What autism has taught me.

**I wrote this post a while ago, but never published it. With Autism Awareness Day coming up this Saturday (please wear blue and show your support!), I thought the timing was appropriate to share.

Yesterday Jak plopped himself next to me on the couch and, without prompting, listed off the planets of the solar system. In order. He's four. He's adorable. He's brilliant. And he has autism.

I wouldn't change a thing.

10 Things Autism Has Taught Me

1. Judge not. Autism is known as the "invisible disability." Most children with autism look and (at first glance) seem to act like everyone else. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten those stares. Looks that say, "obviously that mother is terrible". Little do they know.
   
   But I have realized that this is true of everyone I come in contact with. I don't know all of their daily, private struggles. In fact, I've started considering that every out of control kid I see might have autism. Since the statistics are so high, I could be right.


2. Patience, grasshopper. I struggle with patience on a daily basis (doesn't every parent?!?). Patience with myself and patience with my son. When I start to lose it, Lamaze has come in handy.
   
   At least that class was good for something.
   


3. Small victories are still victories. On Sunday my son freaked out. I can't remember why, but the tantrum lasted about 30 minutes. It felt like an eternity. I tried everything we've been told to do-squeeze him tight, talk calmly, try to communicate...I even laid on him in hopes that the extra pressure would help him calm down (and believe me, that's a lot of extra pressure). Nothing. It just had to run his course and then he was fine. Unfortunately, I was not. I felt like a total failure. I wondered why I was picked to parent this child and cried.
   
   Jak normally doesn't notice any sort of emotion and definitely doesn't acknowledge it, but as he left the room he loudly announced, (to all my in-laws) "Mom's sad!" That was it. No comforting words, no hug, but it was a huge breakthrough-he actually noticed!! Albeit embarrassing, it was a victory.


4. Take it one day at a time. This was invaluable advice a good friend gave me when Jak was first diagnosed. And she was right. If I dwell on what he will be struggling with 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years from now, I start to get extremely overwhelmed (I'm so worried about bullying!). But as long as I just take it day by day, life is easier to handle.
   


5. Laugh. Or else you will cry.
   


6. You can alter more than clothes. Before his diagnosis, I had specific expectations for Jak. Get good grades, play team sports, have lots of friends, go to college, get married, give me grandkids (I hear they are better than regular kids!) and I still believe that many of those things can happen. But they might not.
   
   And that is okay.
   
   Instead he may be a hermit scientist (his current career of choice), or a garbage man for all I care-as long as he is happy. That is my only expectation now. His happiness.


7. Let others help. This is been the hardest lesson for me. And I continue to resist it. I'm independent, I can do it on my own, and I don't need anyone else. But actually, I do.
   
   You see, other people love my son too and want to serve. We've had to accept everything from babysitting to financial help (therapy is not cheap, folks). It's been humbling. It's been hard. But necessary.
   


8. Count your many blessings. After an especially difficult month, realizing I'd been dwelling on all the crap and not seeing any silver lining, I decided that I needed to write down a blessing every day. I'm on the computer a lot, so I created a private blog just for me-my husband doesn't even know about it (until now-hi!). Every day I log in and write one blessing--from the fact that our new house only takes 5 minutes to vacuum because it is so small to finding a fun, free pumpkin patch. Because I have to write something down, I end up thinking about my blessings more during the day.


9. Pray. All the time. The Lord wants to ease your burdens and worries. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).
   


10. If all else fails, bake and eat Bakerella's Chocolate Chip Pie . It makes everything seem better. You can thank me for sharing that piece of wisdom later.

Love, September Ready Made Sale!

I have a few leftover, ready made shop items that I want to sell off. They are all priced at huge discounts! If you're interested in any of them, just leave me a comment with your email address and I'll send you a Paypal invoice or I can list it in the shop reserved for you (that way you have the option of paying with a card). If these don't sell by next week, I'll list in the shop, but thought I'd give you guys first dibs! All items also will include a shipping fee of $1.50.

Reversible Skirt Size 1-3: $10 (50% off!!)

**SOLD**Reversible Skirt size 3-5: $10 (50% off!)

Reversible Skirt size 3-5: $10 (50% off!)

**SOLD**ONE onesie-slightly flawed, there is a tiny snag in the back of the onesie, Size 6-9 months (Circo so generous sized) $5 (75% off!)

Brown and aqua 9 ft ribbon banner: $16 (almost 50% off!)

Christmas half apron: $10 (50% off!)

ONE onesie in orange and gray-nothing wrong with this one, I just don't make them anymore. Size 9-12 months (Circo brand): $10 (33% off!)

Dinner Lately

We've been trying to mix it up a bit and try some new recipes for dinner. And when I say "we" I really mean Zak, because let's be honest, he does the cooking around here and I do the baking. Two words: stress baker. Wish more of you lived closer. Then I'd have someone to pawn all the treats on. Instead I have to eat them to prevent wastefulness. If there's anything I hate more than beans, it's wastefulness.

Back to the subject at hand. Dinner recipes. This week we sampled not one, but two new recipes and both were DELICIOUS! In fact, I would venture to say that both have won spots in our menu rotation.

First up Chicken Tikka Masala. Yes, I was skeptical as well. We've attempted Indian at home many times and failed miserably (to the point of tears once-mine not Zak's and I was pregnant at the time. I get very emotional about food when I'm pregnant). But this is THE recipe. Try it. You will not disappointed. Although you might want to pick up some Naan at a local restaurant. Not perfected that one yet (if you have a recipe for that-please share!).

Photo Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Chicken Tikka Masala (adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips or chunks

Combine all ingredients except chicken. Pour sauce over chicken and refrigerate for 1 hour. Grill or cook chicken in frying pan. Discard marinade

1 tablespoon butter
2 small cloves garlic, minced (or 1 large)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup cream

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic for one minute, until you can smell the garlic cooking. Season with cumin, paprika and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over hot rice.

I'm always looking for new ways to cook chicken because it's the meat of choice in our house. And this was a dang good way to do it. I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day and it was just as fabulous as I had remembered. Hold your applause, but I actually cooked this one, not Zak! Miracles occur in March too.

Photo Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Breaded Garlic Chicken in Lemon Butter Sauce (adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup seasoned flour (1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper)
3 eggs
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
5 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons parsley flakes or 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup butter

Place the seasoned flour in a large gallon-size ziploc bag. Set aside. In a shallow pie plate, beat the eggs until mixed and add the Parmesan cheese. Whisk to combine. Set aside.

In a large skillet, melt one tablespoon butter and one tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Let it begin to heat and sizzle while you prepare the chicken but be careful not to let the butter burn and turn brown.

Put the four chicken breasts in the bag with the seasoned flour, close the bag, and shake to coat the chicken in the flour. One by one, take the chicken out of the bag and dip into the egg/Parmesan mixture. Place the chicken carefully in the skillet with the hot oil/butter. Repeat with the other chicken breasts. Let the chicken cook on the first side, without moving or flipping the chicken, for 1-2 minutes until a nice, golden crust has formed. It will smell quite eggy (not a word, just go with it) while it's cooking, but doesn't effect the taste once the chicken is baked. Carefully, using a wide spatula, flip the chicken and let it continue to cook for 1-2 minutes on the other side until it is golden brown.

Remove the chicken to a 9X13-inch pan. Set aside while you make the sauce. In the same skillet that you browned the chicken, melt the stick of butter (1/2 cup butter). Add the garlic, lemon juice, and parsley. Simmer the sauce for 1-2 minutes, stirring and scraping up any browned bits that were on the bottom of the skillet. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken breasts and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Serve over noodles, rice or potatoes. Drizzle excess sauce from chicken over noodles.

And because I just can't resist a good dessert, here's one we've been loving lately.

Photo Source: Pioneer Woman

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake-just like the little cakes you get on a cruise! (adapted from Pioneer Woman)

*I cut the recipe in half, making only two cakes because there are only two of us (we don't share this one with the kids).

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
1 whole Eggs
1 whole Egg Yolks
3 Tablespoons Flour

Preheat over to 425 degrees. Spray 2 custard cups (I don't have custard cups, I just use small glass Pyrex bowls, about the same size as a custard cup). Microwave chocolate chips and butter on high for about 1 minute, until butter is melted and then stir until chocolate is also melted. Stir in powdered sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and eggs yolks. Stir in flour. Pour half of batter into each cup.
Bake 13-15 minutes until the sides are firm (they look brownie like) and the center is soft. Let stand one minute. Serve with ice cream (original recipe calls for whipped cream, but I like ice cream with them so much more!)

Any recipes you've been loving lately? I'm always looking for something new to add to our weekly menu.

And we're back

Finally got my camera from the repair shop. How I've missed being the kid paparazzi.
P.S.-Jak's shirt is on backwards. Didn't figure that one out until I was walking behind him on the way into preschool. And yes, I left it that way. Figured no harm, no foul.

How Carter Beat Cancer

My friend Jen and I met ten years ago when we both traveled to New Zealand with a group of teachers from BYU to do our student teaching. She is one of the funniest, most positive women I've ever known.Halloween in New Zealand-Me, Danielle, Jen, and Brooke

And her amazing attitude continues through her most recent, and probably most difficult trial. Jen found out a couple of weeks ago that her son, Carter (5 1/2) has leukemia.

Since the discovery, Carter has undergone two surgeries and started chemotherapy. As a mom, I can only imagine how she must be feeling. The stress of having two small children at home, a sick son in the hospital, and medical bills piling up.

The girls from New Zealand and I have been trying to come up with something to help. In the end, we decided that monetary donations are always the right size and color. I have set up a Paypal account in Carter's name. If you'd like to donate to help cover his medical bills, every little bit helps.

If you'd like a different way to donate, the proceeds from the two printable posters and one set of posters pictured below from my shop will be going directly to Carter's fund. Please feel free to share the links on your Facebook pages and blogs to the prints in my shop-I'd love to raise as much as possible for the family. Fairy Tale set of 4-$16

Rise and Shout-$5.00

John 14:18 (Jen's favorite Bible verse)-$5

I'm sure Jen would also appreciate any prayers on Carter's behalf. You can follow Carter's story on her blog here.

Just for fun

I needed a little humor today.
Found a funny quote on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago, but when I went looking for the original source this morning, it was unGoogleable (not a word, go with it).

So I made my own.

Click for the larger, printable version. Then right click to save.
Sized to 8x10.

P.S. This isn't funny unless you know the awful, but slightly awesome song.

Mommy Guilt

I was feeling guilty about not doing anything really creative for St. Patrick's Day. Like dying my kids' food green or something. I told Zak that I was feeling bad about it and he started laughing at me.

Then I remembered. Oh yeah, my kid doesn't eat things that are green. That would have been a lot of wasted food.

Saturday Shot

Not taken this week (still don't have a camera), but cute nonetheless.

Scientist

Jakson has a new icebreaker. A joke.

Why did the brachiosaurus cross the road?
To get to the other side. (of course)

It gets better.

Why did the velociraptor cross the road?
To get to the other side.

And can't leave out.

Why did the triceratops cross the road?
To get to the other side.

Unfortunately, Jakson knows about 100 different kinds of dinosaurs. This joke has the potential of going on for a very long time.

Also....
A couple of days ago, I was downstairs making dinner when Jakson ran in excited about his "experiment." Normally these sort of things involve aspects that I am not happy about (massive amounts of water, broken furniture, etc), but I was pleasantly surprised to find that A) the kids were playing together semi-nicely and B) the "experiment" involved nothing destructive. In fact, I was quite proud that Jakson came up with it on his own. Because I don't have a camera at the moment, I took a little video (which I realize most of you won't watch and am not offended-grandparents on the other hand love this sort of thing).

Bad things come in threes....

Most of the time I try to keep things here on the blog light and happy, but the last post was a bit complainy and this one isn't going to win any awards for its optimism either. Just keepin' it real folks. Maybe next week I'll write about that unicorn I saw a couple of days ago...

The theory is that bad things happen in threes. Living it.

1. My camera broke during the character breakfast that Pooh Bear was supposed to be attending but ended up as a no-show. Not a big deal, except for the fact that it's going to cost almost $200 to get fixed and I currently am cameraless. Hence no pictures on this here blog.
2. Got a letter in the mail YESTERDAY letting us know that Jakson's therapy is going to be costing us over $200 more starting in TWO WEEKS. Not sure why they waited until now to let us know, but this could be a deal breaker for us, especially considering...
3. Zak's firm let go 5 engineers from Zak's transportation group yesterday. Thankfully, Zak was not one of them. Yet. Ironically, we had our bi-annual "what will we do if we are laid off" conversation a couple of weeks ago* and Zak assured me that his firm would not be getting rid of anyone. Are we really living this nightmare again?
   

I guess #3 doesn't quite count as the third bad thing since it hasn't happened yet, but the potential is definitely there. I also just ordered a bathroom scale from Amazon. Me standing on our new scale may be the real 3rd bad thing.

*On a more positive note, if a layoff does come our way, we feel very prepared for it this time. Since our last stint with unemployment, we have saved a three month emergency fund. I am feeling very thankful at this point that we put that aside.

P.S. -Never ever wish your husband to be like Mr. Darcy (a gentleman of leisure). Why did I not learn this last time??? Wishes do come true, but not always the way you intended.

Disney Recap

The truth: I haven't posted about Disneyland because I've had a hard time not dwelling on the negative. Jakson's meltdowns tend to be extremely emotional and overwhelming for me and, despite being very prepared, we dealt with more of them than I was hoping. It was really a very successful trip-the kids talk about it constantly-but it wasn't the perfection I imagined in my head. I realize that I need to quit imagining perfection and be pleased with the reality. Definitely a lesson I'll continue to learn over and over.

That said, we went on all of the rides we wanted to-some 4 or 5 times, suffered through no lines longer than 5 minutes, and met every character the kids were excited about except for Pooh Bear. That darn illusive Pooh Bear. Jakson even discovered that there is actually a "dinosaur ride" as the train that runs around Disneyland goes through a portion of tunnel that features the extinct creatures. The kid was in heaven.

Although my camera completely stopped working during the character breakfast, (and hasn't resurrected since. There goes another $200 to get it fixed. *headdesk*) we were able to get quite a few photos on the first two days. Most of these pictures don't need much of an introduction...



Notice that only one adult agreed to go on the Tea Cups.These guys look awesome in their 3D glasses. Storey insisted on wearing hers upside down.Jakson showing Woody his Woody shirt. Love the reaction. So cute.
Ready to ride Toy Story Mania. A fan favorite.
The lines looked like this literally almost the whole time we were in the parks. Just walk up to the front.

Don't get me wrong. I AM grateful that our family was able to go. Trips like this with Jakson will continue to be a learning experience, the important part is that we take our new knowledge and make changes for next time. Like never go on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride again. What a bust that one was.

Bullets

• Although I'm not in the market for LCD TV stands (you might be), I am in the market for a lot of other things that CSN offers, including an awesome gift with wheels for an April birthday boy!
  
• Tonight we're going to get supplies for our first ever hanging garden. Super excited because A) I'm dying for a garden and B) we're using an IKEA gift card-FREE garden stuff!! Our plan is for part of our garden to look something like this. Isn't it genius? Get the instructions here.
• I've been collecting garden ideas from all over the internet and bookmarking them on Pinterest. It's my new favorite site. Do you pin? If so, I'd love to follow you!
• I wrote a guest post for the Noodles and Milk blog on budgeting today. It's sort of bossy and full of unsolicited advice, but might just give you the kick start you need to get your finances in order-if you're interested, you can read it here.
• I am going to get around to posting about Disney. One of these days....
  

To do this month

• potty train Storey. ugh.
• start a herb container garden. I'm really missing fresh basil.
• put together Jakson's IEP for next year-take it to the school and get what I want.
• get back on track with an exercise routine. maybe buy a scale.
• make Storey's Easter dress
• come up with something cool to do for Jakson's birthday next month
  
• use previously purchased vouchers from photo site to make Disney mini albums for both kids
• try to avoid going insane. I'm so sick of the snow! I hate that we can't spend hours outside. Note to self: move to a location with warm weather.
  

That's an awkward hug....What you miss in this photo is two seconds later, Storey kisses Buzz's knee. Why child? Why?

Recovering

Fun times had by all.
Exhausted.
Not sure I will ever be able to walk again.