December 17, 2009 - Autism Night Before Christmas
Autism Night Before Christmas
by Cindy Waeltermann
“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
But the holiday jitters
They always distract
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?
Our relatives come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.
"He needs discipline," they say
"Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…"
And on goes the attack
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument 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 they don't know
And what they don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity
He said "hello"
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
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!
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 jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,
But what they don't know
Nor sometimes do we
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 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 my shoes
And I'll assure you
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at me
With respect, even shock.
You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you
That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned……”
October 15, 2009 - Good-bye for now...and thanks
Klicka family:
Thank-you for all the blessings your family has been to me, my friends, and many I have never met.
Thank-you for your unwavering faith through all that comes your way.
Bye for now, Attorney Klicka. And again...Thanks for the life you gave.
Read Attorney Klicka's story: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisklicka/journal
HSLDA: http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/200910050.asp
September 30, 2009 - Thought for the day
(And possibly my 2010 New Year's Resolution):
"Retaining freedom always requires vigilance." -Spunky
September 28, 2009 - "Close to the brokenhearted"
This post is dedicated to:
The Halbfoerster family. Not mourning like those who have no hope....
The Klicka family. Thank-you for the life you've given to bless so many of us!
The Roman family. Still and continually praying...
What an intense Sunday this week...
Sep. 20, 2009 - 3 Weeks into Rome and 1st
We are still loving My Father's World.
This year Big J. is in 5th, studying Rome to the Reformation. At homeschool co-op he is taking two hours of fencing, both sabre and foil, each Thursday afternoon.
R. is finally, officially in 1st and by holding her back last year, she's flying through it now at an amazing rate, averaging 2-3 days of curriculium per day and wanting to do even more, so it was definately good timing for her to wait and a joy to watch her so eager to learn! She is taking gymnastics (no broken arm so far this year!), a fun crafy-hands-on American history class, and ballet at co-op.
Little J. kept paces with R. really well at the end of last year's K., but he's only 3 1/2 and doesn't have the fine motor skills for writing his letters yet, so we aren't really ready to make him an official Ker yet. He knows all his letter sounds and can read some simple words, so this year we will just keep doing LeapFrog phonics stuff, letting him sit in with the older kids as he's interested, and keep reviewing our MFW letter flashcards and giving him simple worksheets as he's interested.
As you notice, I don't manage to post here too often, but I at least wanted to give a check in at the launch of a new year. Off to a great start so far, even though I'm undergoing weekly IV infusions and my health has been hard on the whole family. If you want to keep up with more regular updates, please follow me on my InfertilityMom blog where you will get a full slice of my life from reflections on infertility and miscarriage (and resources for ongoing support for those still facing these struggles), to living with chronic illness, homebased business, homeschooling, kiddo funnies, and writing.
Aug. 31, 2009 - Finally got to it!
Well I finally found some time to do a blog entry! It has been a very busy, crazy and emotional summer! Let's see, I blogged about going to Idaho, so we won't cover that... We did a bit of school here and there, and mostly the boys played in the neighboorhood with their friends. We went camping a couple of times, Eric took the boys backpacking with his sister and her family, then he went by himself a couple weekends ago. Luke had a really busy summer with his new youth group-about every other weekend he was gone. On Saturday we made a very last minute trip to Baker City Oregon to take Carmilita to live with her forever family. We left late afternoon and deposited her with Rebecca around 6:30. She was very happy to be there. Mommy and Daddy were pretty sad to see her go, but we figure God must have something really cool planned for us!! Eric's parents came and stayed with the rest of the kids so we actually had some time alone! We had a nice dinner and watched a movie in the room. We experienced one of those crazy thunder and lightening storms they get over there and a huge rain storm came with it! But it was pretty cool watching the lightening bolts! We came home the next day in a hurry so Eric could do his fantasy football draft LOL then there was a glitch in the system and they had to postpone it! but we had a nice quiet drive home with just the two of us. I have retired my paper scrap booking supplies and am delving into the world of digital scrap booking. I think I like it. I might upgrade the program I have so I can do some other cool things with it-we will see! so once I did that, we decided to put Levi in a room by himself. He was pretty excited and enjoyed his first night alone-he slept with the light on :) Nick did too! LOL I think they will actually miss each other! Let's see, all three boys are playing flag football and Levi and Nick love it! Luke is okay with it, but he is learning along with the other kids his age. I think by the end of the season he will like it better because he will understand what is going on. Luke is also playing Ultimate Frisbee on Monday nights and does like that. he really likes the kids he is playing with. Luke is about an inch taller than me now! His feet are huge, and he cut his hair! Once he decided to cut it, he went all out to a clipper cut #1! he looks very handsome. He is going to be taking guitar lessons, piano lessons, going to two youth groups one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. He is an 8th grader now so his school work has increased and gotten a quite a bit harder :) He is also doing Bible Quiz with a church out here in Woodland. It's awesome! they are basically memorizing 1 and 2nd Corinthians and then go to a monthly meet where they win prizes and could end up going to a national tournament eventually-not his year since he is a "novice" first year player. I will keep you posted on his progress. Levi is a big 5th grader this year. His work has ramped way up and he is learning a lot of new stuff. he still prefers history to anything else, but he's fine with science LOL! he just grew another two inches and a whole pants size! He is playing flag football, doing Jr. Bible Quiz and learning Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. His format is a bit different, but there is still bible memory and study-I love it, and he is doing VERY well with it. He has become a lover of reading and is working through the Magic Tree house series. he can't wait until 6th grade because he will get to go to the Jr. High Youth Groups and camps. And he can't wait for basketball season! LOL he says we are making him do piano-why can't he do guitar because that's what he really wants to do! Nicky no longer wants to be called Nicky in front of his friends :( but we can call him Nicky at home! LOL he is adorable, growing like a weed too. He loves being homeschooled and never ever, wants to go to a "real" school! YAY He hasn't grown as much as the older boys-thank goodness! LOL He will always be my baby! He is doing Jr. Bible Quiz too, flag football, piano lessons, which he can't wait for! and in general running around being an 8 year old. Though he says he likes school-he's being difficult right now! :) He hates reading, he hates, math, loves science, and art-all the fun stuff! Karlee is still with us, cute as can be. Her mom seems to be doing well, so she will probably go home to her in a few more months. We aren't sure if we will continue to foster, or just go onto the adoption waiting list. We get pretty tired of getting attached to these girls and then sending them away. Like I said, God must have something pretty special planned for us, because we have really enjoyed Karlee and Carmiltia! I can't think of anything else to ramble on about, so I guess that's it for now! I will try to upload some pics for you all! TTFN~ Natalie and co.
Jun. 14, 2009 - Things I learned while in Idaho
1. I really miss my family that lives back there! 2. I LOVE Idaho! I don't know if I would like the heat-but I love the wide open! 3. Washington really is dark and dreary! The trees make me feel closed in and closterphobic! 4. The boys love it in Idaho and want to live there 5. Luke got excited about going to college and we looked around Boise State 6. I love it in Idaho and would move there in a heart beat! 7. Chickens are adorable and I want some! 8. did I mention that I really miss my family that lives back there?! 9. It wasn't as far away as I thought 10.Audio books are a wonderful gift from God! LOL I added new pics from the trip! TTFN- Natalie and co.
May 23, 2009 - Especially Heather
Good post: http://especiallyheather.com/2009/05/21/lets-talk-about-ese-shall-we/
May 13, 2009 - Just some thoughts...
And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother...
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.
Apr. 28, 2009 - Emotional basket case...
It's been a long couple of months. Grandpa Goody dying was much more difficult than I expected. Since he was terminal I thought that I had grieved and was sad, but once the day really came I found I had much more sadness to go through. It was like the end of an era-what brought me here was now gone, grandma and grandpa. I am feeling a lot better now. I am happy for the reconciliation that came out of it. Continue to pray for God's good work to go forth in our family. Perhaps someday Natasha will come to know the Lord and be able to find her own healing. Our Pastor's last day is June 28th. We are so sad to him and his family go. It's a huge adjustment and one we are not really looking forward to! I am sure God has something great planned for our church family. We were in charge of the egg portion of the Easter Egg hunt's this year. We had fun doing it. We roped off 4 different areas, and despite some miscommunication during the morning hunt, they both were a huge success. We have been house hunting, but every time we log in to look at things, the prices have dropped!! So we are trying to be patient and let things level out somewhat. The biggest dilemma is whether or not to move back to Vancouver or stay in Woodland. We just don't know yet. At the moment, it feels like God is leading us to stay here in our little town. That could change next week! Today's visit with Carmi's mom was a tough one! She ended the visit early, cancelled all future visits and wants to relinquish. I cannot in my mother's heart understand. I ache for Carmi's mom, and despite knowing this is probably the best for Carmi, I still feel for her. She has a sibling in Idaho who was already adopted and the family is interested in taking Carmi. We are pretty sad, figured it would be this way, but hoped it wouldn't be. We truly want what's best for her, but letting go to complete stranger's in another state is a little hard! I am reminded of the song that starts "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned" and I know that is the absolute truth. If she does go, I know that it is beyond my ability to understand, and I do find great comfort in that :) On that sad note, we do have a happy one coming on Friday. She is 3, very articulate, and in very much the same situation. She has 3 other siblings who have already been adopted. I have no idea where this will all go. Maybe we are just meant to be foster parents, maybe the right child hasn't been relinquished yet. I find all of this much more emotional and hard than I ever thought it would be. I am thankful that these girls have had a safe, loving place to go while waiting. Did I mention a very nice bonus that she's potty trained! YAY for me! LOL her name is Karlee, that should be trying since we call Carmilita Carmi a lot! LOL Well, signing off to run Nick to baseball practice! Then back home to have a birthday party for Carmilita! TTFN- Natalie and co.
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