Motherhood

Kristen at We Are That Family is doing a giveaway this weekend for a picture that most repesents motherhood. To me motherhood is...

Oh yeah. School.

After yesterday's post, I am feeling a little guilty of not mentioning that I do actually go through schooling with my youngest son. However, it doesn't take but a couple of hours, which still leaves me with too much free time.

For homeschooling, C reads his library book every day. Though his comprehension skills have improved dramatically this year, I still require him to write down the main idea of each chapter. (Instead of a full report at the end of the book.)

We're using Switched on Schoolhouse for curriculum, and it's worked out great for him. It's all on the computer, and it grades everything for me. He asks when he needs help with something, and I check his work when he's done to see how he's scored. I believe we will use the same thing next year.

Throughout the rest of the day he is learning life skills, whether he's emptying the dishwasher or helping me pick up groceries at the store. I really like him helping with the latter, because he can find things quicker than I can!

I have probably told this story before, but he (C) and his brother (A) are so very different when it comes to following directions. They are both extremely intelligent, but A just has some issues when it comes to finding things. Any things.

For example, one time I sent A to the produce section of the grocery store to get me a bag for the package of meat I had in my hand as I was waiting to check out. It took him at least five minutes and he came back with a package of chicken. See what I mean?

C is still not extremely interested in socializing with people, though he does it without complaining too much. (And when I say socializing, I mean he will be in the same room and answer their questions if he must.) I think we need to get back into the routine of contacting someone every day.

I used to make him send an e-mail or make a phone call or something sometimes during the school day, but I kinda slacked off. I'm thinking I may add that to my list again.

He is such a sweet boy, and he continues to make us laugh every day. He is very polite, and is definitely a lover and not a fighter. He is really growing up.

I love him so much!!

My very sweet mother...

...wrote a very sweet post about my youngest son. Please go read it here.

Autism Shmautism

(Thanks, Leslie. I stole that from you.)

My youngest son amazes me all the time.

He says funny things. He asks questions that I never would have thought he would ask.

He can do things that I don't expect him to do-- Something I'm really trying to fix.

(I should really expect more from him.)

Tonight he and I were upstairs in the guest room while my husband had life group for some men in our living room.

I had my computer, my two phones, and a book. I figured that would keep me busy for a couple of hours.

He was playing Mario on our old Nintendo while I Facebooked.

I play Mario every once in a while, and I have gotten to world 5-2. It takes me a while to just do that, and by the time I get to that level I am frustrated and turn off the TV.

Tonight I looked up from my computer and my son was on level 8.

I freaked out! I kept squinting at the TV wondering if I was seeing it correctly and I started going on and on about how I couldn't believe he got that far, I can't get that far, How in the world did you do that?

Without even looking at me he said, "I just warped."

People, I had no idea you could warp to level 8. I didn't even know there was a place to warp to level 8.

If you knew my son, you would know that he absolutely does not like to be in trouble. He doesn't even like thinking he's in trouble, which is why he is the most obedient child on the planet.

And any time he thinks he might be in trouble, he will ask, "Am I in trouble?"

He's so sweet.

So after I freaked out and went on and on about how I didn't understand how he could do that and that is amazing and I just can't believe it, he asks me...

"Am I in trouble?"

Ya think maybe I got a little to excited?

My Saturday, because I know you really care.

I woke up way too early by my daughter texting me that she left her chapstick in her shorts and she didn't want me to wash them. She was on her way to the SAT at the time.

Good times.

Shortly after I was awakened, my 15 year-old and husband left to go fishing and to shoot skeet with men from our church. Apparently they did very well and had a wonderful time.

Then I spent my morning on the phone with my mom and my aunt. I don't talk to either of them very much during the week because we are all so busy, so I like catching up.

They are two of the most important women in my life.

My mom got me thinking about college applications, so I spent about an hour online looking at application deadlines and freaking out at what all I need to do. I guess I don't remember much about applying to college. My thinking was, you just apply.

Just so you know, if you apply to the U of Texas, you do a whole lot more than that.

(See Phebe, this is why I need you in my life. You are my Yoda of my kids education!)

Then I got cleaned up and my youngest son and I went to return a dvd to Blockbuster (my husband's defensive driving course) and to the grocery store.

We also went to a killer garage sale for some friends who are trying to raise money to go to India. I bought some stuff from two of my favorite things in life: kitchen appliances and electronics. (Two baking pans, a Cuisinart coffee maker, and a router. VERY excited about my purchases.)

I came home, put away my groceries, and made us both lunch.

Ok, really he made his own lunch and I had a ham sandwich with Lays potato chips inside it. (Yes, I said inside it. This was a treat for me because 1. I don't ever buy ham and 2. I don't buy chips. But that is really my favorite kind of sandwich.)

Then I waited somewhat patiently for my daughter to be finished with her SAT's. Good grief, it took five hours. I guess I don't remember that, even though I did take it myself. Twice.

I picked my daughter up, bought her some tacos from Jack in the Box, and came home. She went to babysit my nephews instead of working at the restaurant tonight. And, it was also her first time to drive that far (one hour!) by herself.

Thankfully, she did fine, and I didn't call her until she was pulling into my SIL's neighborhood. If you knew me, you'd know that was progress.

When my husband and son got home, I prepared a cake for our meeting after church tomorrow and then went to watch my hubby's church-league two softball games. In the heat.

Can you say L.O.V.E.?

After the games, we went by Blockbuster and rented a couple of movies. (The Tale of Despereaux and Paul Blart Mall Cop. Despereaux because my youngest and I read the book this year and the other because I heard it was funny.)

And on our way home from Blockbuster, it hit me that I put the cake in the oven before I walked out of the house. I didn't tell my son to take it out, though I did set the timer.

Needless to say, I was FREAKING OUT. I called him, of course, to find out that he heard the timer and took the cake out of the oven.

Can you say thank you Jesus?

And I must say, I didn't enjoy Mall Cop very much because I felt sorry for him. He was such a dork and I just wanted him to not be.

I obviously don't get out much.

One of the most exciting parts of my day is the fact that my 13 year-old (with Autism) sat and watched BOTH movies with us. He is not the most sociable kid on the planet, so this is huge! I was very excited!!

That's about it for my exciting day. My daughter and I texted a lot, I made 7 layer dip for our church meeting, and my husband and I looked at new cell phones. I have just about talked him into getting me an Ipod Touch, so I'm totally going for the free cell phone.

=)

I hope your weekend has been wonderful.

Sometimes I forget

Today I was looking online for some social stories for my son with Autism, and I started thinking about what life with him would have been like if we weren't on this journey.

I don't think about this very often. In fact, I don't know that I've ever even allowed my mind to go there. He is who he is because God has allowed us to walk this road.

It was settled in my heart a long time ago, and sometimes I just forget that it could have been any different.

My son, C, is a great kid. He is very happy and he laughs often. He even sort-of bounces when he walks.

When he was in public school, he always had several kids (and teachers) who loved him and enjoyed helping him out. In fact, nearly every year in school his teachers would have to move the girls' desks away from his desk because they always ended up doing his work for him.
He's just a really likable kid.

But what if I didn't have to search the internet for social stories for him? What if I didn't have to prompt him to look at people when they were talking to him, so that he would know he's supposed to respond?

What if I didn't really know what living with Autism was like?

He's very coordinated. I wonder if he would have been in sports.

He's a joy to be around. Would he have lots of friends?

Would he be as obedient and as respectful as he is now? As orderly? Take things as literally?

Truthfully, I don't need an answer to any of those questions. Not even one of them.

When I look at my son, I see a handsome, happy 13 year-old boy. Sometimes I have to be reminded that he has Autism. Sometimes when I'm telling someone how good he is doing and they just nod their head and smile, I think, "Oh yeah, I forget that they aren't seeing what I'm seeing."

Sometimes I forget that the world says he's not normal.

I love my son, and I thank God daily for him. I can't possibly imagine him being any other way.

Sometimes I forget that there's even anything else to think about.

Originally posted January 2009 @ Mom in Transition

I just can't believe it

I'm not sure I can truly express the joy I am feeling right now in this little blog.

My youngest son, C, has taught me to be thankful for everything in his life. Every milestone, every new way he is able to communicate, every big step he takes, whether on his own or with our help.

Today is a day for celebrating!

When my other two children have gone to the dentist for cleanings or to have teeth filled, it hasn't been that big of a deal. I expect them to sit still and do exactly what the dentist/hygienists tell them.

For K and A, those things are normal.

With C, on the other hand, it's a different story. His visit a month ago was the first time he has ever gone back to see the dentist by himself. The office had set up some new rules, and this mama wasn't too sure about sitting in the waiting room instead of in a chair next to him.
But he did fine.

(And so did I, just for the record.)

Yesterday C went to the dentist so that they could attempt putting sealants on his teeth. Because God has lots of grace on my life, C has never had any cavities in all of his twelve years. The last time they tried to do sealants, though, it did not go over very well. (And I don't go for the nitrous oxide-- for me or my kids, so that was out of the question. At least not until it was absolutely necessary.)

So at his last visit we set up an appointment for yesterday, hoping to get some of the sealants done. And if all went well, we'd make another appointment and do it again.

Here's the part where I get excited!!!

#1. He went into the back all by himself, again, without even asking for me this time.
#2. They did ALL of his sealants. ALL OF THEM. I could not believe it!

When the hygienist came out, I figured she would tell me they got a few done, and it went ok. (Oh me of little faith.) Instead, she told me that he was very cooperative and helped them hold the mouthpiece to keep his mouth open.

I was in shock! I am so thankful that he was able to do this, and I think he was really excited when he found out that he won't have to go back for six more months.

My baby's growing up, y'all. That statement makes me cry for all sorts of different reasons today.

Originally posted November 2008 @ Mom in Transition

What day is today?

My youngest son, who is 12 and is autistic, likes order very much. Very much. Now, this could be any child, really, but all of his Transformers are put together as robots on his shelves in his room. (Autobots separated from the Decepticons, of course.) We don’t touch them.

He also has all of the Spongebob Legos put together on the shelves in his room. He hasn’t played with them since he put them together, but they are there and aren’t going to move.
The remotes in the bonus room upstairs stay in the same spot. The coasters on the table go right next to the placemats.

He likes order.

And he likes knowing what’s going on. He does pretty good with change, but he still needs to know what’s up ahead. Which is totally understandable.

(He did great on vacation, although he did wake his brother up the morning we were leaving to say, “It’s time to get up and get ready to go.” That was before I was even up. Too funny.)
Since he likes knowing what’s up ahead, I really tried working with him on days and dates. I honestly thought he was never going to get it. He could understand that today is Monday and tomorrow is Tuesday. But don’t try to explain to him that in ten days we are going to do such and such. He just didn’t get it.

And then one day it just clicked. Thank you, Lord.

Now he knows the day and date every day, and if you asked him what the date will be two weeks from tomorrow, I would bet you that he would be correct.

Me, being the wise-and-with-it mother realized after months of giving him information and trying to explain when it was going to happen, that maybe he would do better with a CALENDAR! You know, that thing with all the days and dates already on it?

So I got him one. And he loves it. Every night he goes upstairs and pulls his calendar out of his sock drawer. He marks off the day with a big X. It’s very cute.

There are only two things that he has written in his calendar (I wrote lots of stuff for him)-- the dates of the State Fair from last year and from this year. He talks about that day all year long, because that’s where we win the enormous Sonic the Hedgehog stuffed animals.
(Yes, he’s 12 and he still has one of those. It’s the last thing he has that I wish he’d get rid of. He ditched all the other stuff on his own, so I’m hoping he’ll do the same for this one. And we don’t bring it in public. But it does ride in the car with us. And it went to Destin, too.)

ANYhoo.

I was cleaning out the closet under our stairs as that is where I keep all of our home school stuff and school is about to start. (And it was starting to smell funny.) I have a whiteboard calendar in there, and I finally decided it was time to add August’s info.

I wiped it off clean with alcohol and a paper towel, and I wrote out all the dates. Then I looked at my trusty personal calendar and realized I had started August on a Thursday instead of a Friday. So I went to get another paper towel.

Before I got back to the calendar, my son was there pointing at it and said, “You wrote the dates wrong.”

The boy likes order.

Originally posted August 2008 @ Mom in Transition