I missed a few days. Life got crazy and it seemed like there wasn't much to blog about. Thinking back over it, there was.

Over the past couple of days, John and I both have been having major problems with our backs. John's finally got so bad that he went in to the chiropractor that Jared has been seeing. Dr Stork took a look at John while we were in for Jared's appt. We were trying to figure out if his back was out, or if he herniated a disc, or what. Dr Stork took some real quick measurements and estimated that John was out about 1.75 degrees. He got him in for x-rays immediately following Jared's appt and then took the x-rays home and did the findings report for the next day. He had John come in for an adjustment the next day on the Dr's lunch! While doing the findings report, he discovered that John was actually out a whopping 7 degrees! He told John he didn't know how he was even functioning. He said that most people come in at about 1.5 degrees. John was amazed at how much better he felt after being adjusted. He has another appt Monday morning.

The type of chiropractic that Dr Stork practices is not your normal pop and crack. It is the type that Steven (John's brother) is studying. It has shown great success in kids with Autism, and that is why we started it. We have seen improvement in Jared. You can learn more about it at http://www.nucca.org/about.php

Wilson had another game yesterday. He did awesome! He got single, that hit two runs in! His next at bat was a walk, but he was able to score later. They won and Wilson was so pumped! He couldn't stop grinning all day. Jared did much better at the game than he did at the first game. His behavior was much better this time, and we were able to actually watch the game.

Yesterday I got up in the attic to find the 2T clothes for Emma. I can't believe she is about to turn 2. It seems like she was just born a few weeks ago. Katie helped sort through everything and even got it all put away for me. She is such a huge help.

Wilson's first game of the season!

He did so well! They lost, but it was the first game of the season. I am not worried at all. I am just so proud of him. They have 12 players, and Wilson was so stressed that they weren't ready. He sat out the first 2 innings, and then rotated in. Coach put him in center field. Wilson has quite an arm on him. One hit went right between him and the right fielder. They both started running for it, and then both stopped, thinking the other was going after it. Wilson gave the right fielder a "What the Heck?!?" look and then took off after the ball. He got it right at the fence and then threw it to 2nd base! I told you he has an arm.

Last year, Wilson got hit by a pitch. He took it right in the elbow. OUCH!!! We took him to the Dr, but they couldn't tell if it was broken or just deeply bruised. They suspected a break on his growth plate because there was so much fluid surrounding it. They put him in a cast for 2 weeks and the re-xrayed it. That xray didn't show a break. They left the cast off and gave him the "take it easy, but you can play". He was so scared of getting hit again. he wouldn't even go up to bat. We took him to the batting cage and worked through it.

Fast forward to yesterday's game. Wilson got up to bat the first time. The pitcher had hit a few kids, one twice! Wilson was having a hard time staying int he batter's box. He was afraid of getting hit again. He struck out. Then they switched pitchers. John and I noticed that the new pitcher pitches just like the machines at the batting cage. We told Wilson that. We told him to "just be at the batting cages". We told him he could do it. He walked up to the place, set his feet, positioned his bat, CRACK!!! He got it! Line drive right up the center. Unfortunately it went right to the pitcher and he had good reflexes.

All in all, we are very proud of Wilson. He kept his head in the game and stayed with it. He also got his first hit, in the first game. Here's to a GREAT season!

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It's off to work I go ...

After having the boys off track, and then all of the kids home for spring break, it is time to dig out. It was great having them around, but it throws the routine off so much. My usual routine is to get the older boys off to school and then start cleaning. I am usually able to get everything done including dishes and laundry (folded and put away) in time to get Max off to school, put Emma down for a nap, and then I have a few hours to myself.

This was not the case this morning. We got the boys off to school, and John off to work. I put on cleaning clothes, and went to work. I started in the back of the house, in my bedroom. It didn't take much to tidy it up and make the bed. Then the phone rang. John needed me to look up information for the job he was on. He was working on some obscure Oven that took me an hour to find the info for. Then I needed to run Katie to school (she is still on half days, so she goes to school at 10am). We got the two little ones in the car, and ran her to school. Right after I got home, John called again. Luckily it didn't take as long this time.

Back to the cleaning. I grabbed cleaner and sprayed down the kid's bathroom and cleaned up their dirty laundry that they seem to think belongs in there. Grrrr! I just left the pile in the hallway, since I knew I would run into some dirty laundry when I straightened up the boy's room. Decided I should probably tidy up Emma's room so that I could put her down for her nap when she was ready. Then I headed into the boy's room. I informed Max that he needed to help me. It didn't take us long. I made beds while he put toys away. I also made him haul the massive pile-o-laundry to the laundry room.

By this time, it was time to get Max ready and out the door. John had finished his job and came home for lunch, so he helped get Max his.

My day came to a screeching halt when my back decided it was done. I have always had a bad back but it has been acting up a lot more in the last year or so. I got as far as vacuuming and I couldn't stand up anymore.

Good thing it will all wait for me :S I guess I will tackle the great room and laundry tomorrow.

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood!!!

I think we ALL got a sunburn today :D This morning started out with helping a friend move. After that I came home and madly cleaned my house for about an hour before I had to start our therapy route.

The kids were all down playing at the neighborhood park, and I had told Jared that I would pick him up in about an hour. About 5 minutes before I was planning to leave, I got a phone call from Katie asking if Jared was with me. He wasn't. I left to go find him and luckily he was headed home. He said he knew it was about time for me to come get him, so he went and sat at the entrance to the part to wait for me. When I didn't come when he thought I should have, he started walking home. There really wasn't a problem with what he did, and honestly we're kinda used to it, but we have been working really hard on letting someone know where you are going. Even better yet, ... ask someone! That is a concept that he seems to have a really hard time grasping.

We had OT today. Since it was so nice, Michael suggested that we have OT at a couple of parks by his house. Jared LOVED it! Having OT right before counseling really works well for us. It makes Jared much calmer than normal and much more open to the suggestions made by Joel.

Nekolla had obviously talked to Joel about Jared running (scootering) out in front of the car the other day. That in combination with taking off today instead of waiting for me were topics covered today. They seem like somewhat little things, but when it happens all.the.time. and he is almost 8, it needs to stop. One of these days we aren't going to be as lucky as we have been. I worry that one of these days he will get hit, or won't make it home when he takes off.

After our session with Joel, we drove home and got Jared ready for baseball. He had practice tonight. He is really enjoying it. We still need to work on some of the rules. He doesn't understand how to work as a team. Once he gets the ball, he runs to tag out the player. He doesn't throw it to another teammate. It's almost like he thinks he is the only fielder. He also interferes with the runner quite often. He seems to think that if he can stall them until the ball can get to him, it is perfectly legal-LOL! He is doing really good at throwing and catching. That is something that Michael has worked with him on. He is on a coach pitch team. They have been using a Tee until now so that they boys could get used to the feeling of hitting the ball and running. Tonight they started pitching to them. Jared got hits every time he was up :D The thing we have to work on is that he throws the bat ... LOOK OUT!

Spring? and a set back with Jared

Today is B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. It is around 70 degrees. I have windows open to air out the stale winter air. We even walked down to the park.

While walking home from the park, Jared saw Max scootering over to a friend's house. Jared wanted to switch scooters with Max. That was no problem, since Jared was actually riding Max's scooter. Max was on one side of the road, and we were all on the other side. John and I were standing right there. Before I even had time to react, Jared darted right out in front of a car! Luckily the car was able to stop. I know my heart was in my throat, and I'm sure the driver's was too.

I texted Nekolla to let her know. This is a behavior that she has worked very hard on. She is discouraged that he did this. Jared has very little impulse control. He also doesn't grasp the danger that happen. He will take off, but since he knows where he is, he doesn't see a problem. He didn't use to look before crossing the street. If we are at someone's house and he decides that he wants to go home, he will. We have looked into tracking devices, but most of them are only 300 feet. 300 feet nothing, when you have a child that can easily run a mile without stopping. We are still looking for a solution to this problem.

It seems like over the winter, he does better so we think we have mastered that skill. Then the nice weather hits and the behavior rears its ugly head again :(

I knew my blog was somewhere in cyberspace. I can't believe it has been almost 2 years though. Life has continued to be crazy busy. So much has happened in the past 2 years. I don't think I can even begin to cover it all, nor would anyone want to read it all :P Here's a basic catch-up on the kids. It will still be long with 5 of them.

Katie is now 14, and has had quite a few health challenges this year. She went from a straight A student that we never had to worry about, to failing classes. She had her appendix out in September, and her body did not like surgery. She has had chronic pain since. She is on several meds, only attends school half-time, and now has a 504 at school (basically a medical IEP). She will probably end up in summer school, and there is still question as to whether she will have enough credits to pass 8th grade :(

Wilson will be 11 in August. He is in the 5th grade and doing well. He continues to love skating and has been sporting more of a skater hairdo. I didn't like it, but decided that it was just not a hill I was willing to die on. In other words, I had to choose my battles, and this was not one that I decided was worth taking a stand. It is just hair. I still cut it, so I do have some control ;)

Jared is ... Jared. He is in 2nd grade now. We have made HUGE strides in many areas. We have an awesome team that works with him now. As I talk more about this, you will understand a little better why life has been so busy. Jared is in a regular classroom in school with an awesome teacher! Her name is Joy Song. She works so hard to help Jared. She regularly emails me and lets me know if there is any concerns. Jared also goes to Special Ed for reading. He was going there for math also. He started falling behind when they introduced word problems. One of Jared's weaknesses is reading. On the flip side, one of his strengths is math. He has a wonderful SpecEd teacher named Janine Jetson. The combination of these two teachers has given Jared so much success! Jared has finally started reading this year.

We also have a wonderful Occupational Therapist. We have been through a couple others before we found this one. His name is Michael Sparrow. He truly understands kids like Jared. He has helped us through shoe tying, bike riding, and now with baseball. That's right, Jared is playing baseball this year! One of his coaches has a child with Autism. John and I still have to be at the practice to make sure Jared doesn't take someone out with a bat, but it makes it so much easier to have the coach understand.

We have a counselor that we see weekly. His name is Joel Lampert. He has helped us so much. We are able to talk to him about any issues that come up and he helps us figure out a way to handle it. Parenting a child with Autism is much different. You have to approach things so differently.

Jared also has a therapist that comes to our house twice a week. It is for PSR (PsycoSocial Rehabilitation). Her name is Nekolla. Basically, she and Joel identify areas that need work and then they both work on them. Joel is in a clinical setting, and Nekolla is in the community. She has worked with him on personal safety (ie crossing the street and being street smart), how to act in public, asking us before going somewhere, etc. These are things that are not difficult to teach a "typical" child, but at least in Jared's case, it was not easily learned. It was so dangerous to take him places. We became prisoners in our own home.

His schedule is:
Mon-School and then Nekolla
Tues-School
Wed-School and then Nekolla
Thurs-School and then Chiropractor
Fri-School in morning, pick-up at 12:30, OT at 1, snack on the road, Joel at 3pm

Jared also has problems sleeping. Apparently, his body can survive with 4 hours of sleep. Mine cannot. John and I were taking shifts to try to get some sleep. We have had to turn to medication to help with this. He sleeps about 6-8 hours a night now, but he doesn't have to be watched every moment now, like he used to be. He no longer tries to escape the house, get into the knives, or many of the other things he used to do. If he wakes up during the night, he will turn on the TV and find something on Netflix. He is even courteous enough to turn down the volume so that he doesn't wake others up. Like I said, we have made huge strides in many things.

Max is now 6 and in Kindergarten. We chose to do afternoon, as he is not a morning person. He is doing well. He is still in speech therapy. He is doing much better, but still has issues. He really wanted to play baseball this year, but I knew that I couldn't handle 3 kids in baseball this year. He is learning to ride a bike and has discovered friends!

Emma is almost 2! She has the entire family wrapped around her little finger. She has the Grammer blue eyes and knows how to use them! She has the best temperament. She sleeps through the night, and has since she was 6 weeks old. She is very much a "go with the flow" child. She handles all the appts, time in the car, and everything that our life brings without any problems.

She still can't handle much dairy or soy, but that has improved. The hardest part about this is that she wants whatever we are eating. She will get into stuff if it gets left out. Hopefully this is something she continues to outgrow.

Phew. That was the shortened version.