I wanted to share with everyone the results of my personal quest to pay it forward. I know that idea of paying it forward may seem silly to some, but I'm here to tell you, it can make a difference. You'll notice there are quite a few names on this list. Myself and Idolian worked together on this one as well.  All these organizations payed it forward, in order to benefit the kids at Summit Academy.  :-) I truly hope to see more of this type of thing happening.  It gives me hope that despite all the horrible things going on in the world around us, there's still hope for the human race.  This site is managed via WordPress for Android, courtesy of the @SamsungMobileUS Galaxy Note 2 by @Tmobile.…

My boys are pretty sensitive when it comes to sensory related things. We typically have to be careful to avoid overstimulation when at all possible.. This past Christmas, after we switched the boys rooms around and moved Elliott and Emmett in together, we needed a new nightlight. While we are looking for a few last minute gifts for the boys, we wanted something for Gavin's room and something for the other boys room. We found this clock at Walmart and decided it was perfect for Elliott and Emmett. Gavin wanted an alarm clock and so this wouldn't work for him.  It serves a dual purpose. It's cast a very soft florescent glow that the boys love plus, it's helping both Elliott and Emmett to learn about telling time. They can…

Emmett had a pretty big meltdown during dinner. We had breaded fish fillets (think big fish sticks) and he wanted to have his cut up, like everyone else. Next thing we know, he's freaking out and hitting himself in the face. Apparently, he had wanted to change his mind out having them cut up but it was too late.  He had himself all worked up and was completely overstimulated. I scratched him back while Mommy spoke softly to him and we eventually calmed him down  enough to figure out what had set him off.  I don't know why he didn't just ask for new fish? It wasn't a big deal to us but it definitely was to him.  Anyways, after replacing his fish, he felt much better. Poor guy, he…

Don't you just hate it when someone comes over to your house, uninvited and just makes themselves at home. This afternoon, that happened to our Russian Tortoise, Perry. I used to joke around with Lizze that I couldn't believe the cats haven't investigated the turtle table.  At some point this afternoon, Blue, Emmett’s cat, discovered both Perry and his heat lamp. Emmett's the one who actually found them and  rough they it to our attention.  I was afraid that Blue was using it as a litter box.  Instead, I found Blue curled up with Perry, underneath the heat lamp and on the basking stone. Blue was just laying there grooming himself and Perry was a bit freaked out by his uninvited guest.  I don't imagine that Blue is going to…

We just got off the phone with Lizze's new Gastrointerologist at the Cleveland Clinic.  We were forming a plan of attack to address the possibility of her actually having Celiac disease. In the past when tested, the bloodwork came back positive for the antibodies associated with Celiac. However, subsequent endoscopies and colonoscopies were negative.  We just assumed that all was well.  Having said that, after listening to all Lizze's symptoms last week, her new doctor's first thoughts seemed to be about Celiac and that's what's open this discussion once again . Personally, I'm very familiar with Celiac because we have it in my family.  My Mom was very, very ill and at times, found to be in life threatening situations as a result of going undiagnosed for so long.  She…

Spring break is all but upon us and we have found yet again that we have to adapt to this change in schedule. As you may recall, Gavin has been living with his Grandparents due to his behavioral problems. Thankfully Gavin is doing well there and doesn't miss being home.  This is because Gavin has Reactive attachment disorder and so he doesn't do well in environments that have emotional expectations and intimacy. Anyway, with Spring break approaching, we needed to figure out where he would be staying or if he would have to come home. This has been a big source of stress for us because bringing him home right now has to be a last resort. I know that sounds really bad but it's just the reality of the…