Autism Awareness Month

So I have so many things I want to blog about but I guess this one will trump the others for the time being. Hopefully a blog of some spring break activities will come...if I can make the time.

So I posted several things on Facebook today which makes some of this duplication. A year ago we knew relatively little about Autism. We knew some and weren't totally unaware. However it really wasn't where we expected Sam to fit in. Honestly we had observed some odd behavior for a long time. He had even been observed at the daycare to try and figure out why he had biting issues. The only thing that came of it was that he loved using his entire body for play, would lay his body over a table for things, etc. If I knew then what I knew now about sensory issues! I remember pulling out the play dough one day, having to leave the kitchen for a minute and coming back to find he had another full-body experience with it. Play dough was everywhere, in the clothes hair, floor and anywhere it could stick. WOW I wasn't going to try that again!

Finally in Kindergarten his teacher knew he would benefit from Occupational Therapy. Yeah, someone who wanted to pursue what she observed rather than brushing it off. Now a year later we still have plenty to learn but feel like we have such a better picture of autism. We understand Sam better and even after 19 years of marriage, I'm beginning to find validity in many things that explain behavior I have long ago accepted in Nick. I'm convinced that if he were put through the battery of evaluations that he would be on the spectrum.

April is Autism Awareness Month. I feel motivated to share in part what we have learned. Autism Speaks hosts Autism Awareness day on April 2nd. There are many groups who bring awareness to autism. Its hard for me to comprehend the estimated statistic that one in 110 children are on the autism spectrum. The question in my mind is, have we simply gotten better at recognizing it or is there really an increase in rate of occurrence?

I decided that I don't have enough filling my time (that is a joke) and that it would be fun to post a tidbit about autism daily on Facebook. Not sure I will go so far as to post daily on the blog. However I will post the notes I'm including on Facebook with resources we have found to be helpful. That will come in a later blog. Below I have included just a few of the many symbols people have chosen to represent autism or efforts to increase awareness or promote research. I hope you will learn something about autism this month that you didn't know before. I learn things all the time that are fascinating.

Peacemaking: an outward expression of Choosing The Right

When the mail comes it is always exciting to get something different than junk mail, solicitations and bills! Last week when a surprise envelope arrived from the school superintendents office addressed to Dan and his parents, I wondered what was up. We were pleased to learn that Dan had been nominated by his teacher to receive a Peacemaking Award. The letter indicated there were approximately 200 awards being given and we were invited to attend an event where the awards would be presented at the High School. Tonight we were in good company with many people we know. As we began to look over the program we found 9 children from church. There were also many other great kids we know from simply being a part of this community. One of the 4th graders assigned to help Sam at the beginning and end of each school day was also nominated. What a significant moment for each of these students. I think it is a fantastic way to reward noteworthy behavior.

At our church when the children are young they learn the acronym CTR for Choose The Right. I couldn’t help but think of that tonight. It makes me happy to see so many students who are making great efforts to live that concept at school when there are pressures to do otherwise.

A day for good luck...

My shortest blog entry to date! This is how we started off St Patrick's day.

Museum open for business

Some people have asked what the bright yellow sign on our front door is all about. (yes I know its crooked)

Last week on Wednesday it was a snow day. Before moving onto a new activity I wanted Sam to pick up some of his toys off my bed and his bedroom floor. At the time I was in the middle of working on something for the Mt Pleasant Discovery Museum. I knew just saying Sam clean up your toys would result in a meltdown because that task is not specific enough. Creativity can be important at this point. The first thought that came to my mind was “Sam I have this great idea, why don’t you take all of these creations you made with the kid connects and turn your bedroom into a museum!” Then I suggested that all of the pieces on his floor could be piled into like piles so that customers (probably a poor choice of words in hindsight) can easily locate the pieces they want to use to build new creations. He totally bought into it – IMMEDIATELY! I have never seen someone clean up so quickly. But he played for real. “Mom now we need signs – 2 of them, one for the front door (he placed this one and I don't want to ruin his careful placement) and one for my bedroom door”. Our front door now has a sign that reads “Sam’s Awesome Building Place of Fun”. I was the first “test” customer and later that night Dan’s friend became the first real customer. Sam decided though if Dan's friend had fun, his first visit was free (instead of 5 pennies). The next morning the first thing he said when he woke up was “did we have any customers?” I have also been told I need to work on coupons good for 4, 3, 2 or 1 penny off getting in.

I was in a seminar with his teacher the next day and I told her about Sam’s new venture. Two days later Sam had two more museum customers, his teacher Mrs Auker and her daughter. He was so excited to see them come to the house and I had fun observing. He is now considering a second exhibit with space in the basement…Hmmm what a creative kid.

I never thought I'd be working on two children's museums at the same time.

Drawing on other's words - updated links

Because of the deep impact I have felt over the passing of our dear friend's husband Phil the brave I have wanted to write something and share it on our blog. I have been contemplating this but nothing seemed right. Then I gratefully noticed several other blogs with tributes and other feelings posted. Some share much more personal experiences with Phil and others share the feelings I too am experiencing. Because of the sweet friendship we have had over many years with his companion Heidi, Phil has become important to us as well. Our children enjoy listening to Voice Male CD's and thus enjoying Phil's great voice. Hearing his voice always makes me think of Heidi and her beautiful voice that I admired so much when we were mission companions. Then I think what will Eden's voice be like. She is one lucky gal to have such gifted and talented parents and more importantly parents who love her so much. I pray for her to always feel that love but have no doubt Heidi has enough love in her for both.

Because I love everything that has been shared by others including Heidi I am sharing links to these posts as well.

Obituary
Prayer and Peace
Phil the Brave
Shared Tears
Another Angel
It Stays With Us
Remembering Phil
Sing Out Strong
Voice Male In Memorium
Jacksonville State University News (and a poem "FAITH"by Phil)
Forever
Each Life that Touches Ours for Good
Utah Services
Phil's Testimony
Testimony of a Friend
Phantom Pain
Answered Prayers

This is where peace comes from knowing that families are eternal and that all will be together again.

Once in a Blue Moon...

There are common words or phrases we hear this time of year such as “resolutions”, “this year I will…”, “it’s going to be different” and many more you might be thinking of right now. These things happen regularly or at least annually on a regular basis. Other things only happen once in a blue moon. That would be what we will get on New Years Eve this year, a blue moon. I like to be different so I’m torn. Over the years I have come to dislike the all too dead common resolutions ritual. With all the hype one can easily feel pressured into being a bit overzealous in their resolution selection. The resolution is soon tied to guilt and shame for unfulfilled expectations in being able to carry out the unrealistic. This just leads back to status quo. So a few years ago I resolved to not make new years resolutions but find other ways to set goals for my life. It works better for me. However, this year is my chance to say I only make them once in a blue moon. Now I will need to come up with a really good resolution worthy of only being made once in a blue moon!

On a different note I am just curious. What does this year’s blue moon (2^nd in the month and 13^th for the year) falling on the last day of the year mean to you?

1) I’m superstitious so 2010 holds a bleak outlook.

2) I’m optimistic so things must be aligned for a great new year.

3) I could care less about the moon so what is the big deal.

4) I thought a blue moon was something Smurfs do.

5) I’m really lost, what are you talking about?

Weigh in with your response. I would love to hear it.

BTW I read an interesting definition of superstitious that I have never heard before. It says “A person who is superstitious is a person who doesn’t require evidence to believe in something.” Hmmm

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In light of the first word REDUCE, I’m trying something new – a shorter blog post with reduced text.

I found a cool idea on a website for a fun advent calendar. I have several advent calendars and haven’t had the need to make one. But this was too fun and loved the idea of reusing and recycling. I wasn’t sure how on earth to fit it in with everything else going on but somehow squeezed it between other activities (minus putting #'s for each day yet) and the kids help cut the square pictures out of old Christmas cards for our Monday night Family Home Evening activity. I simplified the holder for each square a bit and would be glad to provide info on how I made them out of lunch sack bottoms if anyone is interested. The kids LOVE it!