Ramblings about AUTISM....

I keep thinking about my Honey...her birthday was last week.  She was an educator & life learner until her last breathes.  When Hayden was diagnosed & placed on the ASD, Honey was also looking for & reading all she could about Hayden's medical concerns & learning about epilepsy & ASD.  She would clip newspaper articles & send me 'stuff' to read.  I miss those surprises in the mail.  Honey didn't care about labels.  Honey cared about Hayden (& her Shayla too!!).
To our kids, Honey was GrandHoney...she loved our precious kids.  With Easter just this past Sunday, I couldn't help but think of my Honey...her birthday usually falls around Easter & she loved Easter time.

I was fortunate during Sept 2010 to spend a one of Honey's last good weeks with her.  It was a special week for us.  I was also able to begin some processing about the need to care for ME...it took some growing time for those strong desires to come through.  But I needed to have that time to see my needs coming through.

So that leads me to this:  Having a child w/ autism changes the family dynamics. Insist that you & your spouse spend time alone together & get breaks as role as care take & therapist. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You will be a much better parent if you have help & a much better spouse if you have some free time--Overcoming Autism


I have been on a journey the past 15 months.  I joined Weight Watchers in January 2011.  It was time for me to take back my life.  I needed to get back on top of my game & gaining control of my weight as well as eating (a life long struggle) was where I knew I had to start.  I am actually running, ok run/walking most days now either outside or on the treadmill.  I have put about 800miles on the treadmill since starting Weight Watchers & shredded one treadmill belt, whaoo!!  I have been at my Weight Watchers goal or below now for SEVEN months now!!!  I still have lots of room to grow in the exercise area but trying to squeeze it in is next to impossible, but you know what they say, you do what is important to you.  Now, trying to figure out how to get that in with everything else going on in our house...phew, it makes my head spin.   It would be nice to have a 'personal' trainer to put me through the moves daily...keep dreaming girl ;).


The time I have been given to work out is what I need...it has made me a better mom, wife & employee. Tim & I work HARD to get at least a date night once a month & make plans for respite weekends every few months. 
Time to take care of the house stuff...Tuesday's are early day & a long day for me.

Easter Sunday---we do clean up pretty good

Hayden's Easter basket

Shayla's Easter basket

Brown family Easter 2012
(Not sure what Hayden was checking out...but he was intent on following something in front of us)

The kiddos Easter 2012