Just an update

Often times I think about writing another blog post and yet when I actually get a chance, I either forget, don't feel like typing, or best excuse-- I go to bed instead!  But, can you blame me?  I'm exhausted all the time.  Not even sure why.  I mean, yeah, I have a 14 month old that I chase around most of the day, housework to do, a 2 year old in the evenings and weekends-- who is constantly sick and whose Autism can sometimes give me a run for my money--, a 13 year old who mentally exhausts me, but thankfully is super helpful and a good kid, and a husband who works evenings leaving me with all 3 kids at once.  Is that really an excuse to be so tired and needing to go to bed so early most of the time? 

Still I am exhausted and no amount of sleep could probably make me feel 100% again. At this rate, all I ask for is one thing-- for my little ones to sleep through the entire night without coming into bed, waking up with nightmares or needing comfort, every single night.  I mean, I love them and don't mind doing the "mom" thing most of the time, but when you spend half your night tending them and not sleeping, it can be pretty draining.

Besides being tired, I am also finding myself.  After 33 years one would think they know themselves-- their wants, needs, desires, fears-- and yet I feel I know nothing about myself.  I always say that what I have gone through in my life has made me who I am today-- but who is that?!  I mean, I know I'm a mom and wife.  But who *is* April?  If you take away being a mother and wife, who is left-- what is left?  I'm actually working on figuring that out, and so far, so good.  I'm not super pleased with who I am discovering, but I am not horrified either!  Haha.  I know I can be someone better and I am working on that.  My first step-- to bring myself closer to God.  My relationship with Him isn't what I want or need.  I truly desire to have a more intimate relationship with my Savior and so that is my first step in discovering myself.  Really, who knows me better than He does?

There are other steps I am taking but that is number one, so I will leave it at that.  Aside from discovering myself, life has been full of craziness.  Ephraim has missed a lot of school due to sickness-- mostly ear infections.  He has finally been referred for tubes and his surgery is on June 3rd.  Lorelai will be having tubes as well-- we just have to wait until her pediatrician is back (June 3rd, coincidentally) for her referral.  (We know she will get one because the last time we saw the pediatrician she said one more ear infection for both kids would lead to tubes and while she was on vacation we took L to the ER and sure enough, she has another ear infection!)

Bretton did track and field this spring and I am so pleased!  To be honest, ever since he was a little boy I have thought "If he does track and field just once in his life, it will be a dream come true!"  So, my dream was fulfilled!  I hope he sticks with it next year, but if not, I truly enjoyed seeing him participate this year.  He even made it to the Championship meet-- something you have to qualify for.  He participated in the 4x100, discus, javelin (not the typical kind for safety reasons), and shot put.  He qualified for shot put and discus.  I did all the throwing events as well, so it was nice to reminisce and to be able to give him pointers. 

Anyway, I am off for now.  I need to make breakfast, get Bretton up so he can mow some lawns, and hopefully get some cleaning/organizing done today.

April is Autism Awareness Month

It has been a long time since I have written.  There is a lot to catch up on, but it will need to wait for another time.  This post is for and about Autism Awareness.  April is Autism Awareness Month, and if you know me or have read my blog, then you know that my youngest son has Autism and I have felt deeply in my heart that I need to help spread awareness.  Not just having people know the word.  But to know Autism-- or at least, to know it as much as they can without experiencing it themselves.  Every case of Autism is very different than the next one-- sort of like snowflakes. :)

So, my plan is to try to post at least 4 times in April with facts and information about Autism.  I will also include how certain things in our daily lives are affected by Autism.  Don't forget to share my blog and to leave comments for me about your experiences or thoughts regarding Autism.  (Keep in mind that I monitor my comments and will not keep negative and rude comments, or any that try to cause arguments.)



So, let me say this for tonight: My family is participating in the "Light It Up Blue" campaign that was founded by the organization Autism Speaks.  There is huge controversy on them and their tactics.  While I personally disagree with many things that they do, or don't do in some cases, I don't feel that it is supporting Autism Speaks, per se, by lighting our home blue, or wearing blue,etc. Just supporting Autism.  I think that the idea behind the blue lights is mainly to spread awareness.  We do not financially support Autism Speaks but we do feel that more awareness and education is needed, and therefore we are "going blue".  We see it as a way to get the word out and bring Autism "to light". 

We already have our lights on.  They will be on all month.  I made some shirts that we will wear, and I have a few other things up my sleeves if all works out.  But really, in the end, our main goal as a family who deals with Autism every day is to spread more than awareness.  We want to spread understanding, acceptance, education, and advocate on our son's behalf.