tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38288101579859279602024-03-22T06:34:35.018-07:00Rays of SunshineL10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-79488811351795593712014-07-07T17:43:00.000-07:002014-07-07T17:44:29.760-07:00This New Home State of MineFamily and friends have been asking how I/we like our new home state of Washington. It's been the same answer so far after a month; I/we love it! It's beautiful. It's intriguing. I want to share my own thoughts about it; I've lived in a few other states and parts of the country so I have have a unique perspective that some might find interesting while others may find amusing or even boring.<br />
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<i>Disclaimer: in no way do I intend to negatively compare states I've been fortunate to dwell in...all of them have their positives/negatives and I feel tremendously blessed for all of my time in each of them. This blog is just musing on the positives of my newest home. </i></div>
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1) IT IS SO GREEN! Hawaii was beautiful...gorgeous. After 12 years I NEVER tired of the H-3 drive through the green mountains, looking at the occasional red slash of lava dirt where a mudslide was or the always breath-taking first glimpse of the stunning blue ocean once you topped the mountain and began your decent into the windward side. Lovely! But maybe I spent too much time on the leeward side, where greenery was rarer and dust devils danced on the hot, baking, Ewa farm fields. Everywhere you drive here it's GREEN. Lush. Even in the middle of summer the green prevails. </div>
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2) TREES. Everywhere. I keep telling Elton that I feel like I'm back in Louisiana (minus the humidity). Everywhere you go the roads/highways are surrounded by thick trees. It's easy to think you're deep in the backwoods country where Louisiana towns like the ones I grew up in are spaced far apart and the closest Walmart is an hour away. Except then you spot a tiny glimpse of a sign between the trees and you know just on the other side of them is a sprawling mall. It's awesome. Speaking of Walmart the one by my house has a line of huge green trees along its parking lot and when the setting sun hits it, it lights it up in brilliant color. The trees glimmer in sparking gold for a few minutes and it is too lovely to describe. I want to get a picture but every time I see it, I freeze in place and fumbling for a camera seems sacrilegious in a fleeting moment when you're supposed to be simply breathing in God's beauty. When's the last time you froze in place in a Walmart parking lot because of the view? Never mind. That's a loaded question.</div>
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3) The VIEW. Every state I've been fortunate to reside in has had lovely views and this is no exception. Lakes. Rivers. Olympia mountains. Rolling green farms with either intriguing barns collapsing after decades of exhausting work or picturesque red ones standing proudly upright. Towns with fancy street lights and little train stations that remind me of that movie where the doggie sits and waits for his owner for years. Mount Rainier when it chooses to peek out of the clouds in its majestic glory...although Olivia calls it MountAIN Rainier and Emma calls it Mount Reindeer, just to laugh when Samuel gets irritated at what he sees as their grievously incorrect pronouncements. Even the people are a view to admire, in Seattle specifically. They are a blend of cultures of course and the mixture between typical tourists, busy locals, and the hipsters is endlessly amusing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAdrlfE8ngMpsiId5zzZj9e0OCydeAzBQb4_silsCW-csJYDx4WJyvn0MiyxLHprEeGMxpoXxmnPtxFpCHGoPsv2h2MMuNbMZ0PoFhYvxfTAMXPR6GaRZf8FAvuTZSusNSArS2saEWro/s1600/IMG_6395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAdrlfE8ngMpsiId5zzZj9e0OCydeAzBQb4_silsCW-csJYDx4WJyvn0MiyxLHprEeGMxpoXxmnPtxFpCHGoPsv2h2MMuNbMZ0PoFhYvxfTAMXPR6GaRZf8FAvuTZSusNSArS2saEWro/s1600/IMG_6395.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a>4) The FOOD. There are so many new food places we haven't yet tried and as usual, delving into the local food is a tasty habit of ours! We've found a new favorite local place that our family enjoys...we miss Shiro's in Pearl City dreadfully but the Black Bear Diner will assuage that sadness very well, even if the kids are fully convinced they are actually eating bear meat. And COFFEE. Everywhere. Starbucks of course but oh my word, all the tiny little coffee shops with weird names, nestled in the busiest corners of parking lots but with the necessary drive through window...and so far every church I've been to has a coffee shop in its lobby. Yes, you can worship Jesus and sip your java while you listen to the message. Turns out, the caffeine keeps you awake, focused, and in a really good mood...ha! Coffee is my blood type and I've landed in its coffee utopia!</div>
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5) The PRICES. Yes my sister in the Midwest shudders at the amount of rent we pay, but compared to Hawaii prices...well we all know paradise has a price. Everything sold in Hawaii was likely shipped from somewhere else so after years of paying exorbitantly for toilet paper and tooth paste it's great to find what I feel are huge bargains! Milk under $3! Grocery outlet stores! DOLLAR STORES! </div>
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6) What "Seattle Freeze"? People warned us that Seattle people 'don't have the Aloha spirit' and can be standoffish. Maybe. I haven't seen it yet. Everyone I've met has been friendly and kind...helpful and nice. Maybe I'll run into it later. Likely when it's football season and in a sea of neon green and blue I show up in black/gold. WHO DAT.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxryumHhjo79JY-iylH_xLxRcys6Slcdu2jFPPSoCBnbeOfOLK00IhBoUDZ3KwButa01aQhou0lzQ8Cy-lbm_Cdwagnv3SrksG_46AQN73AAQwfhl_lej9AmS1L1bXN7_3PqaAPd2bV3k/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxryumHhjo79JY-iylH_xLxRcys6Slcdu2jFPPSoCBnbeOfOLK00IhBoUDZ3KwButa01aQhou0lzQ8Cy-lbm_Cdwagnv3SrksG_46AQN73AAQwfhl_lej9AmS1L1bXN7_3PqaAPd2bV3k/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a>7) Things to DO: new museums, parks, and exhibitions. We haven't even had time to do much of anything other than exploring the Space Needle area but our list of things to do is growing! We love to get out and enjoy all that the local culture has to offer and we can see years of enjoyment ahead of us.</div>
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That's it for now. How will we like it when the chilly rain sets in and the days are gloomy? Who knows...I'll have to update this blog when those days arrive and my island kids learn what it means to be 'cold'. </div>
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L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-80693647024494839442014-04-08T15:22:00.001-07:002014-04-08T15:23:32.323-07:00My Survival Tips for a Plane Trip With Small KidsSo, I just flew from Hawaii to California with my four kids, ages 1, 3, 5 & 7. I was by myself and slightly panicked but it all went surprisingly well, maybe because I was SUPER prepared!<br />
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Before I did so, I researched online and found a ton of websites, both professional articles and personal blogs, with tips and ideas about how to make flying with small kids easier. There's a bunch of good ideas out there, so obviously this blog post isn't an entirely new subject! But I hope that you can look through this one and find some good ideas that you can utilize and make your life easier. Hey we're all in this together, Moms, and we need all the help we can get!<br />
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My luggage idea was fairly simple...other than the three car seats that I had to check, each person checked one large (at the 50 lb weight limit!) suitcase. I needed my husband to help check all of this in, and I texted my sister who was picking me up later and warned her that I'd need help at the baggage claim. Then each child got their own (very very stuffed) backpack to carry. I know there are rolling suitcases out there but I've heard stories about how they don't work well overall. The backpacks were great because they kept the kids' hands free, have several different pockets to divide things up neatly, and I noticed that since they were pretty full it kept the kids from running off! Ha! Make sure you buy cutsy tags for each of them even though these are carry-ons; put your cell phone number so if a kid leaves their bag somewhere, someone can call you right away. <b>And please, make sure you have EVERYTHING labeled/tagged before you leave the house.</b> You don't want to waste time doing this at the airport and those paper tags come off super easily. <i>Tag your car seats and strollers as well. </i><br />
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In their backpacks; for quick and easy access to everything they're going to bug you for later...in the front pocket I had their earphones, then the pocket full of awesome snacks (some healthy and some were crazy, rare super cool treats that they were astonished to be able to enjoy). Include some great lollipops and gummy bears! These are the 'taking off' and 'landing' treats because it will make them chew and suck and pop their own ears, and no gum messes. Then I had their surprise games, books, and so on in the other pockets.<br />
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Oh, and for peace of mind, I highly recommend getting dog tags for the kids ahead of time! You can order cute ones from some online place like these from <a href="http://www.mypreciouskid.com/dog-tags-personalized.html">My Precious Kid</a>. <span style="background-color: white;">I've had these before and they're great, usually I kept them on my own keychain and clipped them to the kids' belt buckles when we went to air shows, school field trips, festivals, or even crowded malls. If you're pressed for time, look up any local military supply store or even a local pet shop! Pick out a cute tag and have them engrave it with you and your spouses phone number. Attach it to a good chain for a necklace, or to their belt buckles. If a kid gets separated from you, someone can call you right away. <b>My kids are taught to keep these dog tags inside their shirts and NEVER take them off unless Daddy or Mommy does it, and if they get lost they are to pull them out and show an adult. They are also taught, if they're lost, to look for someone in uniform like a police, fire fighter, soldier, etc. OR a mommy with other kids. </b>Discuss this with your kids, over and over, and if you're walking around and you see someone 'safe' like mentioned above, point them out and say "If you're ever lost, someone like THAT would be able to help you."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The front. On the back are our numbers. Elton's awesome Aunt Cindy made these in her trophy shop <a href="http://www.awardlinehawaii.com/">Awardline </a>on Oahu. The chains were long enough to tuck into their shirts but short enough that they can't pull them over their heads. Mommy has to unlatch them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">So anyway, on to the airplane activities...I am trying to type this post quickly and so pardon the unedited pics. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">My top favorite activity; MODELING CLAY! I got a pack of 10 assorted colors from Walmart, very inexpensive. Any brand will do. It's soft but WAY LESS MESSY than Playdoh and it seems a bit firmer yet pliable. All the kids played with this but my 7 year old son adored it. He spent hours working with this and was very happy with it.</span></div>
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He is on the autism spectrum and this textile, quiet, focus-oriented activity ended up being incredible for his high-functioning autism. He created an Angry Birds lineup and enjoyed the admiring comments as people passed by on their way to the toilet.</div>
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Ok these pics are really bright. Sorry. It was an early flight, which I also recommend! People aren't expecting to snooze as much on day flights as they would on evening ones so it may reduce the dirty looks you get when the kiddos are slightly loud.</div>
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Anyway here is the lacing activity. Incredible lonnnnnnnng moments of quiet concentration! Even the 1-yr old enjoyed it; I would poke the end through a hole and let her pull the string through. She was squealing with delight. These are the <a href="http://www.melissaanddoug.com/lace-and-trace-farm-art-and-crafts">Melissa & Doug Farm pets</a>, I got these at <a href="http://www.rossstores.com/">Ross</a>. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Side note about the above-mentioned dirty looks: I think most travelers roll their eyes and secretly hope they aren't assigned seats next to the lady with all the kids. I used to be that way. However if they SEE that you are TRYING YOUR BEST to keep the kids entertained and as quiet as possible, I think they appreciate that and the dirty looks aren't manifested! In fact, I had people compliment me on my efforts. Twice I had fellow flyers deliver extra neat snacks to me, the flight attendants brought them their Junior Pilot flyer wings and stop by to chat with the kids, several times the attendants brought us extra snacks and drinks on their way down the aisles, and at the end they took Samuel up to the cockpit to chat with the pilots because he was so quiet and well behaved! Anyway, my point is, do your best and make it obvious that you are! Stay calm, smile at everyone, and show your best efforts. If anyone complains in spite of all of that, well, they're jerks and you should ignore them.</span><br />
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New Sticker Books! New Coloring Books! Yay! I got these about 2 weeks before our trip (letting them all pick out their own), showed them to the kids, then packed them away for the plane. They knew they would get to play with them then and were looking forward to all their new toys and books. I think this eased the sadness of telling everyone bye!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I also bought new crayons, including fancy glitter ones. There's just something wonderful about opening a NEW box of NEW, sharp, beautiful crayons. Is it just me, or is that not awesome and makes you a little more excited about the day and your journey? Ha! Tip: contain these in a pencil box. The regular box gets smashed but a plastic box is hard (and light) and will easily hold all the pencils, pens, crayons, etc. </span><br />
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Small puzzles! Obviously you don't want a regular big puzzle with tons of pieces to lose. This was a great matching puzzle set where they could match up just the head, body, and feet of different characters. Perfect for the seat tray. This is the "Who Am I" set from <a href="http://www.tlji.com/">The Learning Journey, International. </a></div>
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Don't forget to nurse the baby on the take-off/landing, if possible, for the comfort of their ears. Lily never had a problem so I guess it worked. Yes I look tired here. Obviously.</div>
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Don't forget the cool snacks! Bring them out periodically. My kids got to try things they normally don't get, which just added to their happiness (and quiet). The gummy bears worked wonders during the takeoff/landing. Just don't get things that are too messy/sticky. Speaking of sticky, have your wipes handy. AND keep a large Ziploc bag with you. Several. It's great for keeping all their trash together and not bugging the flight attendants every time you have an empty cup or whatever. When they go around collecting trash, empty your Ziploc bag and keep it for more trash. THEY WILL LOVE YOU for not bugging them all the time and for keeping your <strike>crap</strike> trash all together and not on the floor. Also, when you land, since you have to wait while everyone else is getting off, make your kids get down and scour the surrounding floor area. They can retrieve any dropped toys, crayons, and so on...also for pete's sake, have them pick up all your trash. Someone has to do it and it might as well be the ones who made the mess! The flight attendants are probably thinking what a mess it will be in the area where all the kids were sitting...give them a nice surprise instead! It's called being a responsible, caring human being. OK ending soapbox moment...</div>
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If baby goes to sleep, this is wonderful! <u>Of course the FAA discourages flyers from placing kids on the floor, unbuckled, to nap or play.</u> So I'm not recommending that. Anyway. Here is a pic of Lily enjoying her nice pillow-padded, quiet, nap area. If we'd have hit turbulence I wouldn't have left her there but miraculously, we didn't. </div>
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Accept help from strangers! Even those who don't speak English! Many flyers are probably bored, anyway, and would love the chance to chat with inquisitive 3-year olds who want to lean over the seat and carry on a conversation. They 'talked' for half an hour, one in Chinese and one in English, and the Chinese lady showed Emma all of her neat Chinese things in her carry on purse. It was a funny conversation and based on the laughter, one that they both enjoyed very much. </div>
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Electronics and the beauty of being able to load kid-movies onto tablets ahead of time! Having their own familiar headphones is nice and they love seeing new movies or games. </div>
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Again with the help from strangers....yay! If your baby wants the Japanese (or any race, who cares) couple to hold her for awhile so she can tell them all of her woes, let her/him. Who can resist a baby and this gives you time to go to the bathroom ALONE! If there is a line, ask if you can quickly go ahead before your baby cries. No one wants the baby to cry so they will likely shoo you to the front.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I'm blessed with a child interested in reading/memorizing the emergency instructions. If necessary, he would've safely guided us out of the plane, likely deploying the emergency chute correctly and directing everyone to the nearest exits. He is awesome like that. </span></div>
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If the toddler sleeps, sit back and relax your back/neck muscles. Ask for a drink. Pull out the Sky Mall magazine and shop. Close your eyes and breath deeply. You've got this, Momma!</div>
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Bonus points if baby sleeps to! Take unflattering selfies and congratulate yourself on being sort of awesome, because you are. Even though you're tired. </div>
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If your kids are well behaved and the pilots are in a good mood, they might allow your kids to come into the cockpit. My son was in there FOREVER asking A TON of questions and I thought he'd never come out. A flight attendant was standing in the door laughing at all the serious questions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHr6bmTWYTXwLYOTi_sVqSsuontVbUFLi67kEgcZZYiXaM-_3YNW3gF8Zh5VtpYAggOUrXP4EQb89s2baTWxuVbkpvmPeWURHBOZg8gHTa67TM2dcyYhcz-f6HZHxayMHWI_zHXf0r8g/s1600/IMG_5064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHr6bmTWYTXwLYOTi_sVqSsuontVbUFLi67kEgcZZYiXaM-_3YNW3gF8Zh5VtpYAggOUrXP4EQb89s2baTWxuVbkpvmPeWURHBOZg8gHTa67TM2dcyYhcz-f6HZHxayMHWI_zHXf0r8g/s1600/IMG_5064.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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End of the road baby! My sister brought me flowers because SHE is awesome and she also brought a friend to help with all the luggage and antsy kids. Brilliance. </div>
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OH...wait, one more tip I wanted to include...see the purple-tutu wearing ballerina? Yeah she's my child who ALWAYS has to be in a 'costume'. Anyway she had so much fun prancing around getting smiles and compliments from strangers and I think it made her behave better. So, if your kids want to fly in costume...a pirate, super hero, princess, ballerina, monkey, whatever...why not? As long as they don't carry props, aren't too constricted or hot in the outfit, then let them travel in style. Or at least, in their own style. Let them have fun and get compliments from the people dressed in business suits who look at them probably wishing they could wear a superman suit instead. </div>
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They're only little for a little while. </div>
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Let them have fun snacks, new crayons, and awesome costumes. </div>
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Let them have magic as they fly.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-37680929370294245832014-03-23T22:10:00.000-07:002014-03-23T22:10:01.826-07:00If You Love Me, Read This Post<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month,</b></span> and I've been waiting for months to talk about this! Do me....and mostly YOURSELF, a favor and read this blog!<br />
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I'm discussing colons and poo and getting both of yours checked out. If you are the kind to be squeamish about this, get over it right now. You can be squeamish about touching the raw turkey on Thanksgiving morning, putting a live squirming worm onto a fish hook, or about smashing a cockroach in your house. When it comes to your BODY and your HEALTH and your LIFE, toss 'squeamish' out the window. OK? OK! Let's go....<br />
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Everyone has heard of Colon Cancer and you may even know of someone who has battled it. I remember my sister's new mother in law had it back in the 80's, and that's all I knew about it. Except that when I worked in hospitals/doctors offices and I vaguely heard about it and knew that they recommended everyone began being screened for it after age 50. Then a year ago my world exploded with more knowledge about this dreaded disease than I ever cared to know!<br />
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BAM! I found out about the wife of a college friend of mine, Steve, who was battling this cancer. Here is Kelly and Steve with their precious children. She was diagnosed at<b> just age 33</b>.<br />
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BAM! A dear high school friend of mine, Mandy, was diagnosed with this cancer <b>at only 36.</b> Here she is with her two incredible kids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha05sEMQ3DsEjAw1vV-ZWCPCCj5eU6u78eL7FJD_DD6WZ8IF2QX-QzEGvd6-A50m8CLNZKexqDd8ctvPtfXjklmh1tpNQldan-vcV-9AAj8gplW_1sdfhQYmV6qJnkKjJpD4KyQLm1SBM/s1600/1457645_10202500028799251_1100814945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha05sEMQ3DsEjAw1vV-ZWCPCCj5eU6u78eL7FJD_DD6WZ8IF2QX-QzEGvd6-A50m8CLNZKexqDd8ctvPtfXjklmh1tpNQldan-vcV-9AAj8gplW_1sdfhQYmV6qJnkKjJpD4KyQLm1SBM/s1600/1457645_10202500028799251_1100814945_n.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
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BAM! My brother David was diagnosed with this cancer at <b>only 47</b>.<br />
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WHAT? <b>All of these are not yet age 50</b>, and according to statistics for America between 2011-2013 (seen here on <a href="http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-028323.pdf">cancer.org</a>), </div>
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<i>Incidence and death rates for colorectal cancer increase with age. </i></div>
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<i>Overall, <b>90% of new cases and 94% of deaths occur in individuals </b></i></div>
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<i><b>50 and older.</b> The incidence rate of colorectal cancer is more </i></div>
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<i>than 15 times higher in adults 50 years and older than in those </i></div>
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<i>20 to 49 years.</i></div>
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How is colorectal cancer diagnosed? Actually it's very hard to detect early on; if you start having symptoms then it's highly probable that the cancer has progressed pretty far. Again from the publication cited above; </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Early colorectal cancer often has no symptoms, which is why </i></div>
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<i>screening is so important. Most colorectal cancers begin as a </i></div>
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<i>polyp, a small growth in the wall of the colon. As a polyp grows, </i></div>
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<i>it can bleed or obstruct the intestine (Figure 2,). See your doctor </i></div>
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<i>if you have any of these warning signs: </i></div>
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<i>• Bleeding from the rectum</i></div>
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<i>• Blood in the stool or in the toilet after having a bowel </i></div>
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<i>movement</i></div>
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<i>• Dark- or black-colored stools</i></div>
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<i>• A change in the shape of the stool</i></div>
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<i>• Cramping pain in the lower stomach</i></div>
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<i>• A feeling of discomfort or an urge to have a bowel movement </i></div>
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<i>when there is no need to have one</i></div>
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<i>• New onset of constipation or diarrhea that lasts for more than </i></div>
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<i>a few days</i></div>
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<i>• Unintentional weight loss</i></div>
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If you are over age 50 and you've never been tested, what in the world are you waiting for??? Go get tested! Make a point to call your doctor THIS MONTH!<br />
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What can you do, if you're too young to get the recommended age 50 colonoscopy?<br />
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<ul>
<li>Basically the same things you should be doing anyway; drink a lot of water and eat healthy, focusing on vegetables and all the 'fiber' foods you can get</li>
<li>Exercise</li>
<li>Don't smoke</li>
<li>Don't drink too much</li>
<li>Practice good 'going' posture! This sounds crazy and admittedly the <a href="http://www.squattypotty.com/">Squatty Potty</a> idea made me laugh, especially the Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Squatty-Potty-Ecco-Toilet-Stool/dp/B007BISCT0">reviews</a> of it, but after further research I realized that medically and scientifically this posture thing is legit. Just check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYcv6odWfTM">video</a> and see. You can just use a small step stool or box at home and see if you notice a difference! This posture thing might really improve your colon health and that would be worth feeling a little silly in the bathroom at first, yes?</li>
<li>Get screened! Talk to your doctor about any risk factors you might have and he/she can recommend a fecal screening for you. They'll test your poo for any evidence of colon problems.</li>
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But in spite of these efforts, you could still be at risk because of genetics! Knowing this, I went straight to my doctor and asked if I could be screened for colorectal cancer. She referred me to a specialist who, upon hearing about my brother, said ABSOLUTELY I should not just be screened but I should undergo a colonoscopy as soon as possible!<b> If you have a first-degree relative (sibling, parent, child) with this cancer, it's recommended that you be checked at 10 years younger than the age they were when they were diagnosed.</b> Well I'm exactly 10 years younger than my brother so I fit the bill, and a colonoscopy was scheduled.</div>
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<i>OK here is where I refuse to listen to anyone who wants to wimp out on this procedure because of a fear of pain, a private horror of having someone examine you internally in 'that' are of your body...OH GIVE ME A BREAK! This is a procedure that can save your life and in my first hand experience, going to the dentist is a much worse event!</i><br />
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Like everyone warned me, the <u>preparation is the toughest</u>. Yep! You have to start watching what you eat, cutting back on solids a few days before the procedure, and you get this massive jug from the pharmacy with a powder to mix into it before filling it with water. Oh my word, so much drinking and it's nasty but if you've ever taken the pregnancy glucose test, that's even nastier. As you drink it, it...relieves your bowels...quite a bit. Stay home! Then after all of this is done within a certain time frame, you can't eat or drink anything. <i>And again I refuse to listen to anyone who wants to wimp out about this. I am a busy mom of 4 young, energetic kids and I not only managed to get all of this done but I was also breastfeeding successfully through it all sooooo what's your excuse?!?</i><br />
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On the day of the procedure, get ready for the absolute worse that will happen, and I'll be very honest here....are you ready? I'm telling you, be prepared for hearing the worse!!<br />
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('real life selfie' on my way into the procedure room)</div>
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<b>The Worse: YOU GET A WONDERFUL SEDATED NAP!</b></div>
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Seriously, for me that was so awesome I can't even tell you. Ha! They hooked me up so monitors and made sure I was warm and comfortable....and then lights out. I woke up later, warm under a blanket and blissfully high on pain medicine that really was unnecessary because I felt nothing except a lingering desire for more sleep. Well and I was hungry! I rested that night (mostly because I was a little loopy from the pain meds) and then the next day was fine and sadly, I had to go back to doing laundry and housework.<br />
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Overall it was not a big deal at all and if you put off getting this done, you're an <b>idiot</b>. Sorry for strong language but really, the dentist or maybe even a sloppy manicurist who rips your cuticles off too hard and makes you bleed....those are tougher experiences. Get over your mental battle about a colonoscopy and GET 'ER DONE.<br />
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I'm glad I did, because apparently the genetic factor plays a huge deal in my own bowels and the doctor did find a small polyp which he removed and had tested. It was fine, I'm all good, but now I get to go in for a sedated nap every 5 years. Yay!<br />
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I'm not making light of a serious procedure...I'm just super happy for early screening because guess what, IT'S WORKING! Just this week, a report is out about Colon Cancer rates DROPPING for the first time in awhile, and it's all because of early screenings. You can read the article <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/17/colon-cancer-decline/6374761/">HERE</a>.<br />
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And if you need any further encouragement to get your bowels checked out, here's a few words from those who have been closely effected by this disease.<br />
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My brother said; <i><b>"If me going through this helps any of my loved ones take care of their health, get checked for this, and it saves their lives, then for me it is worth it."</b></i><br />
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Having a chemo day this week. Some days he's more tired than others. </div>
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Staying warm during the cold Missouri winter!</div>
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Mandy wanted to say more, but she's tired and it's been a rough week. <u>Please keep her and David in your prayers! We know that God is a Healer and we are trusting Him for His miraculous touch!</u><br />
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Meanwhile, she just said; <i><b>"If my story could touch just one person, I'd be so glad." </b></i><br />
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Steve simply had this to add to my blog post; <i><b>"Thank you for honoring my sweetheart."</b></i><br />
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<br />L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-55480669862285946882014-03-18T12:48:00.000-07:002014-03-18T12:48:35.920-07:00Why We Are Leaving HawaiiAs many of you have by now learned, the Gray Ohana is leaving Hawaii. So many emotions! I have been here 12 years but that's nothing compared to my husband who mostly grew up here around his family. I came here after college graduation, planning to help out at a local church and just live here for 6 months. Well, that's been a long 6 months...haha!<br />
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Here is Samuel's breaking news report about "Satellite" WA if you missed it on FB!<br />
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Funny how 'our' plans are sometimes superseded by HIS plans. And if you are a son/daughter of the Heavenly Father, then that is OK! His plans are higher than ours!<br />
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I got to know a college friend a little better once I moved here....he winked at me once when we were standing on the platform in a choir practice...and my heart just flipped over like it never had before. We fell in love and got married. While living here in Hawaii, we've moved together 4 times, had 2 miscarriages, experienced 5 jobs, rejoiced in the healthy birth of 4 crazy but amazing kids, only taken 2 trips to the mainland together, sat at each others bedsides through surgeries and illnesses (thankfully nothing serious), learned about autism and the rocky road that our son faces, and many, many other life experiences. Next month is just our 10 year anniversary and looking back, our life has been pretty wonderful. But that will be a blog for a later date.<br />
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For the last two years, we've had a strong feeling that we would be leaving Hawaii and we began researching areas of the US Mainland. The funny thing is, way back then, we did a long survey online through <a href="http://www.findyourspot.com/">findyourspot.com </a> and one of the top places it recommended for us, based on our survey answers, was Kent, Washington. We laughed because we didn't know anything about that area and brushed it off. We proceeded to research over the next two years, all the places that WE thought we should consider moving to; different cities in Missouri, Colorado, Texas, California, Oregon, Tennessee, other Hawaii islands, North and South Carolina, and so on. Our research was pretty exhausting, looking at weather, politics, churches, economy, cost of living, schools, culture, pollen count, and so on. We have spread sheets in tiny fonts with many little boxes of info and web links. Many other places made sense to us and yet....we never felt peace. We never felt "YES".<br />
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After two years of this, our research meandered around and kept going back to the Pacific Northwest and finally, we zeroed in on the Seattle area (of which Kent, WA is a suburb!) and bingo. Peace. A "yes".<br />
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We love Hawaii, always will, and hope to one day come back to retire once the kiddos are independent. But for now, we just can't stay. As people here are painfully aware of, the economy is unstable and is rapidly squeezing the middle class out, leaving only the very wealthy, the poor, and the tourists. With 4 kids, we just can't make it here. You've seen my posts about $7 milk!<br />
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The traffic is bone weary; we spend more time in the van coming/going to church than we actually spend in service at church. The air quality is compromised by the vog and while it may not affect everyone, it's choking my husband who has allergies, and now I'm bothered greatly by it and I don't have allergies. It's like living with a sinus headache or bronchitis every day there's no tradewinds.<br />
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I could go on, but I don't like pointing out any negatives about Hawaii because honestly, there is just so much good and positive about Hawaii. The people who genuinely display the ALOHA spirit...the ono food....the views and beaches and warm breezes and so much more. If you have family/friends here who love you, they love you with every ounce of their bodies, even while you change as a person or make decisions that they may not understand. THOSE friends are amazing and their love is real.<br />
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So, it's time to go. We have many things to look forward to; being halfway the former distance to my family! Different sights, different food, new experiences and friends to make and paths to explore. Clearer air, different jobs and houses and things for my kids to learn about that they haven't seen here in Hawaii; like squirrels jumping in the back yard trees, skunks, catching lightening bugs at twilight and having to wait while a train goes by, counting the cars. Billboards. Road trips. Snow.<br />
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And to clarify some things; yes we know the area we are going to is much cooler and rainer. We are actually looking forward to that! No I do NOT plan to be a Seahawks fan, are you kidding me? WHO DAT!<br />
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Anyway for all of you who are wondering about the reasons for our new adventure, here they are. I hope to be able to blog more consistently and keep everyone updated about this crazy new road we are setting out upon!<br />
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Love to you all and thank you to everyone who has called, texted, messaged and emailed us, offering your love, support, and well-wishes. We feel a total peace from God about where He is leading us and we know that we are safe in His Hands.<br />
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Blessings and ALOHA to you!<br />
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<br />L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-86014637828751700692014-02-08T17:32:00.000-08:002014-02-08T17:32:15.663-08:00Exciting Announcement (No I'm Not Pregnant)I wish I had more time to blog. For that matter, I wish I had time to shower alone more than once a week, on Saturdays when my husband is available to watch the minions. But back to the blogging...yes. It's therapeutic. I like writing. I like blogging. It's nice to get things out of my head and into the universe. I really need to do this more! Although, in the last few years I've had a ton of things in my head that should NOT be put into the universe, probably. But that's another story for another day when I can ignore the minions long enough to grab this laptop and sit down with my thoughts.<br />
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I'm going to make more of an effort, because it's good for me and my soul, and also because there just MAY be someone out there reading it, you never know! I found this out when I got a ping on my phone this week when someone tweeted me, which of course piqued my interest because I also rarely tweet. Basically a blogger (someone who actually blogs, and therefore deserves to be called a blogger, versus my sad unblogging self), came across one of my old posts and has found it in her heart to publish it in a book that she's writing about craft fails. Am I offended? NOT AT ALL. I think it's HILARIOUS!<br />
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I love Pinterest and I always try and actually do many of the things that I pin. The meals come out surprisingly well, as evidenced by my husband who frequently complains about his weight, and sometimes some of the other things do as well. But many times my best efforts are absolute FAILS and it just makes me laugh. I am totally NOT Martha Stewart but I sure have fun attempting awesome things.<br />
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Anyway, back to Heather. Wow I am totally scattered today and this post will show it! Of course I keep get interrupted by kids complaining about siblings hitting them or eating their Battleship pieces (that's going to be one Destroyer of a diaper later tonight), and so on. See why I rarely blog?<br />
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So Heather seems nice. I think we could be friends in real life. I will confess that after she contacted me, I cyber-stalked her to make sure she wasn't a weird cyber stalker who just wanted access to my kids pictures or some other lame thing that cyber stalkers want. She seems cool and maybe we'll meet one day. She has an awesome blog called <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/">DollarStoreCrafts</a> as well as <a href="http://craftfail.com/">CraftFail</a>. Her book is coming out in 2014 and I am HONORED that <a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/09/hula-hoop-rug-fail.html">this</a> blog post (my epic Hula Hoop Rug Fail) will be included in her book, amongst the other equally awesome crafty people such as myself.<br />
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When it comes out I'll let ya'll know so you can buy it!<br />
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Cheers....L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-59974330404843330782012-02-13T17:38:00.000-08:002012-02-13T18:19:57.607-08:00That Man I Married<div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As someone wise once said, when your spouse shows you every day how much they love you, Valentine's Day is just another day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband has been on my mind a lot in the last few days, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and I've been thinking about how lucky/blessed I am that he is mine. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Honestly I don't know how it happened </div><div style="text-align: center;">other than to just say it was the masterful orchestration of God that brought us together in life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Elton is amazing and it is my prayer that my daughters find men like their daddy to marry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are so many ways that I know he loves me...here are a few. Hopefully one day my daughters will see this list and know what kind of unselfish guy they need to look for!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He kills the bugs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He takes out the trash.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've only had to put gas in the vehicle a few times in our almost 8-years of marriage; </div><div style="text-align: center;">mostly he does it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If going through the drive-through for food, he doesn't even need to call and ask what I want. No matter what place it is, he knows exactly what I'd like.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He knows our life is crazy...three kids age 5 and under is a circus. But it's our circus and we work as team mates to run it. Having a true partner by your side makes all the difference...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY3qoInVbnxUDdaBWoMEAZS3-tPSrYiHwF3ziNFpiJ8lnd-WzlsAqTouLALCdqjIJ8gtyd2qAGyBFiuhlFs8FCf7_rbdtwjm82yi_Zs-ndFRNk4mg-X4tkwpKupVOYqNAH5Eg9N-qh3E/s320/DSC04484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708806953094021890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many times I wake up to a clean kitchen and quietly humming dishwasher that he filled/started before leaving for work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He likes to cook and is good at it, and he's so thoughtful even while preparing meals. </div><div style="text-align: center;">For example; when he makes his awesome pizzas he knows I don't like chorizo </div><div style="text-align: center;">so he only puts it on his side of the pizza.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He knows I'm very number-dyslexic and terrified of numbers and money issues. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So he handles all the money matters. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes I know that's so 50's housewife-ish of me </div><div style="text-align: center;">but not having the anxiety of dealing with money (other than couponing) is a huge relief to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If I wake up at night with a nightmare he wakes up with me </div><div style="text-align: center;">and comforts me with prayer and kisses.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He wrestles with the kids and plays ball with them, even in the house. He's a goofy, cool dad even though no one ever showed him how to be one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDYlD2N1O9ggE9BBg6k4r8lS1Z4OrCmaD3IN94cfjur96Wc83NK11Jj_71fgu0wYfEvOP5rQiJandXeuMy_haKnOiSIZPZPnhHN9PaPtWYtt4lgrpBBg95uxuJLnsIHcskrAB3onNpoU/s320/DSC04620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708806965410942738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't even express how awesome it is to wake up early sometimes and come downstairs to find him kneeling in prayer before getting Samuel up for school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He loves the 'morning duty' of getting Samuel up and ready for school, and walking him to the bus stop. He really wants to be his son's buddy. His hero. And he will be...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGii-9g8GV_FWRGU-6G7UCZ9OQ7PI6rH0becOr-z0C6_soC1iYt7KHOb4g2_6-kTC1xFy7FY_0TLg4yF83gfNOqAxAf7WF5loLWNl4K9MCY2CDFo0lCBnH6QbjTWMMHxs-ikQZK4tLzU/s320/DSC04454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708806949728544786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">If I'm stressed, he listens. Always.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He knows exactly how I like my coffee and will prepare it for me, even though he's not a huge coffee drinker himself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We can talk about anything. Anytime. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Even if it means staying up until the wee hours vocalizing our life dreams and goals.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We share a hunger for more of God in our lives and in our kids lives. I cannot imagine not sharing that with my husband. It's wonderful to share insight into Scriptures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of that, it's cool watching him stay up late at night just studying the Word. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I'll hear about his latest inspiration in the morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He changes diapers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He vacuums. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He has filled my life with music through the years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">During three childbirths he's been at my side; so gentle, calm, and wonderful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Through two miscarriages, he's been at my side through the tears.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That moment in church when your handsome husband puts his arm around the back of your chair and gently squeezes you for a minute, and you forget to listen to the preacher for a few seconds because you just fell a little deeper in love...yeah I'm there a lot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He still makes my heart beat faster and my tummy feel with butterflies when he smiles at me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><div id="yui_3_2_0_17_132916008800548"> </div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6KFw4hXynkn8vFsI0H3_nk3Dc8wdZtyLIhEyoL1G3L6uEsGZjnocMSSgmyN4-h2tCZ1K83iDPwGrNJ-EKJ9-KmJlNYQ4BvBygcvPt5vThP-B2eUqX_TVyP8koc2HWUsrI-pbVbCs-rM/s320/DSC04466.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708806938640263154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love him and I know that he loves me.</div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-44969015364856235042011-11-25T11:52:00.000-08:002011-11-25T12:27:35.594-08:00Advent Activities!I wasn't raised doing an Advent calendar, but most likely it was just because my parents had never heard of it. This was obvious when I tried to talk to my mom about it yesterday:<div><br /><div>"Mom, have you ever heard of an advent calendar?"</div><div>"A what?"</div><div>"An advent calendar."</div><div>"An ad-what?"</div><div>"An ADVENT CAL EN DAR."</div><div>"Ad-what?"</div><div>"Never mind."</div></div><div><br /></div><div>When I explained it to her, she thought it was a good idea. Of course I really don't know if I truly understand it, having only heard of it this year thanks to Pinterest. I kept seeing all these pics of advent calendars and so I did what any curious person knows what to do...I looked it up on our most reliable source; Wikipedia. And being a very busy mom I skimmed the article...sorry, but I usually only get to sit down and browse the web as I'm breastfeeding so skimming is just good time management.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, from my limited research, it seems that Advent is something about celebrating or anticipating the upcoming birth of Jesus...and basically you plan an activity for every day from Dec. 1 up until Christmas. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, sounds good to me. </div><div><br /></div><div>In my day, we just made red and green paper chains and tore off a link every night. This idea is better!</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, I'd like to make a cutsy, fun, creative, beautiful, Pinterest-worthy advent calendar. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe next year. Seriously, I just decided to do advent activities and so it was added to my pages-long to-do Holiday list. So, this year I'm doing it with construction paper, crayons, and post-it notes. Don't judge...at least I'm DOING it, and that's the point.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I love about this idea:</div><div><br /></div><div>It focuses more on the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ. It also focuses on doing things for other AND doing things as a family.</div><div><br /></div><div>It will help my husband and I to pause more during all the chaos...to breath a little, and to take time with the kids.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since Samuel will be out of school for half the month, this will help him to see that there are still things to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>This helps the kids anticipate every day, and whatever that activity will be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sounds win-win to me!</div><div><br /></div><div>The post-it notes are because we may decide to switch some activities around, depending on how our schedules are going.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here are my activities:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Put up our Christmas tree</div><div>2. Make the Christmas countdown paper chain (hey this is one of my fav childhood memories and it brings warm fuzzies)</div><div>3. Get family pics made</div><div>4. Read a Christmas book as a family and act it out</div><div>5. Go see Kapolei Christmas lights</div><div>6. Prepare a gift for a child from the Angel tree project</div><div>7. Color Christmas pages (printed from Pinterest probably) as a family. Display them.</div><div>8. Open a gift early! (will probably be new jammies for the kids)</div><div>9. Go see the Christmas drama at First Assembly of God in Red Hill</div><div>10. Eat out as a family and wear red/green. Maybe wear wigs.</div><div>11. Donate food to the Hawaii Foodbank</div><div>12. Prepare gifts for Samuel's classmates</div><div>13. Have friends over for dinner. Play a board game with all the kids.</div><div>14. Make Nativity scene with Mommy's craft supplies</div><div>15. Find a baby sitter and have a Daddy/Mommy only date night</div><div>16. Let the kids ride the Polar Express train at Pearlridge mall</div><div>17. Go to the beach</div><div>18. Watch "It's A Wonderful Life"</div><div>19. Make Gingerbread men/women</div><div>20. Do Christmas puzzles together</div><div>21. Take cookies to soldiers and say "thank you" for serving us.</div><div>22. Go ride the boat for the Pearl Harbor Christmas lights tour.</div><div>23. Take cookies to local fire station and say "thank you" for serving us</div><div>24. Buy a gift for our special friend and hide it at her house for her to find later</div><div>25. Read the Nativity story before opening gifts.</div><div><br /></div><div>So there you go! </div><div><br /></div><div>As my husband said last night; "This sounds like a lot of work."</div><div>Me, thinking 'Scrooge'; "Well you don't have to do everything, some of it is just for the kids. And it's to help us have fun and focus on Jesus. Maybe this will be a fun new family tradition."</div><div>Him; "Well if it's too much work then we don't have to do it again."</div><div>Me; "Yeah, true. But maybe it will be awesome and will become a new family tradition."</div><div><br /></div><div>See, the wife should have the last word because we all know she's always right.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have fun this HOLY DAY season and remember the Reason for the Season!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-3063390982549307282011-09-06T18:26:00.000-07:002011-09-06T18:26:12.982-07:00Hula Hoop Rug - FAILHave you heard about the Hula Hoop Rug craft idea? If not, check it out <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/hula-hoop-rug-995304/">here</a> or you won't be able to fully appreciate how beautiful my effort turns out.<br />
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Here is the picture that fired my imagination...</div>
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So, I saw this and thought it was just oh, so cute! The bright colors are appealing. The easy-ness of the project was appealing. And the hula hoop idea was cool. I didn't know where I would actually put a hula hoop rug but hey, why not do it first and then find a place?<br />
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I got the hula hoop at Wal-Mart for $5. Geez, that seems expensive for a toy that's been around since my mom was a teenager! I picked the largest one they had and turned around to see two customers in those motorized wheelchairs, waiting to get by me in the aisle. I said "excuse me, I'm sorry", and stepped aside but they didn't move. They sat there in their chairs, chuckling, and said that they were actually waiting to see me try the hula hoop out and see if it actually worked. What the....? Really? I'm a mid-30's mother of three, with post-pregnancy pounds happily clinging to my body. I don't hula hoop. But my sister standing beside them smiled innocently, and with a twinkle in her eye added her voice to theirs; "yes SoShawna, why don't you see if it works?" What could I do? Turn down two handicapped older people who were waiting for a show? Sigh. So of course I had to hope the security camera people were watching another department of the store and I stepped into the hula. And wouldn't you know it, I'm not a hula hooper person. At all. But twirling ones hips with abandonment in the middle of store is actually a pretty liberating sensation. With the customers cheering, we moved along.<br />
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I went to a rummage sale the next weekend and asked for a bag of t-shirts for a craft project. They had me come back at the end of the sale and said I could take any that I liked for free since they were donating everything to Goodwill anyway. Score! I picked all the brightest colors and some neutral ones as well and filled a garbage bag full. Then it was time to reclaim my hula hoop from the kids, who were fighting over it anyway. It's interesting to take a toy away from your little kids, telling them; "No! This is Mommy's toy!".<br />
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Emma patiently sitting by Mommy's Hoop so you can see how big it is.</div>
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My t-shirts from the rummage sale.</div>
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Successfully recruiting my sister into my nifty craft project, I put her to work sorting the colors. I thought it would be appropriate to do autumn colors, seeing as how it's almost Fall. As if we have seasons in Hawaii, which we don't, but since it's September I can pretend that we have seasons.</div>
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I told her to get all the colors that we might see in leaves fallen from the trees in the fall.</div>
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Then I started with the t-shirt for the 'warp'. And no, I'm not such a good weaver person that I knew what 'warp' was! According to the instructions on <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/hula-hoop-rug-995304/">this</a> website, the warp are the loops that will provide the skeleton of the rug. Anyway, I picked the largest (3XL) t-shirt because I thought that since my hula hoop was so big, I needed the biggest warp loops.</div>
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I cut the bottom hem off and gave it to my son to play with. He pretended it was a snake.</div>
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Then started cutting the strips off, about every inch or so, across the bottom of the t-shirt. This makes your loops.</div>
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You need 11 loops so here are mine. Luckily I have a Kindergartner who likes to practice his counting and he made sure I actually had 11.</div>
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Uh oh. First 'fail'. The 3XL shirt loops were WAY too big for the hula hoop! They were not tight at all around the hoop, as my Kindergartener demonstrates here...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31nwpTa-6rP7G0GeB7XTsol6hrCGmonYuxPBQKfKXcpZY_nBV9prUjQWv0gFSSC0Zpf18Js7d_4TOT1piV8AiarU6BH-XnYlfk5M0J9P-rK5tojDPxhivdjPpb9ach7N37ii8IlOSfaM/s1600/127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31nwpTa-6rP7G0GeB7XTsol6hrCGmonYuxPBQKfKXcpZY_nBV9prUjQWv0gFSSC0Zpf18Js7d_4TOT1piV8AiarU6BH-XnYlfk5M0J9P-rK5tojDPxhivdjPpb9ach7N37ii8IlOSfaM/s320/127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh well. I cut up the rest of the brown 3XL shirt anyway, because it was part of my entire color palette for the rug. Here are all of the shirts, nicely cut into loops. Brown, orange, red, green, & yellow. Lovely, yes?</div>
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So, back to the warp. Next choice was the bright orange from a shirt that was only XL. Perfect. </div>
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Back to the 11 loops...</div>
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All 11 loops carefully strung onto the hoop as my entire 'warp'. I don't know if that's the right usage of the word 'warp' but it makes sense to me. The loops were evenly spaced and then 2 loops are slid together to make the weaving even. I also don't know why this is important but apparently it is. Read the original site if you want an explanation. Remember that the title of this blog post has the word 'Fail' in it....</div>
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After the warp was in place, I started weaving the 'weft'. Arrrgggg another weird weaving word that I've never heard in my entire life! Basically the weft are the loops that are woven around the skeleton of the rug. You loop the first loop by...you know...attaching it to one of the skeleton spokes and running it through itself, like when you attach a rubber band to something. I can't explain it any further than that, either you get it or you don't. </div>
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I started weaving the red loops around the spokes but then I hated the way it looked in the middle, with the orange blob where all the spokes cross each other. </div>
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So yeah, my sister and I pulled all the red loops out...</div>
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...and decided to start with the orange loops, so the entire center would be orange and blended better. If you haven't figured it out yet, you go around all of the spokes in an over/under/repeat pattern, treating all the loops as a single unit at first.</div>
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Second 'fail': we pushed and pulled everything together TIGHTLY. The original instructions say to weave firmly but not tightly...something along those lines. Obviously my sister and I tend to do things the way it makes sense to us, and later we realize that perhaps we were wrong...</div>
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But...still blissfully unaware that I was doing things too tightly, I went around the center 4 times with each color, attached additional loops of color as needed. This was actually pretty fun and relaxing...to do something pretty mindless as this as everyone chatted all around. </div>
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Oh yes, when the circle is about 8 inches across, you start weaving in and out of each spoke as two individual strands instead of the single unit like you were in the beginning. </div>
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When I reached the end of my 5 colors, I had to stop and use crayons to sort of visualize how I wanted the pattern to continue....repeat the pattern (orange/green/yellow/red/brown), or reverse it so it would begin & end with the orange. I decided on the latter. </div>
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Luckily I also have a 9-month old who is an expert weaver. She is probably a lot better than me and could have done a much better job. I should have let her do the whole thing.</div>
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Finally done, about 5-6 inches from the edge of the hula hoop, I cut the last loop and tied it into place.</div>
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Then cut all the spokes from the hoop and...</div>
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...tie into tight knots.</div>
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And THEN the laughing can begin. What the...</div>
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Is it a weird sombrero?</div>
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All that tight weaving made it bumpy and lumpy and....small.</div>
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Or it could be a hat with nice dangling strings...all the better to keep the flies away from your face! Cool!</div>
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I could add some handles, maybe, and have a clutch?</div>
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Finally, my best idea...take my large wooden bread bowl...</div>
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...and line it! (Ended up cutting off the tassels later). </div>
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The next night I had a dinner party, and served my cornbread rolls in this bright bowl. It got compliments and caused my sister and I to exchange happy chuckles. </div>
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So, if you try to do this craft, be sure and follow the instructions better than I did. But hopefully you'll have just as much fun doing it...from start to finish...as I did! Just shake your hips with joy when you make sure your hula hoop works, pick colors that make you smile, follow instructions, let your kids help, and laugh at the result. No matter how it turns out, if you laugh then it's a success.<br />
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Hmmm...I think my next project will be something more like this....how could I possibly mess it up?<br />
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<br />L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-13732388522665438122011-08-08T11:52:00.000-07:002011-08-08T12:27:02.716-07:00Boo-Hoo Blog<div style="text-align: left;">So this is the biggest event of my day:</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM83p6f7H-1xsFncOlR-F0lTccKLrwR5TAHNJ02BLKw5BC1VfhO2iK-F_R_q0j0j6-7fZbf1LTzdy4Tpr1o9QUtplBHqgkADnkZUMVQIaF1EXji3SKgvJqZHqBLvLfnLCb5qedaoOH6o/s320/IMG_2135%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638562809794668610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>I know, I know, every parent says it; "I can't believe my baby is going to Kindergarten!" I thought I was prepared for these emotions. After all, this is not my first "First Day of School" to go through! Let me back up a bit...</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Samuel starting preschool two weeks before turning 3. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Baby Olivia not sure what to think.</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0V_hqot3fkNP7Ie8qczucFgCJ2SPSZuvpCsdoi2RFiAFlVP0Jz8fvBD9Ez6vVoB54EYlc823NVhnZipkQpMEPsM8zt8u3NCzT5R4qtKE9n74KWdUAfTch45P1xHLVHI6BAz1RQnyjn0o/s320/1249062486.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638563384289719218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>Samuel starting year two of preschool, two weeks before turning 4. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>Olivia is pretty excited for him!</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqnQd5XrTojldorK-z7YcEM-mK8eLEKW9yNbqs6ObXDrGb1kkzIiF_vBYue-t0oxFtwE8cPNyTQM9xqqDCBAcHGsGr6qDbJt7nC1Q8-zbB5ozD3w8nP49149zAK4ZqsqLUzHsxzsPpSs/s1600/024.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqnQd5XrTojldorK-z7YcEM-mK8eLEKW9yNbqs6ObXDrGb1kkzIiF_vBYue-t0oxFtwE8cPNyTQM9xqqDCBAcHGsGr6qDbJt7nC1Q8-zbB5ozD3w8nP49149zAK4ZqsqLUzHsxzsPpSs/s320/024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638563383738649330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>First day of Kindergarden, two weeks before turning 5. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>Olivia is excited again but Baby Emma not sure what to think...</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1GObIzz5-Bw9cK6QZTFy1Wm6NxBD9XS5MQOFR4H8cPpMGej-sd27FuMbwwoa5HIhNMvytDW2nYtWVP3Wrax4EDxAknWVwqvy4AjoCwzRBFR4hmvd3-XQXSD5LbN0Y6tgAZNUyeasZgE/s320/IMG_2133%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638562804946377602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>But today we took my firstborn baby to a new school. A very very big new school. With lots of kids and buildings and new newness. My son looks very big and tall thanks to genetics, and he fit in thanks to the mandatory school t-shirt, and he acted very confident. But I wish I knew what was really going on in his little brain...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7PtQyz0DOqIn02K8nleke2H357abHDS3Ga6zGCxL-750UlwXsy77pL0JAzDLFA5SxHAaqkpbGKcMsLpP3kOTZ9r3SQWO42lTGA0E0ghpliKkCHdEQbwI6TR6eYGfM8QfRtEZLy0QQlA/s1600/IMG_2127%255B1%255D.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7PtQyz0DOqIn02K8nleke2H357abHDS3Ga6zGCxL-750UlwXsy77pL0JAzDLFA5SxHAaqkpbGKcMsLpP3kOTZ9r3SQWO42lTGA0E0ghpliKkCHdEQbwI6TR6eYGfM8QfRtEZLy0QQlA/s320/IMG_2127%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638562788341167010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Since he missed the 'real' first day last week due to the stomach flu, he's starting today without being aware of some of the basic rules he's supposed to follow. Like sitting down outside the classroom, waiting for the teacher to open the door, in nicely formed boys lines/girls lines. But another (loudmouth) parent instructed him to sit and so he did.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCgYVpQAt228Cso77FArCcVU8A6x9BYMJzs_MjLQD1yIrtwX_aSUJ-kaM2bIqS1TZGNd_6MV_s6Chm6VJJuMYZvlYDRmvUyIgfR80QvwQK2Kcg60BoWgNA5fsRjqsliTUUNeIs_SrPIA/s320/IMG_2128%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638562797949736114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>He knew where his seat was and after making a few cautious glances my way, he just sat quietly and waited for instructions. I kissed him and walked away. I left that little piece of my heart sitting there in that classroom.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6YQt318MEvgA7BKFNCX5Wj8JEVIXdKYMltQ0Td3qEWCqaI-GT112TimeibNeV2r3HEAmMFCorfQZWG8mSxlGmlEcNRnZheEwhgr4PEoh0IPzlctCFWYH6MhRv4F7JBBIC4MGRoMQbk0/s320/IMG_2131%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638562804258422882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>I held it together until I got home. Then the thoughts started pouring through my head. Will he know where to go to the bathroom? Will he be able to tell the teacher that he needs to go or will he just go? With so many kids, she's pretty busy so if he can't get her attention in time, will he have an accident?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>He doesn't know any of the kids! Will he make friends? Will he talk to them and have fun or will any of them realize he doesn't talk as well as they do, and make fun of him?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Will he be able to understand the directions the teacher says, and follow along? Will his autistic traits handicap him in any way, or will being put in this regular Kindergarden (instead of a Special Ed one) push him harder to excel rather than holding him back? Will he get frustrated or overlooked?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I noticed he didn't finish his cereal so what if he gets hungry before lunch?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Sigh...so many more things in my head. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>And yet, I know to trust God with my son. After all, Samuel was His before he was mine. And last night we had a special family prayer over Samuel and said a blessing over him. We prayed for his clarity of mind and that he would learn well. We prayed for his protection physically, mentally, and emotionally. He is in God's hands.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Silly mommy. I need to just accept that I won't get much done today except prayer for Samuel!</div><div>
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<br /></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-19332127803325362362011-07-09T12:39:00.000-07:002011-07-09T13:35:49.030-07:00The Nightmares We Aren't Living<div>Have you looked at your life lately?</div><div><br /></div>We are ridiculously blessed.<div><br /></div><div>You are probably reading this in a comfortable home, on a nice computer, iPad, or phone. You might be sipping a beverage (coffee from my Keurig maker, in my case), with your family happily settled in doing something fun or napping...whatever they are doing, they are safe. Most of us have good health, full tummies, and the luxury of doing whatever we want to do today. </div><div><br /></div><div>And yet, isn't it interesting how much we find to complain about?</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's see, I'll be raw and honest with you and start off with a list of stuff I could complain about:</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><i>I miss living close to my family.</i></div><div><i>Why does it seem like we never have enough money?</i></div><div><i>My son has autism and I didn't pick that adventure.</i></div><div><i>We are in the middle of moving and it's very chaotic.</i></div><div><i>It's really hot and humid right now.</i></div><div><i>I don't like my hair.</i></div><div><i>I want to lose more weight.</i></div><div><i>I have a hangnail that is infected and it even hurts to type right now.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The list could go on, but it's just dumb, at this point.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reality is, we find something to complain about daily! Of course some of us have legit woes; death of a loved one, loss of good health, serious financial difficulties, etc. But MOST of us are just being spoiled brats.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's an ironic conversation I overheard yesterday while at my son's school; two women with their kids swarming around them were talking about their husbands. The first one blah-blah-blahed endlessly about how mad she was at her husband's ex-wife and how "half of his paycheck goes to her for child support!" "How nice it would be to be able to do more fun things if they only had more of the money that he was shelling out every month to his ex for the kids!" Finally the conversation shifted to the other woman, who then proceeded to launch into a complaining campaign about how her ex husband was not paying his child support money to her. I wanted to butt in and ask the first woman if she preferred to have a slacker husband who wasn't doing his financial duty for his kids? They seemed to miss the irony of the two of them vehemently complaining about (and agreeing with each other) the opposite sides of the same issue.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a feeling they'll just keep complaining about this for years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, have you read or seen anything about Jacee Dugard lately? She recently gave an interview with Diane Sawyer and I saw a clip of it online. That girl lost her innocence tragically at age 11, and spent 18 YEARS brutally restrained, repeatedly raped, and controlled while living in impoverished conditions. She bore 2 children for her abuser and in this clip was talking about giving birth to the first one at age 14; while in labor she was alone, scared out of her mind, and yet she did it.</div><div><br /></div><div>That just struck me! I've given birth three times in a safe hospital setting, surrounded by medical professionals and loving, supportive family. I never want to complain about any of the pain I endured, again. Not after knowing what that 14 year old girl went through.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many times the questions we ask ourselves is; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Why is this happening to me? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why aren't I having the wonderful pain-free, problem-free life I want? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>How come everything hasn't turned out like I wanted it to? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why isn't my husband perfect? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why are my kids so wild? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why don't I have more money? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i><i>Don't I deserve a good life?"</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What we need to be asking ourselves is; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"How is it that my life is NOT as bad as others? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why aren't I the one dealing with a missing or murdered child? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>How come I wasn't born in a country where I was raped around age 5 </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and then sold by my own parents into sex slavery </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in order to give my family a few extra bags of rice? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why isn't my family in a nation of civil unrest that tears us apart and forces us all into torture and abuse, including rape and being infected by HIV?"</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Because the blunt reality is that NONE of us deserve the blessings that we have and the wonderful life that we are given. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's by the grace of God that we are born to decent families in a prosperous nation. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's by the grace of God that we have our basic health.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's by His mercy that we aren't forced into </div><div style="text-align: center;">abuse, slavery, and a life of horrendous crime just for survival.</div><div><br /></div><div>We gripe about our house when millions of people wish they had a safe place to sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>We critically judge our appearance in the mirror and devise ways to lose weight when millions of children literally starve to death every day.</div><div><br /></div><div>We fuss with our hair, our nails, our clothes, and yet millions of kids wonder if they will live with their diseases long enough to become a teenager.</div><div><br /></div><div>We moan about the mess and noise our kids are making when thousands of parents endure the nightmare of having their kids kidnapped and knowing that finding their dead bodies might be preferable to never knowing what happened to them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe your life isn't perfect. Maybe it hasn't turned out like the fairy tale you imagined that it would. But instead of focusing on what you don't have, let's try thanking God for what we don't have...those daily horrors that some people live and breath every moment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's thank Him for what we DO have and remember that</div><div><br /></div><div><i> ..."but for the grace of God, there go I."</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-2729154301084005612011-06-28T17:02:00.000-07:002011-06-28T17:30:14.476-07:00Gratitude During Moving Chaos<div style="text-align: left;">ARG so much going on right now, with us moving to the Kapolei area of Oahu. This is an exciting time, and one we've been looking forward to for awhile...ok a looooooong while....but it's also pretty stressful in some ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>Packing and moving a household of 5 people would be a challenge no matter what, but with 3 of those people age 4 and under, it's interesting. Samuel keeps asking for certain books/toys and when he's reminded that those are packed in boxes, he responds with a very 15-year-old sounding; "Aww, MAN!" It's really funny. He needs to be prepared well in advance when something 'different' is happening, so he's been told what is going on and can recite it to anyone who asks; "We are putting everything in boxes. The boxes go in a big truck. We drive the big truck to NEW HOUSE and take the boxes out. We cut into the boxes and get out all our toys again."</div><div><br /></div><div>Sounds simple, right? haha yeah, to him. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Ko'Olina Lagoons will be our closest beach area; </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>which is great because we love to take our kids there already!</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9La5R-WTUghq99P90tbOzeiNssV6r7-WWvxXFZb8t5QiOXbpGG5tpPaZlwkeCCKr76s1IZzbYLpHY9PucIuGWMKsL23gQEiL9qXDVGVkQfvM5OIFFJTCp-GhO-3Hnv5DCKMOrotJg_g/s320/Ko%2527olina.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623430163654237778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Olivia doesn't understand the move, and probably won't even remember living here in this place since she was born here and is only about to turn 3. She's just going with the flow, which means her usual asking for a Princess movie, needing more juice or chocolate milk or snacks or to go to the potty or wanting her blanket or her pillow or crying about Samuel doing something or crying because she saw a bug, or crying for no reason at all.....you get the picture. She is high-maintenance to say the least.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Olivia playing "Packing and Moving"; where she packs a box full of toys, writes on it with a pen, closes it and moves it to another room where she proceeds to open and unpack it. Since this is the first move of her entire life, my sister and I decided this proves that moving is in her DNA. Yep, I passed on some gypsy blood I guess!</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAtgAjT10_WPMV3_VU8lxrjJUHzkdyM4UcujYT7_QeyDecZjAuEczWz0nTDKY7E7QG8mtctEJSykevux_khw4Or2fZTM7wlzK4IYAD04U6sGJXVh7VToLe_DC3K5fzeh2HPT481GVcnY/s320/172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623430867242424930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>And Emma needs everything a 7-month old baby needs, which is food, diapers, sleep, and constant supervision because everything goes into her mouth and she is trying to learn to walk already.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ems trying to stand climb on the boxes in her determination</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> to actually walk before we leave this house!</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsG7ca3tunakB38GQJtLXCfFG3jWSSWzmWrfRul8gWMEa2hu1EEvqgWgUClOZaQH6kNOk33JI6smUNTqHA7Z5gXk1Bckhg4YW3i5LKn9IUAjnl-KAXZYCGfdPLMN4dJCar5vqMlO0Z0w/s320/174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623431730741624802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>It's fun here!</div><div><br /></div><div>But I've been thinking about blessings and how I want to be sure and remind myself about the ones I have in my life. I want to remember to thank God for them because I surely don't deserve them. For everything bleh in my life, I want to stop and turn the bleh moment into hurray!</div><div><br /></div><div>The house we are moving to won't be THAT much bigger. <i>But it WILL have another bedroom AND a front yard AND a backyard, both fenced in, which is a crazy blessing here in Hawaii.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It's a pain to pack everything. <i>But God has prepared me for this; this is my 15th move in life so really, I'm a pro and it requires very little mental energy to efficiently pack. Heavens knows I need my mental energy for other things.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It's hot here and icky to work in. <i>But we are moving to a higher elevation which should be cooler and rainer...yay! My kids may even actually wear clothes during the day if it's cool enough!</i></div><div><br /></div><div>My kids, husband, and myself have good health. My husband is awesome and I'm so proud of him for getting this new job and making this big move for his family, because it's just one more step up for us on our road in life.</div><div><br /></div><div>My kids are amazing. Samuel will be starting Kindergarten in a new school and has no fear whatsoever; he's so excited about it and I know he'll do well in the new program. He's reading 3-letter words and hearing him sound out words makes my heart jump with pride. Olivia is trying to potty train and is SUCH a good little mommy to Emma. Emma...oh my word....that child is gorgeous and sweet and I spend so many moments of the day just kissing her! I can't help it! She may be my last baby and that alone is reason to slow down and enjoy her adorableness!</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, back to work. I just really wanted to share an attitude of gratitude!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-19682006756172545482011-06-22T13:03:00.000-07:002011-06-22T13:45:17.205-07:00Rainbow Cake<div style="text-align: left;">I feel bad because I posted pics of my rainbow cake on FB last night, but I was too tired to explain it...and to say that the idea is NOT my own! I don't want to take credit for something that wasn't my original idea, so let me tell you where I got the idea from....a blog I found through Pinterest!</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, have you gotten on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> yet? OH MY WORD so much simple fun...haha....I love it. I love the idea of making a 'bulletin board' of your dreams/wishes/goals and Pinterest makes it easy. You can browse hundreds of pictures and 'pin' the ones you like onto your own boards. Or just 'pin' a picture up when you come across one you like online. So much fun. Love it. Join now (free). Click <a href="http://pinterest.com/">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>ANYWAY I digress. So yeah, this is the pic I found on Pinterest, and the cool thing about Pinterest is that you can usually click on the picture and find who originally posted it, and therefore how to make that wonderful bookcase/clothing item/culinary delight. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekXSgJlHF9WIfqPYfq8Ic1kMV7rIMKV66i4aLfwiDBwxm8EtX09iluLqawkgWBVXq845wIA_lthjtjO8TL5l7_FhY9A34Tlsa5mSSxvEKnLSq6ufk67nOetgI75UlWD395Cf5rk-dlh0/s320/Rainbow+Cake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621143084792608706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Doesn't that look AWESOME??? But don't wait any longer, click over to the <a href="http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake">ORIGINAL blog</a> to see how to do this. And guess what....this is Weight-Watcher's approved!! Yep! Here you go, click <a href="http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, so I didn't follow her recipe though, for two main reasons:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. I wasn't worried about doing it Weight-Watcher-approved</div><div>2. I'm not that good of a cook. I don't do complicated recipes. Period.</div><div><br /></div><div>So mine was simple; I got the white cake mix and followed all the directions to make the batter. <i>Since it calls for only egg whites I was super impressed that I knew how to quickly & manually separate the egg whites, thanks to my years of working at IHOP in college and watching the cooks do this. A nod to those slavery years, thank you IHOP.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Then I separated the batter into roughly equal portions. I decided to only do 4 colors because it was late and I was tired, but my imagination could see all sorts of colors and combinations possible. The purple came from mixing blue/red dye.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFmOmFPgsJl4-88KFzdse9C2DiSbn0qyEyMuF4P3UMpusF-NJf9rCDd0kxfKr1QCU54h7QUHS73VUtQoxzUOORiL7cgYnsiGqPp3iRcF6QtkGs0Dx97A79tt1kXnbDy3hb6vgVduBWK8/s320/IMG_1750%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621143089577026914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Then I plopped the batter (dividing it into two of course) into the WELL GREASED cake pans. This was fun. Actually this whole cake was fun but probably because I love colors and these are awesome bright colors, yes?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCw2zbltkVCqR8g4GU4-9eOoUE-drIhA_aKvolyqIyrQYjra4D-HSKEqWAd8KJt5oL-fTu8Ua4BkuQl4Yu6_rRXbeQ-_jVQNUap17IFOIQThlRtCj5z2Hnly-2TxW9XGGJlDDiMx1GtM/s320/IMG_1752%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621143095804911666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Bake these beauties like the box says to do. And here you go. I didn't do the stacked cake like the original blog does because I was making one small one for my family to enjoy, and the other is for a friend. But yes, the stacked one would be fun. I also want to do cupcakes this way but thanks to my husband, I didn't have access to my cupcake pans. That's another story I won't delve into here.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSZQ6RJ3NAI6wPLGeGA2ej2gkTyNO3XiGVoh5kCBXZSlQuyUum0aajoKkb7uP8x1YcHDnlnb2u5IFxDPJj_oQBvb7t-nS2Jug7Vkf7_mKKdRVoq7Y4YnFZC-a3Y4tsZvupQ5ZANG1_p0/s320/IMG_1754%255B1%255D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621143101881739778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And I didn't go fancy with colored icing because, as stated above, it was late and I was tired. Next time, I want to do fun icing though. I'm visualizing a red/white/blue cake with some sort of matching icing...for the Fourth of July? Or whatever...let your imagination run wild...</div><div><br /></div><div>YUM YUM!!! My husband & the kids were in love with this cake and couldn't wait to eat it. </div><div><br /></div><div>OK so if you go into Pinterest, enter "rainbow cake" into the search box and be inspired by all the pics that come up. The next time you make a cake for your kids, make it FUN!</div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously, if I can do this, anyone can do it. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-77871366279729369842011-06-09T15:38:00.001-07:002011-06-09T15:59:15.618-07:00I'll Take Some Inner Peace, Master Shifu!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tWG_KaFiw-PyaBByW66cFnYTN5WVZ7PXjKUX0m-DSR6_x0aPQ_yjNj9oqSQPpzWHeHf9QN_g-4hpxIl8oxmV6ztQGU-QAe9QJVS84_oBf0Lw53NAXWLtfYuBv8Hazw45x5UNTXbNwTQ/s1600/SoShawna%2527s+iPhone+pics+004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>When I was a kid, I looked forward to summer so much! Nights of staying up late playing outside until the fireflies came out, then getting to read in my bed until I nodded off to sleep...lazy days of sleeping in, having breakfast for lunch before a day of climbing trees, reading, playing with the cats and dogs, and finding exciting new places to explore. Summer seemed too short!<div><br /></div><div>HAHAHAHAHA fast forward a few years and now I'm a mom. And now summer is tooooo long!</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't get me wrong, I ADORE my son. I love Samuel to pieces and would do anything for him. I enjoy pulling him close for hugs and kisses even when he smells like a sweaty boy. However, as discussed in my previous posts, he has high-functioning autism and this means summers are TOO LONG for all of us!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Look Mommy, I'm Master Shifu!"</i></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tWG_KaFiw-PyaBByW66cFnYTN5WVZ7PXjKUX0m-DSR6_x0aPQ_yjNj9oqSQPpzWHeHf9QN_g-4hpxIl8oxmV6ztQGU-QAe9QJVS84_oBf0Lw53NAXWLtfYuBv8Hazw45x5UNTXbNwTQ/s320/SoShawna%2527s+iPhone+pics+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616357564825670450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 294px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Autistic kids thrive (and survive) on routines. Samuel in particular, loves having his days mapped out for the next few weeks, including every activity he may be involved in. He can tell you what he's supposed to do in the days leading up to a fun activity and it would sound something like this; "Wake up, eat pudding, go to school. Come home, take a nap, wake up, watch a movie, play, read books, go to park, take a bath, brush teeth, read a Bible story, say prayers, go to sleep. Then wake up, eat pudding, go to birthday party! Yay!" And this is how our days go, every day. If something is coming up that is unusual, we prepare him for it days or weeks in advance. His teachers create visual calendars showing all the school days, holidays, etc. that they send home with him, knowing he wants to cross off days and look at everything planned out for him in advance.</div><div><br /></div><div>SO now it's summer. The schedule is 'messed up', regardless of any summer schedule I try to implement. He also thrives on learning so I try to do homeschooling, but he gets through all of that so quickly it's crazy...then he's bored. And a bored boy equals trouble! Add a 2-yr old girl and a baby learning to crawl, and it's no wonder my home looks like an earthquake turned it upside down! And sleep....HAHA what is that?? </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, my son is watching Kung Fu Panda 2 and playing with all of his beloved KFP2 action figures from McDonalds. I have to laugh at the movie because of its theme about achieving inner peace. The theory is; if you can achieve inner peace, you can harness the power of the universe. Forget the universe, I'll let God take care of that. I just want to harness the power of having a peaceful home, a peaceful mommy with lots of patience, and oh yes, the inner peace of having a long, interrupted nap.</div><div><br /></div><div>If Mommy's truly mastered inner peace, can you even IMAGINE what we would be able to get done??? If we weren't so sleep deprived, we'd be unstoppable. </div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-14755201932918160542011-05-20T13:24:00.001-07:002011-05-20T13:28:09.284-07:00Evy's Tree Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">And yes, there is another fantastic giveaway going on over at <a href="http://evystree.blogspot.com/2011/05/share-love-website-prepand-giveaway.html">Evy's Tree</a>. Be ready for any patriotic moment with this Independence Day hoodie!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdy5hKEKbGLOWwg1IQLhj-24FrrXWGDEvJ684HkqdTvBO4LWGHq21buPjfq3Uep9wYmKRBsVMAC5RlB4RwViOpjb7s0FIXfHr9rulqZ2TgYjnwKrDWjn4rM09q1nE3ha_en050bnmoSg/s320/Independence+Day+hoodie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608897483167003874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Click on the link to go to the giveaway site and be sure to follow her for more opportunities to win one of her awesome designs! </div><div><br /></div><div>http://evystree.blogspot.com/2011/05/share-love-website-prepand-giveaway.html</div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-85378999439359888802011-05-20T11:36:00.000-07:002011-05-20T15:06:05.174-07:00A Child Lost<div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever lost your child in a store or somewhere else? My friend Amy told me once about her son Jake and how he got lost in Barnes & Noble when he was just a toddler. She related how panicked she was, running around yelling his name and probably looking like a crazy mom! But she didn't care how she looked; she just ran and yelled and finally found him. Oh what relief she felt!</div><div><br /></div><div>I took her story to heart and have probably been a bit over-cautious about my kids when we've gone to the stores. I'm only now beginning to let my 4-year old son walk beside me instead of riding in the cart with his 2-year old sister! I know, I know, that's a little extreme maybe. But he does have high-functioning autism and I know he can get absorbed in something he sees and not pay any attention to where I am or that I'm moving to the next aisle. Or he might think of something he wants to see somewhere else in the store, and off he goes. He's finally getting to the age where he understands to stay near so I'm trying to be more lenient.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have great <a href="http://www.mypreciouskid.com/dog-tags-personalized.html">ID tags</a> for Samuel and Olivia, with their names and the phone numbers for both myself and my husband on them. Hey, don't laugh! Seriously, losing one of my kids in a big crowd is such a nightmare scenario that I want to avoid. I love these tags and slap them on a belt loop or clothes tag any time we are in a big crowd like at air shows, museums, the mall, etc. or when Samuel goes on a field trip. If my kid wanders off, I want someone to be able to call me ASAP!</div><div><br /></div><div>However, a few weeks ago IT finally happened; we lost him in Target. I was shopping with the cart and the two younger kids, and my son went to the bathroom with my husband. I'm not sure what happened but somehow Samuel got done and left and was gone. Just like that. I happened to look up and see my husband fast-walking past the aisle where I was and I could tell from his face and his actions that he was looking for Samuel! </div><div><br /></div><div>My heart thudded. In that moment, you freeze physically but your mind races. How many exits were there in the store? How many crazy pedophiles looking for an unattended child? Would he go outside and try to find our car? Should I scream and start running around too? I couldn't do that with my other two kids, so I pushed the cart around a few aisles and looked everywhere for a Target employee so I could ask for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Adam">Code Adam</a> to be called. I mentally built a complete description of everything Samuel was wearing, from head to toe. And yes, I prayed. Hard and quickly! <i>"Jesus, please let him be OK. Let us find him quickly. Don't let anything happen to him or for anyone evil to touch him."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Those are breath taking, heart stopping, nerve wracking moments, aren't they?</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, my husband remembered how fascinated Samuel had been with a certain toy they had just been looking at, and he headed to the Toy Department. Sure enough, there was Samuel. Than you, Jesus! </div><div><br /></div><div>If you've ever had a child run off or disappear in seconds like that, you know exactly how this felt. </div><div><br /></div><div>So yesterday while I was trying to get things in my home finished up for the night, I put on the "<a href="http://www.kirkfranklin.com/music/hero">Hero</a>" album by Kirk Franklin. The song "<a href="http://myplay.com/audio_player/kirkfranklin/165/103231/117450?allowBrowsing=1">Without You</a>" came on and just really grabbed my attention with its lyrics, especially the line...'<i>like a child that's lost his way</i>'....</div><div><br /></div><div>It occurred to me once again that we are God's children. How He loves us so much, more than we can imagine. If we as parents get so completely freaked out when we lose sight of our kids, imagine how He must feel when we lose our way. When we don't know Him fully or trust Him completely. When we get caught up in our worries and life's problems and in the confusion of the world. When we feel overburdened by sadness and fear.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPEyyoBnmH2Cw-oWGrYmUfGu4dSrPg2Iy7CeWwybkNGhgvI8CuGy3i5UpqCrdocPhZak1kMrzHw0XMeeEV1zbbw2JuxVgVdK535WIIfycBjB1lLqfR8PbUqah1b46Hn8RRNCMD65iYbQ/s320/IsolationSadGirlHideFace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608893991125577874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Like a parent trying to find our child, imagine Him reaching for us. Trying to guide us, clasp us closely, and wanting to set us on the right path and seeing us reach our full potential. Imagine Him calling your name and holding out His hand, just waiting for you to take it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I encourage you to take a moment today and remember that He is more than we can imagine. He is reaching for you...yes even you...and for some reason He led you to read this blog at this very moment. If you feel like you've lost your way a little...strayed somehow from the path He has ordained for you...He wants nothing more but to hold you close and help you find your way. Without Him, we can't make it. Without Him, life is meaningless. But WITH Him, everything has meaning and we can live joyously. </div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-85770725886699001112011-05-03T17:55:00.000-07:002011-05-03T19:02:03.075-07:00Saving $$ in Hawaii with Coupons<div style="text-align: left;">Maybe some of you grew up using coupons or knowing how to combine coupons for ultimate savings, but I've never really used them. I would see them and think; "$.35 off? That's not such a big deal. Forget it." Other than using coupons occasionally for eating out, I'm ashamed to admit that they have not been a big part of my life. And I live in one of the most expensive states in the US, too! I've had friends on the mainland saving major buck$ over the past year or so by couponing, but it seemed too complicated even though one friend in particular, Kari, has been patiently responding to my many texts/emails begging for help. Kari and I go waaaaayyy back (ok maybe not waaaaay back since we both admit to only being in our late 20's), so I feel like I know her ways of thinking pretty well, and seeing how much money she's been saving blows my mind! She has a great website (<a href="http://northshoremama.com/">Northshore Mama</a>) that you should check out if you want to save money. It specializes in the northshore area above New Orleans, but a huge majority of her site content features ways anyone can save regardless of where they live.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another MUST website for coupon deals: <a href="http://thekrazycouponlady.com/">The Krazy Koupon Lady</a></div><div>And if you're here in Hawaii with me, you'll want to connect to: <a href="http://www.myalohadeals.net/">My Aloha Deals</a></div><div><br /></div><div>So anyway, living here in Hawaii with 3 young kids (2 in diapers) is a little difficult. My husband has a good job and I am able to stay home, which is a huge blessing that I am thankful for every day. But things can be tight. So I decided that I wanted to give this couponing thing a try and see if I could actually save significant money doing it.</div><div><br /></div><div>About a month ago, I saved $5 with coupons at Foodland. The next week, we saved about $30 between the grocery store and Target. It's gotten easier to figure stuff out and although I still consider myself a novice couponer, I am learning the ropes and having FUN!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Today I saved $54.18</span></b> and am SO excited about it that I wanted to share my couponing adventures a little, and hopefully it will encourage some of you to start couponing as well. Especially my local friends because I know how tough it is here in Paradise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note to Hawaii people: many mainland stores have days where they double your coupon values, so a $.50 coupon will turn into a $1 coupon. To my knowledge, there are NO stores in Hawaii that double. So don't get your hopes up too much and think that you will see the kind of savings that the "<a href="http://press.discovery.com/us/tlc/programs/extreme-couponing/">Extreme Couponing</a>" people see. However, don't give up...every little bit helps, right? Also keep this important fact in mind: as you know, here in Hawaii space is limited. This goes for stores too! They are always getting new inventory in and so they need to sell what they have to make room! So we may not get 'doubling' but we do get good sales. Read on....</div><div><br /></div><div>Today's little 3-bag haul from Long's would have cost me over $100 if I had paid what I normally pay for the items purchased. Up until now, we've just made bi-monthly (paycheck days) trips to Wal-Mart and bought everything needed, not using coupons. We just assumed that Wal-Mart had the best prices. <i>UGH I cannot believe how much money we've wasted doing this! </i>So after my shopping trip today, I figured up how much money I saved by taking what we normally would pay for the item full price, then subtracting what I actually paid. Here are the amazing results, with the best saved for last!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Popcorn Normally would have paid $2.39 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Actually paid $1</span> = $1 savings</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNToxshbZCNgqfZnBTpUFC9II0AsDn0iw9ktklTM2cvQzAT-aWnlgTWFHHsSsdMo7ft0TRyCRp2Q8WSmf9oP5J4jQ0ZV8UyJuxDc6Aam4ISoEqJa0IZuKFCfoMpl2er3pN8q_F6qm3md0/s320/078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602670773717966610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dawn dishwashing soap Regular price $2 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Paid $.94 each</span> = $1.06 savings (times 2)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdsaxqjxkJnc0RgGf2tVbzd7kc73bO5zm3lSW2Qdwxj7z8e1S0g4UnId0fTcQxN53cpQFa8u-zDfADUKzvvowlUDzDfw-OVySGCUrdN78mH8B13w2jA_Yh-hWM9eqlhX6jcLPRIMJgTc/s320/080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602671472170880082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Regular price $3.47 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Paid $1.41 each</span> = $2.06 savings (times 2)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kSHFeV0Xe5dlzJDmf0DbmvNCyJ61o6Lvzxw3-aiZsyZymvMB78QIdKPt1DBP-YX19y00jEbtZ1sClNv4SzWqQpf8j7GIHNH4ERwUim7tjP9Hm_Hs3CRDZCdlIxDddt7GP8UbdyoZ3fQ/s320/079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602671463478582210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Glad trash bags Regular price $6.84 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Paid $3.40</span> = $3.44 savings</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwUjqrv0LbNdpqHr3KSZFQCROhTlouln6kQ-BWNs35CiUjAdvzxF3yJAJssqrKlgKxDsUswlM5xamv9XmJdF17I6cMaLGCf0vaT2DvbLI2EH2YTo49znBX_zshzcJ_onS439imwV1IyA/s320/076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602670759940278226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 171px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Huggies Diapers Regular price $15 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Paid $6.99 each</span> - $8.01 savings (times 2)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6p92Cj49ftOGMpYc2x2nmij15MG2eiPv_OdF-x4d0QRYPwM4wc-xp62G4AQmife3nOo4XnCHIvmYs8dCDTrX2rha0aEiYCqoFFazOL_uWyRexuv1zEviXJjoCVRScMQbVDuo3hi_JLU/s320/074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602670752194897858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 157px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Huggies wipes Regular price $6.50 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Paid $1.09 each</span> = $5.41 savings (times 2)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8aI_RXS-4CchoI2hBx4AXNvGMZcfuSksc9Lf2DJ0wE2jrUw1P6d2eF_3xa5yBFzBOnS1ItCYuDe3eXlVIzgXk42fHypl-GicAO9AlMU-EoBECg-hc1dK6e_49R8eMrcLtRIW9MZHvc8/s320/075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602670755547970770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pantene Regular price - $5.84 each - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Paid $0.79</span> each = $5.05 savings (times 2)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKtmKzLKGZg6gfbty6t133kbZBjDwRBoMwITEYDw9bGs211yAZsoChPJc058j2yJ2dn50gdBEjGje9DEOtXBrZg70lAbJAPYyYr54HCAs6CnujxYSroP-bXaFVM-uyYqb9WVsXsGA47Q/s320/077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602670764626102578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oral B toothbrushes Regular price - $3.47 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Paid $0.19</span> each = $3.28 savings (times 5) I actaully had 5 coupons and yes, I bought 5 because they have no expiration date, are small, and were only nineteen cents each!!!!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xInG2mX08GWYphjOj-rmsCZkW8J2URjjHH0kkZTaLLKM0Szw9hi3W53c55x7GoOdbQN1kvT8FNh-HyBq-zrMg4JqJeuU2J8_x6wZA-lRvYYgJdNOu9cX4V9YoqGQMgbIEpbnHZ6aQx8/s320/081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602671476406607730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Crazy, huh? </div><div><br /></div><div>I still have alot to learn, but this is what I am doing so far...</div><div><br /></div><div>1) buy two Sunday papers and clip all the coupons from the inserts <i>(spent an hour on this Sunday night)</i></div><div>2) Organize coupons; food/non-food, then by type such as drinks, toothpaste, etc. <i>(spent 1/2 hour on this Monday)</i></div><div>3) Look through the sale papers and announcements that came in the Sunday paper. Write down all the matches you find for your coupons (I saw that toothbrushes were on sale and knew that I had a toothbrush coupon that matched). Many stores have sales on similar items so read your coupon 'fine print' carefully and note which stores have the best sale so you'll get a better deal. <i>(Spent 45 min on this Monday)</i>.</div><div>4) Tuck all your coupons and store lists away into a handy organizer and take it to the store when you go shopping.</div><div>5) It's also a good idea to check the above mentioned coupon sites and see if there are additional coupons you can print that match up with things you need that are also on sale. </div><div>6) If you don't match coupons up to sales, don't worry. The coupons usually don't expire for awhile and I'm learning to be patient because the sales DO come up eventually.</div><div>7) Carry the coupons with you! Check the 'clearance' racks at all stores. If the item is steeply discounted AND you have a coupon, you can get it for free or even get paid to take it out of the store! A few weeks ago I got a Duncan Hines cake AND the icing for a grand total of...twenty five cents!</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems overwhelming at first, but I promise that you get the hang of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>My initial hesitations about doing this...</div><div><br /></div><div>1) <b>"This takes a lot of time!"</b> Not really. I am a full-time 'stay at home mom', after all...so I feel like I can find a few hours out of the week to devote to finding ways to save money. This is part of my job as a wife/mom!</div><div><br /></div><div>2) <b>"This is confusing to figure out how to do."</b> Yeah a little, but I remind myself that I'm a college graduate and I have a brain! I can figure it out! And practice makes perfect, so get started!</div><div><br /></div><div>3) <b>"I don't have space to stockpile a bunch of stuff."</b> Space is limited here so I don't plan to stockpile huge amounts of items. If I get a surplus of items I have PLENTY of friends who would love to be blessed with extras. But it's nice to get a small stockpile of frequently used items while they are on sale so I don't pay full price for them later...</div><div><br /></div><div>So this is just the beginning of my coupon journey, but I'm excited about it so far! My husband is super excited about the savings...and how we will probably save a bunch in the future. Who knows, maybe we'll even be able to afford to have another baby!</div><div><br /></div><div>HAHAHAHAHAHA yeah right...lol....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-77003602550895512222011-04-25T18:59:00.000-07:002011-04-27T12:22:04.901-07:00Spring Fever<div style="text-align: left;">I love Spring, don't you? Maybe it's because my birthday is in April, but I've always felt a stirring in my soul during the spring. I can visualize winter doldrums dropping off my body...if only it was actual pounds dropping off said body...but anyway...</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy spring! We've had an eventful few weeks! My husband has his birthday in early March, then our anniversary is in mid-April, with my birthday just two days afterwards. And YES, my husband always does a fantastic job keeping the holidays separate! I get gifts/cards for both events. He is awesome about this, I must say. Even on our honeymoon cruise, he had the chef make a special birthday cake for me...although they got confused and my 'birthday' cake said "Happy Anniversary"...weird to see when you've been married exactly 72 hours!</div><div><br /></div><div>THIS birthday was the first year that I got a card picked out and written in by my 4-year old son. He may be on the autism spectrum (see my previous blog posts), but the kid is smart and this is what the inside looked like:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak6k5H1dv11KbX3fWhYHmQO-yBfOnbCPNnKTChrqolt0lofaBPj95oo7nCLPCh2cN3J6rhucPWC8ITl0wwvHgLxycegH3_jeHEJ2EdD3l__UznSYTpDLTs4DiboL55TnmCEsSuJGiclc/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599708028421641122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Yeah, I cried a bit. Who wouldn't?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The Saturday before Easter was our annual Easter Egg Hunt in Waikele. So much fun! Samuel moved up this year from the 'baby' group of ages 0-3, and he had to wait until the 4-7 age group to go. Here they are waiting for the starting horn to blow.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM72rmh7qMjJWjXzounf5M1pEI_huHUlbJSOId8-Y2hCQcOHJWydfracf_q7mvDSh3CCL8oV75KHmf48kB-PCf3SYm8BxdXyt9UJiB7ysTcH9gdLS0-hphkaAmnxCvWDKksR3G9fgh_s/s320/026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599709044745512978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div>Why yes, of course she wore a pair of her princess heels to hunt eggs. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r0VbqL5_uqgRR5b905tOAmH_xJJESEydhH1LZA3qaj1oUJwohF_8pmWRCcAOGcbuvtn1XHp_HNXy7ubNk1QDZ11h-gH8Jxcf3SS1M2AEIXs9GRqKNvbj6X1LNawy91gvlK2dy0QSHRA/s320/027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599709035569532658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I love having young kids and deciding what traditions we as a family are going to establish. I love the idea of Easter baskets, although growing up in a large family I didn't regularly get one. In fact, I think I may have gotten a basket once, thanks to my older sister! But while cruising the local stores I see that it would be easy to get caught up in all the massive amounts of toys and candy that you can get for baskets. It's a bit overwhelming, yes? Plus I don't like the idea of faux grass and pointless baskets that just clutter up the place. So Elton and I decided that we would get useful containers or none at all, and the baskets would consist of the mandatory chocolate Easter bunny (in dark chocolate in case Mommy sneaks a nibble!), and one toy. Grandma already got them stuffed animals, anyway. Am I too practical?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Anyway, because I'm trying to learn how to use coupons, I kept an eye out for toy coupons and am THRILLED that I was able to match coupons up with sales. I got a game for Samuel that was $3 after sale/coupon, and an awesome Rapunzel doll (from Disney's 'Tangled') for $5 after sale/coupon! The kids loved their 'baskets' and Mommy was proud of her coupon skills. We talked about the meaning of Easter and how we are celebrating the Jesus is alive!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_asj-O5Wxa6oaPzHWFdNDKYG-mcT5fLFzCkod723cxMxFqJKIJZnyDGGzxjaLzhwAGVcvwt1c95PWn0f6haIgrA32zJ3JzQO2bdYqYRtI7yTM2cI-MRSBucx8D8Up0LVRRGS9LL9dYZk/s320/038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599709064361040626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Changing the subject....man, can you believe that April is almost over? Time is flying by! Speaking of time, I feel like I'm busier than ever now days. In fact, it's taken 3 days of working on this blog just to get it done. Crazy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Here is the Gray family on Easter Sunday at our service in Honolulu. Wishing all of you a wonderful Spring and may you find the time to make wonderful memories with your loved ones and friends!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OjedlInv1Aew7qKE6aC3UXqy9PNCfXSRfs1_0Ou1VnFQwQBPxMmpdO0hQu__Byt6KlEw45rueTBCLAQAdiHwCjawjtOngy2Px-_6dXILl4AoJqlfo7uvK5PnY1aJbgFcxy2FD-gR5KA/s320/049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599709053190418994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-44623586370461198232011-04-13T14:04:00.000-07:002011-04-13T17:54:14.555-07:00Autism Awareness Giveaway Winners!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQX448IhpyL6XDpQsVRpfhw8Old1jWflEwXKKzMtUXeaVcCmcb9b-gVKizHAuuu6RQE1_1aXkj_uU9IU8fw5UH-OA_K1VaHIJcdJo7AsIZ8z-6lcZaOY82snnPP2h5LvwYBg5THruruc/s1600/autism+speaks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQX448IhpyL6XDpQsVRpfhw8Old1jWflEwXKKzMtUXeaVcCmcb9b-gVKizHAuuu6RQE1_1aXkj_uU9IU8fw5UH-OA_K1VaHIJcdJo7AsIZ8z-6lcZaOY82snnPP2h5LvwYBg5THruruc/s320/autism+speaks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595230500161686210" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well the time has come to wrap up this Autism Awareness series and announce the giveaway winners! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read these posts; hopefully you learned something and that, after all, is the point of 'raising awareness'. And a HUGE thank you to all of the people who generously donated prizes. Let me know if I can ever help YOU with something!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have debated about whether to include some information about the dreaded "M-word" that all parents dread....melt-downs! Of course all kids have those times of absolute and utter collapse, due to being over-tired, hungry, cranky, and probably, just being two years old. Or three...or four... etc... Because children with autism can be over-tired, cranky, hungry AND then get over stimulated, frustrated because of inability to effectively communicate, and so on...the Melt-Downs can be of nuclear proportions! And because they can often happen in public and cause quite a scene, I thought I would blog specifically about them as my closeout Autism Awareness post. Hopefully, being aware of these can help YOU, as a caring and compassionate person, and perhaps you can one day find a way to be helpful to a parent dealing with a autism-related Melt-Down.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To begin, let me introduce you to Ingunn. This incredibly sweet girl is originally from Norway, and we met during our college years in California. Now she and her husband are missionaries to Estonia. She has two young boys and the oldest has been diagnosed with autism. She and I have been able to encourage each other, and for that I am very grateful. It's interesting because it had been many years since we'd seen each other, and back in 2009 we met up at a conference in St. Louis, Missouri. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZkfDvZjQg-vunwNWrtWmUBaCwrWz4twWAFfMOSbFvAyRSK-j2Nho_3W28JF0cm6zpKmPpXFcOOaF41DTdSl_fnaxenC2FRBhqnjKVAJ1KGmMj-9ae16OLgtws80qK7r26CAHyMl0BC0/s320/319.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595232846980037074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At the time, we didn't yet know that either of our oldest sons were on the autism spectrum, but as we talked with each other and observed our kids together, we commented to each other how similar her Christopher and my Samuel were...and not just because they were close in age. We talked about how they both had speech delays and how they acted so quirky sometimes. Ironically, after that conference we both soon had our sons diagnosed and it was very clear why our sons were similar! In our discussions about our sons, Ingunn shared a troubling experience she had while still traveling in America, and she gave me permission to share it here...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of the episodes that I will never forget, and that just brought out the Momma Bear in me, happened at the Chicago airport. We were leaving the US to go overseas last May. It was already bedtime, and we had to wait in line to go through security, one more time. Christopher was restless and spotted a toy store right next to the line. I went with him, leaving Nate with Michael and all of our hand luggage. But when it came time to leave and get back in line, Christopher had a meltdown. Probably the worst it’s ever been. I carried him (4-year-olds are heavy!), people staring because he was screaming uncontrollably. There was no use in waiting in a long line, so I found a security guard, told her my boy had autism and that we needed help. She took me to the front of the line to take our shoes off, and another lady tried to tell Christopher not to scream (like his mother carrying him was worthless), and I looked her straight in the eyes and said, “My son has autism. Thank you for your help.” Fortunately, a third lady who worked on the other side of the portal that you go through was very helpful. Safely on the other side, she found us on the bench were I was holding Christopher and calming him down, brought our bags and said something like, “I respect you parents for all that you have to deal with. I understand that autism is tough.” Her words were soothing and very welcome after what almost seemed unreal while it was happening. I’m not confrontational or very direct as a person. But faced with having to fight for my son, something just rose inside of me. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This story touched a nerve in me because I've also had similar experiences, and I wanted to share one in particular that is seared painfully into my memory: at that St. Louis conference, Samuel and Olivia were both over-tired after the long flight, weirded out by the strange place and thousands of strangers and hotel room, and having to go to session after session in a huge auditorium with bright lights and loud sounds was all leading up to an Event. Olivia was just mildly cranky but was easily soothed, but Samuel just couldn't handle it anymore by the second night. He just completely freaked out. We were trying to talk to friends but it got more and more impossible as we realized he wasn't just crying like normal, but he was completely out of control. Screaming, crying, gasping for breath, unable to walk, his eyes wide and panicked. It was horrendous. We couldn't get him to calm down at all and we begin to see that this was not normal. We quickly walked back to our hotel (late at night with his cries echoing up and down the street) and got to our room (his cries echoing through the hotel) and tried to figure out what to do. Finally, out of desperation, I ran a full tub of warm water and got him into it. I knew that he liked playing in the bath so this seemed like a good idea. Little did I know that water therapy is often a successful way to help over-stimulated autistic kids, but luckily I acted on instinct and did the right thing. I grabbed everything in the bathroom that could be used as bath toys; the free toothbrushes and cases, soap dishes, shampoo bottle, hair clips...and he began to calm down as the warm water soothed him and after awhile, he stopped crying and just played quietly. We didn't get into bed until after 2 am, and after sleeping late the next day we made the decision to skip all the conference sessions and spend some family time together. We went to the Gateway Arch park and let our kids run and play for hours, enjoying just the sun, wind, grass, and stick fighting. My pastor's wife from Hawaii was speaking at the conference and I REALLY hated missing that, but I knew that my son's health was more important.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Much better! At the Gateway Arch having fun with Daddy.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mU7sCpBlI9PS0U__lLaNQbAjB3xVVe_T4MZRTXSWlIYeGd2Zjal4O7buuFN_DSjexTD7iHPKcTsMoYUFrkeS6Csa9wdP9mcoqrce8dzcKugVanabp-eyfN4HkqX45pzi_SctEfZho3M/s320/345.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595232404497584834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> This was the beginning of a huge mental shift for me and my life, and from then on I began making critical judgement calls about my family and what I would choose to be involved in and what events would just get missed. Being a mom is the most important job I have right now, and if it means that I miss tons of things (I do get to participate in some things), then I am totally OK with that. There will be plenty of time for some things later in life, but I will only have a few years to enjoy my kids' childhood and Samuel may need 150% of my time instead of just 100%. And that's OK.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am blogging about these experiences so that YOU, dear reader, will understand the next time you see a child with autism melting down. You may ask; what can I do?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So glad you asked!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Don't judge. Don't even look judgmental or critical because it hurts to think that people are looking at you as if you are a bad parent who simply can't control their kid.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. Offer to help. Yes! Go ahead! Smile nicely and look directly at the mom and say something like; "It looks like you are having a tough time, but I can tell you are a great mom. Is there something I can get for you?" Remember how much better kind words helped Ingunn feel?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. If the mom has other kids, ask her if you can help watch them or keep them occupied while she deals with the situation.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. If other people are staring rudely, try to distract them and get their attention diverted.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5. Later, if possible, talk to the mom and ask her how she is doing. Ask her if there is a way you can help should a public melt down happen in the future. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6. Tell your own kids how to be patient, loving, and non-critical of children who have trouble adapting to the normal ups and downs of life because of their autism. I've see a young girl come up and talk to Samuel while he's crying and that soothed him so quickly I couldn't believe it! Kids can help each other sometimes faster than an adult can.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7. Pray for the family. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8. Don't gossip about them or offer advice about how they should discipline their kid better. Yes I've had this happen! I've had people go into lengthly descriptions about the type of paddle they buy and how they use it to teach their kids to never act up in public, and if I would just do the same then I wouldn't have a problem with Samuel. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And now to our giveaway winners!!! </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">IF YOU ARE A WINNER I'LL BE CONTACTING YOU SOON TO GET YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you didn't win anything, thank you SO MUCH for participating and I truly hope you enjoyed learning about autism.</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To select the winners, I collected all the entries, numbered them, and used the Random.org number generator to pick the winners. Sounds complicated but thankfully for number-challenged me, it wasn't! So here are the WINNERS and their PRIZES:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1) Hand-sanded, polished, painted, & stamped wooden memory/matching game made out of tree branches, donated by </span><a href="http://www.ourlovelymess.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Cheyenne</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and </span><a href="http://rojofotodesign.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Robert Johnson</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrZq435BOC4W7uQKCung-FOkYkbSaKSuljjhDdP1F3tUuSqVm2o5V5GhfE2EJkEt7k-5AoAJxne0pdyipqb9DRxaxhgaKStLUbQy4WJZpR16LCRmfCpqhJ6JGDs8pAmA55JyovqkiBmw/s320/Wooden+Game.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595228518103683426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WINNING ENTRY:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> # 57 </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13097101259062624221"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Becky</span></span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said...</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm a therapist and one of my all-time favorite clients was a teen with the diagnosis of PDD-NOS. His family always believed in and encouraged him to embrace his differences and pursue his dreams. He is studying psychology in a local community college right now. He left a mark on my heart that will always remind me to look at kids in light of their possibilities and dreams, not their difficulties! Great post.</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-ii.html?showComment=1300237447573#c8630431282070248957" title="comment permalink"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">March 15, 2011 6:04 PM</span></span><span style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2) Autism Awareness SCENTSY warmer donated by SCENTSY Consultant </span><a href="https://shannonlapuma.scentsy.us/Home"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Shannon LaPuma</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5jG6DC8ce8Hj71MjuKxfCYe520wfUOfT49er2pPhKHTH8ybRGNVMj5uv6Djzd_V3kiNwidZfgEkFJ3FOVw3YlwhXrErvK7NS2Sy1T20zK9s1O_rnJQBeeYiZ4DBflm6SZ8Y4LY788dc/s320/autism+scentsy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595228523128064930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 87px; height: 130px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WINNING ENTRY: # 107</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02752120407977482083"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jamie</span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said...</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I just found you through Evy's Tree and I have to say, I'm so happy I did. I have toddler triplets and 2 of the 3 have been diagnosed with Autism. I am just now trying to find a community and the best resources for them, so thank you!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3) Navy Lacey Zip Up by </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evys-Tree/114149881932945?sk=wall"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Evy's Tree</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> donated by </span><a href="http://evystree.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amy Miraflor</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgWmVryNE9akH3GkiRAQsQIE1gDp76yVHxMpWlLBqorJvrg0rphFhgiZrDsuLnpCn3yi_z7eoFC8XX9KMbreheDTZ2BIQcZ8dlyOxBB6jcyw2VxBu9N1B8gCDGeR3jWApAWiT8x9Vrzs/s320/Navy+zip+up.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595228528823325986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WINNING ENTRY: #69</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/01404562611834618857"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">kendajo</span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said...</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I actually had no idea that Samuel did not play imaginatively. I did know that he lined up his toys a lot. It's really interesting to see just how different and broad this really is.</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-ii.html?showComment=1300839008249#c8694631984045435811" title="comment permalink"><span style="color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">March 22, 2011 5:10 PM</span></span><span style="color:#BB213A;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4) Hand knitted boa scarf & matching beanie hat donated by</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689413655"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Joy McMurray</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3oWazi8RKtSYKPaEBmsoE8HzK0DttpXitws0ueWywcvlJas3z63-oFGapzdf2s1DjtvNav8XNKE_jz2fWGY31ZTb9g_ajIDsKF-1avrUZco-tTXNuRWHiubQWV4vf7qtCq1R1_qVgW4/s320/Joy+Beanies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595230503685110866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WINNING ENTRY: #37</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753449944498550885"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">tracie</span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said...</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I've been educated from your post...wow...thank you so much. I've had so many questions, and I want to thank you for answers. Prayers for your family.</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-i.html?showComment=1300243770605#c4595895596574710582" title="comment permalink"><span style="color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">March 15, 2011 7:49 PM</span></span><span style="color:#BB213A;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5) Autism Awareness wrap by </span><a href="http://daintybutton.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dainty Button</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> donated by </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaintyButton"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Charity Morgan</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv015pgY13qKb89udi0kXl-juc51dlvs4a8X62F8im7Jucgh8UGeYQ9XZ52G2V6Bkb0LShXz7_93yli5iYCy7uBs-HnIhP6ejsvgg_2WKKOkQVU3W0JN91OgT0QJT7UVMXzK3u2KVQgs/s320/Autism+Wrap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595228510562300498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WINNING ENTRY: #75</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02431378233304558027"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Audrey</span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said...</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">tweet tweet - this is fun! I'm ready for another post. :) Thank you for sharing! </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-ii.html?showComment=1302128108543#c8556899514901244071" title="comment permalink"><span style="color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">April 6, 2011 3:15 PM</span></span><span style="color:#BB213A;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6) Hand crafted hair accessory by </span><a href="http://www.designsbylovemichelle.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Designs by Love, Michelle</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> donated by </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1669602356"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Michelle Lagmay</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2W66G-Cs9y1PRCw3-ACCum8YGPwr1IpFq6ANZy9XhxcC56-4GPP_GZ6LL5qZexyy543CBUGdVpoU-w0kyZ37MdznIN5cWf0Fu-ZVRJo7GbSudTU61jsIHuAAnA3CHQpEN9qf-_fOm3I/s320/LovebyMichelle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595230511191462162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WINNING ENTRY: #26</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/05229878796733541175"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sharon</span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said...</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Follower. Sharon Endsley. sendsley75@yahoo.com</span></span></div><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> What a great blog!!! I work in a pediatric office and will have to tell some of our parents about this blog. You nailed several fears and/or hindrances in a few short paragraphs. Thank you for being willing to share. :) </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/registration-for-autism-awareness.html?showComment=1302122504423#c7552382735824871122" title="comment permalink"><span style="color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">April 6, 2011 1:41 PM</span></span><span style="color:#BB213A;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7) "Freckled Lemonade" hand-knitted bloomer and headband set donated by </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1398607773&sk=wall"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amy Stoops</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN69oB_gK3RFGQ6ytEqpdXG6TlSk11AoSTOrpkQG8Xp7n_jtqqTY51OcRmAhibg-HIJa6zrVjRD5A_6f_UaaAu9KkD-yutsj0OIaC3ZG3wByvgNInNZBF6mB796PeMQxa4vqzBPZ18YG0/s320/amy+woodson.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595228504242666226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">WINNING ENTRY: #21</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11542828498472776341"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">diandra26</span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">said...</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">follower diandra (vega) dtristan07@aol.com</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/registration-for-autism-awareness.html?showComment=1300914973021#c8014288973055375927" title="comment permalink"><span style="color:#BB213A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">March 23, 2011 2:16 PM</span></span><span style="color:#BB213A;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-83441659987956701512011-04-05T18:23:00.000-07:002011-04-05T19:06:27.835-07:00LAST Autism Awareness / Giveaway Post!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0m6hjOw_VWAB-jz2E_RCFpTk5DBlL5KBJkgHhqADkAR6osuLGx0cuBIqQghD20vBGXo8u8IdQPzrHHD6iHRC5hIA3zvYzCn6O237vVLENcyzkXo7CNpZ8OdMTApun9-CpI0wIzNEbea8/s1600/autism+speaks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0m6hjOw_VWAB-jz2E_RCFpTk5DBlL5KBJkgHhqADkAR6osuLGx0cuBIqQghD20vBGXo8u8IdQPzrHHD6iHRC5hIA3zvYzCn6O237vVLENcyzkXo7CNpZ8OdMTApun9-CpI0wIzNEbea8/s320/autism+speaks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592285291314753554" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hope everyone had a good Autism Awareness Day (April 2)! I had big plans to wrap up this Giveaway, but got very sidetracked by life. My mom has been here in Hawaii for 7 months, helping with the new baby, etc. She flies 'stand-by' on Delta thanks to my wonderful brother in law, Ron Knott, who is a retired Delta pilot with buddy passes! However the ugly side of flying stand-by means that for every time you easily get on a flight and score first class tickets, there are several times when you can't get a flight to save your life. This was one of those times! Getting her packed, making last minute shopping trips, and trying for THREE days, she finally got a seat and arrived home this morning. I'm thankful she was able to be here and help, and the kids will sure miss Grandma. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Since this is Autism Awareness Month, I thought I would have ONE MORE Austim Awareness blog post and then do the Giveaway. So here is one more chance to get some entries and increase your chances of winning a great prize!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Details about giveaway at the end of this blog post.</span></span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">For the last topic, I want to share the importance of facing your fears, and getting your child evaluated, if you think he/she may have autistic traits.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Have you ever known someone who thought they might have cancer? I have a friend who suspected she had breast cancer. She first noticed a lump, and got it looked at pretty quickly. The doctor thought it was a swollen lymph node but referred her to get a mammogram although she was in her late twenties with no family history of breast cancer. The lump looked suspicious enough to then operate and have it removed. Thankfully the biopsy showed that it was not cancer, but if it had been, she would have needed to start treatment right away. I've known people with cancer and unless a miracle occurs, cancer doesn't go away and the sooner you get it looked at, the better your chances of dealing with it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">OK so autism is NOT as serious as cancer, thank goodness. But my point is, autism is not going to go away IF your child does, in fact, have some autism-related developmental issues. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">YES it's scary. YES it's overwhelming. YES it's life-changing. Trust me, I know.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">However, if you suspect that your child has 'something quirky' or 'unusual' about them, it's time to take action!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">IMPORTANT:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> having an autistic child is NOT a reflection on you; you didn't do anything to cause this </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">(taking meds while pregnant, vaccinations, etc.).</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Having a child with autism does not mean you are a 'bad' parent. HOWEVER, neglecting your childs needs and ignoring red flags about developmental delays WILL make you a bad parent!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">WOW that was a strong statement but I stand by it. It's like watching your kid while they stand there bleeding, and doing nothing. Who would do that?? And yet, I see or hear about kids with obvious delays and issues and the parents remain willfully in denial about it. They refuse to face the fact that their child might need a little extra help, and in doing so, they just make the situation worse, sometimes. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">FACT:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> if a child does, in fact, have autistic traits, all the studies show that the EARLIER intervention can begin, the better your child will do. The quicker you can get her/him help, the better off they will be! The brains of kids are still developing during their earlier years, and putting them into speech therapy, social therapy, etc. can SIGNIFICANTLY impact them in a positive way. Most kids with autism who receive help before ages 5-7 are usually able to transition into 'normal' schools along with their peers, and by the time they reach middle school most people won't know they even have an autism diagnosis. Waiting until they are older makes it VERY difficult for intervention to be successful. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So I don't mean to be harsh, but I want to speak up on behalf of the wonderful quirky kids out there who just need a little help. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If you have a little niggling fear that your child might have autism, call your pediatrician and ask to be referred to a child psychologist for an autism screening and testing. In my son's case, I was totally clueless until his preschool teacher recommended that we get him tested. Talk about shocking! But I'm a person of quick action when it comes to my kids, so within a few days I had talked to my insurance and the pediatrician and had called every single child psychologist on the list they gave me. One called me back and spoke to me personally, and made an appointment to see Samuel. He was such an awesome doctor and did alot to make us feel at ease. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Look at it this way: the screening and testing may show that your child is totally fine, without any delays or autistic traits. Then your mind can rest and be at ease! Or, if a diagnosis is confirmed, then you can shift into Momma Bear Mode and start moving mountains to get your child any and all help that he/she needs. I KNOW that most moms would lay down their lives, if need be, for their kids. And while autism does not ask for your life, it WILL require that you become your childs advocate and biggest supporter. As if you weren't already!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So check out the Autism Speaks website </span></span><a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/diagnosis/index.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> and read about getting an autism screening, and what the biggest clues are about a child having autism. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">GIVEAWAY</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The giveaway is open to anyone and basically, the more entries you have the better your chances of winning a prize! You can view the FANTASTIC prizes in the prize vault </span></span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/prize-vault-for-giveaway.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">How to get entries:</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1) Register </span></span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/registration-for-autism-awareness.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. You only have to do this ONCE so if you already have, skip to #2.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2) After reading this blog post, comment below. You can say anything about this blog post, how you felt reading it, something it made you think of, something you learned, etc. Comment once specifically about this post and be sure to leave your name!!</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">3) Post a link to this blog post on your FB and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">4) Tweet this and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">5) Mention this on your own blog and comment back here, with a link to your blog post.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">6) If you didn't read the first Autism Awareness blogs, you can do so and follow the instructions at the end for even more entry opportunities! There is </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-i.html" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(187, 33, 58); "></a></span></span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-i.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Series I</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, </span></span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-ii.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Series II</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, and </span></span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-iii.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Series III</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Be sure and watch for the next Autism Awareness / Giveaway blog and more chances to win!</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Thank you for your interest in spreading education about autism.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div></span></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-86535812703565619782011-03-21T18:28:00.000-07:002011-03-25T17:15:58.960-07:00Autism Awareness / Giveaway III<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevEX9XFIL59B-fR-dI_JDr-X3NcJxjrHF9UIODA1Og4vJcoAX4uIjncv0XOMEAhpNQrY3z9jDuLLyWczNzPsamjisvfNECx_OJ3r6T0QPTPScH1ZFow7F-8gtkDwKB22oEFx9nU0dXBA/s1600/James+Durbin.jpg"></a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbbhITFu-QTXnvvBSmHlRuuQYoKRQkOMwIJRkras_GJZFz0flESeH0LNcMzAwx5y1FVYPj9Rqu_YqwFtyYfJ2Sl7rqbk737FwFWa-il8X0BQsEMIePPoBXCuztTRI0aNKCbPRkjWDtw4/s1600/autism+speaks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbbhITFu-QTXnvvBSmHlRuuQYoKRQkOMwIJRkras_GJZFz0flESeH0LNcMzAwx5y1FVYPj9Rqu_YqwFtyYfJ2Sl7rqbk737FwFWa-il8X0BQsEMIePPoBXCuztTRI0aNKCbPRkjWDtw4/s320/autism+speaks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586720594396252754" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Part III of the Autism Awareness Giveaway Blog Series</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">GIVEAWAY - details about the giveaway is at the end of this blog post</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do you know someone with autism? Unless it's a close friend or family member with autism, you would probably answer with "no". And you might be wrong, although you don't know it!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Why? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Because many people have autism and yet they live normal, wonderful, incredible lives. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I LOVE stories of people with autism who have faced challenges, and yet have managed to not only have a great life, but they've THRIVED at life. It encourages me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is a confession about a recent guilty pleasure: I watch American Idol!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some may laugh but let me tell you, I'm normally not an American Idol devotee. I couldn't tell you about any of the winners except for maybe Carrie Underwood, because I like country music so I know about her and oh yeah, Kellie Pickler. Anyway, this year is different because I'm connected to a number of Autism websites like </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/autismspeaks"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Autism Speaks</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/AutismSociety"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Autism Society of America</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and the </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autism-Support-Network/150100405892"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Autism Support Network</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Around the beginning of the year, these sites started buzzing like crazy about a guy named James Durbin, a young man with autism, who was on the new season of American Idol. My curiosity was peaked! I started watching to see who this guy was and what his talent consisted of. Granted, he's considered a metal rocker and those who know me, know that I am NOT a metal rocker person! However, this young guy is fascinating. As of today, he's in the American Idol top 11, and I love him. I watch him perform with a smile in my heart, and I even signed up to be his Twitter follower!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevEX9XFIL59B-fR-dI_JDr-X3NcJxjrHF9UIODA1Og4vJcoAX4uIjncv0XOMEAhpNQrY3z9jDuLLyWczNzPsamjisvfNECx_OJ3r6T0QPTPScH1ZFow7F-8gtkDwKB22oEFx9nU0dXBA/s320/James+Durbin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586722463373058674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Why am I a fan of his? Because he has Asperger's Syndrome. If you read Series I of this Autism Awareness blog, I briefly mentioned Asperger's. Aspies, as they jokingly refer to themselves sometimes, are high-functioning autistics. They can run the normal gamut of autistic persons; with any variety of skills and challenges. Typically, they can focus intently on one or two restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. They may be clumsier than most, have limited ability to interact appropriately with peers, and may also have communication delays. I say "may" because every person diagnosed with Asperger's is unique. I recently read the book '</span><a href="http://www.jodipicoult.com/house-rules.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">House Rules</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">' by Jodie Picoult, which was a fantastic book, in my opinion. It is a murder mystery that is partly told from the point of view of the brilliant Aspergers oldest son. It offers tantalizing insight into how the Asperger mind functions. If you are looking for a good book, check this one out. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, back to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Durbin_(singer)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">James Durbin</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...this interesting young man gives me hope. Not only does he have Asperger's, but he also has </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourette_syndrome"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tourette's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">! But other than some obvious facial tics, the average American Idol fan would have no idea. He seems 'normal'. He has a fiancee and a son. He's been in theater performances and bands. And I'm cheering for him to be the next American Idol, or at least, to get a record contract from all of the publicity. Because he is a very real shining light to those of us raising children with autism. He gives all of us hope. Hope that our kids will be OK, will grow up successfully and find something that they enjoy doing and can thrive at, and that most people who meet them really won't know that they have an invisible 'autism' label over their heads. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1-lHaxwm7lNJxhdakM88Yvs9gG0rM2LgjHhbkUuk3HmZSBO7be4TZToheYt070GhRnry9O0hnBdX5DJSKUy-LSc-nF4zlkkx-OQZhrT-jHXUFD4dBQv_FBTt2_IjOntQxIwoDbQBX2I/s320/james+Durbin+fam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586722461152799106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Through the Autism Speaks website, I came into contact with another inspiring person named Megan Christian. Here are her words:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My name is Megan Christian and I am a twenty-six year old young woman with autism. It's been quite a long journey; when I was younger people told Mom that I wouldn't be able to read or get a high school diploma. I was able to achieve a high school diploma and in May of 2009 I got my Associate's degree from Mesa in Psychology. I plan on transferring to San Diego State University to obtain my Bachelor's degree and eventually, get my Master's degree in Special Education. I plan on becoming a Special Education teacher, teaching children with autism and other disabilities. </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So let me end this Series by just saying this: if you don't think you know anyone with autism, maybe you are wrong! It may be the kid at the library, who is talking just a bit too loudly, diligently searching for a book using the Dewey Decimal System. It may be the toddler at the grocery store with his mom, who is happily reciting the entire dialogue, word for word, from his favorite Pixar movie. It could be your physician who you love to pieces although you can't explain why...you just like how she is so completely thorough with her questions and details that you feel like she truly cares about you as a person. Autistic people might be a little quirky or obsessive about some things, but they are awesome. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You should get to know a few, if you aren't blessed to already!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">GIVEAWAY</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The giveaway is open to anyone and basically, the more entries you have the better your chances of winning a prize! You can view the FANTASTIC prizes in the prize vault </span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/prize-vault-for-giveaway.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How to get entries:</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1) Register </span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/registration-for-autism-awareness.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">here</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. You only have to do this ONCE so if you already have, skip to #2.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2) After reading this blog post, comment below. You can say anything about this blog post, how you felt reading it, something it made you think of, something you learned, etc. Comment once specifically about this post and be sure to leave your name!!</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3) Post a link to this blog post on your FB and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4) Tweet this and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5) Mention this on your own blog and comment back here, with a link to your blog post.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6) If you didn't read the first Autism Awareness blogs, you can do so and follow the instructions at the end for even more entry opportunities! There is </span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-i.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Series I </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and </span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-ii.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Series II</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be sure and watch for the next Autism Awareness / Giveaway blog and more chances to win! </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for your interest in spreading education about autism.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div></span></div></div></span></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-8066294654980490652011-03-15T15:52:00.000-07:002011-03-15T16:43:04.194-07:00Autism Awareness / Giveaway II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQril7wLQG9N0L38L21zaC1aQ4XtBjnptXzlYwM4p0XIGluN5380t0OJSeCod08AZNuPC7ifYJuOXXJ9Wjt6D8NzrnG5dFe6XQ65iDMKduK0_j5ch8B-G9AQUpMV70xByLlHDF5pCjb5E/s1600/autism+speaks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQril7wLQG9N0L38L21zaC1aQ4XtBjnptXzlYwM4p0XIGluN5380t0OJSeCod08AZNuPC7ifYJuOXXJ9Wjt6D8NzrnG5dFe6XQ65iDMKduK0_j5ch8B-G9AQUpMV70xByLlHDF5pCjb5E/s320/autism+speaks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584452736324141106" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Part II of the Autism Awareness Giveaway Blog Series</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">GIVEAWAY - details about the giveaway is at the end of this blog post</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of the first things that people ask me about autism, when they find out that my son is on the autism spectrum, is how I knew.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wait, let me back up for a minute...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let me first say that most people do not want to discuss autism at all. It's the big elephant in the room that people just tip-toe around when they find out that my son has PDD-NOS. I see eyes glaze over or their attention being drawn elsewhere. They laugh nervously and say something like how cute my kids are or how tall Samuel is. This is annoying. I want to talk about his abilities and challenges. I wo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">n't break down and cry if you ask why he still can't talk very plainly or why he doesn't seem to obey very well, sometimes. It's OK to ask me questions or comment, or even joke about, my son. He's an awesome person like most kids and it's nice when people actually want to get into a discussion about autism. I'm sure I speak for many parents of autistic children in saying all of this. And so, moving on....WHEN people get into an autism discussion, they always want to know how I knew my son was different.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tough question. With no concrete answer. I didn't know; it took time to find out, with his pediatrician, preschool teachers, speech pathologist, and child psychologist pointing me to the answer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of the things I've discovered about autism, is that no two autistic people are the same. This is tough for people to understand, sometimes. I think people want to look at those with differences or challenges, and see them all the same so it's easy to identify them. Like people born with Down's Syndrome, for example. I personally think it's fascinating that no matter what race a person is, if they are born with Down's, they all share similar features and look related. It's like God created another race of special people to live among us and teach us things. But it's not so easy with a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">utism.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of the ways I try to explain is this; imagine that there are 100 traits that autistic kids have, and Samuel has about 13 of those traits. But if you meet 20 more people with autism this week, you'll meet 20 people entirely different than Samuel, because they may have any number and combination of those 100 autistic traits. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Some traits are more common than others, and here are a few that Samuel has demonstrated:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* a speech delay (this was apparent at age one and still requires speech therapy)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* extreme food pickiness, such as avoiding certain foods or combinations of food</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* it took him awhile to develop a sense of danger</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* it is a challenge for him to understand consequences of actions</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* he can get sensorily overstimulated and have a melt-down</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* he can't relate socially with his peers and mostly plays along side of them instead of 'with' them</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">*he is just now beginning to play imaginatively with his toys but still has a tendency to just line them up in order</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* he can memorize a movie and loves to act it out all over the house, reciting the lines while he plays. This can continue for hours/days/weeks unless we intervene.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There are other things, but these are some main ones. And when I've mentioned these to some people they've laughed and said; "oh well, he's a typical boy who wants to behave badly in public". HA! I wish! You have to take all of his issues into consideration.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There are very positive things about him though, that I want to point out just to even out this list...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* he hit many milestones very early, such as walking and being agile / athletic. At 10 months old he could slide backwards & upside down on the playground slide. At one year he was climbing to our ceiling and finding a way to bounce / flip down to land safely on the ground!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* he potty trained easily and early</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* he learned his alphabet early</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* with him, things are pretty black & white. Like most kids on the spectrum, he is honest and doesn't think in a manipulative manner. What you see is what you get with him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* he has an amazing memory</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But enough about Samuel...I want to you to hear about autism through another person's voice. I met Nikki through a mutual friend who wanted to connect me with someone else who had a child with autism. I am so glad, because Nikki is awesome! Here is her story: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was first introduced to the world of autism when I reconnected with a high school friend who has a son with low-functioning Autism. I knew little about it at the time, but my eyes would soon be opened to the whole spectrum. It would soon become a part of our daily lives.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My son Connor was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at the young age of 4. It started with a speech delay that soon took us far beyond the ability of a speech pathologist. When the speech pathologist suggested that he might be on the spectrum I felt as though the wind had been knocked out of me. We were referred to the UC Davis M.I.N.D. institute. After a full day of testing we were given the blow. Connor was what they considered “High-Functioning” Autistic. My husband and I were crushed. I went home and got a hold of every piece of information I could. It was all about education at this point. I just had to understand what we were dealing with. I went through the full gamut of emotions, but had to set them aside and focus on Connor. He was soon placed in a SP-ED preschool class. He did well and was able to transition into General-Ed Kindergarten. Every year presented itself with new challenges and every year we fought to keep him in the least restrictive environment. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Just as we were feeling confident about the whole situation we were delivered another blow. My daughter, Chloe, who was 9 at the time, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. A.S. is on the higher-functioning end of the Spectrum. She had been dx w/ ADD at an early age so I just thought her little idiosyncrasies were because of that. She was receiving some Sp-Ed services from the school district because of the ADD. It was the school speech pathologist who suggested that we have Chloe tested for ASD. I was so angry! I couldn’t see it since she did not exhibit ANY of the same characteristics that Connor had. Talk about denial! Here was my gifted, beautiful daughter…she could NOT possibly have Autism! She was outgoing, friendly and talkative. I started to reflect…I had watched her closely during all the years of school. Chloe never really connected w/ her peers. She would gravitate toward adults or much younger children. I just figured it was her preference. I later learned that this was because there was less pressure to perform. Younger children didn’t mind that she said things that were off topic etc., and adults were forgiving and/or would correct her. Again, we set out to understand everything we could about her diagnosis. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chloe is now almost 12 and Connor is 10. They are both attending a private Christian school and doing very well. They have been able to stay in a general education setting since kindergarten. They are extremely musical, singing at benefit concerts and in full length musicals. Don’t get me wrong…there are days when I want to pull my hair out. Homework takes us hours every night. We have visual schedules posted all over our house. We have to explain every idiom/metaphor we use, every sarcastic statement and all movies have to be played w/ the subtitles on. I wouldn’t change one thing about my children! They are my life, my joy! Most importantly, they are beautifully and wonderfully made in the image of God. =)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In my opinion, Autism is not a disability, but a dif-ability. They think, respond, and see the world from a different perspective. It’s not wrong; it’s just different. I often refer to my children as foreign exchange students. They are constantly learning how to understand the customs and language that surround them daily. All Autistic children are extremely gifted. Some of the greatest inventors and artists were thought to have had Autism; Albert Einstein, Andy Warhol and Isaac Newton to name a few. People with Autism could teach us a lot about perspective and character. One of my favorite quotes is as follows…”People with Autism don’t lie, they don’t cheat and they don’t play mind games.” So basically what you see is what you get! =)</span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nikki Morris</span></span></p></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></span></span></i></div></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IP5KlQ24KUo5IrXUWFEzmJG50O_xaGQh-4uBhuzE_Qmy8wjUVhnz4qdmqF5TvYmdOQ8FCmYlZ9jIvMk7Q56drUej8leg73THR6yILtOSTY5ypY7fwbTt8s_hrK4t8PORTGzc32tJirc/s1600/Nikki+Fam.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IP5KlQ24KUo5IrXUWFEzmJG50O_xaGQh-4uBhuzE_Qmy8wjUVhnz4qdmqF5TvYmdOQ8FCmYlZ9jIvMk7Q56drUej8leg73THR6yILtOSTY5ypY7fwbTt8s_hrK4t8PORTGzc32tJirc/s320/Nikki+Fam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584450402152155538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;">Connor & Chloe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWik3z0QET_3WyOqep6xw4hY4sy2RPY-8FmQeun0XvusHlxN0BDn_rtjD-wdnT5CuHE9ev-MKa3TxpGoibHAjmcjG0DF7zOdmFcGVDkE9fa9-GXZzwcgjEXgTF0qS59Hy0bTjTuSoNylo/s1600/Nikki+Fam+2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWik3z0QET_3WyOqep6xw4hY4sy2RPY-8FmQeun0XvusHlxN0BDn_rtjD-wdnT5CuHE9ev-MKa3TxpGoibHAjmcjG0DF7zOdmFcGVDkE9fa9-GXZzwcgjEXgTF0qS59Hy0bTjTuSoNylo/s320/Nikki+Fam+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584450397213249522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 320px; " /></a></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">GIVEAWAY</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The giveaway is open to anyone and basically, the more entries you have the better your chances of winning a prize! You can view the prizes in the prize vault <a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/prize-vault-for-giveaway.html">here</a>.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How to get entries:</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1) Register <a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/registration-for-autism-awareness.html">here</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. You only have to do this ONCE so if you already have, skip to #2.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2) After reading this blog post, comment below. You can say anything about this blog post, how you felt reading it, something it made you think of, something you learned, etc. Comment once specifically about this post and be sure to leave your name!!</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3) Post a link to this blog post on your FB and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4) Tweet this and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5) Mention this on your own blog and comment back here, with a link to your blog post.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">6) If you didn't read the first Autism Awareness blog, you can do so <a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/autism-awareness-giveaway-i.html">here</a> and follow the instructions at the end for even more entry opportunities!</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Be sure and watch for the next Autism Awareness / Giveaway blog and more chances to win! </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thank you for your interest in spreading education about autism.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div></span><br /></div></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-13392140130220327182011-03-10T13:42:00.001-08:002011-03-10T14:34:29.485-08:00Autism Awareness / Giveaway I<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEwp7Ydp6a5Z0lcGuwWeyLFBmWS_Blwe08HPt50yAXX6yp0e5DzR6iTZiW_JN5YR6lpggjGsQkdmOT-Hup2bLhiEu3Av0p9uIL6MFQzfzADgykJqoKl5pW7OBWsiT6Yvjm-hGpYZjF78/s1600/autism+speaks.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEwp7Ydp6a5Z0lcGuwWeyLFBmWS_Blwe08HPt50yAXX6yp0e5DzR6iTZiW_JN5YR6lpggjGsQkdmOT-Hup2bLhiEu3Av0p9uIL6MFQzfzADgykJqoKl5pW7OBWsiT6Yvjm-hGpYZjF78/s320/autism+speaks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582581436877984738" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Part I of the Autism Awareness Giveaway Blog Series</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I've been thinking alot about how to approach this massive subject of autism. Frankly, it's daunting. It's such a huge and varied topic. But I'm just going to blog from my heart over the next few weeks and hopefully it will increase your understanding just a little bit. I'm sure that most people reading this have no clue about what autism really is or how it affects people. I know how you feel! And I'll be sharing alot of my personal story throughout these blogs along with the personal stories of some of my friends. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">GIVEAWAY - details about the giveaway is at the end of this blog post</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For this first blog, I'll just answer two W's...what and why.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">WHAT is autism?</span></span></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> I'll use an abbreviated answer from Wikipedia...</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. The signs usually develop gradually, but some autistic children first develop more normally and then regress. Although there is no known cure, early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help autistic children gain self-care, social, and communication skills. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">You can read the rest of the Wikipedia description </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">here.</span></span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">WHY do I want to discuss autism</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">? Because my son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at age 3. Because when we received this diagnosis, I felt like I had been moved to a colony on Mars and told to start work immediately. I had no idea what it meant or what to do about it. In some ways, I felt relief because we finally had an answer about some of our son's 'quirks' and delays. But the overwhelming sense was fear, confusion, and apprehension. I headed to the library; my favorite source of information!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I had to look around for awhile to find the information about autism. I mean, how many of you could walk into your local library and know right where to go to find the latest books on PDD-NOS? I stood there and actually froze in place. The thought ran through my mind that you could trace my life through the library and the books I've checked out over the years. When I was single, it was novels and the latest bestseller. I got engaged and read through the books about wedding planning, premarital issues, creating a home, being a good wife. I got married and soon gravitated to the shelves holding the baby books, and read through everything from tracking a pregnancy from week to week, to having the childbirth experience I always wanted, to the latest baby names, and then the ones about getting my baby to sleep through the night or how to read to my baby and turn him into a superstar student by age 1. As life progressed I've moved through the library to the books about potty training, child discipline, and homeschooling. Throw in the occasional novel or chicken soup books of emotions, and there's my life. Never had I thought I would need the autism books. And yet, now I stood motionless on dull brown carpet in the muted silence of a Hawaii public library, and faced the books on autism...and cried. Where to start? What to do? What to read? Should I panic? Was God listening? Would Samuel graduate? Would he get a job? Would he know the love of a woman and eventually have kids? Would he understand the abstract concept of grace and the love of God?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Maybe it sounds silly to you. Unless you've been there. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Of course now I know he'll probably be OK. He'll grow and develop and perhaps it will be at a slower pace than others, and maybe his future will be somewhat different than what his parents have imagined, but maybe he'll be perfectly fine and just have minor 'quirks' that follow him in life.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But receiving an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis for your child is breath taking. If you've been there, you know. If you haven't, thank you for reading this, and for trying to understand, just a little. Just knowing that someone cares and is trying to learn more, means so much to the rest of us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And to provide a wonderful glimpse into the mind of someone with PDD-NOS, I want to finish this blog post with a copy of a recent post from the </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/autismspeaks"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Autism Speaks blog</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> that I think you'll enjoy...it was a guest post by Autism Speaks staffer Kerry Magro. Kerry, an adult who has autism, is a rising senior at Seton Hall University, majoring in Sports Management. He started the club Student Disability Awareness on campus to help spread awareness and raise fund for those affected by autism. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My name is Kerry and I have Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 17px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means I have autism.</span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean I </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">am</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> autism.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means I see the world sometimes in a different light.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean I'm in the dark.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means from time to time I may have difficulty expressing my emotions.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean I don't feel</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means when I do communicate, I do it with a style that is my own.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean I don't have a voice.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means I may have sensitivity when it comes to a certain feel or touch.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means sounds can sometimes make me feel uneasy.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean I'm deaf or hard of hearing.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means I can often focus on certain interests for a long period of time.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean those are my only interests.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means that I'm the only person in my family to have this.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean I'm alone.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This means I may have 500 other symptoms/capabilities that are different than yours.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This does not mean I'm any less of a person than you are.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My name is Kerry, and regardless of what PDD-NOS means or doesn't mean, autism can't define me, I define autism. I can only hope those individuals, regardless of being autistic or not can define their journeys in the way they see it.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">GIVEAWAY</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The giveaway is open to anyone and basically, the more entries you have the better your chances of winning a prize! You can view the prizes in the prize vault </span></span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/prize-vault-for-giveaway.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">here.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">How to get entries:</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1) Register </span></span><a href="http://soshawna.blogspot.com/2011/03/registration-for-autism-awareness.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. You only have to do this ONCE so if you already have, skip to #2.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2) After reading this blog post, comment below. You can say anything about this blog post, how you felt reading it, something it made you think of, something you learned, etc. Comment once specifically about this post and be sure to leave your name!!</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">3) Post a link to this blog post on your FB and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">4) Tweet this and comment back here that you did.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">5) Mention this on your own blog and comment back here, with a link to your blog post.</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#555555;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Be sure and watch for the next Autism Awareness / Giveaway blog and more chances to win! </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thank you for your interest in spreading education about autism.</span></span></b></span></span></i></span></span></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-20443651912540792072011-03-08T15:50:00.001-08:002011-03-08T16:06:20.723-08:00Registration for Autism Awareness Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">Ok I hope this isn't too complicated, for either you or for me! I am super excited about doing this giveaway and raising awareness / spreading education & knowledge about autism. I have researched some of my favorite blogs that do giveaways, and I came up with this idea to do a simple registration. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How it works: "register" here by following the instructions below. That way if you win, it will be easy for me to track you down and let you know that you won, and to begin communicating with you about how to send you your prize. Sound good?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once you are registered here, you can improve your chances of winning by participating in the instructions that will appear on each Autism Awareness Blog that I do, whether those are daily or weekly, etc. You will NOT need to register on this page again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you are late getting started in the giveaway, no problem! I'll post a link that comes back to this registration page so you can still get registered, and you can go back and participate in all the Autism Awareness blogs that you wish to. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By the way, be sure & check out the Prize Vault blog to see what goodies are already being offered!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">TO REGISTER</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(all of the registration entries below will count as entries </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for the giveaways so don't skip this part!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Become a follower of this blog, or if you already are, great! If you aren't and you don't have a way to do so, don't worry. This doesn't lessen/improve your chances of winning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Either way, leave a comment below in this format:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">FOLLOWER. YOUR NAME or USERNAME. YOUR EMAIL or HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU IF YOU WIN.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ex: "Follower. SoShawna Gray. soshawnagray@email.com</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let me know if you have any questions! </div><div style="text-align: center;">And keep a watch for the upcoming Autism Awareness blogs!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-63795161081915061022011-03-08T15:06:00.000-08:002011-03-23T14:02:21.206-07:00Prize Vault for Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">OK, here are the prizes that you can win in my Autism Awareness giveaway! As I get more prizes added, or more details about the ones already listed, I'll keep updating this page so all you have to do is check back occasionally.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>First of all let me say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, to all the gracious people who are donating prizes for this giveaway. I appreciate this more than you know.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>HOW TO WIN:</b><i> </i>Click on any of my blog links about Autism Awareness on the right side of this page, and follow the instructions. Good luck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">PRIZES:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1) I LOVE this adorable prize and you will too, if you like classic, homemade treasures. My good friends <a href="http://www.ourlovelymess.com/">Cheyenne</a> and Robert Johnson (THE Robert Johnson of <a href="http://rojofotodesign.com/">ROJO</a> photography!) have created a wooden memory/matching game out of small tree branches, that is hand sanded, polished, painted, and stamped! Here is a picture of one they gave as a gift last year, so this prize will be similar:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#3B5998;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29AXmB6E5JJZrTr-Rhhc8CcJmcAmKYEi8L3mgy4m_W4On21EADnOY8rQBmTe0aONmIE7SiHh8Vpl-_0ozq2JhL-7mWy94tWujUnbmp6y9vcVKitZSNGRLxOOQdZHDZz6EVQG0rZU0eEc/s1600/Wooden+Game.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29AXmB6E5JJZrTr-Rhhc8CcJmcAmKYEi8L3mgy4m_W4On21EADnOY8rQBmTe0aONmIE7SiHh8Vpl-_0ozq2JhL-7mWy94tWujUnbmp6y9vcVKitZSNGRLxOOQdZHDZz6EVQG0rZU0eEc/s320/Wooden+Game.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582736822040221538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2) Ever heard of SCENTSY? A Scentsy warmer uses a low-watt bulb to slowly melt the specially formulated wax, maximizing the fragrance time that you can enjoy. There are no flames, soot, or wicks so this is a safe way to savor more than 80 different scents. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KickinTheWick">Shannon LaPuma</a> is a Scentsy consultant who found me on one of the autism sites I'm a member of, and she kindly offered to donate a Scentsy warmer to the winner! You can win the Piece by Piece warmer pictured below AND a bar of scented wax! If anyone wants to buy this warmer, 100% of the profits <i>(AND any commission she makes!)</i> are donated to <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/">Autism Speaks</a>! Just visit her site <a href="https://shannonlapuma.scentsy.us/Home">here</a> to purchase it or any other scentsy products.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg719VTLh5dRJzBDfi24qh55Mt5jVIQ8lG5XeY_1ZdC8b51UAexcVBRC8ZBlelZtFYv8ZORUcxcyXt7_Dvl2i4EsgPqPL7w946vLo9BiF89TzvCKU9VG60_DX_BMbCo-X-9PFqnvaluOhc/s1600/autism+scentsy.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg719VTLh5dRJzBDfi24qh55Mt5jVIQ8lG5XeY_1ZdC8b51UAexcVBRC8ZBlelZtFYv8ZORUcxcyXt7_Dvl2i4EsgPqPL7w946vLo9BiF89TzvCKU9VG60_DX_BMbCo-X-9PFqnvaluOhc/s320/autism+scentsy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581853598270367842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 87px; height: 130px; " /></a></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;">3) My dear friend Amy Miraflor is the brilliant creator of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evys-Tree/114149881932945?sk=wall">Evy's Tree</a> embellished clothing, and her business is growing by leaps and bounds. If you don't own an Evy's Tree item now, you will want to. If you already do, you know how comfortable, practical, and addicting they are! You can see some of her items <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/evystree">here</a>, or read her <a href="http://evystree.blogspot.com/">blog</a> <i>(she frequently has giveaways!)</i>. For my Autism Awareness giveaway, she is donating one of her Navy Lacey's <i>(you pick the size if you win)! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Navy Lacey Zip Up</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xK5lycw0_guLaSpZk0ZmzCdz3HSI3kmwxJpnFiQewJqn7Nr6OEaL116qwKikupWOc3o-xpBIw08czOjf7eK6cBOrHJtzMfIPZw7V4BdvHYixi4Qroa06JeL5xQxVYJEMETa72MSgM_w/s1600/Navy+zip+up.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xK5lycw0_guLaSpZk0ZmzCdz3HSI3kmwxJpnFiQewJqn7Nr6OEaL116qwKikupWOc3o-xpBIw08czOjf7eK6cBOrHJtzMfIPZw7V4BdvHYixi4Qroa06JeL5xQxVYJEMETa72MSgM_w/s320/Navy+zip+up.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584432477082461506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Up close...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDcwggqcdPLK3r4Cu-13jylqiISfNUBaugQrnY-HdjwYbcPPc0A927zojMLFwUDbN0pMR-uIzUj4rOz8NOV9G-m3bpzgrMsFNEOe4wk_ZtPRA8fWmgdGRzTubd4ltPwrgE_phGGnTpnk/s1600/Navy+zip+up+close.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDcwggqcdPLK3r4Cu-13jylqiISfNUBaugQrnY-HdjwYbcPPc0A927zojMLFwUDbN0pMR-uIzUj4rOz8NOV9G-m3bpzgrMsFNEOe4wk_ZtPRA8fWmgdGRzTubd4ltPwrgE_phGGnTpnk/s320/Navy+zip+up+close.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584432484690365394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;">4) </span></span>A good friend of mine from Bogalusa Louisiana is very talented, and she knits for pleasure and as a way to raise funds for causes. Joy McMurray creates these adorable boa scarves and beanie hats to match, and she is going to send the winner one of her scarves! Stay warm in style!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pictures coming soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5) If you like accessories but aren't familiar yet with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaintyButton">Dainty Button</a>, you should be! Charity Morgan, the owner and creative mind behind Dainty Button, is based in San Francisco. She is super talented and is constantly coming up with beautiful new designs. You can see her etsy page <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaintyButton">here</a> or her blog <a href="http://daintybutton.blogspot.com/">here</a>. In the past she has designed items specifically for Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness, with portions of the proceeds for sales of those items going to various charity's or survivors. She decided to design something specially for Autism Awareness, with a portion of the proceeds from sales going to an autism charity! Using the blue associated with Autism Awareness, here is her gorgeous head wrap! <i>(I have several of her wrap designs and I get compliments every time I wear them...plus they double as a cute belt!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkcb_SxJr4OQDNyFNNaWB5lBjdZndQQy6f5dBMR_hxaXx-lEgEFBR6KNp0nTaENI367IZVpDjl72QfVfb-OvYXkemyv0G3MJnW21PKdeSbNF3HN5dOCtWZXZP-6AzLXYYCxT6kROgfos/s320/Autism+Wrap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585550615992370434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6) My friend Michelle Lagmay also creates stunning hair accessories / brooches. She is donating a prize that will be similar to this one:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnWsC0Le1f1JxMrQxtPX7VUEmMz_sycxzFsNlM8NmqhAz32x5CpIdTNUtfHKb0igoGMC_ICja3vGr-0coEX9RJCxYXFSTD7s1pBh6KQtx7B3dVPIkEnno9RJidbKELg3wTgltHC4V9nw/s320/Michelle+Rosette.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586708842218283378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">7) A friend from college days, Amy Woodson Stoops, is another talented creator that I am blessed to know. She crochets adorable pieces and is offering one of her 'Freckled Lemonade' sets...adorable! This is a beautiful bloomer made to grace tiny hineys and comes with a matching headband. Made with 100% cotton and hand crocheted. This pictured one is a 12-18 month old size but can be made in sizes newborn to 18 mo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRaxTnS45DI-J7Y-TO3dW5ycCs2IQ7HIWvLNw8Fh3PgmHJgk7nI_txCkeY-XRRS4QtfpLv-3vLu9ENrEPL9nx2wVhg3132m0vZGt8T3vDEvGPap6aPR9Qf7NvBZRr7p1v_8c_SwwFD-A/s320/amy+woodson.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587382108398448546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828810157985927960.post-69421514520551711552011-03-06T13:02:00.000-08:002011-03-06T13:30:38.099-08:00Upcoming Giveaway Hints!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In case you haven't heard, I'll be doing an Autism Awareness Giveaway soon, leading up to April 2 which is Autism Awareness Day. Fun! Tell your friends!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have 4 terrific sponsors signed up for prizes already! And I want to give you some hints about what to expect so here they are so far... you can click on the last three if you aren't familiar with their fantastic products!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Stunning Knitted Boa Scarf or Beanie" from Joy McMurray!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVAmGeTdBF8WK4EkFhmkqwYMbRRQbIyGoZSZK8byvuQjiZjy6muvNitBwYU6NtIM3Nac4xQZUtr58rxVMsczDAt5X8nzGnC-rGt35C9AI0PsfLfjteni9GcorC40mvNm_iCc5Gso6Jv0/s1600/Boa+Scarf.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVAmGeTdBF8WK4EkFhmkqwYMbRRQbIyGoZSZK8byvuQjiZjy6muvNitBwYU6NtIM3Nac4xQZUtr58rxVMsczDAt5X8nzGnC-rGt35C9AI0PsfLfjteni9GcorC40mvNm_iCc5Gso6Jv0/s320/Boa+Scarf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581077760774519362" style="cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sweetsunshinebowtique.com/">Sweet Sunshine Bowtique!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaintyButton">Dainty Button!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://evystree.blogspot.com/">Evy's Tree!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sound exciting? IT IS! What I love about doing this giveaway is...well, it's an easy way for me to spread awareness about autism. I'm super excited!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Want to help? Do you have something handmade or just something neat that you think someone would like to win in the giveaway? </div><div style="text-align: center;">LET ME KNOW either on here or through Facebook! You will get publicity for you AND help a great cause!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And let me just say 'thank you' to everyone who read my previous post and posted a message on the White House Facebook page about lighting it up blue on April 2. Unfortunately, our President has decided not to participate in this. I will refrain from posting my feelings about this, but here is the news article:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div class="post" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; width: 647px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><h1 class="posttitle" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; display: block; font: normal normal normal 1em/1.3em 'trebuchet ms', arial, sans-serif; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 1.2em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">White House Says No To Autism Speaks Effort</span></h1></div><div class="metaspost" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- width: 647px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size:12px;color:transparent;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="postbyAuthor" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;">By</span> <span class="postAuthor" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- text-transform: uppercase; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;color:transparent;"><a href="http://www.disabilityscoop.com/author/michelle-diament/" title="Posts by Michelle Diament" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); text-decoration: none; font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">MICHELLE DIAMENT</a></span></div><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; font-size:12px;color:transparent;"><span class="postDate" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family:arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;">March 4, 2011</span><br /></p></div><div id="textcontent" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><div class="post" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; width: 647px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><div class="entry" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; width: 647px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; font-family: georgia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, 'times new roman', times, serif; line-height: 1.5em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Despite a social media push from Autism Speaks, the White House says it will not be lighting up blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day next month.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Autism Speaks encouraged its members to flood the White House with messages on Facebook and Twitter to encourage President Barack Obama to light his home blue on April 2 in honor of autism awareness.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Already, over 250 landmarks around the world will participate in the advocacy organization’s annual “Light It Up Blue” initiative including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Niagara Falls, Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">“Lighting the White House, America’s most prominent building, blue would certainly elevate awareness of autism and World Autism Awareness Day to another level,” said Adam Pockriss, an Autism Speaks spokesman.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">But the White House told Disability Scoop on Friday that 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. will not participate. No reason was given for the decision.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">“The administration looks forward to commemorating autism awareness month and world autism day and remains committed to finding the causes and treatments for autism as well as providing community-based services and support for persons on the autism spectrum,” said White House spokesman Shin Inouye.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Last year, more than 200 buildings went blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day, which was established by the United Nations in 2007.</p></div></div></div></span></div>L10sM8http://www.blogger.com/profile/11598337789015252384noreply@blogger.com0