Susie and I went to a post adoption support group for special needs kids. It was really good and helpful. I was glad Susie was able to come, to hear stories from other families like mine; was good for her. I'm sure she feels isolated.
They offered childcare and I brought Isaiah and Jared. Of course, I got called out to help with Isaiah, really he was just being "Isaiah" nothing too outragous.
I hope to keep going; it is really nice to know you are not the only one dealing with these issues. Issues nobody else seems to really understand. RAD, PTSD, ODD

Today was ordinary and boring. yeah! I love boring days. I took a nap with the little guys for 2 1/2 hours. I could not believe it. I haven't done that in a while. I mean a real nap, were I actually slept. Caught up on laundry and cleaned up the house, played on the computer longer than I should have and went shopping at Target for nothing.

We have one lonely tree in the front yard. This year it turned a beutiful red and gold. We actually had leaves in the yard. I know pretty sad, LOL

Forever Brother's

I am often asked "are they blood related?" My consistent answer is "You bet!" Jared and Isaiah are 3 months apart in age and would be absolutely devasted if ever separated.

Jared came home at 18months of age.
Isaiah came home at 30months of age.

For Jared and Isaiah they ARE blood related.

Thank you MegaMom

Autism and sleep do not mix. My little guy will not sleep in a bed, only on the floor. Most nights are spent wandering around the room with maybe 4-5 hours of sleep.

But thanks to MegaMom and her link to the ebay store Natural Remedies, I finally found something that helps him to fall asleep and stay asleep. He has had this weighted blanket since last week and so far so good, YEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!!! He loves it!

It has dinosaurs on it (his favorite) and it weighs 8lbs.

It really is great!

Grandma's house

My RAD affected 4 year old was homesick! I could've cried, actually I did. After one night at Grandma's house, my little guy cried for me.

Isaiah has been home for 2 years, just 2 1/2 years old when I picked him up. He spit on the back of my seat all the way home, screamed and called me a "butthead". The most affected of any foster child I had yet to deal with.

Over a year of attachment therapy. Strict, consitent parenting. Holding and rocking, holding and rocking. Repairing 2 years of hurt and pain.

Finally, a ray of hope. My baby called me and asked to come home.

Greenwood Marching Woodman

We spent Saturday at the RCA Dome for the marching band State Finals.

GREENWOOD WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!

Greenwood is Indiana's Class B State Champ

Josh was soooo excited.

Do you ever hate to post something good for fear it will come back and bite you in the butt?

Jonny is doing extremely well lately. Really well! I have been impressed with his behavior and his reactions to stressfull situations. Typically in survival mode, Jonny has been thinking more about others and not just himself.

Adopted at age 11, there are so many past experiences that I will never know about. Lots and lots of hurts, disappointments and worries, that I have only seen a glimpse of. It has been difficult for him to make good choices. This past summer his impulsesivity got the best of him and landed him in big trouble. A lesson learned.

I am hoping maturity is finally catching up, as he is 13, going on 9 most of the time.

However, hope is in the air and these past few weeks have been awesome and I am looking forward to more of them.

Now, let's hope I didn't just jinx us.

Cute pet pictures

Moving stress

We are going to be moving soon! Yeah! A good stressor, but anxiety of moving and packing has me getting worried. The new house is big, much bigger than we have now and that part is very exciting. The packing, packing and more packing is the stressful part. Seven people, plus three cats and two dogs make for very little extra space in a 1300 square foot house. We are definately comfy. Cramped is more like it.

Pumpkin patch time.....

Elijah and I went to the Pumpkin patch today with his kindergarten class. He started out very stressed and needing lots of reassurance that this change in routine would be OK. Poor guy just cannot handle anything beyond the the typical and predictable. Sad thing was his kindergarten teacher didn't even acknowledge me or Elijah. We mostly stayed with the special ed. teacher and the other student she had with her. I realize she has limited time with him, as he spends most of his time in the essential skills classroom with the special ed. teacher. I love her! She is very realistic, but hopeful with Elijah. We ended up having a really good time and he enjoyed himself once he relaxed.

Jack's Walk

On Sunday, me and the boys, Grandma and Grandpa and Susie all participated in Jack's walk. A 2 mile walk to benefit local Johnson county families who have children with autism. It was great fun and everybody had a really good time. The weather was prefect and the little boys all did really well. I forgot my camera and lost my sunglasses, but oh well. Me and Dad each won a door prize! Yeah! Hopefully, we can make it an annual event.

Comments

Comments about my family use to never bother me. Lately, they come from everybody and everywhere. "what a great family you have" "all boys, wow!" "do you every go to sleep?" "are they twins?" "how do you do it?" on and on and on.
The comments really, for the most part are harmless, people being curious and trying to be nice, but some people really irritate me!!!!!!!
We are eating out a couple nights ago at Applebees. An older woman comes up to our table and asks me "are you a foster parent?" and I said yes and no. She wanted me to elaborate, of course! I said these are my children and she said of course they are and I said "NO! THESE ARE MY CHILDREN". She got the point and walked away. I am not a rude person, but people are really irritating. Being a transracial family, does not mean we wear a sign that says "ask me about my family". I am all the time being asked "where did you adopt from and how much did it cost"? I really don't think I could ever go up to a total stranger and ask that.

laundry, laundry and more laundry! I am a freak about doing laundry. It has to be a certain way or it gets re-done. I have a great babysitter who helps with laundry on days that I work, but she just does not do it right. I need to get over it.......ahhhhhhhhhhh! Somebody please help me, hehe!