I'm Becoming a Geek

That's right... Geek.  First I started a blog... now I've created an account on FaceBook!  I'm not even sure why...I just wanted to see what all the excitement was about, and before I knew it... I had set up my profile and started searching for "friends"!  As I spent my time looking for everyone I've ever known, I realized that a lot of people go in and out of our lives.  Some of them I want to keep in touch with - but our lives take so many twists and turns that we just can't keep in touch with everyone.  It is kind of sad that there are also people that I really don't want to spend the time and effort to contact.  Is this their fault because they are big jerks, or is it my fault because I'm a big jerk?  This is something I will have to ponder. 

Journey of a Different Kind

This morning I took another journey... down memory lane. A few weeks ago, I got a box of papers from CDC (Child Development Center), containing 8 years of paperwork on Jacob. They were cleaning out their files, and getting rid of old papers.

I started browsing through the pile, and quickly noticed that the newest papers were on top, with the oldest on the bottom. I turned the pile (about 8 in. tall) over, and started at the beginning. They began when Jacob was 2 years and 8 months old. The records showed our first phone call and visit to the CDC, because we were worried about our son. Then came all the tests: physical, emotional, developmental, psychological, and on and on. Next was the confirmation that our Jacob had "PDD-NOD" (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Diagnosed). What the heck is that?!?! - we thought. Next was more stuff telling us that this was just a "nice" way of saying HE HAS AUTISM!!!!!

A few years later, our son, Erik, was also diagnosed with very mild autism.

As I read through this stuff, it brought back a lot of old memories... not all of them pleasant. But, I was happy to find that a lot of the pain and fear is not inside me any more. This "journey" through autism has been a real challenge for our family and for myself personally. It still is at times, but, thanks to my knowledge of the gospel, I have peace. I know it will be OK.

As I continued to read, there were hundreds of pages of various notes from therapists, aides, teachers, doctors, etc... Every visit was documented, and I was reminded of so many struggles our boys have had, and how they have been strong and overcome so much. I am so thankful to everyone who has provided help and support!

Austism will always be a part of our lives... it will continue to be a journey... I still have a lot of hopes and fears that only time can show me. I have my husband, my family, my friends, and most importantly, my Heavenly Father, who will travel along with me... I'm looking forward to the trip!!!

It'll cost how much?!?!

The kids have started school, and since our district has such lousy funding, everything costs. I just wrote out a check for $100 for Jacob's "fees" to attend school, and both of the other kids informed me that their lunch accounts need a boost. Lunches cost $2.50 each... X three kids = $7.50/day = $150/month... just for lunch! Erik told me that he has to pay a "locker fee" and "planner/ID card fee" by tomorrow. Both the boys have to have extra shoes for gym, that must stay at the school, and in Emily's class, they are having the parents each "donate" a month's worth of snacks. I thought our taxes were supposed to cover this!! We also have a vacation's worth of credit card charges to pay off, and Jacob broke a tooth eating dinner tonite!! I try very hard to plan a budget and stick to it... but, all the "unplanned" expenses keep throwing me off. I need to plan more for the unplanned!!! Why can't the world revolve around my plans and expectations?

More Trip Pics

A beautiful sunset on the beach.










Fun at the Oregon State Fair.















There were lots of decorated onions around the town of Walla Walla.
















The Jelly Belly factory tour was a big hit! We especially enjoyed the free samples and the bean-shaped hamburgers and pizza.















We liked watching the sea lions try to knock eack other off the docks in San Fransisco.










Here, we are inside a giant redwood tree in California.

Good to be Home

Well, we had a great trip down the Oregon Coast. Here are a few photos.


It was so-o-o-o cold and windy when we finally reached the ocean! We had to wear our jackets. Erik said "This isn't fun in the sun, it's pain in the rain!"



Tasting cheese at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. We all shared a 5-scoop bowl of ice cream.




Playing in the water at the A.C. Gilbert children's museum in Salem, Oregon. This was a really fun place!




Playing at the Oregon State Fair, in Salem.





Petting star fish at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, in Newport.




Flying a kite during a very windy, sandy picnic on the beach. I can still feel the grit in my teeth! Tony had to throw away his sushi because it was so sandy!! At least it was sunny and kind of warm!

We're Off!!!

We are heading to the coast for one last fling before school starts. Our kids have been in 42 states, but that doesn't include Oregon!!! It is practically next door. We plan on cruising down Highway 101, possibly all the way down to San Fransisco. We are taking our tent and sleeping bags so if the weather is nice we can camp on the beach!! This will be a slow, relaxing trip, and I am really looking forward to it!!

Family Fun

Yesterday we went to Missoula after lunch, for some fun. Here are a few things we did.

Tony and Jacob playing in the "Water Works" at the Children's museum.


Em and I painting each others faces at the Children's museum.



Erik riding the carousel.



Collecting "stuff" and getting autographs at the Osprey baseball game.



Emily the Osprey fan.


Tony and his friend Coltin provided a little between-inning entertainment in their Sumo suits.

We all had a fun day!!!