Remembering The Good Ol' Days

  By most standards I have a stellar memory:  I remember friends from elementary school, I remember people I've met only once or twice and whatever details of their lives they've shared with me, I remember what I was wearing the day I met my future husband (a celery green cotton sweater and matching green jeans skirt--what was I thinking?  I'm a winter not a spring, but it was summer time in Denver and I had a wicked tan going), I also remember what my best friend Glynis was wearing the day I met her; she was rocking a Prince tee with a jeans skirt....size about negative to the 100th degree zero.  And I remember exactly where I was and what the weather was like the day God spoke to me and said, "what about Down syndrome?" 

  But for the life of me I can't remember the day my baby daughter waved at me, or started pointing with her fingers or did she "da da" before she said "focacia"?  I have NO IDEA.  A therapist recently asked me if I remember if she started using sentences at 2 years 3months....or was it more like 2 years 6months.  Are you KIDDING ME??  I had early intervention therapists in and out of the house at least five to six times a week, we attended playgroups, and we were transitioning our three year old son to preschool.  Our son who didn't walk, talk or feed himself.  Ya, I'm a little fuzzy on the subtleties of each of my daughter's days between birth and five years old.

  But, for those of you who haven't yet heard the giant sucking sound that is the vacuum of life sucking out your last six brain cells, you might find this article helpful, especially if you're wondering if there were any "signs" that your child was on the spectrum when he/she was younger.  As I read this, some things resonated with me and other things didn't.  Sometimes I think Asperger's "happened" to her when she was about five.  I don't know.  I don't know anything anymore and I'm mostly tired from trying to come up with answers for everything.  But I do think it's a good article, so enjoy!  Hope it helps you!  http://networkedblogs.com/hvhK5

Can We Do This Without The Hype?

  Before I launch into what to some will no doubt seem like an Anti-Mother's-Day speel, let me first say that I do "like" the concept of Mother's Day.  Sort of.  I like being appreciated for my efforts (which on some days require herculean emotional and physical exursion) to rear my children in such a way that they have a chance at becoming productive members of society: choosing to quit my radio career to stay at home, choosing to educate them at home with the hopes of maximizing their potentials and opening up the exciting world of learning to them, and making them a priority in a hundred different ways everyday.  I just don't necessarily "need" a special day for a Hallmark store thrown up on me in order to validate my daily efforts.

  This is where having kids with special needs comes in real handy because holidays always look a little "different" than a Norman Rockwell painting in our house: our 12 year old son is not the LEAST bit aware that today is any different than any other day and that's FINE by me.  He treats me the same everyday: I get hugs with almond butter and jelly hands, he carries on elaborate-but-not-necessarily-easy-to-follow-conversations in sign language with me and he wants to watch Signing Time EVERYDAY.  Today is no different and that's totally cool with me.  My daughter's love language is gift-giving and she made me a precious card that said she really does love me.  Ya, that was a kleenex moment because we've had a TOUGH week where all things in my mothering heart have been shaken to the core, so I needed that from her and I DO appreciate it with all my heart.

We're choosing to NOT go to church today on this overly-hyped American greeting-card holiday because this morning has been GOOD.  Our Aspie has been on HIGH alert ALL morning and enthusiastically brought me breakfast in bed (see photo), and made me a card before she came out of her bedroom this morning.  To herd everyone to church would most definitely be opening the floodgates of chaos and confusion for someone who's already given everything she can today.  I don't need Hallmark or a minister to validate my efforts today, I just need to remember to stay the course.  God didn't make a mistake when He put us together and we're on the journey together, no matter where it takes us.