2011 Summer Swim Team. Taylor Torpedos!

This was Max's first year on swim team. He did really good. He learned the strokes and did really well. His first meet was a bit nerve racking but he did great. He loved every minute of swim team. Each day he would come home invigorated from the workout. He would be energized for the day. 

The kids loved their summer swim team. Ryanne didn't care much for the early morning practices but I am proud of her for doing it. We sure are proud of you both! (Sorry Ryanne for some reason we don't have pictures of you this year.):

Michael turns 5!!

Its hard to believe that he is already 5 and ready for Kindergarten. Michael is so excited for school to start and ride the bus with Ryanne and Max.  I just don't know that I am ready for it.

I love this picture. This was Zacharys bike for Christmas 2007 when Michael as 1 1/2 years.  It was so fun to watch him always crawl onto it. Then one day his little feet touched the pedals. And my baby wasn't a baby.  This year Michael's birthday was the day after a terrible dust storm so we couldn't go swimming. We DID have a great time together as a family though.  We gave him his own pair of swimming shorts and a kick board to help him learn to swim, which he got to use 2 days later.  He is doing amazing. He is jumping off the diving board, doing his pencil dives and swimming all over the place.  It's so fun to watch his excitement about swimming all by himself.  Michael motto for his birthday was "It's by birthday and I can act like I want to".  His exact words.  Well that didn't go over completely well and the birthday boy had to have a little calm down time in his room. I thought it was funny though, when he wasn't looking of course. One of the things he loves to do this summer is to wear his swim goggles as sun glasses when we go outside. We love you Michael. What a blessing you are in our family.

AUTISM In March!

Well sometimes I feel like Autism describes my life. Today it sure did. Zach had a horrible day on the bus and I had it out with the bus aide. I have never yelled at someone like that before. I really don't feel guilty about it. He was too rough and bent Zach's arm out of frustration and hurt him. THAT IS NOT OK! I guess he felt it was his duty in life to teach our son how to behave during a 20 minute bus trip. Unfortunately micromanaging Zachary's behavior doesn't work. Angry would describe me yesterday. So yet another call to the busing supervisor. Her and I are getting to know each other well this year. So after that "episode" as I will call it we had cub scout pack meeting last night. It just so happens that Matt was asked to talk about Autism. Matt found this poem and I wanted to share it. It was heart wrenching to read. Which I did last night. I could barely get through it. Matt warned me that it would be hard. But as I was feeling still wound up about the bus episode I thought I could. Not so much. It really had my emotions all over the place. Here it is:

The Misunderstood Child A poem about children with hidden disabilities by Kathy Winters
I am the child that looks healthy and fine. I was born with ten fingers and toes. But something is different, somewhere in my mind, And what it is, nobody knows. I am the child that struggles in school, Though they say that I'm perfectly smart. They tell me I'm lazy -can learn if I try- But I don't seem to know where to start. I am the child that won't wear the clothes Which hurt me or bother my feet. I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells, And tastes -there are few foods I'll eat. I am the child that can't catch the ball And runs with an awkward gait. I am the one chosen last on the team And I cringe as I stand there and wait. I am the child with whom no one will play- The one that gets bullied and teased. I try to fit in and I want to be liked But nothing I do seems to please. I am the child that tantrums and freaks Over things that seem petty and trite. You'll never know how I panic inside, When I', lost in my anger and fright. I am the child that fidgets and squirms Though I'm told to sit still and be good. Do you think that I choose to be out of control? Don't you know that I would if I could? I am the child with the broken heart Though I act like I don't really care. Perhaps there's a reason God made me this way. Some message he sent me to share. For I am the child that needs to be loved and accepted and valued too. I am the child that is misunderstood. I am different-but look just like you.

What a powerful poem. As Autism awareness is coming up I hope that it helps people understand more about what these little ones are going through and have more love and compassion for them. I know my Zachary struggles and he is an amazing kid. I have the best 4 children! Ryanne, Max and Michael do not cease to amaze me with their compassion and love for their brother. They are truly each such a blessing from God.