Update

After a request was made to update my blog, I now have a moment to reflect on the year. We’ve come to somewhat understand Madison’s needs. What will cause her to over stimulate and how to handle tantrums and provide calm. We’ve learned exercises to increase her strength in her hands and help her balance and rhythm. She has been able to share her diagnosis with her class and also on video. We are participating in our first annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Madison and I are excited. Because of her love of dolphins we decided to name our team Madisons’ Pod. If you would like to walk beside us or make a donation to Autism Speaks please copy & paste this link

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorreg/donorpledge.aspievent=447284&supID=320776709

To view the videos below please mute the music player at the bottom of this blog.

Lances’ 10 year contract with Fitness Together ended 1/11/11 and was not renewed. The economy has taken a turn for the worse and it has been in our best interest not to continue. In the interim, he returned to King Soopers.

I am still working at The Children’s Hospital. It is overwhelming to say the least but I am thankful for the employment during these hard times. We moved into our new building this month. It’s very nice however, our new cubicles (I refer to it as my ‘cubby’) has been downsize and everyone has a co-worker to share it with working back to back.

Madison has been in horseback riding lessons and is doing so good. She absolutely loves it.

Of course, Ethan has his hobbies too; motorcycle riding, skateboarding, baseball, golf, etc. For Christmas he entered a contest to win a motorcycle from Fay Myers. Unfortunately, he didn't win but his video was so funny. We finally caught that look that he does with his face and it's priceless (see below).

We've had a stressful year but I hope things have calmed down and I will be able to update my blog monthly. Enjoy.

Autism

I KNEW IT! but I didn't want to be right. We were able to be seen by the Director, Dr Gabriels and she was able to evaluate Madison using what is called ADOS, "Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, which allows them to accurately assess and diagnose autism and pervasive development disorder across ages, developmental levels, and language skills". It consisted of "Make-Believe Play, Joint Interactive Play, Demonstration Task, Description of a Picture, Telling a Story from a Book, Cartoons, Reporting a Non-Routine Event/ Conversation, Emotions, Social Difficulties/ Annoyance, Friend/ Loneliness/ Marriage, and Creating a Story". At another appointment she asked Lance and I a lot of questions and at the end we were told that Madison falls into the Autism Spectrum - high functioning. She gave us pamphlets and phone numbers of Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Social Skills Groups, Psychiatrists, etc. We left her office in a daze. So much information; where do we start? Who do we call?

The next morning Dr Gabriels left a message and knew she had bombarded us with information and suggested that we put Madison in a Day Treatment. It's a more intense evaluation with all the therapists there working with her and us. It will give us a better idea on what she needs from us, what she'll need from the school and if she'll need therapy at Children's Hospital. We are on a waiting list but we are hoping for an opening in the next few weeks.

Have you ever watched the new series, Parenthood? Well, if not go to www.nbc.com and watch the first pilot episode. An 8 year old boy is diagnosed with Asperger's and when you watch Max you will see Madison. It was very emotional for both of us. I've also read All Cats have Asperger's which Madison loved knowing she's just like her cat, Callie, 10 Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew, watched the movie Adam, and have Temple Grandin's book on hold at the library.

Lance and I are both relieved and overwhelmed. It's been a difficult time.

Last month I had a sinus infection and now I've been battling pneumonia for the past two weeks. Caused by stressed? Hmmm.

Ethan has finished Roller Hockey until next month. One more season and then on to Baseball. I'm looking forward to Spring. I have had enough of this cold winter. We didn't get a lot of snow but it sure was frigid this year.

Things are Looking Up

I am so excited! Thank God that I work at Children's Hospital. Having such great insurance has allowed me to get the necessary help for Madison. A few months ago we started using their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Madison and I to help us communicate better. Well, it turns out they believe that she has Aspberger's or Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) both in the Autism spectrum. Three years ago we had her tested after a suggestion was made by her Kindergarten teacher but Children's Hospital diagnosed her with ADHD & Sensory Integration Disorder. We even made reference to Aspergers at that time so it would really piss me off if they misdiagnosed her with ADHD and we medicated her for 2 years (see Medicate or Not to Medicate in my archive). Anyway, her therapist told us we need to get her tested again by a child psychologist. Well, that has been a challenge. We found out from The Children's Hospital that they do not evaluate kids over the age of 6 and other places we looked did not take insurance or were out-of-network. Well, in having a one-on-one meeting with the VP of Finance discussing Accounts Payable I happened to mention this dilemma. He made a phone call and now I have been put in touch with the psychologist in charge of the Autism clinic at Children's. She is going to evaluate Madison. Her assistant is going to call me within the week to set up an appointment. The weight has been lifted off my shoulders. To have a diagnosis will help her tremendously at school and get her the therapy that she needs and also how we can help her and understand.

We are moving March 1st. We have decided to downsize and move nearby. There will be some changes & challenges that we will face this year but we are looking forward to what the future holds. I am still loving my job at The Children's Hospital and have bypassed the 6 month mark. Lance is going to sell his Fitness Together territory in Northern California and make a career change.

Ethan's broken wrist has healed and he is once again enjoying roller hockey until summer baseball begins. Once we get settled, we hope to have Madison back into horseback riding lessons.

Thanks for reading my blog.

A Brief Update

I'm sure as soon as I sit down to start write my household will awake. I know it's been months since my last post (that sounded very Catholic) please forgive me. LOL!! I have been super busy and it seems I can't get organized or prioritized. I am thankful for a husband who is involved and helps me because without him I would go bonkers. God bless the single mothers and fathers. I don't know how they do it.

Work is crazy busy and I love it. Kudos to me; since August I have received two SEEDS {Service Excellence Every Day} which is a recognition form that I received for my performance in something I did for someone who thought it was extra special and just this week I was asked to train the new part-time person. I've also received a hug, a candy bar, and e-mail calling me a Rock Star! I hope I can keep up this level of customer service. LOL! One person was finally "let go". He started a week before I did. As a person he was really entertaining but as an employee, at times, he could be offensive but most of all he just didn't want to do the work or do it correctly. Hopefully, the new person that they hire will be more committed.

Ethan was in Roller Hockey this fall and just loved it. We enrolled him in the Winter season but during the two week break he decided to play chicken with his friend on the monkey bars and lost. He fractured his radius & ulna (both bones below the wrist). He'll wear a full cast for three weeks and a smaller cast for another two. Hockey Season is on hold. Madison is getting back into the swing of things with taekwondo after taking the summer off. She's doing awesome. Madison and I are both in therapy to help us communicate better with each other.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and have a wonderful holiday season.

Words are few, thoughts are deep,

memories of you we will always keep.

In tears we saw you suffer

we watched you fade away

our hearts were almost broken

you fought so hard to stay.

But when we saw you sleeping

so peaceful free from pain

We could not wish you back

to suffer once again.

We sat beside your bedside

our hearts were crushed and sore

we did our duty to the end

‘till we could do no more.

Your presence we miss

your memory we treasure

loving you always

forgetting you never.

Sad are the hearts that love you

silently tears will fall

living our lives without you

is the saddest part of all.

Our family chain is broken

nothing feels the same

but as God takes us one by one

our chain will link again.

Lances' mom passed away on August 14th. She has been sick for so very long and now we know she's at peace. Lance has that emptiness inside which I am very familiar with. When you lose both parents you feel like a lost sheep. Even though you're an adult you were always a child to someone. Now you're the adult and life goes on...

Working at Children's Hospital is great, overwhelming, stressful, wonderful, high volume, frustrating, exciting and I just love it! Lance is awesome at home. If I knew he was going to be so great I would have went back to work sooner. LOL! He handles the kids, does his Fitness Together work while they're at school and has really been taking care of himself; he has lost 17 pounds so far and is looking awesome! That reminds me, I should get on the eliptical.

God is Good

Since my last post I finally received a call from Children's Hospital for an interview on July 23rd. I have applied with them 6 times since January and they finally called. Why? Because now I understand that God has a plan for me. He waited until the timing was just right. My youngest began 1st grade on his 6th birthday; July 28th. Now both of my kids are in school all day. I had the best interview. I rocked and looked damn good. LOL! I was offered the position as an Accounts Payable Specialist 1 and I start Tuesday, August 4th. Yeah me! I am so excited. Lance is nesting. He cleaned out the fridge so he knew what was in it. He's says he's just Mr. Dad because he's not qualified to be Mr. Mom. :) It helps that he works from home and is able to take the kids to school and pick them up. Now that Madison & Ethan are back in school full-time the house will be quiet.

What's on your mind?

I'm still addicted to Facebook;  mainly FarmTown and so are my friends.   LOL!

Let's see what has happened since my last post. Oh, besides FarmTown we now live in Tornado Alley. This tornado touched down at Southlands Mall about 3 miles from our home on June 7th.  Yes, I took a picture from outside our front door and then I went to the basement.  According to 9News "Heating, ventilation and air conditioning units on the mall roof were damaged. Windows were smashed out, a brick wall was flattened, debris was scattered and at least one car was overturned in the mall's parking lot. 

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that caused damage at the Southlands Mall spent about 30 minutes on the ground after touching down south of the Buckley Air Force Base around 1:49 p.m. The tornado made an 8- to 10-mile path across southeast Aurora".  That was a little too close for comfort.

Then a few days later at the elementary school we hear over the loud speaker "THIS IS NOT A DRILL..." Again?

The kids are off-track so my daughter told me that we need to do something every day.  I guess I'm also the event planner. Father's Day we went to Estes Park and had a picnic lunch at Sprague Lake.  We hope to get back up there again.  Madison is doing well on Zyrtec and hasn't had any allergic reactions. Ethan loves baseball but his golf swing is not impressive.  I wonder if baseball players play golf because it's really messes up the golf swing.  It's not a baseball bat in your hand Ethan!  It sounds like his dad and him will be out on the golf course once a week.  This will help Lance control his stress level.  He has been extremely dizzy and lethargic which our chiropractor told us it's his Adrenal Glands acting up caused by stress. He's on a supplement so we hope that will help.  His mom recently was diagnosis with throat cancer and she is not a candidate for any treatment.  I'm sure with that and everything else his stress level is on the rise.

By the way, I did not get an interview for either of those jobs so I'm still on the lookout.  I'll add new pictures to the streaming photo album on the left.  Enjoy.

Is the Red 40 Food Dye Additive Having a Negative Impact on Your Child?
Red 40 is a commonly used food coloring dye added to a variety of products. While it may make food esthetically pleasing in appearance, it can cause a negative reaction in those who consume it.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/131963/is_the_red_40_food_dye_additive_having.html

Not now. Mommy's on Facebook

Hillybilly Hell-en.  I'm an addict.  Is there a 12 step program for this?  I'm playing the game Farm Town on Facebook.  I created a farm which I can plow, plant and harvest crops on.  I hire others to harvest my fields and I look for work harvesting others. Okay, reality sets in.  I have been actively looking for work. I hope to get called for an interview for an Accounts Payable position at Children's Hospital or a Main Office Secretary and Cimarron Elementary School.  The benefits would be ideal for our family.  The pay - not so much but I'm thankful to have Lance working at home to help out with the kids when needed.

Madison is going through a phase and I desperately pray for peace & patience.  We are taking the summer off from Taekwondo and will return in August.  We did find out she's allergic to Spring.  We have her on Zyrtec which seems to help. Ethan had his first baseball game last night.  He was the first up to bat and he hit the first pitch.  Out to the grass it went and whew! mom was relieved but ready for summer baseball.

Lance is doing well.  He has been super busy with Fitness Together - no sales but supporting his franchisees in every way possible.  He coaches Ethan's baseball team too; games are on Monday nights and two practices a week.  Go Sharks!

School ends June 19th.  I can't believe Madison will be a 3rd grader and looking forward to the Science Club and Ethan will move into the "big" school as a 1st grader on the day he turns 6. Happy Birthday - You're a First Grader!

I Need to Sit Down

This is crazy!  I haven't sat down since we've returned from Minnesota.  What would I do if I worked full-time?  Doctor appointments for Madison's allergic reactions and my case of strep, chiropractor 2x a week, taekwondo 4x a week, t-ball, homework, errands, household chores, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and now I tacked on volunteering at the school 2x a week.  I'm exhausted and frazzled.  My workouts have been few and far between and my feet swell every evening.  I need a plan.

Madison broke out in a rash last Friday night with tiny, itchy, red bumps all over arms and legs.  We have an appointment with an allergist next Thursday in hopes that they can tell us what to avoid.

Spring t-ball has not been fun for the parents but the kids seem to enjoy themselves.  Note to self:  Do not sign Ethan up next Spring.  Reschedules due to snow and rain has thrown the game and practice schedules out of whack.  Ethan is movin' on up to Coach Pitch baseball for Summer.  We'll see if he can handle playing with the big boys.

Spring is in the Air

The trees are budding.  Note to self: plant tulip bulbs.  My peonies are popping out of the ground.  Oh good, they survived.  Oh, what a track off we had; a visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Planetarium, Taekwondo testing & tournament, t-ball, a road trip to Minnesota, an Emergency Room visit and a few Spring snow storms to mix things up.  Madison received her Camo belt so now she's ready to spar.  The trip to Minnesota was uneventful until we headed home.  It was great to see my friends and family don'tcha know and have tator tot hot dish.   I love going back home but I really put on the pounds. The dinner tables are full and the homes are always welcoming.  I scored a Kuchen recipe so I can't wait to make my favorite; apricot & prune. Lance would rather go during harvest time so he can be of some help to John.  They weren't set to plant for another week or two.  Heading home was an adventure. Not even 3 hours out of town, in Sioux City, IA, we had stopped for lunch at Red Robin. Within 30 minutes Madison broke out in hives and had trouble breathing.  After giving her a shot of Benadryl and observed for 4 hours in the E.R. we were back on the road heading to our hotel in Kearney, NE. We're not sure what caused her reaction and she had another episode at school this week but without the hives. We are on a waiting list to see an Allergist at Children's Hospital and we gave the school nurse an Epi-Pen just in case.  A snow storm was slotted to hit Colorado during our drive but we pushed forward hoping we would miss it.  We drove through rain most of the way and hit blizzard conditions 2 exits from home. Lance and Ethan had Mammoth tickets for that night so off they went.  No thank you; after 6 hours on the road I was staying home.  The next morning we had to get up early and take Madison to her Taekwondo tournament across town.  The snow hadn't stopped but we prayed and arrived safely. Madison won 3rd place in her 1-Steps and met Grand Master Lee; the big kuhana of the American Taekwondo Association.  It was an exhausting but rewarding day.

Lance was recognized for his volunteer work at Dakota Valley Elementary.  He spends an hour every Tuesday & Wednesday working with the 2nd Grade reading groups. The kids just love him and he is definiately making a difference.  He was given the Wendy DeBell Exceptional Volunteer award along with volunteers from each school in the Cherry Creek School District.  They threw a fancy schmancy banquet at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  It was truly an honor.  He was humbled because some of those volunteers do so much more than him.

It's a Musical!

The 2nd & 3rd graders put on a musical last week for all of us to enjoy and if you weren't able to attend I thought I would show you a 4 minute snip-it of what you missed. They practiced every day.  It was actually pretty cute.  I wasn't informed by her teacher about anything so Madison told us she had to wear white or black.  As we arrived it was clearly a white shirt and black pants were the uniform of choice. Well, at least we can pick her out of the crowd.

The kids are off-track and they made their lists of what they want to do.  It looks like we're going to be pretty busy.

I have been hookin' up with friends on Facebook; high school, even elementary school, cousins, old friends I haven't talk to in years, and current friends who I talk to daily.  Lance is on it but mostly for playing Mafia Wars.  I'm not much for computer games.  Facebook is addicting so I'm trying to limit my time on it.  So far that idea hasn't worked but I'll keep trying. 

Please mute the playlist below before viewing this video:

Changes

I've been busy getting nothing done. Madison is doing good. It was simple diet changes that we made and now there is no more every day tantrums (just the 8-year old girl stuff) and no more responding in anger when I simple ask her to brush her teeth. She's developing a sense of humor and talking to other adults more often using some eye contact. Her nightmares are back though. I don't know why she seems to have them so often. She's always being chased by something. Last night it was dogs. Her oral excessiveness has increased. She's constantly biting or sucking on her fingers & hands. Poor thing...her hands are raw. I bought her a chew toy to help her at school and when she's at home. As soon as she's idle her hands go in the mouth. All-in-all we are very happy with her progress.

Odd-n-Ends

Okay, Facebook is addicting and I don't even have that many friends.  I had to dig out my yearbook just to remind myself what we all used to look like.

Madison is really doing great.  After coming off a 4-day cupcake sugar high a few weeks ago we finally got her back on track.  She knows that Dr. Tim has really helped her.  The other day she told me that if she knows anyone that has nightmares that Dr. Tim can help them.  She's sleeping through the night, no more nightmares, limited arguments; she's just doing really great.  The kids give their stuffed animals "adjustments".  It's so funny to watch.  On one adjustment she said, "Now for the butt squeeze".  I told her that Dr. Tim doesn't do butt squeezes.  She said, "Yes, he does." so today she had to show him which one it was.  Well, she's got such a tiny butt that when he does this one adjustment on her low low back that his hands cover her butt - hence, the butt squeeze.  She was pretty funny.

Ethan starts t-ball in a few weeks.  Lance is coaching again and we have 2 kids coming back from the team last summer.  Go Sharks!

OMG!

I just told her to brush her hair. Lance took Ethan to Rocky Mountain Urgent Care and I was running around getting both of us ready to meet them. Ethan came down with a sore throat, fever and then he was having trouble breathing. Every time he would go to sleep he would wake up in a panic because he couldn't breathe. He's okay. The doctor said he has laryngitis and inflammation in his nasal cavity. His lungs are fine, his oxygen level was good but at five years old he can't figure out how to breathe through his mouth. He finally figured it out. I thought he learned that in the NICU - suck, swallow, breathe. I guess he'll be one of those kids who as soon as he learns something out the brain it goes. Anyway, back to, I just told her to brush her hair. Gobs of hair came out of her head and I had to cut out the rest.

Ki-Hap!

Madison earned her yellow belt in Taekwondo. Yeah for her!

Tony the Tiger G-R-E-A-T!

I have to say since I last blogged on Monday morning Madison is doing so good. She hasn't yelled at me or anyone this week, she's getting up for school in the mornings with no problem and happy too, no more tantrums and she was able to get 2 stripes on her belt on Tuesday night for a total of 4 stripes to show that she’s ready for testing to get her yellow karate belt next Friday night. No more stomachaches or nightmares either. It's a miracle! What a testimonial Dr. Tim Cummins @ Infinity Wellness Center will get from us.

Medicate or Not to Medicate

I have a kid who's not all there and I say that in the most loving way. In preschool we knew something wasn't right but no one would listen. She was our first born so we didn't have any other kids to compare her to until her little brother's personality came out. I know you shouldn't compare your kids but we kept thinking; he doesn't do that, he doesn't act like that, and who in the world does things like that? Things that make you go hmmmm.

One day Madison's Kindergarten teacher told us that she would recommend we get her tested. She wouldn't say for what, so not to offend, just that she was "different" than the other kids. A friend of mine mentioned that she might have Aspergers Syndrome. What the hell is that? I went home and Googled it. Autism? Are you kidding me? My daughter may have autism? No way, uh-huh, not my daughter. I did the Aspergers checklist. Check, Check, Check-Check. I called her pediatrician and we made an appointment with Children's Hospital. That was in the Spring of 2007. She was diagnosed with ADHD, sensory processing issues with tactile defensiveness, oral excessiveness with the need for motor input. What do we do with that information?

Medicate. We took the easy way. My husband told the pediatrician, "One of us is walking out of here with medication, either her or me". After using her as a test mouse, adjusting her medication to find the right dose; if she turned into a zombie we over medicated, if she didn't keep her attention longer during the day we under medicated. We hated it. Dealing with the side effects, stomachaches and nightmares. It was awful.

Recently, we met with a chiropractor (our son's best buddy's dad) and he explained the reasons why she shouldn't be medicated and to go a more "natural" way. We see his point and we're willing to try. After talking to us, he feels that she does have some autistic traits. We agree. There's just more to her than what Children's Hospital evaluation states. Being medicated has it's pros and cons and last week we took her off her meds and we remembered all the pros. She is driving me friggin' nuts. Yes, we did take the easy way out with one pill. Now, she's being adjusted three times a week, we changed her diet, and she takes 19 vitamins & minerals daily. Part of those capsules are detoxing her body.

Dad needs medication now. LOL. Which brings us back to our original problem. I'll keep you updated on her progress while I go insane.

I Pledge

Please mute my music playlist at the bottom of this blog before watching this video



This is my pledge: I Pledge to make God a priority, to save instead of spend, to be a good wife, mother, and friend, to greet others with a smile and say hello, to play with my kids, and to appreciate everyday.

What is your pledge?

Just a Thought

I had lunch with a good friend of mine today and we got to talking about what do you blog about.  I have read blogs that seem very personal and private but yet made public, is a blog a snippet of your day, a moment in time, is it an outlet to vent your frustration, or is a way to communicate with the outside world?  I choose D).  All of the above