Growing up and branching out...

Really?  Did I just hallucinate dinnertime with the family?  Surely my kids did NOT both eat chili for dinner...

For Corey, it is remarkable because of his autistic sensory issues with food.  Since he was a preschooler, he has been refusing anything too soft, creamy, squishy, and instead going for finger food type stuff...  No mashed potatoes, ice cream, etc - nothing that would require a bowl and/or spoon.  All of this stuff was declared yucky, gross, etc.  Until recently, he was NOT willing to branch out in this arena.  Now, with some prodding, he has enjoyed beef stew recently and now, home made GFCF (etc,) chili.  Wow.  The progress we are seeing in him these days is just amazing.  In the wonderful world of autism, these small things are BIG things!

With Mia, the idea of her eating chili is laughable.  She has always had "Minnesota" taste buds, reporting that anything even called "mild" is WAY too spicy, even things that most people don't even think about being remotely spicy.  Now, all of the sudden, she is LOVING chili.  What the?  When I asked her about it, she simply reminded me, "I'm ALMOST 6, now, you know..."

Wow - my babies are growing up.

Mmmmmm... Let them eat Pumpkin Pie!

Trying a new recipe for pumpkin pie this year, courtesy of the Gluten Free Goddess.

This pie is gluten free/dairy free/soy free/egg free and it smells AMAZING.  I can't WAIT to try it tomorrow.  Think anyone would notice if I stole a slice tonight?  :)

On Being Thankful...

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
-- Albert Schweitzer

This Thanksgiving, I am reminded of all the people in my life who rekindle my light, when I find myself in need of a spark.   Life presents me with many challenges, and honestly, I don't expect that to change. But - I find strength and joy in faith, love, family and friends. My children are such a huge blessing and challenge for which I will be eternally grateful, even on those days when they drive me to drink.


I am thankful for the lessons learned and the experience gained, and for the opportunities I have to share these gifts with others.


Finally, I am thankful that I found a partner, husband, best friend to share all of this craziness with.    This song (from The Wedding Singer), pretty much sums up how Joe makes me feel safe, supported and loved.  Uncle Chris played this song as part of our wedding festivities back in 1998, and it makes us smile whenever we hear it.


I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad 
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad 
All I wanna do is grow old with you. 
I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches. 
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks 
Oh it could be so nice, growin old with you. 
I'll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold. 
Need you, feed you, and even let you hold the remote control. 
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink 
Put you to bed when you've had too much to drink. 
Oh I could be the man who grows old with you. 

I'll miss you, kiss you, take your shoes off and rub your feet.
Need you, feed you, and when we play checkers i'll let you cheat.
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink 
Put you to bed when you've had too much to drink. 
Oh I could be the one who grows old with you. 
I wanna grow old with you. 


(by Robbie Hart/Adam Sandler)

New Aiport Screenings... Things that make me go Hmmmm

I have been reading a lot about the new airport screening procedures, particularly as they relate to children with autism and other disabilities. While it seems that things are going relatively smoothly for most travelers, this is not the case everywhere. There are (legitimate) reports of children being separated from parents, people not being allowed the choice to use (or not) the new bodyscanners and forced to submit to some pretty invasive pat downs, etc. There are reports of abuse and also those of flat out stupidity, both by TSO's and by travelers.

I do have some concerns about the screenings as they relate specifically to those with autism. First, many individuals with autism will not be able to be successfully scanned using the new bodyscanners due the inability to remain still long enough, sensory issues, anxiety, etc. These individuals, therefore, will be subjected to the new pat downs, with some modification for children under 12. What happens when a person with autism that does not tolerate being touched needs a pat down? These situations can easily lead to a meltdown, including combative behavior, on the part of the individual with autism. I don't think it is realistic to think that there will often be TSO's who will be adequately knowledgeable and trained to handle such situations. This is not going to be pretty, and folks aren't always going to understand that the person is acting out due to their disability and not because they are a jackass. Hang on to your hats, traveling public – this could get mighty interesting.

And, disabilities aside, are the TSO's being adequately screened and trained to perform these much more “intimate” pat downs? Are they being checked against sex offender registries, etc? Are they aware of how to be sensitive and appropriately careful when dealing with prosthetics, insulin pumps, catheters, etc? I have read that in some cases, due to lack of time and manpower, these TSO's were told to sign off on training that they didn't actually receive. Does this give anyone else pause, or is it just me?

I am all for safety measures, don't get me wrong. I don't really care if someone sees my “naked” bodyscan to confirm that I don't have a weapon or other contraband. Now, random adults viewing my childrens' naked scans – that gives me a little more trouble, but I guess we will cross that bridge as we get there. Hopefully, by the time we travel as a family in the summer, these new security procedures will be smoothed out a bit.

Happy (Early) Thanksgiving

Yesterday was the Kindergarten Play and Feast and Mia's elementary school.  The kids were so cute, dressed up as Pilgrims, Indians, & Turkeys...  After their performance, they got to sit down to a mini-feast/party.  Mia was extra thrilled because both Mom and Dad were able to attend, and then we took her home a bit early.  Good times!

Specs...

Corey has come a long way in his journey with autism.  Things that were once impossible are now, to our amazement and delight, no big deal.  Corey's "autism doc" (http://drkendalstewart.com/) suggested it was time to have Corey's vision evaluated and to look into the possibility of prism lenses as they can help with focus, both visually and with mental focus and processing.  We did the eval (http://www.ocvt.info/), and got an Rx.  When we went to get the glasses, we knew that Corey had never been willing to wear sunglasses, silly glasses, etc. in the past for more than a minute or two, tops, but figured we could work on acclimating him to his new glasses gradually.  I let his teacher know what was going on and we formulated a plan for the acclimation process.  Turns out all that prep was totally a waste of time and energy - Corey simply started wearing his glasses and decided that he looks "handsome" and "smart" with them on - I can't argue with the truth, can I?  Funny thing is that another child in his autism class has glasses and has decided Corey's are cool and is hounding his mom to get him glasses like Corey's.  Funny kids!

Gotta love that Tooth Fairy

Mia was so proud to receive her first visit from the tooth fairy recently...  She was especially impressed because she got a letter in addition to her loot.