My sweet sensitive boy...

We have really been looking into Jack's issues a little more now that he is a bit older. We have had concerns since he was born, but most times voicing our concerns led to doctors just saying to wait because things could change. Things have changed...some things are just a tad bit better and some things are worse. His newest things are taking his clothes off (a lot), gagging himself, throwing himself into people, hitting and throwing himself down on the ground a lot. We had an appointment with a neurologist who basically felt the "big picture was a boy with Autism" and gave us some recommendations on where to take him to be tested. This past week the school did a sensory profile on him. To no ones surprise, he has some sensory dysfunction. I am glad that this has been found so we can help him. The occupational therapist was extremely impressed with the fact that his emotional/social scores were normal. She says usually when you have behavorial dysfunction due to sensory processing you have emotional/social issues as well. She said that is a huge indication of how we handle things at home with him. I said....that's no surprise...he's normal and I'm the one with the emotional/social disorder..ha ha. Anybody that has children with special needs knows how HARD and EXHAUSTING it can be at times. I am very glad that we are recognizing his sensory needs before it does become more emotional/social issues. Jack has proprioceptive sensory disorder so it makes him EXTREMELY active. He throws himself and runs into people trying to gain some input. His brain does not regulate senses properly. He seeks to fix what he does not feel right within him. After a nice long conference with the team which included occupational therapist, social worker, speech therapist and his teacher we are going to try working on fixing his sensory needs....I suppose putting him on a sensory diet. He will require certain techniques or playing throughout the day to help regulate his brain. The trick will be trying to find what sensory input will help not make him more hyper or upset. I feel so overwhelmed by all the information. I can't imagine being able to do everything that is required to help Jack. I keep thinking that when he gets to heaven...none of this will matter....he will be perfect. Earth is so temporary....our bodies are temporary. It still hurts though. I'm not gonna lie. I have a hard time finding my energy in God when I have no brain to seek God in the first place. Does that make sense? I feel God all around me during the day. Sometimes he seems to be just like the dishes that sit in the sink...waiting to be washed. He is on my to do list. I know that, that is not how it should be. I'm just exisiting at times...breathing. I sometimes find myself saying...Lord, I'm just breathing, just breathing. I need more than just breathing. Sigh...I'm done venting. I just thought I would catch up on Jack. My littlest one is now climbed up on the chair and is batting around the lamp. My little family circus....

Facebook

There are reasons why I love Facebook. I love the pages I have joined to see shopping deals or the blogs that update through Facebook. There are the few close friends I have that I can chat with about recipes or what's the latest crazy things our kids did. I love being able to share in their joys and sorrows. I also love being able to converse with people I went to high school or church with.

But.......

Does anyone else feel like Facebook makes them into an evil thoughts monster at times? There are times that I have to take a step back and just separate from it. I find I don't like the person I become when I'm using it. The times when I realize I need a break are when I find myself thinking very negatively in regards to the "friends" I have on Facebook. I also hate how people just think they can write whatever. I feel like I have nothing together when I'm seeing status' about how some are able to handle one million things and I can't handle ONE thing. Oh and there is always feeling ignored by certain people....ever feel like that? I start thinking...this is ridiculous that I am letting these lies fill my head.

This is when it's time for a Facebook break! Kind of a reset from my ungodly thinking.

Anyone else need to take occasional breaks from Facebook?

I Don't Have To Be Strong Enough

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength....I don't have to be strong enough....

Spreading Some Pumpkin Love

I roasted a pumpkin in my crockpot this week after following The Happy Housewife's directions here.

Pumpkin is soooo good for you and very much a part of Fall. I went around the web looking for some good recipes to incorporate into this Falls menu planning.

Sweet:
Pumpkin Pancakes
Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Spiced Pumpkin Waffles
Down East Maine Pumpkin Bread
Starbucks Pumpkin Scones
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Savory:
Penne-Wise Pumpkin Pasta
Pumpkin Stew
Smoky Braised Mexican Pumpkin
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Beverages:
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Treat for our four-legged friends:
Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Hmmmm, maybe next up should be apple recipes...another favorite of mine.

This has been linked up with Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap HERE

Friday Photo Flashback

Posting this picture seems appropriate after the nice conversation I had with my brother last night. I've been finding it difficult to feel normal lately with the issues we have been dealing with in regards to Jack and his special needs. Sometimes I feel like if I avoid family/friend situations all together it's easier because Jack doesn't always make group situations comfortable. I spilled my guts about how I feel to my brother and he made me feel like everything would be okay. Sometimes you just need to know that everything will be okay! You need to know that you and your situation are accepted exactly the way they are. Thanks Nick!

Testing

Sigh...I know just enough computer stuff to make me a danger to myself ;) I decided to change my web address to Stumbling Along Faithfully versus what it is now. It obviously fits my title better. I did that without thinking about what that would do to my feed. I read about how doing that would basically make me lost to anyone who had befriended me in the past (of course I read this AFTER I did the deed). Anyway, I put my blog address back to the normal address and I'm not sure if everything is okay. Those of you who have me added and see me come up in your feeds....could you let me know that you can see this??

Wordless Wednesday & Outdoor Wednesday

October Already

We had a crazy summer. We had started on changes with our diet and to be honest, I could not keep up with it. Not to mention, I got super tired of eating mostly meat. I got to the point if I looked at another chicken breast I might get sick. Our diet is not kinda in the middle between whatever we want and meats and veggies only. I do try to stay away from high fructose corn syrup, white sugar and flour in my cooking. We are all a lot happier with the balance we have found.

Different changes came our way with the start of September. The eldest went off to college up north.

Anderson decided that he wanted to try school (versus homeschool). He is attending a local charter school and is very much enjoying himself. I am very pleased with the school.

Jack is back to school and is doing great. He receives speech therapy as well as other therapies to deal with the issues he has.

Oliver loves having his mornings free of everyone else to enjoy time with Mommy.

I've taken up a new hobby of making candles. You can find my Etsy shop HERE.

 

Whew, that was a lot and still not everything ;) Bill and I have resolved to get back on Weight Watchers so I hope to start posting recipes that we try soon.