Autism will not have the last word in our family...be the voice for an autistic child today!
Monday, March 31, 2008
the month
This is the time of year when autism is recognized to its fullest - April is Autism Awareness Month! I want to make sure everyone knows this. Not only has it affected our family, but thousands and thousands of families world-wide. As you may know, 1:150 children are diagnosed with autism. This is crazy to me. When brooke was diagnosed it was about 1:600. I know during the month of April there will be news shows, talk radio reports, autism walks, and other things around the country...and I encourage you: watch the shows, read the reports/emails, go on the walks, send money to reputable organizations for research, and let others know you know someone with autism.
Autism will not have the last word in our family...be the voice for an autistic child today!
Autism will not have the last word in our family...be the voice for an autistic child today!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
the valley of vision
Lord, let me learn the paradox:
that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, and the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, and the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine; Let me find thy light in my darkness, thy life in my death, thy joy in my sorrow, thy grace in my sin, thy riches in my poverty, thy glory in my valley. (from the book the valley of vision)
we had a good weekend with brooke. she got upset at some NEW things we did...overall....it was good. i'll get to see her this sunday for a short visit. I'll be updating soon with pictures from our last couple of visits.
that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, and the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, and the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine; Let me find thy light in my darkness, thy life in my death, thy joy in my sorrow, thy grace in my sin, thy riches in my poverty, thy glory in my valley. (from the book the valley of vision)
we had a good weekend with brooke. she got upset at some NEW things we did...overall....it was good. i'll get to see her this sunday for a short visit. I'll be updating soon with pictures from our last couple of visits.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Easter weekend
Brooke will be coming home for Easter for a few days. We are excited about her visit home.
I hope everyone has a blessed Easter...we all have a reason to celebrate because of what Jesus has done for us! PTL!!
I hope everyone has a blessed Easter...we all have a reason to celebrate because of what Jesus has done for us! PTL!!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
autism specialist anyone?
just wondering...does Brooke remember me when i'm not around...or down the hallway from her bedroom? Does she know the difference with time? Some answers i'd love to know. But then again, do I?
oh , God... speak kindness to me and to Brooke. Be our Shade.
oh , God... speak kindness to me and to Brooke. Be our Shade.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
so, how are you?
Many people have been asking how Brooke was doing. Thank you for asking!
She is doing okay. At school, Brooke is being asked to do more--now that she is getting settled. This of course is bringing out some behaviors. Her behaviors lately have been bitting her arms. At times, for a weekend visit, she has come home with bruises up and down her arm. It is a bit hard to see; however, we have seen worse. Just grateful it is not another intensive behavior although we would like to see this one gone. She is on medication for her behaviors. Her behavior program and coupled with her medication seems to help some. Her words have been "few" during a home visit. The words she used to say with us, she does not say much of anymore. She has become a bit more quiet than she used to be. I still am quick to get her to say as much as i can while she is home. I'm sure at Glenwood they are doing the same thing. At the group home she does well, with less behaviors. It is a bit more laid back than the school setting; yet, they do have chores and things for her to do. She is doing well with potty-training and are seeing less and less accidents. :) So, to sum things up...brooke is maintaining. Nothing more and nothing less. That leads to the next question.
How are we doing as a family? Thanks for asking! We all are doing well with the adjustment. Some days are harder than others. It hasn't even been a year since Brooke left for Glenwood. There is always a void, not just from a mothers standpoint. Josiah and Ethan are quick to pray for her. Her room is still being used-for hide and seek, playroom, a place to ponder (on her swing-in her room), and for an extra bed when OURs gets way too packed! ha. We seek HIM, we get by, we live, we have hope, and we dream til we see her again. Then it starts back all over again. So, that is how we are doing....how are you?
She is doing okay. At school, Brooke is being asked to do more--now that she is getting settled. This of course is bringing out some behaviors. Her behaviors lately have been bitting her arms. At times, for a weekend visit, she has come home with bruises up and down her arm. It is a bit hard to see; however, we have seen worse. Just grateful it is not another intensive behavior although we would like to see this one gone. She is on medication for her behaviors. Her behavior program and coupled with her medication seems to help some. Her words have been "few" during a home visit. The words she used to say with us, she does not say much of anymore. She has become a bit more quiet than she used to be. I still am quick to get her to say as much as i can while she is home. I'm sure at Glenwood they are doing the same thing. At the group home she does well, with less behaviors. It is a bit more laid back than the school setting; yet, they do have chores and things for her to do. She is doing well with potty-training and are seeing less and less accidents. :) So, to sum things up...brooke is maintaining. Nothing more and nothing less. That leads to the next question.
How are we doing as a family? Thanks for asking! We all are doing well with the adjustment. Some days are harder than others. It hasn't even been a year since Brooke left for Glenwood. There is always a void, not just from a mothers standpoint. Josiah and Ethan are quick to pray for her. Her room is still being used-for hide and seek, playroom, a place to ponder (on her swing-in her room), and for an extra bed when OURs gets way too packed! ha. We seek HIM, we get by, we live, we have hope, and we dream til we see her again. Then it starts back all over again. So, that is how we are doing....how are you?
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
brooke's week
Glenwood folks will celebrate Brooke's birthday on the 5th. I got to see her briefly today at the team meeting. The meeting went well...alot more to share on that....we will try another day. My little book will be done this week. Yah Who!
i must admit...it has been a tough week so far. With brooke turning 11, i realize more the task at hand. Yet, i know that God is way more than we can imagine. So, with that...i'm looking forward. Even though the heart hurts.
i must admit...it has been a tough week so far. With brooke turning 11, i realize more the task at hand. Yet, i know that God is way more than we can imagine. So, with that...i'm looking forward. Even though the heart hurts.
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