Mother's Day

My children have the best teachers taxes can buy! I am so proud to be part of three wonderful public schools in Tampa! What a blessing to have such wonderful people teaching my boys. I have been blessed this week so much by the thoughtfulness of these teachers, all moms themselves, they know how under appreciated we can often feel, and they went over the top to help my children make me feel special. Connor had a Mother's Day tea at his school, and I was personally escorted to his seat and he served me goodies and lemonade. His teacher just finished a poetry unit with the kids and they wrote a poem especially for their moms. They sang a few songs and each child read his/her poem out loud. This was so sweet, all the moms had tears in their eyes. He also made me a coaster that he painted that was to represent something I liked, he painted a bed, because he said I like to sleep! Oh boy was that embarrassing! Trey's teacher helped him make a keepsake that is a platform with many different colored stones glued together on it, and it has his picture stuck in the middle of it and it says my mom rocks! SO cute! Then today we had a mom's picnic and play date with his class at the park. Little did she know the greatest gift she could have given me was to see him at the park with his class, playing with his friends and having a great time! He waited for his turn, he used the other boys names, he did not melt down when it was time to move from the playground to the fountains! It was so nice to see his progress, what a treat! Hayden's school had a Mother's Day breakfast this morning and I got to visit his class so he could present me with a corsage and the many handmade gifts he had for me. His teacher is the most creative, sweet, special teacher I think any of my kids have ever had! What a blessing she has been, I don't want him to leave her class! Anyhow, just wanted to dedicate a post to the wonderful teachers in my children's lives and thank them for how special they have made me feel!

Bio-Medical Intervention

We have started on the journey of bio-medical intervention for our son Trey. It has been a little over a month since we started to implement some supplements, and the gluten free, casein free, soy free diet (GFCFSF). Things have been up and down so far. We do feel like we are seeing some change in Trey. His focus and attention seems to be a little sharper. He seems to notice things around him a little more than before. A little progression in communication. Those are the positives, but as I have been told, things often get worse before they get a whole lot better. I think we are in the first phase of getting worse. Starting the diet causes the autistic child to go into somewhat of a detox state or have withdrawal symptoms, similar to drug addicts. I am hopeful that he will improve once all of the proteins leave his body. Now onto the next big treatment, anti-fungal medication for the overgrowth of yeast found in his gut. I have also been told to expect a die-off effect when the yeast starts to die, meaning, he may be the worst version of himself for a few weeks, hopefully followed by some clinical improvement. If you are wondering why you have never heard of this type of treatment for autism before, its because the mainstream medical community refuses to validate bio-medical interventions for autism, because they don't have what you call scientific proof. If you are interested in reading more about bio-medical visit this website www.generationrescue.org . All the proof I need is that it has worked for thousands of people all over the world, recovering their children and bringing them out from inside themselves. Dion and I are now committed to seeing this through, no matter what it costs us, he is our child and we want to do everything possible to help his future! Lastly, we have started looking into a school for him called Sydney's school for autism. It is right here in south Tampa and uses ABA therapy as the base of the curriculum. It is 1 on 1 for a lot of the school day, therefore, very expensive. We are not sure how we could ever afford it, but we are believing that if that is what he needs, God will provide the way for him to go. Needless to say, we have a lot on our plate right now and could use prayers and support! Here is a link to a 30 minute documentary on what bio-medical can do for kids with autism http://vimeo.com/3443801

A New Start

Today we finally had our IEP (individualized education plan) meeting with the hillsborough county school system regarding Trey. We have been setting things up for this for almost two months, so it has been a huge buildup. We met at Roosevelt Elementary school, the proposed site for him to be in the Early Exceptional Learning Program. The meeting went very well, all attending were very positive, yet wanted his needs addressed. We left feeling very encouraged and hopeful about what is and will be possible for him. He was approved to begin the EELP program at Roosevelt, and will begin next week. It was hard to say goodbye to his old teachers at Bayshore Baptist who have been so supportive, caring, and patient with him for the last two years. I appreciate all they have done for him, but know that he needs more help, and now he is where he will get it! Hopefully this is just a small step forward on our road to helping him overcome his disability. Today was a good day!

New Year, New Start

So I have not been blogging lately because I have been a little busy to say the least.  I wanted to start the year out right by updating my blog and specifically reflecting on the current status of our family.  As previously posted, our son Trey has been undergoing the assessment process for his developmental delays.  It has been an emotional and exhausting process, but I feel much better being on the other side of a diagnosis and plan for his future.  He was diagnosed as having PDD-NOS or an ASD (autism spectrum disorder).  It has  been very hard for us to come to grips with this reality, yet we have suspected this for some time and it is nice to finally have an answer to some of our questions.  There are days where the reality that my child is not like other children is overwhelming and all to plain to see.  Yet, there are days like today, where progress is evident, and I am hopeful for his future.  Today, he said to me, out of the blue, " I need to go to church".  Six words at one time!  We were not even talking about church at all, I was amazed.  He also spent the better part of the afternoon having a pretend gun battle, sound effects and all, with his big brother Hayden.  Pretend play and socialization in one shot, I was so proud of him.  He also was moved to a new classroom at school for the first time, and I thought for sure he would have a meltdown due to the change in his routine, but all he did was hesitate a little and frown when I left, I was extremely pleased with his progress.  We did have a major battle at dinner tonight, would not eat one bite of food, and sat in time out several times for interrupting the meal.  Little battles consistently will create long term learning for him.  The other children are doing great.  Connor is so smart, he amazes me.  He is reading on a 5th grade level in 2nd grade.  He loves it, can't get enough!  Hayden is as funny and independent as ever.  Loves to be a big boy, and never asks for help.  He is constantly cracking me up.  He is all about Sarah Kate, and is so thoughtful and caring of others.  Sarah Kate is such a blessing.  The best baby ever!!!!  She is always smiling and easygoing, such a pleasure in my life.  I can't get enough of her and her chubby little thighs!  Dion is working hard as usual, and will have a very busy and challenging year work wise.  We are very thankful for his job, what a blessing he has been given.  We are hopeful about our home situation and praying that the banks will modify our loans so we can stay here, we really don't want to leave.  It is a crazy time in our lives, having four children under 7, but we are trying to cherish this time, knowing all to well that we will blink and they will be off creating their own lives without our supervision and guidance.  I pray in 2009 we will look back and say, what a great year, God has richly blessed our lives!

October is flying by!

I can't believe it is the middle of October already! I have somehow missed the last two weeks they have flown by. I guess that happens when you are a busy mom of four. Yesterday was eventful, as I had finally decided it was time to put out the Halloween decorations, being that it was Oct. 13th, Trey took a tumble down our pavered steps out front. Of course there was blood and of course it was from his face! Thank God he did not hit his teeth again. He looks a little rough, but nothing major. I also got Sarah Kate's Halloween costume in the mail today. She looks so cute, I am sooooo glad I have a little girl to dress up like a fairy, it made my day. It sure does not feel like October here in FL. Hot to say the least. They say a cool front is coming over the weekend, I sure hope so, I am more than ready for it. On another note, we have decided it is time to take Trey to see a neurologist. It is the next step on our journey through his developmental delay. Amazingly they got him in next week, so I will update as there is new information on that front.
Sarah

Busy Weekend

We had a very busy weekend! I am exhausted and glad it's over. The big boys both had baseball games and we had two birthday parties to go to. They always seem to come in spurts. The best part of the weekend was that Dion and I actually got to have a date night. My dad is in Nicaragua on a mission trip and so my mom was free. We went for a nice dinner and had some good time to talk, which is rare these days. I am always amazed at how little time we manage to have for each other between the children, work, finances, cleaning, cooking, laundry, the list goes on. It is nice to have a little time to feel like we did when we were dating. Anyhow, next weekend looks pretty clear, thank God!
Sarah

New to this

I have decided it is a good idea to journal some of the things going on in our lives these days. First, in order to try and focus on the good in our lives and second to share with others how we are doing. I am new to all of this internet networking and I find it a bit strange myself. I often find myself alone with four children and no one to share the ins and outs of our days with. So maybe if I put it out there for some of you to view or not to view it will make the time seem more worth while and our life together less caotic and more entertaining. Hope you enjoy, if for no other reason, I will be able to look back and read about things past and have a laugh, or shed a tear and enjoy each day that passes with my beautiful family of six.

Sarah