Tonight we held our first Autism Support Group meeting. What I thought would be a pretty routine evening for me turned into a roller coaster of emotions.

As I sat & listened to 2 Mom's talk about their struggle with the fresh diagnosis, my mind went right back to where we were almost 4 years ago. I could feel the pain they were going through right now. So many unknowns, so many fears about what life might be like. I wanted so badly to fast forward their life 4 years ahead to where we are right now & show them it will be OK. But the truth is, even though we are in a good place right now, those fears still live within me. I'm scared to think about what life might be like for Cole as he gets older. All that I can hold onto is God's promise to me that he has big plans for Cole's life. I know this, I feel it, I believe it.

We survived these last 4 years holding onto the promise that God has put a call on Cole's life. Yes, we did all the "right" things. Therapies, Therapies, Therapies. But, I can assure you - no amount of therapy in this world can heal what He can. Dr's told us not to send Cole to school - he now functions well in a typical Kindergarten classroom! We consider it a blessing the extra help he gets at school because of his diagnosis. The Lord has put gifted, knowledgeable professionals in our life to support Cole throughout this journey. (not to mention support Mom!)

If I could say anything to those Mom's right now, it would be...Don't. Give. Up.

Work Hard - but remember to play harder :) These years go by far too fast to forget that they are children, and, the greatest work they have is play.

Educate yourself. Don't rely on Dr's or Therapists only. Read, Read, Read. If you don't understand it - keep looking until you do. Form your own opinions. Follow your gut! Remember, God gave these children to us, because He knew we were the perfect Mom for them. Don't forget that!

Let go of the Guilt. You are the best person for the job of mothering your child. No. Matter. What.

Pray. The most profound thing in the world to me is simply this.. God loves my child more than I do. I can't fathom it, but, it's true. He wants you to tell him what you need. Pray for healing, pray for financial support, pray for emotional support. Just pray. Everyday. Even when all you can muster up is "God, help". Just do it. He's there, He knows, He will help.

Stay strong. Have Faith. This is the most rewarding thing you will ever do.

Slap a Sight Word!

A month into Kindergarten and we are all about sight words in the Lenczycki House! I found this cute idea on Pinterest, and, fell in love. Now each morning when Cole leaves for school he has to read the 2 sight words by the door & "high five" the hands. I plan to put a set of hands in each bathroom too - just to get a few more words in use around here :)

These were so easy to make. Print the handprint outline onto colored cardstock (to make them a little more sturdy), laminate that & cut around. Print the sight words onto regular computer paper. Cute around the letters (allowing for height differences, this helps child distinguish between the letters), glue onto a piece of cardstock, laminate & cut around that. Attach velcro to the hands & words - and, change out as often as you like.

I have sat down to blog a few times in the past month, but, each time I started to write I felt a bit stressed - so I deleted it & thought "oh, tomorrow". Life has been a little stressful lately.

In the past 2 months life has looked a little like this...
We had a sweet, beautiful "gift" for a week that turned our lives upside down (more on that, someday). I still haven't fully dealt with the emotional leftovers of that adventure.
Cole started Kindergarten. That has thrown us into a whole new routine. Early mornings, packing lunches, doing homework, new bedtime routines - ahhh! The amount of material they cover in a week is a little surprising to me. I try to make sure that our school time at home (still fondly called "Mommy School" - creative, huh?! ha!) reinforces what they are doing at school - but I'm even having a hard time keeping up.
Jacob is just so unbelievably active. He's "crunning" (as much of a run while crawling as he possibly can!), teething, and eating me out of house & home! He still doesn't sleep through the night, that's a killer - and his naps have never been as good as Cole's were. He has 8 teeth already! Teething has been so much harder on him than it ever was on Cole. Lots of fussy days :( He also gets very fussy with Jason's Mom - who is our only real babysitter option many nights - which makes it very difficult for me to get out of the house without the boys at all during the week :(
I have several volunteer irons in the fire that are keeping me very busy. I love doing these things - all are wonderful, worthy organizations - but it's hard when you don't have your husband home at night to take a turn with baths & bed :)
OH, and, we still have a ceiling that needs replaced from the flooding that occurred in July! Seriously, how ridiculous is that?!

Ahhh...all that said, I'm also finding myself stressed about my house lately. I feel unorganized, clutter, and, just all around NOT peaceful about my living environment.

I think I need a week with nothing on my calendar to get life back in order & feel better! Wonder when that will happen?!

Family Pictures

We finally had time to get our family pictures done a few weeks ago. It's so difficult working with Jason's schedule, my Father-in-Law's schedule & the boys schedules. I think I am the only one that is flexible anymore! ha! I was so happy with how they turned out. It was a quick shoot, with neither boy really interested in having photos done - but we got several good ones, and, that's all that matters :)

Lunchtime Love

Cole is such a picky eater. So much so, that there is virtually no way he can eat lunch at school but 1-2 times a month, at most. He just wouldn't eat anything on the tray. So, we are packing lunches.

One thing I miss most is having lunch with him. And, I think he may miss that too. I wanted to do something to let him know I'm thinking of him. Since he can't read yet - notes weren't logical. He's a very visual child - so I thought stickers might be fun.

Here's my simple creation for his Sandwich baggies...

So far, he seems to enjoy them :)

What fun ways do you surprise your child with their lunch?

Jacob can Walk Along!

This was a few weeks ago. 8 months, 2 weeks when it was taken. Unbelievable...

Kindergarten!

OK - so I took a serious hiatus from blogging this summer. But, I'm totally OK with that :) I spent tons of time with the boys, and, loved every minute of it. But, now that school is back in session - I hope to be back on a regular blog schedule.

Speaking of school. Ya, um...Kindergarten.

Thumbs up was not how Mama was feeling at all :(

Cole had 1.5 days last week, and, starts his first full week today. I already put him on the bus & he should be arriving at Coffeen Elementary shortly. Hmmm. Not exactly sure how I feel about that.

Here he is saying goodbye to Jacob on his first day.

Apparently God knew I would need something to keep me from being curled up in the fetal position in the corner...so he sent Jacob :)