Welcome to OUR World!: April 2011

Sunday, April 3, 2011

More than just ONE day......

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH!!!
Keep spreading the word. Help us shine a light on Autism!

Friday, April 1, 2011

APRIL 2ND IS NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS DAY!!!!
Spread the word! I am sure that if you reached out to those around you that you would find that you either know someone close to you (or know of someone) with Autism or an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Do you know what that is or is it just a name to you? Do you know how special these little souls are? Find out more:

Click here for a simple definition and explanation.

Wanna know more in depth click here.

I have the privelage of having not just one but two of these special little beings in my family. My brother Michael is 19 years old (almost 20)and was diagnosed with Autism when he was 4 yrs old. And my precious little munchin Sean was just "officially" diagnosed this last year with Aspergers (High Funtioning Autism). I say its a privelage but it definately comes with its own challenges. Every day is an adventure. They are definately little puzzles. They have alot to share with this world and they are not afraid to hide it. I have learned more from them then they will ever know. More about life and living, more about unconditional love. More about what it means to be "SPECIAL".

I have learned:
They dont need pity (and neither do their families), They dont need tears of sadness (its not terminal, they still have a ton of living to do) they just need love and understanding and compassion. They need people willing to help guide them on this scary path of life. Take the time to look at the world through their eyes, you might find out what an AMAZING place it can be (even if it is a little confusing and scary at the same time)!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....
Share the word, Spread the message. Learn more and be informed. Help where you can. Reach out.

Thanks for ALL the LOVE and SUPPORT that you offer to US every day! We LOVE you guys!

More Catch Ups.....

Sorry its been So long since we caught up. There has been alot going on. Here are just a few of the tidbits.

February-March:
Lexi has been homeschooling and loving it. She has been working hard on several projects with art and math and science. Its been great to be a part of her learning on more of a one on one level. Here are a few of her recent projects.

March 26th: Brandon brought us back goodies from his trip. It was fun to see how excited the kids got over their new shirts and I love that I can carry his heart around with me all the time so I am never alone even when he is gone =)

March 22nd: We have made a ton of trips to the park lately to get in Lexis PE time since she isnt in school and isnt getting as much play and excerize time. It also allows her to interact with kids on more than just a monthly or twice a month basis. She usually makes new friends pretty easily and its FUN to watch her interact with the kids that kind of get left out and make them feel special =)

March 17th: St. Pattys Day is usually pretty BIG in our house. Not as big this year, but we still managed to have us some good green FUN. We got dressed up, had salad for lunch with green apples and green gatorade. Then we went and played at the park and also got to do some art projects as well. All in All it was a good day.

March 13th: Lexi had been putting off doing one of her science experiments that had to do with baking so that daddy could partake in the goodness while he was home from out of town. During her rock and minerals unit they had her bake chocolate chip cookies to represent the adding of ingredients (minerals) to make rocks and then adding heat and pressure to get the final product. They were UBER yummy!

Bowling at Amazing Jakes.... One of our favorite things to do. Brandon had been out of town for 2 weeks and since he was only home for the weekend we made the best of it and made lots of FUN family memories. Sean wiped the floor with us and for the first time Daddy actually lost, he was SO sad. But he got over it quick!

February 26th:
Lexi and her cheer squad were in the Lost Dutchman Days Parade in Apache Junction, They were SO adorable and did such a good job! Grandma and Grandpa were able to come out and watch (with Uncle Michael) and take some pictures for us since mommy was marching as well.

Also: That evening we took the kids to see James since he was in town and catch up with their sisters as well.

Thanks SO much for catching up with us. Sorry its been SO long. I will try to do better. Its a busy busy time for US! Love you ALL!!! <3<3<3 XOXOXOX

More About Us.....

Sean is doing AMAZINGLY well (considering), If you missed the last couple updates Sean has been diagnosed with Aspergers (High Functioning Autism). It was a tough road to get to that end result, but we are picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off and moving on in the direction that is best for the little man. Always making sure that the end result will be in his best interest.

Sean was able to be a part of a program this last couple years that has helped immensely with his sensory needs, coping mechanisms, language helps and keeping him on track educationally without the chaos of a "normal" classroom getting in the way. He made so many friends, friends that understand him and his quirks and LOVE him despite them. He was finally able to see that there are people out there like him and he is not alone in the world. We were SO blessed to have that oppurtunity. After a couple months of waiting for the new school year and homeschooling he is back in the program at a new campus and loving it (Pieceful Solutions) they are a God send for us. This next school year they are going private BUT due to a scholarship program offered by the state we are able to continue him in this amazing program AND their new campus is right around the corner from us. Couldnt be happier for them or for our little man. New adventures on the horizon. SO exciting! Check back to see how our Aspie survives the new school year at his new campus!!!

Lexi has had a rough school year last year BUT she is LOVING her new school and her new teacher, her and her BFF (in Florida) are enjoying being pen pals still. Miles cannot come between them, they are still forever friends and always have each others backs. Its nice for her to have a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen from someone who is her "two peas in a pod" bud and will always get what she is going through. She loves her and misses her terribly, but they are making it through. They are both SO excited (AND so are us moms) that we will be taking a vacation to Florida in July to see them. Its been over a year and we miss them SO much. Cant wait. It will be a great adventure; first trip to Disney World, first flight and reuniting with great friends.

After a couple months of being homeschooled last year (which really turned out to be a great experience for both of us despite the added stress at times) Lexi is very excited about being back in a brick and mortar school. She is enjoying the cheer and dance club as well and chapel time on Fridays. Its been great for her to make new friends. This year has been tough again, ups and downs with friends. BUT she is learning to make it through and cope with the fact that not everyone is nice and kind all the time. She has had a boyfriend this year and they are adorably cute together. This year has not been without its drama, but we are expecting that to be the new norm as the kids get older. If we can just make it day by day, step by step we will make it through. Keep checking back for updates on her going ons at school and with her friends.

For both kids this new school year is a BIG change and an oppurtunity for them to grown in their own ways, It has been good for them to have much different experiences and growths. As much as they grow apart in some ways they are growing closer in others. Its been a struggle, but a good life lesson for Sean to be attending Lexis class for some parts of the day. Its good to watch her friends reach out to him, and to hear her want to stand up for him with the couple kids that dont understand him. Hopefully this trend will continue and they will remain close. As much as they get on each others nerves, they both know they have each others backs. We have made it through most of the year and in one peice, thats progress in and of itself =) Hoping this will continue next year as Lexi moves onto her Middle School Campus and Sean moves onto his new campus. This will be the biggest change ever for them, Two totally different schools, new adventures around the corner.

Brandon has been working hard and traveling ALOT (still, some things never change). We have been VERY blessed that he has been able to keep steady work this last couple years or so with the economy the way that it is. And we are hoping that it just stays that way. He is looking forward to our vacation this summer and a break from work. He is getting close to burn out but hanging in there. He is AMAZING and we appreciate the hard work that he does for our family. We love him dearly and miss him like crazy!

As for me: I have been enjoying just being a mom and having the oppurtunity to help my kids learn and grow this last year or so. I was blessed with the oppurtunity to give them all of me and everything they needed this last year. And they blessed me right back with a few lessons I needed to get out of life on perserverance and endurance. I love those guys to peices; and none of it would have been possible without the hard work of my loving husband. He is amazing, and although things arent always perfect between us he never gives up and always fights hard to provide us with everything we need. I love him more than words can describe.

I am looking forward to this school year and being able to take a more stand off approach. Still being involved but seeing how much they can flourish on their own. Still being there to help them with homework and attend their fieldtrips and events. Still helping occasionally in the class, but allowing them space to thrive. The stand off approach has been good for all of us, they are settling into that well. They know I am around when they need me but they are becoming much more independent. Love those little monkies!