Jloves

Autism Service Dogs

jloves — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:30:21 +0000

I was reading through news articles last week and read an article about autism service dogs. I was very amazed with what these dogs can do and all the success story’s. The dogs go everywhere with the children, including school. The dogs are very expensive around $14,000, but from what I have read all well worth it. They suggest doing fund raising with your local community, school and church organizations.

I really enjoyed this website, check it out.

http://www.autismservicedogsofamerica.com/index.html

You Never Know Why, But He Ultimately Knows Why

jloves — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:39:00 +0000

Well, today has started out a little rough. I was woken up early with Micah saying “Mommy I want to play my games” an hour before we are suppose to be getting ready for school. This is always fun, so here I am wanting to sleep the last hour before we are suppose to wake up and Micah is jumping on the bed screaming “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy I wanna play my games”. He really enjoys playing video games, but we limit him on when he gets to play them so, he is always trying to figure out extra time he can play video games. I then get him to lay with me for about 15 minutes but the whole time he cannot keep still and is wiggling. I finally get out of bed and get him dressed quickly and then thank goodness Tony gets up to help Micah, because I was not feeling well. I also needed to take a shower for work. I got in the shower and got dressed quickly, just in time to see Micah about to go out the door to catch his bus. I finished getting dressed and all the while I am still not feeling well, but I know I have to go to work today. I wish I could have stayed at home. I then leave for work after running a few minutes later than I would like and I get down the highway about 10 miles and realize I have left my blackberry for work at home so, I have to turn around and go home to get it! The first thought I had was negative because I knew I was going to be late for work. Then I remembered I should be saying “Thank you Jesus”, because he has a reason why he wants me to go back home to get my blackberry for work. I finally fight traffic and know I am wasting precious gas that is so expensive! I make it back home and get my blackberry. I see Tony sitting on the couch and tell him “I love you”. I get back in the car and I figured I was really going to be late now with traffic. I made record time though and got to the office in 50 minutes! Wow! Thank you Jesus! The traffic was awesome! My commute usually takes me about an 1.5 hours each way.

I get in the office and start doing my morning routine and I hear my blackberry going off, because I have a new email. I notice the email is from my close co-worker saying she lost her sister today. Her only sister has been battling severe acute respiratory syndrome for the past eleven weeks in the ICU. She was only 38 years old. Her sister has a daughter who is 21 and an only child. My deepest sympathy goes out to my co-worker and her family during this very hard time. I know her sister is no longer suffering with pain or struggling to get oxygen to her poor body. She has went to meet the Lord. The Lord has a reason and plan for taking her at this time. Her sister and her family has been in my prayers the whole time she has been sick. I will continue to pray for them during this very hard time.

Thank you Jesus for this day! Thank you Jesus for all the blessings that you pour out on me. Thank you for allowing me to go back home today and get my blackberry and to be able to be there for Misty as she is going through this hard time. I know that you will never give us a burden that is to hard to handle or you will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you Jesus for your unconditional love. Please lift Misty and her family up during this hard time and allow them to become closer to you Lord. In your name I pray.

Amen

God has not promised us skies always blue,

flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God has not promised sun without rain,

joy without sorrow,

peace without pain.

But God has promised strength for the day,

rest for the labor,

light for the way,

grace for the trials,

help from above,

unfailing sympathy,

and undying love.

A Walk in My Shoes

jloves — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:45:49 +0000

Here is something that I thought was perfect to start my blog off with…

A Walk in My Shoes
by C. Waeltermann, 2007

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack
You must learn to parent..”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions..

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely we hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,
But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work eve! n harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you.

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With the respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you
That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned.