How do I...

As part of my New Years Resolution, I want to step out of my little box. I want to appreciate what we have. Not in the financial aspect, although that would be great too. To completely accept that Evan and I are the ones that need to change, Aaden and Brady are who they are. I want to pinpoint why it is God gave Autism to us. What is he trying to teach us about ourselves?

Appreciating that we only deal with Autism. That we aren't at St. Jude's fighting for my baby's lives. That we don't require surgery after surgery to keep them alive. Thankful they are still alive, and we didn't lose them to SIDS like so many other families have lost their babes. I am grateful and blessed.

I am going to find a dr and get tested for ADD- I have taken several online tests, and have landed in the severe adult ADD category. You know what? That is FINE with me!!! Maybe I can finally concentrate and stay up until midnight reading and researching Aaden's disability. Learning new ways to help him, because right now, I read a whole page and remember NONE of it. Kind of kills my desire to keep on going. So I have become this lazy mom with a son who needs help but mom can't read. That is not me. That is not who I want to be.  And maybe then, my blogs won't be all over the place, eh? lol

I think every parent has questions about how to handle this, or how to handle that… I sit here today wondering how I explain something to Aaden. When he gets really upset, as he is now, he often completely shuts down his motor abilities, that includes walking, standing, sitting. Everything. He will just lay on the floor and scream. We know his vocal chords work. That KILLS me. I absolutely hate that he does it. Not so much because he is upset either, because every kid, disability or not, is going to get upset about something, some kids- mine- take things to the next level. I get upset because he CAN do these things and I am thankful we 'only' deal with Autism. I have made friends with a sweet woman, who's son was told he may never walk… & now he does!!!!.

How do I explain to Aaden that he CAN walk- and there are other people in and around the world that cannot? He doesn't believe me. Or either he just doesn't want to listen. It's probably a little of both. I reallllly would love for him to understand how fortunate he is. To know he has the ability. 

We have Aaden's follow up ARD meeting next week. We will be adjusting his goals and adding a parent partner. Parent Partner will come in our home and show us ways to assist Aaden. I'm sure he will be an angel the first couple times they are here. Which is fine. Less crying I have to hear for a few days. lol- sad but true. I wish company could live with us--- then there wouldn't be constant screams all the time. Ahh Anywho- I can barely wait to meet who will be working with us. 

This has been the first blog from my new MacBook. Whoop Whoop! Maybe there will not be as many typos now and a lot more posts!? yeah? ha

Until next time.

With love,

Courtney :)

Something HUGE

Today is Friday, can I get a whoop whoop?! Not to mention, Evan has been working a job from 9-4 this week, and is supposed to be off the weekend!!! Just when Evan was working to the point of exhaustion, something different comes along for him. With the same company, just a different line of work.

Being Friday, I do my normally running minis around. We leave our house by 7:00, to get Aaden around the corner to school, in enough time to eat a good breakfast with his friends. Then it's across town, about 30 minutes to have Brady at school for 8:45. Then, back 30 minutes towards our house, to grab Aaden by 10:45, and then BACK 30 minutes to get Brady by 12:45. Phew, yes I do that, on Wednesday's and Friday's.

My boys have made me so proud today--- Brady has had a difficult time with Momma leaving him at school. Crying for 20-45 minutes each day. Well today, he walked the entire way into his classroom, grabbed his name tag, and told me where to put his tote. All alone. With ZERO tears!!!
When I picked him up, his teacher said he had an amazing day! He participated in every activity, was very vocal, and even hugged another student when we were leaving.  I haven't shared much with Brady, because unlike Aaden, we seem to be able to work thru Brady's sensory issues, and they aren't quite as severe. We do plan to have Brady evaluated though, just a a precaution for some things we have seen lately. So, for Brady to be vocal, and hug another person, or acknowledge his classmates was HUGE! Geaux my little Brady Bear!!! So very proud of you!!!

Well, while I get a very small amount of alone time with Aaden, on the 2 days Brady is in school, today we ran to Whole Foods, I had to grab a few new things I wanted to try with Aaden and whatnot. Plus, Whole Foods artichokes are, no lie, bigger than a personal size watermelon. So worth the long drive. At The Quarry, Santa has a special little house set up. As we drove by, I showed it to Aaden, told him Santa was in there roasting his little toes by the fire, because it is FREEZING in San Antonio today. We did our shopping, he was denied the toy he wanted to purchase- he accepted 'no', without tears or a huge scene. He pushed his little buggy the whole trip, picked out all of Brady's veggies and his own supplements. Very very proud. However, this isn't what I am writing about today… When we got in our car, he ASKED to go see Santa!! Holy COW!!! He ASKED-

Asking to us is multiple things.
1. He was genuinely  asking for something. Instead of demanding it.
2. This is something that he was terrified of 2 weeks ago
3. By asking, he knew there was a possibility of being told no.

So, we went to see Santa!!! He had someone else in his 'House' at the time, so we PATIENTLY waited, without backing out of our mission or whining because we had to wait. When Santa walked out to grab Aaden, he didn't pull back, no regression. He happily walked inside… answered every. single. one. of Santa's questions. <I had already told him Santa didn't have toys today, and he was not getting anything, other than being able to speak with Santa> So Aaden did this willingly! Not in spirits of gaining something. He told Santa he wanted a few things: a real two-headed turtle (remember? we saw one at the Zoo-now we never stop talking about it), a ninja turtle, and a ninja toy. Now this is normal, all things to be alike ;) When Santa explained that he couldn't bring a 'real' turtle because of the sleigh situation, Aaden understood, and said yes sir! <Um--- huge there too, accepting alternative>
He hopped right into Santa's lap and gave his most handsome smile.
Now, we are just in school clothes, and jeans… nothing special. But that's what makes it even more special to me- that is what makes this about Aaden. About the child who stepped way out of his normal box, and did something courageous. It's about him, not what and when I wanted to fight him to put on something he didn't want to wear, and go when it's convenient to my schedule. This is Aaden, and this is why I'm so proud.

This Momma is proud! I do hate that Evan was not able to witness this… or that Brady isn't in the picture. But this was a very special moment, that currently causing tears in my eyes. I am so proud of my boy, my sweet Aspie Aaden.

Until next time…

With love,
Courtney

PS- Any family that wants a copy of the picture, let me know. I will email you the original copy! You will lose quality by saving from the blog post.