Website

In preparation for publishing of my book in the next year (or so), I have decided to move all of my blogs to my new WEBSITE!!!! Hurrah! Feel free to check it out!

http://tamarakanderson.com/

Tamara

Skipping at Church

Who says you can't skip down the aisle at church with your bag in tow? That is how Nathan entered church on Sunday. I almost giggled out loud as I watched him. One brother pulled me aside with a smile on his face and said, "If only all of us were so happy to be here." Right? Oh sweet Nathan.

It wasn't always this easy coming to church...subtract 10 years and I was in practically in tears trying to keep my kids quiet, entertained and on the pew during church services. Although my kids (Jacob especially) did escape on numerous occasions and immediately ran to the front where I would always make a spectacle of myself in front of the ENTIRE congregation trying to catch the little demon (I mean angel). Sigh! Yes...we have come a long way.

I am glad I hung in there and kept making it part of our "routine" to come to church. I am thankful for loving people who were kind along the way--because it WAS NOT EASY. There were days I wanted to give up, but I was too stubborn not to. I loved God enough to keep going, even though there were years I didn't get much out of church, I do now. Those of you who are in those hard years, hang in there! Give yourself a year or two, or 10 and they just might skip down the aisle:). #AutismAwareness#GoingToChurch #ICanDoHardThings

Miracles For Matt

Just over two years ago, this amazing young man named Matt Bowen, broke his C5 vertebra body surfing in the Pacific Ocean. Over the past few months I have been privileged to interview him, his family, and a few of his friends about this incredible story. It is this very story I have been working on writing the past few weeks. I will be sharing bits and pieces of his incredible journey as I chronicle Matt's crazy detour in his life and how he pressed forward despite the odds. #NormalForMe #LifeDetours #QuadLife #MiraclesForMatt

https://www.facebook.com/MiraclesforMatt/?fref=hovercard

Finding my "Normal" Font

I was working with my Producer this week on getting my author website ready to launch. We decided to get a mock cover of my book "Normal For Me" on there. One of my assignments was looking at different fonts for my cover. After looking at about 100 fonts I started giggling because I realized that reading all of these fonts that said "normal" was proving my point...every one of us is normal even though we are all different. #NormalAndDifferent #NormalForMe

Sensory Sand

Kiddos on the autism spectrum often have sensory issues and are either over-reactive or under-reactive to their senses. Nathan found great joy in playing with the sand on the beach during our vacation (sensory seeking). He loved running his fingers through it over and over and touching and feeling the sand as it ran through his fingers in different ways. Yes, he did throw sand all over everything, but I was glad he was happy and enjoying the beach in his own way. #AutismAwareness #SensorySand

The Recurring Dream

There was that recurring dream…that one I asked God to stop--not because it was scary, but because I was so sad when I woke up and it wasn’t real. In my dream, Nathan was talking and laughing and communicating normally with me. It was as if nothing was wrong with him. It was as if autism was the dream. My joy in the dream was so immensely tangible. I talked to--really talked to and played with my boy. I loved that dream!

And then I’d wake up. And as the blissful dream slipped from my mind and reality crashed into my mind, I cried. I grieved. I mourned—again, and again, and again, with each ensuing dream. Finally, I did ask God to take the dreams away because the trauma of waking up and grieving each morning was too painful for my mama heart to handle.

I haven’t dreamed about my “normal” Nathan since.

You might consider me weak. I am sorry that I was not strong enough to dream. The reality was too harsh to face each morning. I am stronger now, but not strong enough to pray for the dreams to come back.

Maybe someday when heaven is closer I will have the courage to dream again. In that day when the resurrection touches all of us, the innocent soul I have been blessed to raise will finally receive a perfected body, thanks to the Savior. In that day, I will finally get to see that dream become a reality. I can hardly wait for that dream to come true, when I will ultimately communicate with my Nathan and we will laugh and talk like everyone else. We won’t be hampered autism anymore. And I won’t have to wake up and see it all disappear. #AutismAwareness #Resurrection#JesusChrist #Easter

If you were touched, please share. Happy Easter!

Enjoying the Waves

Vacationing with a child on the autism spectrum is always interesting. You never know what will interest them. When we went to Point Loma, Nathan LOVED watching the waves roll in. It was so sweet to watch him get so excited as he watched the ocean's waves. Enjoying the simple joys of life. #Autism #SimpleJoys

A Little Board Game Distraction

"No games." "I want iPad." Well iPad time was over. Sometimes as a mom you have to click into "distractor-mode" when your kiddos with autism are demanding electronics. The other day we busted out some old games that Nathan used to play--and even though he was hesitant at first he eventually came around and had a great time. My sweet Noelle will be a great teacher/mother someday. It was endearing to watch her encourage her big brother along. #AutismLife #BoardGames #SiblingLove

Pajama Pants and Rubber Boots

I know what you are thinking...Styling! Right? If you were to pop over and visit me right after I helped Nathan get showered in the morning, this is how I would be decked out: t-shirt, pajama pants and rubber boots. I know. I know. You are thinking, "Tamara, you are a total trend setter. Why don't the fashion magazines follow you?" Well, gollly! It must be that pajama pants and rubber boots just haven't caught on yet. Give it time.

This is #AutismLife at its finest my friends. Here at the Anderson home we don't care what you look like or dress like. Everything is worn for practical purposes.

I wish I could say I hadn't gone out in public like this, but I must confess that I shoveled snow from the driveway several times dressed like this in the last few months. Thank goodness it was at 6:30am. When someone drove by I just smiled and waved--Ha ha. It's a miracle my neighbors still talk to me!

So, the next time you are looking oh so lovely in your pajama pants and boots you can know you are not alone in the world. I'm right there with you.
#AutismMom #ItsNormalForMe

Dragonwatch Review

I finished it!!!! Dragonwatch is a deliciously rich feast after a long Fablehaven famine. I couldn't put the book down! Seth and Kendra are off to their adventures again with clever twists and unexpected turns. Dragonwatch is the perfect start to this new sequel series. It is perfect for kids, teens, and adults who are looking to delve into a fun fantasy adventure. Great job Brandon Mull! The only con is that I have to wait until next year to devour the next book;). #DragonwatchReview #5Stars #MustRead

When the Book You've Been Waiting for Arrives....

Look what just arrived!!! My daughter told me, "Go curl up in a corner mom. I call dibs when you are done." Ha ha! This girl knows me all too well. #Dragonwatch #Fablehaven #BrandonMull #LoveToRead

Meeting Richard Paul Evans

I was humbled to be able to participate in Richard Paul Evan's Author Mentoring this weekend. It was an experience I will never forget! He is indeed kind and is a powerful speaker and motivator. I am so thankful for all that he taught us!

I feel like I came into the training as a “toddler" in my knowledge of publishing. This had me feeling as though I was looking up at a giant mountain, overwhelmed about where to start or even how to navigate my uphill climb. This training not only showed me the map for the trail to traverse this publishing mountain, but it gave me a network of friends and professionals to journey with. I am no longer alone as I climb step by step up my mountain of writing and publishing. Was it worth it? Yes! A million times over—YES. For now I know the path that I need to trod and I have a map to follow. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Richard Paul Evans. You are an answer to prayer. I no longer feel intimidated by the journey in front of me—only empowered to go forward and write my life’s work.

An Organizing Project

For the past week and a half I decided to spend my spare time organizing my craft closet--mostly so I could access/find my material and make quilts (to donate). Anyway, I ended up repurposing some old dressers and I did get to build some shelves from scratch--but it was fun, creative work (and I got to use my new saw:). Now my closet is organized and my mind is already piecing together some quilts. Now I better get sewing:). Here are the before, during, and after pictures.

Hanging with The Wiggles

When I hang with my buddy Nathan, you never know what we will end up doing. Last week we took a walk down memory lane and sang and danced with "The Wiggles." I love my perpetual 3-year-old and his sweet innocence! #Autism

Spontaneity and Autism

On Valentine's Day I surprised the kids by taking them right out the door the second they got home from school to the movies. We saw the new Lego Batman movie and it was fun. The kids were hilarious though—they were like, “We can’t go to the movies, we need to do our homework first.” I told them that we could do homework later. They are so used to their schedule that they have a hard time when I change it (even for something fun). I later asked Jacob if he enjoyed mom being spontaneous and just taking him to a movie after school. He said, “No. I need to do my homework first. But if I have to go to a movie you need to let me know before.” Yup—autism and sticking to the schedule. That is pretty important. Parenting kids on the spectrum makes me giggle sometimes.

Gratitude for Founding Fathers

Yesterday I was working with Jacob on his Citizenship in the Nation merit badge for scouting. As we talked about the different branches of government and their functions and then the system of checks and balances I realized that we had a perfect example of that this week in politics--the Trump's ban and then the judge ruling that it was unconstitutional. No matter what side of the issue you are on, be thankful that our founding fathers set up this system of checks and balances so that no branch of our government can overstep its bounds without another branch checking it. I am glad to be an American and am thankful for our founding fathers! Glad to see the process still working.

Birthday Boy

Nathan turned 18 this week! Happy Birthday to my boy. I can honestly say I am so thankful that God sent us this wonderful son. Although having a child with autism was never on my agenda, it is a journey I am so thankful to have taken.

Eyebrows

Confession: "I liked you with your regular eyebrows." I see so many women getting their eyebrows done--but I like women without all the paint on their eyebrows. I like the more natural look. I think women can look pretty just the way they are. I'm not against women spending money to get "dolled up"--please don't get me wrong. Some women just like to do that--but I'm not one of them.

I must be getting old if I just don't care what the fashions are or if I am following them. Then again, I've never really been a follower of fashions. I'm sure there are some people that would tell me I need my eyebrows done. I would respond, "Oh well. I try to pluck the stray ones when I have a spare moment."

I guess what I have figured out is that what matters most is the person behind the eyebrows--not what the eyebrows look like. So dear women, don't feel you have to follow some silly fashion trend that tells you that you have to paint your eyebrows to be beautiful. The truth is--you are beautiful just the way you are. You are daughters of God! Have a blessed day!

A Weekend Adventure

We had a fun long weekend exploring southern Utah. I love the beautiful sights and am thankful to God for eyes to see the beautiful world around me, legs to walk and explore, and family to walk with me. I am also thankful for Nathan's iPad, without which, I do not think he would have come along for the "little" hikes we took.

Finding Joys in Autism

Cute Nathan! Who knew that the little mirror in the car could be so amusing? This is one of the blessings of autism: seeing the world through a perpetual child's eyes. The other day I drove him to the library and he found the mirror in the car and sat and made faces at himself the entire drive there. Lets just say that I had a hard time not giggling the entire drive there. So sweet! Finding the joys!

Late Start Blues

Late start: Most kids are sleeping in right now--my sweet son with autism is having a meltdown because this is not how the schedule goes on a Thursday morning. Sigh! I will make it. Good luck to all parents of special needs kiddos and Sp. Ed teachers today!

Nathan Shoots Some Hoops

Sometimes your kiddo with autism does something and you think--"I didn't know he could do that." We had one of those moments this weekend when my husband handed him a basketball at my parents house last week and he ended up sinking a few baskets. Cool!