A Walk In Our Shoes...

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
Asleep early for Christmas?
... an unlikely path

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When visions of Christmas
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift?
The right color and style?
Would there be a blank stare
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Friends & family come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from bending his hands.

"Just make him stop it," some say
"Just tell him 'no',
You must learn to be tough ..."
On, and on they do go ...

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The debate 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 some don't know
And what some don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity.

He said "Hello"!
He ate something green!
He looked me in my eyes
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!

Some 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 envy, with wonder,
Or even distaste.

What we want them to know
What's important to see
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 so 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 our shoes
And I'll assure you ...

That even 10 mintues
Into the walk
You'll look at us all
With respect, even shock.

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

That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years I learned too
When the tables were turned.

utahmaks.blogspot.com


Just wanted to share an awsome poem that I recieved. It's amazing to me how much it hit home for me.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas!!
Luv to you ALL....

OK, OK!! So I am being reemed (i dont know if thats how its spelled) for not blogging, so here it is LADIES!!! You know who you are!!! ;0)

I have to admit it has been a while since I wrote something, so I do apologize. The past month and a half have been pretty melow. Not too much happening.
Halloween was fun for Kanton. It took him some time to relax and be ok with it, but he finally came around.
Thanksgiving came and went WAY toooo fast!! But it was nice. Rob had to work Thanksgiving day, so we did our own little thing that night. It turned out GREAT, if I do say so myself.
Then on Friday, the next day, my family got together at my parents house and had a big shin-dig!! It was fun to spend time with my siblings. I see my brother every so often, but my sister that lives in Wyoming came, so it was great to be able to visit with all of them.
My sister that lives in Idaho was planning on coming, but sad to say she ended up with that yucky sickness that is going around!! So we missed the Georges dearly!!!
On Saturday, was our fun day of CHOCOLATES!!! It is so much fun. All the ladies on my moms side of the family go to my Aunts house and we make yummy chocolates for hours and hours!! Its a traditions in our family to do that around Thanksgiving. I look forward to it every year!! I love all you awsome ladies!

So here we are already the second week of DECEMBER!!! WHAT??? I cant believe it. In less than a month it will be the year 2010!!! I remember as a kid thinking 2010 was so far away, now here we are... I feel like I should be living on Mars or something. Silly, I know.
Well, not much is happening right now, so I'll try to wrote something again in a few weeks...

Love to you all
Happy Holidays

Long Time Coming.....

In my last post I told you all about Rob getting a new job. Well, he started his new job on the 19th of this month. He is working up at the University Hospital. He makes all of there cold foods for the patients and for customers to buy in the cafateria: like sandwhiches, salads, wraps, fruit bowls... You get the point.
We are so excited for this new adventure. Its been a long time coming, a long YEAR to be exact!! Rob was let go from a pretty good paying job just over a year ago. Luckily he was able to find another job with in a week, but with taking that job we took a major paycut!! Like over half of our income... So needless to say this past year has been a real big struggle for us. Rob never stopped looking for work... He was searching the web, going and working with the people at the church employment center, working with our Bishop and Employment specialist, and also workforce services, but unfortunately do to the wonderful economy that we live in, NOBODY and I mean NOBODY is hiring!!! There are many out there that know just what I mean!!
We have been so blessed to be where we are right now in our lives!! We have such a wonderful Bishop that has been so generious and willing to help us with all that we need and genuinly looking out for us. One night at like 9:30 p.m. just about a month ago, our Amazing Bishop calls... He was calling to inform us of a job opening at the University Hospital. He gave me all the info. to give to Rob so he could get in contact with the people up there for an interview.
So after a couple of days trying to reach someone, Rob finally got a call back from someone. All he needed to do was get online and fill out an application and they would schedual an interview.
After 3 interviews, Rob was informed that it was between him and one other guy and that they would be in contact in a day or so...
After a couple of days Rob called to see what they had decided and they told him that the other guy had just a little more experience doing that job, so unfortunatley Rob wouldnt get the job. But they told him they were very impressed with him and they would keep in on file for the future...
About a week later.... Rob recieves a phone call at like 7:00 p.m. And the voice on the other end of the line informed Rob that he was with the University Hospital and was wondering if he would still be interested in the job..... WHAT?????? Of course!!!
So needless to say we were both SO SO SO excited that night!!! Can you say DIVINE INTERVENTION !!! I know for a fact that WE ARE where were suppose to be!!
This new job is not only going to give us a pay increase, but better and CHEAPER benefits and a FREE, thats right FREE, UTA pass!! So as you can tell, this job comes with better perks all the way around!!
I am so very greatful for the people that Rob and I have in our lives. For the people that really have our best interest at heart!! Rob and I are so looking forward to finally being able to get back on our "OWN" feet again!!
I am so greatful to my dear sweet husband for not giving up!! Its been a real struggle this past year, not only with the job and finacial situations, but just life in general!!
I pray that our Heavenly Father will continue to bless us ALL with the things that we need to help us to press forward!!

Love the Weather....

Things have been pretty eventful since I blogged last. Not only for our family, but the WEATHER!!! Can you believe how fast the temps. have changes, it's crazy!! But Im not complaining I LOVE the cooler weather. Spring and Fall are my favorite time of year. I love to be able to wear pants, sweaters and boots. The only thing is... Im keeping my fingers crossed this doesnt bring an early winter. I HATE the snow!! I always have and I dont see it changing any time soon. The only thing I like about winter is the Holiday Season. I love to celebrate the holidays; being able to decorate and spend time with friends and family!! As for Christmas, you wont believe this, Kanton started talking about Santa Claus yesterday. What am I in for??? He keep saying that Santa was going to come and bring him some treats. So, Rob and I have to try to make him understand that Santa wont be her for 3 more months. How do you explain that to a 3 yr. old that is so excited for Santa to come now??? I guess I have my work cut out for me for the next few months -huh-??? As for now......
All I have to say is BRING ON THE COOLER WEATHER!!!!

As for our family, Kanton had made some friends at school and is talking about them all the time. That is really exciting. So I've exchanged numbers with one of the moms to hopefully be able to do some play dates.
Saturday and Sunday were conference. It was real nice to be able to sit home with my boys and be able to listen to the teachings of the gospel straight from the church leaders themselves. Kanton did pretty good. Of course he didnt just sit and listen, but he was alot quieter than usual, he just minded his own P's & Q's and played with his stuff. What a great kid!!!
As for Rob.... Drum roll PLEASE!!! Rob has Finally found a new job that is going to be a better opportunity than what he has now!! We are so excited!!! I'll post more about the job later, as soon as the wrinkles get worked out!!
Hope all is well with you guys and may this cooler weather bring you as much happiness as it does us.....

Carnival Fun....

Last Saturday, September 19, we took Kanton to a Carnival for kids with Autism and there families. The organization that put on the carnival is call Sahara Cares. This organization is so awsome. This carnival was all FREE!!! They provided a shirt for the child with autism and then game them a little bag with lots of little fun stuff inside.

Then they had like, 10 of those big blow up bouncy houses. They provided lunch for all that attended the carnival. We had hotdogs, chips, fruit snacks, either water or poweraid and of course cupcakes. Now remember, this was all free!Nothing beats free like this.Then they had about 25 different relay games for the kids to do. After finishing each game the child got to choose a prize.

One of the most amazing things for Kanton was that they had a cute little Train! Thats right a TRAIN!!! Kanton had a hard time at first. But then he didn't want to get off. So I think Kanton rode the train like 10 times.

They also had a bug scavanger hunt for the kids and what ever little bug they found they got to put in a little bug box and of course they got to keep them all.

One of the good things for me was that I was able to send Kanton and Rob to ride the train and I was able to go to the information part of the carnival. It was so good to be able to get all that information. They had like 20 different booths.

I am so greatful that we were able to take Kanton to this fun carnival. Not only did it allow Kanton to hve tons of fun and get all of the attention, it also helped Rob and I realize that there are a LOT of people out there that are in the same boat at we are. I was so over whelmed with how many people were there.

I just want to Thank our Heavenly Father for this wonderful opportunity. To be able to raise on of his choice children. I am eternally greatful.

I look forward to the many awsome opportunities that Kanton will bring to us and for all of the knowledge that (Kanton and the challenges that he has) we will learn......

Crazy Times.....

Its been a few crazy weeks since I blogged last. Kantons eye is doing wonders, you can hardley even tell anything happened to it, other than it still is a little pink at times.
Since having his surgery he's been pretty unruly. This summer he has done so well and has made so much progress, but the surgery has caused him to regress a little. His temperment is more edgy than usual. And for those of you that dont know, Kanton is a bitter (he bits himself, not others.) He had been doing so well, but now he is bitting again. So times have been pretty difficult around our house.
I have been looking forward to Kanton going back to school. Hopefully that will help give him a little more struction and get him back on track.
Today was orientation and he starts tomarrow!!! I am so excited.
So I was checking out some friends blogs yesterday and found this most amazing little story that really hit home for me and I wanted to share it with all of you.
Thank you so much Natalie for posting this to your blog!!!

For Chosen Mothers

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures,
and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of a child
with special needs. Did you ever wonder how mothers like this are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting His instruments for propagation
with great care and deliberation. As he observes, He instructs His angels to make notes
in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron saint,
Cecelia. Rudledge, Carrie, twins. Patron saint... give her Jude. He's used to profanity."
Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a child with special needs."
The angel curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy." "Exactly", smiles God. "Could I
give a child with special needs a mother who does not know laughter? That would be
cruel."
"But has she patience?" asked the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or
she will drown in a seal of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears
off, she'll handle it.
"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and
so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world
She has to make him live in her world and that is not going to be easy."
"This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angels gasps, "Selfishness?
Is that a virtue?" God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally,
she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't realize it yet, but she's to be envied. She will never take for granted a
'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says "Mama' for
the first time she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or
sunset to her child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.
"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow
her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of
every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side.
"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, her pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

After Reading this on my friends blog, it sure made me realize that no matter what our trials are in this life, Our Heavenly Father loves us and he has a plan for us. And he will always be there no matter what this crazy world throws at us.
Love to you all......

Time to play Catch Up......

This picture was taken just a couple days after his eye surgery. He is such a trooper!!!

This is Kanton at our Mangum family reunion at the beginning of the month. He had lots of fun with this silly game. (Im not even sure what its called.)

Even though things can be pretty tough for Kanton he is such a joy to have around.

This is the most recent picture of Kanton. He love to play with the Vaccuum. Hopefully he'll stay that way as he gets older and end up being a great helper!!! As you can see his eye is healing really well...

This is Kanton at his Birthday Party at the Train Museum in Ogden. We thought he'd just love that. Isn't he the cutest train conductor you've ever seen.

So.... I thought Id start out with some pictures of Kanton since it's been so long since I've posted any. He is growing like a weed I tell ya....

Anyways.....

Yes it has been a pretty crazy month! At the beginning of the month I had my nephew Jace come stay with us for a week. We had tons of fun while he was here. That week the kids upstairs from us were home, so Jace always had someone to play with . On Friday of that week we went camping on at Cherry Hill. It was a blast. Rob took Kanton down one of the water slides and he LOVED it!! He still talks about going underwater to this day. The next day was Saturday, of course, and we pack up our stuff and had a family reuion in Riverton we had to be at, for my Moms side of the family.

The reunion was alot of fun. It was a Hawaii'n theme party, so we got us all fun shirts to wear from the DI.(I love that place!!!) We had awsome food and played tons of games and just got to visit with all the Mangum family. We love you guys and wish we could all get together more often!!!

Then as the month went on Kanton had an eye Dr. apt. to figure out what we were going to do about his silly eye situation. So we went to his apt. on Friday, the 14th and decided to do surgery on the 19th. So things moved pretty fast. It was a little scarry, but we new it was the right thing to do. We decided to do it so fast because Kanton starts school again on the 9th of Septemeber, so we were hopeing to get it done and healed before then so we wouldnt have to take him out of school for it.

Well, before we new it the 19th was here and it was time for the surgery.

We had to be at up to Primary Childrens Hospital by 10:30 am and the surgery was set for 12, noon. He did such a great job!! I really thought it was going to be alot worse than it was. But I guess thats a worring Mother for ya.

The surgery was was Out patient so we got to take him home around 4 or 5. (cant remember)

He did AWSOME!! He was a little restless the 2nd night, but other than that he's been a real trooper.

We had a 1 week check up yesterday, the Dr. said every thing is looking so good, he may not even have to be patched when he's all done healing. So we have another follow up a month from now, so we'll see what happens then.

Since the surgery, Kanton has regressed a little bit with his temperment and social skills, but they say thats pretty typical for kids with Autism to do that went they have something tramatic happen in there lives.

So I'll tell ya, right now I am SO SO SO SO looking forward to his school starting back up. The few short weeks that he got back in the spring really helped him a lot. So it will be nice to get him back into a structured program agian.

I just need to be patient and not kill him for just a little over a week. I think I can do that!!! I THINK.....

July is Crusin'....

Well here we are, already the 24th. Where does the time go?
This month has been a little like a roller coaster ride. At the beginning of the month my Nephew, Jaxon, came and spent the week with us. We had a blast. Of course Kanton loved having someone around all the time to hang out with. We did things like: swimming, shopping (for toys of course), rent movies, go out to eat and of course stay up way too late. After the first night Jaxon decided he wanted to sleep with Kanton in his bed. The boys both loved that!!!

Kanton had his MRI on the 15th and of course that was a little nerve racking, as you can tell from my last blog.
Kanton was such a trooper!!! It was hard for them to get his IV in, but once they did, he did awsome.
I am so very greatful for the small things that we've had to go through with Kanton. I cant imagine what it's like for those families out there with kids that have major issues. May God Bless them!!!
We actually got his results the very next day! I really like this Opthamologist!!! If anybody needs one his name is Dr. David Petersen. He called me and told me that all the development looks normal compared to his last MRI, he had one when he was 3 mo. old. So that the problem was not neurological, which is a very good thing!! He told me to keep patching his eye for about 3 hrs. a day and at our follow up next month we will have to talk about surgery. I'm relieved to know that its not neurological and that it can be fixed, but its still hard to hear that he needs surgery. I just keep telling myself that I am very lucky that they have the technology now days to be able to fix these issues. So we'll see what happens next month at the follow up...
I love you Kanton!!

The 4th and the 24th celebrations have been so fun for us this year. Kanton was still a little young last year to really enjoy what was going on, so it's been tons of fun watching Kanton get so excited when we tell him we're going to see fireworks.
I've been pretty surprised that the loud noises haven't bothered him much, I think he's finally starting to cope with things better than he use to.

This morning we took Kanton to the 'Days of 47 Parade'. Robs brother Mark came down from Cedar City and met us there, were so glad he could be there with us. Kanton had a hard time with all the bands, he covered his ears a lot, but other than that he did great.
We were lucky enough to be able to sit in the shade (thank you Mark) the whole time, so it was actually not too hot.
There were a couple floats with trains on them and of course you know Kanton, he's our train man, he was so excited to see them. I think those floats alone made the whole adventure to the parade worth while for him!!!

As for Rob and I we are celebrating our "5" year anniversary on the 30th. Some times it seems like there is no way it can be 5 years already, but other times it feels like we've been together forever, cause of all the things we've been through.
But I just wanted to let my dear sweet husband know, publically, how much I LOVE HIM!!! There is nobody I could imagine being with on this Journey through life with than him.
I look forward to many, many more years together and hopefully there are more ups than downs!!!
I love you Rob.

I cant believe its already July. Time sure flys!!!
Well, lets see....
About a month and a half ago I was at my Moms house visiting with her and my brother. We were sitting around the kitchen table chatting and the kids were running around playing. Kanton came to me and wanted something to eat. So I got him something and made him sit on a chair by me, hopefull to prevent a mess. So we continued on with the adult conversation, when all of a sudden my brother says to me, " does Kanton have a lazy eye?" Of course Im like, " WHY?" Then he had my Mom look at Kantons right eye and she responded with, " oh yah, Wow." So my brother procededs to tell me that Kantons right eye looks like its turning in. (looking in at his nose.) I tryed looking at it, but of course I couldn't get Kanton to sit still and look at me long enough to see it.
So my brother started asking him questions like, " what color is your shirt? What color is Mommys shirt? What color is Grammys shirt? He answered them all correctly. For those of you that don't know my brother is a FireFighter Paramedic. So my brother says, I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you start noticing other weird things, or if he starts acting like he cant see.
So I think nothing of it, Until a few weeks later.
Kanton had a sleep over at Grammy and Papas house and when we picked him up my Mom seemed very concerned about it. She said that he was really rubbing it all night and was really acting like it was bothering him and she could really notice it turning inward the more tired he got. So she recommended getting him in to the Dr.
So that same day I made him an appointment with his Pediatrician and of course couldn't get him in for a few weeks.
A few weeks come and go, we take him to his appointment. Which by the way I dread taking Kanton to the Dr.s cause he hates it SOOOOOOOOOO bad!!!! He just screams and crys the whole time.
So I had my Mom come, since she had seen his eye do this weird thing. (I still hadnt) And the Dr. notices it right away. So of course I feel horrible!! Like, why the heck have I not noticed this! Anyway, the Dr. had me stand right behind her while my Mom held Kanton. The Dr. shined a light in his right eye and there it was!!! I finally saw it.
The Dr. really looked at all angles at his eye and told us that she couldn't see anything abnormal but that we should get him into an Opthamologist.
So I made the appointment and that was a week away. Now the day comes for the Dr. appointment. We get there and Kanton starts freaking out as usual!!
A lady looks at him for a minute and trys to get him to tell her what the different pictures are and he did ok. Then a Guy comes in and does somethings with little tools; putting them in front of one eye, than the other, turning the lights off and on.
Then procededs to tell us that Kanton is not using his right eye at all. Of course my heart sank! He says that they need to dialate his eyes and then the Opthamologist with see him. The guy and Rob hold Kanton down and put the drops in his eye to dialate them and them were sent to the waiting room for the drops to take affect!!!
I was so hard for me to sit in that waiting room and not bawl my eyes out. I just started wondering, " Why?" This precious little guy has delt with so much already and now this. I said to my Mom, " Could one more bad thing happen to him?" My Mom being the wise women that she is, reminded me in a soft calm voice that "YOU KNEW!" At first I wasnt sure what she ment, so I said "What?" She reminded me that I always knew Id have a special child.
You see, I've known from a very young age that I would have a child with special needs. Of course I didnt know what kind of needs. But as time goes by we are learning.
So they call us back to see the Dr. and he does another exam. Of course Kanton is freaking out. I always new Kanton was a strong kid, but as I sat in the corner of that room in the dark, tears streaming down my face, watching my dear sweet husband, a nurse, the Dr. and my sweet Mom holding Kanton down so the Dr. could really look at his eyes, boy is my son STRONG!!!
When the Dr. was done with the exam my dear Mom took Kanton back out to the waiting room to relax and play with the toys. The Dr. informed us that Kanton can see just fine. But for some reason the muscles are pulling his eye inward. In the case that he is seeing fine, they dont know why the eye is doing this, So the Dr. tells us Kanton needs to have an MRI to make sure theres nothing weird going on.
In the mean time, we are to patch the good (left) eye to help strengthen the (right) eye he's not using.
So here we are present day. Kanton has his MRI on Wednesday, the 15th. So we are praying that everything is fould normal with that. I know that what ever happens will be Gods will. I have faith that this will only make Kanton stronger.
We love you bug!!!

Experiences.....

This past week has been one of those weeks that makes you sit back and think....
I found out early in the week that one of my friends from High School had passed away & that her funeral would be on Wednesday. So one of my dear friends and I dropped off our kids at babysitters and went together to the funeral.
It was nice to be able to have some alone time with my friend, to talk about life and how blessed we are to be here. Our friend had struggled for many years with a number of things in life. It is amazing to think back on the experiences that all 3 of us had back in our youth and how each one of us had delt with them.
I am so very greatful for the progress that I have made in my life and for the wonderful people that have helped me, to get me to where I am today!!! I have been so blessed with a family that has never given up on me. In my youth my parents tried so hard and I am so greatful that they did.
I was given such an emormous gift just over 5 yrs ago, when I met my dear sweet husband. He was such a strength to me in a time in my life that was one of the hardest struggles that I've had to face. If it weren't for him staying by my side and for the love that he had me, I know for a fact that I would not be here today!!!
The funeral was very touching and very enlightening. The spirit was very strong and I know that my friend is in a better place and that her struggles are over. May God bless her family in there time of grief....

I know that our Savor, Jesus Christ lives and that he died for me on that cross so many years ago. And I am for ever indebted to him for the sacrifice he made for me, so I would have the opportunity to become perfect and live for Forever in his Love!!!

Time to play Catch Up!!!

WOW!!! I guess I've been a big slacker, since it's been 2 months since I blogged last. I can't believe how time gets away from ya.
So much has happened. I guess I'll just start back in April. (sorry no pics)
Kanton turned 3 on the 2nd of April and we took him to the Train museum in Ogden. Oh my goodness, did that boy have a blast!! For those of you that don't know, Kanton is a Train freak!!! He has so many trains and talks about trains all the time, and of course lines everything up like its a train. So we knew that would be something he would love.
Next, Kanton started Pre- School on the 14th of April. That was sure a fun experience. His first day was hard. Presonally I think it was harder for me than it was for him, Silly mommy. He went Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. He has done really well with the speach therapy, his colors, ABC's and 123's. Now when ever we drive past a school he says to me "Momma, thats my school?" His last day was this past Wednesday, and he'll start up again in the fall. I'm looking forward to getting him going again, so he can continue to make the awsome progress that he has started!! Kanton is talking so much now, it's hard to imagine that just a little over a year ago, he only had just a hand full of words. Now it's so crazy, sometimes we can't get him to stop talking. But I am so very greatful that he does talk. Most of the kids in his pre-school didn't have any words and if they did it was really hard to understand them.
We have been tremendiously blessed with the progress he has and continues to make. He still has his struggles, but we're working on them. I goal for him is that hopefully by the time he is to start Kindergarten, that he won't have any delays and that he'll be able to handle being in a normal school setting and that the Doctors will be able to take away his Autism diagonses. That is our goal, and of course right now OUR DREAM!!!!

As for Rob and I, we have done so much in our yard this year. We planted a small garden this past week and are so proud of it. We hope it will do well. We're sure looking forward to eating from it.
We are hopeing that we'll be able to do some traveling this summer, to go up to Idaho to see my sister and her family, possible Wyoming to see my other sister and her family and then to Cedar City to see all of Robs family. If we play our cards right, we just might be able to work it out.
So we hope to see all you family member soon....

Where has the time gone????

Hello there, Yes we are still alive. Things have been a little crazy. I have been busy with all of Kantons early intervention and play group and with a class on ASD's that I had been going to on Fridays.
Now that is has all come to an end, we do have some free time. For a few weeks anyways.
Kanton had a Pre-School evaluation to see if he would qualify for services and what kind of class he would need to be in.
I had a meeting last Wednesday with all of the early intervention workers and the school reps. With all the issues that he still has and all the different things that he is still behind on, They have all decided that he does have Mild to Moderate Autism. So yes he absolutaly qualifies for services. So he will be starting school on April 13th.
I am finally relieved to know what it is that is going on with my Sweet Angel, but it is so very hard to digest. I've known for a while now that there was a possability that he might have some form of autism, but lately he has make such awsome progress, so I was starting to leave that suggestion behind. So when they informed me on Wednesday that his does have it, my heart sunk!!!
I am so very greatful for this precious little miracle that our Heavenly Father has allowed me to be the Mother of. I can't even imagine this life without him. He has been the most difficult and rewarding blessing our lives. I pray that he will continue to improve and develope to the point that he will be able to achieve the goals that we have set for him and of course for the goals that he will make for himself as he gets older.
We love you Kanton!!!

Not Six More Weeks!!!!

Ok, so I am very much ready for Spring!!! I am sick of the snow and the cold weather. Im ready for Kanton to be able to run and play outside without having to worry about him getting too cold or playing in the mud.
Spring has always been my favorite season. I love to see all the new life growing and the smell of all the flowers, especially the LILACS!!!
I hate it when Feb. 2nd comes around and they tell us there are six more weeks of winter. Oh well, what can I do. Hopefully the weather wont get too bad between now and then.

Ok, on to a new subject. So, this Saturday my life is changing!! Ok, not too much but, it's so crazy to me that I will be turning 30!!! WOW! I feel like I've been in my twenties forever, never thought this day would come. I guess we all have it happen sooner or later.
Just to clearify, Im not feeling bad for myself or anything like that, it's just hard to believe.
I look forward to a new decade of Thirties with Hope, Courage, faith and a relization that life doesnt always go as planned. So I have a goal to put my life COMPLETELY in the hands of the Lord, so what ever he throws my way I will look at it with a new prespective and appreiciation, and hope that I will learn something new.....

Its been a few weeks since I posted last. Kanton has started going to a Social/Sensory Playgroup on Wednesday mornings and I am taking an adult Ed. class on Autism Spectrum Disorders on Fridays.

Kanton is doing amazingly well with the other kids in his play group, so Im very proud of the progress he is making with his social isssue. His Early Intervention group feel that he may have Sensory Integration Disorder. Basically its where all of his senses dont process normal, so everything is either way too loud, too bright, feels horrible or the opposite, not loud enough, not bright enough, cant really feel things. Its been pretty interesting to learn about.

Kanton had an evaluation with a behavioral specialist and she said that he has all the signs of Autism, but hes still a little young so she wants to re-evaluate him after he starts pre-school in April. So for now were just working with the sensory issues.

On another note. Rob and I went to the eye Dr. last week for a check up and of course I needed a new perscription and Guess What? Your right Rob is now wearing glasses. When he was trying on frames, it was so crazy cause a few of the pairs made him look just like his dad. I thought it was pretty crazy considering the fact that I've never met his dad and Rob cant really remember him that much. We have some pictures of his family just before his dad died and thats exactly what he looked like.

So out of all the Millers, to me Rob looks like his dad the most.

Well thats all for now......