I've written about this before but I'm going to write about it again.  I really feel strongly about trying to use everyday activities as a chance to teach my 3 boys with #autism important life skills. We have some wintery weather blowing in soon and I wanted to pick up a few items at the grocery store, in case we get snowed in. I grabbed Elliott and we headed off to our local Giant Eagle.  I swear it's like we live at that store.  Anyway, Elliott is 6 years old, has aspergers and loves learning new things.  Whenever he comes with me to the store, I always make sure to let him practice things like making good food choices, working within a budget, ringing up the groceries in the self-checkout…

Gavin received his martial arts promotion the other day.  I meant to post this on Tuesday but Gavin ended up in the hospital and subsequently moving home.  Basically, I had other things on my plate and never got around to it.  Gavin did awesome as did Elliott.  Unfortunately, I was at the hospital with Gavin and missed Elliott's promotion but my parents took pictures and when I get them, I'll share them. Here is a collage of pictures from Gavin's promotion on Tuesday.  Please feel free to congratulate him, I know he'll appreciate it.  Please leave only positive feedback.  :-)

Even before I know of what #autism was and certainly before my kids were diagnosed, I had this one wish for them.  Maybe this will sound weird to some people out there and maybe I'm just a dork, but here it goes.  I grew up with a dog for most of my life. I was fortunate enough to experience how that kind of companionship can make a child feel like.  I know how it made me feel.  I found comfort and unconditional love in our dog Dusty. When I had children of my own, that was one of the things I wanted for them. Whether it was a dog or a cat, a fish or a bird, it didn't matter to me.  I wanted my kids to have the bond, …

We cooked dinner on the grill tonight.  We've been known to do that on occasion.  However, what made this different was not what we cook but who helped me cook it.  I designated Mr. Elliott Richard my grill buddy. While he didn't lite the grill, he did scrape it and load it with the food.  He also hung out while we waited for the coals to be ready.  It was pretty fun and another opportunity to spend time with Elliott and learn about safety.  :-)

I'm so amazed by Lizze, each and every day.  She does for our kids, even when she doesn't have anything left to give.  Those of you out there dealing with crippling chronic pain, know how difficult it is sometimes just thinking about getting out of bed. Lizze is all to familiar with that kind of debilitating pain.  On a personal note, my heart truly goes out to anyone dealing with things like this.  You are truly much stronger than I am and I have nothing but the highest respect for you.  I was upstairs tonight getting something and when I came downstairs, this is what I saw.  Let me put into context, just how much pain Lizze is in, at least as best I can. On most days, her skin…

I just want to go on the record as saying that I'm being completely sarcastic in this post.  Nothing makes me feel safer than stepping outside to let the dogs out and interrupting a drug deal. That's what happened to me tonight.  I was letting the dogs out and stumbled onto a drug deal going down. Thankfully, they took off down the street but went into my neighbors property.  I called them to let them know people were snooping around. Again, they took off running. However, while I standing outside with my neighbors, another drug deal went down not 20 yards away.  While I was out there, they told me that they called the police because someone was snooping around our house and peaking in windows. . I really hesitated…