Wow! I really am behind on updating LOL

When I started this blog I thought I would do a much better job of keeping it going but then school started and the craziness just keeps on coming!!! : )

The kids school year is almost over and they are both doing VERY well!! Ainsleigh amazes me with how well she has adapted to the school setting and her peers! She struggles with somethings but she is the sweetest little girl!! All of her teachers cannot gush enough about how sweet and enthusiastic she is about doing a good job. We have learned that she is very good with numbers, sequences/patterns, anything to do with art/music (we already knew that), and she LOVES P.E. : ) At the beginning of the school year they had a little dance/performance in front of the whole school and parents, Ainsleigh did not do well!! This semester they had another one, Ainsleigh not only performed but liked it!! We are SO proud of her!! She does have some struggles with letters, sounds, learning words, etc. She did very well in speech last semester at UNT but this semester she had a new therapist and she was struggling connecting with him. She started dreading going to therapy and because of all of my issues I pulled the kids out. I think it was a really good thing for Ainsleigh!

Brycen is doing VERY well!!! He started the school year with no hesitations and no regression. He jumped right back into it and took off!! He knows his entire alphabet forwards and backwards, he can count to fifty (though he will get a little sidetracked), he knows colors & shapes, he is now using the "I want..." phrase to request (though he is not always consistent), and he is doing so many things that he did not do before (i.e. get into/out of the car himself, takes off his jacket/zips it up, etc.)!! After Thanksgiving Brycen got sick and for the next couple of months we were constantly at the doctor trying to get him well. He would get a bug then before he could get over it, he would get another one! By Christmas he had pnemonia and was very sick. When school started up, he had a hard time getting back into the routine of things and behavioral issues became a problem. He is doing much better now and as of his birthday, he now goes full time!!! His teacher fought very hard to get him in full time and we are so blessed because of her!! She truly is an amazing teacher who works SO HARD for our kids!! She inspires me to always keep trying, fighting for my kids and their needs! Brycen had a little adjustment time to the new schedule but he is doing very well!!! : )

It is now Spring Break and we have just returned from another visit to Elijah's Retreat!! The kids had a BLAST!!! We went hiking through the numerous acres they have and the kids loved it!! Ainsleigh felt like we were on an adventure and both kids did really well following the trail. We played on the playground, played games, flew a kite, etc. They truly love that place and we are SO GRATEFUL & THANKFUL for Elijah's Retreat!!!

Though we had a great time on our vacation, it is hard not to realize just how limited our life is when looking at it from the outside in. I think it hit Brent harder this time than ever before. Simple things like having a camp fire and roasting marshmallows was a disaster with Brycen. Ainsleigh loved it and did very well, but Brycen kept trying to run away into the trees and wouldn't stop screaming when we put his leash on. Then he tried going into the fire and needless to say he and I ended up in the cabin. This was just one episode that occurred; there were many others. We cannot do so many things and Ainsleigh misses out on so much because we have to always accomodate for Brycen's needs/issues. We know it is not his fault and we never blame him, but sometimes it is hard to not feel so sad... well sad is not really a good description but how can you put into words the heartache that wells up inside at not being able to do something so simple as play kickball or catch or red light/green light?! As parents we struggle to balance what he is able/capable of doing/handling with what Ainsleigh wants/needs. There are times when she is left wanting and we are too!! Anyway, that is life... we enjoy the good times, cherish them and know the future holds so many great things! I'll try to get some pictures posted soon (no guarantees, haha)!!

New School Year

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I plan to make a few posts over the next few days to catch up on all that we did over the summer!!

Last Thursday we went to Meet the Teacher night at the kids school. Ainsleigh is in Kindergarten and Brycen is still in his PPCD class (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities). Ainsleigh's teacher is Ms. Cherry and she is VERY nice!! Ainsleigh likes her and we chatted about some of the things going on with Ainsleigh so that we could work together to make this a GREAT year. Brycen's teacher is Ms. Tierney and she is the same teacher he had last year, YEAH!!!!! : ) She was SO excited to see Brycen and so proud of his hard work during the summer to not regress! Ainsleigh's classroom is just a few doors down from Brycen's and his teacher is helping keep an eye on Ainsleigh!!

The kids started school on Tuesday and Brycen was excited and happy!! He really loves his class!! Ainsleigh had a meltdown before we got to school and Brent went to work late so that he could be there to help ease her into the transition. She did better once she got to school and she ended up having a GOOD day!!! She told me when I picked her up, though she was crying. I was stuck in the line of cars picking up kids and I didn't get there fast enough for her, haha!! Anyway, the teacher, the principal, and Brycen's teacher all told me she had a good day too!! I had to meet with the teachers, the cafeteria manager, and the nurse about Ainsleigh's peanut allergy and I am VERY impressed at how serious they are taking it and the measure's they are taking to keep her safe! Her peanut allergy is severe and because of her sensory issues it is very hard for her to even be in the same room with peanut butter. Brycen had a good day too!! He did not fuss at all and was very happy to be back in his class (he didn't take to well to the summer school class).

This morning we had a major meltdown with Ainsleigh and it is so heart breaking to see her so upset and not be able to do anything about it! It is going to take some time for her to adjust to the change, but we are very hopeful it will work out!! She was doing much better once at school, so hopefully she will have another good day!! Brycen was happy as usual, haha!!! : ) I'll write more later about the summer and how today goes!!

Fun in the Sun

We had a family fun day outside last weekend due to the nice weather! The kids got to play in the sandbox, swing on the swing set, sensory play with shaving cream, and water fun!! We had such a great time and the kids really loved it!! I wanted to share some pictures we took of their fun!! Brycen is now in summer school (ESY) and he seems to like it. He goes three days a week for three hours each day. Ainsleigh now has a library card at our library and has joined the Summer Reading Club!! We checked out some books and she got to participate in Story Time!! I am trying to set up different activities for each of the kids for the summer so that they have some fun things to do!

Fun in the Sun (cont'd)

Fun in the Sun (cont'd)

A special moment...

It is a rare moment in our house when this happens, I had to get a picture and share!! I hear stories from other parents about how their kids play together, interact with each other, and fight too!! In our house, that is not a usual occurence... ever. Granted, I do like the fact that my children rarely ever fight with each other (or with other children), but it would be nice to see this more often!! I just love these two little peas and I'm glad they are in the same pod even if it was only for a moment.

ISD vs. ME

Ok, so I know I have been VERY bad lately about updating everyone, so sorry!!! Here it goes... We had two ARD's with the school district (one for Brycen and one for Ainsleigh). Ainsleigh's did not go well. The school district, after reading the neuropsychologist's report, is sticking to their guns that Ainsleigh does not have an educational need for special education services (speech, occupational, etc.), and are taking the "wait and see" approach to educating her. I, of course, held to my guns that I do not believe in "waiting to see a child fail" before acting as a way of educating a child. We (Brent and I) decided to "play nice" and agree that we would enroll her without services set up, and "wait and see" how she responded to Kindergarten. The look of triumph was very short lived on their faces when I very "nicely" but in Wendi style "bluntly" let them know that I would be watching like a hawk and the second problems arose I would be on them (to quote an old teacher of mine) "like white on rice", but this time I would bring out the big guns (aka my bulldog advocate that is chomping at the bit to tear into them) if steps were not taken to give her the support she needs to receive her "free, appropriate education". Though I do not like the idea of going toe to toe with the ISD, I will do whatever is necessary to make certain Ainsleigh is not put in a situation that will cause her to fail.
Brycen's ARD went much better! He did not receive the in home behavioral trainer because (to put it plainly) he is not violent enough. I did not disagree and we moved on to our next agenda (the one I was really more concerned with) of Brycen's eligibility of ESY. He WILL be going to ESY!!!!! YEAH!!!! ESY is Extended School Year, and I really wanted this for him so that he would not lose the skills and progress that he has worked for!!!! He has progressed SO MUCH!!! He is really trying to talk and sing, and has a few words now that he can actually say!!! Most do not have meaning yet, but I am still SO PROUD of HIM!!! : )
I had Ainsleigh transfered to Brycen's school and the principal there as arranged for Ainsleigh to be placed in the Kindergarten class near Brycen's class with a teacher who has experience working with children on the spectrum. Also, the teacher and the principal reassured me that they would be talking with and including Brycen's teacher in decisions regarding Ainsleigh. This does make me feel better and I really hope it benefits Ainsleigh greatly!! We'll see and I'll keep you posted!! : )

Autism Awareness (Video)

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April - Autism Awareness Month

Though I am not a huge fan of Autism Speaks, I do love this video! Autism affects so many of our children and it is on the rise! The awareness needs to be spread and our children's stories and voices need to be heard!

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This is a huge controversy in the autism community as state officials, government officials, doctors, teachers, and parents all battle. Our government and insurance companies need to wake up and realize that this is not going away! Children and their parents need help! Autism is NOT a disease (I really did not like it that they said that in this video), but it is SERIOUS! Insurance companies need to change policies and start covering for services for our children! Our government needs to fund our schools properly so our kids can get the education that is their right!! In this clip, it talks about how Texas is one of the states with mandates for autism coverage... however, what they fail to mention is that it is only for FULLY FUNDED policies, not SELF FUNDED policies (yep, you guessed it... we have a self funded which means they do not have to obide by Texas mandate)!! Self funded policies need to be held to the same mandates as fully funded! Our children need help... I hope their listening!!!

Funny days

Brycen is such a funny little guy!! Everyday when he comes home from school he likes to eat a little snack before taking a nap. Usually I give him Nilla Wafers or Teddy Grahams (Cinnamon and Honey.. of course, they are his color); Teddy Grahams are his favorite. I open the bag and set it next to him so he will feed himself (we worked hard on getting him ok with reaching his own hand into the bag). It nevers fails... if he pulls one out that has a missing arm, leg or head, he will lay it to the side and go for another one. After he is finished, there is usually a small line of disfigured Teddy Grahams beside him!! It cracks me up!!
This morning before going to school, Brycen and I were sitting next to each other on the floor going over different letters he would find on various things (boxes, cards, etc.). He would identify the letter then look to me to receive praise for getting it right!! And he did!! Everytime, even the lowercase letters!! As if that was not amazing enough, he was using his index finger (open hand) to point out the letters he was identifying!! : ) Brent and I were SO excited and proud!! He is such an amazing little person!! : ) When I went to drop him off at school, he and I walked over to his aide and he actually let go of my hand and went to her!!! I could not believe it!! This is SO great! We looked at each other with open mouths, completely surprised and thrilled! She then told me that he was identifying letters in a word, "Well", and he was using his finger to point to the letters too!! Also, his teacher told me that he did the letters in his name too!! Such awesome, awesome progress!! : )
I am still working on getting Ainsleigh into therapy and I am researching other insurance companies to see if I could possibly get us a different insurance that is more "autism friendly". Or get us an insurance policy that is fully funded so that it will have to obide by Texas law to provide services to children with autism (HB 1919). Ainsleigh and I do little play activities each day to work on her gross and fine motor skills as well as her letters/numbers/etc. It is very hard to keep her focused on learning activities and she is so smart that no matter how creative I am in working learning into our activity, she figures it out! : ) I wish I could figure out how to make learning more fun for her than challenging!! Anything that presents as a challenge, she shies away from (even when she knows the right answer). I have two school meetings this month, one for Ainsleigh and one for Brycen. I am not so worried about Brycen's, but Ainsleigh's I am!! Please pray that the school will recognize that she has a disability and will work with me to help her!! I am so fearful of when she starts Kindergarden in the fall! I know that she will become overwhelmed and anxiety consumed if the school district does not implement a plan to help her in that setting. I had her transfered to Brycen's school, but I still have to meet with the educators at the school in our neighborhood. We'll see how it goes...

Spring Break

It is Spring Break!!! Though I do not like Brycen being out of school for his benefit, for me it is GREAT!! Though our routine time is a little off, it is SO nice to not have to rush around in the morning to get him to school. The kids are enjoying it too!!! They like not having to rush around first thing in the morning.

Brycen is doing SO WELL!!! He is starting to count, say letters, and try sounds!!! He can even identify certain letters ("C", "K", "O", "S", "T", "W") and a number ("2"). He REALLY likes the number 2 for some reason and can actually say it!!! : ) Last night, he tried to say Ainsleigh's name!!!!!! We couldn't believe it!! Brent and I both were in such shock we didn't think to grab the camera (probably wouldn't have made it anyway), but we were SO VERY EXCITED!!! I did get video of Brycen doing letters that I will try to post (I have NO idea how to do that, but I am determined for y'all to see how GREAT he is doing!!!), and I think I got video of him counting so if I did I will try to post that too!!! He really is progressing so much in such a short amount of time. He actually will turn at the sound of his name (not always, but more than before), he will sometimes make better eye contact, and he initiates interaction now (not all the time, but more than before)!! We got him a weighted vest for home through an awesome organization, Stitches4Autism, and we are working on getting him Baby BumbleBee videos (they REALLY do work for him!!!!!). His teacher let us borrow the letters video, which of course is why he is doing SO well at letters now (Ainsleigh and I also work with him using flashcards and foam bath letters/numbers). We are SO thrilled at how everything is going for Brycen and feel completely blessed that he got the teacher and aides that he did!!!! Ms. Mashelle (his teacher) and Ms. Tammie (one of his aides) are SO wonderful!!! The love they have for our special children is humbling!! We need more people like them in the world!! : )

Ainsleigh is doing much better now that she is not in school. We are still working on trying to get her into therapy; I have a few places that I am talking with and trying to work out the insurance/financing details with (therapy is NOT cheap and our insurance is HORRIBLE), so hopefully it will work out soon!! I need to set it up for Brycen, as well, for summer time when he will be out of school (fingers crossed for ESY). We are contemplating putting her in a private christian school in our neighborhood, but we feel unsure about that decision. I am still battling with the ISD to get her services so when she enters Kindergarden next year, trying to set her up to succeed not fail. She struggles so much within a classroom, but hopefully therapy will help us with that!! : ) I'll work on those videos, haha!!! Hope everyone is having a great Spring Break and doing well!!! We love you all!! : )

The results are in...

We had our follow up appointment yesterday with the Neuropsychologist who evaluated Ainsleigh, and unfortunately we had reason to be concerned. Ainsleigh has Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism. They consider it mild because there is no speech delay with Asperger's, no mental retardation, etc. However, individuals with Asperger's have many challenges and of course, social skills is the number one area.

Ainsleigh's verbal and nonverbal, perceptual organizational processes were at significant opposites. This means that Ainsleigh's nonverbal communication skills were off the charts high, but her verbal communication skills were way low. The doctor told us that this could be a possible indicator of a future learning disability. She, also, has very weak information processing speed. Her ability to use language is were it should be, her memory is excellent, but her receptive functional communication is about 3 years delayed. This means that when you talk with Ainsleigh, her perception of what you say is off. She may indicate to you that she understands, but she really doesn't and she doesn't even know that she doesn't understand.

The doctor recommended that we immediately get her working with a speech therapist, occupational therapist, and get her into social skills therapy. So off we go.... We withdrew her from her preschool (doctor recommended), there is relief in that since school has become the number one meltdown trigger for Ainsleigh, and we begin the process of evaluations and therapy appointments (ahhh.. familiar ground, haha). There is relief in knowing yet heartache too!! We honestly were praying the doctor would say the loathed yet hopeful word "typical", but of course deep down we knew. We are the family of A's: Allergies, Asthma, Autism (and a possible future ADHD). Yes, the doctor said there were indicators that Ainsleigh may have ADHD but she did not want to "label" (diagnose) her yet. She is hoping with therapy and time that she will be able to develop the attention, focus part of her brain since it is the last part of the brain to develop and Asperger's could also explain that, but she said it is a possibility.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying, we are SO grateful and thankful!!!! Love you all!! : )

Ainsleigh's 5th & Brycen's 3rd Birthdays

Brycen's Birthday Cake

Finding Nemo

Ainsleigh's Birthday Cake
Scooby Doo

No, the charcoal was not a gift!! ; )


Hurry up, Daddy!!!! I want cake!!

Aiden (our nephew) & Brycen

The kids had a GREAT party!!!! The party was at Scott's house, my older brother. Brent's parents and our niece, Scarlett, drove up for the party!! It was SO awesome to get to see all of our nieces and nephew together (we have two nieces: Scarlett and Kaelyn, one nephew: Aiden). My parents were there, and obviously the host/hostess: Scott and Sherie (my sister in law). Ainsleigh got a little overwhelmed just before opening presents. Needless to say, opening presents was a little bit of a disaster (Brent and I pretty much had to open everything ourselves). They got lots of fun things and they really enjoyed them the next day when everything was much more calm. My brother cooked steaks on the grill (YUM!!!!) and everyone had a really good time!!!