I completed a lengthy phone consult for both Big Guy & Little Guy with the homeopaths on Friday. They are a totally different lot from some we've tried in past, well versed in autism, plenty of experience, & working through sequential with support remedies. The support does seem very good, which will be important for us. Everything should come in this week & I'll try to get them started right away. I'm ending Big Guy's antiviral protocol, however, I will keep both boys going on all the naturals, which are safe & helpful (with a change here & there as needed).

I'm searching for a source for raw goat's milk at the moment. It's the healthiest kind of milk for a human, & actually closest in composition to a human mother's milk. The typical store or health food store fare is foul tasting; even some of the raw can get quite sour, depending on how the goats are treated, if they are fed organically, & if they are given any meds or antibiotics. From what I'm told it should not taste like that. So we checked out a farm not too far from us today but that didn't work out; actually no one was there. But that was better off as I wasn't too comfy with the conditions there, even though they were licensed.. So the search continues.

I tried to get us going on the OS for RDI today, but the system is down so I'll have to try again this week. The consultant we will most likely be working with is out of state but will travel to us when the time comes during the RDA process (simply put, parent-child evals etc), so we still need to work out the details on that.

We've got quite a full week of work coming up, & will continue on through the summer. Storyman will probably continue on what he's presently doing, until Fall when I make a change, but I might move Butterfly into first grade work sometime this summer. Again it all depends on the decisions on programs, as I figure that out. I may just end up starting them both fresh sooner rather than later.

On another note, I had been trying to decide on how to honor the Lord's day more since I can't get out to church right now, & so I prepared most of the vitamins yesterday for everyone, so that they only needed the usual before each meal mixing & administering. I also decided I would not do the main laundry today, for Sunday only, except for anything that became soiled (since I just can't stand to have that sit-yuck). I've done 3 (small) loads today, a tad worse than usual in soilage (if that's a word). Oh well, I'll keep trying.

Onto more reading, listing, & planning...

School is rolling along, although there are changes that I'll probably make for Fall, if not sooner. He loves history & science. Storyman is still working through My Father's World Exploring Countries & Cultures. It's been interesting but I haven't the time to do library runs, so I'll just purchase a reader or two from the book lists if I feel it's worth it. Noeo science may continue, but he'll go to higher level. Math U See will stay, which I now supplement with ACE's PACE booklets; he's doing those for English now as well (I liked Shurley English but found it too repetitive), along with supplemental cursive handwriting. A writing program will be added; he has a real interest (& skill, I believe), there, so he'll probably be welcoming of that in particular.

Butterfly is continuing her K work. Her interest in reading has picked up. We had a bookstore trip recently so I picked her up some more beginning readers. I'm still very pleased with Phonics Pathways, although she needs more supplemental reading to really "bring home" the lessons & put them into practice, so that's increasing lately. She continues to enjoy math, & I've been very happy with our Modern Curriculum Press workbook. I might go back to adding in Math U See again, although I have Saxon for first grade so that's a possibility as well. Handwriting Without Tears was wonderful for her. I was going to move on to another program but the lines are much smaller & I think that would be frustrating, so I may just get her the next level of HWT. All About Spelling has been excellent, so that will continue.

I'm making decisions on her first grade program at the moment. She's a bit tougher than Storyman to settle on something as she's more of a "wiggle worm" & has trouble focusing for too long. It has to be engaging enough to keep her interest, challenging enough to be learning but not boring. Some of the more ideal programs for her are not in keeping with what's best for the whole, so some compromising needs to be done. Everyone has lots of different needs to be met in our household.

I've got lots of "plan making" going on, & I hope to work on that a bit more tomorrow, along with some reading for a program for Little Guy. It also looks like we may have a new RDI consultant, so I have to get us started on their OS & get our "e-training" going. Even though we've done 6 months I don't believe we learned enough, clearly enough, so I hope this training will get us going better this time. The consultant I've found seems to have good experience with the older severe children like our Big Guy, & I'm hoping that will help us with implementing appropriate activities with him.

I'm not much of a mother's day person anyway; it's a "Hallmark kinda day". I really don't understand what about it requires a "special day". There are lots of personal reasons I don't get into these kinds of days. It's not like even all of my kiddos can say "Happy Mother's Day", or "I love you", or even "Mommy" ... 

Everyday being a mom is a gift, a blessing that I'm thankful for; I don't need any special honor for that. If anything I need to take tomorrow & ponder just how special, precious, & incredibly important this gift of motherhood is, & how much work I need to do to become better for them.

Life on the spectrum continues ...

Storyman went back to the dentist today. The original plan was to pull 4 teeth & put a spacer in place.   I was praying for him! Turns out the dentist only saw the need to pull 2 teeth, & no need for the spacer! Seems his big teeth are on their way up, so hopefully they will get here fast & he won't need anything else done (except braces when all the big teeth are in). He goes back in 3 months for a follow up.

His dad was there with him, & said he took the novacaine easily, & only got upset upon the first tooth getting pulled. This dentist is fantastic. He joked around & really put Storyman at ease.

Praise God for His blessings!

I was tagged by my friend at Our Adoption Journey. The rules are:

1. Write the title to your own memoir using 6 words.
2. Post it on your blog.
3. Link to the person that tagged you.
4. Tag 5 more blogs.

Here's my memoir title:

Living and Learning On The Spectrum

Unique, huh?

I tag whoever is interested! Please leave me a comment & let me know if you decide to do the tag!

This from Children of Destiny ...

A BIG THANK YOU!

We at Children of Destiny want to thank you for participating in the Turning the Tide prayer thrust throughout the month of April.  It was a great success! We would love to have your input.  If you have a testimony of how the Lord answered prayer during April, please let us know.  Also, if you have any other comments or suggestions for future prayer thrusts, we welcome them!  Simply reply to this email, or send one to prayer@childrenofdestiny.org.

FIRST FRIDAY FAST

Children of Destiny is once again partnering with Paulette Britton in fasting efforts.  Paulette, who coordinated the World Day of Prayer and Fasting this past April 23rd, is now coordinating a First Friday Fast, which is a day of prayer and fasting regarding autism to take place the first Friday of each month (a list of the dates for 2008 are below).  We at Children of Destiny will be sending out a special reminder, prayer, teaching , and/or tips in the week before the first fast to all who sign up for the First Friday Fast email list.  This special edition email will begin for June, and will be sent out only to those who sign up. If you are interested in participating in the First Friday Fast, or want to receive the monthly email free of charge or obligation, visit our website and click on “Manage My Subscriptions.”

MAY 2ND (no Children of Destiny email will be available for May)
JUNE 6TH
JULY 4TH
AUGUST 1ST
SEPTEMBER 5TH
OCTOBER 3RD
NOVEMBER 7TH
DECEMBER 5TH

To visit Paulette Britton’s website for further information, please visit www.asdprayandfast.com and click on the “Monthly Fasting” option.

Once again, thank you so much for all your participation in April!

Blessings,
Jack and Rebecca Sytsema

Ladybug II clapped, for the first time, yesterday! It was so much fun; we would call out "yaaaaay" & she would clap & clap! (What a nice way to interrupt our schoolwork haha). These baby firsts, every one of them, are just SO precious & fleeting... 

Here's a picture from yesterday; she's in mid-clap. You can watch her in action on this video I took today, here!

The kiddos has some fun yesterday when their daddy came home early. It was really nice out so we all got some much needed fresh air. It's tough for me to watch everyone in our yard alone, so with help it was good to get out.

Little Guy got a taste of the "big kid" swing:

For a few minutes, until he kept slipping off.

He really enjoyed the slide for a while too.

The swing is Big Guy's favorite thing.

Storyman made a nest out of some weeds & twigs...

The nice thing here is room to run, since they all like to run so much! (Little Guy is in the background falling; something he's too good at unfortunately).

The twins enjoyed their first time in the baby swing (I think we need another one now!). Ladybug II went first; she really liked it.

Ladybug I wasn't as impressed...

She seemed to be perfectly happy chewing in the stroller.

We played a few little games from a really nice book, The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey. The kiddos loved it (I did too!)...

Trying to organize around here is kind of a futile effort. I've gotten buckets, boxes, slotted things, etc, but it doesn't much matter when little ones (& not so little ones) are randomly grabbing things, stimming with them, & then depositing them wherever they may be at the time.

Big Guy has his own corner of the couch he typically likes, & he can often be found with a book open to a certain page. He doesn't appreciate having the book removed (by anyone wanting to read it), nor does he want the page changed. I suppose he may be able to read it as is often the case with severe ASD kiddos. But even if not I know he's got that page open for a reason; maybe someday I'll find out why!



He also has his own unique way of "cleaning up". Something might actually be in its place but if he feels, for whatever reason, that's not right, it goes behind the end table next to him in what we've come to call "The Dumping Ground".

It often looks like this:



Books & videos are fair game too, not just toys end up there.

Big Guy has a spot upstairs where he likes to sit & anything in the surrounding area ends up next to his chair; it's the "mini dumping ground".

Little Guy does his fair share of the mess, in fact, much moreso, because he moves around a lot more than Big Guy does. The bottom of the bookcase becomes a wreck fairly quickly, as he takes one book at a time, scans it quickly & drops it, only to take another & do the same.

Puzzles were a disaster, but since they are stored in another room, he doesn't get as much time to get into them now, so this is actually "neat"!



There are also several things there that should be in other places, which is typical of every area of the house.

Butterfly's room is often a mess, & it's often not her fault. When we're upstairs Little Guy enjoys going through everything in her room including books, various toys, & the items that belong to her dollhouse. I've gotten buckets for her room & a little bookcase, but still everything's usually mixed up together somehow.



I'm going to have to get some sort of covered thingamajig for all the hairbands now, before he's able to reach those!

It's not always Little Guy's fault though... she does tend to take things & use them in different ways, so they leave their assigned spot & end up somewhere else in the house being used for another purpose. Storyman does this as well.

This area is constantly being cleaned up only to end up like this again...



...or worse, because Little Guy goes in there looking for something (usually something long or stringy; his obsessions) & tosses everything else out in the process... & there are many things in that bucket that don't belong there either.

Storyman & Butterfly have gotten much better about trying to get things into the correct places while cleaning up. This is a particularly frustrating endeavour when Little Guy is following behind though... it's like trying to clean up while a tornado is following you!

To be fair I have my own clutter that I have trouble keeping up with. I have a ton of books (autism, treatments, Christianity, homeschooling related), & not all are kept on bookcases in the office; some are on my "desk table" in the kitchen, where I also keep my record books & programs I need to look at. Some are in the dining room on a little table (& under the little table in a box), & their current daily work is in a pile on top of the dining room table which gets brought into the kitchen each day for school. There is what is typically used as a china cabinet or some other sort of "brick a brack" storage thing in the kitchen that I use for their books; Storyman & Butterfly each have a shelf for schoolbooks, & there's a shelf for other storybooks, & any kinds of educationally related CDs go in there too. There are multiple things there that I like kept closer to me so I don't forget about them (I can be out of sight out of mind sometimes). Often things end up on kitchen counters for that reason as well.

The dining room has also ended up being "storage" for many games. I have a huge game cabinet downstairs, & had started putting just certain games & educational activities upstairs, but now we've got so much overflow they don't fit in the cabinet anymore so multiple games & such are piled up. I also have a bunch of Ebay things to sell & they have made it into a box under that same table...



Sometimes it can get me a little crazy, other times I just forgive myself & realize life is just what it is right now with the way we all are & this too shall pass. I typically know where my things are so that's what's important! 

We have kids, & they're ASD kids besides, so things aren't ever going to be very pretty or perfect. Sometimes houses can be a source of pridefulness & vanity, & that's not a good thing for any Christian. He's given us everything anyway, & He can take it away too. As I tell the kiddos, we're blessed to have what we do have, & we need to try to take care of it as best we can & appreciate it all.

I won't always be weaving my way around little toys, throwing them in a box here & there, finding a spot for a new homeschool book, or going through little clothes to see what fits who...

...and someday I'll miss it!

Butterfly got this really girly stuffed dog for her birthday; it came with a carrier, a fancy outfit, a leash, & a brush:

Does she brush its hair? No. Take it for walks? No. Carry it around in its carrier? Nope.

It was Eeyore's pet "cow"!

I've been working on getting medical records on two of my children. Little Guy spent four days in the NICU after birth recovering from a spontaneous pnemothorax (tiny hole in air sac of the lung) during which time he received antibiotics. He's had 3 ER visits where he was given either inhaled or directly through a shot steroids for a respitory illness, & once was admitted for this & given antibiotics during the overnight stay.

Ladybug II was given antibiotics during her hospital stay after birth due to a "mysterious" infection the peds tried to blame on me because I tested positive for strep B before they were born (which is fairly common & the risks are low even without antibiotics given to mom). I checked this with my docs & they said there was "no way at all" the baby could have gotten anything from me. There was no labor, the water didn't break, & they were born via c-section, which put them at ZERO risk of having any problems.

I can't prove it but I know she got the "infection" from the hospital itself, as they were held for 5 hours in the nursery two mornings in a row with no nursings or contact with me. This put them at risk of contracting infections from the hospital & people there, whose germs were foreign to them, & they weren't getting nursed so they were also at risk of dehydration & not getting my natural antibodies to strengthen them.

Well, it's no wonder she had a fever & was lethargic!

I am usually much more "with it" & don't allow nurseries to hold my babies but I must've been real tired & let my guard down; I didn't realize until it was too late. Then they definitely heard about it! I was not happy & they knew it. I can say they were much more on the ball with my kiddos after that, & I didn't let them slide again either.

Unfortunately, damage done...must move on. Thankfully she & her sister have had probiotics since 1 week old & Transfer Factor from about a month old.

Still, I'm waiting on their records. There are so many different kinds of meds & different antibiotics, & I've recently read some have metals in them, so I need to know. Hospitals move as slow as molasses... turtles... snails pace... you get the point. I requested their info weeks ago; we just got the "bill" for Ladybug II's records last week - over $40.

Since Little Guy's hadn't shown up yet I knew it would be a much bigger bill; he has more history. I received the bill today - $119 & change.

I had hoped to get this info before a phone consult with another practitioner for him next week, but at the rate the hospital moves with records I seriously doubt it.

Thankfully I don't think I'm paying for the "labor" involved in copying.

Thirteen Things about MY LADYBUGS! 1. They are 9 months old exactly! 2. They are fraternal twins, & look very different. 3. They have always weighed within a few ounces of each other, even inside. 4. They are starting to enjoy each other by smiling & making noises together. 5. They are both trying to sit up alone; both can rock on their hands & knees; neither have crawled yet. 6. Ladybug I rolls her tongue when she gets upset; she often has her tongue sticking out. 7. Ladybug II has always particularly enjoyed Storyman's attention. 8. Ladybug I gets a bit overwhelmed by Butterfly's hugs! 9. Both Ladybugs watch Little Guy (& all their siblings) with much interest. 10. If I pick up one Ladybug, the other often starts to fuss & even cry!   11. They enjoy movement & car rides, & usually take a nap when we go somewhere.  12. They love to be held & cuddled, & both giggle at funny noises. 13. They make my day when I come toward them & they both light up with smiles & put up their arms to be picked up! They are so sweet!

Interesting article. Horrific how they are pushing this garbage on these poor kids too. Think the Amish are set up for autism? Ever hear of an "autism friendly" farm? Not me. Guess they better get ready.

So much for the "genetic component" certain people keep looking for though...

I have a new book called I Love You Rituals by Becky Bailey, Ph.D. It has cute rhyming type games that some folks have used for RDI activities, mostly with the younger children. I got it for ideas for Little Guy for more "emotion sharing" activities (since he prefers basic things like being hung upside down). 

She changed up the "woman in the shoe" rhyme a bit, to go like this:

"A Wonderful Woman Who Lived In A Shoe

A wonderful woman lived in a shoe.
She had so many children
She knew exactly what to do.
She held them,
She rocked them,
And tucked them in bed.
"I love you, I love you,"
Is what she said."

I had been reading the book, thought this was cute so I said it out loud while Storyman & Butterfly were near.

Storyman heard me & said "What respectable mother would live in a shoe??"

Obviously I haven't done too many nursery rhymes around here...

Incidently, The Christian Mother Goose Big Book by Marjorie Ainsborough Decker is kind of nice; Butterfly enjoys the rhymes.

There's no doubt for me as a Christian that prayer works; I've seen it many times personally & heard about it countlessly. Thanks to all who prayed for the autism community this month of April, & bless you!

If you'd like to continue to pray go to Children of Destiny to sign up for free daily prayer emails. They will send you a prayer specifically for your own family, & in case you're not affected personally but know someone who is, there is another prayer specifically for others you may know.

Day 30 from Children of Destiny autism prayers: Praising God! The Tide Will Turn!

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
(2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV)

“What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.”
(Isaiah 46:11, NIV)

Praise God that He will fulfill every one of His promises, and that we will live to see Him turn the tide of autism for good.

(Click here to see today's Daily Prayer extended version)

Day 29 from Children of Destiny autism prayers: Children of Destiny

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 1:6, NIV)

“but despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are-high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean-nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.”
(Romans 8:37-39, TLB)

Pray that those struggling with autism would know who they are in Christ despite their current challenges.

(Click here to see today's Daily Prayer extended version)

Day 28 from Children of Destiny autism prayers: Wisdom for Practitioners

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
(Proverbs 24:3-4, NIV)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
(James 1:5, NIV)

Pray that practitioners who treat persons with autism would have great wisdom,  understanding, and creativity.

(Click here to see today's Daily Prayer extended version)

Day 27 From Children of Destiny autism prayers: God's Hope For The Future

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
(Jeremiah 29:11-12, NIV)

“Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
(Hebrews 10:23, NLT)

Give praise to God for His wonderful promises of hope for the future.  Thank Him that he will do all He has promised!

(Click here to see today's Daily Prayer extended version)

Day 26 from Children of Destiny autism prayers: Advocacy in Places of Power

“A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.”
(Proverbs 19:12, NIV)

“Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel”
(Daniel 1:9, NIV)

Pray for God’s favor on those who are voices for the autism community and that they would be heard in places of power.

(Click here to see today's Daily Prayer extended version)

Storyman is up to Part 5 of his Super Otis series. Check back soon too, because within a day or two Part 6 will be up - the exciting finale!

I recently got Little Guy his own booster to sit up at the table, so the Ladybugs have taken up the high chair. Instead of buying another high chair, I had a "Space saver high chair" for one. It sits on a chair, so takes up less room. They switch which one they sit in each time for some variety. This isn't the best of pics; there's a smudge on Ladybug I. The regular high chair is bulkier, but they're about at the same level since it's adjustable.

Here is a video of them playing in their high chairs. I had bought those new poodle toys for them when they were still inside babies, but hadn't given them until yesterday. It was something new & interesting, for a few moments anyway.

The Ladybugs rarely nap at the same time. Thankfully this morning they were cozied up & took a nice nap...



The Ladybugs needed some new clothes. Butterfly's birthday is the opposite season, so I didn't have much. That gap should close as they get older though, as it did for the older boys. For now The Children's Place has some good online sales. I also did a lot of Ebay shopping & was able to get them some cute matching outfits, mostly Gymboree stuff. I'm very picky, not allowing shorts, tank tops or even sleeveless for the girls, & I am conservative with the boys as well. It's really disturbing to see the kinds of clothes out there for girls, little girls, & even baby girls. It's twice as disturbing to see how many Christians feel this stuff is appropriate to wear. The more I see it, the more convicted I feel to do the opposite. My daughter feels it's normal for her not to wear jeans or shorts & that some kind of legging is normal under a dress or skirt, & this is good! More on that topic in other posts. For now I'm selling on Ebay to make up for the buying!

The one thing that I don't like when I buy off Ebay is when sellers wash their clothes in smelly detergents or use those stinky dryer sheets. Sometimes they even pack the clothes in them. I'm chemically sensitive, but there isn't anything clean or natural smelling about those stinky detergents & dryer sheets, & they are very often irritating, especially to babies & small children with sensitive skin. I end up having to wash those clothes multiple times, using baking soda & white vinegar to get out the smell.

I've been looking through the bigger boys clothes to see what I had for Little Guy, & I found this shirt that I had bought for my Big Guy (when he was a little guy!):

Day 25 Children of Destiny autism prayers: Schools & Administrators

“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:14, NLT)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
(Matthew 5:7, NIV)

Pray that those who make decisions about school programs and placements would truly be led by the Lord.

(Click here to see today's Daily Prayer extended version)