Hole-y Shirts

I was cleaning out my closet the other day and found my kids old "spaghetti shirts" (basically old shirts they wore when they were little when we ate spaghetti or other messy things). I giggled when I found them and started going through these little shirts that were stained and had holes in them. That made me laugh again...the holes...I had almost forgotten that Jacob used to chew holes in EVERYTHING. I think it was a sensory thing, and I am so GLAD he has now outgrown it.

Check out the holes in these babies! They would always start little and end up huge! Looking back, I'm thankful I survived buying shirt after shirt for this boy (and it is also a good thing he had two older brothers handing down shirts to him as well).

#ChewingShirtsAutism #AutismSensorySeeking

Kissing Again?

A funny story: Jacob saw Justin and I kissing in the kitchen and he loudly commented, "Where is VidAngel when you need it?" (VidAngel is a company that edits movies for swearing, kissing, etc). That is what a 13-year-old thinks of his parents public display of affection. HA!

#TeenagersOnTheSpectrum #Kissing #VidAngelJoke

Balloon Joy!

Pure joy! What else can you say? I gave Nathan a balloon for his "early birthday" party last night and this was the result. He got the exact same kind of balloon last year from his siblings and loved that balloon to death! So, I thought I'd get him another one. He was so excited! Never mind the presents--he wanted to run and play with his balloon. It is a reminder to me to enjoy the simple joys of life.
#balloonfun #simplejoys

Eliminating Disabled People?

I read an article the other day that said that 90% of mothers in Britain that found out their babies would have Down syndrome chose to abort the baby. Denmark has also seen a strong decline in Down syndrome for similar reasons. The author then posed the question, "Would this [eliminating people with disabilities] make society better?" I would have to argue that no, it would not. Being the mother of two children with disabilities has changed me as a person. It has made me more loving and more sensitive. I have become more patient and understanding of people in general. It has made me a better person. I have also seen how my children have touched and changed those around them--for good. These souls with disabilities are angelic.

It bothers me to think that there are people out there that choose to "abort" a child with disabilities. What about that child? Who knows what amazing things they could do and accomplish even though they might have a disability? The author cited the stories of Stephen Hawking and a young man in Texas with Down syndrome that at age 19 has become the youngest business owner in his town. I believe that people with disabilities can do amazing things, and that they bring out the good in the people who are blessed to rub shoulders with them.

Not one of us on earth is perfect, so we are not trying to eliminate people with imperfections. I believe our goal should be to acknowledge our imperfections and press forward doing our best. Some of the greatest stories of heroes are of people who overcame great obstacles or hardships or even disabilities. God bless us to love and learn from the imperfect people around us!

#ImperfectlyPerfectPeople

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645834/If-you-knew-your-unborn-baby-had-defects-what-would-you-do.html

Mother Daughter Date

I took Noelle for her first Mani-Pedi on a mother-daughter date this week. The boys were doing fun things and she was bummed and wanted to do something as well. We moms often have to pull fun activities out of thin air. Thank goodness this one turned out well! Noelle really enjoyed it--it was fun and unique. Plus she has enjoyed looking at her cute fingernails and toes since (with turquoise fingernail polish).

#MotherDaughterDate #ManiPedi

Bobsledding Fun

Nathan has loved watching Bobsledding on YouTube for kids for a while now. I don't know why it caught his fancy because I still don't understand the autistic mind completely. Imagine my glee when I found out that they were hosting the World Cup for Bobsledding an hour from our home. So, we loaded up the kids, donned our cold weather gear and braved the wind and snow to watch Bobsledding in person. Worth it? You bet! It was probably one of my top 3 things we have done in Utah since we moved here. And, Nathan LOVED IT!!!!! In fact I chased him and Jacob all over that mountain as they watched the bobsledding in person--man those sleds go FAST! I had fun and got my exercise;).
‪#‎BobsleddingFun‬ ‪#‎Autism‬

Bobsledding Video

Working Out--Sort Of

So, I started a new exercise routine with the new year. I am doing a series of 10 minutes workouts to help tone my core. How long has it been since I really focused on toning my belly??? Well, lets just say it was between baby #1 and baby #2. (Yes, my oldest is 18.) That is how pathetic my poor coor muscles are. I have done yoga and walking and biking since then, but no core. Sigh!

All I can say is that it is good I am doing this in the safety of my own home. First, I must mention that I am not very coordinated, so my following (or messing up) of all the dancing hip-hop and kick boxing moves would be quite a comedy routine to witness. No, I am no dancer--but I try to keep moving. There are times I am laughing at myself because you would think that after two weeks I would get some of these "routines." Alas, I am afraid I would be a disappointment to any dance instructor.

I am sure some of you are wondering how I ever managed to teach choreography to the elementary school choir for 3 years....lets just say I had to practice A LOT and I wrote every move down on my music. Some kids totally had the moves down better than I did. At least I can sing:). That is what you get when you have a volunteer teaching music and choreography:). You do your best.

And so, that is what I will continue to do in the safety of my own home workout--do my best. Hopefully I will get better and better and eventually stop tripping over my feet. 'Til then--wish me luck and good work-outs. Maybe I'll get it--eventually.

#NewWorkOutRoutine #NotCoordinated #DoingMyBest