Sam

After coaxing and coaching....Sam did the dinner dishes.  Thank you my sweet boy.

Max

Tonight when I said "Somebody needs to do the dishes," Max raised his hand and said yes without further comment from me.  Love that boy.

Mom (late)

Jojo was ill and mom made sure she was well taken care of.  Good Grandma!

Mom

Thanks for taking Josey today.

Matt/Gale

11/30 for putting up lights.

Gale, for the advent calendars

Erika @ Wal-Mart

Max lost his favorite stylus.  I don't get it, but apparently this is a huge deal.  We ordered one that looked as much like the old one as humanly possible.  We did the ship to store option.  Let me be honest, that option is not as easy and carefree as it sounds.  Sometimes it can be downright painful.  Of course, the email that it was ready for pick up came today....Black Friday.

Erika was the lady who helped us.  She had already put in long hours on one of the most hectic days of the year.  In spite of that, she had a cheerful attitude that I appreciated greatly.  Erika, thank you for helping us rectify our stylus tragedy.

Gale, yesterday

Thanks to my sister for taking over the hosting of Thanksgiving from mom.  We had a lovely time yesterday.

Sam

Sam helped me take shelves to the dump today.  Yes, he did help unload them....much to his chagrin. Thanks Sam.

Max yesterday

Was nice enough to let the dogs out one last time yesterday.  That allowed me o fall asleep......before I write this.  Thanks Mac

David

Today, I had to write a note to school about our Thanksgiving traditions so Sam can compare and contrast in class tomorrow.  It was actually kind of hard.  See, for many years, Sam's Thanksgiving traditions involved things like screaming because he couldn't have McDonald's, breaking into the host's jammy drawer, crawling into everybody's bed, and climbing on or breaking stuff. It has only been fairly recently that Sam's Thanksgiving activities has coincided with the rest of ours.  It caused me to stop and think about days gone by and recall my FAVORITE Thanksgiving Sam story.

It was the year Sam started to use pictures to communicate.  I was "just" a parent and following the PECS (picture exchange communication system) protocol pretty strictly.  We were to the point that Sam needed to learn to hand his communication picture to a greater variety of people.  I sent out an email to my family explaining what to do.  

I placed Sam's book in a central location.  My Uncle Billy walked in with his delicious chocolate chip cookies.  Sam spied them from across the room.  He meandered over to his book, flipped the pages and located cookies.  He pulled it out of his book.  he had barely separated the picture from its velcro strip when my brother David, who had been eager to help, swooped in snatched the picture from Sam's hand and "You want a cookie?  Sure you can have one!"  Then he grabbed Sam, who was too utterly bewildered to respond in any way, and dragged him into the kitchen.  At that point, he shoved a cookie in Sam's hand so quickly, it took Sam a minute to figure out what happened.  It wasn't PECS protocol, but it did teach Sam that he could communicate with somebody other than me.  He must have eaten a dozen cookies given to him by a dozen different people.  It was a breakthrough in his communication and started us down the road to the happy Thanksgivinings we now enjoy.

David, thank you for giving me one of my favorite Thanksgiving moments.  If you ever get tired of making tons of money as a pharmaceutical executive/chemical engineer....you have the potential to be a speech language pathologist.

Matt yesterday and today

I know.....late again.

Well, first off, there is a two day project involved with this one.  My house is very "cozy". That is code for small.  When your house is small, you have to carefully utilize every last square inch.  Not being particularly handy myself, I have to rely on the skills of my amazing love, Matt.  In a few days, he is going to move my garage fridge to my basement.  No more late night cold rainy dashes to get what won't fit in my kitchen fridge.

Since I hadn't seen him in a few weeks, blogging was not a priority when we had down time.  Sorry!

Matthew, thank you once again for making my cozy house feel like a palace.

Transportation

I mean the group of people.  It is not always easy to get a student from point A to point B, but they have been getting Sam from here to there in snowstorms, unbareable heat, and days when he is anxiously longing for McDonalds.  They even make sure he gets back to the right place when he is lost in the shuffle.

Thanks transportation department!

Noah

The son of one of the ladies I work with left a note and a lifesaver (individually wrapped) on my door for me.  To be honest, when my alarm went off this morning, it crossed my mind that I could roll back over and pretend To be sick.  I thought about it again on the looonnnngggg drive to work and feeling grumpy about doing the right thing.  Then I saw that little note.  Suddenly, the drive was short and I was GRATEFUL that I had the opportunity to get to work with such wonderful little people.

Noah, thank you for brightening my day.

Max

Today started out with my alarm going off an hour before it was supposed to wake me.  I didn't realize that until I was showered and half dressed, ay which point, it was too late to turn back.  But by now, I am DRAGGING!!!

Thank you Max who helped by hanging clothes, making Sam cookies for dessert, and entertaining Stella when she just wouldn't shut up.  Ahhhhh.  Now I can sleep.

Mrs. G

I can't say what, but my daughter said something tonight I never thought I would hear come out of her mouth.  I have no one to thank but the amazing Mrs. G.

Josey

Who packed tomorrow's lunches.  Thanks Josey.

Mom

Thanks for picking up the hoodie.

Max

Max turned off all the lights, got Sam his popcorn, and let the dogs out so Josey and I could lay in bed and watch Christmas movies.

Jojo

My daughter kicks butt at being a great kid.  She rocked the family chore chart today without being asked.

Thank you Josey!

Mary

Today, Mary went above and beyond in her job. She was there to work with my boy, but allowed me to unload my own unrelated burden.  I needed that.

Thank you Mary.

Madaff

My 2nd quarter of my grad school practicum was in the acute (hospital) setting.  I called my supervisor from the previous quarter (the school setting) to say, "I get to wear jammies to work and they give me chocolate every day.  I love it here!"  Then I had to scrape caked saliva out of a woman's mouth, feed a patient with dementia while she kept repeating "You a b!t€#" (which may be accurate, but is still unnecessary commentary) and finally was introduced to old man giblets day where no man over the age of one hundred and ten bothered to keep his gown below his waste.  When I changed out of my scrubs (jammies) I realized my jeans no longer fit from all those cookies.  So ended my career in the acute setting.  Chocolate and jammies just weren't worth it.  After a very bad period last year, I wasn't sure where I fit.

I am much happier this year.  I really like and respect the people with whom I work.  Nobody has called me a b!#€ or a mutha f¥#%er (preschoolers can be a tough crowd!)  Best of all, people share food with me.  Sometimes, a person knocks on my door just to give me a cupcake!  I like cupcakes.  I also like almost anything with noodles.  Today, I had vegetable lasagna just like my mom would make it.  What was the occasion?  Apparently the day ended in "y" which is all the reason some people need to do nice things.

Thanks Madaff for the yummy lunch.

Max

I know it seems lame because I keep bringing up my kids.  But....I am swamped at work and what they are doing around the house is what is keeping us afloat.

Max, thanks for helping with laundry and doing an awesome job not only cleaning the kitchen after dinner but VOLUNTEERING to do it.

Josey

Not to be outdone by her brother and his push for responsibility, Josey as stepped p her efforts in helping around the house.  Loving the sibling rivalry.

Thank you Josey.

Michael

My nephew's soccer team made it to the state championship this year.  My brother invited us up to watch the game.  It was hugely exciting!!!!!   First of all, they won.  That always makes a 2 hour drive worth it.  Second of all, Sam was enthrall ed with the whole thing from beginning to end.  Third of all, it gave us an excuse to eat at Cracker Barrel.  All around, it made for an excellent Saturday.

Mike, thanks for inviting us up!

Max yesterday

Man!  i am really slacking on this.  Ironic that i am falling behond the month that others arevposting daily thank yous and when im so close to the end of this resolution!  Max has been working extra hard the last few weeks to step it up.  Last night, he hustled us around so we could get groceries and get Jojo to the play on time.  Thank you Max!

John T

When you have severe autism with motor planning problems, there are a lot of school activities you cannot do.  Basketball...football....baseball.....not on the agenda.  I can't say that Sam is staying up nights fretting over the loss of not playing high school sports.  Having seen some of the very overweight, balding sports heroes at my 25th reunion,  I'm not sure it is that much of a loss.  But I do think Sam likes the chance to be one of the boys.  Looking over the student activities this year, I was trying to find something Sam would enjoy doing and do as well as his typical peers.

HELLOOOOO BUFFET CLUB!!!!!!

Yep, a club that seemed to be designed just for Sam.  When I explained the premise and told him he was going, he was really excited.  When we got there and he saw I was not staying and he would be one of the boys, he was thrilled.  (I'm not taking it personally.)  John assisted Sam tonight which made it possible for Sam to go.  He did an awesome job of supporting Sam without smothering which  caused the boys (who, at this point, are actually full grown man sized) to engage with and include Sam.  What a great opportunity for everyone.

John, thanks for doing such a great job with Sam!

Josey

Thank you for packing my lunch.

Blue Ash Dump Receptionist

I did not think to get her name.  Like I said, falling back is causing me to fall down n the job.

Anyway, the lady who checks ID and keeps us all legal, so we don't sneak outside trash into our city dump, is just as nice as can be.  Honestly, that can't be an easy job.  I'm sure lots of people lie.  I'm sure lots of people complain about having to prove residency.  She still provides a bright smile and, when you are returning for the 2nd time in a day, a friendly wave befor she opens the gate.

Thanks lady!  My yard looks far less junky and your attitude made a dump trip pleasant.

Mom yesterday

This falling back is killing me!  Here I am over 300 thank you notes, in the month others are posting a thank you a day on Facebokk.....and I am falling down after falling back.  Boo me.

Yeah, mom.

Yesterday, she did the dishes for me when she came over to give my sweet girl a ride.  How nice was that?  Thanks, mama.

Sam

I really want to thank Benjamin Franklin.  While I may be cursing him the Sunday I wake up and am forced to spring forward.....I celebrate the extra hour I get to fall back into bed in November.  But I can't find his address.

Sam is learning a new skill.  Not getting into the nature of it.  I will just say it is a safety issue and not pleasant and easy for he or I.  I am appreciative that he is working with me so well firing this process.

Thank you my sweet boy.

Max yesterday

I was just too tired yesterday and fell asleep on my bed before I could say it.

Thanks for mowing the lawn Ma.

Christian

Last weekend was a lovely get away.  Unfortunately, the relaxation was so way over as soon as the week started.  Busy, busy, busy.  I didn't even have time to go to the grocery store for anything but Halloween candy.  Tonight, I came home hungry to an empty house.  When the kids and I got to Kroger's, I should have known my eyes are bigger than my cart.  I didn't.  I foolishly took a mini cart.  I have made the mistake of doing that enough that I now know the I bagged groceries I put in, will not fit after they are bagged.

First, the nice young man who was bagging, went I get a bigger cart.  I have 2 weird hang ups.  Well, I have far more, but these two are related.  One is how dirty dishes are placed in my dishwasher.  The other his how my groceries are bagged.  I like to buy J.B.'s green beans by the case and take them home in the box instead of having them bagged.  Unfortunately, that didn't come up until after they were bagged.  Christian was nice enough to unbag and rebox them without complaint.

Christian, thank you for being so nice and patient when working tonight.

Amber

I have been through a number of "Samcare" providers so far this year.  I have lost them to everything from better job offers to hospitalizations to chronic tardiness.  One person has hung in there and done a wonderfully, reliable job.  That would be Amber.

Today I had to text her that the woman residing (court ordered) in the mental health facility is calling again.  It's okay if she doesn't answer the phone.  She just said ok.  If you can tell a sitter that on Halloween and she doesn't go running, she is a keeper!

Amber, thank you for being such a reliable and excellent caregiver!

Oz

The great and powerful....just helped me tremendously.  She is an amazing woman I work with who knows more about everything than I do.  I'm lucky that she helps me out at work and with my kids.  She does make my life just a little easier!

Karen

Tonight, I had to do conferences where I work.  Mom had tickets to the theater.  My scheduled sitter's grandma died.  Can you say "stress."  Luckily, Sam's aid from another school generously offered to help.  I could tell he was happy to see her.  I was happy to have somebody who speaks Sam.   Turns out, she even knows my nephew's girlfriend.  She is practically family!

Thanks Karen for watching Sam.

Josey

Packed my lunch and wrote the sweetest note.  Thanks to Jojo for brightening my day.

Kelee, Matt/Mitch, Rose

I went out of town on Friday.  I was thankful, but had no computer, notecards, or time to sit.  So this is a three way, three day thank you.

First, my girl Kelee......I have known her since we were about 11 years old.  We have loved, lost, laughed, cried, PMSed, and several other things I won't mention through 32 years of friendship.  THIRTY TWO YEARS!!!  She invited me for a lovely visit where I had no repsonsibilities, only time to do nothing.  We stayed up laughing, talking, and crying (while watching ALF of course) until 2:30am Nashville time.  Kelee is a truly amazing person.  I am proud of her for so many things.  I hope my daughter grows up to have her perseverance and strength.  Thank you Kelee for opening your home to me.

Aside from being superwoman, oops, I mean spider woman, Kelee is a fantastic mom.  That was evident from watching her sons who are wonderful young men.  They were polite and welcoming.  I got to see them both play sports and they displayed good sportsmanship as well as team spirit.  Thank you Matthew and Mitchell for sharing your weekend, home, and mom with me.

Last, but not least, is Rose.  Rose stayed at my house with my kids so I could have a little down time. Sam was thrilled to see her.  Josey enjoyed hanging out too.  Even Max came out of his lare to help and socialize.  Rose is so on it, I honestly didn't worry about anything all weekend except for what I would eat next and how late could I sleep.  Thank you Rose for hanging with the kids.

Class

This is a person, not a group of people. 

I am just going to admit to this right now.  I started this entire little project because I was woefully unhappy last January and was really not sure why.  What I was not acknowledging was that I was very unhappy with my job.  At the time, I had serious concerns that I had laid out a lot of money to a degree in a field that I hated.  It had not occurred to me that maybe it wasn't the career, it was where I worked.  I gave notice and headed for what I hoped would be greener pastures.  I have just completed my first quarter.  It is now crystal clear that I like my career, grad school was money well spent, and that in my world, job satisfaction equals life satisfaction.  I hate to say anything that might jinx me....but I really like my job this year.  That is the first time I have been able to say that since I graduated.  The people I get to work with every day are a big part of that.  So just get ready to read about them on a regular basis, because I have a lotta thankin' to do!  Here is goes....

You know that saying, "Misery loves company"? I am starting to think that there is nothing that gives me more misery in need of company than raising a square child in this very round world.  What makes it hard is that sometimes it feels like not matter what you do, it's wrong.  I believe that children who aren't taught responsibility and consequence do not develop the skills necessary to be good citizens or content adults.  I know that you are all shaking your head and saying "Amen!"  But I also know that many people who shake their head and say "Amen" only agree with the concept and not the actual follow through.  The last two months have been the most difficult stretch I have had as a parent...EVER!  (That would be the misery part.)

Aside form working with people who are good at what they do and truly care about their students (stuff I'll talk about later, I'm sure) I'm lucky that I get to connect with them on a more personal basis too.  It's nice to have that social connection.  It's nice to come in to work feeling drained from making a hard decision and have the first person you talk to reinforce that choice.  Especially on days when the world seems to be determined to undermine your efforts. 

Class, thank you for being the best company on my most miserable of days.  Is that an honor or what??????

Lydia

I love to take pictures of my kids.  Unfortunately, they hate when I take pictures of them.  The Taylor children on the other hand love to have their picture taken and are only too happy to oblige.  I found at the last cross country meet, that if I take a picture of one of them, my daughter will photo bomb it.  Lydia is now the bate I use to get good pictures of Josey.  FYI, she is a cutie pie to boot....inside and out.

Thank you for posing with my girl Miss Lydia!

Mr. B

This week is conference week.  Not just at the school where I work, but also at the school where my daughter attends.  I was looking forward to Josey's conferences.  She is the alien in the house who writes lists, cleans her room without being told and doesn't like fast food because it isn't healthy.  The rest of us are disorganized slobs by comparison.  I'm sure there are things i could do to screw her up, but for the most part, she is really pretty low maintnance.  I felt I was being ripped off because I can't make conference night.  I want my accolades!!!  I emailed all the teachers so I could get a little feel good feedback.  Most of them emailed.  One called. 

Back when I was "just" a parent studying to be a school person, other school people told me that once I was a professional I would "get it."  Many of them meant that I would understand that I should lower my expectations of school personnel.  Just started my third year....hasn't changed my expectations.  It has made me appreciate when somebody goes over and above....like calling an hour after the schoolday is over to give me my conference time.  Love it!!!!!   So that is thank you número uno!  But many teachers call at any hour with bad news.  Trust me on that one.

What working in the field has made me realize is that there are many kinds of students.  Today I had one myself that is a bit of a stinker, but I love 'em anyway.  Having said that, it is nice to occasionally have that student who is polite, efficient, hardworking, respectful and kind.  It is even better when you hear from somebody that your child is THAT student.  As a professional, we sometimes only get time to put out fires and call the parents of problem kids.  I now know it takes extra effort to make time to call with good news.  That is thank you número dos.

Mr. Bemmes, thank you for calling me about Josey.  Phone calls from teachers are usually not good, so it was extra nice to hear such wonderful things about my daughter on an otherwise hectic day!  

Josey

Thank you for helping with the chores today

Rob or John or Steve or whoever @ A&E

I hate scraping snow off of my car.  I hate loading my car in the rain.  These are the reasons a garage was a must when I bought my house.  My little neighborhood has little houses which don't all have garages.  In some cases, the garages are placed in such a way that they are really just for storage of stuff and not for actual cars.  I was very happy to see that my house's garage could actually be used as a garage for a car.  The first thing I did last year was have a garage door opener installed.  Well, enough time has passed that the warranty ran out so of COURSE it quit working....right after I had bought groceries that I store in the extra fridge in the garage.  Yeah me!

The first guy that came out said that it was the board because it had been struck by lightening.  Hmm.  On a sunny day when there are a several building and a metal fence that all sit higher than my garage....whatever.  Just want it fixed.  New board installed....still not working.  Next time it was that the garage door had been painted shut.  Pretty sure that I did not paint my garage between getting home from work at 5 pm one night but before I left at 6:30 am the next morning.  I had painted it a few months ago...but had also opened and closed the door multiple times a day since without issue.  Called A&E and voiced my extreme frustration. 

The clouds parted....the angels sang....and somebody whose name I can't remember said he would send out a senior tech AND leave me a gas card for my troubles.  The next day.....my garage door worked wonderfully and I am now tootling around town with some free gas in my tank.  Here is what I am thankful for....

Thank you to whoever called me back and apologized for my inconvenience and gave me the gas card.  Things go wrong.  People make mistakes.  I know this because I have a job and I make mistakes.  Perfection is impossible.  What I appreciate is somebody apologizing and acknowledging my frustration.  The service I have received from this company in the past (3 houses) has been very good.  I'm sure this was just one of those things which is why I will continue to use their service.

Katy

Always nice when someone offers to drive so you don't have to go out in the cold yucky rain.

Tasha

Several months ago I went to NY & Co to buy some new pants.  It was a buy one deal and of course they didn't have my size.  So I ordered them on line instead.  Did you know that there is a time limit on returning things even with a receipt there?  A limit that is less than 62 days?  Me either.  That was frustrating since I had pacific ally said it was difficult to make it out to stores.  That was my complaint today.  Something came up as Sasha was making the return for me.  It was an advantage to me and she let it go which made me less frustrated with the situation.  When so many people just phone it in or enjoy telling the customer no, it's nice to receive some very good customer service over something that was not her fault.

Thanks Sasha.

Mom& Dad

Stomach virus.  Mom and dad fed kids.

Josey

Found this in my lunch bag today.  Need I say more?

Mom

She yelled at my kids, begged the garage people to actually fix my door, and scooped up Sam on a two 3s day.  It was nice to have a day off from running things and only have to work.

Matt

It has been a long week.  My little project that would give me more room for my much needed new washer turned into the replacement of all of my cast iron plumbing with PVC, including the stack and vent that goes through the roof.  If you didn't gasp, you don't know what a stack is or what it takes to replace the vent.  Finally in the home stretch.....I didn't have a cord for my new dryer.  Well, I actually did have a cord, but it was from the o,d dryer which would void the warranty on the new dryer (something the sales person forgot to mention but the delivery guy did.). Got a new cord, but the tools were locked inside my garage that has 2 windows and a garage door that became inoperable a few days ago.

My home improvement project are like those books "If you give a Pig a Pancake" or a Mouse popcorn...or Carol a home improvement idea.....disaster and mayhem are sure to follow.  But unlike the Mouse, pig, moose or dog....I have a brother in law.  Who had the right tool to attach my cord so I can do laundry.

Thank you Matt....you are far better than any freckle faced boy or girl with tap shoes!!!!

Mom

When I was getting ready to go back to work after being home for many years, some man told me that I would see how I really did nothing all those years I stayed home.  This is my 3rd year working, and I still think I did a lot when I stayed home.  It's the little things you don't think about.  For example, my washer was probably 20 years old when I bought my house.  It was good to put off buying a new one  for a year or two, but the time had come to replace it.  Of course they don't deliver on a weekend.  Or after 5.  They won't even tell you until that morning what the 2 hour window is when they might show up.  I use to be the person who waited for the repair man.  Was it the most mentally challenging thing I ever did? No, but somebody had to do it.

Somebody still has to do it.  It just can't be me.  I guess some people have to pay a concierge service to do it.  Or beg a stay at home mom that they have not offended by insinuating that they don't have anything else to do (which I never remember being the case when I was home.)  I am lucky enough that my mom is doing it for me.  

Mom, thanks for making sure I'm covered.

Sam

Today was a 5k run at Jojo's school.  Sam was good enough to get up at 7am so he could help hand out water to runners and pick up the cups.  He is a good big brother.

Ashley

Today was a professional development day.  That is day when a bunch of speechiness spend an entire day in a room that is either way too hot or way too cold learning about a specific topic.  The speaker was dressed in a super cute outfit, had a stylish haircut and was fit and trim.  What does that have to do with my thank you?

I saw Ashley (sat behind me in room 144 for an entire year of grad school) on the way to the bathroom.  She said she was thinking about me because the speaker reminded her of me.  Huge compliment, thank you Ashley!

Dad

I need a new washer.  Luckily, my dad taught me the importance of consulting Consumer Report.  Even luckier, he has a subscription so I don't have to have one.  Yeah dad! And thanks.

Wendy

Wendy makes me laugh.  This is my favorite post of the month, maybe year, on Facebook.  I am thankful she is my Facebook friend and entertains me daily.  She also championed service dogs in schools so those of us whose children have one can quote Department of Justice time stuff.  Yep. Yep.  She's my hero on many levels.

Wendy....thanks for the laugh.

Last night....no wait, 4:00 am is technically morning, Scooter Givens was listening to screaming babies on YouTube on his iPad. Not wanting to get up but wanting the noise to stop, I was inspired. I grabbed my iPad and using the find my iPhone app I was able to lock his device and send him a message. The message simply said. " Turn it down. From Santa" I heard a yelp and then sweet sweet silence for the rest of the night. Bring on the season of fear and manipulation! — feeling smart.

Patty

Today I received the nicest e-mail ever today.  Matt's mom said that she was glad I am with her son.  She then went on to say how as much as she loves her grandchildren, she is a mom first.  Which quadruples the original compliment.  There is no higher honor than the mom stamp of approval.

Thank you for the high praise Patty.

My Dad

One thing that kind of stinks (ok, SUCKS) about being the only parental participant in these parts is that I cannot be everywhere at once.  Like today, there was one kid in need of supervision and another at a cross country meet.  I would be wallowing in guilt over not making the cross country meet where my little Miss  Josey FINALLY beat her personal best.  Luckily, Grandpa went to cheer her on.  As far as Jojo is concerned Grandpa is as good as mom any day of the week.

Thanks for getting it covered for me Grandpa.

Max

If I hadn't taught Sunday school and learned that God told Noah he would never flood the Earth again, I would be a little worried right now. My back yard is a lake.  Max helped me pump out the dry wells which took almost an hour.  He cleaned both bathrooms, including the showroom and tub.  He even did the dishes a couple of time.  He is a good boy and deserves a great big thank you.

Sam

Tonight, Sam helped sort the laundry.  I wouldn't say he loved doing it, but he did it.  Then he got up from a dead sleep to get Max from work.  He is a real trooper.

Patrick B

Typically, I would not think severe autism and a loud, crowded, Homecoming high school football game would be compatible.  I'm not sure if Sam has heard about the football games on the morning announcements, or if he has just matured enough that he enjoys age appropriate activities.  Either way, Sam is lovin' himself some Aviator football this year.  We arrived over 30 minutes before the game started.  We actually stayed for the post game marching band performance.  Then we stayed to chat with Sam's teacher from last year.  He enjoyed the entire thing.  Totally amazing.  Although there have been many years of hard work, sweat, and tears.....lots and LOTS of tears....there is one very specific thing that made tonight possible.

After a pre game performance, a Diet Coke and 3 quarters....it was time for a restroom break.  There are no family restrooms at the stadium.  There were too many people for me to feel good about sending Sam totally alone.  Fortunately, I saw a responsible dad I knew.  While I very much appreciate Karen loaning her husband, I have to thank Mr. B for making sure Sam got in, found a stall, took care of business and made it back out in a timely manner.  Otherwise....it would have been Game Over.  Thank you Patrick!

Mom

I found a wonderfully reliable girl to get Sam on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  I found what turned out to be a totally unreliable girl for Tuesday and Thursday.  First, she was supposed to cover a period of time, but then went back to school and ended up coming this week only.  Then today, she called and said she was stuck in traffic because there was an accident by her house.  Instead of calling while still in her neighborhood, she waited to call until 9 minutes before the bus arrived.  My mom lives more than 9 minutes away, so you can see the problem.  My mom was able to get here before the bus had to leave and take Sam to parts unknown.  If she hadn't, I'm sure Sam would have been infuriated that he didn't get his Diet Coke and chips.

Thank you mom.

Kim

Also known as the Great and Powerful OZ!!!!!

One of many wonderful people I get to work with this year, who jumps in to lend me a book, a popper car, or $10 bucks for a cool T-shirt.  She is also super smart about pre-schoolers who are sometimes just a little scary.  Some people are intimidated by someone who is extremely knowledgeable.  I am not one of those people.  I am very thankful that I get to work with somebody who can push me and teach me so I can be a better SLP.

Kim, thanks for being my personal librarian and so much more.

Noah

Noah is the son of somebody at work.  I was teasing him saying I wanted a piece of birthday cookie.  He brought me some today.  Thanks Noah.

Melissa H.

This is not the same Melissa I have written about before.  THIS Melissa has been no less important over the years.  She is in charge of our district's transportation.  She has made sure that Sam gets from point A to point B safely.  She has kept me abreast of Sam's whereabouts when an unexpected snowstorm caused him to be 90 minutes late getting home (with a big smile on his face.)   This whole "Sam care" after school business has been a bit of a nightmare.  I have changed people 4 times in the last month.  Through it all, Melissa has made sure that Sam gets where he should be going, with the correct support and a safe spot for drop off and pick up.  Today, she said she might even have the name of someone I cam hire to get Sam off the bus.

Melissa, thanks for your help and patience during this crazy, crazy transition!

Lisa

Lisa has helped fill in my gaps in Sam care while I tried to find more permanent arrangements.

Max

Yesterday, Max cleaned the bathrooms, did the dishes multiple times, vacuumed, and mowed the lawn.  Today, he did the laundry.  Is it any wonder I want to say thank you to him?

Mom

When I was in my early to mid twenties, I was married and living in my first home.  There was a couple across the street who had kids about my age.  One of them still lived at home.  He didn't pay rent.  His girlfriend spent the night all the time.  I told my (then) husband that our kids would never be allowed to do that.  He looked at me as if I were crazy and asked "Why not?"  I said that if they could have that kind of adult freedom with no adult responsibilities at home,  what incentive would they have to ever grow up and move out?

In my house, 18 does not mean you are an adult.  Being ready to take responsibility and achieve independence means your an adult.  Sometimes, that can only be accomplished through "tough love."  I have recently made some parenting decisions that my intellect recognizes as solid choices, but are almost too much for my mother's heart to bare.

Today, in a moment of weakness, I called my mom to talk through one of my choices.  Could I really stick with the plan.  Should I?  Thank God my mother has the ability to put being grandma aside and speak with the wisdom of a seasoned mother of four.  Her support allowed me to move on so I could do what needed to be done for my kids.

Mom, thank you for the moral support this morning.  Deep down I know it's the right thing, but I don't know if I could have done it without your reassurance.

Michelle O

Tonight was conference night.  It is always very stressful and, quite frankly scary, when a child starts a new school.  Not for the kid, for the parent!  Sam went off to high school and I came up with every possible complication and worry that could possibly happen before school even started.  I will say, it has gone relatively smoothly.  The linchpin of this entire transition was his behavior plan.

One day, Sam was allowed to take a walk when he was having a hard time which is not what the behavior plan says.  I have to say, I panicked!  It just so happened that as we were at the grocery store that night, I ran into that very teacher.  She sought out Sam, said hello to him.  Introduced herself to me.  She was really just a delight.  Then we discussed Sam a little and talked about the plan.  My initial concern was that the plan was ignored.  It wasn't.  This teacher just really liked him and wanted to do something helpful.  We had a "tough love" talk.  Then next day, much to Sam's chagrin, the behavior plan was firmly in place.  It was obvious that she had taken the time to listen to me because she also helped him by going over his schedule again and again which reduces his over all anxiety.

It was obvious from the conference tonight that she truly enjoys Sam.  Not in a pat him on the head "oh you poor disabled child" kind of way.  She enjoyed him as a student and a person who, gosh, just happens to have autism.  She also encouraged me to help Sam attend the homecoming dance if that is what he chooses to do.  Knowing Sam....he just might!

Mrs. O, it was really nice to talk to you at conferences.  I look forward to Sam's time with you.  I'm sure you will stretch him in many ways.  Thank you for taking the time to listen to me and really understand Sam's needs. 

Carole W

Max is taking a cooking class at school.  So far they have made chocolate chip cookies and macaroni & cheese.  He offered to make mac & cheese for dinner one night.  Tonight was the night.  It may have been the very best mac & cheese I have ever had in my life.  He also grilled hamburgers.  This has been a particularly busy week professionally and personally.  Not having to make dinner tonight was a welcome surprise.

Mrs. Wood, thank you for teaching Max how to make a delicious dinner so I could have a night off!'

Mark

A good nephew treats his aunts rambling evening texts as if they are the most important thing in the entire world and answers immediately.

Mark, thank you for being a good nephew. At least I have one!

Peggy

Think about this....

Kindergarteners through 6th graders can go to their school buildings after school childcare program.  If the district doesn't have one, the district will bus them to a local Youthland or Goddard.  By the time that kiddo is on 7th grade, they can ride the bus home, et the self in the house, make a snack, and start homework.  Except some kids can't.  Sam is one of those kids.  Unlike some families who can afford a full time nanny for after school care, that luxury is not in my budget.  It is VERY challenging to find somebody to hang out with Sam for 2 hours between when he gets home and I get home.  Peggy from Babysitease to the rescue!

Peggy, thanks for helping find somebody to help with Sam.

Julietta

Well, first....look back at the posts and find the one about Chris P.  I told you many wonderful things she did for us.  One thing I did NOT mention was that when she changed positions, she hand picked an equally wonderful person to take her place.  Yep!  It was Julietta.

Unfortunately, Julietta is so good at what she does, she was promoted so she could supervise and guide others.  I know that for the greater good of the disability community it was a necessary change....but I miss her!  Especially now that I all I can think about is transition, transition, transition.  I emailed her to tell her how spoiled I was by her knowledge and efficiency.  She emailed me back and said to let her know if there is anything she can do to assist us.  I know her caseload and responsibilities are 80 hours of work crammed into a 40 hour week.  How great is she to take the time to offer to help?  Really great!

Julietta, thank you for the offer to check up on things.  I'm sure I will be c
Asking to pick your brain!

Janet B

This is a dangerous post.  Janet is a retired teacher who will be disappointed in my lack of proof reading.  Especially since I'm a speach langwaje putholojist.  (Oh, she just cringed.)

Aside from having a long and illustrious career working with students who were not always cooperative or motivated, Janet is also one of my many cousins.  Last weekend, we were chatting at a family gathering.  I was sharing my long term plan for one of my kids, which goes against everything parents in my high achieving, high strung district believe.  I include myself in that group.  Well, the high strung group.  Nobody has ever accused me of being high achieving.

After viewing a report from school, I have to say, I'm very tempted to scrap the plan and start a rescue mission.  If it weren't for Janet telling me last week that she thought it was a good plan, I would have already cried uncle.  Janet, thanks for supporting my parenting choice.  It's really hard to stick to at the moment, so your words of encouragement mean a lot.

Kelly

Sometimes, it's nice to have somebody who can be your back up information person.  Thanks Kelly.

Jill C.

On Monday, I had 2 SLP friends over to get advice on therapy ideas.  Not only did I get great ideas, I also got peanut butter pie!

Jill, thanks for the pie.  The kids and I have enjoyed it all week.

Josey

And the speechiness just won't end.

Josey helped me cut apart some story sequencing cards I laminated for tomorrow.  Made my evening much easier.

Thanks to Josey.

Jill Kuzma

Yes....this is ANOTHER speech language pathology specific thank you.  Sadly, that will not change the fact that I am not proofreading it for mistakes.  Really, people.  I have less than 14 minutes to write this, finish packing lunches and fall asleep.  Sorry.  Sleeping over proofreading during allergy season.

This also has the potential to be creepy for the recipient.  I know, those of you who have received a thank you and texted, emailed, called, or unexpectedly hugged me in public find that odd.  But let me assure you, for some people there is something just a wee bit creepy about a handwritten note appearing in the mail.  That's what the girl from Things Remembered said a few weeks ago.  Right after she thanked me, she said she was a little taken back at first.  Jill does not know me.  I don't have her actual address, which means I had to send it to the school district where she works which is....ever so slightly stalkerish.  But we are all going to put that icky feeling aside and focus on what really matters.....GOOD LANGUAGE THERAPY MATERIALS FOR FREE!!!!

Last year, Sam's school based speech therapist, whom I LOVE, emailed me and suggested I attend a presentation given in a nearby county.  Jill was the presenter.  If you serve students who have pragmatic language issues, I'm sure you already know her.  If you don't know what pragmatic language is, it is social language.  Like when you ask a male, "Does this make my butt look big?" and he makes the mistake of saying "Why, yes it does!" and is utterly confused by the nonverbal cue of you winging the nearest object at his head.  That really is a good example.  After all, Max did tell a girl once that she had a butt like a lead anchor and was then confused why she punched him.  Sometimes, a boy needs a social autopsy.

Here is what I really appreciated about Jill's presentation....she actually gave us strategies and therapy ideas that we could use with students.  You would be surprised how many times you spend several hours shaking your head in agreement with research or theory only to leave thinking, "But what do I do with my student?"  Not after Kuzma presentation.  You will have solid ideas from goals to treatment.  Jill also has materials that you can download and print on her website at no charge.  This year, I started a new job with a new district.  I can tell the person I followed also went to Jill's presentation.  Kind of a nice little bonus.

Jill, thank you for giving such a fantastic presentation with very practical useful ideas.  Thank you for offering to share your materials at no cost on your website.  Thank you for sparking all kinds of ideas and making my life just a little bit easier.

Leslie

Back when I was in grad school, there was a girl a year behind me whom I really liked.  Very young.  Very sweet.  I loved her insight in classes.  Like me, she learned about disability through real life experience with family members.  When 2nd year students had to pick a first year buddy, I picked Leslie.  She appreciated my no sugar coating, tell it like it is introduction to grad school.  I gave her all of my GRE, and then my praxxis books with the understanding she had to pass it forward.  I did that, because I could see something special in her and wanted her to get into our program.   I encouraged her to go for a particular program at Children's her second year because I knew she would be a good fit.  I had completed the program myself and been involved in one way or another for several years.  after I told her to apply, I contacted the people I knew at the program and talked her up, telling them the million reasons why she would be such a benefit to the program.  Tonight, I had the chance to see just how right I was about my girl.

For many people, the caseloads I had the last two years would be challenging.  I worked with all levels of the autism spectrum, emotionally disturbed students, students with multiple disabilities, English Language Learners, and kids who had been suspended or expelled.  None of that phased me.  This year, I have a lot of little ones who can't say s, l, k, or r.  For me, that is the scariest thing ever!!!!  I invited Leslie over to give me some therapy ideas.  Holy cow!!! She is the phonology master.  I am now ready to kick some Hodson butt while opening a can of Geirut whoop &$@.  It takes a very good, experienced SLP to blend methodologies like that.

Leslie, thank you for the ideas tonight, but most of all, thank you for proving me spot on right about what an awesome speech language pathologist you would turn out to be!

Mom

Thank you for taking the kids to Skyline today!

Max and Matt

Both worked to move gravel and bring my neverending backyard project just a little closer to finished.

Urgent Care

Well, I have been dealing with a major allergy attack all week.  The only thing that helps when I get this bad is Flonase.  Unfortunately, I let my supply run out and my script expire.  When I called the doctors office, they said I would have to come in.  I had resigned myself to another weekend of allergy hell.

In the mean time, I had to go back to urgent care to get my stitches removed.  When the doc walked into the room, she asked me a zillion questions about my cough and congestion.  I explained it was a bad allergy attack, I was out of meds, yada, yada, yada.  And by the way..... I'm actually here to have stitches removed.  She took the stitches out.  Then had mercy on me and gave me a script for Flonase.  By Monday, I may actually be human again!  I knew when we pulled out of the parking lot I would be sending her that days thank you.  Unfortunately, all the coughing caused me to zonk out the second my body touched my bed.

I may be a day late writing it, but I am no less thankful for the wonderful care I received at Urgent Care for my finger and my allergies.

Max

Thank you for helping with Josey's Spanish homework.

Matt

My brother in law....

Today was high school open house.  My math skills may not be the best, but even I could figure out that 1 mom trying to cover 2 schedules is an issue.  My wonderful brother in law stepped up to help.  That is a really good brother in law.

Thanks, Matt.

Mom

Starting a new caseload is always a challenge.  My mom was nice enough to hang with my kids for a bit so I could get a few extra hours in at work.

Thanks mom!

Josey

Need I say more?

Caitlyn @ Kroger's

When your child has "chronic health concerns" you have to follow all these silly rules at school.  Like, when the kid is in elementary school, epi pens and inhalers are kept by the nurse and the kid may not touch them at all.  When they are in junior high and high school, they can carry them, but must leave an additional one with the nurse.  It is just good sense to have one at home too.  Epi pens have a co-pay....CO PAY...between $75 and $100.  I'm not sure what the full cost is, don't want to think about it.  Josey has had a script for epi pens since she was two.  Knock on wood, we have never administered one.  Our scripts and pens always expire, which is what happened this year.  Off to the pharmacy for 2 epis and a spare inhaler.  All of which costs over $130 and will sit on a shelf until the year ends.  They will then come home for the summer to sit in the closet until they expire again in August and I start all over.

The little bonus this year?  The prescription coverage card I had didn't work.  Not my plan.  Not through my employer.  Not an easy thing to try to fix without having to make a phone call that will certainly be aggravating.  Caitlyn, bless her little heart, offered to call Josey's dad and get the correct information.  If you asked me to look over the last 250 thank yous (yes, that is the current count) this would make my top ten.  Maybe even five.

Thanks Caitlyn!

Ross

Let's just be honest, it is very hard to feel good about certain professionals.  Nobody says, "Man, I love my proctologist!"  Not because they are evil people, but because if you need to see one it is for something unpleasant and it isn't going to be cheap.  But if you have to see one, you sure hope she's the best.  I think attorneys are kind of the same way.  It's almost never a good thing to need one, but when you do, you want a good one.

I needed one recently and was happy with his skills.  Good to feel like I at least got my money's worth.  But what was really nice, was that when I had that last final document to sign, Ross went out of his way to accommodate my schedule.  I'm not going into one of those "woe is me" I work for the school and have no time diatribes.  I have a lot of days off over the course of the year, just not always at the exact moment I need.  Which everyone deals with on some level and is just my tough luck.  But Ross was kind enough to work it out so I didn't have to use my personal day.  Which is very nice since I already know I will have to attend at least 2 day time meetings with my kids' schools this year.

Ross, thanks for meeting me on my time schedule.

Sherry

Even though it's after midnight, I am still awake so I am counting this as being September 6th regardless of what my iPad thinks.  That is the end of my justification so that I'm not counted as late 2 days in a row.  I don't want to be arrested by the resolution police.  On to the thank you....

There are times when life is so off kilter, irrational becomes rational and crazy is baseline.  I was in that place 6 years ago.  Luckily, after a jumbo serving of extra crispy crazy, I came across Sherry.  She helped get things on track in a very sensible way.  I turned to her several years later for some help which she was unable to provide.  It was for good, happy reasons, not ill will or complacency.  She did provide me with some excellent advice which seems to have worked out well.

Sherry, thank you for the suggestion.

Linda G (late)

Tuesday was open house at Jojo's school.  Mrs. G gave the parents an assignment.  We had to write a million words or less about our child and turn it in to her by mid Septemberish. I know some of you are rolling your eyes.  But if you have been following me since January, you have already read about my miraculous transformation from Mrs. G doubter to major Mrs. G fan.

Josey knew about the assignment and asked me last night if I had turned it in yet.  I hadn't, and it wasn't due yet, but I know how much my list making, rule following daughter hates procrastination.  So I wrote it yesterday.  Gotta be honest,writing about how wonderful any of my children are is an easy task.  We were told that the letters would not be shared with anyone, but when it was finished, I decided to share mine with Josey.  It's good to tell people you love exactly why you love them when they don't expect it.  I'm glad I told Josey last night, although it did make me forget to write my thank you yesterday.  Oops!

Mrs. G, thanks for another good and meaningful assignment.

Max

He did dishes twice today.  Helped get dogs in the house this morning.  And kept Sam from missing the bus by the skin of our teeth.  Big time helper today!

Gale

You know how when you have a baby or major surgery people bring you a casserole?  My sister brought me food because I got stitches.  Isn't that the best?  She didn't make a casserole because between dietary restrictions and beliefs, there isn't much you can throw into one dish.  Instead she brought a plethora of yummies including cookies, fruit, veggies (all with dip), Hawaiian rolls (known as Aunt Gale rolls in these parts), guacamole and homemade potato salad. Mmmm.  Just typing it makes me want to get another scoop. 

Thanks for the goodies Gale!

Mom & Dad

All summer long I have been working on my yard.  I have used a chainsaw multiple times.  I ran the excavator and helped with the ditch witch.  Not once in using all that heavy equipment did I even get a scratch.  I'm down to the finishing touches of my project.  Can you believe that TODAY I injured myself?  I sliced my finger with a pocket sized hand saw.  I had to get 2 stitches and a tetanus shot.  I knew the
second it happened there was too much blood to get away with just a bandage.  I also knew I didn't want to drag Sam to the doctor with me.  TGIG....thank goodness for grandparents!  Mom drove me to the doctor.  Dad hung out with Sam.

Mom & dad....thank you for helping me out today.  You will be happy to know those ER trips for stitches when I was little paid off.  The doctor said I was a very brave girl!  (As long as I didn't look.)

Kelly

Thanks for being the on call sitter

Matt

Thank you for making tis a great Josey day.

Chris P.

Drama, drama, drama.  When the school year starts and you have a girl, there is always drama.  This year was no different.  I was searching for an e-mail address on the school's website when I came across a name from the past and knew I had to make contact.

When Sam was very newly diagnosed, we made the decision to move to a different county and district.  When we landed in our new county, I had to pick a new developmental disability case manager.  At that time, DD services would send a fax with a picture and some info of 3 people and let you pick which one you thought was best.  The pictures were nothing but a black blur because that's all that showed up on the fax.  The information was just a resume boiled down to two sentences.  In the end, I pretty much went "eeny, meeny, miny, mo."  Good thing I'm a lucky picker. 

At that point, I knew nothing about how to get what Sam needed and Sam needed A LOT!!!!!  We had not yet hit rock bottom, but our household was definitely on the path to utter despair.  I had no idea what I was doing or how to get Sam what he needed, but Chris did.  One day she called me and said "You need to get..." and named several kinds of documentation which she told me to get to her office ASAP.  I covered the entire east of 71 side of Cincinnati chasing down what she requested and dropped it off at her office.  She told me shortly afterward, "Sam has a waiver."  I said "Fantastic!!!  What is it?"  She told me that it was a special form of medicaid that allowed Sam to receive additional medical benefits based on his disability instead of our income.  I stared at her.  I had no clue what that meant.  She explained that  we could use it for therapies and equipment not covered by insurance.  We had stopped therapies after our insurance company said not only were they not going to pay $3000 in billed services, but they also wanted over $5000 they had already paid back.  I asked her, "Does this mean we can go back for speech therapy?"  When she said yes, I cried. 

Then she had me sign up for every kind of waiting list you can possibly be on when you have autism.  I thought it was silly at the time, but now I understand that he needed to get on those lists at 4 if I had any hope of him accessing those opportunities by adulthood.  Yep, the waiting lists are really that long.  The most important waiting list was for an in home behavioral intervention team with an 18 month  waiting list.

Over the next year, things got worse at home.  Sam became more destructive.  He ran faster, further and more often.  By the next summer,  I could rarely leave the house with Sam.  When I did, the entire trip was dictated by Sam's level of cooperation which fluctuated unpredictably.   He couldn't tolerate even the possiblity of interacting with people.  He had no impulse control.  The week that Sam provided me with the opportunity to learn that our county does in fact, have a helicopter for search and rescue purposes, I asked Chris how much longer we had to wait for the behavior team.  She said I should have told her sooner.  She immediately submitted us as an emergency situation which popped us to the top of the list six months early.  That was a pivotal moment in our autism journey.   

Chris was with us back in the day when Sam was so out of control, I didn't even know if I could safely keep him living in the same house with us.  He was five and I'm not lazy.  It was really just that bad for him and his siblings.  Looking back, I think Chris suspected that was a distinct possibility.  If it weren't for Chris, I would never have been able to turn that around.  I would never have met all those amazing people I told you about during my autism awareness string in April.  I would never have helped Sam learn to communicate.  I would never have discovered that I wanted to help other children communicate.  If it weren't for Chris, I wouldn't have this picture that I took tonight of my high school boy at his first home football game as if he had never been anything but a sweet young man who enjoys Friday night lights....just like any other teenager.

Chris, thank you so much for teaching me how to advocate for my son.  It was truly the most important gift any person could ever give me.  

Josey

My daughter is just the best.  She has really stepped up now that mi back at work.  She even made my lunch for tomorrow.

Thank you Josey.

Lisa

A lot of planning went into getting Sam ready to start high school.  Maybe I should have put a little more time into Max's preparation.

Today, when Max saw Sam get on the bus to go home. He followed him onto the bus.  This would have been a tremendous plan if Sam had actually been going to our home.  Sam, however, was going to after school teenage supervisory time.  (I know.  It's kind of a mouthful.  But he's to old to call it babysitting or childcare.).   When the bus made a right instead of a left, he knew he had a problem.  The bus driver was apparently not really jovial about it.  Lisa ended up having to talk to the transportation department, the mean driver and bring Max home.

Lisa, thanks for helping with both my boys!

Mom...late

Ok, I am back at school.  In my first week, I went through 3 sitters.  One was hospitalized (not Sam's fault), the second was hired by a real employer and required to start training midweek!  Then there was the night before school starts meetings and materials.  In all the craziness.....I forgot to post.  And you know when my life gets crazy, mom is right there to help.

Thanks for helping me keep it together the last 2 days mom.  My kids are as amazing as they are because I had a good role model to follow.

Emily @ Sammy's

Today, two of three children went back to school.  We usually have McDonald's on Tuesdays.  It's a throwback to the days when our house revolved around therapies and I was almost never home for dinner.  Today, we kicked it up a notch to Sammy's, a local favorite.  Emily was our waitress.  The staff is always pleasant, bu Emily was especially good.  First, she totally talked to Sam directly instead of going through me.  His communication device didnt throw her a bit.  She kept the pop coming...always important to us, and checked the condiment content upon request.

Thanks for all around awesome service Emily!

Max

Today Max mowed the grass, cleaned the bathrooms, hung clothes, put away dishes and helped with Sam.

Thank you Max for all you did today.

Brett @ the Apple Store

Josey got a very nice birthday gift, it required a trip to the Apple stor for assistance in set up.  We tried at home, and she ended up with all of my emails.  Not good.  We couldn't figure out how to get my information back out.  Brett was able to do that for us and get Josey up and running with iMessage and FaceTime so she can keep contact with Aunt Teresa when she moves to France.

Gina @ LaRosa's

I love when I go to a restaurant and the staff are patient with Sam without treating him like he is a baby.  Wonderful service for pizza night.  Celebrating my first paycheck at my new job (earlier than expected) and the start of a new school year for me.

Thank you Gina for making it a pleasant dinner for all.

Dad

Thanks.  'Nough said.

Alyssa

My original sitter was sick this week.  Luckily, Alyssa stepped up and in to hang with Sam when I went back to work this week.  Good feeling to know he is so well cared for while I'm gone.  And she is so awesome that she remembers to write childcare in the memo line when I forget.

Thanks Alyssa.

Carrie

Tonight, randomly, I was tagged in a Facebook post that said :
"I worry about society! Then I know there are real and lasting parents out there and I take a breath!"  And my name was on the list for awesome momness! (Not speech pathologistness because it's too late at night to worry about grammar or spelling.). It was a lovely surprise and made my day!!!

Thanks for the kind words Carrie!

Mom...and I'm not being lame

Today, I got up on time.  I was mostly ready for work at my new job which is kind of stressful.  Start up in schools is always stressful and a new place intensifies that.  Twenty minutes before I am supposed to leave...I get a call from my sitter.  She is throwing up and can't make it.  (She contacted me later to say she was being admitted to the hospital and having surgery tomorrow.) 

My mom, bless her heart, threw on her clothes at 6:40 and headed over.  Middle school/high school open house was tonight.  That means my mom couldn't leave until I got home at 8pm.  Long day for everyone.

Thank you mom for jumping in when I needed you. 

Other Matt

Still tired.  This is my brother in law.  He lent me a tiller.

Thanks Matt.

Matt

It's midnight and I am exhausted.  Picture will be posted later.

Matt, thank you for the awesome retaining wall.  My backyard is well on it's way to completely amazing.

Mom (again)

I have the most selfless, giving mother in the entire world.  Her kindness knows no bounds.  Without her unwavering love and support, I would be nothing.  From the bottom of my heart I am filled with gratitude that you would once again sacrifice your time by treating my laundry stains.

(This had nothing to do with me getting an email from her demanding something "more flowery and wonderful."  Nope....not at all.)

Teri

Today was the first day of my new job.  I was told that I will be given a work laptop, a copy code with no limit on copies, and I can use the laminator when I need it.  The building has a library and in the library are actual books.  My office has a window and actual therapy materials.  Makes me very glad that I decided to apply.  Makes me thankful that people supported me.

Teri, in case I didn't say it before, thanks for the letter of reference.

Mom

The weather was so cool and mild today, I opened the windows.  Realized I forgot to turn off the air conditioning before it got warm, but AFTER I left the house.  My WONDERFULLY KIND AND HELPFUL (but understandably a little cranky) mother came to my house to take care of it.

Thanks, Mom!

Teresa

My brother moved to France almost a year ago.  It is now time for his wife to follow.  Teresa was saying her Cincinnati goodbyes today and made time to take Josey, Sam, and I for ice cream before they left.

Teresa, thanks for including us in your goodbye tour.  Watch out for those pre-schoolers.  They are MANIACS!!!!!

Jeff

Okay.  Channel your best Jan voice and say, "Kelly, Kelly, Kelly!"

Jeff is the husband of the afore mentioned (in several posts since I started this project) Kelly.  Many times she is available to assist us through the magic of Jeff.  Tonight's thank you is all about Jeff.

First of all, last year, when there was a not great situation with my house, he jumped in to help me.  Second he told Max the joke, "Why is it, on the way to,the bathroom you're American, but once you're in there, European?"  (Come on...admit it.  You laughed too.). Jeff will now always be known as "the one who told me peeing joke."  Neither of those have anything to do with tonight's thank you. It was just fluff and background.

Jeff, thank your for lending me your calk gun.  I am adding it to my Christmas list (Sam is already making his) but it was good of you to loan me one in the mean time.

Lisa & Brian

Tonight, the kids and I were invited to a friend's house for dinner.  It's been a long time since we socialized like that and it was just lovely.

Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Mel

When Max was younger, he attended a charter school for a period of time.  He had the most amazing teacher I absolutely loved.  He loved her too.  One year, he came home after the first day and said that Miss F. (Mel) had left.  I was very sad....until I saw that the elementary my other two attended ad the good sense to snatch her up.   I was secretly hoping that Sam would end up in her class because I thought some of the other teachers were just plain mean.  One day, she stopped me in the hall and said she had requested Sam be placed in her class.

In case you are wondering....regular classroom teachers don't typically say, "PLEASE!!!!  Give ME the kid with severe autism."

She was every bit as wonderful with Sam as she was with Max.  I was thrilled when Josey got her too.  Not just because she is so awesome, but also because it gave us the honor of being her first complete family.  That automatically gets you a special place in a teacher's memory.  Even though several years have passed, Mel and I have stayed in touch.  Earlier this year she was on NPR telling a very personal story about her childhood.  It touched me in particular because I like to think that one day my daughter might grow up to be just like Mel.  Which leads me to the thank you part.....

Today I was out with my children when a business owner criticized me as a mother and told my daughter she and her siblings are destined to be screw ups.  Want to know more? Believe me...I would love to tell you and start a campaign to shut him down.   But the purpose of this project is supposed to be to focus on the good.  You and I Dear Reader, will not allow somebody so inconsequential to rob us of that goal.  Will we?

Anyway, I did share it with Mel.  Her response:  "Divorce happens and great parenting continues to happen in spite of it."  That was exactly what I needed to hear from exactly the person who can say it with authority.  Thanks Mel.  When Josey grows up, I hope she's like you and I have been as good a mom to her as yours obviously was to you.

Josey

In spite of the occasional....ok frequent...eye roll.  Josey is a very sweet helpful girl.  Especially for a teenager.

Josey, thank you for making Sam's popcorn without being asked.

Max

It can be hard to have a brother with autism.  Especially when you are the only male in the house and have to be the bathroom escort.  Max has been really great about stepping up in recent months in helping with Sam and household chores in general.  Lucky my first baby boy is turning into such a wonderful young man.

Thank you for your help the last two days Max.

Rose

When Sam was little, I had one of those baby books you are supposed to use to record all those milestones the first year three years.  The thing is, when your child has an atypical developmental pattern, that book is nothing but a big fat reminder that you have failed.  One day, teary eyed, I sat looking at that book and my beautiful blue eyed boy when I thought "screw it!" And chucked it in the garbage.  Glad I did because letting go of that allowed me to celebrate Sam's achievements.  They may take longer, but that is what makes achieving them so much more significant.

Today was a big day.  I took all three of my kids to a Reds game.  No meltdowns.  We may have spent the equivalent of a college education on junk food, but it resulted in lots of smiles and laughter. So who cares?

I was a little worried when Sam pointed to the aisle and said "Home?" at the bottom of the 1st inning.  When Sam has a giant bag of popcorn and a large coke and still wants to leave, it does not bode well for a good outing.    However, I started to explain what was going on down on the field and he looked down like, "Oh!  Now I get it" and was fine for the remaining 2 and a 1/2 hours.  Josey said that Sam even started getting excited and cheering when Bruce was announced and came out on the field.  He clapped and cheered.  Can you believe it?  He cheered!  That is way more amazing than walking at 12 months would have been.  So bite me stupid baby book.

How does Rose fit into this?  She was Sam's teacher in 7th and 8th grade.  She took the class to an abbreviated Reds game this spring.  Had she not done that, I would not have been brave enough to attempt an entire game today.

     

Rose, thanks for piquing Sam's interest in professional baseball.  We will be going to more games in the future for sure.

Kelly

Kelly, thank you for accommodating me and Matt's plans by being rubber band flexible this weekend .

Debbie Lawn & Garden @ Lowe's

Before (pretend the dumpster isn't there)

And after (the paint in front of the door was spilled by somebody else.)  Well, not the total after, because I have a planter to add to the fence and the driveway is going to get a black top job before Winter.  But the cute little hanging lights were the suggestion of Debbie at Lowe's.  She was instrumental in tracking down the 2nd one when her location did not have the 2 I needed.  Debbie totally gets that just because it's a garage doesn't mean it can't be cute!

Debbie, thanks for suggesting the lights and finding two for me.  Definite improvement!