Jakson's Letter

One person we are really missing (especially on Fridays) is Jakson's therapist, Erin. She was so wonderful and we feel like Jak benefited immensely from his therapy with her. In just one year his reciprocal speech, pretend play, and our handling of his behaviors had really improved. I also loved having someone to talk to who completely understood my circumstance. Erin really made me feel a lot less like I was a terrible, horrible parent and gave us practical ideas we could implement at home. Needless to say, Jakson is not the only one who misses our weekly sessions. I think every autism mom needs an Erin in her life.

Jakson has asked us numerous time since our move if we are "going to questions" (what he called therapy) to see Erin. It's so sad. Tonight I wrote her an email about Jakson's first week (which went swimmingly, by the way) and Jakson wanted to add a letter of his own. Getting him to talk is like pulling teeth (he won't tell us anything about school. Ever. It's slightly annoying), but he really wanted to compose a note. Warning: Jakson is incredibly random.

Dear Erin,
I'll come to your house someday. Come and fly on a plane to see us. I want to fly to Utah. My teacher is Mrs. Schneider. I love you. And I go to kindergarten. Ride a dinosaur for me. I play at the playground and I have a globe. I write my letters. Come to Houston and make a library fort with us.
Love, Jakson

Carnival Photo Shoot

Last weekend I drove past a temporary carnival in a local abandoned grocery store parking lot and decided I needed to do a photo shoot there. So I called my sister in law and asked if she and my brother would model for me, warning her that the carnival looked a little ghetto and the whole experience would be one big experiment. She's into adventure and agreed to meet me later in the evening.

Awesomely, she came in adorable hot pink heels. Love the juxtaposition of the rides and those high heels. She and my brother handled the 100+ degree weather without complaint and we had a great time (not to mention the whole place to ourselves!!). It was funny because at one point a carnival worker started following us around giving us pointers about shooting (take a photo over by the motorcycle ride. how about with the sun behind the ferris wheel?). Was wonderful that they were so friendly and didn't mind us wandering around taking pictures before the carnival officially opened.

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He did it!

Jak walked in, sat down, and started playing with the Play-doh the teacher had laid out. So far, so good. And most surprisingly, I was able to hold onto my tears until we left the building.

A good first day.

Things will never be the same

My boy starts kindergarten on Monday. My little tiny baby. I feel.... Actually I'm not quite sure. Excited, sad, worried, unprepared, nervous, proud, old. I'm feeling very introspective. Did I use my time with him at home wisely? Did I play with him enough? Did I instill a sense of self strong enough that mean kids won't phase him? What will our mornings be like without him?

How did he get to be so big?

I didn't think I'd be feeling so sentimental. The whole school thing has just been one more task to mark off my list for quite awhile. Probably because getting to this point was a fight and very stressful. Deciding on a school and then convincing the administration to accommodate Jakson the way he needs was the source of many weeks of distress. My biggest obstacle, a shortened school day, was also the most important. Jakson is not ready for a full day of kindergarten. He gets overstimulated so easily and a long playdate often results in a 45 minute meltdown in his room. Not a pretty scene. It was best for the teacher, classmates, myself, and, most importantly, Jakson, to take the time to ease him into a full day. But according to them, the district "just doesn't do that".

Well, they do now, my friends.

Once that problem was solved, I figured it would be smooth sailing. Drop him off. Wave goodbye (hopefully without any sort of anxiety attack on his side). The end. But I am feeling more and more unprepared and sappy. A lunch? What the heck do I put in his lunchbox? He's just a baby! Should I make him a special breakfast? He's just a baby! Will I be able to keep from crying? He's just a baby!

Gosh, this is harder than I thought.
He's my little baby. When did he get big enough to leave me for school???

Family Photo Holiday Mini-Sessions | Cypress and Houston Photographer

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The great outdoors

We had to be out of our rental about three days before we actually left UT, so after packing the van we stayed up at "The Cabin" (as it is referred to) in the Salt Lake area that Zak's family owns. Staying at The Cabin (something I will do) is different than camping (something I prefer not to do) because there is running water, a shower, and an indoor bathroom. It's also beautiful and up in the mountains, meaning it's about 15 degrees cooler during the summer than the Valley. Perfect. We spent a lot of weekends there the past couple of months.

Of course, the kids LOVE it. Lots of dirt, not a lot of rules, roasted marshmallows, open fields for running....every kids' dream.

Plus, it has the added perk of Grandma and Grandpa V. We will sorely miss them, especially since they will not be able to visit until the end of their mission (9 more months).

Now you know why I married Zak. For his cabin. Hey, he claims to have married me for my money (my amazing teacher's salary).

In one piece

We made it. There was puking, terrible customer service, and a new $4000 transmission involved, but we have arrived in Houston, unpacked most of the boxes, and started a new job. (Have I mentioned that Zak's new job is actually his old job from Phoenix? The same company that laid him off, hired him here. Lesson: Never burn bridges.) We are very happy to be Texans (or back in The Motherland as Zak likes to call it).

A little girl also turned one year older.

Next year she'll be fifteen. Or so she acts. We had a fun family party to celebrate the momentous occasion and were instructed to refer to her as the "birthday girl" all day. What a diva.

I am still catching up on laundry and emails and slowly getting the kids' rooms put together. Since Storey is now pseudo potty trained, I have to make good on my big girl bed promise/bribe. Thank goodness for parents who have an entire garage filled with scrap wood, a handy husband, and pink spray paint.