Looking back over this week we really had some big eye opening experiences. It really gave us the push we needed to stop and think about how every encounter is much more different for him than for us. Sunday we hit the road for Denton to get prepared f…
Tag Archive: ASD
Jan
20
Jun
07
Isn’t She Lucky?
I would have stopped it, but it was a better alternative than trying to drink from the sanitizer dispenser like earlier in the visit. So I just smiled and said, “Yes, we are so lucky.”
May
21
Military Moves & Autism – Moving To a New School District
Well, you just came down on orders. In six months from now you’ll be reassigned to a new duty location across the country. You have done this before, but this time you know things will be different. The last time you PCS’d you didn’t have little …
May
18
You Can Pick Your Friends But You Can’t Pick Your Family
Some family members blow us off. They are not around the girls enough to be impacted by autism. They see the pretty pictures of smiling little girls- and they think that is how it really is.
Apr
14
Blame it on Spring
"Ummm, is that your daughter? She is walking away with the mannequin." I turned around to see CJ trying to push the door open with the Old Navy family dog. She was just standing there…looking at me…ready to shop-lift a mannequin.
Apr
04
The Works of God
When you encounter someone with a disability, do you see a struggle, an inconvenience, a problem? Or, do you see this person as an opportunity to display the works of God?
Apr
01
Why It Is Important
And perhaps, there will be less stares, fewer comments, and more opportunities for my daughters, and your daughters, and your sons, and your family members, or even you.
Mar
14
Dear Mother Nature… Please Provide an Explanation EVERYONE Can Understand
Friday morning the phone started ringing at 2:48 AM. A recording told us that there was a tsunami warning in effect for those in low lying areas of San Diego county. Living on an isthmus, with ten miles and a bridge between me and the nearest highway …
Mar
08
Happy Birthday Baby
Four years ago I picked my mom up at the airport, had a “last meal” of crab legs and a mint Oreo Blizzard from Dairy Queen, and set my alarm for 6 AM. I went to bed that night knowing that my life would radically change the next day. But, I never imagined the route it would eventually take.
Feb
17
The Autistic House Hunt
There is a very real chance our girls will never live on their own. We bid on a home with the thought in the back of our head, “Would we all be able to live comfortably in this home, together, forever?” This is our reality and the reality of millions of families around the world living with autism.
Feb
11
Shame Off All of Us
A few weeks ago I heard a very powerful message on shame. It started me thinking about the number of times I have been discussing the girls and their condition, only to hear someone say, “It is such a shame.”
Autism is such a shame.
Feb
09
Falling off the Beam at Gymnastics
In case it was not obvious enough when she saw “Autistic” next to CJ’s name on the clipboard, perhaps it may have been a tip when she had an inclusion specialist with her. OR, I will even one up her, when I was wearing the “Race for Autism” t-shirt… there should have been a small thought that something was a little different about CJ.
Feb
07
We All Need a Little Sleep
I am one of those parents that co-sleeps with my children. I can’t blame autism; but it certainly has not helped the situation.
Feb
02
You Have to Walk Away
It was hard to leave them behind. But it was a good type of “hard”. The “hard” that makes you realize that you are blessed with the life God has given you.
Jan
31
She’s a Little Runaway
We know it is not her fault; we could only blame ourselves. We know who she is and how she is. She just wanted an adventure.
Jan
20
Purpose, Destiny, and Momma Gump
And some of us, out of nowhere, are given our destiny. Like Sally Field says in Forest Gump, “I didn’t know it, but I was destined to be your momma.” I did not know it, but the Lord would give me two little girls that would set in motion the plan He had for me.
Jan
18
Studying the Studies
Recently I read two studies: one linking autism to the amount of time between births and the other linking autism to the proximity of the family to freeways. Seriously? This is the best we can do with our autism research dollars?
Jan
12
Autism and the Amish
In general, the Amish are viewed as outsiders. They are non-conformists in our society. The irony is, all they know is conformity. It is the basis of their entire existence. We see them as odd or out of place. Is this because the majority of our society is so odd and out of place that we view those living a simple and moral lifestyle as outsiders and non-conformists?
Jan
10
Animals and Autism
She thinks they are “so cute” and wants to be around them. However, when the animal actually attempts to make contact, she loses it- crying, screaming in fear, running away.
Jan
06
My Thoughts on the Vaccine Study
Wakefield told people what they wanted to hear. They are not ‘responsible’ for autism. It is not the fault of genetics, or parents, or God. Someone ‘caused’ this, and you are not to blame. And, at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want to hear- whether it is the truth or fiction?
Dec
02
Oprah, Tyra, and the Quest for Normalcy
As the backwardly shy and awkward- I can’t believe this girl was not diagnosed with Asperger’s- Ann was given the show’s highest honor, she said, “All these comments about being too tall or just being not normal…” Nigel Barker replied, “Guess what? You’re not normal. You’re America’s Next Top Model.”
So, which is it? Do we want to be normal or not?
Nov
29
Picture Perfect
I have mentioned that the holidays and special needs children go together like hot chocolate and sushi. Sometimes it works, but most of the time it leaves you a little nauseous…On area I am guilty of doing this is attempting to get the perfect family holiday portrait.
AMFAS Update
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 4 of 4 May 24, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 3 of 4 May 23, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 2 of 4 May 22, 2013
- Finding Answers in Chicago at AutismOne May 21, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 1 of 4 May 21, 2013
CMKAA
- TRICARE Stalls on Implementing Treatments February 25, 2013
- FY2013 NDAA Includes One-Year Pilot Program January 2, 2013
- TIME Magazine Highlights Last Minute Kill of CMKAA December 21, 2012
Confessions from Household Six
- Please Stop the Ride May 12, 2013
- Autism Awareness Today and EVERY Day April 23, 2013
- Go Ahead, Laugh AT Me April 12, 2013
Captain Dad – Family Life with Autism, twins, and the Military
- Going on a Mission - and Skittles! April 6, 2013
- March Madness March 16, 2013
- Reading Tea Leaves March 2, 2013
Lily and the Roses
- Autism Mom – Finding A Balance May 22, 2013
- A Cure for Autism? Thoughts and Reflections May 8, 2013
- 87 Blue Balloons and 1 White April 6, 2013
Navy Chaplain: A Story
- Eloping and Autism: How to get a free safety kit for your ASD kid (or share with a family you love) May 22, 2013
- What is the difference? April 14, 2013
- THE BIGGEST SECRET EVER!! March 18, 2013
Who’s Teaching Who?
- Transitions: From Sampling to Eating March 21, 2013
- Today’s Lesson: Appreciation February 2, 2013
- First Impressions October 17, 2012
Oh What A Life!
- Lit it up Blue! May 2, 2013
- Selfish Moments March 15, 2013
- Just keep your head up March 12, 2013
Conner’s Search For A Voice
- The dreaded word. Deployment. March 21, 2013
- All our friends are different. February 18, 2013
- Sick in disguise. January 22, 2013
Red Green Lellow
- God make me a Warrior Mama. May 21, 2013
- Claiming my Namesake May 19, 2013
- Recovery for our kids with Autism: Getting out of our comfort zone April 28, 2013
The Holland’s Home
- We are low on funding so… February 12, 2013
- Book Review: Tent of David by Boaz Michael January 16, 2013
- Hey There Delilah January 2, 2013
Raising Soldiers 4 Christ
- Focusing on the Gospel this Resurrection March 28, 2013
- Tae Kwon Do and Special Needs March 17, 2013
- Tae Kwon Do….is it Biblical February 25, 2013
Pathways in Autism
- Please Sign Petition For Sensitivity Training At Whole Foods January 14, 2013
- Expect Spin With Autism Mandates October 23, 2012
- Watch Your Little Eloper! October 15, 2012
Pieces
- Truth From the Fox February 26, 2013
- Again I Rise February 21, 2013
- Working Together February 6, 2013
Oh What a Life!
- Lit it up Blue! May 2, 2013
- Selfish Moments March 15, 2013
- Just keep your head up March 12, 2013
Autism Recovered
- Kate's recovery story April 16, 2012
- Fairies get a new swing outside February 29, 2012
- Craftiness February 25, 2012
Four Cannons
- BFF’s May 22, 2012
- An Emotional Glimpse Into My Heart… May 17, 2012
- Soooo Ready For Spring! February 20, 2012
P.R.E.K.P.A.
- OUTINGS with 3 small children, Autism and only 1 parent August 7, 2011
- NEW DIET FOR KAITLYN!!! August 7, 2011
- ALL GROWN UP!!! August 2, 2011
Michelle’s maniacal musings on mommyhood
- Kindergarten graduation May 12, 2013
- The battle with strep continues May 12, 2013
- Hello Kitty May 3, 2013
A House of Hagfeldt’s
- You say its your birthday! na na na na na it's my birthday too! yeah! na na na na na March 1, 2013
- What's the deal-eo February 16, 2013
- Christmas 2012 January 16, 2013
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
- Remembering Ramzi Doany 10 years later September 11, 2011
- And she'll have fun fun fun till her Daddy takes her t-bird away June 16, 2011
- And more June 6, 2011
Army Wife and Autism Life
- Crazy Beautiful life February 13, 2013
- What the... January 26, 2012
- A Beautiful Moment November 21, 2011
Pajama Camper
- Family Update October 19, 2011
- Open House August 12, 2011
- Been Awhile August 11, 2011
Parenting a child with Asperger Syndrome
- What a way to spend a day, hike challenge by W December 24, 2012
- My aspie's rude awakening September 26, 2012
- Me, the problem? September 18, 2012
Shot’s Spot
- Send a deployment hug November 8, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 6 - Writing August 6, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 4 - Somewhere you sat August 4, 2012
Major Autism
- No one can tell you how to build October 4, 2011
- What causes autism? June 14, 2011
- Is this Autism (Money) Awareness Month? April 3, 2011