The Night Before Christmas

I saw this version of The Night Before Christmas online and it really touched me. Isaac was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome this fall, which is on the high functioning end of the Autistic Spectrum. Along with his ADHD, anxiety and vocal tic we have one complicated and wonderful boy.

Autism The Night Before Christmas by Cindy Waeltermann (Pittsburgh, PA)

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,You must learn to parent..”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions. .

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you.

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

A little catching up

SEPTEMBER: I traveled with my Mom to Door County, Wisconsin to attend the 90th birthday of my Great Aunt Evelyn. It was a great to spend time with that side of my family. Door County was very beautiful!

OCTOBER: Was a month of weddings. First, we went to my great friends Jason and Erika's wedding. I was honored (and very nervous) to be a reader at the wedding. At the end of the month my cousin Lani got married (sorry I don't have any pictures to post-trust me, it was beautiful!)

ALSO IN OCTOBER: Isaac and I were able to go see Lynn (Dan's sister) playing tennis. It was a lot of fun.

NOVEMBER: We had a special visitor at our house. My niece Kathryn came to our house for a weekend. We always enjoy having her here. Now we are lining up Kaylah's turn-it's only fair. :)

We are still here!

Yes, we are still here!

Things have just gotten busy since school started. Although I work only part time at the Community and Family Education Office, I also teach after school classes once or twice a week. Then there are the meetings, classes, many appointments...

So, we have had a lot going on, but all is well. I just thought any loyal people checking in on this site would like to know that. :)

First Day of 4th Grade

Isaac started 4th grade today. Although he didn't want summer to end he seemed excited to go.

Coming in for a goodbye hug and kiss.

Walking to school with Dada. Dan was prepared to wait with Isaac and help him find his room, since we came in a different door for the open house. When they reached the playground, Isaac said goodbye and was ready for him to go.

I can't wait to hear about his day when he gets home!

Lions, Tigers and Bears... oh my!

We did see lions, tigers and bears during our trip to Northern Minnesota along with many other animals.

Fortunately all of the lions, tigers and bears were at cages at the Paul Bunyan Animal Park in Bemidji.

More animals at the Paul Bunyan Animal Park.

Goosie Goo the resident white goose at Iowana Beach Resort.


Here are some familiar turtles I saw while at the Turtle Races in Longville.

A week at the Lake

Our week at the lake went by too quickly... here are a several photos to remember it by.

All of the Cousins
Sully, Isaac, Eva, Kathryn, Truman and Kaylah

Nana with all of her Grandchildren

Turtle Races in Longville, MN

Visiting Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji, MN

The kids really enjoyed fishing this year.

The Germans invaded in June

And it was a most welcome invasion!

Playing on the Computer

Fun at Chuck E. Cheese's

Goofing around at the Science Museum

In a Pirate Play at the Arts Center in White Bear Lake
(a pirate play is not complete without a monkey, a pirate captain and a mermaid)

The North Shore

The End of July brought us up the North Shore with Dave, Julie and Rylan

Flash back to Isaac's 9th birthday

Lynn, Sully, Eva and Truman were here on Isaac's birthday. We went mini-golfing, had an "I"shaped angel food cake and heard an amazing Happy Birthday song.

Later in the month we met more of the family at the Wildlife Science in Forest Lake for a private tour and bonfire with smores.

long time, no post

So I told you a bit back that I joined facebook... well, that is where I have been posting pictures and updates lately. I will TRY to update here more often if there is anyone that is even checking in anymore. It would be fun to here from you if you are out there in computerland.

JUNE
~Isaac had 3 different babysitters tag teaming while I was at work. He loves having the babysitters come.
~Isaac was involved in several activities: Bible School, Swim Lessons, and Tennis Lessons
~My sister Lynn came with her kids for a 2 month visit in Minnesota.
~Isaac turned 9!

JULY
~Isaac added another babysitter to the mix-she was with us last year and is so much fun!
~Isaac has taken several classes through the Rec. Department.
~Isaac was in a Pirate Play in White Bear Lake.
~Sully, Eva and Truman each got a turn to spend a few days with us.
~We ended the month by going up the North Shore with David, Julie and Rylan.

milestone

Out of no where this Spring, Isaac decided to try giving riding a bike without training wheels a try again. We were at Grandma Diane's farm and it went really well. He has rode a few times since, but would most enjoy going back to the farm to ride some more.

Caveman Isaac

He loves his "club-like" stick from his stick collection and I guess he decided to do a caveman impression. He was probably saying "ug".

bird's eye view

My Mom discovered a robin's nest right outside her living room window when the nest had eggs. Now there are 4 baby birds. We were able to peek and watch them being fed and kept warm during the rain.

facebook

After much prompting, I joined the facebook crowd. I have to say that I am enjoying reconnecting with people. I also spend way too much time there on silly games and things. If you aren't already on facebook, you might want to check it out and look for me when you get there.

quick update

I didn't realize that it had been so long since I have updated here... I think I better make a list with a few things that have been going on and as always I will try to be better and check back in here more often.

-School is out for Isaac. He isn't too happy about summer, because he enjoys school so much, but I hope that we will do plenty of fun things for him.

-I work all summer, but only part time hours. I think we just about have the babysitters figured out...

-I have been taking Tai Chi since March. It looks like it would be so easy, but it is for 90 minutes twice a week and it is a nice gentle workout.

-Isaac is learning how to ride a bike without training wheels. I was wondering when this would happen.

-My sister Lynn will be visiting from Germany with her kids for 2 months this summer. Ian will even be taking his R&R from Iraq to Minnesota during that time.

-I am finally feeling more normal after having a MS episode that lasted for 2 months.

New Orleans - part 2 - the people

As I mentioned, my wonderful friend Becky lives in New Orleans with her family. It had been quite awhile since I had the chance to see Becky and her husband Mike. And it had been over 5 years since I had been in New Orleans. I was especially excited for this visit because they had adopted a baby from Guatemala in January of 2008 and I hadn't had a chance to meet her yet. Their daughter, Kate, is so adorable and she is such a good little girl! It was fun to be able to get a chance to know her a little bit. Becky's parents also live in New Orleans, so we were able to do a couple things with them and they were also able to help out with babysitting. Their whole family was so nice to us during our stay! Oh, I should also mention that they have two dogs, Frosty and Mr. Munch, that loved attention.

Becky and Me (with the Mississippi River in the background)

Becky and Kate

Mike and Kate

Frosty

Emile (a.k.a. Mr. Munch)

New Orleans - part 1 - the food

My Mom and I recently went on a trip to New Orleans. I have a wonderful friend, Becky, that lives there with her family and Mom had never been there. A big part of our trip was was going to all sorts of fun restaurants and trying new foods.


The first night, we tried boiled craw fish. Mom is holding a hush puppy and I am holding one of the larger craw fish. When you get to the small piece meat inside, it is very good. It tastes like a mix of lobster and crab. And it was a bit spicy, but not too bad.


The next day, we headed to the French Quarter and stopped at Cafe DeMonde. Mom had to try the beignets there. They are sort of like a square of fried dough topped with powdered sugar. I would compare the taste to funnel cakes.


Another night we went to a newer restaurant called Jaque Imo's. It was a very strange restaurant that was in this very narrow building. In order to get to our table they walked us through the kitchen and everything was all squished together. At one point the kitchen staff carried the chef out over their heads like he was going into a mosh pit. It was very strange. The chef also walked around to all of the tables. He is the guy standing on the table in the back of this picture. Also in this picture are Becky's parents: Ken and Sandy, Becky's husband Mike, Becky, me and Mom. Mom and I decided to try a more normal meal and both ordered a chicken breast over thin sliced potatoes that had the best sauce. Before our meals a salad was served and it came with a fried oyster! It was very juicy and actually quite good. Unfortunately, it was then that I learned that I am allergic to oysters...


Yet another night we drove aways to a well known restaurant. It is known mostly for its thin fried catfish. We did have the catfish and it was great, but we also decided to have the fried soft-shelled crab. It was okay. It was a bit strange to eat some of the thicker parts, but it tasted pretty good.

One day we went on the Steamboat Natchez lunch cruise and toured the Mississippi River. We were also able to try jambalaya, red beans and rice and bread pudding. On Sunday we went to a Jazz Brunch at Court of Two Sisters and were able to try many things. We had better jambalaya and bread pudding. We tried turtle soup and I Mom tried some boiled shrimp.