Christmas #1

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School Picture Retakes

For the first time in Olivia's life (and mine) we did school picture retakes. Her first pictures just didn't quite turn out very well. I'm so glad we did because the second ones turned out so much better.

Second Grade



We also had family pictures taken a few weeks ago and I'll be sharing those shortly. They turned out good as well. I love pictures.

Here are a few more of both girls.















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Happy Halloween

This year we had an old lady and a princess. I thought Olivia's costume was a hoot! She played the part very well too and had a lot of fun with it. Abigail the princess could have gone trick or treating all night. . .well at least until the clock struck midnight. She loved it! Hope everyone's Halloween was great!














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Understanding

Having a child on the autism spectrum sometimes cannot be explained. It must be experienced to truly understand what it is like for the child. You must be willing to feel their difficulties with your heart in order to help them through. Even the simplest things can be the hardest. And those are the things that society understands the least which makes them even harder still!

Change is really hard for Olivia, especially when it comes to her room. I'm unable to change out a picture, remove a big item or rearrange furniture without a huge meltdown. Today I went to Target knowing that Olivia needed new sheets. Her Circo Happy Flower fitted sheet is torn in the corner and needed replaced. Unfortunately, those particular sheets can no longer be purchased. So, I bought the closest thing I could find, which of course is still night and day different to Olivia. And I washed them and I put them on her bed. I debated whether doing that or explaining it to her beforehand, but I knew either way would be hard. She spotted her new pillowcase and came out sobbing. She continued sobbing off and on throughout the entire evening and it increased closer to bedtime. Sleeping with different sheets is a huge thing to her. And as her mother, I feel her anxiety whereas some people would become angry and tell her to get over it. That's how the world often responds to those with autism. . .especially to those who appear "just fine" on the outside. Olivia is old enough now that she can explain how change and surprises are very hard for her. She knows most people don't respond the way she does. She doesn't understand why she feels the way she does, but knows herself pretty well. And I've learned right along with her. Without her as my guide, I would not be the mom I am today. She makes me better, more compassionate, more aware. . . I mean, how many other moms know the location of every manual toilet/non-stall bathroom in their surrounding areas? Olivia has a crippling fear of automatic flushing toilets, so I don't just memorize those by choice. It's a necessity.

Anyway, I left the new sheets on, but switched her pillowcase back and let her take her old sheets to bed with her. It will be a tough transition. We went through this a few weeks back with her beloved pajama pants that had gotten a huge hole in them. Baby steps. Baby steps. And understanding. That's all anyone needs. . .is to be understood and accepted for who they are. For those times when change is hard, I feel it is up to me to guide her, very slowly, but in the direction she needs to go. She doesn't just make me a better mom. She makes me a better person.







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Progress Report

Guess who has all As and one B in second grade? I am beyond proud of Olivia. The older she gets, the more she thrives! Love my sweet girl!



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Recital

Olivia had her first piano recital on September 29th. She did beautifully! She has such a natural talent. . .it's amazing! I was so proud of her!











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Logan

Monday, Sept 28th, marks eight years since Logan's death. I am a different person than I was before that day.

I used to believe that God would grant your deepest desires if you prayed hard enough. He doesn't. Every experience, whether good or bad, can be used for HIS glory. And, although eight years later, I still don't understand the purpose of losing my son, I trust that there is one. I trust that God's will for my life is better than my own. That is the toughest realization I have ever come to. It sounds easy until God's plan includes taking your only son. But, I have come a long way in accepting it and trusting in Him.

I still miss him every day. I still get angry. I still cry. I'm still overprotective and anxious about my other children. I'm still sad. I'm still exhausted. I'll never be who I was. I wish I could say I was, but I'm not as joyful. I don't laugh as often. I'm not at all carefree. I'm not as fun. And I hate that for my other children. I try every day to be more of the mom that I might have been had I not experienced such a loss. But with each passing year, I find it hard to find her.

But, every year I take this time to be sad and filled with grief. And I give myself permission to do that. When you open your heart to such great love, such as the love of a mother for her child. . .you open yourself up to great loss. And as hard as it was to lose him, I've never wished for him not to be. For he was my Logan, my sweet boy, and I am still blessed to be his mother.




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Happy 8th Birthday

Olivia turned 8 years old last week. I can't believe it has been eight years. We celebrated with a butterfly party and some outdoor water fun. Too bad it was in the lower 70s. Q






























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Second Grade

Can you believe my miracle baby started second grade yesterday? She continually amazes me every day. So proud of her!











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Whole30

I have had quite a few health problems over the past few years. First it was PCOS that developed into type II diabetes. Then they found nodules on my thyroid. Last year, I began having chronic almost daily migraines. Since Christmas I have gained 20 lbs, felt even more fatigued and my hair started thinning. In July, I developed pancreatitis from a diabetes med that I was on. Last month they also found that I have hypothyroidism and I recently started medication. I have yet to feel better. For a long time I have known that I have to be the one to take control of my health. Today I started the whole30 diet where you heal your body with the foods that you eat. I can eat meat, fruits and vegetables in abundance. Technically I can also eat nuts, but they cause me to have kidney stones. And when I had to have a CT scan for pancreatitis, they saw numerous stones in my kidneys. Great. Anyway, I cut out all processed foods, sugar, dairy, grains, etc. In 30 days you individually add those foods back in to see how you respond. I'm also drinking a lot more water and starting the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I am ready. Good health doesn't come in a pill. It doesn't come easy. It takes hard work and dedication and the desire to feel better. I think I'm on the right track.


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Here is my sweet Olivia.  I'm planning her butterfly birthday party and thought I'd share a picture.  She is a beautiful girl inside and out.

Wow, it's been a long time since I actually wrote a blog post.  I'm not sure anybody reads this anymore, but sometimes it is just nice to write again.  My family is doing great.  Ryan and I have had more than our share of health problems over the last few years.  Ryan was diagnosed with adult onset asthma and sleep apnea.  Along with diabetes, I started suffering with horrible migraines last September and although they have lessened a bit, they still are more frequent than I'd like.  I've decided to take control of my health and I am starting the whole30 program, where you focus on lean meats, vegetables and fruit. . .whole, real food instead of processed foods, sugar and carbs.  I have high hopes for this as it seems just what my body and mind need to heal. 

Olivia will be turning 8 and beginning second grade.  She's kind of to the age that I don't want to share too much about her, but she is doing awesome.  We still struggle with weight gain. . .a lot.  We are to 40 lbs, but just on a good day.  Abigail is 2 1/2 and she almost weighs 35 lbs.  They are about 5 years and 5 pounds apart.  But, those girls are my world. 

Anyway, I'm not sure if I'll start posting again.  I may blog about my journal with whole30.  I begin it on July 13th (after vacation.)  Wish me luck!!

Summer Is Almost Here

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