New Years Eve

Happy New Years!  I hope you all have a great and wonderful start of 2012! 

Above My Desk (My house part 3)

This board is above my desk in our office.  These are "MY THINGS".  It has pictures of all of the things that I deem truly valuable...My KIDDOS!  They are the only things I have that are irreplaceable.   Everything else in my life and house are replaceable.  So the kids are Thing 1-6, and I am "The Mother of All Things"!

5 Nevermind That...

I read this blog the other day, and it was so dead on.  The title "10 Things I Wish my Mother-in-Law Hadn't Said about My Autistic Child and the One Thing I Wish She Had" says it all.  Now, this is not about MY mother-in-law on my part.  I am going to say that she has never, once said any of these things to me. 

For me, this comes from other family members.  You have no idea how many times I just shake my head in agreement and say that low, "Yeah" just because I CAN NOT deal with anything else on that given day.  So, I have decided that I would do my own similar version.  

Mine is called: 5 Nevermind Thats...

1) He just needs more discipline.  (Nevermind, that his routine is more strict than anyone else's in the house.)

2) I understand, my 3 year old does that too.  (Nevermind that he is 10 and my kid is "Typical".)

3) I know exactly what causes Autism. (Nevermind that I am not in the medical profession in any way, shape or form.)

4) His diet is sooo poor, I am afraid he is not going to live a long life. (Nevermind that you are his mother, and that you really don't want to hear it.  Nevermind that you know his diet sucks.)

5) What are you going to do when he gets older?  (Nevermind that you sometimes don't always live "One Day at a Time" but by the minute.)

Sure, I could keep going.
The one thing that Leigh Merryday wanted her Mother-in-Law to say was, "You’re doing a great job.  It’s really going to be okay.  Now, what can I do to help?"  The truth is that is all most of us want!

Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a wonderful, great, and magical Christmas!

Photo Credit

A Blog that I am Now Following

I was looking for an image of a quote, and I came across this blog.   "Kidz" is a blog about raising special needs children.  I hope you take some time and read a few of these wonderful posts.

A Planned Life...

I love it when you see things like this at that exact moment you really need it.  Colby was having a "Not So Good"  moments because I forgot the "fishy" crackers at Kroger.  For many of you, you will not understand why that is a big deal.  "Ok-so you forgot", is what you are thinking.  Well, just so you know, it is a big deal that I forgot.  If you were here, you would have seen what people in the know mean by a meltdown.  We got the situation defused-"Colby, after you have calmed down, dad will go back to Kroger and get you 'fishy' crackers."-but this is really not what we needed a few days before Christmas.

But then, I saw this quote by Joseph Campbell.  You know, this quote is so dead on.  No, this is not the life I had planned for myself.  BUT, it is the life that chose me.  It is a life that I love.  For those who can't and don't want to understand, then they have no place in this life with me.  That is their loss. 




PHOTO CREDIT

One of the Best Gifts EVER from Honey

Honey is not my husband; she is my grandmother.  When I was about 5, she decided that she was too young to be called "Granny" or "Grandma", so she picked out "Honey" for her grandchildren to call her.  She has 5 grandchildren and now 14 great-grandchildren who call her Honey.

Throughout the years, Honey has given me many gifts that I really like.  She has given me a few pieces of jewelry. She has given me Wedgewood Tea Pot (that is another post).  But one of the best things she has ever given me is a ROASTER!

Yes, that is the roaster.  I love this thing!  While I love the jewelry and the things for my china cabinet that she has given me, this is the most versatile things Honey has given to me.

So, to Honey, know that every time I use this roaster, and it is more often than you would think, I think of you.   Thank You for all the gifts you have given to me. 
 

My Home part 2

My Fireplace and Mantel is another piece of my home that I love.  The stockings are in order by age: Gran, Patrick, Me, Nick, Hannah (the smallest) Hailey,Colby, Will and Nugget.  Yes, Hannah's stocking is the smallest, but she picked it out. 

Most of the Christmas pieces on the Mantel are bells, but there is one piece that has to be seen.  It is very special to us since we are from Nashville.

That's right!  It is the Grand Ole Opry Christmas piece.  That is one of Patrick's favorites!

Night Before Christmas

Autism Night Before Christmas
by Cindy Waeltermann


Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned…….


Someone sent this post to me, and I found it very fitting.  It is very true that no one truly understands until they have truly taken that step in your shoes.  It does amaze me when people judge our life, when they truly have no idea!

A special thanks goes to Cindy Waelterman for writing this beautiful and VERY true rendition of " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas".

My Home part 1

I mentioned the other day that 99+% of the time my house looks like a BOMB went off.  I admit that is true.  There are usually toys all over the living room.  There is always at least 1 dish needing to find its way into the dishwasher.  There is always at least 1 basket of laundry that needs to unloaded, and the articles of clothing needing to find a place in a closet or drawer.  And yes, I have not forgotten that there is ALWAYS at least 1 load of laundry that needs to find its way into the washing machine.


All of that being said, I love my house, and everything it represents.  I do, however, have a few pieces that I absolutely adore!  Today, I am going to show you our bed. 

I love our bed.  I don't know much about it other than it comes from France. 

There are several other piece in our home that I adore.  I will get to those sometime after Christmas. 

My New Breakfast Area

OK, OK, so this is really not my new breakfast area, but my beautiful sister in law is an interior decorator, and she write this blog called: Haven and Home.  She has this picture in a post, and I am in love!!!  I really do wish it was in my house.  I am filing it away in "Maybe/Someday" folder!

I can just see my large family sitting around here eating breakfast on Christmas morning!

Albert Einstein Said:

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

Over the past few days, this quote has popped up everywhere.   When that happens, I feel that I am meant to reflect on it.  

I don't look at things as mistakes.  They are bumps along the road of life.  My only regrets is that I may have hurt those I love at some point or another. 

For Those Who Like Egg Nog

I came across a Low Fat Egg Nog recipe this morning.  I admit that Eggnog is not for me.  I only drink Honey's (my grandmothers) because she has her loaded with alcohol, and trust me when I say this-YOU NEED IT!  Even then, it is only a few sips.  If any of you try this, let me know how it turns out!

Low Fat Egg Nog

• 4 cups skim milk
• 1-1/2 cups evaporated skim milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Ground nutmeg (to taste)

Chill 3/4 cup of the evaporated milk in the freezer for 30 minutes (to make it easier to whip). In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together skim milk, remaining 3/4 cup evaporated milk, eggs, and sugar. Rinse whisk in hot water to ensure that no bacteria from the egg remain. Using a wooden spoon, stir mixture on stove constantly for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. (Do NOT boil.) Remove pan from heat; transfer mixture to a large bowl and let cool for several minutes. Place chilled evaporated milk and vanilla in a small bowl and whisk together until slightly thickened. (If you prefer, you can substitute 1/2 cup of rum or brandy for vanilla.) Add contents of this bowl to egg mixture and whisk for a few more minutes, until frothy. Refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours. If eggs begin to coagulate, strain mixture to remove solids. Top with ground nutmeg before serving. Makes 12 servings.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes (mixing), 30 minutes (prechilling), 4 hours to 24 hours (chilling)

Nutritional Facts per serving:
Calories:  72
Total Fat: 2 grams (Saturated Fat: 1 gram)
Protein: 6 grams
Carbs: 7 grams

Photo and Recipe came from Team Beachbody

Life as I Know It

For me, my life is great!  I have 6 relatively healthy children.  I have a wonderful husband.  I have a Gran, Aunt Francie,  and Uncle Bobby who love me.  I have a roof over my head.  I have a car to drive.  I have food in my cabinets.   My bills are paid.  AND I have books to read.  This is my life, and it is a good one for me.

I do know that people look at my life and really and truly do not understand it.  From the outside, looking in, no, my life does not look like much fun.  We rarely go out to eat.  We don't watch a lot of TV.  We don't watch a lot of movies.  We don't play many video games. 

I know that if you are on the outside looking in, that you think I live in the CRAZY house.  I admit that is true.  Yes, my house is a mess 99% of the time.  Yes, kids are screaming 99.3% of the time.  Yes, there is at least 1 dish in my sink 99.8% of the time.  And YES, there is at least 1 load of laundry to do 100% of the time.  But, my family is my Sun.  My life does revolve around them. I have 6 very active children.  I have a 4 boys and 2 girls. A child with autism.  I have 2 teen/preteen daughter, and I am pretty sure that needs NO explanation.  I have a 2 year and a 4 month old.  So, yes, my house is crazy, and I would have it no other way!

So before you judge someone's life, step inside that CRAZY house.  Maybe, you could help out.  Maybe, you will learn something. 

Burying My Head

Photo Credit

Can I could be like this ostrich and bury my head!  I wish, but unfortunately, when I come up, all of the problems/issues will still be here.  So, I guess I better suck it up, and get on with my day!

Christmas Cards-Yeah???

Christmas cards and I are not getting along this year.  To be quite honest, Christmas has kind of appeared out of thin air this year.  No one on the outside would think that.  I mean...Our tree is up, the outside is decorated, all of my shopping is done.  BUT in reality, the tree and outside lights would not be done if not for the kiddos, daddy and Dada.  I lost the stockings, and I have not found them yet.  The way it looks, we will be giving stocking stuffers from a Kroger bag! 

So, my point is that since the holidays have sneaked up on me this year, Christmas cards are probably out!

But if I were to do a Christmas Card, I think I would put this cute little face on it!







Or maybe this one!

A Few Tips for the Holidays

Everyone has the complaint of gaining weight over the Holidays.  Here are 5 tips to keep the weight gain under control.

1) What Are You Drinking???

Keep the caloric intake from drinks to a minimum.  Water is great for you, and it has no calories.  Let's face it, no one wants to drink ONLY water.  Just keep an eye on how many calorie filled drinks you are drinking.  Try to keep it to 1 per gathering.

2) Never Go Hungry!

Never go to a gathering hungry.  When you do, you eat WAY too much. 

3) Let People Know

I just read something from Joel Marion that said to let everyone at the party know that you are trying to lose weight.  Then, they know not to constantly hand you food.  And, you are held to some accountability.

4) Filling Your Plate
If you are at a buffet type gathering, try to fill your plate with fresh veggies from the veggie platter and meats. 

5) It's Christmas!!!
Go to all the gathering keeping your "Diet" in mind, but on Christmas Eve/Day (whichever your family does the BIG celebration) FORGET ABOUT IT!  Let that be your splurge day.


It is the Holidays, and the truth is, we take in more calories from Thanksgiving to New Years!  So, one more thing you may want to think about is to exercise more.  In the spirit of Christmas-When you are out Christmas shopping, don't wait on the parking spot near the door.  Park in the back of the lot.  There are always place, and -BONUS- you burn some extra calories.

Excellence

Every person should strive to be EXCELLENT at what they do.  Excellent does not equal perfect.  I am an excellent mother, but I am not a perfect one.  I am an excellent teacher, but I am no where near a perfect teacher.  You are excellent but not perfect at ______________? 

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my youngest daughter.  You will forever be my baby girl.  You are beautiful, smart and sweet.  It is my great pleasure to be your mom.