A little panicked

And thus it begins.

This morning I have the kitchen cleared out and have moved a bunch of the living room furniture so our workers would have some space for work stuff.

How could I have not prepared my boys for this huge change? We had talked about getting a new kitchen, but I didn't prepare them for the fact that it would take several days or that everything would be moved while the new kitchen was being installed.

So...this morning EZ kind of did a little freak out and then focused on one very visible thing.The microwave in the living room. I told him it was just for a few days until we got our new one. WRONG THING TO SAY!

He doesn't exactly like "new". We moved into our new church house several months ago and he still tells me how he doesn't like the "new church".

He found a little step stool to sit on and told me he was going to sit and watch it. (I think to protect it from being taken away.) You can tell exactly how he feels by the look on his face.When Puppy heard us talking about the new kitchen this is what he said, "But I will miss this kichen." ...I won't.

Happy Veterans Day!

To our Veterans.

We know you voluntarily serve.

We note your sacrifices.

We appreciate your time.

We thank you.

You are in our hearts.

You are in our prayers.

Happy Veterans Day.

Happy Birthday Dad

This year for Dad's birthday we did things a little differently. Dad gave each of the boys a present. Yes, it's backwards, but the boys sure loved it. (We did get gifts for Dad too.)
They each got a pair of footie PJ's. They LOVE them. Yes even the older boys love footie PJ's. I can't say I blame them. I'd probably wear them too, but I'm just not sure how my hubby would feel about me in footies...
Here they are in their new PJ's. They were SO happy. We may have to start this as a new tradition.

Autism

I got a phone call this week. It's like many others I have had in the past, but this one was a little different because of who it came from. I have dreaded it, but suspected for a while now that I would be getting it. This was the first one from a close family member.
My sister-in-law called and told me she and her sons teachers were pretty sure her son is on the spectrum. He has an appointment on the 18th with a specialist, they expect a diagnosis then. She is stressed to say the least, and in the stage we all go through when we realize that our children will not grow up the way we once thought they would.
We had a very good and candid conversation. She asked me questions. Several of the usual questions including one of my favorites and the one I get asked the most... "How do you deal with it?"
That's a good question. How do I deal with the child? How do I deal with the disorder? How do I deal with the guilt? How do I deal with the schools? How do I deal with the behaviors? How do I deal with the emotions (both mine and theirs)? What exactly is "it"?
I am very fortunate. The three of my sons who are on the spectrum are all on the more mild side. They have their issues, and I have to admit I worry about them constantly, but they are happy boys. None of them have terribly violent or destructive behaviors. They are awkward but all enjoy being social. We encourage them to learn and do things that "normal" kids do, but often find we wish we could expose them to things but worry how they would deal with the exposure. We also constantly wonder what the future holds for them.
We love watching their progression. When breakthroughs come we celebrate. When breakdowns come we try to have patience. We pray. We wish. We hope. But most importantly...we love.
They are after all children. Children of ours. And children of God.
So, how do I deal with it?
I just do my best.

BAH!

This morning EZ was panicked as he walked through the house calling for Dad.
"I need Dad! Where's Dad?"

I calmly took him aside and explained Daddy was at work.

His reply~
"But I need the I-Phone."

Sorry Dad.

More Costume pics

In addition to Elvis and Star Trek. We had Two Star Wars guys...(Blue Tiger and Star) ...a Ninja and Super Why!

Yes, a good Ninja can even kill with a shoe! ;)