a little background

hi, my name is mandy and I have two amazing little boys. My oldest son, Ty, has been diagnosed with autism (which is what you will read most about in this blog); I also have Tripp, who is an amazing little brother to Ty (who you will also hear alot about). I was encouraged to start this blog to document our journey through life and life with autism... my world has been rocked in last few years and i have responded in good ways and bad ... but Jesus has gotten me through all of it...





i hope i can be an encouragement to you, and for the friends and family that will read this - maybe this will keep you posted indepth on what Ty is learning! :) and the adventures of Tripp too





thank you for reading, and if you have any questions, comments or smart remarks; feel free to post them.



Friday, April 29, 2011

easter

I've always loved holiday get together with the family. Lots of laughs, love and fun. As a kid it was always fun and exciting to get together with my cousins! We spent most of our Easter holidays with Dad's side of the family. We played in the woods a lot during our annual Easter get together, we rode 4-wheelers (and wrecked 4-wheelers), played in a giant fort that had a draw bridge (which was a 2x6 connected to a rope and strung through a pulley) that was typically controlled by the boys (very safe lol), and most importantly we hunted Easter eggs!

As my boys are getting older I am debating on which traditions to teach them; I feel like we teach our kids to want and "need" more than what is necessary. Most of the time it’s because I don’t want them to feel left out, I mean after all little johnny got an Easter basket so why would I go through the process of explaining to them that the Easter bunny is fake and bla bla bla... just spend the $10 and get the basket!? Right? Well that’s where I’m stuck.

We hunted Easter eggs this year and Tripp had a blast! He ran past every egg in the field until he realized he should start collecting them in his bucket?! lol It was fun to watch them run around and shake the eggs to see which one they wanted to keep, and to hear my niece sweetly tell Tripp "hey Tripp, put them in my bucket" lol!

As we got ready for the hunt; I asked Sam to keep an eye on Ty so I could take pictures (we tag team like this often). I gave him Ty's basket hoping that Ty would see the eggs and run to them (bc he loves to put things in buckets and then dump them out). As the madness ensued of chasing and collecting eggs I saw Ty – he found one egg and decided to go back and play in the rocks. I haven’t figured out if it’s the sound, texture or taste of the rocks that he loves so much, but he loves rocks! As I was watching Sam chase Ty around the yard and redirect his attention ; sometimes Ty would fuss and throw himself on the ground, but other times he would grin real big and run away waiting for Sam to follow; and that’s when I was reminded that it’s ok … who cares if he hunts Easter eggs? Look at how much fun he is having, searching for doors, jumping off the porch, climbing on the picnic table, running up and down the rock path in front of lolly’s house and dumping out the eggs once everyone else collected them!? That’s when I started to ask myself that question – should I even teach them about the Easter bunny? I know I’ll have to explain why there’s a grown man/women dressed up like a rabbit… but should I teach them about the magic bunny that comes and leaves them a basket? After all Easter is about Jesus and not a rabbit?

Ty said “pabby”!!!

I don’t remember what night it was but one night this week Ty said “my pabby”(aka. Bink, pacifier). We were playing in the bed with the boys (they like to be chased and then climb on the bed and jump off onto a pile of pillows; and of course tickled) and Sam took ty’s pabby and making him come get it from him. That’s when Ty said in a whisper “my papab” … Sam looked at me “he just said my pabby!?” And of course Ty got extra praise and tickles and just went about his business. Which makes me wonder how many things he can say but just won’t? Or how many things he tries to say but the words just won’t form? It was an awesome moment nonetheless!

4 comments:

  1. That is Awesome that Ty Talked! I hope his language skills will keep improving in God's perfect timing.

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  2. So glad that you are doing this, many parents such as you and Sam, feel confused and unheard. Since denial is always the first step in acceptance, many people will try to find reasons why Ty is not like other children. The bottom line is that he is "Ty." The world to him is different, but none the less special. Autism is a world that we find so hard to understand, for many reasons, but sometimes you just roll with it. Like you said, his interests will be different than Tripp's, but what I saw at the reunion, Tripp will be his biggest teacher. Words arent necessary between them because they have a special relationship. You take such patience and caring when dealing with both your boys, the love you have for them is so evident. If anyone can make good things come of this story, you and Sam can. Your family is supportives and eager to take the journey with Ty. God will be your strength when there seems to be darkness at the end of the tunnel. Anxious to read and be educated on all. I love you and am here for you anytime.

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  3. Thanks aunt olive...love you!

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  4. Yeah we wrecked a four wheeler! Thanks for taking the time to write these posts. Good good stuff. Love you!

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