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!