Bless You!

Well, we have had a fun spring break and have really enjoyed our time off from school. Every night Kane said, "What are we doing in the morning?" I would always tell him what was on the agenda and he would always say "no school!" He was really happy for the break.

Well spring has sprung, except that it's now snowing today, and with that comes pollen and with pollen comes me sneezing a lot. This week I was doing some cleaning, the windows were open the kids were playing outside, and I began to sneeze. I couldn't hear, I was vaccuming, but Kurstie(my oldest daughter) said that every time I sneezed Kane said, "Bless You". I thought this was really sweet and kind of funny. You see Kane likes it when people sneeze. He thinks it is funny. He has since he was a baby. When he was little and fussing in the car I would ask Kurstie to pretend to sneeze, and he would stop crying and start laughing. He laughs anytime he hears someone sneeze, even on TV, at Wal Mart, school, wherever. The kids at school even know this and pretend sneeze to make him laugh. He has even learned to fake sneeze, and it sounds real. He has only recently begun to "bless" our sneezes. Even from upstairs he will say "bless you". He is just really terribly sweet and so much fun to have around.

Pants On the Ground

I worked at school today and when Kane's para brings him to me he has on these ugly faded black gym shorts over his pants. I look at him and he looks down. He knows he is in trouble. He knows I am not going to like the answer to. "Kane, what happened to your pants?" You see this has happened before. Like just last Friday before. When I took the boys I work with to Special Olympics practice, he was there too. He was not wearing the same pants I had put him in that morning, instead he was wearing some really awesome shorts that fit him perfectly. His para said that he had gotten a small rip in his pants earlier in the day. She thought nothing of this and took him outside for recess. Well I knew where this was going. You see Kane can not leave a hole alone. He MUST rip it into a bigger hole. If a paper or page has a small rip in it he MUST finish it and rip it all the way. He has ripped many books, video case covers, magazines,ect. This has recently reached to his clothes. It began with socks, went to pajamas, and now has reached his pants.

Friday the hole was in the leg of his pants. He ripped it into this huge gaping hole, there was no salvaging the pants, they had to go straight to the trash! So when I asked him what happened today, I knew it. He ripped another pair. This time right in the seat of his pants. Again it started as a small little hole. Mrs. Briley had seen it, but she didn't think he had noticed. But next thing she know he stood up from the computer and he had another gaping hole in the seat of his pants. Whe she asked him what his mom would say about it, he said, " I'm in touble."

Here's the thing, he knows he shouldn't do it. He knows he is not supposed to rip things. He knows he will get in trouble but he CAN NOT seem to help himself. I can not leave him alone with Library books, and now he has ruined two pairs of pants (that still fit by the way). I am not quite sure what to do. He has been disciplined for this very thing, many times and many ways.

When Brian came home, he had a talk with him again. He explained to him that I can fix a small hole, if he will just tell me and not rip it We'll see if this helps and if he will come to us before ripping his pants. I fear next time we might find his "pants on the ground" and the waistband left around his waist.

Paraprofessionals... They make a diiference

After a little hiatus, to sunny California, I'm back. I had a great time visiting my sister and am back in mommy mode. I was told by his para today that he missed me and said that he wanted me a few times while I was away. Speaking of paras, can I just say Kane has an awesome one. Paraprofessionals are a huge part of what makes a child with special needs school expereince a positive or negative one. While in school Kane has had some really good ones. None of them were bad, but some just get him better than others. The one he has right now, she gets him. She know how to make work seem like a game. She is patient, yet tough. She protects him, and she loves him. The best paras really love the child enough to be tough when needed and also knows when to ease up a bit. The job is not an easy one. There are many challenges. You must be patient, pesistent, and positive. This job does not pay well in dollars, but is abundant is other rewards. There is nothing more awesome than seeing a child succeed at something that they have struggled with. You see after seeing how influential paras have been in Kane's life, I became one for this school year. It has been fun, I've learned a lot. I respect Kane's paras even more than before. I hope to be able to take even more from this last year and apply it to my life as a parent. Gabby Briley, if you ever read this, THANK YOU! You have made a huge difference in Kane's life and mine.

About our Boy

Thought you all might like to know a little about Kane. He is 10 years old and in the 3rd grade. He is autistic. He is high functioning. He has trouble communicating sometimes, but he does talk, a lot... He loves movies, and can quote many of them word for word, his favorites are Toy Story, Ice Age, and Larry Boy. His memory is amazing. He remebers names, and faces easily. He is very sweet and loving. He will give hugs freely. Kane loves trains, trucks, planes, and especially classic cars. Swimming is one of his favorite activities. He swims at school once a week. His coach says he will be able to try for the swim team next year! He is doing great at school, after a REALLY tough time in the first few weeks of school this year he has settled in well. He is happy to read and is doing better at writing than he ever has before. He has memorized his multiplication tables and impresses his teachers all the time. He is really smart. Kane loves to eat, but is very picky about his food. His favorite is chicken and fries. He likes to eat the same thing each day. He has breakfast lunch and dinner favorites. He has a thing for cheese, grilled cheese, string cheese, slice cheese, shredded cheese. He. loves. cheese. When he finishes a meal, he wants to know what he is having for the next one, just to be sure it is something he is going to like. When he doesn't like something, you'll know it. He lets you know, loudly. I say he is a loud child, because he HE IS. He talks loud, sings loud, runs loud, but at least I always know where he is. Ha! Like most kids like him, he loves routine and likes to know what is happening next. I often tell others that he is the most laid back autistic kid I have ever met. He is really happy to go just about anywhere, and we can take him almost anywhere. Can you tell I love him? He makes me laugh and smile every day. I am so proud of all that he is.

To God Be the Glory

I need to write this while it is fresh on my mind. I recently read something that struck a chord with me and I wanted to write my thoughts on it. They said, "God gives us special needs children that He might be glorified." I agree with this. I have many times told people that I would not be the person I am today if I didn't have Kane in my life, my husband wouldn't be who he is, my girls wouldn't be who they are. A few years ago I came to the realization that I am so thankful that Kane has autism. That may sound crazy to many of you, but it is true. If you have ever met Kane you might understand why I feel this way. He has enriched my life in a way that no other child could, and I wouldn't have wanted to miss the opportunity to be his mom, and learn the many things that the Lord has taught me in the process. I have learned patience, peace, and joy in watching Kane grow and learn. I learned to rejoice in and celebrate small victories, and not miss them while looking for the big ones. I have learned to move past my pride and fears in order to do what is needed to help my boy. I continue to look at children differently and with more patience and more hope in what they can accomplish. I have learned to lean on the Lord all the time, all day, and He has been always faithful and true to help. I believe that God has an awesome plan for Kane and our family, I can't wait to see how it all unfolds, and I know I have great responsibility to do all I can to lead Kane and our children in the right direction. So that he will truly be glorified in our special needs child.

My First Post

Well, Brian and a few others keep telling me I need to write a book or blog or something. I decided to start with a blog and see how it goes. I'm beginning this blog to write about our experience as parents of Kane, our now 10 year old son who has autism. Stick around to hear our story and and get an insight into our lives and how we approach the blessings and challenges that come with living with autism.