Aquarium

We had a lot of fun at the Aquarium today. The stingrays liked Justin a lot (All creatures love him). They would come up and slap the water and the sides of the exhibit until Justin pet them. The other kids were kind of perplexed because they were trying so hard to pet the rays but they kept going over to Justin. The picture shows him "boating" in the South America exhibit. You can see his shirt is soaking wet from playing with the rays for so long.

Moments in Autism aka M.I.A.

I, my own therapist, have recommended that I share my experiences as a MAK (Mom of an Autistic Kid). I can assure you that laughter is the best medicine. Either you laugh or cry, sometimes I suggest you do both.

For other MAKs, let me offer you some free counsel. (You're welcome) Any advice or direction you are given by others, even licensed professionals, should be run past another MAK before you put any stock in it. MAKs know best.

Please share your moments in autism as well as your comments.

M.I.A (Moment In Autism)........ I know, punny right? I can't help it, atleast I think I'm funny.

JD, my child with autism, enters the hall and sees me in the bathroom putting on my mascara. He stops and places his hands on his hips. He uses his soft voice, (you know, the one you rarely hear, the voice that fills only 90% of the room, not 100% )

"Mom," he says in a complimentary manner, "you look less fat today!"

Uhhh, what do you say to that? He genuinely means it as a compliment, but still. Then comes more. "Aren't you glad I told you?"

Then I do what any other MAK would do, I thank him and ask that when he wants to let someone else know they are "less fat" to talk to me before he says it. I also thank him for telling me, because, after all, he felt strongly that it is something I need to know.

Mother's Day Scrapbook

Here are the JD scrapbook pages that will go in the annual grandkids books for our grandmas. (I edited out the personal information on the first page.)

Nicky Napping

Nicky took time out of his nap to say hello from Japan.

We miss you Nicky!

"Mow" it Over

JD used the riding mower to do the lawn yesterday (I helped). He did a great job. Maybe in the future he will be able to do it completely by himself. All of the homes in our neighborhood have HUGE lawns, this could potentially be a money maker for him. Who knows?

Inner Peace

"Take from me anything. Material possessions are worthless, just leave me with inner peace."

"When the world threatens to flood my barricades, I run to my centre, my calm, my bliss."

Lord, grant me the ability to forgive, that I might be free from pain and gain inner peace.

Link, King of the Lawn

So I mowed the lawn for the first time since we moved to our current home. I had never driven a riding mower before, it was pretty fun. The yard is HUGE (thus, the riding mower). The dogs love the big yard. Jazz hunts birds, gophers and who knows what else. All we know is he is teaching Link the art of the kill. Who would have thought?

When the yard was done we let the dogs back outside. Link stayed in the same place and didn't move for about an hour. He must have been soaking up the glory of his freshly cut lawn. For just a moment, he looked somewhat intelligent. John snapped a picture on his phone. It is Link, King of the Lawn.