Day 82 ~ A Thomas Day

The last couple of days I've had the awesome opportunity to spend some time with Thomas.  Yesterday he spend an hour at Learning Consultants in group meeting new friends.  There are 5 boys in his group, not all have Asperger's, but they have similar issues and are close to his age.  Afterwards, we joined a couple of the parents with their sons at McDonald's.  All the boy had their DS's and Gameboys out and Pokemon was discussed nonstop, that is among the boys.  The adult conversation was good and I was able to glean some new information about places and programs that might benefit Thomas in the future.

One of the things that was shared was a program in the St Louis area called Touchpoint that specializes in services for those on the Autism Spectrum.  I will definitely seek more information about them in the near future. While searching their website I came across a blog written by a man by the name of Aaron Likens.  Aaron is employed by Touchpoint as a community educator.  He basically travels Missouri enlightening folks about Asperger's and other conditions on the Autism Spectrum.  He's especially suited to this task as he, himself has Asperger's.  So I spent much of the evening poring over his blogposts.  I have included his blog here on the right side under "other blogs that I follow" - "Life on the Other Side of the Wall".   I didn't have time to read as much as I would have liked, but there were two posts that I found particularly compelling.  I couldn't help but tear up as I read his truth, knowing my Thomas's experience is much the same.  I only wish everyone could have a greater understanding of how he thinks and feels.  So that is one reason why I'm writing this today - to enlighten!  I too am only just beginning to figure this out and I want to be as informed as I can, so that I can truly be an advocate for Thomas!  

Here are the links to those 2 posts for those of you interested; I encourage you to read and be enlightened! 

http://lifeontheothersideofthewall.blogspot.com/2010/04/large-impact-of-small-prank.html

http://lifeontheothersideofthewall.blogspot.com/2010/04/im-sorry.html

Today we spent some more time together.  We went to another doctor, we'll go again in two weeks.  Then Thomas agreed to try out Chick-Fil-A.  He was kind of set on Burger King so I'm grateful for the compromise!  This was a new restaurant and I was anxious to go there as I hadn't been to one in a while. There aren't too many Chick-Fil-A's around here. It was wonderful Thomas - Thank you!  

Day 93 - It's Thomas - A Favorite Repost!

I originally posted this Smilebox Creation a couple of years ago . . .  At the time we did not know that Thomas had Asperger's Syndrome.  Looking back on what I wrote in that Smilebox - it all pointed to that diagnosis.  We've learned a lot these last 2 years and there's still so much to learn.  It's been a journey with many mountains and valleys.  Yesterday was a particularly deep valley, but that just means there's only one direction to go -UP!

Today's repost is dedicated to my one and only Thomas!  He's an awesome kid with a heart of gold!  We all love you Thomas!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Letter 2009

A merry, merry Christmas to Family and Friends!

2009 has been a year of Changes . . .

Michael’s time with Thomson~Reuters is officially over. We are grateful for the many months he has had to prepare for the layoff. During this time, after much prayer and consideration, he decided it was time to venture on his own and has started his own consulting business, Expense Reduction Analysts. He already has begun work with a couple of clients and has some promising prospects for the new year.

Gracie completed nursing school in May, began working as a treatment nurse at a local long term care facility in June, and passed boards in July so can officially add RN to her title. She has been working part~time since then, but will begin full time hours in January. The work has been more enjoyable than expected, but at the time of this letter is seriously considering applying for a hospital position.

Greg is away from us this Christmas. He is currently serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter~day Saints in the Boise Idaho Mission. He is presently serving in Caldwell, Idaho and seems to be loving it. His letters and emails home are encouraging and upbeat, which for Greg is a wonderful thing! We miss him terribly but are so proud of his decision to serve and teach others of Christ. He has immersed himself in teaching and service to others. For those of you back home in Louisiana, we have said that he is the New Orleans Saints’ good luck charm. How else could they be doing so well, if not for the service of their Number 1 Fan! Before he left, he predicted this would be their year and that he would miss seeing them play. But then again, he always says it’s their year. LOL

Mark is a Senior in high school this year. It’s hard to believe we’ll have another one graduating soon. He decided not to play hockey this year, but ran Cross Country in the Fall and beat his previous times. He is looking forward to playing Lacrosse in the Spring. He enjoys writing and is seriously contemplating a future in broadcast journalism. So many comment on his great speaking voice, so who knows?? For now he stays busy hanging out with his friends and his girlfriend and working at Waterway Carwash.

Lindsay, a Junior, spent the beginning of the school year cheering for the high school football team. She is doing terrific in school, as always, taking two college level classes in Spanish and Anatomy & Physiology. She spends her spare time hanging out with friends, babysitting and making sandwiches at Quizno’s. She’s become a beautiful young lady and has a fun personality.

Todd is in 7^th grade. He is all about ice hockey right now and pretty much nothing else. He plays C team for the high school, which is the prep team for present and future high school players. He holds his own out on the ice and isn’t afraid to check (hit) a Freshman or Sophomore who is much BIGGER than him! He’s already scored 2 goals so far this season and is only 1 of 3 7^th graders to make the team!

Thomas will be 10 in January. He has adjusted well to the changes 4^th grade brings and we are adjusting to his recent diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a high functioning type of Autism. He still loves Math and his video games. He has earned his first degree red belt in Tae Kwon Do. He’s also a terrific speller and will be representing his class again this year in the Spelling Bee.

Garrett is now 4 and so not a baby anymore. He goes to Preschool twice a week. He mastered the potty in the Spring before he turned 4 which was a huge relief! He loves Batman, Spiderman and Transformers, loves to sing songs and is in constant motion. Life is never dull when Garrett is around! His constant energy reminds us of Greg and he also shares many of Greg’s mannerisms, but continues to look more like Todd.

Just Catchin' Up

So, I haven't posted anything in over a month and am frankly wondering what I have to say that would be of any interest to anyone but myself. And the truth is that it's not all that interesting to me but, in the interest of keeping up with things here it goes: I'm just playing catch up with my life and busy kids. (And by the way I am totally in awe of those of you who can blog about a piece of lint and make it way entertaining!)

My kids have been on spring break this week and I have been at school, mostly. So my house is ready to be condemned. The kids do not do their own laundry and do not do the dishes without being asked, so enough said on that subject. And of course they've been showering in my bathroom. (see previous blog)

Lindsay failed to pass the driving test twice - I am sort of relieved, for at least another week until she tries yet again. It is hard to parallel park a Dodge Durango though and she actually got points taken off for driving below the speed limit! That's OK, just go ahead and drive like a little granny. She had cheer tryouts last week and she is now a Varsity cheerleader!

Mark is off planning new war videos for his American Lit class (they're reading a novel about Vietnam). So more destruction to come! (umm, see previous blog on boys).

Hockey is over for a brief while. Todd will start again next week with Spring hockey, Mark is done till next year.

Greg is planning for his mission by playing video games nonstop in between college classes. If you don't see the connection, that's Okay because neither do I.

Garrett is still peeing and pooping in his big boy pants which is really disgusting. Michael tells him he won't turn four until he stops and then Garrett cries. Potty training is supposed to get easier with each child, I thought. I was obviously misinformed!

Dear Thomas is in his own world watching Phineas and Ferb and playing Wii for way too many hours of the day. He's driving us crazy for a new video game which will not happen and he doesn't understand. He is a lesson in patience for me! We have been to a neurologist and will see a psychologist in a few weeks about a possible diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome. Too heavy to talk about here and now, so will save that until later.

I am starting my preceptorship in Labor and Delivery next week. I am excited, but am dreading getting up at 4:30 and working 12 hour shifts. I finished my resume and am getting ready to start applying for jobs. Even though there is a nursing shortage, the hospitals are cutting back on hiring for awhile.

Mike is still looking for a job. His lay off is not effective until July, so we remain hopeful. He's looking into starting a business if nothing else surfaces before then.

Okay this sounds kind of depressing which was not my intent. Blogs should be fun to read. But, I'm happy and we're well and the kids are growing like bad grass! Todd, especially. And I know we'll be blessed someway, somehow! When the Lord closes a door, he opens a window, right??? You just have have your eyes open so you can find it!!! So, I am caught up, for now. . .