Ride the wave...

Right now I am just riding that wave of emotions. Funny, when I logged in just now and saw my last post it was kind of ironic to me. Last time I was singing the praises of my old teachers...tonight I am sad and very heavy hearted wondering what exactly I should do and just how much damage did the school do to my child last year. Breaks my heart into a million pieces. 

I don't truly even know where to begin with it all. When we first moved here we did so with five weeks left in the school year so the school could "get to know" Little Bit and know where best to place him. That was the beginning of this nightmare journey I am now on and have been for the last two years and a half years.

I think the thing that truly gets me the most is how in the world could anyone do this kind of thing and not see how wrong it is?

While scrolling through my Facebook feed tonight, a gal I know posted this article.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/11/11/claim-sped-caged/19840/

I cried. First, because I can't imagine anyone doing that to children. Second, because in a way, this is what the school has been doing to my own child. Totally and positively breaks my heart. Now I just have to decide what to do about it.

Looking back...teachers

Wow, life has such a funny way. Just amazes me all that has happened over nearly the last eight years. So very many ups and downs. One very wild roller coaster indeed!

So where we are today...

My little ones are now in second grade. It just amazes me to even say those words! With all I am dealing with in regards to their school, it has brought back such vivid memories. 

One of the things I truly struggle with is how Little Bit doesn't like school. It truly kills me. School was what saved me. Third grade was my turning point. My teacher was what saved me. I didn't know it at the time, but her kindness to me was what made the difference. It is what made me want to work hard and be a good student. Not that I was a bad one before that, I was just terrified of everything I guess, even the other third grade teacher I had to go to math for, which strangely enough was still in the same classroom, just on the other side. It was a HUGE room and we had two full third grade classes in it. I actually don't recall a lot of the specific details to be honest, I just remember her and that I was petrified of the other teacher, even though I had her for math. But my teacher, she was perfect to me. She even allowed me to stay after and help. I remember  writing the next day's date on the blackboard and erasing all the day's information, cleaning the erasers and sorting papers. And I remember one time I stayed so late it was dark out and she offered to take me home. 

Looking back just now I realize my love of school didn't come from the work or playing with other kids in my class. It always came because of the teacher. What an epiphany I had just now about Little Bit. Hmm...more to add to the strange mix I am dealing with now. 

Is it really the middle of July?

Wow, summer is already half way through and I feel like it really just started. It's been a little different than I had hoped. Just kind of busier in some respects and not as much fun stuff thrown in as I planned. But that's ok, obviously it's not MY plan that matter. Ha! So I'll just go along with it and learn along the way. :)

I can do this!

Some days (well, most days lately to be honest), I truly feel God has way more faith in what I am capable of than I do. I wonder often how he thinks I am so strong when I feel so totally and positively weak. 

One of my favorite poems has always been Footprints in the Sand. I feel like for so much of this last year or more there has just been that one set in the sand. And I do often wonder if I will ever have those two sets again anytime again soon. 

One Night I Had a Dream....

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life. This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, You would walk with me all the way; But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, There is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me.

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.

Oh my!

Wow. The last several months have been one big blur. A roller coaster ride I desperately want off at times. And here I was thinking things were kind of starting to simmer down in my life. Guess that's what I get for thinking!

Guess I will just give you where we are at this moment in time. Little Bit is now home based for school for the remainder of the school year. Hurricane in finishing out the year at school. This is obviously kind of difficult for a multitude of reasons, which I will go into at a later time. Along with how this all came about. 

Have no idea what the future holds as far as school goes but right now we are counting down the days until Summer break begins and we can all "reset." More later!

Some days...

Some days I truly just want to smack him. I mean seriously? It's the same old song and dance nearly every day. I try so hard to be patient and pray that some day he will actually "get" his children. I see a glimmer of hope here or there. But for the most part, it's just frustration and sadness for me. I want to believe that some day it will all change. One day he will figure it out. But sadly, days like this make me think that is never going to happen. I mean, come on, our kids are 7 years old now, and he still doesn't get it. Is he ever going to? Truly, truly breaks my heart.

One of the biggest problems we have is how he speaks in front of the boys. Ok, let me give you an example. He tells them to do something (or more often NOT to do something) and they don't listen. He continues whatever he is doing (usually his iPad or phone), while continuing to tell them from across the room what to do. Doesn't matter how many times or in how many different ways I have explained to him that you have to walk over to them and usually touch their shoulder or something, he still continues to do it his way. So then they don't listen, he gets mad, throws a fit and then says something like, "Fine, you never listen to me anyway." or "Why should I even bother, you don't listen to me anyway." Well, if you constantly said that to me I wouldn't listen either! He is just reinforcing their behavior in so many ways. But he doesn't want any advice from me. As a matter of fact, often it feels he is hell bent on doing just the opposite of whatever I say will work. I'm sorry, but I can only take so much. I don't have the energy any longer to try to tip toe around his needs constantly. My children have enough special needs as it is, and let me tell you, basically none of my needs are being met. I have to start truly taking care of myself so that I can do what is needed around here. Because right now, the constant roller coaster with him is making me sick...literally. Tonight I am so sick at my stomach I can hardly take it. I can't continue to get physically ill because of his attitude. It's just not worth it. I can't control anything except my own thoughts. And try as I may, even controlling those on days like today is tough. But I have to continue to get better at it and keep growing. Because I see what a difference something as little as an attitude can effect my children's behavior. So for now I will just continue to pray. A lot.

Frustrated

I'm a little frustrated at the moment. For many reasons actually. 

One of the things that has really been bothering me lately is that people constantly point to the fact that my kids are verbal, so therefore that should mean in their eyes, there is no way my children can have Autism. This truly annoys me on so very many levels. 

Some days I truly think it is harder being the parent of a verbal child with Autism than having a non-verbal one. No, I am not trying to debate who's life is harder, because in all honesty I can't even begin to imagine parenting a non-verbal child. I truly admire the women I know with non-verbal kiddos...they always amaze me.

When I state the above, I mean with regards to dealing with things like the school, some doctors (have thankfully learned not all of them believe all Autistic people are non-verbal), and others we deal with on a day in and day out basis with regards to learning and behavior.

You see, to me, there is a HUGE difference between being verbal and being able to communicate. HUGE. Now just to figure out how to get those who consistently deal with my children on a near daily basis to see that.

How did we get here?

It truly amazes me what the last two years have brought my way. Sometimes I wonder if the years before that were all just a big dream. It has been such an amazing, strange journey. I still have no idea where to even begin even writing it all down here, but I know I need to start somewhere. I thought I was going to start with the boys, but typing just now, I think I will start with me. I don't do that very often, today is a good day to!

Last Fall I finally decided it was time to find a doctor here in the new place we moved to. It had been over a year and I had some concerns. For many, many, many years I have asked my doctors why I was so incredibly tired. Why could I sleep 9 hours and wake up feeling like I hadn't slept at all. I could sleep almost anywhere at any time and it drove me nuts. I had been like this since I was a teenager. When I was a teenager I was always told it was because I was a teenager, staying up all night, sleeping all day.

When I was in college, same thing. But the thing is, I was married when I was in undergrad so it wasn't like I was out partying like the rest of the college crowd. I actually waited a year after high school before starting college, so I wasn't a typical freshman to begin with.

When I moved to Dallas to go to grad school, it was because I worked full-time, went to school full-time, and was newly divorced (new found freedom and all you know).

After I got married again and had kids, it was because of the obvious, I had small children and a husband that traveled all the time. I remember telling my doctor that if I could just get a good night's sleep I would be ok. But even after being on Lunesta for an entire year I still didn't feel any better.

I had kind of given up to be honest. When we moved here I had gone to the GYN and had told him I thought it was my hormones and once again a full blood panel was ordered to check hormones, thyroid and all the usual suspects when you complain of being tired all the time. So a year went by and I had really just kind of gave up.

Over the summer it got worse and worse. It was to a point that I literally could not stay awake. I got to a point I thought I was severely depressed or something but didn't know what to do. But the thing about it is I didn't want to be in a bed sleeping. I wanted to be up doing things with my kids and enjoying life. So I felt stuck.

After school started in the fall I thought things would get better. I would have a few hours each day to get things done and all would be well with the world again. It was just the summer blues and they would be gone soon. Nope, I was so wrong. I would drop the boys off at school and go home and start to get ready for the day and then it was just an overwhelming sensation of not being able to stay awake. I would sit down for a few minutes and the next thing I knew it was two hours later. I hated it. HATED it. It was driving me crazy. So I finally broke down and found a doctor to go and see. Which, funny enough, is probably a funny story for another post how that all came about.

I remember going in and her asking me a lot of questions. I originally went in thinking I wanted help with the fact I have Meniere's Disease and I was having severe vertigo attacks every other week that were taking me down for two straight days.

The heart stopping question for me was when she asked if I had ever fallen asleep at the wheel. I didn't want to answer her. I almost told her no, but I seriously cannot lie. I am terrible at it and it doesn't matter to whom I am speaking, it is just not in my nature. Fatal flaw I guess for me. But anyway, I digress. I answered her honestly. Years ago I had fallen asleep a few times, but had learned what the feeling preceding it was and would always have gum, ice water, a cold drink handy or pull over. So although I haven't done that in many, many years, I had and probably would have if I were one to push myself in some circumstances. But the thought of hurting someone else while I was driving always terrifies me. And now that I have kiddos I drive around there was no way I would ever risk injuring them.

I will never forget her looking at me, this woman who had only met me 30 minutes prior, and said I had Narcolepsy. What? I couldn't wrap my head around it. I honestly don't think I believed her. We all kind of have an idea in our heads of what Narcolepsy is, someone randomly falling asleep in their food the way TV portrays it in shows. I went home, started to read about it and oh my gosh. So much of my life now made so much sense. I think I kind of was in shock.

I went and filled the medication she prescribed and was sitting in line to pick my kids up from school. I thought, hmm, I'll try half of one of these pills and see what happens. I can't even begin to describe what happened after 20 minutes. It was like someone opened a roller shade in my head. I could almost literally feel the blind lifting. My thoughts became so clear and I actually felt awake. It was the strangest feeling I had experienced. And of course I immediately thought there was no way this was just because of one simple half a pill. But the next day, same exact thing. I was getting more done in minutes than I had all day some days before. I really could not believe how I felt. It was amazing and terrifying all at the same time. Amazing because I wanted to feel that good all the time. Terrifying because I couldn't believe how much of a brain fog I had lived in for so very long and I never wanted to feel like that again.

The last five months have been an incredible journey. It has been filled with so many ups and downs, but I am finally starting to understand so much about this crazy thing called narcolepsy. I have so many questions and things I want to try. It all seems to be tying in with both my own life and that of my children and it is just kind of crazy to me some days. But it is also one of the coolest, most amazing things ever too. I know there is a reason all of this is happening to me. I am positive of it. I still have no idea what that is, but so many theories and thoughts collide in my head these days I know it is something wonderful. And I get excited just thinking about the possibility that some day I will actually see that connection and understand the purpose for this all. Until then, I will just keep plugging away, one day at a time, one minute at a time some days, and try to soak in as much of the journey as I possibly can.

The paths we take...

I really need a way to record my thoughts while they are playing through my head. Can't someone come up with some kind of transmitter that records your thoughts without you having to stop what you are doing and write them down? Whoever could come up with that would be a millionaire for sure! I just have so many thoughts and by the time I actually sit to jot them down they have yet again escaped me. Oh well...maybe I should start doing the voice recorder thing on my phone. Hmm...may have to play around with that option a little. 

The last six weeks I have been doing an amazing tele-class with Margaret Webb. I wish I could even begin to express what a difference she has made in my life. A year ago, I did my first class with her and I will never forget sitting in the first call or two thinking this was just a bunch of bs. Seriously, you want me to do what? Whatever! But each week I would call in anyway and the funny thing is, about the third week it was like something clicked. After the end of the class I truly couldn't believe how things for me had started to change. It was like she was the missing piece I have been needing in my life for a long while now. Again, it is so very hard to even begin to express what her openness, guidance, and willingness to share her knowledge has helped change my life so dramatically.

No, it didn't happen overnight. No, I am not all the way there yet. But for once, I feel like I am truly on the right path. No second guessing it anymore, I finally found that missing piece I needed to find myself and get on that path I was meant to be on. I still have a very long way to go, but with all the books and things I have been studying these last few years and her classes and calls, I finally feel I have the courage (most days), know how to gain the knowledge I need, and have the desire to do what I am truly supposed to be doing. I still haven't figured out what exactly that is yet, but I feel like I am finally on the right path. Completely and utterly on the right path. It is an amazing feeling.

Looking back

The last several days have been full of opportunities for me to look back on things in life. Many different thing from my childhood to last week. It has been very interesting to me looking back on things while at this particular stage in life. I have changed so much these last few years especially, and it is kind of like looking at someone else's life at times. A very strange feeling to say the least.

Hmm, how far back to go I go this one? About 3-4 years ago I read a book that kind of started this entire shift in my life. Everything Matters, Nothing Matters by Gina Hillier truly was my turning point I so desperately needed. It's funny, the main thing I remember about this book at the moment is how it helped me learn to truly meditate. Oh, I had tried many times over to meditate, clear my mind, and let my thoughts go. Never worked. Not once. And at times I just fell asleep! But while reading this book it gave me a new way of looking at meditating and I was able to finally figure it out. Still amazes me how something so very simple has made such a profound impact on my life. I have pulled the book out again recently with the intention of reading it again soon. But as usual I have a huge stack of books I have found I want to read lately. My motto...you can never have too many books!

Crazy days and Mondays always get me down...

Oh wait, isn't that supposed to be rainy days?

So very much is going on and I feel like my head is spinning most of the time. Thankfully at least this time it isn't literally like it has been in the past. Ha! Where to even begin? I guess I will just start where I am at this particular moment in time and take it from there.

Right now I am a little mad, frustrated, irritated, and even smug. Why? What are any of those emotions trying to teach me? That is what I am trying to figure out.

The day started off just fine for a Monday morning. Got the boys off to school with minimal craziness (at least for us), came home, got dressed, was actually getting things accomplished around the house and THEN....the phone rang. Yep, it was the school. I didn't even see it coming. How stupid could I be???? I should have saw this coming miles away!

I mentioned the whole fighting with the school thing. Well, they are obviously going to do everything in their power to keep things in check and also to prove their point. I get that. BUT, again I am back to not understanding this whole thing about me not being in the building. Ugh. Guess I will have to cover that in the next post. Because actually, this evening that isn't even what is really bothering me.

So, of course after that call, I go into Mama Bear mode and start really getting things crossed off my to do list. Good and bad from the afternoon was I found out a huge pile of paperwork I was attempting to complete was actually out of date and would have been useless, but bad is that I have to fill this paperwork out yet again...twice (one for each child). So, add that to my little frustration list for the moment.

Ok, this is what got me though. Why can't I just let this go and be happy? Here goes. My husband has been less than supportive on this whole journey with the kids and my own health issues. He is trying at least now, but this is what is getting to me. Yesterday he wanted to take the boys to this special needs soccer thing. Hey, I am all for it. I have tried several times in the past to get him to go and he never would. But this time, HE is the one who sought it out so of course we HAD to go do it. Ok, I am trying really hard to be supportive of his little steps he is taking.

But the real kicker for me is that everything since yesterday afternoon has revolved around him and this soccer thing yesterday. How much the boys loved it. He keeps asking the boys about it. Like asked Hurricane repeatedly if he showed off any of his new soccer moves at school today even though Hurricane didn't think twice about soccer today. I really want to support my husband and be happy he is finally trying to understand. Really. But the thing that pushed me over the edge tonight was after the boys went to bed. Husband made the comment that Hurricane was rather calm this evening. I said yes and mentioned how great he did this afternoon with Little Bit. How he even told Little Bit that they needed to talk out their problems. I was so proud of him. So Husband says, I wonder if the soccer had anything to do with his big change. WHAT???????? Seriously? I just wanted to make an extremely sarcastic remark about how yes, that must have been what they needed, to kick a soccer ball around for an hour with some other special needs kids. Now all their problems are solved and we will have the answer for world peace soon because of it. Ugh!

So how do I get past this? How do I make myself find what this is trying to teach me from this experience? Because right now, the steam coming from my ears is kind of making it a little hard to think logically.

Snow days...

Where in the world did January go? Can't believe tomorrow is January 31st already! I have to admit the last 3 weeks got a little crazy. SOOOOOO much happened and I am not even sure where to begin. Or if I even want to begin. Ha! Part of me just wants to put it behind me and let it go, but I know that isn't going to be able to happen. All of it is still going on, just at a simmer at the moment.

Oh my, where to begin? I guess in an attempt to make a very long story as short as humanly possible...I am fighting with the school system. This won't be the first time here. As a matter of fact, I feel like from the moment we moved here and started attending the developmental preschool here it has been a fight. I have been so very patient. Or at least tried to. I have tried to be proactive with my children's needs and the school has fought me over every little tiny request. Seriously, even something as simple as an individual picture schedule for my children or velcro under their desk. Nope, couldn't make any "accommodations" for various reasons (excuses). Well, a few weeks ago they pushed this Mama a little too hard one time too many and I am fighting it. Now I am taking the legal road, first with an advocate and will get an attorney if I have to. So far though, the advocate route has gotten me further in a week and a half than I got in the last year and a half. Very sad to me that just the presence of someone sitting in a room makes such a huge difference!

I guess later I will get into the whole ordeal. Tonight I am just enjoying the last of our snow days and about to get ready for the boy's short day tomorrow (they have a delay still but are going for a few hours). And trust me, this Mama needs the quiet for a few hours tomorrow!

Getting back into the swing...

Yep, it's that time...time to get back into the swing of things after all the holiday craziness. To top it off, this year we are having some extremely cold temperatures so schools have been closed or delayed. Not good when you have child with Autism. Really not good.

Most children thrive on routine and predictability. But children with Autism must have this routine and predictability or their worlds seem to fall apart. And let me tell you from first hand experience...this is NOT a pretty sight.

To be honest, I have actually come to kind of dread the holidays. The change in routine, the visiting different places, all the people. All of these things create utter chaos for my children. Little Bit more so than Hurricane. But I am coming to realize Hurricane internalizes things WAY more than we realize. I'll have to post soon about my revelations over this past summer with him.

So, in an effort to make things a little more routine I have started creating different ways for them to do their homework. Not to mention what a HUGE struggle homework is in our house with Little Bit. And strangely enough it is also becoming one with Hurricane as well. Sigh. But I am one determined Mama so I WILL figure this out. And we WILL be successful at getting things done around here. WE WILL! So last night I stayed up making pages like this to try and get my kiddos to work on their sight words for school.

Brrrr.....

It is only 9 degrees outside at the moment. Houses in the South were NOT made for this kind of weather! But it's just a few days so I won't complain. Just wish it would snow if it was going to be this cold. I really do miss Indiana.

For some reason I can't comment on my own blog from my phone. That kind of cracks me up for some reason. I have tried responding to several comments on the posts and I have no idea what happens to them. Must get on my actual computer soon and figure it out. Technology is a wonderful thing but can really be a pain in the rear at times!

Hope everyone stays warm and make sure to take care of the pets too and check on elderly neighbors, friends, etc. :)

Rough day

Today was just one of those days. I wanted to spend more time hiding than anything else. The kids were loud, I was tired, just ready for the holidays to be over. Changes in routine are sooooo hard for Little Bit. I think Hurricane outwardly fares better, but they take a toll on him too. Just thankful today is coming to a close. I went in to read to Hurricane and tuck him in and this is how I found him.

Sleep well my little men. You are both so exhausted and need rest. Mommy does too!

Out with the old...in with the new

I debated for some time as to if I was going to go back to my original blog (A Day with Twins) or just keep going with this one. After much consideration and hemming and hawing I decided it was best to go with this one. My life has changed so very much over the last several years and I felt this was the best path to take at the moment. Always go with the gut! That has truly been one thing I have learned the hard way these last several years.

So much has happened over the last seven years I am not entirely sure where to begin. And strangely enough, so very much has happened over the last three to four months to make sense of all the craziness that has taken place over the last seven years. Really over the last twenty-five years in some instances! But I think that is a story for another time. Right now it's time to start laying out my plans for the wonderful 2014 year ahead.

There are a few things I have truly missed these last several years in particular. When I sat back and started figuring out just what was missing in my life, I noticed a recurring theme. Creativity. I miss all things creative in my life. My scrapbooking, my blog, sewing, projects around the house, making things for my kids. So this year is about getting back into my creative self and enjoying life and all it has to offer.

Project 365 anyone?

Yep, Project 365 is back on for me again this year. I have realized this last year how much I truly miss looking back on pictures from the year. So this year I am getting back into it. Not to mention how much my photography skills improved! I am really looking forward to getting back into documenting our daily life as well as seeing the boys grow through pictures each year. Time goes so fast and I don't want to forget a single moment of it all!

Hello blog...why yes, it has been a while thank you very much.

Wow. Seriously can't believe it has been several YEARS since I have blogged. I have missed it tremendously but have several reasons for not blogging anymore. I used to keep telling myself it was because of the time involved. In reality it truly boiled down to not feeling like I could truly say the things I wanted to say on my own blog anymore. Sad. But I have made the decision to just do it. Let it fly. I have to have an outlet again. I miss being able to just put my thoughts down and then go back and look at the year online.

It's actually kind of funny, a lot of the time when I go back and read things I actually wrote I can't believe I wrote them! I have always thought I was a terrible writer (long story I think as to why). But I actually enjoy putting my thoughts down. It helps me process things and make sense of it all.  And I get to chronicle our lives in a different way.

So hello blog...I am back!