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.

Baby Brother

After careful consideration, we have decided to have Aaron's younger brother, Matthew tested for an ASD. He has demonstrated concerning behaviors for quite some time now, but we just chalked it up to learned behavior, but now, well, maybe not so much. What a merry-go-round we daily ride upon...all I can say is thank God for Jesus & baseball! They are our stabalizers! Now if we can get in charge of these neuro-disorders, instead of them being in charge of us...ah, that would be the life! Will update about Matthew's on-going diagnostic process as it proceeds... We appreciate any prayers you can send up on our behalf...and so would all the other families who live with ASDs.

Respidol Run Around

Well, we're now utilizing the drug Respidol twice a day, along with Concerta and Lamictal. With the progression of these meds we are also noticing somewhat of a step backwards. I'm not positive, but Chris & I are watching like a hawk for anything other than the meds to be causing Aaron's new behaviors. Aaron seems to be having some "sensory issues" now, with not only his bladder control, but with painful stimuli as well. Also, when Aaron's meds have worn off, he seems to act even more Autistic and sometimes, mentally retarted. The doctor seems to think that this is "normal", however, we don't. We do remember before any meds were introduced & he never carried himself as he does now. It seems to us that all these medications create a "focused Aaron" for a short while, but then delivers back to us a child we don't really know. I'm truly looking forward to meeting with the other physician who is more in tune with kids with AS, unfortunately we are still on his waiting list...until this summer. BLAH! Until then, we will continue on the track we are already on. Oh how I wish there was a cure for Autism Spectrum Disprders...maybe not a cure so much, instead, a reason why...why Aaron? why our family? where did it come from? is it something we did? did something happen to him that we were unaware of? This type of ASD is so un-explainable! It is so frustrating for everyone involved! It's so difficult to explain to others, because Aaron looks so "normal" on the outside & he's so loving & gentle...we like to think of him as our little Incredible Hulk...we don't dare make him mad...Aaron isn't so sweet when he turns green & grows 10 ft tall & can take on the world! (at least in his mind) The most frustrating part is the fact that, just as the Incredible Hulk, Aaron can remember nothing that just occured during his tyraid! It's exasperating, but it has become our life, which we have adapted to. Aaron says he wants to be a "brain electrician" when he grows up so he can help other little boys and girls who have problems thinking straight....at least that's this week! Who knows what next week will bring...an infomercial host???

Autism Awareness Day

April 2 was World Autism Day & I was able to catch a couple of specials on CNN, a station I normally wouldn't watch. I was most impressed by Larry King's interview with Jenny McCarthy, about her son, Evan. It baffles me to no end to realize that simple, standard immunizations Aaron received when he was a baby could've prompted his Autism Spectrum Disorder...along with the overwhelming number of other children who seem to have had the same experience. No one really knows & will probably never be able to prove anything one way or the other, so America is left to just absorb the unknowing & deal with the cards in which it was dealt. One concern expressed by the panel was what the future held for so many who are now dealing with ASDs. Will they be able to become productive members of society, or will they unfortunately become partakers of our Welfare/Social Services systems? Who knows?! I know we are doing everything we can to help Aaron, so he can function as a happy, independent man, but then there are all these new meds that the Dr.s perscribe...all by which are trial & error...what will their long-term effects be? Another, "who knows?". I believe that the burden is harder on those of us who are "middle-class-law-abiding-tax-paying-citizens"...there is no gov't assistance for us...no coupons for meds (at least not after the 1st one!)...no support groups or therapists or evaluations which are free or even discounted...and DEFINATELY NO HELP THROUGH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM! In fact, kids like Aaron are the ones who DO fall through the cracks, just labeled as kids with innapropriate behavior & send to "special ed" classrooms, when in fact, they are Einsteins just waiting for the right person to notice. I hope & pray that over the next few years there can be some answers found somewhere about anything dealing with ASDs...I'm so sick of "well, it's just such a new diagnosis, we really don't know a whole lot about it". I'm tired of knowing more that the Dr.s about my son's diagnosis...because I have a valued interest in him...not just how much an hour, excuse me, 15-20 minutes, I can scrape from the pockets of insurance co.s & concerned parents! Ok, I have put my soap box back now. I would like to challange you, in honor of World Autism Awareness Day, to learn a few new facts about Autism Spectrum Disorders that you didn't know before. I promise youthat it will not be any less than very intresting.

Good Book

My mom recently informed me of a book she had finished entitled, Rules by Cynthia Lord. It is a book geared toward a middle school level, but I'm reading it as well. It tells the story of the older sibling of an Autistic child. So far it's spot on...kinda humorous to actually know that there are others out there who live with the same issues as we do...I must say though, that although our times are trying, there are others who are much worse and I am so thankful that we are not dealing with a profoundly Autistic child. God promises to never give us more than we can handle. However, I suppose, if Aaron was worse then God would equip us to deal with that as well. Just wanted to pass along this book to you & the author does have a website which is, http://www.cynthialord.com

And He Smiles...

This week wehave begun a new medicine along with the Lamictal & Concerta. Respidone. It's still in a small dose, to be increased within the next week. He popped his 1/2 pill Friday night & went to bed, we were clueless as to what to expect, if anything at all. Let me say when Aaron awoke Saturday morning, it was the first morning in a very long time that he had a genuine smile on his face. He came to hug me & he just smiled & clung to me & kept telling me, "I love you mommy." Then came the quick rememberence that it was Saturday...Kite Flying Day & Easter Egg Hunt @ church & into orbit he shot...but it was still a more peaceable orbitation. He was also excited to be going to g'parents house because at his old church the visiting Easter Preacher is Tim Lee http://timleeministries.com Him & Aaron go way back. He'll never pass up the opportunity to see his buddy. Like I'm sure you already know, if you know someone with Asperger's, they either love you or despise you...there is no middle ground. Aaron also gets to visit his old buddies from church that he grew up with in his earlier years. All in all I am looking at Respidone or Respidal to be a good thing for us...but as with everything else with AS, it's a wait & see game.

Medicinal Merry-Go-Round

Our journey down medication blvd. began very slowly. The Dr. first placed Aaron on minuscule amts of Lamictal, an epileptic drug...why? Don't know. We gradually increased it once before revisiting the Dr. At next visit, the day after Thanksgiving, he added Concerta. At that appt., Dr. weighed Aaron at 82 pounds. We began the Concerta & after 3 days, dbled it, still in conjunction with the Lamictal. Our days were still filled with the usual ups & downs & dramatic mood swings. Aaron would go from wanting to kill anyone around him to wanting to kill himself because he felt he was a "bad boy", then 20 minutes later, he would not even remember the incident(s). However, at this point Aaron was able to focus for about 45 minutes, in spurts. Therefore, I was able to begin bringing him up to his 3rd grade speed, as best as I could. Keep in mind that there are 2 other children involved in our family as well, which by now we're noticing signs of the same behavior in our youngest, but without the depression, he has a more aggressive nature. Needless to say, our lives are symbolic of a 3 ring circus...with fireworks, but there is love...and my strength comes from the Lord. At our next Dr. visit, in January, the Dr. takes Aaron off Lamictal & Concerta because of my concerns with Aaron's weight, which is now down to 53 pounds. He prescribes Zoloft, to help control Aaron's "inner-script" & obsessive tendencies. After 3 days of that Aaron was literally punching computer screens, beating his head on walls & violently seeking whom he may destroy, hurt, wound...ok, Zoloft's out! The Dr. then simply places Aaron back on his original dose of Lamictal & that's it...did I mention that this was only 3 days after our appt with him?! Well, while we await our turn for another Dr. (he's booked solid until summer), the Dr. has to do, even though I feel we've started over again. So for now, Aaron is on his Lamictal & Concerta combo...with force feedings everyday & struggles to take the meds everyday & combating his combative behavior everyday & still trying to see each child gets what they need everyday...but there is love...and my strength comes from the Lord.

Cliff Notes History

We began our homeschool journey with some knowledge of our middle son's "issues", which were first diagnosed at the age of 3...so I suppose I should travel back to then & divvy out some history. Our middle son, Aaron, was a true miracle...but aren't all children?! We always knew that he was slightly irregular, but just tossed his actions on to the "high strung" pile & went on about our ways, loving him for the way he was. Well, after our baby, Matthew was born, we really began to notice abnormal differences...not sibling rivalry, because he could've cared less about the new one. Aaron had 1 speed, which was "ZOOM!", and it ran all the time...there was no "off button" to be found. While recovering from a c-sec., it really hit home how little sleep Aaron was getting (not to mention me!), about 4-5 hours in a 24hr. period! We took Aaron to his pediatrician & she did some basic testing & told us that Aaron was a genius...Dougie Howser kind of kid. We were not prepared for that! With a referral from my cousin, we took Aaron to see a "kiddie shrink" & he diagnosed Aaron at the age of 3 with ADHD with ODD and RAD...glad we knew our ABC's! That really took us by surprise!! However, there were no drugs, cures or comfort for us...he stated that Aaron would need intensive "behavior therapy" & he'd never be mainstreamed in a schoolroom without a one-on-one assistant. We were overwhelmed by this news...he was so "normal" to us & this doc. painted us a picture that made Aaron to be a psychopath-in-training! Needless to say, we began to pray fervently for him & work with him on really getting "what's right & wrong". I can't tell you how many "Pre-K" programs he was "asked to leave", & we did have to re-start his K year because of an misunderstanding between him & another student...thank God he's a summer baby, so it worked out for the best, I suppose. So, to speed up my thoughts, my husband's work has moved us 2xs in the last 3 years & with each move the teachers have struggled to get Aaron to comply, focus, & generally behave, let alone get any work accomplished. God surprisingly placed us in the heart of "bad education country", so with prayer, I committed to homeschool all 3 boys. After our 1st 2 weeks of school, I noticed just how far behind Aaron was. He seemed to automatically know things that had yet to be taught, but the basic skills he should've mastered from K-2nd grade, he seemed to struggle with. I immediately "let my fingers do the walking" & dialed the counselor that I know the Lord let us to. We made an appt & met with her & began telling her the issues at hand & she in turn began to unravel a huge ball of yarn! She sent us home with some "questionnaire" type papers, which she reluctantly included one for Asperger's Syndrome. We filled out everything & returned them the next day. At our next appt with the counselor, she affirmed my thoughts that Aaron had been misdiagnosed and confirmed Aaron's new diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome with ADHD. She stated that she had never even seen scores from past Q&As that were as consistent as mine & my husbands, so she knew that it was an accurate diagnosis versus one parent over-reacting to childish misbehavior. She then referred us to the in-house prescribing doctor to see if we could begin some medications to curb Aaron's anxieties & moods, because there is no meds or cures for Asperger's, only it's side effects. We didn't truly understand what adventure we were embarking on, but at least now, we knew the problem with which we had to work with.

Let The Blogging Begin

Let me welcome you who are venturing on this blogoshperic journey with me. I never really thought I would become a "blogger", but fate has intervened & here I am! Let me begin by telling you that this blog is created with my opinions and both religious & polital views in mind...with that said...I am a stay at home mom, who now homeschools all 3 of our sons. They are in the 1st, 3rd and 7th grades. I have given up my career as a professional photographer to protect my children & to ensure them a quality education. My husband & I have been married for 13 1/2 years...and still counting! We are a Christian family, which means plainly, that we believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only way to salvation from our sins & eternal damnation...John 3:16...cliche' I know, but it's what we stand firm on. For the past couple of years, my husband's job has tossed us a couple of moves, and after our last move to an area where the public schools were, let's just say, "less than adequate", we concluded that homeschooling would be our answer. Now that we're approaching the end of our 1st homeschooled year together, I am now completely assured that this was the best decision for our family. Afterall, where better a place to indoctrinate, I mean, educate our sons to be Yahweh God fearing, Republican Conservatives, law abiding, PROUD to be AMERICANS, future vow-honoring husbands and devoted fathers...not "baby daddies". Of course, every day is filled with a new adventure! Sometimes a comedy....sometimes a tragedy...at least in the eyes of a child. I look forward to sharing these adventures with you! I trust you'll find this blogspot as encouraging and light-hearted as it is solely intended to be. So enjoy my homeschool mom-ologues!