Tuesday, April 13, 2010

I'm still here...

I have had several friends recently tell me that I need to blog some more. They miss reading about the Hansen's! Well, to those of you who read this...I am still here.
I'm finding it harder to write these days. Not that there isn't anything to write about; I just don't think about it. So, I am going to start to write at least once a week.

We all had a nice spring break. We went to Pokagon State Park for a few days with our friends, the Doron's. Andrew loves going there, mostly because he loves to swim in the pool! It is just relaxing for us! We came home on Wed. and then the boys and I left on Thurs. for Indy for a couple of days. Andrew has been talking about going to Gramma and Papa Pete's house for quite a while and Jarod also enjoys going. So, off we went. It was as relaxing as Pokagon. But we had a good time, none the less. We , of course, headed to the Children's Museum. They had the the big slide set up at the stairs with an Indiana Jones theme. Jarod loved it! I will try to post some pics later.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

normalcy

I am so ready for normalcy! All the delays and cancellations have really done a number on my emotions and motivation. I know that I get so much more accomplished when I am on a schedule. I'm hoping to get some things done today and then take Andrew out to lunch. He gets "out of whack" too when his routine is different.

On another note... Yesterday, as I was waiting for the kids to be dismissed from school, a mom was talking to her son, or me. or to anyone who listening (I'm not sure which). She was commenting on how assinine it was that the first graders couldn't come out before the kindergarteners. And that if her child didn't pass the alpha test (gifted program), she was going to pull her child out of this ridiculous school. I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. Inside though I was ready to blow. I don't appreciate parents who berate our school. Haverhill is a good school. And what a poor example to set in front of your kid. Maybe it is just this one parent. She is an EGR in my life. (extra grace required).

Monday, January 25, 2010

5 on Monday

Today I am thankful for:

1. A good report from the orthodontist. Jarod is such the trooper!

2. A coopertive Andrew at the orthodontist. I brought the laptop and thanks to free WiFi, he was able to play Wheel of Fortune.

3. I bought myself a new shirt today. I know it's nothing earth shattering, but I needed a pick me up with the gray gray snowy day.

4. I had a wonderful run in with a friend at WalMart. We had not seen each other since her daughter passed away over the summer. It was great to see her and catch up. We are hoping to get together for lunch soon. She is a talker and so there is never a dull moment in conversation!

5. I am so thankful for Chocolate Cheerios. I love then! They are the perfect way to get my chocolate fix without all the sugar and calories. They are even good with milk!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

thankful heart

I'm trying to have a thankful heart today. Autism has shown it's ugly head today and so instead of dwelling on how it is robbing me of my little boy, I'm going to focus on just Andrew.

1. He makes me laugh! During our Christmas celebration at my parents' house, Andrew became very quiet. A mom knows that when a child is quiet, he/she is up to no good! I had my nephew be a spy and find out what Andrew was up to. The report: "Aunt Becky, he's in the sink." I went to see this for myself. Yep, it's true! Andrew's in the sink. Andrew was standing in my parents' sink in only his underwear making faces in the mirror. He also had the water turned on and getting his toes wet. I laughed till I cried!

2. There is joy in Andrew's face when he is in the snow! After school this week, Andrew has been rolling and running in the snow. He is always wanting to build a snowman. Unfortunately, it is just way to cold for us to do that yet. But it is fun to see him covered in white!

3. He still likes to snuggle with his mama! It might not last very long, but I am so thankful for those brief moments of stillness!

4. He enjoys going to the eye dr! I am thankful for a wonderful doctor that is so patient with Andrew. Andrew actually looks forward to going!

5. Andrew likes to tease! His middle name is James just like the engine from Thomas and Friends. So, when we are talking about his name, he rattles off all the engine names before getting to James. Cracks me up everytime!

I love my almost 6 year old! My prayer is that someday I might be able to have a conversation with him about what he's learning in school, what is his favorite color, etc. Right now though, I just need to focus on the positive and let God take care of the rest.

Monday, December 7, 2009

The start of a new adventure...

Today my little man got braces and the "lovely" (sarcasm implied!) expander. I was so proud of him. He was really scared, but he did great. The colors of his bands are Colt's colors. His choice, I promise!
I wasn't sure we were going to get ther because of the slick road conditions. I made it fine to the entrance, but once I made it to the hill in front of the office, I began to slide. I ended up sideways on the road. I tried several times to either turn into the office parking lot or just go backward into another lot. I tried to no avail. A young gentlemen and his wife came by and said that they had been tyring for half an hour to get her car up the hill. yikes! The young man tried everything to get me moving. He eventually got into the van (with Andrew screaming...) and got the van down the hill and into another parking lot. I was very thankful for him!
I had to bring Andrew with me (that was not part of our plan) because my friend had to wait for the bus and couldn't leave her children. :) I was very surprised and delighted at how well Andrew did. There were some loud and tense moments, but overall he did amazing.

Jarod is being such a trooper tonight. Eating only yogurt and applesauce can be kinda boring. He hasn't even asked for meds to help with the pain. I am so proud of my big guy! Here's hoping to no more sliding and randmon generous strangers on our next visit!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

my long lost blog...

Okay, so it hasn't been exactly lost, but I seem to have been slacking off in the journaling department lately. Not because there hasn't been anything to write about! I just haven't been wanting to write.
Things have been a little rough around here in the world of autism lately. I feel like we are stuck in the never ending age of 3. (Drew is 5 1/2). I know that he gets frustrated when he can't tell us what he wants or when he can't find something he is so desperately looking for. There are times when I just want this roller coaster of emotions to stop. I want to crawl inside his brain and see what he sees, think what he thinks. I feel at a loss for what do to do for him. I feel helpless.
I realized the other day when he wasn't invited to a birthday that Drew doesn't have any friends. When I drop him off at school, there is absolutely no contact with the other kids. He spins around in circles and talks to himself. I want him to have friends! I know it will take time...I know that in my head, but my heart aches for all that he is missing.
I guess this is why I haven't been writing. I don't want to be vulnerable. People say to me that they don't know how I do it. To be honest, I don't know either. It's all the Lord!! Those people don't see me when I lose it in the van or at home.

so, there you go...it's been a hard month. I am not feeling very thankful much. I'm working on it and maybe I can post something a little more positive soon. Thanks for listening.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Another Monday...

Monday mornings are usually a grumpy filled, not wanting to get up day. But today, the boys slept in a little, I am dressed and ready for the day, Jarod volunteered to practice piano and Drew is in a delightful mood. thank you Lord for a great start to the week!