Blessings

Yesterday I was feeling so overwhelmed. With Tyler and his Asperger's, with Grandma, with Mom, with the Daycare, with our finances, just everything! It all started Tuesday afternoon. I took Tyler to the Dr. which was a nightmare! He was EXTREMELY active. He was firmly diagnosed with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism, so Dr. switched his medication. Well, it takes up to a couple weeks to get in his system, so on Wednesday he had a really bad day at school. James had to go pick him up by noon and bring him to me. So yesterday I kept him home to give the med another day to get in his system. Well, yesterday morning was very trying. I've also been frustrated by the Daycare not filling up yet. And the 2 kids I have are awesome, but with Indian subsidy they pay a month behind, so I won't receive any payment until December 20th. So, I'm workin' my hiney off and not seeing our finances get any better yet. Well, and then add Grandma's Breast Cancer and Mom's possibility of Breast Cancer with her mass being removed Tuesday, and well ya I was overwhelmed. Well, I had the opportunity to visit with my Pastor's wife yesterday around noon and it was such a BLESSING! I was able to get so much off my chest! Then the Benevolence fund at our church has agreed to help us this month. AMAZING! Then she prayed with me over the phone. Well immediately the peace of Jesus just flooded over me! I'm telling you I felt His presence over me and still do. THEN, as if that wasn't enough, I looked up and Tyler (of all children!) was taking a nap! Let me just tell you, this NEVER happens!! Even when he was little he would never really nap! So, then within an hour I received a phone call for 2 children needing care! They are State children, so I was wondering whether I'd even be able to take them. But, I called my Star Liason and guess what. Yep! You guessed it! I've been approved for 1+ Star, which makes me eligible to accept State children as well!!! Can you believe it? Well, if you believe in the power of Jesus Christ, you can. If you don't, well just call me, we'll talk! Then Tyler woke up, got his school work done with minima battles AND went to sleep by 8:30 last night! This is HUGE too, as we fight bedtime every night untill at least 10:00. So, (nope, I'm not done yet!) today I call Tyler's teacher and he's had a great day! Still a couple bumps, but leaps and bounds from the past weeks! (Sorry for all the exclamations. I'm just super excited!) And, one last call for one more baby and yep! The Daycare is now full!! Isn't God WONDERFUL!!!! Thank you Jesus! Just had to share with you all! (You know, my like 2 blog readers! LOL!)
Loves,
Jenn

Digital Scrapbooking

Well, this weekend some friends and I went to a Scrapbook Retreat in Carthage by KISS Crop N Shop. It was AMAZING!! We had a blast! I won a Canon printer!! That was really cool! It's a portable 4x6 photo printer. The prints are better than Walgreen's or Wal-Mart and just as good as Osborn's. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! You can check it out here. Got a little bit of work done, not much as usual. I end up sitting there either talking to everyone or thinking about what to do next. But I'm inspired again. That's the main thing - getting my thinkin' tank full. I've decided to dabble in the world of Digital Scrapbooking. It looks like a lot of fun. I've just been apprehensive due to lack of knowledge. But, I went to 2Peas and found some great tutorials. And (use your imagination here, I'm singing) dun dun dun duuun:


My 1st Digital Layout:





I'm so proud!! There will definitely be more to come! Special thanks to Summer Driggs from Summertime Designs for the use of the Breast Cancer Awareness kit. Isn't it beautiful?

I think I have a new addiction!

On another note, please pray for my Momma. She is having her surgery tomorrow morning. They are going in to remove the mass in her left breast. They don't know how much they'll have to take untill they get in. Then they'll send off the mass and confirm whether or not it's Breast Cancer. I really hope the Dr.'s suspicion is incorrect. I don't think I can handle my Momma and my BomBom both going through chemo. I'll update tomorrow after I hear from Poppy. I wish I could be there!

Well, after a weekend of scrapbooking and visiting my Momma, I'm exhausted!! So, while it's barely 9:00, I'm crashing.

Later,
Jenn

Asperger's and Tyler

Well, we found out today that Tyler has Asperger's Syndrome. It is a mild form of Autism. I'm beginning TONS of research right now, so I can help Tyler and to help educate others arond us in how to interact with Tyler. This had been very shocking and difficult to swallow, but at the same time it's been a relief to finally begin to understand why Tyler is like he is. I'm going to attach some strategies for dealing with Asperger's if you'd like to read a little about it and how to react with Tyler. I'll be blogging a little more I'm sure. Just please pray for Tyler and for James and I in dealing with him and this. Thanks.

General strategies for success

• Children with Asperger's syndrome benefit from daily routines for meals, homework, and bedtime. They also like specific rules, and consistent expectations mean less stress and confusion for them.
  
• Many people with Asperger's syndrome do best with verbal (rather than nonverbal) teaching and assignments. A direct, concise, and straightforward manner is also helpful.
  
• People with Asperger's syndrome often have trouble understanding the "big picture" and tend to see part of a situation rather than the whole. That's why they often benefit from a parts-to-whole teaching approach, starting with part of a concept and adding to it to demonstrate encompassing ideas.
  
• Visual supports, including schedules and other written materials that serve as organizational aids, can be helpful.
  
• Be aware that background noises, such as a clock ticking or the hum of fluorescent lighting, may be distracting to your child.
  
• Children with Asperger's syndrome often mature more slowly. Don't always expect them to "act their age."
  
• Try to identify stress triggers and avoid them if possible. Prepare your child in advance for difficult situations, and teach him or her ways to cope.
  

Strategies for developing social skills

• Your child may not understand the social norms and rules that come more naturally to other children. Provide clear explanations of why certain behaviors are expected, and teach rules for those behaviors.
  
• Encourage your child to make eye contact when spoken to, and explain why it is important. Give lots of praise, especially when he or she uses a social skill without prompting.
  Practice activities, such as games or question-and-answer sessions, that call for taking turns.
  
• Help your child understand others' feelings by role-playing and watching and discussing human behaviors seen in movies or television. Provide a model for your child by telling him or her about your own feelings and reactions to those feelings.
  
• Teach your child how to read and respond appropriately to social cues. Give him or her "stock" phrases to use in various social situations, such as when being introduced. You can also teach your child how to interact by role-playing.
  
• Foster involvement with others, especially if your child tends to be a loner.
  Teach your child about public and private places, so that they learn what is appropriate in both circumstances. For example, hugging may not be appropriate at school but is usually fine at home.
  

Strategies for school

• Use visual systems, such as calendars, checklists, and notes, to help define and organize school work.
  
• Orient your child to the school setting. Before the school year starts, take time to "walk through" your child's daily schedule.
  
• Be aware of and try to protect your child from bullying and teasing. Talk to your child's teacher or school counselor about educating classmates about Asperger's syndrome.
  Ask your child's teacher to seat your child next to classmates who are sensitive to your child's special needs. These classmates might also serve as "buddies" during recess, at lunch, and at other times.
  
• Encourage your child's teacher to include your child in classroom activities that emphasize his or her best academic skills, such as reading, vocabulary, and art.
  
• Set up homework routines for your child by doing homework at a specific time and place every day.
  
• Use rewards to motivate your child. Allow him or her to watch TV or play a favorite video game or give points toward a "special interest" gift when he or she performs well.
  Some children with Asperger's have poor handwriting. Typing schoolwork on a computer may be one way to make homework easier. Using computers can also help children improve fine motor skills and organize information.