From Twitter 08-15-2010

• Coffee's ready :-)
  
• On the way home from church. Had to leave early after Austin suddenly passed out and fell in the floor.
  
• It was hot and stuffy and his mouth was hurting from where his tooth was pulled last week.
  
• And he didn`t eat before we left either.
  
• . @jsloan1223 @Karenof4 @allconsoffun Now that he's cooled off and gotten some food in him he seems fine. Second time this has happened.
  
• RT @autismfather: I feel that women should stop having kids at 35. Cause let's face it, 35 kids is just too much!
  
• RT @BarbaraDuke: •Time is Gods way of keeping everything from happening at once. Unknown #TL2U
  
• You Are The One Who Can Make A Difference - http://bit.ly/9YPjlV (via @Nicholas_Cardot)
  
• My kids are totally caught up in WebKinz. They each bought 2 yesterday and have busy on the website ever since.
  
• Just had a sudden moment of realizing how very blessed I really am.
  

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From Twitter 08-14-2010

• Good morning. I`m enjoying my 1st cup of coffee. Hubby made it and it's very strong!
• Wonder if he's thinking I'm going to need some extra caffeine today.
• Making a list and checking it twice - grocery list that is.
• I guess the water for the pasta would boil faster if I actually turned the burner ON. Oops!
• I found something that I can sit in a roomful of kids and eat witout them all begging for a bite. Spinach.
• One by one they walk by, take a look and walk away.
• Wow, it's quiet. Four little ones napping, Doug, Michael and Austin went grocery shopping. Just leaves Amanda & me. :-)
• I guess I better clean up the kitchen and start dinner while I can.
• Dishwasher emptied and reloaded, dinner in the oven, laundry switched and two loads folded and put away, fresh pot of coffee brewed.
• And the kiddos start waking up. I'm surpised they slept so long. Making up for yesterday non-nap I guess.
• Michael just seasoned the green beans with taco seasoning. Wasn't what I had in mind but it wasn't too bad.

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From Twitter 08-13-2010

• So glad it's Friday. I guess this is going to be a full week now with no helper.
• RT @Nicheology: Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. - Doug Firebaugh
• just had a butterfly come visit the kids while we were playing in the yard. It . . .
• . . . flew all around their heads but stayed just out of reach. The kids were so excited!
• This naptime is a disaster. Little ones can`t sleep because older ones will not be quiet. They keep interuping naptime to say things like .
• "Someone spilled milk on the carpet" (2 drops), "I`m going to go rinse my mouth out with mouthwash now" (I really needed to know that?) .
• "I can't find my shoes" " The bathroom curtain fell down." Ugh!
• I was going to try to do the dishes while the little ones slept but no such luck.
• RT @AutismTips: There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.There are seven million. (Walt Streightiff)
• WHY does my 3 year old turn the thermostat up to 90 degrees in the middle of summer? This is the second time recently.

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From Twitter 08-12-2010

• I guess this is going to be day four of my helper not coming in. :-(
• Weather forecast says today will be another hot one with thunderstorms this afternoon. Looks like another inside day for us.
• Watching landlord load his truck up with paint cans. Wish I could believe he was coming here to paint.
• I ate way too much junk food yesterday. Today I'm eating heatlhy. Beginning right after I finish this bowl of Lucky Charms. ;-)
• I am seriously considering starting a blog called The Adventures and Misdeeds of Michael. lol
• RT @foldinglaundry: Sibling love: Anna (7yo) singing to Eli (4mos) "you're the #1 tooter but I still love you."
• One of Michael`s favorite activities right now is cutting paper and string.

• I let him do it in the afternoons at nap time (since he refuses to nap) as his special quiet activity.

• I wonder why the cat is so hyper tonight. He`s running around the house like a wild thing!

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Edited to add photo.

From Twitter 08-11-2010

• My helper has been out all week. So hoping she will be back tomorrow.
  
• Austin is complaining (good naturedly) about the salt water I just made him rinse his mouth out with. His mouth is still . .
  
• . . . still hurting from where he had a tooth cut out last Friday.
  
• RT @homeschoolart: Well done is better than well said.~ Benjamin Franklin
  

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From Twitter 08-09-2010

• My helper isnt ccoming in today because her daughter is having surgery. Thankfully its a quiet day.
  

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From Twitter 08-08-2010

• Sitting on front porch eating biscuits and gravy and drinking coffee.
  
• I'm working on cutting out food templates for our nutrition unit this week.
  
• Just finished putting away the weekly supply of groceries. It's amazing how much food we go through in a week.
  
• RT @Project5050: I let God control the landing of the dice... I just keep on rolling
  
• Michael is annoyed with me. In his bed saying "You the bad mommy."
  

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From Twitter 08-07-2010

• it`s a few minutes after midnight and Michael is awake and crying because he wants to go downstairs and play.
• Doug found some good deals on baby items at a yard sale this morning.

• He got a nice high chair with a feeding tray that attaches to the regular tray. It`s also on wheels and has a basket underneath for storage.
  
 
• He also bought a pack and play that has a mobile, a changing "table" and space for storage. it also has a protective cover.
  
 
• I like the cover because we provide care for an autistic 2 year old who throws things and I`m always afraid he will hit the baby.
• Ok, drank my coffee. Now I`m going to go scrape wallpaper off some walls so we can paint.
• Almost fell off the ladder a minute ago. Decided it`s time to take a little break.
• There are so many layers on these walls. Flowered wallpaper, white paint, blue paint, plaid wallpaper, tan wallpaper, tan paint.

• Austin and Aaron finally got up. Austin stayed up until 4AM and Aaron till 6AM.
• Thew were playing games on the playstation and watching DVDs on Austin`s laptop.
• Darn! Michael turned the refrigerater off again. At leasr it ia the extra one and there wasn`t much in it.
• Just placed an order with Amazon for some homeschool supplies. Getting excited about starting the new school year.

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Edited to add photos.

From Twitter 08-06-2010

• I'm getting ready for a new homeschool year. Ordering books from Amazon. This is fun.
  
• . @Yelrose I love shopping online but do NOT like having to go into the stores.
  
• Michael is throwing a huge temper tantrum because he can`t go with Daddy and Austin to the dentist.
  
• He doesnt realize how little fun this is going to be. Austin is having a molar cut out today. :-(
  
• Austin`s back from having one of his molars removed. it was easier than expected. No stitches.
  
• He`s still pretty out of it from the aesthesia though.
  
• RT @Sarah_jbd: There really is nothing worse than black jelly beans.
  
• Watching hubby run around the yard with the kids. Not sure who`s laughing hardest - me or them.
  
• I am so amazed at how fast Austin has bounced back after his oral surgery this morning. Have to keep telling him to slow down!
  
• RT @grnladybug: I'm officially an author! *squeeeee* http://rhymesofarandomsoul.com/ #poetry #mybook #alaurilee
  
• . @Area51josh I'm just wishing this child that isn't leaving until between 2 and 3 AM would GO TO SLEEP so that I can too.
  

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After two days that looked like this . . .

. . . I was glad today was sunny. The kids really needed to get out in the yard and run off some energy.

Austin had a molar surgically removed today. I was so afraid his experience would be like mine when I had mine removed. It was awful for me. I had a bad experience with the removal and lots of pain afterwards. But he is doing awesome. After sleeping off the effects of the anesthesia . . .

. . . he's been hard to keep still. He wants to eat, wants to be up doing things and has very little pain. And he's enjoying his ice cream. His friend Aaron is here again for at least the weekend (I wouldn't be surprised if he stays until school starts) and they are keeping themselves occupied watching movies and looking up trading cards on E-bay.

From Twitter 08-05-2010

• Had the strangest dream kast night. there was "megastorm" coming and I was trying to get a group of teenagers to safety. . .
  
• . . . in a big bunker. The kids kept wandering off. I woke up before the storm hit.
  
• RT @TheSingleWoman: Once u throw away the past, Life will surprise u every day with a brand new Present. :) #TheSW
  
• RT @BgKahuna: Today's Lesson. When a pickup truck carrying Sodium hypochlorite cuts you off in traffic, you let them in.
  
• I am being served cinnamon rolls made out of playdough.
  
• I think we`re about to get our second thunderstorm for today.
  
• Drinking coffee now so I can stay awake and work a few hours after kids go to sleep.
  
• Just heard Michael say "Stop that pillow! Time out. You don`t listen."
  
• Cleaning out cabinets in the office and listening to A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
  

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From Twitter 08-04-2010

• Wow! It really rained last night! Sun shining now though.
  
• We have another new child starting today :-)
  
• So many kids! So much drama!
  
• Still slogging through paperwork.
  
• A grandmother who is fighting cancer and has custody of her grandson . . .
  
• , . .went social services yesterday to see about getting assistance with childcare expenses. Social worker said . . .
  
• . . . "You know how expensive it is to raise a child so why did you take him in if you don`t have enough money"
  
• So what was the grandmother supposed to do? Have him placed in foster care?
  
• . @heathrbabes It`s so easy for people in the posotion of making decisions about others lives that . .
  
• . @heathrbabes . . . just because they are in a position of "power" now doesn`t mean they always will be.
  
• National Weather Service just upgraded the severe thunderstorm watch for this area to a warning.
  
• And the storm arrives.
  
• That was a disappointing storm!
  

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From Twitter 08-03-2010

It's amazing how knowing I set an alarm right outside Michael's door to go off 5 minutes after mine does makes me jump up and run . . . . .
. . . upstairs to shut it off. And by the time I do that I'm wide awake. Ensures that I get up on time in the morning. :-)
Michael's awake and crying. Guess I'll go sit with him until he goes back to sleep. It's too early for him to be up for the day.
I'm not sure why this cat is so hyper this morning but running laps under Michael's bed is not helping him go back to sleep!
Okay, Michael finally went back to sleep and now I'm enjoying a cup of coffee with hubby. :-)
Salad for breakfast - lettuce, tomato, cheese, bacon bits, ranch dressing. Yummy!
It is :-) How are you this morning?
It is :-) How are you this morning? @asperger2mom
Yay for relaxing. I`m taking my first vacation in two years the end of the month. Cant wait!
Wow! @Yelrose Sounds like you have a busy one coming up!
Slogging through paperwork. Due to changed childcare regulations all our policies have to be uodated and signed by each parent.
We also have to update the Emergency Preparedness plan and have each parent sign a copy.
I really wish Michael would stop fighting sleep and take his nap!
Two of these kids would rather argue over placement of craft box than simply move over a little to be able to reach it comfortably.
My kids have quite the social life. Austin spent the evening with a friend, Amanda has two friends over, even Michael is spending the night
. . . a good friend who's grandson was staying over and needed someone to play with. Where's my social life?
I guess it's here on twitter. :-)
Impressions http://burkholderrose.blogspot.com
RT @DevelopDiscover: Clones are people two.
Breaking News! . . . . The kids are arguing over the TV!. . . . Oh, . . wait. . . That's nothing new. . . . Carry on everybody.
Who wants scrambled eggs and sweet tea at 10:30 PM? My kids that's who. At least they can make their own.

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Impressions

Today was so busy that I feel like all I have of it are impressions.

Baby smiles.

Phone calls.

Silly squabbles.

Diapers.

Lots of laughter.

Hugs.

Toys.

Paperwork.

Yummy salad.

More silly squabbles.

Questions.

New people.

Stories.

More phone calls.

Giggling girls.

Wrestling matches.

More hugs.

It was a good day.

Special Needs Links

Here are a few things I've read recently that I've found interesting and wanted to pass along.  Each of these posts is good food for thought and I hope you enjoy them.

Alexandra Rohde: Celebrities With Bipolar Depression - Leading a Normal Life?

Stuart Duncan - Austism From a Father's Point of View: Stimming:What Is It? Why Do Autistics Do It?

Life With My Special Ks: I Don't Have Down Syndrome All The Time . . .

Living With RAD: RAD and Social Issues

When Love Was Not Enough: Parenting Our RAD Child: - Choosing Life

Yesterday was a day of change with it being the first day in childcare here for one child and the last day for another. Welcome to our group Sebina and Gabe we will truly miss you.

We had a total of 13 kids in childcare (not all at once) today ages 5 months through 11 years. It was a busy day but good.

Fingerpainting, building,playing with the tool set, playing outside and finding lots of bugs (we had lots of school age boys today) were some of the fun things we did.

Yesterday evening Doug took Austin and Michael along with him to do some mowing at our rental house. On the way home they passed a tractor trailor that had tried to make a turn and went off the side a road a little. When the truck went off the road a tire on the trailor blew, causing the the truck to slide part way down a bank. They went back to see if the driver needed help. No one was injured but they stayed until help arrived and the truck was back on the road. Michael was one tired little boy when he finally got home and Austin was tired of taking care of Michael while they waited.

After the kids went to bed last night I did some cleaning. To keep myself awake and moving I listened to an audio book online. I found this site that has lots of older books recorded and archived. I listened to all of
A Message From the Deep Sea by R. Austin Freeman 

My One Big Goal For August 2010

I was going to post a whole list of goals for this month. There are so many things I want to accomplish before school starts and new routines and schedules begin.

But in the end I decided to stick with one simple goal. Get up every morning from August 2 - August 21 at 4AM (August 22-28 is our vacation). I often get up at that time. Sometimes it's closer to 5, sometimes if it's been a night with lots of interruptions from the kids it's later than that. But in order to truly stay ahead of things it needs to be every single morning.

 EVERY. SINGLE. MORNING!

Because if I accomplish this goal the rest will fall in line.

And I got a wonderful idea from this post from Inspired to Action that I decided to try. All ten ideas in this article are good but number 7 seemed like a really great one to motivate me. So last night before I went to bed I put an alarm clock right outside Michael's bedroom door set for 4:05AM. And I have to say there's nothing like the fear of having the three year old wake up at 4 in the morning to make me get myself out of bed when my alarm went off at 4.

Day 1 = Success!

Not a whole lot has happened today. I think the most exciting thing was when we heard Michael run a paper through the paper shredder and then figured out it was one of the monthly invoices that Doug had gotten ready to send to Social Services. So now I have to call the social worker tomorrow and ask her to send a replacement invoice for us to fill out. It should be interesting explaining this one to her.

And that's about as exciting as it gets today. But tomorrow is Monday so I'm sure I won't get this lucky two days in a row.

Trying to Walk a Rat, Burnt Pizza, and More!

It's been cloudy all day and rainy this evening, but I am loving the temperatures. It is 67 degrees right now and the forecast says a high of 79 tomorrow. My kind of weather! The 7-day forecast is showing temperatures in the 80's the rest of the week with a 30% chance of showers nearly every day.

Austin's friend Aaron finally went home today. Before he left he said he "I may be back in a week, or two weeks, or three weeks, or four weeks, or next summer." I have a feeling he's going to be back long before next summer. He and Austin ordered some things off E-Bay that they are excited about so I'm sure he'll want to be back to play with them when they come in. Plus they have so much fun together. They've been staying up way too late though and today it finally caught up with them and they didn't get up until about 1:00 this afternoon. Austin said they slept 12 hours so that tells me how late they were up last night.

Michael was busy almost all day going places with Daddy. They started out at the laundromat early this morning (I'll explain why in a bit), then went to the grocery store, the landfill, Wal-Mart, PetSmart (more about this one in a bit as well), and then to take some groceries to a friend who is fighting cancer and unable to work right now. When he wasn't with Daddy he was pushing a stroller around the house. He told Gabe to get in and drink a bottle and then pushed him around the house.

And the trip to the laundromat? Well, Doug has been trying to help me catch up on laundry and finally decided the easiest way to do that was take it all to the laundromat and put it in the biggest washing machines he could find. When he came home with all that clean dry laundry it took very little time to get it all put away. And now we're enjoying the wonderful feeling of being caught up on laundry. . . . until tomorrow. Oh well. Sometimes it's worth it even if it doesn't last long.

And the trip to PetSmart? Amanda has been researching online how to train pet rats and decided she wanted a harness for her rats so she could walk them. So she convinced Doug (as in begged from the time he walked in the door from work Friday evening until they finally went this afternoon) to take her to PetSmart so she could buy one. We tried to put it on the calmest rat (Micki) this evening. Twice. But she didn't like it. I'm sure Amanda will go back online and get some more information on how to get a rat trained to wear a harness and keep at it until she gets it. That's just the way she is.

And now I'm laughing at myself because I just wrote a whole paragraph about training rats. Seriously? When did this happen! Sometimes real life IS stranger than fiction. I wish I had gotten a picture of it.

I did get a picture of this though. It's what happens when I get interrupted by wild kids and totally forget I put a pizza in the oven.

Thankfully we had three others so no one went hungry. And Austin actually ate part of this one just because he's goofy like that.

As for me, in between all these other fun things and lots of kids (seven daycare kids ages 6 months to 10 years, plus a couple extras just for fun) I worked on getting the menu and activity schedule and supplies ready for next week.

And now it's time to call it a day, read a few minutes and get some sleep.

Good night everybody!

An Awesome Interview, A Storm, and Other Ramblings

I had a great interview this morning with a mother and her three boys ages 8, 7, and 4. The boys were so well mannered and well behaved. They interacted well with the other kids and really listened well to their mother. I am so excited about having them join our group here. They will be starting here August 17, the first day of school. The oldest two will get on and off the bus here and the four year old will stay all day.

Austin's friend Aaron is still here. He came Friday evening of last week and is staying until sometime Saturday. The plan was for him to go home Monday but he asked and got permission from both his mom and myself to stay until Tuesday. On Tuesday he asked to stay until Wednesday. On Wednesday he asked to stay until Saturday but his mom said he had to come home today. This morning he asked again and she agreed to let him stay until Saturday. He and Austin are having a grand time and I enjoy having him around as well. Michael looks up to him like another older brother and Amanda treats him as well as she treats her own older brother - which actually isn't so great sometimes but. . . that's another story.

My helper left around lunchtime yesterday because she wasn't feeling well and called in this morning because she still felt bad. It was a really slow day anyway so it worked out well. I did end up ordering Domino's pizza and cheesy bread for dinner though just to make things easier. I hope she's feeling better tomorrow though. We miss her and want her to feel well. Get better soon, Mona.

A storm came through this evening that blew down some trees and there were a number of power lines down. Our lights blinked but came right back on. One of the kids was afraid of the storm and showed it by being hyper and trying to talk louder than the storm, most of the time right in front of my face. He was pretending that he was the repairman fixing all the electric lines and cable boxes, and telling me about every step of the way. I guess that was his way of feeling like he had some control in what to him was a scary situation.

Austin, Amanda and Aaron are at Bible school this evening. I'm glad they get to go and have fun but I will be a little glad when our schedule returns to something closer to normal. I'm a little too much of a schedule person sometimes, I guess it's my OCD kicking in.

Enough rambling now. I need to work some more on the schedule and lineup of studies for the new school year. I can  hardly believe it's just around the corner again. We won't start until the Tuesday after Labor Day but I have a lot of work to do between now and then.