My Respite Care Boy

GT was almost five when I first met him. He was and is as adorable as they come and I've grown very attached to him over the past three years I've cared for him.Unfortunately, he like many others is lost in the world of autism.I like to take him to parks, away from the TV and his therapy ball that he likes to bounce on continually; to try to connect with him through play. Sometimes it works and it truly makes my day. Sometimes it doesn't and it breaks my heart.I enjoy taking photos of him for his family. Here he is climbing a tree in his back yard. I took hundreds of pictures that day and saved only about a dozen truly good ones. It's hard to get a good picture of a kid that will look at you and cooperate with instructions. It's even harder when the child can't.This is a photo taken at GT's favorite park. If I had to put a title to it, it would be "The sky is the limit." And I have to post one of him with nothing on but a diaper, as this is how he prefers to be at all times. Thankfully, he has only done one strip act on me in public.

The Family Traveling Scrapbook

My oldest daughter, Amanda made this family scrapbook and presented it to me last fall. I've never attempted scrap booking before, but I've made greeting cards and many of the techniques are the same.





Inside the front cover is a letter and instructions.

I'll recreate the letter for you, so you can read the words yourself.

She did such a beautiful job on this journal, it is a true labor of love....


Dear Mom & Meghan, Ashley & Audra:

Even though we are spread across the continent we remain, as always close in heart and mind. As our life journeys continue to move us farther from one another I was brainstorming a way to keep our family ties strong.

I decided upon a circular journal. Our very own family journal! A place where we can share moments that others have missed or where we can rejoice in those moments we are lucky enough to share.

The rules are limited. Just keep in mind you must complete a page prior to passing it on and it must pass to each person once before repeating the circle. Feel free to be creative or keep it simple.

I'm excited to see what everyone creates and can't wait to come home to the package on my doorstep.

I Love You!

Amanda





This is the page Amanda did to start the book off.


Audra & Rick's wedding, June 9, 2007.




I created my first page of my youngest two girls, Ashley & Audra and their smiles.


Don't they have gorgeous smiles!






Thank you for creating this family journal, Amanda. When this one is full the next one is on me.

New Law Inforcement and Autism Training Video

I found this link on Autism Bites site. The Life and Times of a family with 6 Autistic Angels. This family has been on TV several times in the past year. I have to applaud them, with 6 kids on the spectrum they still find the time to help others through the maze of living with Autism.

Sorry folks, but I can't get the link to work on this one. You will have to type in the browser or copy and paste it in http://saharacares.net/index.htm

When the first page appears, click on Sahara Cares and it will take you to the page where you can view the video. It covers many different scenarios with kids and adults all over the spectrum and ends with police officers and their own children with autism. It was hard to hold back the tears, so you may want to have the Kleenex handy.

1,000 Visitors

I'm ready to hit the big number 1,000 on my visitors counter.

Wow! That's such a big number. It seems like I just started posting a few weeks ago. Time sure flies when you're having fun.

I typed 1,000 in the web browser just to see what would come up.

1,000 places to visit before you die

Check out 1,000 trails.

1,000 of the greatest films.

I was hoping to find something useful like 1,000 ways to get out of dusting around the house. Or 1,000 ways to pretend your sick, so you don't have to go to work. You know that sort of useful stuff, but no luck.

If you are my 1,000th visitor, leave me a comment or email me. I'd like to know who it is that hits that exact number.

This Post is for you, Michael

My daughter, Amanda sent me this email below.

On the way out this morning - Michael said - Mom do remember when Grammie lala went in the forest with me? That was sure fun!

Michael, I do remember..... We had the day alone together; Ava was at her Day Care and it was just you and me. You wanted to explore the forest on your property and Grammie was afraid we'd get lost.



"Come on Grammie, let's go." "It's okay, we won't get lost, Grammie."



Sometimes the going was rough. You had to climb over and under. In some places the branches practically intertwined between the trees.

But we saw amazing things like this green pancake moss.

(Folks that's our name for it nothing scientific.)




And Gramie found this really neat tree. We saw a cool bird, way up close, and we found a dead shrew laying all curled up with his little paws clasped as though in prayer. Michael insisted it was a mouse, so I let it be. Apparently he's never heard of a shrew before.



A few times we stopped to take a break and talk. It was a beautiful day and adventures can be tiring. Michael took a tumble down a hill and cut the palm of his hand on a piece of wood. I insisted we walk back to the house and wash it and put a band aid on it. Michael just wanted to continue exploring.





All in all it was a beautiful day in the forest with my most amazing Grandson, Michael.

Help Spread Awareness for Autism

This is on my list of things to do. I need some more props!

There's a ribbon magnet on my car, a puzzle ribbon I wear on my jacket and a (expensive)ribbon necklace I wear more than any other jewelry I own. But... there's so much more out there.

Look at the cool website link below. Now click on it.



Great signs, stickers & buttons at Cafe Press.







Parenting advise is not
appreciated unless you too
have a child with
AUTISM

I have to get this one for my daughter & G.T's mom. I wish I had time to list many more of them, they are so cool and there's many more sites besides this one that sells autism awaremess products.

Get on board! Spread the word!

Art Galley from the world of Autists

Check out this online art gallery. You can even order greeting cards of some of them and there are icons to click on to read all about the artist.

Here are two of my favorites.



The title of this one is Windy Day. I love it!


Autism Society of America (ASA) Art Gallery online