Posts Tagged ‘autism sibling’
Happy Birthday Sawyer
Today is my son Sawyer’s ninth birthday. Which is a really big deal. Because according to him he’s basically 16. I am a storyteller. At least I consider myself one. I think our stories are what complete us. And telling stories about Sawyer are my favorite. And I write them down so one day, when I am old and grey, we will have them to look at. This is my favorite Sawyer story… We had arrived at Cooper’s school to pick him up for the day. It was Jamie, Sawyer,…
Read MoreSawyer is Turning Nine
This guy turns nine tomorrow. Which is a pretty big deal over here. We take birthdays very seriously in this household. And every time Sawyer mentions something about it, Cooper cheers and tries to convince me it’s his birthday. Nonverbally of course. I wish I could stop time sometimes. But I know I can’t. So instead I try to soak up every part of him I can. Even the part that yelled at me this morning about socks. I saw this memory on Facebook from 2 years ago today…. Sawyer…
Read MoreI Need More Time With You
My son, Your birthday is in 8 days. You have been counting down since mid December. You love your birthday. And you love being older. So much so that you are already telling people you are 9 years old. I lovingly correct you every time, reminding you that you are still my 8 year old. I also threaten you with a potion that will keep you little forever. But you have no time for that nonsense. You want to grow up. I want time to stop. Last night you snuggled…
Read MoreThe “Too Much” Kid
See that little one on the right? He is 3 years old and he’s my ‘too much’ kid. Too much energy. Too much noise. Too much joy. Too much love. I call him spirited. Some say feral. He goes a mile a minute and usually needs to be reminded to slow down. Like this morning I told him his pants were on inside out. And that he only had one sock on. He had no idea. But then again, he notices when his baby sister has a runny nose and…
Read MoreNear but Far
This morning we were running around getting three kids ready to leave the house. Back to school day! Cooper was the most excited. Up and dressed and ready to go and saying…’SSS-OOO- LLL’ every time I walked by. It was a bit chaotic to say the least. Packing lunches, finding school iPads, headphones and chargers, gathering snow gear…it was a lot. We are definitely out of practice. Jamie noticed that Coops put his shoes on the wrong feet. It happens quite frequently but we are also so proud of him…
Read MoreA Love that People Dream Of
Last night, Sawyer had a tough time. He was overtired and overstimulated and the day just got too long for him. Christmas can be hard for little ones. When he gets like that, he doesn’t know what to do with himself. Instead of going to bed, he sat angrily in his room and yelled at anyone who dared to enter. It’s best to just let him cool off. Cooper was so confused as to why his brother wasn’t coming to bed with him though. He doesn’t understand Sawyer’s complicated emotions…
Read MoreA Colorful Christmas
When I share about my son’s autism’s, my hope is that I share the endearing parts with the world. The humor and the joy. The innocence and the determination. Because autism isn’t a dirty word. Not in this house. There are so many amazing parts that make him…him. For example… Last night I dressed all three boys in their matching Christmas jammies. An hour later, only two were wearing them. Cooper’s were off. This morning as I searched for them, I had to laugh. They were gone. Like gone-gone. I…
Read MoreThe Best Thing About Christmas
I can say with absolute certainty that the best thing about Christmas is the children. This morning, this one wandered in my room, ready to start his day. He gasped when he saw the wrapped gifts stacked up in the corner. As his dad attempted to pull him into our bed so we could sneak a few more moments of sleep, he said… ‘Wait dad! I just want to stare at the presents for a while!’ And he did. He just stared. It’s the best. Being a parent on Christmas.…
Read MoreI Refused to Miss This
Sometimes I miss things. Not on purpose by any means. I just have to make choices. When you have four kids, well there is a lot going on. Someone always has a game or practice. Or the sniffles. A trip to the grocery store is always necessary. Or more recently, an aging parent. My husband and I split up. Dividing and conquering. I go to the doctor and he goes to practice. He goes to one conference and I go to the other. And well I miss a game. Or…
Read MoreI Prayed for This
I just went upstairs to tell three little boys to settle down. But before, I paused at the door. Peeking into their world. There was giggling. And fart noises I heard hitting and tickling. I heard booty and I like butts and I lie. It sounded like the bed was being dismantled at one point. And the ceiling may cave in. The middle one yelled for me numerous times, letting me know the his brothers were being wild. I watched for a minute through the crack in the door before…
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