Home again, Home again....Hooray!

I can’t even begin to tell you how glad I am to be home. I just got the kids on the bus, and now I have a few peaceful moments before Kayler wakes up to catch up on my blog.

The rest of the week went great. We continued to bond with all the wonderful people who knew EXACTLY how we felt….and that was almost the best part of all of it. We also attended our first 2 professional counseling sessions….it was lots of “how do you feel?” We both weren’t quite sure what to think about that. Looking BACK on the counseling….I am finding it helpful, but during the moment it was just awkward, since it was so new to me/us.

I have had SO many people want to know what we learned; tell them all about it, etc. It is SO hard to explain it in just a few phrases, or even an hour long conversation. So what G.J. and I decided to do is to get everything put together, they gave us a few movies, papers, etc. and to have a “presentation” night….as silly as that sounds. That way those who are close to us and care to actually know what was learned will be able to see first hand a small glimpse. Does that sound like a good idea?? Even though all we learned is now second nature to me (almost!) it won’t be to others, so I need to prepare for the judgments that will come of course. Thank goodness to my counseling I know how to deal with stuff like that a lot better-feel less attacked, hurt, etc.

The flights home were crazy. We used sky miles, so of course they screw you around all they can. Well when we bought the flights, one of the flights was “booked” so they had to split us up. So we arrived at the airport, left from terminals RIGHT next to each other and left at EXACTLY the same time. G.J. had a layover in Minneapolis, and I had one in Atlanta. What was funny was on these “booked” flights, we had 3 seats all to ourselves……whatever, it gave me a good long time to reflect on things. Then we landed in Salt Lake at EXACTLY the same time. How silly is that!!! We arrived at 11:30 p.m., and we were going to stay over at my brothers, but my heart and mind was envisioning me in my own bed. So…we drove white knuckled the whole way home because of all the deer and HUGE elk on the road. We arrived home safe and sound at 3 a.m. and slept until 10 and then went and got our precious kids.

We had such a nice weekend. Just very relaxed and low key. It does take a lot of work/energy to unpack for 5 people that have been at 4-5 different places for the past 8 days. Not to mention getting back into the homework/school routine. I am so happy to be doing it though.

So, enjoy the pictures. I think one of the pictures is of a bear…it walked right by us as we were eating lunch, it was crazy! There is also one of some people at the airport welcoming a soldier right from Iraq....I cried when I saw it, and clapped..They announced it over the intercom, it was an awesome moment. The other are our journeys around there, and finally, MY first “back to school” day with my darling kids.

I love you all…thank you so much for all your sincere support and love.

p.s., please forgive my lack of "journaling" on these pictures...I think they are mostly self explanatory!

The past 5 days...

So much has happened the past 5 days, I figured I better get half way caught up before this journey is over.

Last week Hallie participated in the Drill Team Little Girls clinic. After it was over, she informed me once again that she hates dancing...lol. Guess she won't take after her mommy!





We decided to do one last little get away with the kids, so last Friday my parents, brother Kael and his family, and our family went to Salt Lake. We had so much fun Friday night with the kids at Jungle Jims (kind of a mini indoor amusement park). The next morning we took them to Cowabunga Bay. It was SO cute, and the kids had a blast. We finished off the evening with dinner at The Mayan. Then it was time to say goodbye…which was heartbreaking, but not as bad as I thought. Here are some pictures from Jungle Jims, Cowabunga Bay, and The Mayan:









G.J. and I headed out at 6 a.m. or so to the airport Sunday morning. The flight from Salt Lake to Cincinnati was not too bad. The flight from Cincinnati to Hartford Connecticut was not as enjoyable. There was a woman behind us with a stuffy/runny nose who desperately needed a tissue or something….She was complaining about a little boy around 6 years old and his dad that was sitting ahead of us. Next to us was a very old lady who got totally drunk and she was nodding off, then the little boy would scream and wake her up and she would be so mad. Remember this little boy…..he plays a part later in my post.

For anyone who has driven in the East….it is QUITE the experience. There are massively tall trees surrounding narrowly winding streets. Pair that with the WORST rain storm I had seen in a very long time, not knowing where we were going, along with being tired from the travels of the day, and we were pooped, but arrived safely!
The first morning was great. What really got me was gathering in a large room with all 90 of the participants from 11 countries, 22 states, ages 20-56 with Autistic kids aged 1-29. There were pictures of all the kids on the walls. Seeing Kayler up there brought G.J. and I both to tears. I haven’t seen G.J. cry for YEARS…seriously….and we both just got so emotional.

This is where the little boy from the flight comes in. I had no idea sitting behind him as people were being so rude about his behavior that he may be autistic. Imagine my shock when I saw him and his parents at lunchtime, he was here for treatment, what a small world. It made me sad, because I know that people are judgmental like that about Kayler, and if they only knew. It was a great lesson for me.

By the time the day ended, I was tired in every way. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc. We finished up the day with dinner, meeting with new friends, and we took a drive to a quaint little town called Great Barrington and enjoyed an ice cream and came back and checked our email under the stars with the locusts buzzing in the background.

Today we continued to make friends and learn a lot. I would love to explain the types of things we are learning, but it truly is so involved….maybe another post, another day. It is amazing the unseen bond we have with all these people. To be surrounded by such beautiful scenery, having G.J. here with me, and knowing that my kids are home safe and sound makes me very happy and emotional. I am so incredibly grateful to my parents and my in laws for the help they are giving with the kids. I am also so grateful for my neighbors Candace, Brian, and Jhett for keeping our house, yard, and fish safe.

Throughout the day, I can’t help but be amazed at how much worse some people have it. Kayler definitely has his problems, but the majority of people here have children who can’t even speak or communicate in any way.

Tonight we had free time from 4 p.m. on. We decided to travel around a bit. We found another cute town and did some shopping, ate dinner, and visited the cutest candy store I have ever seen.

Tomorrow will be our first “counseling” session. This means we will meet one on one and talk about Kayler specifically, and I am SO excited about that. So that’s all for now. Enjoy the beautiful pictures!!!

Brace Face

Hehe...I couldn't resist on the title. I can hardly believe my little girl is old enough for braces. It seriously seems just like yesterday that she was almost a year old and I was working at the orthodontist. How time flies....

Before



During



After



She was super excited....but that won't last long! As soon as she starts getting sore I am sure I will hear about it. I think she looks pretty cute. I just can't believe my baby girl is growing up!

County Fair Week

Be prepared... this is a LARGE...weekly recap

Monday We got a shave Ice and went to the park for FHE.



We also started getting some yummy produce from our garden. We are SO glad it grew!



Tuesday night, my mom called to have us stay the night so we could watch a meteor shower. We decided to go toad hunting. My mom wanted to find some more toads to have in her yard/garden. This is me in my "toad hunting gear"



We drove all around town looking for toads. By streams, in yucky marshy places...and had zero luck. We drove back into my moms driveway...and look what we found-go figure!



Wednesday Morning, despite my lack of sleep from the night before (me...nor my kids do well sleeping at other peoples houses. We tried to stay up for the meteor shower...but it arrived at 2 a.m.-hence no sleep) we went to the splash park with Karlee and Candace. Kayler was being a beast so he stayed home with G.J.





Wednesday evening we decided to head to the fair. It was probably the saddest carnival I had ever seen, but the kids had so much fun...that is all that matters.









I took the kids to the candy drop on Thursday. There were so many kids. I felt so bad for my tiny kids in the huge crowd trying to get some. But they had fun.



Our county really does put on a nice fair. Hallie entered a picture and won a first prize ribbon and 2 dollars.








Friday we got a real surprise when my friend Mandy called and she she would be bringing her brand new ice cream truck to our neighborhood. I called all the neighbors, grabbed my camera, and there she came! The kids thought it was SO cool. Hallie came inside and said, "phew...now my summer is complete!"







Friday night we took the kids to the fair's Magic show. I have to say it was pretty amazing, and the magician was super funny. We were on the front row...and the guy kept making comments to me, my dad, etc...it was embarrassing, but made if fun. My kids were mesmerized because some of the tricks were really cool. This picture is of them waiting for a clown to make them a balloon pet thing.



Saturday we went to G.J.'s parents ranch during the huge stormy weather day. We had a nice time relaxing, eating, and just getting out of our house into the fresh mountain air. We also met up with some relatives we hadn't seen in years. (sorry no pictures from that...I suck!)

When we got home, I took Hallie and Gavin to get school supplies. They had so much fun...Hallie chose mostly black stuff (don't ask where that came from) And Gavin just loved every second of it.



So remember my last post of saying that I felt in a sudden panic to fit everything in? Well this past week proves that. The next week will be even worse...but it is all fun, and good memories. Hope everyone reading this is doing well!