The Love Seat

Hey Annell does this bring back memories?  Oh yes, the love seat.  I must say my Mom and Dad knew how to "help" us get a long.  The idea is genius really.  Although I didn't think so at the time, just like my boys don't think it's so great now.  When we were kids and we would have those days that we just couldn't stop fighting with each other, Mom and Dad would stick us in "the chair" together ,make us hold hands and have us watch "Where there's a Will, there's an A"  If you've never heard of these movies, the Bailey children will all tell you they are the most boring video's ever recorded in human history.  However, I don't dare have the Armstrong boys watch them, for fear that Race will actually LIKE them.  And I just can't bring myself to relive the torture!

So now Race and Witt have experienced "the love seat"...and they got so mad at me when I had the nerve to take a picture of it too!  And yes, it really works for them, by the time they're done, they're tickling each other and making each other laugh.  Thanks Mom and Dad, you really did know so much even though at the time I didn't think so.

Thinking back now, I don't think Tyrrell and Annell EVER sat in the chair together.  It was either Annell and I, or Tyrrell and I.  Yes I know I can hear you know Mom, "Poor Teddy, she was the poorest one."    It's kind of funny the things you take with you from your childhood and use in your own home.  I love you Mom and Dad!

I didn't shoot the window Mom!

Sometimes being sick just isn't any fun.  Well...really when is it any fun?  The boys were sick last week and Race's turned into walking pneumonia.  He's such a trooper.  Anyway, on this particular day, they were not allowed to go outside because they were both running fevers.  So, apparently Witt's interpretation of the rule is that the back porch is considered part of "inside".  So he convinced Race (who is a stickler usually at following the rules)  that sitting out on the back porch and shooting dog food at the neighbor's house with their crossbows was still following Mom's rule.  He even tried to get me to see the logic behind it.  I think they were just sick of being sick.  Here's some pictures before I made them get back inside because "the back porch is not considered "inside" Witten and we don't shoot the neighbor's house Witten".  And his answer was..."I didn't shoot the window Mom so it's fine."

Smiling Soccer Kid

Race had his first soccer game of the season on Saturday.  It was so fun because he played Jadon's team (his little friend who he's been playing with since they were crawling). 

Race loves soccer.  He is so happy to be out on the field; he just runs around with a smile on his face.  My happy kid, he runs pretty fast too! 

He took a face dive into the grass 2 minutes into the game and came up with a bloody mouth!  He had knocked a tooth loose (thank goodness it was a baby tooth).  I was so proud of him because he handled it so well (and I did too); he kept playing.

  What I love so much about him is his loving spirit; even out on the soccer field.  He's so kind to others and concerned when others get hurt.  He's just having fun being a part of something and loving life!  Go Sharks!

Ol' Pioneer

There's nothing like opening up a jar of peaches in January and tasting the hard work of September.  Gotta love it.  Thanks Becky for being my canning mentor for the last 3 years! 

And yes, here's the famous home-made laundry detergent I'm so in love with.  My wonderful sister introduced me to it.  You save a TON of money  for soap that works great.  It costs you about $10 a year, depending on the size of your family.  No lie; check it out!  You can also make it in powder form with basically the same ingredients;  whatever your preference is.   You'll never go back once you try it! 

And here's my other favorite!  My solar oven John bought me for my birthday last year.  We've enjoyed a summer of banana and zucchini bread without heating up the house or using any propane!  I've also done soup, baked potatoes, and chicken. 

Happy Birthday Lane!

I can't believe my baby's 1!  I think this year was the fastest year yet.  What a sweet little boy he is;  he's such a blessing to our family.  We love you little man.

Lane loved helping to make his cake.  He's never gotten to lick the spoon before...and boy did he love it!

He thought everybody was being silly standing around singing to a cake on fire.  Crazy family. 

And yes...he loved his cake.

He had a perfect little day.

Race's Rocket

Race has always loved rockets.  It might have started from going to Astronomy Club with me every Friday for 2 years.  He always loved the cool things Mr. Steele would show him (we miss you Steele Family).  So, you can imagine his excitement when our good friend David gave him this rocket kit to build.  John and Race have been working very hard on it for weeks.  Race has absolutely loved doing it.  Thanks David for the great gift...he's now learning all he can about rockets;  he loves the NASA sight.  We can't wait to launch it!

Safari Man says it's a Skink

Witten is quite the outdoors man.  He is so outdoorsy that he has named himself Safari Man.  I couldn't tell you where he came up with it.  But take a look at him with his Safari Jeep.  He's quite proud. 

Today Safari Man went out to count the cicada exoskeleton's on the wall (he'll tell you all about them), and discovered one cicada in the process of shedding his exoskeleton.  He was so fascinated.

A few minutes later, he came running in the house saying he found a skink! 
"You mean a skunk Witt?  If you found a skunk you better stay away from it!" 
"No mom, a SKINK" 
"A skink, what do you mean a skink?" 
If you don't know what a skink is, here's a picture of ours; you can ask Safari Man to tell you all about them too!  And yes, they really are called skinks. 

A BIG Mommy Post

Last night I went up to my monthly Autism meeting on NAU campus in Flagstaff.  This group has saved me since we got our diagnosis done early last spring.  They've helped me have some direction in finding the therapies, learning how to work with the DDD system, and just getting to meet adults with Autism; something I haven't really done before.  It's been fun making new friends at the group; other families who are plowing through the same kinds of things.  It's been so helpful to rub shoulders with people like Susan Marks and Kathleen Collins and their endless knowledge and connections in the autism world.  A world I never thought I'd be a part of...

But here I am now a part of the this world; and I'm embracing it.  I have to because I love my son.  And more than anything, I want him to love himself.  I want him to be the best he can be.  And I'm growing too;  I'm stronger because of this journey.  I'm learning to stay calm, which if you know me, has often been hard to do because I let my emotions just take over!  I'm going to be starting another blog (though it will be private) on this emotional roller-coaster ride it has been for me.  And really not just since we got the diagnosis done, but since I felt he had autism, which has been a few years.  It's going to be private (so I'll be keeping up two blogs!), because even now, posting this, I feel so vulnerable because I'm just putting these tender feelings out there on the web. But people need to read them. 

Race has what is called High Functioning Autism, or as Temple Grandin describes in her book, "Thinking in Pictures", Kanner's syndrome.  It is not considered Asperger's because he has a speech delay; though as an adult Kanner's and Asperger's often look very similar.  Though it isn't severe, it's enough to make life for Race hard and confusing at times. 

I have to be totally honest; some days I am embracing it, and some days I find myself still fighting the truth.   This happens when he has hard days or moments.  Which are definitely becoming fewer and farther between, but he still has them, like we all do.  It's on those days that I'm asking Heavenly Father (even though I already know the answer)  why?  Why does everything have to be so hard for Race, and so easy for Witt?  It just doesn't seem fair!!  And every time, in my heart, I hear through my cries, Him whispering, "Race is here with you to teach you and the world how to love more."  It's then I feel calm...until I'm asking the question again, and my faith is weak again. 

So here I am in this world with my son.  And not just with Race but with my sweet husband (who's the best daddy in the world), and with Witt and Lane, and everyone else who is connected to our family.  Mostly I have my Heavenly Father who I'm always turning to, so I can be the best mom I can be.  And when I think of that, I don't feel so alone or as overwhelmed in this task that I've been blessed to embrace.    And really, I wouldn't change things for anything.  Race is Race, he's my Superman.

Crawdad Fishing

The boys have been asking and asking to go to the Haddon's for crawdad fishing.  We had such a great time!  Judy and Perry are the best, the world needs more people like them.  They had friends visiting from Mexico, so John loved the opportunity to converse in Spanish with them.  The boys absolutely love Brother Haddon; he is great with Race.  Thank you Judy and Perry for such a special evening!  And of course, a huge thanks from me because Judy, your cooking rocks!

We started with this...

And ended with this!  Around 150 yucky, pinchy, crawly things.  I wouldn't pick them up.  Race tried a few times, and Witt wouldn't think of it; no way was he touching one of those.  Which was funny because he's always catching lizards and toads, praying mantises, and other creepy crawly things around the yard.  Anyway, one crawdad tried to take on Judy, thought he was big and tough. Another tried to sneak into John's pants; I haven't seen John move so fast in a few years.  But yes ladies and gentlemen, he's still quick, just like he was 23 again. 

Golfing with Dad

Family Home Evening last week...we went out and enjoyed the freshly cut grass.  I just love the street we live on. 

First Day of School

I can't believe it's here...we had such a fun summer and now school is here again.  Witten gets to go to Montessori Preschool this year next door to Race.  What are Lane and I going to do?  I'm pretty sure we'll think of something. 

I'm so excited Race will have Ms. Suzanne again for a teacher; she has been so amazing and helpful to me as an advocate for Race and his autism.   She's reading and researching too, it's been so nice bouncing ideas off each other.  We're so blessed to have her again in the Montessori.  Thank you Ms. Suzanne, He is growing so much!

Grandpa Armstrong's Place

Sunday we ran over to Payson so John could ordain his nephew.  We always try to stop by Grandpa Armstrong's place; his property has everything a boy could want...horses, trees to climb, the creek to jump in, dogs to chase, expensive collectibles to break, you name it! 

Picasso

I've officially declared the garage wall as the art wall of fame...

No No Lane

"OK, who left the cookies down so Lane could eat....however many he ate?"

"Not me Mom it was Race"

"No it wasn't, it was Daddy"