Asah, Tara, Jordan, & Jaxon Hudgins

little Christmas lamb

2010-12-15T19:45:00.000-05:00

Jax made his acting debut as a "stable animal" in his Preschool Christmas Play. It was a.dore.able! Thanks to Gram for making his costume. Too bad his noggin is so big :) I cannot believe he wore it...he would not try it on at home. His teachers are miracle workers. We are so proud of him!

my little foodie

2010-12-15T18:45:00.000-05:00

Jax has quite the palate (unlike his older bro!) He will eat absolutely anything and LOVES it. This picture was taken at our favorite Mexican place, where he was polishing up a plate of rice and a cheese quesadilla. Whenever Asah sits down with a plate of anything, Jax jumps up from his seat to greet him with an open mouth. Last night, Jaxon saw Elmo eating a plate of spaghetti on TV and asked me for some. They had already eaten and I told him I did not have any spaghetti made. He curled up in a ball and cried. For a long time. This boy loves his groceries! And I'm glad someone loves my cooking....If it were up to Jordan I'd make chicken nuggets and mac and cheese only :)

Homecoming Parade

2010-12-15T17:45:00.000-05:00

We had the FUN opportunity to ride in SLU's Homecoming Parade (the Housing Float needed Power Rangers!) The boys had so much fun throwing candy (and eating it). Jordan did awesome with all the noises...I was so proud. They had such a good time and we re-cycled their parade wear into Halloween Costumes :)

family Vacation

2010-12-15T16:45:00.000-05:00

In October we were able to take our (1st ever) "just family" vacation. We found a deal on a little cabin overlooking the Ellijay River in the North GA Mountains. We scheduled this time to line up with Gold Rush, and I was able to reconnect with some precious college friends. It was a COLD few days and the boys loved "throwing rocks in the river". We also went Apple Picking and to the Apple Festival in Ellijay. It was so nice to be able to disconnect from everything and spend time together. Jordan has not stopped asking to go back to the mountains.

happy birthday to you (daddy)

2010-12-15T15:45:00.000-05:00

Jax's starts 2 year old Pre K

2010-12-15T14:45:00.000-05:00

I cant believe Jax started his (2 year old) PreK this year. He is loving the Methodist Church Pre K and his classmates. He's learning so much (Colors, letters, songs, sharing...I could go on) It is so nice to feel completely comfortable leaving him there...and while he still isnt a fan of us dropping him off, he loves to be picked up! This picture is from his 1st day of School, as well as the day the Firetruck came and his Thanksgiving Feast.

iphone candids from the past 5 months

2010-12-15T13:45:00.000-05:00

here are some from the past months taken from the trusty phone. some need no explanation :)

I saw this rainbow on Jax's birthday. It was a special time to remember God's Promises. We trust in Him!

I love being married to this man!

The Childrens Museum opened in Hammond this Fall, and the boys LOVE it there. Asah and Jordan were inside of a bubble in this pic.

One day Chelsea left her glasses over at our place, and J had fun trying them on.

Jordans FIRST trip to the movies. Thank You, AMC for offering Sensory Friendly Films in Hammond! He's never been able to go before. They turn the lights only to dim, they turn the sound down, and kids are allowed to roam freely as needed. It was a wonderful experience and we'll be back for sure!

J the Blue Ranger.

Jaxons Birthday at Catfish Charlies. There was a live band that night and they did a special "Happy Birthday" song for him. He was smiling and clapping along here.

Jax my Red Ranger.

1st attempt at Potty Training. Verdict=Not quite ready yet.

go lions! go dawgs!

2010-12-15T12:45:00.001-05:00

We had so much fun cheering on our teams this Football season. A few of our college students play for the SLU Lions, and we got to go to a couple games. The boys did great and LOVED seeing Roomie! Our poor Dawgs had a rough season, but we are not fairweather fans. Here we are in our GA gear in the balmy SE Lousiana weather. Theres always next year Dawgs!

the circus!

2010-12-15T11:45:00.000-05:00

In October the Circus came to town. It was a nice break after a Busy Fall. We saw lots of animals, smuggled in snacks, and had a good time with Heather (their wonderful babysitter). I think J enjoyed the popcorn best.

Jordans 1st day of School

2010-12-15T10:45:00.000-05:00

August brought a huge milestone, Jordans 1st day of (all day) Pre-K. He went 1/2 days in the Spring, but going all day, 5 days a week was a huge step for him. He attends the Autism Class at Woodland Park Early Learning Center, and loves his teacher, Ms. Gwenn. She is amazing, as is the helper and his 2 classmates. I will update in another post about the amazing progress this school year has brought. Jax found his way into every "1st day pic" I took of Jordan. Such a ham.

grandma belle and mullet baby

2010-12-15T09:45:00.000-05:00

Wow, look at the BABY in these pics. This is from our Summer Trip to GA (July). I miss that baby mullet sometimes. Cannot believe how much he's grown since then!

happy birthday, jax!

2010-08-27T08:09:00.000-04:00

dear jaxon,

it's your 2nd birthday! 2 years ago at this time I was heading to the hospital; anxiously awaiting your arrival. my pregnancy with you was a rollercoaster ride, at times a very scary one. the Lord healed you while you were still inside me. what a miracle you already were, and i couldnt wait to meet you. as i labored i watched a huge hurricane barrel our way. nothing like a little added motivation to get you safe in my arms :) here is the last pic of you inside my tummy. wow! i should've known you were gonna be a BIG boy.

finally, at 6:26pm you were here....all 9 lbs 11 oz of you. even the doctor was amazed at your size.

we had a wonderful first night with you and Hurricane Gustav kept coming faster and closer. The next day we checked out quickly and prepared to Evacuate. Not the first few days I had planned for you, but plenty of friends and family in GA were able to meet you for the first time because of that storm.

Always remember Jax, that when there are storms in life, (there will be storms)-that God provides, even in the midst of them. We learned that so early with you, didnt we?

By the way, your big brother adored you from day 1-

Here are a few of my favorites from your 1st year......

and your 2nd year.....

I love you Jax! You make us laugh daily. You love eating, sleeping, warm milk, big trucks, pacis, Elmo, Dora, your brother, reading with daddy, climbing, playing outside......
Happy 2nd Birthday!

Camp Week One

2010-07-23T14:50:00.000-04:00

saving the best for last......

Dear Jordan

2010-07-21T10:18:00.000-04:00

Dear Jordan,
You are a rockstar. And I know I'm your mom so I kind of have to be a bit biased, but I think others would agree. When I think back over this year and see how you've grown, I cant help but be amazed at what an awesome little guy you are. This year you went from not being able to hold a crayon or pencil to drawing lines and tracing letters. You went from one or two word utternances to complete sentences! You went from avoiding social situations to playing and sharing with friends, even initiating conversations and calling people by name! You went from being unable to handle loud noises to learning how to cover your ears or remove yourself from the situation. I know you have far to go, you will struggle harder than I would ever want you to....I wish I could make it easier, but you are shining and I am so proud!
Yesterday when I picked you up from camp and saw you sitting against the wall eating lunch with your new friends I was elated. I doubt many of the other parents would find this out of the ordinary, but it was such a huge deal to see you sitting happily by your friends eating with them....and when we left and they were telling you bye and giving high-5's my I was jumping for joy inside. It's times like these when I KNOW you will go far. So many times I let your 'label' cloud what I know you are capable of. You teach me daily about perseverance, and while patience was never my strong suit, I find myself tons more patient these days (you're a great teacher :) I love you and no matter what we face in the future I know you will shine....I am so thankful for the grace that God has given us to make it through this year...and His grace will continue to lead us.
i love you j-bug,
Mommy

all good things must come to an end.

2010-07-10T19:35:00.000-04:00

even baby-mullets.

today was the day. no turning back. almost 2 years and no hair cut. i just loved his curls and crazy hair...but something had to be done so we went for it. without further adieu, here are the before and afters. he did awesome...and now i have a "boy" instead of a "baby". and i'm okay with that. sort of.

we've come a long way, baby

2010-07-07T18:25:00.000-04:00

on the long drive home from Georgia Asah and I began to reflect on where we were exactly one year ago, July 4th weekend 2009. i can honestly say it was one of the darkest times i can ever remember. there was a cloud of grief, uncertainty, hopelessness....there was something wrong with our son and we were on the verge of receiving a diagnosis that would change our lives forever. i can remember the feelings, tears, sleepless nights, wrestling in prayer with God, begging for mercy....anything but Autism Lord.
i cannot remember when the cloud lifted but it eventually did...and we began to see Jordan (again) as just Jordan, our bright precious boy who had a label but WAS NOT defined by that label...we began to dig deep into research and therapies and doctors visits and evaluations. it was overwhelming and a full time job in and of itself. advice (both wanted and unwanted) came pouring in from all sides. i was clueless but peaceful and i knew that God would guide...and he did. it is amazing the gift he gives us, as parents...to just know what is right for your child. i have no doubt He led us to the right therapies, specialists...opened doors that were closed, gave him compassionate teachers and people who understood. looking back i'm just amazed at how it all took place and i can truly say that today we are not in the same place. we are hopeful. God has been gracious to us. Autism is a terrible thing but I believe that God's plan is so much greater. We've been so encouraged by the progress this year has brought. Jordan is speaking in complete sentences, drawing lines and starting to trace, and working hard in social areas. We have so far to go, but I KNOW he can do it!
to those who've helped us get through this year, my heartfelt thanks. i dont think i'll ever understand it; and that there wont be days that i'm not overcome by the grief that tends to seep in from time to time. the hardest times for me are when hes with kids his own age and their having conversations with their mommy and drawing pictures and participating and even sitting still for more than 2 minutes....those are tough times...but then there are times, like the other night, when i got an "i love you" (a spontaneous one; without me telling him first or asking him to say "i love you too mommy") or when he plays with my hair at bedtime, or cackles while wrestling with his daddy.
we were out on the lake July 4th and i was telling someone about J's struggles. they said something that i've never really considered, and i dont know why i havent considered it...."Maybe God will give him a new name, just like Abraham". of course, God can heal Jordan.....fully. and i have prayed to that end, believe me, there have been hours of prayers asking God to make Jordan whole. and the fact is we are not the same people we were a year ago. and i'll never stop praying for a 'new name'. but if it doesnt happen, God is still sovereign, and he is still SO GOOD to us. we are thankful for this year, no matter how difficult. we cling to God's grace and mercy. i cant wait to see what the future holds for our precious boy.

life update

2010-06-11T15:45:00.001-04:00

my husband asked me the other day if i still blogged. guess it's been awhile. theres a reason for that.....because 40 hours of my week are now spent here:

the first day of our 'new normal' was on may 13. so almost a month later i think we're finally on a bit of a schedule and we've finally figured out what it looks like the be a 2 parent working outside the home family. not only that but a 2 parent working outside the home family in ministry with a special needs child. phew.

it can be done! by God's grace we are learning how to manage the home, take care of the boys needs, communicate, rely on God and one another like never before. the first week i found myself thinking we must've made a mistake....but I know this is best for our family, and God has provided. i love my new job and coworkers, and that has made the transition much more bearable. the boys are WELL taken care of and we are so thankful for a wonderful sitter to look after them this summer! Jordan finished up school earlier this month and started speech camp this week. Because I'm a proud mama, I'll show you more lines and a bit of tracing done with his therapist there (the check marks are letters he traced all by himself. this is HUGE forward progress!!)

He'll go another 2 weeks this month, Monday-Thursday. He LOVES it! and i love that he's on campus. I pick him up each day on my lunch break and take him home for a nap. so glad i get to do that and hear all about his time at camp. And because I can, here's another brag from J's camp experience...at the first of the week he was unsure, and a bit unsettled about a new place and new people, and usually when J is exposed to 'new' he copes by outbursts (screaming) and it's just difficult. the therapist said he did it the first day, less on the 2nd and by days 3 and 4 he was having a great time! here is his report from the last days of the week. SO proud of him!

Jax is his usual hilarious self, bubbling with personality and there isnt a day that goes by he doesnt have us rolling...he's also the most polite and affectionate little guy. we love this dude! he is loving the summer time and not quite the fish that Jordan is when it comes to water but loves dirt and being outside. here's a pic of him in Heather (our summer sitter's) shades one day last week.

last but not least, theres my wonderful husband...who has stepped up in SO MANY ways during this transition. he's cooked meals, gotten the boys up and ready daily and fed them breakfast (i have to be at work at 7...before they are awake). he's taken Jordan to appointments, school, camp, etc and never a grumble. i SO appreciate his dedication to God, me, our boys, and Crossroads Church. he's also continued to be dedicated in the gym and down to an even 245.

we enjoyed a visit from asah's parents last week and so look forward to some family time in July as well. we are blessed!

jordans 4 year pics (2 months late) and jax's 2 year pics (2 months early)

2010-06-11T15:15:00.002-04:00

we had the boys/family pics taken last weekend and i thought i'd share.
we love casey's work and will use her forever to take pics of the boys!
we even eeked out a decent family shot :)

you can see all 172 of them HERE

3rd annual Alack Memorial Day cookout!

2010-06-03T07:11:00.000-04:00

leftovers

2010-06-02T21:48:00.000-04:00

i usually put the boys plates on the floor for Beanie to polish off at the end of dinner. this particular evening, jax wasnt quite finished. when i walked back into the kitchen i found him dining with the dog.
the days are never boring!

suave professionals

2010-05-31T14:24:00.000-04:00

i havent done a "deal of the week" in forever; so here's a good one...
Suave has a new line of Shampoo/Conditioner out that are supposed to be comparable to Aveda. The scent is dead on and it cleans/conditions well too. I LOVE the rosemary/mint version. Anyway, the coupon is for $1 off and it's only $1.89 at my Walmart making it 89c! Not too shabby.
Enjoy.
Click here to print coupon. (Can print twice).

Granddaddy

2010-05-25T17:40:00.001-04:00

GREAT ARTICLE on a great man!

(Link above to article in Albany Herald about Asah's Granddaddy, Nelson Hudgins)

teacher gifts

2010-05-23T08:43:00.000-04:00

we wanted to say a special thanks to J's two "main" teachers this year. it was a team effort and between all the teachers, therapists, and paras that are apart of his daily life, we feel extremely blessed.

I saw these on a blog a long time ago and saved the idea because I loved it! I changed it up a bit and used the big cardboard letters from Hobby Lobby and plastic box frames to complete the project.

It was fun to do and hopefully something his teachers can keep at their desk for years to come.
Click here the see the original idea.

progress

2010-05-23T08:33:00.001-04:00

As J comes up on his last few days of "school" or what i like to call his transition to school; I'd like to share a progress report!
And not just in title, this really is progress people!
Exhibit A:

Yes, this doesnt look that impressive, but to us it's like gold. Here's why: Before school J could not draw a line. Or a circle, much less a letter or his name or a picture. At first, the OT and his teachers strictly worked on getting him to draw. Something. It started with marks on a page, then turned into lines, and eventually circles. When he started he still held his pencil with an 'infantile grasp'. While he's still working on feeling comfortable with a pencil or crayon, he was able to do this ALL INDEPENDENTLY the other day. Huge for him! We are way proud. The fact that he matched his letters wasnt the shocker to me...he's known them forever....but the lines made me dance!

He's also requesting things he wants and needs in complete sentences! This is huge! He has a sentence strip that is prominently displayed on the counter. It reads "May I have ____________". So when he's yelling one word phrases we'll grab the strip and it prompts him to correctly ask for what he wants/needs. I was so skeptical but it works like magic. You can tell he's proud of himself for asking the right way...and the goal is to eventually eliminate the need for a prompt.

Exhibit B:

We had a pre-IEP Friday to determine goals for next year.

Jordan will remain in the self contained autism class for Pre-K. He will start the school year with 15 minutes in a regular ed class for center time mainly for social. His teacher said his academics are excellent, well beyond where they should be...but we pinpointed the deficits as still fine motor skills (writing/coloring, zipping, buttoning, etc) and social skills (attending to an activity, relating to peers). We are also scheduling additional OT time at North Oaks (Rehab Hospital) to give him extra help with life skills stuff.

Just wanted to give a general update on the J bug. We are so proud of him and looking forward to summer time!

days of leisure.......

2010-05-13T06:14:00.000-04:00

since this was my last week before re-entering the 'real world'....i wanted to spend as much time as possible with these two.

who can blame me?

time was spent lounging poolside....

testing out new $ store treasures....

don't want to forget these curls......

or these dimples and rolls.....

snack time is better out under the sprinkler....

sharing...but not too much. just one at a time for you brother.

for some strange reason; doritos have more flavor when wet under the sprinkler.

getting a little help and encouragement from big bro.

splish....

splash!

and just like that, our week came to an end and it's time for a new chapter. i'll miss my lazy days with these boys, but they'll be well cared for this summer and i'm so thankful for that. they'll also have a mommy day and daddy day each week and the weekends will be spent having all sorts of adventures i'm sure. pray for our family as we transition!

may your summer be full of 'nothing to do days' and popsicles!

what have you done today, to make you feel proud!

2010-05-05T09:30:00.000-04:00

you need to change, yeah, so do it today, yeah..........

Cue cheesy Biggest Loser theme song! Proud to announce that I have my very own Biggest Loser living in our house and I'm super excited for him!

Move over Bob and Jillian, I have to tell you about my hubbys huge accomplishment!

January, 2010 296 lbs
May, 2010 252 lbs
Thats 44 lbs and 6 inches folks!

I am SO PROUD of you Asah! Here are some before and afters.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

How???? Lots of hard work and dedication. He gets up at 4am to hit the gym with a group of guys 5 days a week. He works out hard, runs a lot, switched to drinking only 1 cup of coffee a day and water after that. We've changed our eating habits to include more whole foods and less processed stuff, also portion control and he calorie counts.

So, there ya have it. My very own Biggest Loser. Love you Asah! Congrats on this huge accomplishment!

When Clueless People Attack

2010-05-03T15:28:00.002-04:00

This post is by one of my favorite Mommy Bloggers. Her stories concerning her son, Noah, who has SPD (an austism-like disorder) are usually stories that I couldve told myself, she just writes way better ;)
This recent post describes an incident in a mall.....

Every week there are countless instances where someone approaches Jordan and asks him a simple question. His name, age, etc. He doesnt answer. He's not rude....he just doesnt know how to answer. Same thing goes with kids at the park. They want him to play; he doesnt know how. I find myself in a place almost daily of having to figure out how to tell complete strangers that my child is "different". Sometimes, like this fellow mommy, I choose to ignore or divert just because it's easier. Sometimes I wish there was a sign we could carry around that would make it way easier to explain behaviors.

Because of Jordan I'm keenly aware now of others who may have similar problems, or completely different problems that manifest themselves in a similar way. Like this blogger, I'm far less apt to judge these days....
Jordan continues to make me a better person, a more patient person, much more aware of others.
This is part of the talk I gave a month or so ago at a Womens Conference:

There are special blessings that come from raising a child with special needs. The veil has been lifted from my eyes, and I now see beauty where I used to see emptiness. There is compassion in me where there was once selfishness. There is laughter and fun where there used to be a constant mental rundown of tasks yet to be completed. There is even personal acceptance instead of feelings of inadequacy. I would not trade these gifts for the world. Will Jordan be “healed”. I don’t know the answer, but I do know this. I have been Healed. Healed from selfishness and blindness to the suffering of others. I am no longer the same; and every change has been for the better.

Thanks, Jordan....you're helping me daily to see that it isn't about me. You're also helping me to be compassionate towards others. Sometimes there are hidden blessings that come with Autism....and for that, we are thankful.

picnic

2010-04-27T15:40:00.000-04:00

today was gorgeous so we took our nuggets outside for an impromptu picnic.

Beanie decided to join us.

this was right after Beanie stole Jax's nugget.

time for a nap.....

the end....

20 months

2010-04-27T08:43:00.000-04:00

today, jax is 20 months. is it just me or does that just seem so "old" and "non-baby"? i need to start saying he's "almost two" or "one and a half" but that seems old too...and maybe i just think he's growing way too fast...maybe it's because he really could be our last one and i dont want to think about it. whatever the case, i have trouble with TWENTY months.
this little booger is hilarious. he's starting talking up a storm and although it came later in his vocabulary, his new favorite word is NO! and he's well on his way to two. i think he's fast tracking to two. lots of attitude coming from this fella. i think we're in for it.
here are a few pictures that showcase jax's little personality at 20 months. he's most "out of his shell" at home.....
enjoy.

First Day of School

2010-04-13T13:40:00.000-04:00

Kid, you will move Mountains!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!
(From Oh! The places You'll Go) by Dr. Seuss
Full Text here...oh, I forgot how much I love this poem!

when did this happen?

2010-04-06T00:00:00.033-04:00

it's your 4th birthday today, sweet boy.

but i swear, it was yesterday....and I was meeting you for the first time....

I had no idea what I was doing but it sure felt good to have you all warm, and snuggly, and safe in my arms. And that day I knew I'd love you forever.

But seriously, not long ago we were doing this.......

Your 1st birthday party in GA....a freezing cold (think 20 degree!) April day. And all our family and friends were there and it was a great celebration.

And then I turned around and.....

suddenly you were 2, a toddler, into everything and enjoying life! We celebrated two with a crawfish boil (you are a true Louisiana boy!). All your favorite Sesame Street characters were there too. what a pretty Spring day.....

but seriously, it couldnt have been that long ago.....

that you turned three...and we had a huge Fiesta. Such a big boy, growing in so many ways, happy to be surrounded by all your friends and family.

I guess it has been 4 years. 4 wonderful, beautiful years of being oh so blessed to call you our boy. We are SO PROUD of you....even though some days are struggles you always shine so bright....and I am so thankful that God chose to give you to us. I know that your 4th year will be so amazing, filled with many firsts....I cannot believe you are starting real school this year and that you wont be home with me every day. I cant believe how tall you are growing and all the wonderful things that you can do. I know that I'll turn around again and you'll be 5, and 10, and 18 years old....but sometimes I close my eyes and like to remember times like this......

Happy 4th Jordan. Soar!

easter afternoon

2010-04-04T22:00:00.000-04:00

Easter afternoon, after long naps, we enjoyed some yummy food (Brisket sandwiches, butter potatoes, mac n cheese, lima beans, apple crisp and ice cream) with friends!

Jordan decided he needed a helmet for his bike ride down the driveway. I thought it was hilarious-

Jax got a ring pop in his Easter basket-it was blue, can you tell?!?!

we sure had fun playing with this pretty girl.....

and yes, after a nice bath our smurf became clean again!
beautiful Easter day!

happy Easter!

2010-04-04T10:45:00.000-04:00

hat day

2010-04-02T15:41:00.000-04:00

jordan put on his "G" hat the other day and i found jax in his closet trying to find him a hat to wear too. they wore them most of the day. sweet boys.

jax

2010-04-02T15:34:00.000-04:00

Give him a bucket of water and a cup....and we're talking a good hour of entertainment!

we love spring!

2010-04-02T14:36:00.000-04:00

don't know what i'd do......

2010-04-02T14:07:00.000-04:00

if there were two of him!!!!

easter egg hunt II

2010-03-28T21:31:00.001-04:00

Crossroads Church Easter Egg Hunt @ North Oak Park. Fun. Fun. Fun!

Very reluctant hug....

coke please...

found some ants....wait, aren't we supposed to be looking for eggs?!?

daddy opens in prayer

egg hunting time!

so over my hair! but dont want to go short...hmmmmm.

mmm....daddy, try these jellybeans!

jordan was doing the Dora "We did it!" dance here

hotdogs and sprite.

love this kid. dirty face and all!

easter egg hunt

2010-03-26T16:19:00.001-04:00

we LOVE the speech clinic folks at SELU! they work with jordan so well and he loves it there. they were so sweet to do an egg hunt for the kiddos. for the first time ever, jordan seemed to enjoy hunting eggs. he also had another first...getting his face painted. we told him it was like a sticker on his face. he's never been interested before. he loved looking at the star and easter egg on his face. jax loved hanging out too. he thinks he's one of the big kids. his personality is hilarious and he keeps us laughing daily.

official team jordan pic

2010-03-24T16:37:00.000-04:00

i thought this was great. the photographer at the walk took everyone's team photo and here's ours. i love the way Jax is waving to the camera. he's a hoot. what a wonderful day that was!

walking a mile in our shoes.

2010-03-21T09:35:00.000-04:00

we walked a mile. but not just any mile. a mile representing hope, and a brighter future. autism is not a disease! there is no "cure".....i love what our speaker said last weekend at Parent Conference. when describing a child he worked with he said that "Pedro was a little boy with the ATTRIBUTE of Autism". many days it doesnt seem that way.....but on this Bright and Sunny First Day of Spring...with so many (800+) in support and countless friends and family who gave...I can see the attributes. There are many. These children are precious. And I am blessed to call one of them my own. I loved walking with Team Jordan. And while 4 years ago I wouldve begged NOT to be here, I am okay with being here today.

We love our J-bug! And this day was for him........

Jordan's Teacher, Ms. Tilley, walked with us!

house party

2010-03-21T08:21:00.000-04:00

i recently signed up on a fun little website called House Party. you take surveys for various opportunities and if selected the company sends you tons of fun free stuff to host your own party and "market" for the particular brand.
we were selected to host a Digiorno Pizza party this month. We took lots of cheesy "marketing shots" but had tons of fun and it really was a ton of free stuff.
We got coupons for 6 free pizza kits (came with a pizza, breadsticks and marinara sauce). We got 15 $4.00 off coupons. The pizzas were only $6.25 at Walmart. Tasted pretty good too.
If you like free stuff and entertaining I highly recommend House Party. Let me know if you get to host one!!

ducks @ zemurray park

2010-03-20T20:59:00.001-04:00

we've started a fun tradition of saving stale bread to feed to the ducks at Zemurray park. such a fun time and those ducks are super friendly! sometimes jax gets hungry and eats the bread instead of feeding them. silly guy!

we proudly introduce....

2010-03-18T14:11:00.000-04:00

our new friend, Beanie!

with special thanks to some sweet friends who gave him to us after finding him in their neighborhood.

he is the sweetest little doggie and wonderful with our boys. he is full grown and house trained and sleeps all night and was everything on my list for having a dog :)

it was instant love with jax...who smothered him with kisses and kept getting dog food out of the bowl to feed to him.

jordan took longer to warm up and didnt like his barking at first. after awhile, j was asking if Beanie could sleep with him. which, by the way, that's the only "thing"...Beanie likes to cuddle and wasn't having it when we put him in the crate to sleep the first night....so now, not only do we have a dog...we have a nighttime companion in our bed. oh, well. he keeps my feet warm!

Welcome to Holland

2010-03-10T15:49:00.002-05:00

I had read this before; but read it now so differently, as a mom who's experiencing this...and I agree.
I'm speaking at a Women's event at the end of the month. If you know me you know how out of character THAT is. I dont do public speaking. Would much prefer to be behind the scenes. But I also remember early on in J's diagnosis, I told God if I ever got the opportunity to speak about our struggle and triumphs that I would. It was far to big of a part of our life not to share; and any opportunity I have to help others and share His love I wanted to do that. So I am. And am scared to death. So please pray for me March 30th. This story will be part of my talk, because, now, it's our story too.
And, by the way, we love Holland. We are thankful for it. We don't want to be anywhere else.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

dreary day fun

2010-03-09T18:44:00.005-05:00

happy 18 months jax!

2010-02-27T09:11:00.005-05:00

at 18 months, jaxon:

is such a little mess! he is inquisitive and loving and absolutely hilarious. his faces are a hoot and he wears his heart on his sleeve. you never have to question where you stand with him, he'll for sure let you know it! such a "drama king" but oh so much fun!

facts about Jax at 1 1/2:

-words include:

mama, daddy, brubie (brother), eat eat, juice, bui bui (milk in a bottle), bubbles, cheese, night night, "i you" (i love you), bye bye, duck, quack quack, dog, ball, bath, cookie, hot

and if he doesnt know the word the default is "buh". absolutely anything can be a "buh".

weighs a whopping 32 lbs!

he climbs anywhere and everywhere

gives great hugs and kisses and cuddles

loves balls and probably has over 20 of different sizes and types in his room. he has quite the arm and can hurl them at you; even when you least expect it.

hits you then says "ow" for you

takes a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon and goes to bed around 6:30 or 7:00 and sleeps 12 hours. it took a long time to get him there but the sleepless babe finally sleeps! glory!

STILL likes his milk warm and in a bottle....and i dont care. just want him to be my baby for as long as he will.

and brings lots of JOY to our house.

so thankful for our little Jax!

Lime Scented Mango Strawberry Salad

2010-02-24T16:15:00.001-05:00

Made this for part of the Small Group Snacks tonight. Cannot wait to enjoy it!!!!

Lime-scented Mango-Strawberry Salad

Ingredients:

3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. grated lime zest
1/3 c. fresh lime juice
3 cups trimmed, sliced strawberries (about 2 lb)
3 cups peeled, diced mangoes (2 to 3 large mangoes)

Instructions:

Combine sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from ehat and let cool. Stir in lime zest and juice; let cool to room temperature.

Cut up fruit and mix in a large bowl. Add syrup and gently stir until well mixed. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve.

Source:
All You Magazine

Notes:
You can use this same lime juice syrup with other fruits such as pineapple, bananas, papaya, or kiwi. You can vary the amount and type of fruits depending on what's available.

back on the market (not our house, but me)

2010-02-23T15:02:00.003-05:00

it seems weird. marketing yourself. but that's exactly what I feel like i'm doing. after 4 + years without working....(believe me, I've worked the past 4 years, dont get me wrong!!!) But I mean, working, as in a job outside the home with responsibilities and people to report to and deadlines to meet....it's been 4 years since I've done THAT. and i (think) we're ready to take that step and for me to do that again. i know we'll have those that say we're crazy...but the fact is, most months there's a lot more month than money. And God has GRACIOUSLY provided. I'm not saying that...I'm just saying with therapies, and just stuff of life, many times we just cant do it on a "preachers salary"....and even with all my outside gigs, which take tons of time and energy away from family time, some times it just doesnt cut it. So we are in the process of seeing what is out there. What would provide a good job but also flexibility for my sweet family. it will be a transition. probably not seamless...but we feel like the timing is pretty good. J starts SCHOOL in August. Jax is 2 in August. It has been 4+ glorious years at home loving and mothering my boys....but the fact is I am not equipped to homeschool my precious J bug. He has needs that I cant meet...but I know God's already provided above and beyond....all I've heard is that his teaching is AMAZING. A miracle worker. And I cant wait. We've already seen great improvement and I cant wait to see how he does in School. I think he will love it. And I think Jax will love being around other kiddos.
All the details arent worked out. I am applying in a very bleak job market. Not many people need an Accountant, because, as one of my clients put it last night..."There isnt much money to count" :) But we are praying and seeking and waiting on an opportunity.
SO, if you know anyone that needs an Accountant, with 8 years experience and who multitasks with the best of them who may occasionally need to slip away to be a Mommy but would work really hard and be an asset to your Organization please let me know :) (Should I put that on my cover letter???)
and prayers would be appreciated.

great vaccine debate II

2010-02-22T20:56:00.003-05:00

a while back i got many comments on our take on vaccines. An article came out today quoting Temple Grandin, one of our Autistic heroes and researchers. She's unique because she is living with Autism, and also a wonderful Advocate. I liked what she had to say in this article put out by the WSJ; which is along the lines of what our INCREDIBLE pediatrician has suggested we do for Jaxon. Because of the genetic link we will have them spaced out and no MMR until 2 years of age. While the study was recently retracted regarding the link between Autism and MMR; there are still many ongoing studies suggesting links between Vaccine Injury and Autism Spectrum.

We are not Anti-Vaccine. What we want to be is informed. Something I read elsewhere said it this way "What other office procedure requires you to sign away your rights to hold the doctor and Pharm. companies responsible for any damage done? Where will that doctor or Drug company be when your heart is breaking watching your once normal child struggle........."

I feel as if we've made the right choice and even our doctor admitted that while there's no proven link, it's not been disproven either.

Our "plan" is 2 shots at a time for Jax until he's caught up, in order of importance based on what our Pediatrician recommends. Very comfortable with our plan now...very thankful for a doctor who understands. She's cared for my boys well since Jordan was a newborn, and I'm very thankful that God led us to her!

rotten

2010-02-21T20:16:00.005-05:00

here's messpot. he's into something new everytime you turn around......
and we love the tar outta him!

gamer

2010-02-21T20:12:00.001-05:00

J enjoys playing his Vsmile games. He's gotten really good at them!

bubbles

2010-02-21T20:00:00.003-05:00

got out on a dreary sunday afternoon for some outside time. grabbed some bubbles and had a blast!

You've got me feelin emotions!

2010-02-21T19:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry, blast from the past on the title of this post. Gotta love Mariah Carey classics.....

J's been learning about emotions in speech. This is a good thing as many autists have trouble differentiating facial expressions, body language, etc.
So far he has all the simple ones down. We've been having fun with these. In this video he shows some of his emotion "faces". Enjoy :)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

my thoughts exactly, again

2010-02-16T15:08:00.002-05:00

i swear i can relate so much to this mom's struggles...and successes!

though i may not be able to put it into words; each day brings a new opportunity for frustration or perseverance (Boy is the Lord refining us or what?)

I love being a mommy to my special guy.

Here's another story from the blog; Amalah; which I completely relate to.

CLICK HERE

olive garden soups

2010-02-09T15:36:00.002-05:00

the past two weeks i've made 2 of Olive Gardens soups (copy cat recipes) for supper.
Both turned out awesome!

We usually order the soups instead of salad when we go out to Olive Garden because we love their soups so much.

Here are the recipes.

Minestrone (Asah's favorite)

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen cut italian green beans
1/4 cup minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
4 cups vegetable broth (Swanson is good *note: Do not use chicken broth!*)
2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or great northern beans, drained
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup carrot, julienned or shredded
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups hot water
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup small shell pasta

1. Heat three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.
2. Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.
3. Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.
4. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.
6. Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings.

Zuppa Toscana (my favorite!)

1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp bacon pieces
2 tsp garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
¼ of a bunch of kale (I substitute spinach)

1. Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
2. In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic over low-medium heat for approximately 15 minutes or until the onions are soft.
3. Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.
4. Add the sliced potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5. Add the heavy cream and just cook until thoroughly heated.
6. Stir in the sausage and the kale, let all heat through and serve. Delicious!

da boys

2010-02-09T13:19:00.005-05:00

here are some long overdue pics of the boys. we are deep into the Spring Semester of "school" for Jordan and therapies. Looking into ABA in Baton Rouge as well. Lots of stuff going on and our lives are super busy but we're super blessed to have all of these services. Many have commented that they can tell a huge difference in Jordan. And that makes it all worth it!

Here's a peek into our week:

M-Special Instruction from his Teacher
Tu-Special Instruction and Speech at SLU
We-OFF
Th-OT and Speech at SLU
Fr-Special Instruction and Speech from School System

That's a lot of work for our almost 4 year old! I'm super proud of him and everything he's accomplishing. I'll post some pics of his drawings and art soon.

love to all!

tonights dinner

2010-02-04T20:24:00.002-05:00

wanted something fancy and special. this did the trick. SUPER affordable and not too much time involved either. enjoy!

LEMON ROSEMARY CHICKEN
(from "All You" Magazine")

1 lemon
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 4-lb. whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry
Salt and pepper

Preparation
1. Halve lemon and place inside cavity of chicken along with rosemary, garlic and 2 Tbsp. butter. Fold wings under chicken and tie legs together with string. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Place chicken, breast side up, on a small rack inside slow cooker. Cook on high until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thigh registers 180ºF, 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

3. Preheat broiler to high. Melt remaining 1 Tbsp. butter. Transfer chicken, breast side up, to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush chicken with melted butter and broil to brown skin, 2 to 3 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes on a cutting board before carving and serving.

SMASHED RED POTATOES W/ GARLIC

•2 pounds small red potatoes
•4 cloves garlic, peeled, sliced
•1 teaspoon salt
•3 tablespoons butter
•1/4 to 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
•Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:
Scrub potatoes and cut into small chunks. Put potatoes and the sliced garlic in a medium saucepan; cover with water and add salt. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and drain well. Pour into a bowl and mash with the butter and milk or half-and-half. Add salt and pepper to taste. (I also added a little garlic salt)
Serves 4 to 6.

GREEN BEANS W/ FETA AND DILL
(From Athenos Feta Cheese packaging)
These were my favorite and I'll be making them again. And again!

2 lbs fresh green beans
1/2 c Italian Dressing
1/4 c crumbled Feta Cheese
Dill
Salt and Pepper

Boil green beans about 7-8 minutes until tender-crisp.
Tooss with remaining ingredients.

So, there ya go. Dinner is served! Enjoy!

fridays

2010-01-30T17:58:00.001-05:00

on fridays i work in the parking lot booth...and sometimes i have help :)

by the numbers

2010-01-29T17:34:00.003-05:00

my boys have always been massive; this past dr's appt was no exception.

here's where they are #'s wise these days:

Jordan, age 3 years 9 months: 45lbs; 4 oz and 41 1/2 inches (Off the chart for weight and 90% for height)
Jaxon, age 17 months: 30 lbs; 12 oz and 34 1/2 inches (95% for weight and off the chart for height)

the docs and nurses are always amazed at these big boys!

Chicken Tacos (in the crockpot!)

2010-01-27T07:05:00.002-05:00

we tried this last week and LOVED it! definitely on the regular rotation now...and this is super versatile...and simple.

Easy Chicken taco Meat:

3-4 large frozen chicken breasts (or several frozen breast tenders, or thawed chicken works fine too!)
1 can rotel OR small jar salsa
1 pkt taco seasoning

Cook on low 8-10 hrs. Could be less depending on crockpot.
Shred chicken well with two forks. Drain off "extra" liquid.

Enjoy your tacos! Great with shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.

And for the leftovers-these are great ideas i found on a recipe site:

• Use leftover chicken to make tortilla soup. Combine chicken taco meat with 32 ounces of chicken broth, 1 can of mild Ro-Tel tomatoes, 1 can of corn or 1 1/2 cups of frozen corn, 1 tablespoon lime juice and 2 tablespoons of chopped, fresh cilantro. Simmer for 15 minutes and serve with crumbled tortilla chips and shredded cheese. Could also add black beans to this.

• Try this chicken to fill enchiladas or quesadillas or top a taco salad or make super-quick and healthy nachos by layering tortilla chips, black beans, chicken, salsa, onions (green or diced purple), cheddar cheese, sour cream and guacamole.

• Add this chicken to beans and, if you like, rice and use it for burritos.

• Use the salsa water that's leftover in the crockpot to make rice with. You can make about 2 cups of rice to have as a side dish or put on your tacos

just 'cause

2010-01-26T15:23:00.003-05:00

spiderman undies, daddy's tennis shoes and both phones. why not?

after bath hair do

apologies for lack of pics and posts lately. Year End has got me sucked in. Problem wont be resolved until 01.31! Until then, enjoy these :)
Much to post and it will come soon, I promise!

Cheese-Garlic Biscuits

2010-01-20T14:40:00.002-05:00

Just made these today and forgot how delicious they were so I thought I'd share this simple recipe. They are fashioned after Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay biscuits. I'd rate them pretty close to the real things!

Enjoy!

3 c self rising flour

2 1/4 c milk

2 c grated cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 stick butter (melted)

-Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased muffin pan.

Bake @ 375 for 15-20 min until a little brown on top.

Brush with melted butter/garlic salt mixture as soon as they come out of oven.

I had two for lunch today and can't wait to serve them with dinner tonight!

make your own oatmeal bath

2010-01-15T16:45:00.002-05:00

since we've been battling the tummy bug here at the Hudgins house, J&J have also battled diaper rash. I used to buy the Aveeno Oatmeal bath soak (about $6-8!) when we had this problem, but found out how to make my own today. Wanted to share it! Also great for:

chicken pox
shingles
poison ivy, oak or sumac
nettles
dry skin
insect bites or stings
eczema
diaper rash
anal itching
sunburn
windburn

CLICK HERE

spoon-fed

2010-01-14T14:01:00.005-05:00

jax "got" the spoon this week. fun watching him feed himself. he still needs help turning it right every now and then but i'm super proud of my boy! now he can "eat, eat, eat" faster. (Eat, eat, eat!)=his new favorite phrase.

two adorable dawgs

2010-01-14T13:56:00.002-05:00

even though we live in the land of the Tigers; we are and always will be Dawgs. I happened to dress them alike one day in their gear and got a couple good pics.

placemats

2010-01-10T16:37:00.004-05:00

i'm not very "crafty" but i thought these were fun. i bought some craft foam and used scrapbook paper for the backround. put their pictures and a Scripture that i pray for them.
they are covered with clear contact paper and wipe off great.
i figure i'd be replacing them often but they were simple to make and i think they'll like it if they're changed up every now and then. you could do "learning" ones with the Alphabet, Numbers, etc.

brrrrrrrrrr

2010-01-07T07:48:00.003-05:00

when it "warmed" into the low 40's yesterday i took the boys outside for a much needed play break (for them and for me).

there are not many pics of J because he preferred to play in the van rather than in the cold. smart kid.

this is my new favorite of him.

seasons

2010-01-06T07:32:00.005-05:00

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven....
(Ecc 3:1)

when i took this picture of the boys playing yesterday i didnt realize how much it was similar to one taken early in the summer. when i look at these i cant help but be amazed at where we were then and where we are now. early summer was scary; unknown...full of heartache and wondering how we were going to deal with what we'd been given. the new year brings excitement. we are where we need to be. J starts "school" next Monday. A teacher in our home giving him specialized instruction. Speech and OT start next week too. In February we'll start "group speech" at Southeastern. These can only bring about positive changes. We have a plan; it's moving into action. There are still days that feel much like the ones in the early summer. J's transition back home after this last GA trip was hard. Lots of meltdowns and frustration on his part. Lots of wondering what to do on our part. Some days I feel so lost. But most days feel good...we will figure this thing out; what J needs...and do the best we can for him, with God's help. Thanks for the prayers. We'll be sure to let you know how it's all going!

2009-12-28T10:39:00.003-05:00

Gram and Pop took the boys to Wilders World to start our Christmas Festivities. We had a BALL! Jordan didnt really "get into it" until the end...when I had to force him up the dark tunnel to get to the slide. I pick and choose with him, but sometimes I just feel the need to give him the push he needs to know he can succeed and have fun in the process. The way up was difficult..but once he knew he could do it and was no longer fearful it made for an incredible last hour of fun. He would slide, and slide and slide again. Even Gram got in on the fun :)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Unfortunately, I didnt get many pictures while in Omega/Tifton. I'm hoping others got some good ones on their cameras and will send them to me!!!! (Hint, Hint)

Cracker Barrel

2009-12-28T10:38:00.001-05:00

is our favorite road stop.

ring around the Rosie

2009-12-28T09:26:00.003-05:00

it's hard to describe these pictures. i think i'll try; and see if i can do it justice. this was day #4 of our weeklong trip to GA. Jordan was doing extremely well with all the transitions and we were already super proud of him. As we moved from place to place, with many new faces and sounds he would usually self-soothe by saying "it's okay, it's okay, it's okay" or "it's not scary, not scary" over and over as we entered a different place, then he was okay.
When Daniel and Alida arrived at the farm they were all excited to see each other and I got to watch him do something I'd never seen. Daniel and Alida started dancing around in a circle and J joined in. No big deal for any other kid but for us, Huge. Monumental. And he enjoyed himself. He was laughing, and having fun, and even initiating the play to continue. I was speechless. And I think if I tried to talk I wouldve cried. It was great. I'm so thankful. It was one of my favorite moments and a true Christmas gift. It is moments like this when i think to myself, "Yes, everything IS going to be alright". And it was.

visions of sugarplums.........

2009-12-28T09:22:00.002-05:00

Asah's sister Sara came in and found J eating the gumdrops this way off the gumdrop tree. Inventive!

Christmas snuggles

2009-12-28T09:14:00.003-05:00

Jax loves to "love" stuffed animals. He found the perfect spot for it at Mom's house.

he also got great cuddle time at Papis house. I think they both enjoyed this.......

farm fun

2009-12-28T08:41:00.005-05:00

one morning on "the farm leg" of the trip Asah and his family were at a funeral so the boys and i played outside. it rained a lot the first part of the trip so i found them some boots and we had some fun. the puppy is Ann's Christmas present. Her name is Sophie.

Breakfast With Santa

2009-12-19T16:17:00.005-05:00

Northshore Families Helping Families hosted a Breakfast with Santa at the Maritime Museum in Madisonville. Both boys had a blast and like Asah noticed, Jordan seems to "let his hair down" at these events when he's with kids just like him. They both loved seeing Santa, checking out the firetruck, and eating sweets. So thankful to the wonderful people at NFHF, and hope to one day be able to give back for all they've done for us.

jax always seems to find the food first. got doughnuts?

Santa was great; doughnuts were better. Still hanging onto it even while meeting Santa.

and; another doughnut.

J meets the big guy.

he really liked him.

Santa arrives in a Saints hat! Only in Louisiana :)

tweedle dee and tweedle dum.

pouty jax

naptime, sad jax

getting some love from mommy (mommy made the Blog!!!!)

i love the colors in this one. and the subject ;)

"hello there Santa!"

future fireman?

jordan and santa

a special ornament on our tree this year

2009-12-18T14:31:00.004-05:00

i'm so thankful to be part of a group of "online friends" of Moms who've been together now for over 4 years. Back in 2005 most of us found ourselves on a webpage called Babycenter and "met" through the website. Many of us met in person in 2007 in Ohio. Click here for pictures of that fun time! We've been through much together in those years, and for a few Christmases we exchanged gifts. This year we did an ornament exchange and this precious gift was sent to us. It is a beautiful reminder of all we've been through this year...and a hopeful reminder of what is to come, and the possibilities. It means so much to us and we are so appreciative of it! Thank you Tamara, Merry Christmas!

the jigsaw puzzle design reflects the mystery and complexity of Autism.
the different colors and shapes represent the diversity of people and families living with this disorder.
the brightness of the colors symbolize hope – hope through research and increasing awareness....

got services?

2009-12-17T16:01:00.003-05:00

after a long, drawn out 6 month struggle, this kid does!

after the IEP today I came home, fed the boys and got them down for naps, then passed out for a nap myself. A close the door, get under my covers in bed, nap. It's been so long since I've been able to do that. Everything came together today and I believe we came up with a great plan for Jordan.

He'll receive one on one teaching twice a week from his new favorite teacher, Ms. Tilley :) She came by the house yesterday to drop off the draft of the IEP and Jordan instantly connected with her. It was wonderful. He talked about his "teacher Ms. Tilley" the rest of the afternoon and today.

He'll also have Speech and OT in our home during the week. The plan is to integrate him into a classroom by his 4th birthday (April) so that he can begin to learn to socialize with his peers. He'll probably only go 2-3 x a week for small amounts of time until he is comfortable there.

We will also continue Speech at Southeastern University. All this makes for one BUSY schedule but I'm hoping since most of it is in home that it will not be too hectic.

After hearing everyone out I decided not to push for a classroom setting until they feel he's ready. I'd hate to just throw him into that without being fully prepared.

So, that's where we're at. And I dont want to think about another Evaluation, IEP, etc for a very long time. So I think after this post we'll just enjoy Christmas and spend time with our families and friends. Can't wait for that. Thanks for the prayers.

life update.

2009-12-14T14:30:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile since I've updated on "life".
There is much to tell.
The biggest meeting to date in regards to Jordan's Education is coming up on Thursday. I've been studying for it as I would a final exam. I have reviewed all the Evaluations with a fine tooth comb. I hope and pray we're ready for this IEP. For those who have never walked through the Special Education System, I'll explain. I had definitely never heard of any of this until we were met with J's diagnosis back in July.
An IEP is an "Individualized Education Plan" and is created for students who receive Special Education Services.
After an Evaluation, the team gathers to create an Education Plan for the student. Things like what services will be offered, how often, School Placement, etc are decided.
I already know that J will be recommended for Speech,OT, and Special Instruction. The things that are up for grabs are where? how often?, etc.
We've been told all along that because Jordan is 3 he will not be allowed in a classroom setting. That all of his services would be provided in our home. Great! Some people respond....but nope, that's not what I want. A classroom setting is ideal and what he needs to encourage social skills and add structure. I have "heard" that there are 3 year olds in our parish in the classroom. Sometimes I think I've been told otherwise because it isnt the "easy" option. Adaptations must be made. School days/schedules altered. But that's what we are going for. I've been meeting with an Advocate who is a gift from God who assures me we'll get J in a classroom. Hopefully for January. This would be huge.
He will be 4 soon. I've been trying since July to get him services. I feel like precious time has been wasted, and I feel like I couldve done more.
Seeing the evaluations on paper were like opening a wound. That was beginning to heal. Reading about your child statistically in light of "neurotypical" children is enough to make your head spin. It's enough to make you hurt and angry all over again. But God is so good...and I was reminded this week from James that He "gives us MORE grace". Not just the grace that I think I need...but a greater grace. Which is what I really need. To make it through this IEP. To intelligently discuss my childs Educational Future with Professionals, because while they are good at what they do, no one knows what Jordan better than mommy and daddy. And no one could be a better Advocate for him......
Please pray with us for Thursday. I'll gladly update.
I'm bringing Brownies, and a picture of our sweet son. I figure they should know who they are talking about rather than seeing some #'s on a paper :)

Monday Morning Smackdown

2009-12-14T14:29:00.001-05:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

easy potpurri

2009-12-14T13:10:00.000-05:00

this will make your house smell wonderful, and oh-so-Christmasy!
we're hosting a party tomorrow night so I got this ready today and thought I'd share:

1 orange
1 lemon
1 lime
cloves
cinnamon sticks

Slice fruit and place in medium size pot about 1/2 full of water. Add a few whole cloves and cinnamon sticks and simmer. Smells wonderful!
You can turn this off and re-use the next day as well.

Enjoy.

my thoughts exactly

2009-12-09T08:51:00.003-05:00

sometimes i'm just not able to write about daily life/struggles with Jordan. i'll think of a story but it will never make it to the blog.
I've mentioned this site before, and so thankful that my friend Allison directed me to it. Sometimes her words are a bit "rough around the edges"...but
Her post today are my thoughts; EXACTLY. she describes her son, Noah at a birthday party. I think this is how I feel every time we head out to a party or event where I'm not quite sure how things will go down.
Maybe it will help to explain just how tough the "simple things", even the seemingly enjoyable things can sometimes be.

read here.

update in pictures

2009-12-09T07:35:00.005-05:00

poofy post nap hair

in his Sunday best by the tree

told J to stand beside the tree, he was practically inside the tree-oh, well

getting ready for church. (dont worry, these shoes are mine.....)

we've dubbed him "keeper of the juices". he wants not only his but Jordans, at all times.

sweet boy

decking; undecking the halls. we remove ornaments about 100 times a day, and I put them all back on, and they come back off. fun game.

you have NO IDEA how hard it is to wrap presents with a 16 month old; unless you've done it before. lets just say there are many extra challenges!

they LOVE each other. so much!

Oreo Peanut Butter Pie

2009-12-01T16:07:00.005-05:00

today we made a pie, just because.

and, if you'd like to make one too...here's how:

Crust:
about 25 oreos, crushed
one preschooler to crush them:

note: (if a preschooler isnt around...place them in a zip top bag and pound away. it's super fun!)

1/4 c butter, melted on low on stovetop

-Combine butter and crushed oreos, form into crust in pie plate and refrigerate while preparing filling.

Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

3/4 c peanut butter (crunchy)

1 c heavy whipping cream, whipped

3/4 c powdered sugar

2 tbs milk

-Beat cream cheese until fluffy; add peanut butter and milk until smooth.

-Fold in whipped cream and sugar.

-Spread evenly onto crust. I add cool whip on top and put in freezer for a few hours to make firm.

Everyone loves the end result!

real "men" ride in pink

2009-12-01T09:26:00.000-05:00

and wear "Black and Gold"! Geaux SAINTS! 11-0!

new most favorite picture

2009-11-29T19:56:00.001-05:00

O Tannenbaum!

2009-11-28T09:35:00.005-05:00

Yesterday we went out in traditional fashion and picked out the tree. The boys especially enjoyed the super loud quacking ducks and watching the pigs eat corn. Jordan told me that the corn was their lunch. I thought that was a great observation, it was lunchtime. We found a great tree in minimal time so while Daddy got it cut and loaded up we played on the super awesome playground and rode the "train". We made a stop on the way home for "chicken and french fries", per Jordans request...then decorated the tree when they woke up from naps. I forgot to get a picture of the finished product; bu we've already made some revisions (after losing 3 glass ornaments to a certain 15 month old who thinks they are "balls" and wants to throw them). We went to the $$ Tree to buy some gaudy plastic ones to hang on the low branches for him. I know that one day we'll look back and treasure these moments when they were small...and decorating the tree/keeping it standing! was not an easy task.

view from the train.

my hair is getting way too long. i need a cut desperately....geez!

they buried a tractor and boat in the sand...making it perfect size for kids to play on. smart idea!

sitting in the chicken poop. seriously. he was under the cages where the chickens were kept...and sitting where their poop drops. gross. i removed him as soon as i realized that. well, after the picture.

frolicking!

i see the perfect tree over here dad!

this one!

its the little things

2009-11-24T08:23:00.004-05:00

after spending a week + inside due to jax's pneumonia it was nice to get out...even if it was just to Target for diapers. we took advantage of the trip and got popcorn and icees too. here are the boys...outside for the first time in over a week enjoying their treats. Jaxon's breathing is better but still not 100%. Praying he'll feel much better soon so he can enjoy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Temple Grandin

2009-11-23T14:03:00.005-05:00

In my research I've discovered a wonderful advocate for Autism. One of the reasons she's so wonderful (among many) is that she has Classic Autism. She has overcome obstacles and has had a very successful career. She was nonverbal up to about 3-4 years old. Very inspiring she gives me great hope for J. Now in her 60's, she continues to work and lecture on Autism...here's a recent one that gives GREAT understanding into the Autistic world. It's over an hour, so I dont really expect our blog readers to listen to it entirely, but I thought it may be a great resource for family members, so as to better understand Jordan. Gives great insight. Look for a TV movie on her life coming out in February 2010.

the vaccine question/debate

2009-11-18T20:13:00.006-05:00

One of the biggest questions I've gotten since Jordans' autism diagnosis is, "Do you think it was the vaccines?"

not going in to all the details of the debate here....but if you're interested just google autism, vaccines and check out the pages and pages of websites, research, opinions out there. found this source today and it stunned me.

we are researching vaccines at the moment to figure out what to do with Jax (going forward). Because it is not PROVEN that vaccines DO NOT cause autism...then we are trying to play it safe with Jax, especially since he's now "genetically prone" (autistic sibling). I found some great tips at generationrescue.org and also a stunning comparision. Here's a chart that shows how many vax's Asah and I received (data from 1983) and then a comparison to a list of current vaccines (2007). It just makes me question why. WHY so many? For these little bodies? We're not anti-vaccine. Just want to be more informed. Especially since there's a big window where vaccines can be given. It does not have to be an "all or nothing" approach or all before 12 months, or 2 years, or whatever. Here's the recommended schedule. The yellow highlighted parts are recommended "ranges" which the vaccines can be given. I cannot have regrets, I can only go with what I know going forward. God is sovereign. He'll give us wisdom if we only ask. (James 1 says that if we lack it; just ask God, who gives it generously!)
Just opening this up. Want to see what you do. What you think. I know this is a touchy subject. Just sharing what we're dealing with.

i thought these tips were helpful.

• Consider delaying vaccines until your child is 18-24 months old.
• Do not vaccinate if your child is taking antibiotics.
• Consider no more than one vaccine per doctor’s visit.
• If you plan to get the MMR vaccine, ask your doctor to give it in three separate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella.
• Consider giving high doses of Vitamin C (3,000-5,000 mg per day) on the day before, of, and after vaccination.
• With the measles vaccine (MMR), consider high doses of Vitamin A (5,000 IU or more) on the day before, of, and after vaccination.
• If your child experiences any developmental delays, stop vaccinating until you learn more.
• If your child has an adverse reaction to a vaccine, stop vaccinating until you learn more.
• Always ask to see the vaccine insert, and never accept a vaccine that uses the preservative Thimerosal (mercury). For a complete list of vaccines with Thimerosal, see the FDA’s website here. Note: most flu shots today still contain Thimerosal

To be honest, I have not yet taken Jax for his 12 month visit. Isnt that terrible. He's almost 15 months but I've just been afraid of what the pediatrician will say when I discuss delaying vaccines. I feel confident in our decision. Time to schedule an appointment, I suppose!

DEAL of the day

2009-11-09T14:55:00.003-05:00

if you have children, grandchildren, or any child to buy Christmas gifts for this year....this is an AWESOME deal! The Disney store has PJ's for $5! I thought shipping would be outrageous but it's only $2.95 for one set...and goes up the more you buy. The sizes run from "2" to "6".
Great selection...and great quality.

Anyway, just wanted to pass this along.

The Deal is today only.

CLICK HERE

"wash" day

2009-11-09T10:57:00.004-05:00

and so thankful for it! after going over a week without a washer (ours died!) it feels great to do all this laundry. God totally provided yesterday and while it did not work out to get the washer I'd been eyeing on Craigslist (and waiting for all week)....I got a MUCH better one, BRAND new and not even listed on Craigslist just by making a phone call to another seller. He offered it to us for exactly the amount of cash we had. We got it for $250 under retail. It's the little things.....very thankful for HIS provision.

jump!

2009-11-09T09:18:00.004-05:00

LINK to Video of the action! (cant get my video to upload directly) :(

trampoline time with Papi. I cant last as long as he did. Kudos to you, Papi!

pumpkin carving and halloween night

2009-11-01T06:18:00.005-05:00

my veggie dip graveyard. hummus with spinach and veggies!

this was such a messy project. jax enjoyed the messy part.

the ole chair finally gave out. it's been a good one.

look, jordan!

slobbery dirty baby.

miracle picture! (miracle picture: when both are looking at the camera at the same time)

off to get some candy!

wonderful spread!

gah! looks just like big brother here.

down-set, hut. at least the dawgs have a bit of hope coming there way in, say, 16 years or so.

wore this last year. had to do a wardrobe change from our Flintstone theme due to the unpredictable LA weather.

trunk or treat 09'

2009-10-26T10:24:00.005-04:00

mouths full of hotdogs.

and way too much candy.......

hey there, Fred!

"DJ's" for the Cupcake Walk

Bam Bam

100 cupcakes

The "Cupcake" Walk

happy Bam Bam

Bam Bam spilling goldfish all over the floor before leaving

cupcakes

2009-10-25T15:33:00.006-04:00

may not seem like a big deal to many, but this is the first time (ever) that J's been remotely interested in helping mommy cook. he carefully put 3 candy corn on each cupcake, counting them as he went. we did 100+ cupcakes for the Trunk or Treat @ church. I was super impressed that it kept his attention so long, and super happy that we were actually doing something, together. One thing I've learned is to appreciate the littlest things like never before. I was just savoring our time together.....and praying for many more times like it. Every small victory, every new word/sentence, is big time for us. And lately, there have been many. He's doing so well....and I'm so proud of him.

another "hat" picture

2009-10-25T15:10:00.003-04:00

just cant get enough of the hat; and the little boy wearing it.
photo note: please disregard cheese puff residue around mouth.

"outside time"

2009-10-24T20:27:00.005-04:00

outside time: the time after naptime but before daddy comes home and before dinner when everyone is stir crazy and just needs to be outside.

in our house this occurs around 4pm daily. lately we've been getting dirty in the sandbox during that time. then they go in for a dip in the tub while one of us gets dinner ready. works well.

the helmet.

2009-10-24T20:21:00.003-04:00

one day J decided to wear this helmet most of the day. Just thought it was blog worthy. Maybe he could help our poor DAWGS out this year.

anybody seen my BABY????

2009-10-23T19:01:00.003-04:00

cause right before my very eyes, overnight even, he has morphed into a toddler. reminds me so much of J at this age. personality oozing...such a happy boy and a MESS! we've started calling him "pigpen" because he loves to get into the trash and eats everything off the floor. we love this guy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com