Halloween

Hevan, Britney, Kendell, and Bradley

Dynamic Dads Day

Yesterday was Dynamic Dads Day at Britney's school. Britney's daddy couldn't be there due to work that day so her papa Rick filled in for him. They had to do a word scramble and it was really cute with what they came up with to unscramble this word "CIANOEFFT". TAN COFFIE was the word they came up with and Britney said "Papa that's what you drink all day" and then they both started laughing. The answer was suppose to be "AFFECTION" but I like tan coffie much better.

4th of July

Kendell, Hevan, Bradley, and Britney

Britney showing Bradley the sparker. He's not to sure about it..

Me and Britney doing sparkler's together.

My sister, my mom, and me

Bradley, me, Annette, and Kenneth watching fireworks.

My dad, mom, Shelby, Chrissy, and Kendell

On the grass watching the fireworks.

Jason and I holding a baby lion only 2 months old and weighing 40 pounds.

She was so sweet, I could have stayed there all day.

Her paws are about as big as my hand.

Friends Forever

Autism brought us together but it's been the moments spent listening, talking, and spending time together that has made these girl's my Best Friends.

Getting Ready for Bed

Lot's of hugging, kisses, and tickles right before I say Good Night to my little man.

Cherry Picking

Bradley's like "What Ever" I'll carry this bucket and walk around watching you guys pick cherries.

Papa showing the girl's which kind of cherries to pick.

Britney and Kendell picking away.

Papa trying to get Brad to taste a cherry. Brad thinks that it is "Poison".

The girls in a race to fill their buckets full of cherries.

My Beautiful Girl...

Making sure it's good enough to go into the bucket.

I just love her...

The girl's checking out their cherry collection and papa dumping all the cherries into one bucket.

Strolling through the cherry fields.

Even from behind she is just so darn cute...

We had such a good time. It was the kids first time and something that my parents use to take my sister and I to do all the time when we were kids. We can't wait to do it again.

Update

Thursday morning at about 7:50 in the morning I was sitting at my kitchen table and started to feel a little light headed and dizzy. It was when I st00d up that I felt the left side of my body start to go numb. I grabbed my phone and went to the couch to lay down. That's when everything started to fade quickly for me. I tried to call my mom and husband but could not remember their phone numbers, in fact I couldn't remember anyone's number including my own. It was at that moment I knew something felt very wrong. I was having some sort of chest pain, shortness of breath, the left side of my body was numb, and I was very confused. Britney had already left for school and Bradley was in the shower. I called 911 in fear that I was having a heart attack. After arriving at the hospital they did many tests to see if I had had a heart attack or TIA which is a mild stroke. All of my tests came back good stating that I didn't have either one of these and that it must have been an anxiety attack. I was very happy with the results knowing that my heart is fine but scared at the same time knowing that these attacks can pop out at any time. I will be going to the doctor in this next week to get some kind of medication to help with anxiety so that this doesn't happen again. What is so confusing to me is that I have been really happy and calm these past few months. Things have really settled down alot over here ever since we put Bradley on his medication. I'm just really surprised that I haven't had one of these attacks sooner when my stress was at it's peak, but hey, what doesn't kill me make's me stronger.

Getting Bigger

Twin Day

Today was twin day at Bradley's school. So instead of just the boy's being twin's today Julie and I were twins as well. Bradley loved all the attention with getting his picture taken and Noah did pretty well too.


Noah, Sian, and Bradley. This is Noah's one on one aide who helps Bradley too.

****************Bradley and Noah two peas in a pod*****************

Bradley and Noah with their teacher Tanya. We are so blessed and fortunate to have had such wonderful teachers these past few years. It makes such a huge difference in our kids lives when they actually like going to school and love the teacher and her aides.

One Month Today

Today it has been exactly 4 weeks since we started Bradley on a medication called "Risperidone". Jason and I have seen such a huge difference in our son. This drug is not a "Cure" for Autism but it has deffinately helped Bradley to think much more clearly and to function in daily life. Bradley use to hardley sleep at night and now he is sleeping anywhere from 9 to 12 hours at night. Sometimes I think he sleeps to much but maybe he is just catching up on all the sleep that he has lost throughout the years. It has been so nice and quiet at night this past month. His stemming has also decreased in almost half. He is more aware and is even trying to talk more. He tries to mimick words instead of just saying "Pa" for everying. He still has melt downs and bangs his head, but that to has decreased. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the medication is working really well and we are really enjoying our time with our son.

Ever Wonder How Were Chosen?

Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children 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, Cecilia."

"Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," says God. "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear 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's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel 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 is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'Spoken Word.' She will never consider a 'Step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it!

"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, pen poised midair.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

~Erma Bombeck, May, 1980

Autism Awareness Day

Yesterday was World Autism Awareness Day, but to me everyday is Autism Awareness Day. Having a child with Autism can be very challenging and hard on our family somtimes. But what some people might think is a problem or a burden can be one of life's most precious gifts. My son Bradley is one of the most sweetest and lovable boys you will ever meet. He has the face of an angel and his smile can even light up the darkest room. I can't imagine my life any other way but caring for my two beautiful children, one who just happens to have Autism.
Through this journey I have met some wonderful people that I would have never met had my son not had Autism. Don't get me wrong I wish that he didn't have this disability but he does, and instead of dwelling on what could have been I'm embracing what is. I have the most wonderful family and friends who are in our lives daily and I can't thank them enough for their love and support.
Having a relationship with a person who has a disability can be life changing. It sure has changed my life and I am a better person because of it. I love my son and all his friends with Autism and look forward to meeting more new friends in the years to come. Please keep Bradley in your prayers and share Autism Awareness EveryDay...

Kittens

I didn't even know my cat Sassy was pregnant until Saturday night. Tuesday night at 11:45 Sassy woke the entire house up with her horrific screaming. I knew immediately that she was about to have her kittens. She was laying at the top of mine and Britney's head in Britneys bed. That is where she wanted to have her kittens but I immediatley moved her quickly to the bathroom where I stayed with her to watch all 5 of her kittens be born. What a wonderful experience it was to watch. I'm so in love with all the kitten's and it will be very hard to give them up. But I'm keeping at least one of them.