to know.  She gets excited when she sees him coming

Happy
Birthday!

Making Christmas candies!

Thanks to big sister Nicole

 I came home to a plate full of Christmas candies and big smiles on her brothers' faces.

Last night was fun making teacher presents!

Stirring sticks to go with the hot chocolate packs.

Chase was able to deliver the gifts while Nathan slept til 1:30.  He did manage to find the energy to make it to the party at 2:00

Back to back Christmas concerts tonight.

Samantha first then

done with Brooke's and Chase said, 

"Now we go to Nicole concert."

You can really hear Brooke's piccolo.

Chase working hard to put some finishing touches on the Christmas tree.  

He got a little scissor happy with my notes.

Wonderful time at the bowling birthday party...

 

This was the first time Chase has been bowling!.

Loved that Nathan kept his eye on the ball to see how many pins he knocked down.

This is the second time Nathan has been bowling.  Thanks to Dom for the second invite.

There are no words for today...only tears.

12-14-12

HE will hold the children tonight.

All I want for Christmas is my

two (sorta) front teeth!

Here she comes again...

Can't wait to see her tomorrow!!!

Home for the holidays.

Christmas Parade!

Brooke played piccolo!!

We had a fun day.  Lots of smiles and lots of candy. 

Yes, she is the short one on the end.

My piccolo player.

Taking candy from a Storm-trooper.

Mommy and her not so little men.

He finally got into it!

Notice Chase waving to Santa.

Good brothers

Great way to prepare for the SWAN Christmas party....