Dear Santa

Dear Santa-

I want a present. In it I want a superhero or a pirate or monsters. I want binoculars. Real ones can look far away. Not a toy one.

Why do you live in the NOrth Pole?

Brian likes trians and cars. He only likes that. I want Brian to talk and not have autism.

I want Transformers or Kung Fu Panda toys.

I like you Santa.

Love, Corbin

Black Friday lia sophia Sale!

I'm having a special online-only black friday sale on my website- http://www.liasophia.com/heatherstclair .

Utilize our December customer save plan and buy any two items at regular price and choose up to FOUR at 50% off!! You can choose your most expensive items to be the half-off ones!

In addition, at my private sale, you can take an additional 10% off your entire order from 5 am-midnight tomorrow! Want to host a party? Email me a date and I'll take 15% off your order!! Like that idea, but don't live near me? Think about having an "online catalog" party!

Just visit my website and put your order under the hostess name, "Heather St. Clair". Hope to "see" you there!

Finish your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home!

Will our government listen to this?

Autism catastrophe
Published Date: 28 November 2008

...The most recent government study confirmed that the rate of autism in the UK now stands at one child in 88, with the rate for boys, who are most likely to be affected, around one in 58. Make no mistake, this is a public health catastrophe.

As a result of parental demand, Autism Treatment Trust opened a clinic in Edinburgh in 2006 and to date has arranged comprehensive testing and commenced treatments for more than 300 autistic children. The results of the tests have been striking and a remarkable pattern is emerging: gastrointestinal issues are common, particularly inflammation; food intolerances and allergies feature regularly, as do immune abnormalities and heavy metal toxicity. Many of these children are very ill. All are treatable.

The belief that autism is solely genetic in origin is unsustainable; environmental factors must be at play. You do not get genetic epidemics.

BILL WELSH
President, Autism Treatment Trust
Stafford Street
Edinburgh

Recipes for Thanksgiving

Looking for recipes to try this Thanksgiving and wanted to share a few that I am thinking about trying:

This Pumpkin Raisin Cake sounds delicious and the picture on the page looks so moist- if you can really tell that from a picture lol.


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a medium Bundt® cake pan.

Mix together the dry ingredients:

2/3 cup buckwheat flour
2/3 cup millet or sorghum flour
1/3 cup quinoa flour
2 tablespoons tapioca or arrowroot starch
1 scant teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice- or mix ginger, nutmeg and allspice

Add in:

1/3 cup light olive oil
1/2 cup organic raw agave nectar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla extract
1 14-oz can cooked pumpkin
1/4 to 1/2 cup hemp milk- or non-dairy milk- as needed
Ener-G Egg Replacer for 2 eggs- or 2 large organic happy huevos

Beat until a smooth, fluffy batter forms. Note: As mentioned above, if you are using real eggs, you may need less liquid than I did- so start with 1/4 cup non-dairy milk and see how it goes. Add a tablespoon more at a time to achieve a smooth cake batter.

Add in:

2/3 cup raisins- or dried cranberries, if you prefer

Stir to mix.

Scoop the batter into the Bundt® cake pan and spread evenly.

Bake in the center of a preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes until the cake is firm when lightly touched. Double check with a cake tester, if you like. Note: Baking time may vary for you- I bake at over 7,000 feet.

Cool on a wire rack before inverting the cake onto a serving plate. Cool before slicing- this is a moist and tender cake.

Makes twelve slices.

I wrapped and froze ten slices for future snacking.

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Cinnamon raisin bread sounds delicious! I need to make a bread substitute for Brian but he's been INCREDIBLY, even more so than normal, picky lately so maybe a sweet bread would be perfect for him!


Ingredients:

3 eggs

1/2 cup of oil

4 oz of apple sauce (be sure it is corn-free– no citric acid)

1/2 cup of maple syrup

1/2 cup of kefir (we used goat’s milk kefir, but any kind will do– homemade or store bought)

1 tsp guar gum

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 Tbsp cinnamon

3 Tbsp ground flax seed, pumpkin seed, linseed mix (or just flax seeds if that is what you have)

1 cup rice flour

2 cups Pamela’s Pancake and Baking Mix

1/2 cup raisins

Directions

Mix all the wet ingredients in an electric mixer. In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until the batter is completely mixed. Beat on high for about 2 minutes. Add raisins and stir. Pour batter into two small loaf pans. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes and then reduce heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 additional minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the loaf comes out clean. Let the loaf cool completely before slicing. This recipe slices beautifully in an electric slicer.

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I LOVE apple crisp!! We made this super-easy recipe after we went to the apple orchard this fall- I ate it all in like two days lol. Yeah, just me. Because as I've mentioned a few times both of my children are extremely picky and Apple Crisp honestly doesn't LOOK appetizing but, oh, is it!

INGREDIENTS
4 cups tart apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup brown rice flour
½ cup Sucanat (organic sugar)
¼ cup butter
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Peel, core and slice the apples into a bowl, and sprinkle with lemon juice. Blend the rest of the ingredients in a bowl. Spread the apples in a bake pan, and cover with the blended ingredients. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden.

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This Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake looks delicious! I think this is THE one recipe I KNOW I'm gonna attempt! I'm hoping to wow Josh's family with how yummy a baked GF/CF dessert can be and I'm thinking this may do it!

GFCF Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake



Crust:
2 cups crushed GFCF cookies of your choice
2 TB butter substitute, melted
½ pkg. GFCF chocolate chips

Cheesecake:
½ pkg. GFCF chocolate chips
3 (8 oz) pkg. Tofutti “better than cream cheese” softened
1 cup sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
¾ cup coconut milk
4 eggs
1 (16 oz) can pumpkin puree
¾ tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Crust: Grease 10 in. spring form pan. Preheat oven to 325. Combine cookie crumbs and melted butter in food processor. Press into bottom only of spring form pan. Top with ½ pkg. chocolate chips. Set aside.

Cheescake filling: Melt remaining chocolate chips until smooth. Set aside. In large bowl, beat Tofutti cream cheese, sugar, brown sugar until smooth. Beat in pumpkin. Beat in eggs and coconut milk until blended. Mix in by hand cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg. Then beat with mixer until blended.

Stir 1 cup of pumpkin/Tofutti mixture into melted GFCF chocolate chips. Mix well, set aside.

Pour remaining pumpkin mixture into spring form pan on top of chocolate chips. Spoon chocolate mixture on top of cheesecake mixture in small mounds. Swirl with a knife. Place spring form pan on a baking sheet.

Bake at 325 for 60 minutes or until filling is set (center may still jiggle a little). Turn off oven, but let cheesecake stand in oven with door open a crack for about an hour. Cool at room temperature for another hour then refrigerate.

Makes one TALL, HUGE, cheesecake. (Small slices necessary!)

Adults with Autism

I know as Brian's parent I believe I block out thinking about what is going to happen when he is an adult with autism. I don't think about it so maybe it won't happen. Honestly, it never crossed my mind perhaps the whole first year of his diagnosis. I remember the day that I first thought about it. I was helping my Dad with his small part-time landscaping business and we were at a beautiful location- a house right on a cliff by the ocean. We were taking a break and just staring out to the horizon when Brian came up as our subject. My Dad asked me if I had started any accounts for Brian for when he was an adult and if I had thought about the choices he would have for living accomadations as an adult. I remember tears instantly formed in my eyes. I hadn't thought about it. At that point I wouldn't allow myself to believe that I couldn't get him out of his world with the biomedical approaches and intensive ABA services I had chosen for him. Sometimes I still don't allow myself that but I do realize that no matter how much I hope, pray, and work for him to lose the diagnosis it just might not happen. And reality will always be there.

What services are out there for adults with autism? Not much, right now, unfortunately. But we're going to need to change that as these 1 in 150 kids become adults- there is going to be an overwhelming need for change!

Age of Autism posted a link to this story, All Grown Up, this morning- please take the time to read it!

reciprocating

I was lying in bed, trying to will myself to get up, when I heard Corbin sleepily emerge from his room and trod his way into the bathroom. Of course, immediately following, I heard Brian's door open. The boys never get up without the other! I heard Corbin urinating and then heard him say, "Haha, Brian what are you doing? Do you hvae to pee?" Brian must've been pulling his pjs off. Brian replied, "Yeah." Corbin said, "Okay Brian, come on over." I heard Brian tinkling and then Corbin said, "Do you need to pee more, Brian?" and Brian replied, "All done". Such a little thing made me smile so wide while I laid there in bed because I believe that is the first time I've heard the boys have an actual conversation together!

1 in 28

Age of Autism has been running a lot of articles the past few days about the staggering rates of autism being found in Somali-children in Minnesota. The guess right now is 1 in 28 children. The parents say autism was very rare back in their home country yet all of a sudden all of their children are succumbing to this nightmare, that we all know so personally. The parents are definitely pointing their fingers toward vaccines as their children have been subjected to a lot more immunizations than ever before and some have been doubled up. And believe it or not, the CDC has not even visited, commented, or acknowledged this epidemic.

Some links for more facts:

* Autism Strikes 1 in 28 Somali Children in Minnesota

* Somali Gloves Come Off

* An Open Letter to the Somali Parents of Minnesota

* Our Kids Somali or American

* On Autism, Somalis Feel the Chill in Minnesota

I want to Sue People.

Yesterday was Corbin's share day. He decided for this week he would bring in his "Cat" book and read it to the class as he has memorized it a few weeks ago. When I was putting him to bed last night I asked him how it went. He said "Good, I told them to raise their hands when they heard a rhyme. I said Cat. Rat. But only Miss Reuter raised her hand!" I was laughing that he somehow turned his share time into a control time (he absolutely loves to be the boss) and I said, "Wow- it sounds like you would be a really good teacher when you grow up. Do you want to be a teacher?" He was quiet for a second and he said, "Yeah but I want to sue people." I looked at him in disbelief, how the heck does he know about suing people? I repeated, "Sue people?" he said, "Yeah, sue people". We probably repeated that exchange for three or four more rounds when he finally said, "Yeah, mom, you know sue people with the animals!" Oooohhhhh- ZOO people! LOL

initial thoughts

I made this scrapbook page about a month or two after Brian's initial diagnosis- at the time it was PDD-NOS, I think our first evaluator just wanted to ease us into the world- as later on we realized he was definitely "full-blown" autistic- as the next two evaluations confirmed. I love this layout though- and sometimes when I am just feeling too stressed with issues surrounding us I like to read this. And remember that he does love me even if he can't always show it. I love him so much- and always will, no matter how little or how much he progresses. That is all that matters.

Update on Sedation

I'm sorry it's taken me sooooo long to update- I've had a few people write asking how it went, so I apologize!

So we left our house a little after five in the morning, I waited and got Brian out of bed just seconds before leaving hoping he'd sleep the hour and a half ride to the hospital but he was wide awake and just in the best mood! I thought the morning would be awful as he wasn't allowed to eat breakfast and of course the night before he fell asleep RIGHT before dinner and there was NO WAY to wake him up. He was OUT. So no breakfast and no dinner. But like I said he was just smiling from ear to ear- the whole ride- like he thought we were going on a private adventure- just Mommy & Brian.

When we arrived in the hospital he walked all the way in by himself (a big accomplishment because he thinks he needs to be carried everywhere). We went in, he waited so well while we registered, followed a volunteer who showed us to the pediatric sedation wing while thoroughly looking around everywhere, soaking in his surroundings- another BIG thing. We opened the door to the wing, he walked in ahead of me, found the nurse, looked at her and said "Hi" before she said anything to him. He seemed so big to me and wise beyond his years. Later when the nurse was putting on the numbing cream he was becoming quite antsy and I made a comment about "one of his many autistic traits" and the nurse looked at me and said "He's autistic? I would've never known the way he said hi and made eye contact with me!" It felt so good to hear her say that.

A few minutes later I think she got a clear picture of his autism. He was soon stimming out on a train in the waiting room- after just barely evading a tantrum because he couldn't find the engine to the cars and of course that was not okay. We found it- phew. He did okay with the weight & height- a little cranky about doing it but not too bad compared to other doctors' visits we've been on.
They did do the IV while he was awake. That was hard. I hold to hold him on my lap and it took three other adults as well to help do the IV. He cried but I think the tears were more from just the discomfort of being held down and the tape around the IV than the actually poking. They got it in on the first poke thankfully. Afterwards he kept pointing to it and saying "ow" or "boo boo". A little sad but oh so cute when he uses his words appropriately!

The unit was SO great there- I was able to HOLD Brian while he recieved his IV meds to be put to sleep, he fell asleep in my arms. We were in the same room for the whole routine and I was allowed to stay in the room for the entire procedure. I did leave at one point to grab a bite to eat and buy Brian an Elmo balloon from the gift shop. The procedure went well- his hearing is fine. I suspected it would be but it is nice to just know and not question it any more. He woke up fine from the procedure- devoured his apple and scrambled eggs and then decided to lounge around the bed. I kept asking if he was ready to go and he kept replying, "nooooooo". The nurses were great and said we could stay as long as we wanted but after about an hour of this, I was SO ready to go. I stopped asking and started telling.

I dressed him and got all of our stuff together- two bags, Thomas blanket, a PECS book that wouldn't fit in a bag, and the Elmo balloon. We went into the hall of the pediatric wing and he threw himself on the floor. The nurse looked at me like what is going on here? She asked if I needed help, ever the stubborn fool that I am said no and held his hand and pulled him out of the wing. About 15 steps down the hall he pried his hand out of mine and purposely ran into the wall. I haven't seen him throw himself into a wall in months & months. He came over and said "Up". I picked him up. I tried to carry him- but with all that stuff and his 38-pound body all bundled up was just too much. I couldn't do it. I put him down, squeezed him, endured a few stares from different people walking by. Thought he calmed down, grabbed his hand and walked some more. He kept screaming, crying, trying to get loose of my grip- luckily at that point we came to a lounge-area. We sat down, him on my lap, sucking his thumb, me trying to soothe him. He was quiet- I talked to him about how I needed him to walk. We made it down the stairs and out the door before the screams began again. At this point I again tried to carry him- made it into the parking garage but told him he NEEDED to walk. Of course we were parked at the opposite end of the garage because when we arrived in the morning I wasn't sure where I needed to be. If I was smart I would've moved the car while he was in the procedure but no room for thinking about "what ifs".

By the time we got to the car, I was ready to cry. I wanted to pull my hair out. I wanted to throw the towel in. Brian was still crying, I'm sure feeding off of my energy at this point as well. I buckled him in, I got in the car, and we just sat there for a while. Him sobbing and me just breathing. I got it together, gave him all his favorite things- Tings, Knuffle bear, trains, and some juice. It took him about twenty minutes into the ride home to calm down.

I haven't seen a fit of that magnitude in a while. Was it effects from the sedation? Or just a day that had no routines in it too much for him? Who knows? I wish I did.

apprehension

Tomorrow morning Brian is being sedated for an audiological evaluation. I'm scared. I've been through sedation four times with Corbin- with his heart situation as a baby, for his broken arm, and to have a benign cyst removed from his face. He does so well with sedation- comes out of it perfectly. But this is a whole new experience for Brian- and he has two more sedated appointments coming up in the next few months- one for the dentist and one for allergy testing. I have this gut instinct that he is going to have a hard time with sedation- that he is not going to wake up from it as easily as Corbin. So that's been eating away at me especially since I'm going alone tomorrow.
Then this afternoon another aspect of tomorrow's appointment hit me. I remember from Corbin that they make him a little sleepy with a drink but he is still awake and aware when they take him to the surgery room and I have to stop at the doors- I couldn't go with him. Corbin was cool with it- I could explain to him what was happening and that I will be right there when he wakes up. What is Brian going to think?? He's going to have no idea what is going on, why they are taking him away from me, why I can't go with him...


I don't know if I'm going to be able to be strong enough to see that fear go through him. Brian and I have a very strong bond and I know he's going to react to strangers taking him somewhere without me there. I'm not looking forward to this....at all.

Wish us luck.

BIG- I mean HUGE- potty news!

Brian was sitting on the couch with me this morning watching Corbin & I color pictures when he started repeating "bye bye bye bye". I said "Bye bye? Where are you going silly boy? Are you going bye bye?". He said "Yah" and started running upstairs. I said "Oh do you mean you have to go potty?" (very nonchalantly said) and he said "yah" while still running up the stairs. I tiptoed behind him because I didn't want to interrupt what I was hoping was going to be a completely independent bathroom trip and watched around the corner- him lift the seat, pull down his pajamas, pee, flush, pull pants up and run back downstairs! Yes he forgot to wash his hands lol. This is HUGE! Just huge!! We've been potty-training for over a year and only one other time has he initiated and gone by himself, which was last week. Maybe we are on to something here- please oh please! I'm keeping my fingers crossed & upping the reinforcements for such trips!

Birthday #2!!

A little photo montage from Corbin's birthday party at the movie theater! We enjoyed a very funny showing of Madagascar 2- Escape to Africa! (P.S.- this was Brian's second movie that he was able to stay in the theater for the entire thing- woohoo Brian!!)

first ever taste of cake

Bear with me, as I always get so nostalgic around my kiddo's birthdays. I was looking through photos and I found these two of Corbin having a cupcake on his first birthday. His first taste of cake or frosting or even sugar at that point.....and LOVING it!

Halloween Slideshow

It was just brought to my attention that my little goblins were featured in a slideshow at VillageSoup- so check it out :) They are Iron Man & Captain America accompanied by Josh's nephew Jacob AKA Batman. They show up when the countdown on the video reads around 1:16

Par-tay (#1) time for Corbin!

We had a great family party at my parent's house for Corbin on Thursday night. It consisted of sandwich making, a silly face cake, silly play with cousins, trying to keep a four-year-old quiet about his cousin's present (that he stumbled upon in the office), snacking, & presents which included a new winter coat, Batman Lego PS2 game, and this great "motorcycle"!

six years

How have six years gone by so quickly? sometimes it seems like a blur yet at the same time I can look back and I can freeze time and I can remember that first time you stuck your tongue out and you had that twinkle in your eye like you were the funniest baby ever born. I can remember you being taken out of my arms while I cried hysterically for your surgery at six weeks old. I can remember the way you smiled and tried to take your baby brother out of my arms at the hospital when Brian was born. I can remember the first time you did a sign- you were watching a movie and at the end of it you signed "all done" independently and puckered your lips for a kiss while I hugged you so tight for learning a sign. I can remember you hiding in the kitchen cupboards and popping out to try to scare Brian & me. I remember when you got your first bike and you would ride it up and down the driveway. I remember so many things and I want to remember them forever baby boy. You have given me so many great memories and I know so many more are to come. Happy Birthday Corbin!

game night

We love game nights- this was the first night we played Jenga! Corbin LOVED it- Brian wasn't really into it- well besides wanting to knock down the tower lol!











The tower was quite impressive near the end of the game. I lost, by the way. It's no fun being the only female in the house- Corbin & Josh kept scheming on how to leave me the hardest pieces.

Brian had fun after the official game, setting up the pieces like dominos to see if he could get them to turn on the DVD player. Always thinking, that one.

Our President

President Barack Hussein Obama
November 04, 2008

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.



It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.



It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.



It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.



It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.



I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.



I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.



I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.



To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.



But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.



I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.



It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.



I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.



The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.



There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.



What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.



So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.



Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.



And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.



For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.



This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.



She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.



And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.



At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.



When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.



When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.



She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.



A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.



America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do.

So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

Barack Obama is the President-elect of the United States of America!


John McCain called for all Americans to unite and support Obama as our new president. I can only hope that McCain supporters can be as honorable as he was during his concession speech.



We're not Democrats and Republicans, I'm finally proud to say this, we're AMERICANS!

Rocked the Vote

I hope everyone voted today! Brian joined me in the polls early this morning- he did really well- tried to kick over the aluminum voting booths at one point but otherwise extremely well considering we were in the gym at the rec center that he only knows as a place to run around in. He helped put the ballots in the machine and loved getting lots of "I voted" stickers. Very excited to include him in the process- his first time- Corbin went with me four years ago- so now they are both experienced voters :)

So now let's just keep our fingers crossed that a big change is in store for our country...

Brotherly Love

Walking home from the bus stop today with one boy on each hand Corbin asked, "Mom, why is Brian so happy?" I looked down at Brian who was giggling and laughing and skipping (a new trick Josh taught him a couple days ago) and tried to find an answer. The first thing I thought to say was, "I think he's happy you are home from school. I told him we were going to the bus stop to get Corbin and guess what, he said- 'Corbin' ". Corbin stopped in his tracks and looked up at me with a surprised look on his face. I looked at Brian and said, "Brian, say 'Corbin'" and Brian stopped and said "uh-bi". Corbin's face lit up and he let go of my hand and went to Brian and wrapped his arms around him and said, "I love you Brian!"

It was absolutely one of the sweetest moments, and believe me we have tons of them. I want to remember Corbin's face, when he heard Brian try so hard to say his name, forever. Sometimes I don't know if Corbin really understands Brian, or what Brian has, or why Brian can't talk or why he behaves the way he does. But today I saw that he truly understands emotionally. He loves his baby brother unconditionally and honestly, right now, it's bringing tears to my eyes just writing this.

Parents on the Diet

I'm curious as to how many parents of children with ASD have similar digestive and immunity problems as their child? I've always been quite healthy and have kind of prided myself on my immune system as I work in a preschool and tend to be the least sick of everyone in my household. But I do have some digestive problems. And I'm thinking it might be because I'm not following the GFCF diet. When Brian first started the diet we all went on it and I actually felt really good while on it but temptation took over and I started to cheat- a little more, a little more, a little more, until it was a LOT more. When Josh moved in it really went out the window as he wasn't on the diet and I slowly became accustomed to cooking two different meals- well not completely different, but for an example, a pot of rice pasta and a pot of wheat pasta. I feel like this has slowly caught up to me because it wasn't like I noticed it at first, I just am now. I have been having BM problems like two to four times a month (sorry if TMI!)- which I don't find normal and my energy level is just ZILCH- I can NOT get enough sleep! I have always been a morning person and the past six months or so I can not drag myself out of bed- EVERY morning! It's so much easier to implement a diet for someone you want to see change and talk and be happy and fit in with his peers, someone you love more than you love yourself. It's so hard for me to stick to it with all the yummy temptations.

perfect autism tees

I was browsing through babywit.com where I usually buy the buys each one funny/witty/political/cool shirt for each school year- I instantly picked out an Obama one for Corbin but wasn't finding anything I could really picture on my Bri-Guy. So instead I went online to find autism shirts and am cracking up over the perfectly stated shirts I've found. Here's a sample:



"Eye contact is overrated."

"Yes, I am autistic. Stare if you must. I'm not paying attention to you anyway."

"I have autism. What's your excuse?"

"Autism is not a tragedy. Ignorance is the tragedy."

"I have autism and I think you're weird too."

"My child has autism. Questions are appreciated, parenting advice is not!"

"Is my child's behavior bothering you? Ask me about autism."

"What? Is my autism showing?"

"It's a stimmy day."

"Vuck Faccines." (lmao)

"Someone with autism makes me proud everyday."

"I'm not trying to be naughty. I'm autistic. Please have patience."

"Yes, my son is autistic. No, he's not like the Rainman"

"got autism?"

"Autism rocks!! And flaps and spins and..."

"I am 1 in 150 very special kid"

"I'm not rude, hyper, or spoiled. I'm autistic."

"Not being able to talk is not the same as not having anything to say."

"If 1 in 150 American children were being kidnapped we'd have a national emergency. We do. Autism."

"Autism. It's not like you think."

"If at first you don't succeed, perseverate."

"People with autism do not lie, do not judge, do not play mind games. Maybe we can learn something from them."

"See the person, not the disorder."







check out www.teesed.com- definitely made my evening :)

Trick or Treat- definitely all treats this year!

Trick or Treating was a huge success!! It was the first year Brian was really into it! In past years he'd be done at the first house- he got his candy, he wanted it then & there, and he wasn't doing anymore until he got his way. Not only that but he has never been fully comfortable in his costume, never wanted to walk- always wanted to be carried, and was overall just sketchy about the whole idea of all kinds of kids in costumes being too close to him on the busy streets.

Well last night was so different! First of all, he LOVED his costume. The first day we got it he tried it on and was so mad when we had to put it away. He would never wear the headpiece around the house or for Layla's birthday party- but he even did that last night! Wore it all night long! He even kept his glow-stick necklace on- after five attempts of trying to lose it, he just forgot about it. He diligently followed Corbin & Jacob to every house, definitely a little bit slower, but never giving up! He even said Trick or Treat at the houses!! "Tra uh tra"!! He said thank you when prompted, he laughed, and he never once cried when I told him his first choice of candy was something he couldn't have.

Corbin, of course, had a blast as well! He was darting in and out of houses- I could barely keep an eye on him- he should of been the Flash instead of Iron Man ;) He kept forgetting to say "Trick or Treat" when he knocked on the door so his tag line became "Thank you and Trick or Treat" as he was leaving their doorsteps. Overall, a very successful Halloween! Oh and delightfully happy to find when we went through candy this morning that Brian made out pretty well- about half of his candy he could keep in his bowl (we had stuff at home that we added to it too!). Definitely a bigger percentage than I thought!

Halloween Parade

Yesterday at Corbin's school he had a Halloween parade. He was so funny as he spotted me and stopped, although everyone else was still walking, to pose and show me his muscles for the camera. What a stud! Brian did REALLY well at it! He didn't protest when he found out the other kids were having cupcakes, helped that we had Skittles. Then he sat through an entire story at the circle with the big kindergarten kids!!