Christmas Miracles

I know, I know it's been months since Christmas of 2011 and some of you are already planning Christmas of 2012 but I have to record what happend, if I can remember.

Top 10 Peace filled Christmas miracles.....

10) we made it through

9) we were able to host most of the events. I know for a lot of you that would not be a miracle but with the Rock and all of his sensory processing issues it means we were able to be present for all of the events and didn't have to leave early. Although it lead to me not cooking one meal in all of January '12.

8) not one of us gained any weight..........cause we were sick. Once Punky got sick I just stopped eating because listening to her throw up all night I was hoping that wouldn't happen to me.....it did. :P I didn't eat for a week cause I didn't want to throw up and then I didn't eat much cause I was sick and then I just didn't want to. yes, I am back to eating even though Heman told me not to, cause he liked the way I looked (JOKING of course ;0)

7)I was able to get everyone's gifts and Heman even went one night with me. It doesn't matter that I had him as my hostage on a date. He was helpful for A minute or two. That may have lead to why I didn't receive ANY gifts (not joking).

6)We were able to get cute pics of all of us and send them out! If you didn't get one it's cause I ran out and you were on the bottom of the list, haha, it means your name starts with N cause that's where I got in my address book.

5)Santa stopped by to remind us all what Christmas is really about and that he is only a symbol of our Savior. I love that my kiddos know the book I Believe by heart. It's perfect to keep everything in remembrance. The Rock hugged Santa all by himself and even said "HO, HO, HO! It was such a tender moment!

4)Punky and Spunky sang in church and it was very sweet. I love those girls!

3)All of our family and friends who share their love with us.

2)EVERYONE (including the Rock) opened their presents! The girls were so excited and Taz couldn't wait to put together is Lego's. For the last two years Christmas has been a bitter sweet for me. There is so much happiness and most of the time I am focused on all of the Rock's progress but sometimes it's thrown in your face that your child has autism and he's not like the other children and man that hurts. The last few years the Rock has not understood what presents are or that they can be fun, instead he would just run away from the crowd of people and NOT join in the festivities. It's like a part of your heart is absent when your child won't participate or interact with you, it hurts! BUT this year we had Christmas at our house and we've learned a few tricks and even the Rock stuck around for most of it and even opened one or two gifts. It was a miracle!

1)We were all together, it's been a rough couple of years and this last one we barely made through with our family intact. There was PEACE in our home and that is a Christmas miracle.

Best Event of the Year ALL for Autism

Thank you EVERYONE who came and enjoyed this wonderful night with us!

Defying Gravity

Amazing shot as the Rock flys through the air on the ice of the Grizzlies Hockey Arena. The Grizzlies hosted an Autism Night and before the game we got to go out and skate, run or fly. We all had a blast. The Rock just kept running up and down the arena with a smile on his face.

The bigger ones tried on skates, even Heman (who then complained about his ankles ALL night, I'm sure they hurt......he's not as young as he used to be). We then were able to watch the Grizzles beat Alaska, well everyone but the Rock and I (he lasted 10min). They all had a great time...dancing for the camera, cheering for our team and eating all the treats. It was awesome family time. We had an amazing Thanksgiving weekend as a family, with so much to be thankful for how could we not.

Zipper Miracle

Yep, the Rock has figured out how to hold onto the zipper. YAY! I was so happy when I helped him put his coat on last night and he grabbed for the zipper. This fine motor skill is difficult to grasp not only this tiny little thing, but also the idea of what it does. I started jumping up and down with my little guy and the whole family was cheering. ;) Yes, tears came to my eyes then and now as I am so grateful for this zipper miracle.

I am also very grateful for the school the Rock attends. I owe all zipper credit to them, as they have taught the Rock his routine at school and they help him do up and down his zipper everyday.

The little progress that the Rock makes gives me so much Peace in my soul.

New Family Pics!

Thanks Sade for these great pics! Our Christmas photo is pretty awesome if you ask me.

Finding PEACE......

I'm so grateful a friend called in June and asked me to go on a girls trip to Mexico with her. It was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. Little did I know that by the time October got here I would need to go more than ever. Heman was gone most of September, the big kids were off track and I was trying to be with my parents at the hospital as much as possible. I wish I could have taken everyone I know with me (except for kids) because everyone deserves the PEACE of the bright sun, the sound of the ocean waves breaking and all you can eat and drink being served to you all day.

I thought I was going to come home to a husband that was worshiping the ground I walk on after realizing all I do........nope. :) It seemed as if it was no big deal and it was a piece of cake, when I said this to him he laughed and said "Yep, super easy!"(with sarcasm) I think everyone was happy I was home. I was rested and ready to be home.

A friend asked if the Rock missed me, I said I wasn't sure. As I took him off the bus that day and he hugged me tight, she said "Oh he did, he didn't hug any one else like that when they picked him up." That made my day. I don't let myself wonder if the Rock knows I'm his mom and all that that implies or if he loves me, because he can't tell me or call me mom. But acknowledgments like that from my friend help me see how much I mean to him.

When I told Heman about this, he said "I didn't want to make you cry so I didn't tell you that everyday when we got home the Rock would go look all over the house and I'm pretty sure he was looking for you." Who knows, but I like it!

Bubble Monster

This was so funny when he did this. I love the quirky little things this kiddo comes up with. His laugh gives me a Piece of PEACE every time I hear it. I hope you receive a piece too.

Painting & Peaches with Patricia

Our dear friend Patricia took us all up to Peach Days. We went to do the carnival thing and buy peaches, but none of that was available at the actual Peach Days party. Face Painting was available and this lady was amazing. The kids loved their paintings. We then went all the town buying peaches, ordering peach shakes and peach pie. Needless to say we were all sick at the end of the day, but thats what happens when you are having fun!;)

mommy and taz time

Now that everyone is in school all day except for the kindergartner the two of us get to enjoy a little bit of time together. Our first day we went and played at one of Taz's faves, Chuck e Cheese. We had a great time earning tickets and playing games.

Its SO rare......

......to get eye contact (although its getting better) let alone a picture of those gorgeous blue eyes. All I can think of when I see them is who wouldn't want to stare into them all day. I wish I was able to see them more often, for each time I see them I am give a Piece of PEACE.

The Rock has been in a private school for children with autism for the past month and a half. I went and visited at school and I was blown away with excitement with all he was doing. Right now they are working on attending (meaning sitting still with feet on the ground, hands to themselves, eyes on the teacher), every day Hagen is passing of another level (these tasks are broken down into small steps). Also he is learning to say "yes" and "no" for things he wants. He is doing well in the structured environment and is following directions and remembering routines (putting his box away, putting on his own backpack, holding friends hands as they walk down the hall). When I came into the classroom the Rock took my hand and showed me his favorite places, the story corner and the drinking fountain. It was so neat to see him show me what he loves about class. He was excited about having me in class and that made me feel so good. At home the Rock is continuing to enjoy our company. I was/am worried about him loosing his desire to be apart of the family because he is away from us so much more now. So far we are doing ok, a daily goal for each of us to play and talk with the Rock.

More and more children the Rocks age are starting to notice he doesn't communicate like they do. They talk to him and get upset when he won't talk back or when he just does something and they were trying to talk to him. It's just interesting to me at what age other children really start noticing their peers. The Rock is starting to notice peers and will occasionally play/follow them, communicating is coming VERY slowly, BUT it's coming......I pray.