Dusting off the shelves

Okay, so it's been a while, a long while, since the last post I wrote. Life has been utterly unpredictable and in a constant state of flux for me (and that really unnerves me). In the past three months alone my family and I have had a lot of "fun".

I found out the hard way that I could not handle my husband doing both full-time work and school at the same time--it was too much for me. Somewhere else, I found time to cook diabetic friendly meals for an elderly couple twice a day, six days a week, for six weeks (quite the challenge with kiddos).

Jason was laid off of his job. A short time later he found another temporary job, which he absolutely hated (knocking on doors & selling meat). We were also paid in meat once. He has finished that job and has done what he could to provide for us. Jason will also be returning to school in the fall to get into another career field. We are excited though to find out more about Jason's inherent strengths through some assessment tests.

I am currently dusting off my work-self and preparing once again to enter the working world for at least 3 to 5 years. It is not my favorite idea, but it is what will work as far as being more balanced while my husband attends school.

In the process, I have realized that a lot has happened in 5 years, since the last time I worked, and that I really need to be more polished in my approach to finding an adequate job. Let's just say I was told "no" in a few interviews and I can see why. It wasn't about who I am, it was about how I presented myself. So, I have resolved to have my resume kindly hacked to pieces by a trusted friend, and to attend a 2 day career workshop which will help me to identify and explain why someone would love to hire me.

Daniel has progressed greatly at preschool. His speech is coming along now & he is expressing his needs to us with words more often (there's a big change in his over all behavior from last year). Daniel also recently had some surgery done & is recovering just fine. Oh, and he decided to potty train by his own accord.

Joseph has been pretty good as well. He really likes, cars, trains, robots, bugs & anything else like it, and animals. He generally is quiet and observant.

As for the rest of what's currently going on, that will have to wait for another time soon to come (I hope)... I really need to go to sleep. So, here's to catching up--a little bit.

Run Daniel. Run.

So, I'm sitting here somewhat numbed by today. Over all, it was a good day. Daniel had school. I made a few goodies. We went sledding as a family. I talked with a friend of mine for a while. I had a wonderful prime rib dinner. And then, life happened...and Daniel "ran away" while I was at a ward Christmas party.

It figures that the 5 other times I went to check where he was, he was inside. As I was about to leave, an older man came in and asked if anyone was missing a little boy about 4 years old. I immediately said, "that sounds like mine." To which I was instructed to go with him to his home where the police were. (I was quite frustrated with myself.)

Daniel is oblivious to any concern that I may be worried about where he is. He seemed quite happy to be looking at a beautiful Christmas tree and eating a candy cane. I simply said, "Hey, bud, did you go for an adventure?" and that was it. The police took my information and we went home. Who knows, I may be getting a call from a social worker sometime--I have been through this before when he was 2 (Usually I find him before police have to get involved).

So, that was my fun adventure for the evening. I am contemplating not going to social events in large spaces with my kids when my husband is not home to help me--it proves to be more than I can handle.

The Officially Unofficial Verdict on Daniel

So, we were given a Gilliam Asperger's Disorder Scale to fill out and Daniel is over all in the 75th percentile. Which means he has Asperger's--it's a type of Autism. Daniel most likely also has Sensory Processing Disorders which typically accompany autism and other similar disorders.

We are at the beginning of the learning process and will be getting medical referrals on the 13th of this month. We are glad to have a name for what Daniel suffers and struggles with, and also the cause of many of his strengths. We hope to continue special ed preschool & speech therapy, as well as specialized medical care, and occupational therapy.

I truly appreciate your love, friendship, prayers and support in our behalf and would be more than happy to attempt to answer any questions you may have. We are doing the best we can, for now; that is, until we know more and have more resources and tools to empower us in to empower Daniel. The great news is, Daniel is young and we love him and will do everything we possibly can to help him learn how to cope with his disorder.