Frozen

Edward and Nolen have been so obsessed with the new Disney movie, Frozen. It is adorable. They are singing the song and dancing all day. We went to the mall today, (don't go on Saturdays) and Edward really wanted an Elsa doll. I have to say, I love it! 

A mostly unadventurous trip to K-town

For months, I  have been planning a trip to Kingman to celebrate my parents 40th anniversary.  We were going to spend the week in Kingman, then drive down to Gilbert and walk through the new temple being built.  Well, a show I have wanted to be in since 2003 has finally come to ABQ and the auditions are this Saturday.  So my plans changed dramatically.  We decided to go a week early and play with grandma and grandpa Skousen for a week.

 

We rode the Dune Buggy, a lot.

 

 

We flew the kite.

 

And, we rode some bikes.

 

Our drive to Kingman was extremely uneventful and was fast.  6 1/2 hours total on the road.  It was amazing.  The boys were good and only needed to use the bathroom one time.

Our trip home; however, was the extreme opposite of uneventful.  About 1 hour out of Kingman, Nolen realized we were not going back grandma's house, so he cried about it the rest of the way home.  After driving through Flagstaff, Nolen decided he needed to pee.  I pulled over on the side of the road and got him out.  Then we carried on our way.  About 1 hour later, near no towns at all, Edward barfed.  A lot.  So, I found an abandoned exit and cleaned him up, and the car seat with about 1 million wipes.  Then I drove on my way.  10 minutes later, Nolen needed to pee again.  I pulled over.  This time a cop pulled behind me to see if I was OK.  All along the drive I had seen a lot of Highway Patrol.  So I wasn't speeding.  After we stopped for gas, I had 2 hours left to go.  I started driving with a pack of drivers who were doing about 84.  Then I saw the Highway patrol.  He did a U-turn and jumped on the freeway.  I knew I was going to get pulled over because I was behind the pack.  Well, the cop pushed me off the road and then passed me.  So I got back on the road and kept driving as the pulled the car over in front of me.  Weird.  Anyhow, about 10 minutes later, the EXACT same thing happens to me.  A highway patrol pushes me off the road to pull over someone else.  Luckily, I made it home.  Nolen threw a HUGE tantrum because he wanted to go back to grandma's house.  7 Hours on the road.  BLAH!

Mostly, it was a good trip.  Nolen did OK and Edward was happy to play with his cousins.  Until next time, Kingman. 

Update: I did not get cast in the show.  Rats!  It is one of my favorites.

Spencer Family Pictures

I spent the week in Kingman and took a few pictures the Spencer family.  They are such an adorable family! So glad I got to spend time with them. 

The miracle of Cilantro Oil by DoTerra Essential Oils

"Mom, Can I have a sippy cup?"

(As if he has been saying this all along! He usually says, "WANT sipper cup!")

I put Cilantro oil on Nolen last year for 5 days in a row.  I remember him having a significant improvement; however, cilantro oil is very strong so you can only use it sparingly.  I am so glad I remember it and gave it a try again!

BANG! It's 2014!

(If you say that with a twang it sort of rhymes) 

 

 

In order to start this year out right, and with family, we set out to have a great day at the park albeit a bit windy.  We also hit up a place we haven't been in nearly a year, Red Robin.  We swore never to eat there again after a major fiasco with Nolen last February.  We had a great day and Nolen was able to hand the crowed, the noise, and the major over stimulation at Red Robin. 

 

Happy New Year!

 

And a Happy New Year

If you have been keeping up on my blog this year, you know this has been a very difficult year for me, personally.  Other things have happened this year that have not been named as they are still too personal to proclaim on an Internet blog; however, know that the trials I talk about today, are not standing alone.
This last February, my sweet little Nolen was diagnosed with Autism.  This diagnosis felt like a huge hole opened up in my life and started sucking everything in collapsing one on top of the other.  You might say, at least your son doesn't have cancer.  Yes.  At least that.  Or, at least your son didn't die. Yes.  At least that.  Thank you for trying to help.  I do appreciate the small sentiments; however, what my son has is NOT curable.  Autism is so much a part of who he is that there is no way to cure it.  Instead of going to get expensive, insurance covered chemo, my son receives two hour daily behavioral therapy treatments.  Want to know how that makes me feel as a mother?  Like crap. (I would use the other word, but my Mom reads this blog.)  I am supposed to be the one who teaches him daily things like, wash your hands after you pee, What is your name? How old are you?  What color is this?  I do not get that privilege.  It has been denied.  Children with Autism do not learn the same way other children learn.
For example:  I taught Edward how to talk just by talking to him.  Simple.  Nolen did not learn to talk that way.  Stephen and I sat with him night after night showing him flash cards of nouns that we would continually say what they were.  Over and over and over again.  I pointed to a chair and said, "Chair", Edward repeated it back to me ONE time.  To this day, I am not even sure if Nolen knows what all the objects are in our home. 
So, Yes, at least he doesn't have cancer.  If he did, I would know what the battle would be. There is a set course for that trial.  No, it isn't easy.  But in my defense, neither is Autism.
We started Nolen on different types of essential vitamins and nutrients.  We took him off all gluten and casein.  In late February, Nolen began to talk, again.  I believe his first words were, "Ready, set, go!"  Music to a mother's ears. 
After doing a lot of research, I settled on ABA, Applied Behavioral Analysis, therapy for Nolen.  He began in June.  It has been 6 months.  My little boy is doing amazing!  This therapy has brought back his communication skills and his coping skills.  We have learned how to understand Nolen and his needs.
This trial is never ending.  I will carry it on my shoulders for my life.   Nolen will always have autism.  I can now accept that. 
In June,  Nolen was repeating what I said, "Good night.  I love you."  I'll take it! 
In July, I learned that my body does not kill off cancer cells.  I had some removed and will know if it is gone or growing by the end of January. 
In September, I asked Nolen if he wanted a strawberry.  He said, "Yes!" for the first time in his life.  In October, I woke up to Nolen yelling, "Mommy!" instead of crying. 
In October, Nolen officially started sleeping through the night.  He was 2 1/2. 
In early November, I received some life altering news from Stephen.  Still too personal to share; however, instead of just worrying a little bit about Stephen, now I worry a lot.  Also, in November, my older sister changed my perspective on life, dramatically. 
After all the trials we have faced, our lives are still incredibly blessed.  We eat, we sleep, we laugh, we love, we cry, we travel, and we are alive.  I would prefer to have more money and less trials but such is life. 
In this year I have grown closer to God and farther from the church.  Is that even possible?  I have asked deeper questions and the response is, "I don't know".  I thought some one somewhere would have all the answers.  They don't.  I don't.
This year we went to Disney Land, a great Arizona family vacation, and spent a lot of time with family.  We are truly blessed.  We are loved.  I am loved.  I do not want to repeat this year, nor any year for that matter; however, I am grateful for the life I have been given.  I am grateful for my voice on paper and in life.
To end my year with happiness, I say to you, Love and be loved. 
Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours