IN THE END

Last week I attended my Grandpa's funeral. I have only been to a handful of funerals in my life. One at ages 12, 14, 18, 32, and now, 36. I really do try and avoid them because it really bothers me to see the person in the casket. I think this all started at my grandma's funeral at age 12. I remember looking at her and then looking around wondering where she was. The body inside the casket was not hers. It didn't match with how she looked when she was alive. And so it began. Every attempt to avoid funerals became my goal. Now that I am older I understand why they look different. The person's spirit is what makes them recognizable. It makes them who they are.

I tried not to look at Grandpa in the casket. It's just gross. The makeup is weird and it just bothers me. They are so lucky to be done with this Earth life. As I approached the casket, the words "tabernacle of clay" came to mind. It's true. The Lord has given us a body, a tabernacle of clay, that he has created, molded and shaped to house our spirits while we sojourn here on Earth. In Moroni 9:6, Mormon says to his son Moroni, "...let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God."

When all is said and done, it will be so nice to leave this frail existence, having accomplished our life's mission. It will be so nice to be reunited with our loved ones who have passed on and the ones who have yet to be born. I am grateful for my knowledge that life continues after this mortal sphere. We are in one big eternal round. It is good to be reminded of this now and again.
On a side note, I would prefer a closed casket viewing, myself. I don't like to be the center of attention. Not even in death, I'm afraid.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY HELPS THIS DUDE

Here are some really good handouts that explain Biomedical Intervention and GFCF diets. They are good to email to people or print out and hand to the teacher, therapist, etc.


Below is Mason playing Jr Jazz basketball. He is white number 22, the big tall guy. First he makes a shot, then fouls, then makes an assist. Then it just repeats for the length of the song. We are so glad OT is paying off!

Pediatricians + Autism = Clueless

Throughout the last 10 years the kids have had the same doctor. I like him. He's good at what he does. But he is really basic at what he does. I am SO ready for a change. Our DAN doctor is two and a half hours away and doesn't accept Medicaid, so we can't just get up and go at the drop of a hat to see him. I feel like after ten years we should have a better relationship with our local pediatrician than we have now. He knows all of our kids and their challenges. But still, there seems to be a lack of understanding or trust in us as parents. I think he is just "doing" his job and doesn't have the interest or compassion anymore-that hopefully-he once had. He never asks how Ryder is doing, even after three visits of Ryder screaming in pain the month before. He doesn't call to see how he is doing; nothing. I feel like he is not listening to me. I have written a letter to him, but have yet to send it. How do you get doctors to listen to parents? I've only had one pediatrician actually listen to me.

When Mercedes was a baby, she was chronically sick with unexplained high fevers. To make a long story short, I knew something was wrong: that it wasn't just stomach pains, headaches, toothaches, etc. I took her to at least six different doctors and finally, to her first female pediatrician. And this doctor actually asked me; what I thought was wrong. I told her I thought she was having UTI's. She was tested, and lo and behold, the tests came back with positive results. Her WBC count was over 30,000. She was a very sick little girl. She was diagnosed with Bilateral Kidney Reflux and at age two and a half she underwent surgery to repair it. It worked. She had only one infection after that, and now we are free and clear, no pun intended.

I've often wondered about this trial that we went through. She was our firstborn, and we were pretty clueless about a lot of things. I thing the Lord prepares us little by little, step by step, precept upon precept, for further trials and adversity, because that in the end, is what molds us and refines us.

THE VILLAGE

One thing that really scares me-is thinking about the future. I guess I need to have more faith, but if you think about it...it's such an unknown territory. As a mom, we worry about our kids. That just comes along with Motherhood. So throw a kid with a disability into the mix and it quadruples the worry. I mostly worry how they are going to make it in society. Will society embrace them or disgrace them? Will they be able to provide for themselves? Will they ever get married? Will I ever be called Grandma? Will they have to live in a group home when I'm dead and buried? Who will visit them? Who will take care of me when I am old? Who will love them as much as I do?

We have received so many blessings, so I know the Lord hasn't forgotten us. He answers our prayers through the people in our lives. They just don't know it. So, to all of you out there, thank you for all of your love and support. It really takes a village.

Heaven is Where:

The Police are British,
The Chefs are Italian,
The Mechanics are German,
The Lovers are French and
It's all organized by the Swiss.

Hell is Where:

The Police are German,
The Chefs are British,
The Mechanics are French,
The Lovers are Swiss and
It's all organized by the Italians.

HODGE PODGE

I have some rough draft posts that are just left there in my "Edit Posts" page. I thought I'd publish them here, even though they are old. Enjoy!

2/23/09--Mason: "Mom, you don't know everything, you know. You are not Santa Claus!"

2/17/09--I'm celebrating ONE YEAR of blogging this month. Also, we are celebrating 3 YEARS of being in our wonderful home, and next week, we celebrate Bill turning the big 40. I'm not old enough to be married to a 40 year old.

Bill always wants a "Hobbit" party. According to Bill, hobbit parties are backward. The birthday boy gives gifts to everyone that comes to his party. The birthday boy doesn't receive gifts. Now, I have to figure out what to give everyone. Oh! The complications of being married to an Aspie...

2/13/09--I'm trying hard to be introspective, but I've had writer's block for awhile. Today was the kid's speech festival at school. They all did really well, considering two have Speech IEP's. I bought them a little valentine cookie with a "Good job" saying (unfinished...)

3/2/09

This morning: I told Bill the plan for the day and it went like this:

Me: "Mason has a doctor's appointment this morning before school. Will you watch Ryder while I take him?"

Bill: " Yeah."

Me: "...Then I have a haircut at 2:30, I'll pick up the kids at 3:15, then Mason has Scouts at 4:30, then Hunter and Mason have gymnastics at 6:00pm..."

Bill: "Ok, so are you taking Mason to the doctor? "

Me: (Impatiently) "Yes, I just said he has a doctor's appointment!"

Bill: "Well I didn't want to assume anything!"

It seems like our conversations are always weird. I talk to him like he's a fellow female, and he is always needing clarification and over-explainations. I have many more where that came from.

Here's one:

One time I asked Bill to throw the leaves over the fence (there was a huge garbage container there) and the next thing I knew, he had thrown them literally--over the fence-- onto the ground.

Lots of literal stuff, I tell you.