Batman

I ran across an old photo of my son as A.K.A. Batman.
He was playing with his Buzz and Woody toys from Toy Story.
I love this photo! Good memories...

Day Five

Belly Laughing!

Day Five:
Today my son slept in and savored his last day of Spring Break. He wanted to relax today so we took it easy over all.

There is a restaurant that has the best bread ever, so we ran by and grabbed a bag. I think my son is still grinning, he loves that bread!

Next we went to the library. That is always fun. We could stay there for hours and it would feel like minutes.

My son has wanted to have time to just play video games. Today was the day. He played his PS2, his DS, and then later on we watched the Golden Collection of Looney Tunes (thank you library).

Tonight we read as a family again. The 1st book in a series we are reading is Wright & Wong Mystery, The Case of the Prank that Stank by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz. We have laughed so much with this book. My son gets the uniqueness of one of the main characters B. Orville Wright because he has Aspergers syndrome. We have only read the 1st book but are looking forward to reading more. We have loved hearing our son belly laugh!

Hope you've enjoyed reading about our Spring Break.
Our family was blessed to have this time together.

Day Four

Day Four:

As boys grow older their desire to sleep in increases ten fold! A few extra minutes of sleep is a nice reward on a day off.

We began our adventures today by meeting with dad for lunch. The Red Robin restaurant was yummy!

We decided to adventure to another home we hadn't toured before. We enjoyed the home and grounds of Edsel and Eleanor Ford. (They do not allow photos inside the home so the 1st beautiful picture you see above is courtesy of Balthazar Korab and Dirk Bakker).

The house pictured above was given to the daughter of the estate for her 7th birthday. It is a miniature home where she learned social graces and played. If this mini home were built in today's times it would of cost around $300,000 thousand.

Today it began snowing again. We had no idea it was coming in the quantity it arrived. They say we may get another 2 or 3 inches. I love the 4 seasons we have here but I am officially ready for Spring to show up and stay a while.

Tonight we took time to stretch out, relax, and then my son and I drew. My son loves drawing ships. Some how they always end up having a great battle. From the time he 1st picked up a pencil he has drawn pirate ships and pirates. I can't seem to toss any of them. They are drawn on napkins, place mats, on the back of church attendance cards, and so on. Some day I think I'll frame a series of them.

We are going to watch a movie as a family now so enjoy your evening!

Day Two and Three

Day two we spent at doctor appointments and the movies. My son loved the doctors appointments because he brought along his DS and got caught up on Pokemon. We saw Horton Hears a Who in the afternoon. It was fun and we enjoyed the movie. Every night we read to our son and it makes a great time for our whole family.

Day three we spent the morning at home. My son slept in while I cleaned the house. Then we watching the movie Cars. After that we headed to the zoo! In the spring, with the cool air, all the animals were more active and that made for fun pictures. Enjoy! I promised my son we'd get the Little Caesars pizza and bread sticks with a frozen coke for supper. We hadn't done that in a long time. I remember why now, heartburn! Tonight we are having a camp out in the family room.

Day One

This week is Spring Break from school! Just to think, one whole week to not think of school or work and time to celebrate each day. It sounds wonderful to say it. Unfortunately my husband doesn’t have a break from his work this week. We have shared our days with him so I know he is thrilled to see us happy, especially hearing the excitement from our son’s stories.

On Monday we went to a mansion. We visited a mansion which the Dodge Family built. It is the 4th largest touring home in the country. I wasn’t sure how my son would like the tour since it required a lot of walking but he loved it.

When we 1st walked in he said, “Wow! This makes me think of Hogwarts from Harry Potter.” I believe his favorite part was seeing the secret passage ways in the walls. They didn’t let us go in, but you could see a few they had roped off and the wall was opened up for viewing. You could look up and look down, just couldn’t walk on the stairs. He also loved the game room. It intrigued him that it was underground and still had windows to make you think it was night time.

I loved the sun room. There was one room that was all glass walls. It would be the perfect place to go with a cup of hot tea, and gaze longingly outside to a gorgeous view. I also loved seeing the sweet details they added to the children’s rooms. They had tiles of stories outlining the bathtub walls, fireplaces, and more.

They did not allow photos inside the mansion so I took this photo outside. A long time ago they allowed photos, so I’ll have to see if I can find them and share a few with you.

I bought him an old toy car replica a 1939 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan. He loved how the front hood folded open. I bought a Christmas ornament that looked just like the mansion to remember our special day.

There is nothing more precious to us than to watch our son light up and see him thrilled and full of excitement. Children have this beautiful way of reminding you of the joy found in every moment!

Basketball

I finally have a moment to write. It is 12:22 a.m. on an early Tuesday morning and the house is quiet.

My son and I went to a basketball game last Tuesday night. We were given two tickets to go. Unfortunately that meant my husband had to stay home. It worked out though because he was gone all day at conferences and wasn't home in time anyway. We missed him at the game though!

The game was so much fun. This was the 1st time my son ever got 100% into a basketball game. He cheered, he yelled, he laughed and had way too much fun. He wanted to eat right when we got there. He had just finished supper before we left, but to him you had to buy a slice of pizza to start the night off right.

We sat next to a fella who was a chef. We found that interesting since he just finished his dream speech about becoming a chef.

I was so proud of him because he made it through the big loud introduction of the teams and the big flames they shoot out high in the air when the team is introduced. With his Aspergers his sense of fear is greatly heightened and he remembered that he was surprised/frightened by the noise and unexpectedness of it all from the 1st game he was at. I helped him get into a safe zone. We talked about all the things that were to come, he wore his hood over his head (ears), and sat down as I held him close and talked him through it all. He was so proud of himself when it was all done because he knew he conquered his fear of the big noise and big flame. I was so proud of him!

It was so foggy out on our way home that we could barely see a foot in front of us. It was kind of funny because the lights on the on ramp glowed like a space ship. All the cars slowed way down to look. It was wild to see.

I just loved every moment of sharing the basketball game with my son. What a great memory!

The World's Best Friend

I have had the honor to work with a fine young man, Brian, for 11 years today. He has Autism. I remember his mother speaking to me about the word Autism and really, at the time, everyone was trying to figure out what the word meant. The world was on the verge of bringing it to light. There were all kind of theories and a few books written at the time. I am so grateful that the word Autism is now spoken to the world and is being studied further. I have learned with Brian that there is no way to place each individual Autistic child into one group, each child is so unique.

I have been honored to see how Brian sees the world. He is by far the most honest and loving child. He brings joy when you have had an awful day. He brings peace because his heart loves unconditionally and he fervently prays for you. He is as close to innocent as I could describe someone. I am a better person having him as a part of my life. I find joy in far more moments than I would have if I never knew him. He lights up life because God has surely favored him. He was a gift, a blessing, that God sent my way.

I believe God knew I was going to need Brian as I was becoming a mother. I applied so many of the teachings I learned working with him to my own son. I believe it is because of my time with him that helped my son succeed as well as he has. My son has a form of Autism called Aspergers Syndrome. I am sure God blessed me with Brian, so I could help my son as well.

Dear sweet Brian is the world's best friend and we are so lucky to be blessed by one exceptional boy!

Nothing Like Friends and James Taylor

I know, I know, you will be completely surprised to hear, but we are expecting up to possibly 10 inches of snow this Friday night/Saturday. At least it should lend itself to a lot of beautiful pictures!

A dear friend called me today. I was thrilled to hear her voice. Sadly she lost her husband at Christmas time. God has wrapped His arms around her and her son. I am longing to see her again. Many years ago we introduced her and her twin sister to James Taylor. They have grown to truly appreciate his music! My husband and I took them to see him in concert and we loved every minute of it, even sitting in the rain. Great memory! My friend called to invite us, on behalf of her and her sister, to a concert he is giving soon. We were so excited! What a blessing it will be to spend time with them again and enjoy James Taylor's music! They are such amazing and Godly women. We have been blessed beyond measure knowing them!

Results of speech

Photo by Tamera We couldn't be prouder of or son. There was stiff competition in the Dream Speech competition. Another child took 1st place, but I'll tell ya, a lot of adults could not of gotten up and given better speeches! It was such a joy watching our son give his all. We went out to eat this evening and celebrated him trying his best and wowing us!

We are expecting up to a possibly 8 inches of snow this evening. This means the tree branches will lay heavy with snow. This winter does seem just a bit too long, but I have to admit the snow on the trees has mesmerised me. We have many large and very old pine trees. When they are full its like heaven, just beautiful, almost enchanting.

I am loving my new car! My husband laughs at how giddy I get about it. It was odd seeing the New Yorker being towed away (gave it to charity). That car blessed us and took care of us for a long time! She deserves a bit of a rest.

They came to get the New Yorker right before my son got home from school. I was glad they were here and gone before my son saw it. I don't know if I've mentioned that he has Aspergers Syndrome. Due to this, he has a very hard time letting things go. When he was in Kindergarten a boy named Joey moved away, he still thinks on it today. Where we used to live, they cut down two amazingly beautiful pine trees and he sobbed. When his emotions are too big, he is truly sad and relates all sad moments to the current sadness he feels at that moment. He would not of let the New Yorker go as well as he did if he saw it leave. Thank goodness he LOVES the new car!

I know God blessed me with everything about my son. He teaches me all the time to see things from multiple angles and there are many ways in coming up with an answer. He has taught me a gentle way of being and to look at a situation from his eyes. My husband and I are better people because of him.

My dad turned 72 today! He is a wonderful Christan man. He came to the Lord through dating and then marrying my mother over 50 years ago. I saw him every morning of my life, at his desk in his den, studying the Lord's word from his bible. I know the Lord blessed me with seeing my dad grow daily in His word.

So Happy 72nd Birthday Dad!

I must go and finish up homework with my son.

May you find joy in the smallest moments today!

Being the Face of God to Others

Photo by Patrick Mead

Today is about cooking. We are making stuffing and bread for the homeless. It is an honor to do this. Our church has taken scripture and put action behind it. I am grateful that many saw and fulfilled the need to feed the homeless.

I am glad that the church asked the children to get involved. They bring items to help the other needs of the homeless. They bring everything from gloves, ear muffs, scarves, tooth paste, deodorant, soap, etc… I take my son to buy the items and we talk about helping others, following what God has asked us to do, and so much more. He also helps me cook the food too. I want him to always have the heart of a servant and serving others in the name of the Lord.

Lately the sermons at church have been on the face of God. We go to serve the homeless and we are like the face of God by helping take care of a few of their needs. Then, as many have testified to, you arrive and the homeless are really the ones with the face of God. They teach you lessons only they can teach. They are far less inhibited and extremely forth coming. Those who have nothing material to lose tend to talk from their hearts uninhibitedly.

I remember growing up and having VBS at church. They’d encourage you to bring as many people as you could each night. I always found it interesting that the newest church members always brought the most people. They were on fire for God. They did not sensor themselves like we tend to do as we get more settled in our faith.

Be like the photo of the tree and do the impossible, grow and survive through the rock. Be the face of God in this troubled world.

New Car

I am so excited! We bought a car Thursday. Let’s just say we get our moneys worth out of a car. My husband said the last car was his so the next car was for me. Ever since the PT Cruiser came out I have loved them. I guess it is the type of car either you love or it does nothing for you. My son keeps saying, “I love this car! I mean it’s just perfect! It’s all thumbs up! Can you believe we own this blessing?” To anyone else it probably isn’t as thrilling, but to our family, we are smiling from ear to ear!