When are you gonna update your BLOG??

Okay, so you know how we all say, "I don't have time. I can barely keep up with my emails." Yes, we are all busy. Yes, we are all overscheduled. And yes, many of us mothers would choose sleep over sex--but we must remember to take care of ourselves--or someone or something WILL take care of you. And it may not be a pleasant experience.

Without going into great detail, I have had my share of difficulties these past 8 months--in relationships, in work, and yes, as a parent of a special needs kid. With that said, I think I have done an amazing job pulling myself out of the rubble that surrounded me in the last quarter of 2009. I can literally BREATHE again. Oh and appreciate the little things (for they may wind up being the big things when I'm 64).

I can directly attribute the 'spring in my step' to the following:
1- Faith
2- I hired a part-time nanny.
3- I started taking care of myself first. (After all, if mama ain't happy, no one is happy.)

I still have many hurdles to jump but now I have help and motivation.

Oh and BTW, Kenneth is doing AWESOME. Will write more on him later. This is "About Kenneth" after all...

Love,
G.

Welcome to Holland -- A Reminder on the eve of Kenneth's 6th birthday

http://www.pptasage.com/MHT%20files/Holland.mht

09.09.09 How Much Longer?

Today, September 9th 2009, the National Autism Association will be holding the 09.09.09 campaign to ask those responsible for serving children how much longer we will have to wait until the disaster of the autism epidemic is admitted to, addressed, stopped and our children are given the care and protection that they are due.

The autism rate is no 1 in 100, and rising. The time has come for us all to demand that those in power stop the corrupt practices that have created this public health epidemic and undo the damage that has been done. The canary in the coal mine has become hundreds of thousands of canaries. Our governments and medical institutions are watching our children drop like flies and their response is to commission do nothing committees to make sure lots of busy work is being done while no actual change is effected.

Please set aside a little bit of time Wednesday and participate in the 09.09.09 campaign. Do it for Kenneth and do it so that no more children have to struggle like Kenneth.

Offline for now --

I'm temporarily offline on the blog.... will be back after July 20th.

Highlights This Month --
- Kenneth had his annual MRI yesterday and no significant changes since last one! The doctor wants to spread out visits now, so we won't see him for another 2 years. YEAHHH! Kenneth was very tired Tuesday and we've all been trying to catch up on our rest. I feel especially blessed at the moment. I didn't think we'd have any major news; I'm just reflecting on all we've/he's been through the last 5 years. Thanks be to God for our health.

- Kenneth finished Callier summer session last week; awesome stuff. I'm looking into some of their other options for supplemental therapy during the fall when regular school starts.

- We're embarking on the gluten-free diet (all of us; yikes!)

- We've started some initial supplements and getting some tests run so we can get a custom vitamin started before the fall. Our nutritionist thinks he has yeast overgrowth that may be a contributing factor with his digestion (apparently common in ASD kids).

- We're taking 2 weeks in August to focus on intense potty training (again). PRAY FOR US...

Kenneth starts Callier UTD speech program

We got IN!! Thanks to all who prayed and waited with us over the holiday as I anxiously awaited a call from Callier (University of Texas at Dallas). It's an intensive 1:1 speech program for toddlers and they made an exception for Kenneth since he's over the usual age limit (3.5). He works 1:1 with a speech language pathology graduate student M-Th mornings. He still attends Lakewood in the afternoons and Fridays.

So far, he loves the program and has adjusted extremely well to the transition. I thought he'd be disappointed about the bus not coming in the mornings, but he is just fine. I'll try and keep you posted regularly on his progress. We are so excited about this opportunity; it is a blessing.

http://www.callier.utdallas.edu/

Steelers Pull Through with a 6-Pack

Kenneth witnessing one of the most exciting super bowls yet. The Steelers pulled through for us again. My gift to Ken is taking him to another 'celebration' party in Pittsburgh this summer.

...STEELER NATION...

Kenneth's first wave bye-bye

I almost fainted and no I did not have the camera ready. As Kenneth got off the bus today, he did what he always does -- he said bye-bye to the driver, Ms. Brenda, and watched as the bus drove away (we have to wait until it is completely out of sight). Only this time he WAVED!! He held his left arm up and moved his hand up and down at the wrist; something he has NEVER done before.

Life is good. God is good.

Family Photos - Fall 2008

We took a much needed respite from Dallas and went to see the family in the Arbuckle mountains in southeast Oklahoma. This is our third "fall reunion" and it was wonderful. As you know, our summer was unbearable, so fall is always welcome in my world. Blessings, Gina

Bathtime with Abuelito

Back to school - Fall 2008

Kenneth returned to Lakewood and we are so happy with his progress to date. He really blossomed over the summer months; his teacher aide even said, "Kenneth is a different kid now." I think she is grateful for less tantrums and crying. So are we :)

This is Steeler country

Go Steelers

Okay so I haven't ordered a bigger t-shirt for him, but Kenneth was in full swing with his "Terrible Toddler" towel as he watched the Steelers with daddy. Don't they look cute?

Our little sweet potato

This is one of my favorites from the summer. I don't even want to say how long I held down the shutter to get this one great picture.

Having fun in Speech

Kenneth's First Word

Well it's official. Kenneth's first word last week was "Hi." If you are wondering, "why didn't she call us?", it's probably because I was waiting to make sure he used it multiple times and it wasn't just a one-off. So an entire week has passed and he is saying "hi" to everyone. Life is good :)

Reflections

The last few weeks and weekends have been filled with activities. Two more support groups have found their way into our lives and I'm feeling more connected to the local Autism community. Amidst the meetings, workshops, and therapy days, I find quiet pockets of time to reflect on how far we've come. Kenneth is blooming like all the beautiful spring flowers around us. We are so fortunate. His fourth birthday is around the corner and like every parent, we naturally look back over those early days. What a blessing. What a gift. What a joy he is.

Brightening the day

March 31, 2008

Mrs. Waterman,

Would you mind if I commented on Kenneth and his general social behavior
in the school? I would love to mention how he brightens everyone's day,
and the comments the principal has made (she loves walking him in from the bus because he's so eager to get to class, and it's the best way to start her day).

Ms. Young
Special Education Teacher
Lakewood Elementary

Kenneth and "Ollie"

He got this owl from Highland Park United Methodist Church. We were on the waiting list to get into their "NightOwls" program; basically respite care. So they gave him this owl and he loves it. He has never shown interest in stuffed animals for fun... it is very cool.

World Autism Day - April 2nd

CNN is broadcasting "Autism - Unraveling the Mystery" on Wednesday. This broad, deep examination of autism is being featured online and on CNN, CNN International and Headline News.

Check it out at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/autism/
````````````````````````````````````````
We know Kenneth will lead a productive and independent life. Pray for him and all who are affected by this condition.
````````````````````````````````````````

Sand table

Kenneth loves his sand table. We had it in storage for months since he wasn't really interested. Then I filled it with rice to see if he'd like it. We are now in sand-land. I tell him "it's just like Galveston."