Moves Like Jagger!

Last night the kids had their preschool Christmas Show and it was so much fun to see each of my little ones get up on stage and dance with their friends. I knew Ashley would love every minute - she's quite the drama queen and loves being the center of attention (hmmm... I wonder where she gets that from?) and I had a feeling that Kyle would be the hit of the show, which he was as he pointed the crowd as they cheered him on. What I wasn't sure about was how well JD would do - or if he would even make it to the stage.

We arrived at the hotel where the event was taking place and it was FILLED with probably 200 kids yelling, running, laughing, crying - it was total chaos. With Monkey Blanket in tow, JD stuck in his thumb and walked bravely through the masses. Just that moment alone was a huge accomplishment because a year ago he would have been totally overwhelmed. I had to leave him "back stage" with his teacher so Jason and I could go get seats. I gave her my cell phone number just in case he decided it was too much to handle... but no call! So far so good!

Finally it was his turn. His class came out and headed on stage. JD was NOT having it at first. But after cheering him along and telling him I was right there (from the first row of course) he went on stage. The music came on and all his little classmates started dancing. He stood in the back, thumb in, holding monkey blanket, just staring at the crowd.

I was so proud of him for getting on stage, but I have to say for a minute there my heart sank as I watched all his friends singing and dancing along to the music as he stood there. To anyone else it probably looked like stage fright, but to me I just saw his autism. As a parent you just want your kids to fit in, to be like the others, and at that moment it was abundantly clear that wasn't the case. I, of course, was probably the only person who noticed. But I was just trying to take in the moment, watching him stand up on stage in front of this HUGE group of parents, with music, clapping, lights, etc. It was a sensory nightmare!! And he's only 3! But then he really surprised me...

Up at the front of the stage was a microphone used to pick up the voices of the children singing. JD walked right up, grabbed the microphone and started pretending to sing! The crowd laughed and cheered him on and he thought it was so funny. I was really surprised, it was like he came out of his shell on stage. Who knew that my little guy had moves like Jagger? ;-) Here's a before shot in case you didn't believe me!...

Team JD Raises $1500 for Autism Speaks!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! A few weeks ago our family participated in the annual "Walk Now for Autism Speaks" in Orlando. This was our second year fundraising (although only our first year walking because in 2010 I had emergency surgery a week before the walk!). I can't tell you what an amazing experience it was. Team JD brought in more than $1500 for autism research and awareness - WAY surpassing our goal of $500! This wouldn't have been possible without the donations of our friends, family and coworkers who go out of their way to support us not only through the walk, but every day as they follow JD's journey.

Being there with the thousands of families like ours was so peaceful. There were no stares, no excuses, no awkward moments - just understanding and love. As we walked around the lake at Cranes Roost Park on a beautiful sunny day, it reminded me that no matter where I go, or what I do, autism is always a piece of me. Autism may have made my life a little more difficult, but what I received in return was way more valuable - an extended family of people all over the world who have children just like mine. It seems like each week I meet someone new who has been affected by autism and there's an instantaneous connection. I'm proud to be an autism mom - it's not easy, but it's worth every moment!

Is it Destiny?

Since JD's diagnosis a year and a half ago I've heard a certain line many times - "God gave you JD because you're such a wonderful mom and he knew you could handle it." At first it made me cringe inside and out, like it was the stupidest thing anyone ever said. But a year and a half later I've kind of come full circle thinking maybe they're right.

See, part of me wonders if it really was destiny. I was telling a friend at work today that my ideal job would be to lead the diversity and inclusion efforts at our company. Of course I have a passion for it because of JD, but I think that passion came way before he was even a "twinkle in my eye" as my husband says.

I can pinpoint it as far back as 11 years ago, when I was a freshman in college at the University of Florida. There was a class called "Exceptional People in School and Society" and I can truthfully say it was the most life-changing class I have ever taken. I took it because it was supposed to be an easy A, but what I didn't expect was how much I would learn.

The class was designed to put yourself in another person's shoes - literally. We learned sign language (I can still sign, "You are so beautiful to me!"), and spent an entire class in silence. We had to walk around campus blindfolded to experience life without sight. We volunteered with underprivileged children in the community, playing games and singing songs, keeping them off the streets. There was so much more, but what it all came down to was this - these exceptional people are PEOPLE, and they should be treated with respect, dignity and kindness, just as you would treat anyone else.

Who would have known that a class I took when I was 20 years old would have such an impact in my life a decade later? Maybe God was preparing me, not only to take care of my little boy, but to help the world understand and accept these Exceptional People. I feel so thankful to know my passion, and to live it first-hand, because some people search for it their entire life.

Miss Katie - Our Guardian Angel :)

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~Luciano de Crescenzo

There are certain people who have come into my life that I consider guardian angels. These are people who have had a profound impact on who I am, who I feel that God sent to me (or vice-versa) when I needed them most.

A little over a year ago I randomly went on Craiglist looking for a part-time nanny that might have experience with children on the autism spectrum. I was freelancing at the time and just needed someone to watch the kids while I worked in my home office. Normally I don't think I would have ever looked at Craigslist for babysitting options, but for some reason that day I figured I'd take a look.

I searched the term "nanny and autism" and ONE result came up. It was for a young lady named Katie and she had moved to Orlando from Wisconsin with a background as an ABA therapist assistant. She was looking for a part-time nanny position and immediately I called.

We must have talked on the phone for two hours that night. I remember sitting in my bed, telling her all about our family and JD's recent diagnosis. Kyle wasn't even a year old yet, not even crawling, and JD was in therapy everyday.

Katie and I clicked from the very first moment - it was like we had known each other for years. Later that week she came over, met the kids and started working for us. At that point in time I had no idea what kind of impact she was going to have in my life.

When Katie started JD wasn't speaking, couldn't run, swing or go down a slide. When you fed him you could only put a few little pieces of food on his highchair at once (NEVER different foods) or he would throw them all over. He would have terrible tantrums, hit, pull hair and scream. NONE of it phased Katie. I had never met anyone so patient and loving as her in my life. We would sit and chat each day and became so close. I learned about her life, she learned about mine and it was like having a best friend spend each day with me and my kids.

Last October I was really sick - I was in and out of the hospital with gallstones. In November I had to have emergency surgery and at 1:00 a.m. Katie drove 45 minutes to our house to stay with our children for three days while I was in the hospital. I never had to worry for a second that my kids were being taken good care of. She knew their daily drill - and all of JD's routines. The most amazing part was that during the weekend I was coming home, we were scheduled to have a huge carnival birthday party celebrating Kyle's first birthday and Ashley's fourth birthday. Katie put on the entire show - organized all of the decorations, the party favors, the face painting, the organization and clean up... everything. I was stuck on the couch, so thankful for having her in my life.

That was a year ago and I can't even begin to list all of the things Katie has done for our family, and for me, since then. She is the one person who has been there, day-in and day-out, right next to me and Jason, helping us raise our kids. She's been with us through therapists, schools, moving, even marriage drama - and never skips a beat. She loves my children like they are her own and they love her just the same. She is like another mother to them and I couldn't be more thankful for that.

Today our family participated in the "Walk Now for Autism Speaks." Katie was right there with our family, proudly walking on behalf of JD. And while I took some pictures of her with my kiddos, it reminded me how blessed we are to have her in our lives.

Katie - I could write a novel about how you've changed my life. Your love, patience, kindness and spirit are unwavering and I can't thank you enough for all that you do for me, Jason and the kids. I look at this picture and it makes me smile knowing that you are our guardian angel - God sure gave me the best one he had!

I love you Katiebug!!! ~Linds

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Today was an exciting day, not just because of the autism walk, but because we're celebrating our youngest child's 2nd birthday. Kyle is the sweetest little guy but I can already tell he's going to give me and Jason a run for our money when he's a teenager... he's the dare devil, the rule breaker, and the pretend crier in our family. Gotta love it!

Kyle's 2nd birthday is kind of bittersweet to me because it reminds me that JD was diagnosed the day after his 2nd birthday. Looking at Kyle and his development, it's like day and night of JD's when he was that age. Kyle is such a chatterbox and wants to be in the middle of everything. He's fearless, all boy, wants to wrestle and laugh and is so interactive. The day JD turned two I remember how overwhelmed he was at his birthday party. He didn't talk then and I could tell that he would have done anything to run and hide away from all the activity. I didn't know at the time that it was autism, but now looking back I wonder how I didn't see it sooner.

This is hard to say, but I'm so relieved that Kyle isn't showing any of the signs for autism. I worry each day about it and I probably won't stop worrying until he turns three, by then I think we'll be in the clear. It's also hard to say that I worry about the day that Kyle will be developmentally "older" than JD... I know that time is coming soon as they're about the same developmental age now.

As a parent of a child on the spectrum I feel like just when you think you've conquered one issue, another comes up. But Jason and I are so proud of all three of our little ones and wouldn't change a thing! Happy birthday baby Kyle - I can't believe it's been two years already!

Countdown to the Walk!

I'm SO excited - tomorrow is the Autism Speaks walk! Our team has raised $865 and I'm hoping we can hit our goal of $1000 over the weekend. I'm getting a little nervous, not about the crowds or the expected chaos of the event, but about the emotions I will feel surrounded by so many other families and children struggling with this disorder. Autism can make you feel so alone at times, like no one could ever understand it, but I'm actually really looking forward to going to an event where kids like JD are the "norm" - where I don't have to worry about the stares, or whether he's going to have a meltdown. I'm so proud of my little boy and the walk is just one little way to show it! Go TEAM JD!!!

Amazing Video!

I don't usually like to watch videos about autism because I'll end up crying, but this is a really good one. It's amazing because each child with autism is so unique, yet as parents we face the exact same challenges. If you have a few minutes, I would really love if you would watch this...