Fun @ Uncle Earl & Aunt Jean's

Saturday we took a day out to visit with Aunt Jean & Uncle Earl on their farm. Uncle Earl babies his fish in his pond so that we can always catch something! This was a good warm up for our day on the lake, Sunday. It was such a great day. Uncle Earl & Aunt Jean are Aaron's favorites & he loves to hear what new nickname Uncle Earl gives to him. Last time it was "Possum", but now it's been changed to "Mister". So, of course, now Aaron insists everyone call him "Mister". Uncle Earl also taught Aaron how to "open-cast" fish, so that's his new obsession, at least this week! Uncle Earl taught Matthew how to use, let's just say, "brown boogers". Needless to say, we haven't heard the end of that story either! On top of everything else...Aunt Jean fixed us supper! That was an added surprise. Sure beat having to go to Ponderosa or Cracker Barrel! Lillie went with us & had a new experience of being around other dogs...she wasn't sure what to do with herself. I think Aunt Jean's dogs were glad to see her leave. Overall, we had a great day! Uncle Earl loves to play with the boys...he had girl grandbabies. And the boys love to absorb any and all wisdom from Uncle Earl that they can. He's a wealth of knowledge...you know the everyday kind of learning, not that old book stuff. He knows stuff that fellas just ought to grow up knowing! Everyone needs an Uncle Earl & Aunt Jean...we're so blessed to have one! They love like no other, even by not doing anything, you can just catch a fresh breath of Jesus when you're around them! I've always been thankful for them & now I'm thankful that my boys get to share them as well. Unfortunately we didn't get to see my cousin Tracy & her husband, Chris, they were on vacation. Maybe next time!

Fishing

We have been fishing for the past 2 days. Yesterday, we spend an entire day on the water at Lake Gaston...one of the best decisions we have ever made! It was very therapeutic for the boys. Aaron adored riding in the boat & being the recipient of all the overspray. Aaron also won the "Strangest Catch of the Day" Award, when he caught an old hat! He was pleased. Matthew spent the majority of his day in & out of "Time Out" for losing his temper, but overall it was a fabulous day! Especially when Chris jumped into the lake...wallet and all! Lillie also went, she has a new found love for boating...and swimming! We'll let you know how all the fish taste!

Aaron's Tree Follies

We have a big old tree in the backyard that has a climbing rope attatched. Aaron has just learned, after a year of trying, to climb up the rope to get into the tree. I told him that he doesn't need to climb any farther that the bottom branch, which is about 9-10ft. high, because he could fall, and if he did then he definately would get hurt, or break a bone. In Aaron's logically sound mind, he decided to us the climbing rope as his safety gear, after all that's what repellers do! So he tied the rope around his waist (thank God!) and started to climb up to the 2nd branch...mind you he's outside alone...bad choice in itself! He slips and is left to hang on for dear life! Luckily, we had just returned about an hour earlier from a visit with g'parents, so things were still being retrieved from vehicle. When husband went back for another load, he heard Aaron screaming for help...to which he put off as Aaron playing...baiting him to come check on him & then jumping out to scare him...so Chris played along & went to see Aaron, instead of a joke, he found Aaron almost breathless and hanging on for dear life, while the rope continues to tighten around Aaron's chest (& lungs). Poor Aaron had rope burns & bruises completely around him...Aaron called it his equator. Needless to say, Aaron is no longer allowed outside, even remotely near the tree without adult (30+) supervision! And the moral to this story...Don't let Aaron watch any more documentaries about repelling, while giving thanks to God for not letting the rope slip around his neck! Life with Aaron......it's always something!

Younger Brother, Matthew

Matthew has now been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome as well, but without the ADHA attatched, instead his initials are ODD, which we already kinda knew, from dealing with Aaron. Luckily for our wallets, Matthew will not be placed on any meds, at least not at this time; however, Matthew will be intensely "therapatized", and prayerfully so, he, too, will develop into a well-rounded young man...with a quick temper. God can take care of that too! This diagnosis was a bit harder on us I believe because I know what all we deal with on a day-by-day basis with Aaron, and now I have a double portion of Asperger's. You know I never really thought of asking God "why me?" until a couple of Sundays ago. A lady in our church has a son (now grown) who was born, basically profoundly deaf, but he uses hearing aids & reads lips. She asked me if I ever wondered "why God chose us to go through this". Well, to be honest, I don't have enough time or energy left over to ponder things such as these, especially when it won't change anything, but now, I am beginning to wonder that age-old question, "Why me, Lord?". I do know that it is scripturally sound to question God, but not okay to infuse anger His way, so I'll keep you posted about my ponderings, until then...just pray for us & our daily battles of the front lines of the Asperger's War.

Medication Ups & Downs

After increasing Aaron's Respitdol, he began having major sensory issues, mostly with bladder control & sense of pain, like from cuts & briuses. It was became completely evident that these issues were stemming from his meds. We met with his doctor, who has weaned him off all meds except for Concerta, which by now is an absolute must! June 5, we'll begin a new round of meds...hopefully this time we'll enjoy our merry-go-round ride. But for now, Aaron is Aaron...and we love him for being just the way he is...no matter how stressful it can be.