TODAY is July 20.....and Thing 2 is FIVE!!!!  We just got back from a terrific time BOWLING with his best pals and family - and he had a rockin' good time!!

I cannot believe it has been FIVE years since he was born....it still feels like yesterday when we brought him home form the hospital....he was TEN POUNDS when he was born at 8:35 pm.....a Sunday baby!

He is such a blessing to his whole family - a generous, kind and sweet little boy - one who clearly is a caregiver and a genuinely kind-hearted soul.  He looks out for his older brother, his friends, his Mama and Daddy.....I went out with friends just yesterday, for example, and he said as I was on my way out the door - "I will miss you Mama but have fun!!"  *warm fuzzies*

Thank you for coming into our lives, little buddy....you are a great kid and we love you very much!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Tonight I just want to wish the happiest and best Birthday to my precious "Mommy-maker".....my Thing 1.  He is the one who made me "Mommy", and so he has given ME the gift of his birthday, if that makes sense.

He and Thing 2 are very very much enjoying Summer Break so far and he will have LOTS and LOTS of Birthday Cake tomorrow with family!!  We have become more involved with FACES, the Walton County group that is an Autism/Asperger's support group for families, that ALSO has get-togethers and outings for the families and kids.  Next week, we are planning on going to the local "disco bowling" alley and having some serious FUN FUN FUN!!

Hope you are all having a great summer.....maybe I will post some more later on, but right now all I care about is my sweet boy having a beautiful year!!  He deserves SO MUCH!

Peace joy and love to you all.

Hey all!

Just thought I would post a little update about Thing 1 and some super great things happening for him right now!! 

On Saturday, he participated in the Special Olympics and his P.E. Coach signed him up for a couple of events!  There is also a big parade they all participate in going down the main strip of Monroe to the high school where the Games are held.  He got to see his teachers from last year, who were soooooo excited to see him again - he has that kind of effect on people

After the parade, the opening ceremonies for the Games are held, and his school is usually first in the Ceremonies Parade - he did a fantastic job of walking the distance around the track *patiently* (because there were a lot of starts and stops lol), and quietly waiting through the National Anthem and the lighting of the Torch.  THEN the Games began!  He was in 2 events - the Ball Throw and the 10m Assisted Walk.  He was able to throw a tennis ball with limited assistance 3 times in a row!!  I said - sign that boy up for the Braves!!!!  lol 

Then he and another little friend of his were in the 10m Assisted Walk and the two of them were so CUTE!  They practically dragged their teachers down the track *behind* them!! lol!!  Best part was - Thing 1 came in FIRST PLACE!!  Next year, I think he may even need to be in a longer event, and maybe with even *less* assistance!!  He got a lovely BLUE RIBBON pinned onto him by one of 3 local "beauty queens" who volunteered at the Olympics, and he also had his picture taken with them!!  They were very lovely young ladies who carried themselves very nicely and were very gracious with all the kids there - and Thing 1 of *course* charmed their socks off!    I am going to put together a little "web album" and share the link here - it will have a couple of other picture albums on there as well from previous holidays and events that I just hadn’t posted yet lol!

Then on Monday (yesterday), his teachers and therapists and I had his IEP meeting - the Individualized Education Plan - for the next school year.  There are a lot of exciting things happening for him next year, one of them being beginning "symbolic reading" and number recognition!  Symbolic reading is basically what happens when a child associates a certain symbol with something else - such as recognizing the "golden arches" with McDonald’s, or the "swoosh" with Nike.  Every toddler goes through this as very very basic "first" reading, and he already seems to do that with certain bags of chips he favors over another one!!  For instance, I can hold up a bag of the Stouffer’s Whales next to Goldfish, and even though the product looks similar, he prefers and identifies Goldfish over Whales (it’s ok though because Thing 2 prefers Whales lol).  The teachers will introduce more and more of this type of "symbolic reading" as well as identifying and counting numbers!!  His Adaptive P.E. Coach is also going to have him do more abdominal strengthening excersizes, and the Coach and his Speech and Language therapist are introducing 2 new signs to his vocabulary - "bounce" and "swing" - which I learned yesterday and will implement at home as well.

Howdy all!  A couple of people have asked how the meeting with the Monsignor went, and I suppose I had just let my blogging fall by the wayside - not unusual for me to do lol

Anyway - the Monsignor basically supported us in our wish to have Thing 1 receive Communion, but he said we would be hard-pressed to find anyone else with similar beliefs as himself.  The Church's official stance on the matter of children with severe developmental disabilities and being relatively uncommunicative, is that they are "beloved of God", therefore not really "needing" to receive Communion like "the rest of us".  Of course it made me wonder, am I just being selfish for wanting this for him?  The Monsignor assured me that of course not, every parent wants what they feel is for the highest and best good of our children - but he warned me of making unrealistic expectations of the "human" side of the Church - he also pointed out to me that I was really being rather confrontational and seeming to *want* to argue....my "argument" isn't with him, it is with the Church, and so I had to settle down and re-evaluate what I was doing and how I was approaching the subject.

Monsignor said he would "work with" me in helping Thing 1 go through Religious Ed. classes - but that I would have to give them a *chance* - and that he or the religious education director would contact me "soon".......it is March and I have not heard from either one of them, and so now it really does fall to me to *help* them by becoming "plugged in" and involved with the Church community there, and to also hopefully help others with a similar situation. 

Basically, Monsignor said my fears are not unfounded - the Church is what it is, but that he would help us.  I just have to give a little too - and understand and try to be patient a lot more.  In the meantime, I know Thing 1 is "beloved of God" - no one needed to tell me that.  I come from a background with him of doctors, appointments, black & white assessments and diagnoses and prognoses....which has kind of skewed my thinking as to how the Church can help him and also me....it takes a lot more Grace, Patience, and Love of human-kind with all its flaws and all its shortcomings, including myself in there of course, and maybe Thing 1 can also inspire others with similar disabilities in his time here on the Earth-plane......one of the things I was hoping to come to this religious ed. director with is something similar to the IEP - Individualized Education Plan - I don't think anything like that is available in the Church for special needs children of any ability.  There IS a special needs education, but not a PLAN for each individual child.  It may take Thing 1 *years* more than other kids to achieve Communion, or maybe less.....but what he and other kids like him have a RIGHT to is an individual plan which caters to their own special abilities and disabilities.

Anyway, in the next week or so I need to give them a call.  I think they just got busy....they ARE the Church after all....

Hey everybody...

Here it is....the end of 2007!  I can hardly believe another year has passed us!  I do hope everyone has had a great 2007 and that 2008 will bring you joy and hope, and that your dreams come true, somehow

During the second half of 2007, there were a lot of things that happened around our little homestead here in the wilds of Georgia...the Mister had a life-altering moment with his eye, Thing 1 had several instances where he has shown a great deal of improvement with his hearing and motor skills, as well as trying more communication, and Thing 2 just happens to be the smartest 4 year old in the world....not to mention a heartbreaker!  lol

But one of the things that has been on my mind the most, and one which I have not shared with a lot of people, is a very serious problem I have had with the Catholic Church.  If anyone knows me personally, they know that I am proud to be a Catholic and that I was born and raised in the faith.  I went to Catholic school from 5th through 12th grades and Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa are both personal heroes of mine.  However, there is one thing that came up in the second half of 2007 that has made me question whether or not I want to continue being Catholic. 

My nephew is a few months younger than Thing 1.  My sister-in-law, my brother's wife, was telling me about how she is starting to look into classes for him to begin First Communion preperations.  Whenever anything comes up with my nephew, school or otherwise, sometimes a little heartbreak happens with us because of the fact that Thing 1 is older, but doesn't communicate and is on such a different level.  And so this got me thinking about HIS First Communion, and I remembered the "policy" of the Church as being that for First Communion readiness, one must express a firm belief that Jesus is present in the Host and express "reverence".  Thing 1 doesn't talk.  He doesn't "express" in the same way as everyone else, not even other kids with Autism.  He is vision and hearing impaired, and although he is making great strides in communication, there is no telling how far away he is from being able to communicate through sign language or verbal language.  Therefore, he wouldn't be able to "express" to someone his beliefs.

I promised when we got married to raise our children Catholic, and to teach them the beliefs of the Church to the best of my ability.  There have been times in the past when I have "gone away" but have always come back as a child comes back to a parent.  And so I wrote to the editor in chief of the Georgia Bulletin, which is the newspaper of the Archdiocese here in Atlanta, asking for insight and for help regarding this dilemma of my little guy potentially not being able to come into full Communion with the Church because he doesn't "talk" in a way that most people would be able to understand. 

She wrote me back, stating that the Council of Archbishops issued a declaration that as long as a child shows "reverence", they don't have to be able to "speak" per se, whether by sign or verbally.  At first, I was encrouraged.  Then I began to think about the implications of this staement.  It is so open to human interpretation....fallable, personal, flawed in so many ways.  But the Church has itself "covered" because of the wide-open statement of "showing reverence".   I say....who are YOU to tell me that my child is or isn't showing reverence, when I know that his actions ARE reverent to the best of his ability.  My mother says to me "don't give up on God", but MY answer is....I have never gievn up on GOD, just the people that run His Church.  I think the answer given to me is a cop-out.  I think it is an injustice to every kid that can't speak for themselves, because even if they are "trapped" in a mind that won't let them speak in one way or another, they are denied full Communion because any given priest may say...."he isn't showing what I think is reverence, and so he may not recieve the Host".

Now, that's not to say that there aren't priests out there who are open-minded and would in fact see T1's own personal brand of "reverence".  I am sure there are....but how am I as his parent to know where they are, and are they even IN this state, let alone in the area where I am or a Church close by to us?  Jesus clearly syas to us in the Bible..."suffer the children unto Me".  But someone's HUMAN interpretation of "reverence" here on Earth may or may not allow my precious boy, and other sweet kids like him, to FULLY recieve Communion with the Church, and to allow him to come to Jesus in the Mass - if they are worried about him spitting out the Host because he doesn't like the taste, all it takes is a tiny tiny piece, which melts instantly in your mouth....and that is still considered FULL Communion.  It feels to me as though my parent would deny him as her grandchild.  The Church is a parent to those of us who are Catholic.  And to have this sorry little answer thrown at us is the same thing to me as saying they deny my child as their grandchild.....unless he can show them someway that he belongs to them.....in *their* opinion....not looking at it through HIS EYES and HIS MIND.  Do you see how selfish that is???? 

And so my mom, in the goodness of her heart, has made an appointment with the one of the local pastors - a Monsignor.  That is pretty high up on the totem pole if you aren't familiar with Church hierarchy. This is tomorrow, Friday, December 28.  I am nervous, sad, angry and hurt all at once, and have been for quite some time every single time I think about this.  I haven't even been able to bring myself to go to Church because it just doesn't feel "right" anymore.  I missed every Mass for Advent, and didn't even go to Midnight Mass as I usually do for Christmas. It feels terrible....I celebrate Jesus in my heart....His miraculous birth....and love the Baby Jesus and His mother Mary.  But I just didn't feel "right" with the HUMAN Church on Earth to bring myself to go.....and that is MY fault I know.

I finally decided to write about all this to you all because if you are Catholic or have some insight that I don't, maybe you could help the situation somehow.  It would also be great if those of you who are able to send some healing Reiki energy our way may find a little time to do that tomorrow morning. 

I will let you all know what happens.  After the first of the year, our family may just become Episcopalian.....jokingly referred to in some ways as "Catholic Lite".  I told my Mom that it is the closest I can come to keeping my promise to raise my kids Catholic, but also to feel "right" about the Church I go to......as far as I know, Episcopalians welcome anyone who comes to the Altar during Communion, and they also believe in the "Real Presence" of Jesus in the Host.

Other than all THIS stuff.....Santa brought Thing 2 EVERYthing he asked for!  The boys had a great Christmas, despite BOTH of them being sick with ear infections over the holiday week.....yuck....and they are both still coughing a good bit, although they are better which is great!  We also go this weekend to visit the Mister's parents in NC for New Year's, so they have even MORE Christmas to come!! 

Anyhow - I probably won't write anything until NEXT YEAR lol!   Which is the reason for the title of this entry.  I truly wish all of you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year....and every blessing that comes with it - and if there are things that get you down, I pray there is something that will lift you up and make it all better....one way or another.  Much LOVE to you all and to your families....Happy New Year!

You Are 4: The Individualist

You are sensitive and intuitive, with others and yourself. You are creative and dreamy... plus dramatic and unpredictable. You're emotionally honest, real, and easily hurt. Totally expressive, others always know exactly how you feel. At Your Best: You are inspired, artistic, and introspective. You know what you're thinking, and you can communicate it well. At Your Worst: You are melancholy, alienated, and withdrawn. Your Primary Fear: To have no identity Your Primary Desire: To find yourself Other Number 4's: Alanis Morisette, Johnny Depp, J.D. Salinger, Jim Morrison, and Anne Rice.

YOUR BOY SIDE:

[x] You love hoodies.
[x] You love jeans.
[x] Dogs are better than cats.
[] It's hilarious when people get hurt.
[x] You've played with/against boys on a team.
[ ]Shopping is torture.
[ ] Sad movies suck.
[ x] You own/ed an X-Box.
[x] Played with Hotwheel cars as a kid.
[] At some point in time you wanted to be a firefighter.
[] You own/ed a DS, PS2 or Sega.
[ ] You used to be obsessed with Power Rangers.
[x] You watch sports on TV.
[x] Gory movies are cool.
[x] You go to your dad for advice.
[ ]You own like a trillion baseball caps.
[x] You like going to high school football games.
[ ] You used to/do collect football cards.
[x] Baggy pants are cool to wear.
[] It's kinda weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people.
[x] Green, black, red, blue, or silver are one of your favorite colors.
[x] You love to go crazy and not care what people think.
[x] Sports are fun
[x] Talk with food in your mouth.
[x] Sleep with your socks on at night
TOTAL: 16

YOUR GIRL SIDE:
[x] You wear lip gloss/stick.
[x]You wear eyeliner.
[x] You wear the color pink
[] Go to your mom for advice.
[x] You consider cheer leading a sport.
[ ] You hate wearing the color black.
[ ] You like hanging out at the mall.
[x] You like getting manicures and/or pedicures.
[ ] You like wearing jewelry.
[] Skirts are a big part of your wardrobe.
[ ] Shopping is one of your favorite hobbies.
[] You don't like the movie Star Wars.
[x] were u in gymnastics//dance?
[ ] It takes you around/ more one hour to shower, get dressed, and put on make-up
[x] You smile a lot more than you should.
[ ] You have more than 10 pairs of shoes.
[x] You care about what you look like.
[x] You like wearing dresses when you can.
[ ] You like wearing body spray/perfume/cologne.
[x] You love the movies.
[x]Used to play with dolls as little kid.
[] Like putting make-up on someone else for the joy//joke of it.
[] Like being the star of everything
TOTAL: 10

Repost this as I have _16_ guy traits and _10__ girl traits

No wonder - I was the only girl in my 'hood growing up LOL...I generally have more guy friends/acquaintences - plus jeans are just way cool  

I seriously haven't changed since high school LOL....when I took this personality test in high school, it was pretty much the same....except the J was a P.....J is "judge" and P is "perception"....and I still think I tend more toward the Perception side but there weren't enough questions I think to fill that side (is that judgmental of me LOL)

Anyway....here it is!

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.                 How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

Had a SUPER GOOD time at Dragon*Con 2007 this year!  I got to meet one of my guildies, Andrew, who is known as First Knight of Orr in the guild....that was so cool!!!  PLUS I got to hang out with awesome peeps I haven't seen in FOREVER...yes, you Ghost Hounds!!  I posted some pics from the Con on my Web Album, and they are mostly of costumes, etc.  Thought that would be more fun than boring ol' me! lol 

Anyway - enjoy the pics!!  The other album on there is the cruise that the Mister and I took for our 10th wedding anniversary.  Just hit the link to whichever album you want to look at, then double click on the first pic and you can toggle through the pics reading all the fine captions   at your leisure of course

album link:  http://picasaweb.google.com/home

Missed you Ghosties and hanging out with you guys!!  Was so GREAT to see you all again - REALLY hope to make it to the Sept. meeting!

HUGS everyone!

   

       
       
   

   

        What Disney princess are you most like? (girls only)
   

   

Belle You are gentle, creative, smart, and love to read.
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