Chores and Living in our Home

My kids think I'm the Wicked Witch from the West today. What mother gives her kids chores to do on their vacation? I don't know about any of you, but my house seems to get messed up so much more quickly when my kids are home. I seem to go to bed each night wondering, "Was my house really clean today?" The answer is "Probably not."

Oh well, but we do get the basics done--usually--sometimes happily, sometimes unhappily (as I hear my cupboard door slamming in the kitchen). Someone is NOT happy about unloading the dishes right now.

I know there are some people that live in uber-clean houses. I am not one of them. I gave up on perfection in my house many, many years ago. If you entered my home right now you would see puzzles on the dining room table, dishes in the sink, toys and books scattered throughout the living room and toys throughout the playroom downstairs. Yes, we live in our home. It is not on display. It is our home. I hope my kids feel comfortable kicking off their shoes and reading a book.

Plus there are days when my kiddos on the spectrum have hard days, and those are the times when my house looks a little more lived in. We've had pictures thrown off the walls, holes punched in the walls, doors slammed etc. Sigh! Thank goodness those days are few and far between.

My house is a home where living and learning take place. It is not a perfect home...maybe I'll get one of those in the hereafter:).

#LivedInHome #Chores

Wisdom Teeth

Poor Jordan got all four of his wisdom teeth out yesterday. So, I spent the whole day keeping an eye on him. It is good that I did. He had some real bad nausea and vomiting (I believe it was a reaction to the medication they used to knock him out and one of the pain killers they gave him). Poor kid!

I also pulled a momma vigil last night and slept in the same room as him to ensure he took his meds at 3:20am and didn't wake up in extreme pain. What we don't do for our kids--even when they are 18 years old!

He seems to be doing much better today. (Thank goodness!)

#KeepingVigil #MamasJobNeverDone

Two Silly Brothers

Flashback Friday...two of my favorite buddies, Jordan and Jacob! They are still just this silly. My how they have grown up! Memories are gifts. Happy Holidays!

Trip to SLC

We went to Temple Square last night to hear Jordan perform with his high school choir and Nathan screamed the whole drive down to Salt Lake City. He didn't want to go! Sigh! Yes--I forgot to put it on the calendar...BIG mistake!

We were simply thankful that he calmed down once we got out of the car and started walking around. He happily sat through Jordan's concert (he had his iPad) and even walked around looking at Christmas lights with us after.

#LittleMiracles #LivingWithAutism

Keeping it Simple

I have been collecting Nativities from around the world for several years now. Usually they are the first thing I put up after Thanksgiving...but this year has been very busy. And so, here we are just 9 days before Christmas and I only have about 10 Nativities out (and Noelle put 8 of them up for me).

I've decided I am okay with simplicity this year. No, I may not have decked my house out for Christmas as much as I usually do, but that doesn't mean I am not thinking about the true reason we are celebrating this holiday season. I have enjoyed teaching Sunday School this year as we have studied the New Testament, and I truly feel that my focus has been more on Christ.

I have found myself wondering what goal I can set for the new year that will keep me close to my Savior. I am so thankful that we celebrate His birth this special time of the year and hope my focus can always be on what is most important. I think this is the greatest gift we can give to Christ at Christmas--to remember Him the rest of the year. Merry Christmas!

#RememberChrist #TheRealReasonForTheSeason

It's Snowing

"It's snowing! It's snowing!" Nathan bounded through the house yesterday morning with this exciting declaration. I know he is quoting one of our family movies from back when we lived in Arkansas, but that is ok. At least the saying fit--it was snowing.

Like other kids, he loves looking at the snow, and sledding, but he doesn't last as long as my other kids outside. I don't know if that is because he gets cold or what (he can't tell me). This much I do know, he gets excited when it snows.

#Autism #communication

Carolers

This past week, on the kid's church youth night, there was a knock at our door. The young men in Nathan's church group had come caroling. Nathan stood and listened with the rest of us during the first song, and then when they switched songs to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" Nathan's eyes lit up and he smiled this HUGE smile. He recognized that song. After the singing, they handed Nathan a little bar of peppermint bark and said goodbye.

Nathan happily bounded into the house and began eating his peppermint bark. He would come and grab a piece of it and then go dancing around the living room. Then he came back and sang "We wish you a merry Christmas" and took another piece of peppermint bark and went bouncing around the living room again. He repeated this over and over--almost saying (if he could communicate), "Mom, the boys came and sang to me and gave me this yummy candy." He was so happy!

I am thankful for young men who took the time to come and sing to my boy with autism. It may not appear that it mattered much, but it made Nathan's night!

#WonderfulYoungMen #AutismCarolers