Company

Last night we had company from Indiana. It was so much fun to see Steve, Julie, Hunter, and Kirsten. We had a great time catching up and being outside grilling and just talking. It is amazing how much people have to talk about when they haven't seen each other in a while. Steve is usually only back to our area 2-3 times per year and Julie has only been back once since they moved 10 years ago. What a blast to see their children in real time instead of just seeing them in pictures. In turn, Julie couldn't believe how much my children have grown up since she last saw them. I guess it's true what they say about the older you get the faster time flies. Hope it isn't another 10 years before I see Steve and Julie and their family again.

Murder in Ohio

I have been watching the news about Jessie Davis from Ohio. I just couldn't believe that another pregnant woman had disappeared and was probably dead. I also couldn't believe that her 2 year old son was a witness to the crime and was left home alone for about 1 1/2 days. Not only did he have the trauma of seeing his mother murdered, but also to be left home alone with no one there to take care of him. I was glad to hear yesterday that she was found and that someone, the father of her children, was charged with 2 counts of murder. Why not just end the relationship instead of taking the life of your unborn child and her mother. He also has changed the life of his son, who will have to live with this the rest of his life. He will no longer have his mother, sister, or father. How sad. I just don't understand what makes people behave like this. Was there really no other choice but the one that was made? I really hope justice is served in this case and people learn from Bobby Cutts Jr.'s tragic mistake.

Busy Summer

I cannot believe it is the middle of June already. Baseball games for my 12 year old son and 7 year old daughter have really kept us running. Thank goodness we haven't had to much of an overlap and are able to make it to both of their games without missing any games for the other. Cole was able to start pitching his first baseball game the other night. How exciting for him. I could tell he was a little nervous on the mound. He has pitched in a game before, however it is usually only one inning, being able to start pitching a game that was the best thing ever for him. It is also so fun to watch Becca during her coach pitch games. She is also so excited to be on the field playing when she has watched her brother for every sport imaginable. She just can't believe she is old enough, finally, to be able to play like him. I have a hard time believing she is old enough also. I guess they all have to grow up and can't stay little forever. Well good luck to both of them during the seasons this summer.

Gluten Free Diet

My 10 year old daughter, who is Autistic, has been on the gluten free diet for about 5 years now. Dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts are other food allergies that she has, which means trying to cook anything to creative for her becomes quite a challenge at times. I'm sure she is tired of meat, potatoes, and vegetables. I think I have finally found a chocolate chip cookie that she likes, which looks and tastes like the real thing. Trying to bake for someone on this diet is quite an experience. Most things get really heavy and hard.

Paris and Lindsay

Who do these girls think they are? Just because they are famous and have some money do they really think they are above the law? I hope when Paris reports to jail and does her required stay she learns a little something about what life is really about. As for Lindsay I hope she stays in treatment and gets the help she needs. I hate to see these two being looked up to by girls half their age. I hate to think that young girls think this is the way to live their lives. I wish they would realize this and start doing something productive with their lives and be good role models not party animals. I hate to think how many lives may have been put in danger because of their drinking and driving. They obviously don't care much about those around them if they are willing to get in a car and drive time after time. I hope for every ones sake more people then Paris and Lindsay will learn from this.

Another Beautiful Day

Looks like we might miss the rain again and have another bright sunny day. Wouldn't that be great. I think it may be a good day to clean the van. I don't know how one vehicle can get as dirty as mine does. Must be the three children that ride in it. It will be a good day to open the windows wide and get as much fresh air into the house as we can. I just love this kind of weather. No humidity or wind. Just the perfect day. May have to play a little baseball with kids or go on a walk also today.

Birthday Party

Tonight Alli is having her grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins over for her birthday, which was really last Monday. We probably won't due much as she is on a gluten free diet so there will be no birthday cake for her. Great grandma Wanda will be making her rice krispie bars though and we all will like that. Hopefully she will be more interested this year in her presents. Usually she doesn't want to open them so mom or dad, probably sister Becca, will open them for her. Wonder if she will get some really cute outfits again. Her family sure does dress her well. They all have great taste in clothes.

Memorial Weekend

What a nice weekend we had for Memorial Weekend. The weatherman kept forecasting rain but we pretty much had a sun filled weekend. Two of my children went up north with my parents so it was really quiet around our home. It was my daughters birthday yesterday, she turned 10, so it was kinda fun to have her home alone and to be able to give her all of our attention. I think she liked it too. The other kids got home around 5:30 it was fun to hear all about their weekend fishing and playing with some family friends. They can't wait for mom and dad to go up north and enjoy this little spot of fun.

Alternative Assessment

Monday night I went to a parent forum regarding alternative assessment. I was very surprised that most of the parents at this forum really didn't have a clue what alternative assessment was and what it does for your child. Alternative assessment is an alternate way for teachers and the department of education to assess your child, who has special needs, with children of the same age and grade level. In my situation I believe it is a huge waste of time. I think money and time spent on alternative assessment could be better spent working with my child on her goals from her IEP. The department of Ed. should be able to see from her IEP where she compares to other kids her age. Or just give them the Iowa Basic Skills test and you that way you could evenly see how they compare with other children.

Nascar and Autism

I was never really interested in Nascar until friends of ours invited us to go to Texas and see a race. From that moment on I can say I have been a fan and I try to catch some of each race. Anyone who is into Nascar has their favorite driver, mine happens to be Kasey Kahne, but another driver has also caught my attention. It was about 3 weeks ago when Jamie McMurray had an on board camera and he was the driver that was selected to talk before the race started. In his car I noticed the Autism Puzzle Piece and he also mentioned that April was Autism Awareness Month. I also happen to notice that during last weeks race he had an on board camera and it was AutismSpeaks.org sponsored. My first impression was wow Autism even in Nascar. I think it is awesome of this driver, Jamie McMurrary and Nascar to bring it into the sport where maybe more people may see and hear which means more people become aware of this disorder. Thanks Jamie McMurrary and Nascar. I can tell you I will now keep my eye on this driver along with Kasey Kahne.

Wish I knew what she was thinking

My 9 year old daughter, who is autistic, has not been wanting to go to sleep at night. This has lasted about 2 1/2 weeks now. I check on her when I go to bed at 10:00 and there she is waiting for me to open the door and then she starts giggling. Sure do wish I knew what she was thinking. What is she laughing at, what is hurting, is she hungry, is she thirsty, and what does she wants to do today. She is non-verbal so communicating with her is sometimes difficult. I love her dearly and would not change anything about her except I wish she could talk and let us know her wants and needs. I know she wishes the same because I can see her frustration when we can't figure things out. Guess we just keep on taking things 1 day at a time and maybe medicine will figure something out to help all the autistic children in the world.

Tornado In Greensburg

Living in the Midwest I know what it is like to have to worry about Tornado's. Wondering with every thunderstorm if a tornado is coming with it. I am having a really hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of a tornado that was over 1 1/2 miles wide. I can't even imagine what it was like to be a part of something like that. To have a whole town just wiped off the map like that and to have at least 12 people die because of such a storm is hard to digest. My prayers are with the people of this area and I hope and pray that they can rebuild and are able to move on.