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.



Wednesday, June 25, 2014

ALL CAPS!!!

I think I am overwhelmed by the masses. So many people are angry about something, anything! We get mad when people lose weight and post pics on FB, Instagram, Twitter etc. we get mad when someone doesn't think like we do politically so we attack them with our words on social media and label them an idiot and enemy (because that is how we function these days) . We get mad when someone has more stuff than us because that means they are spoiled or selfish. We get mad mad mad just because .... And for what? What have we accomplished? High blood pressure and labeling ourselves as crazed maniacs? I've been trying to get myself to write a new post for Ty's blog and I just didn't want to because I don't want to come across as just another voice screaming at the masses.... Not to sound too cliche but "where's the love?" I see so many proclaiming Christians berating each other over things that don't matter. For example... I read a hilarious article that was written because a bunch of people got mad over directions someone posted on how to make a cake ? A cake? For a five year old? With a rainbow number 5 in it? Really? I thought the article was going to actually be about how to make the cake and as I read on and on and on I couldn't believe the comments and ended up laughing so hard I was crying because here we are fighting and throwing digs at each other on a cake baking website - I mean it got political and then out right mean FULL CAPS MEAN.... Lol what are we doing??? Why do we result to this? Why do we hate so much? Why are we really here? I believe we are here to serve and love others as Jesus did. Yes we are selfish, naturally. But I really think if we would just slow down and celebrate with each other on life accomplishments no matter if it's the same goal you are trying for and just haven't made it yet or not. Be happy for one another, genuinely FULL CAPS happy! Life wouldn't be so mean. Who cares if you haven't reached your goal? They are not shoving it in your face - they are just celebrating their own victories! I see it in the special needs community too, everyone is on edge and everything is directed indirectly towards someone or something and innocent questions get misconstrued and turn into all out blow out social media fights...we just need to all calm down a bit and think before we speak - give someone the benefit of the doubt, ask "what do you mean by that? Or could you rephrase that statement because I think I misunderstood you" instead of flying off the handle like a wild man or woman... Maybe if we wouldn't be so competitive and harsh .... Things wouldn't be so stressful...

Ty has this ability to just love FULL CAPS ALL OUT LOVE... I think everything he does is to the max and for that I am grateful, we are working on words and we are working on communication and he is coming along really well but I hope he never loses his joy of celebrating. He has the biggest grin,cutest squeal and loudest and longest clap when anyone celebrates and I think that's how we should be - no I am not saying to roll over and play dead and let people just do what they want - but pick your battles and fight clean (not that I am always an example of that bc I am not) but just think of how much nicer life could be if we stop threatening each other over stupid things like "how long do you freeze a cake" yes actual threats went out because someone said "til it's frozen" .... Come on people we can do better than this .... Don't take yourself to seriously, laugh a little and get back to loving people, even the ones we don't want too....
"By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another" john 13:35

So let's live an ALL CAPS IN LOVE WITH JESUS KIND OF LIFE!

I know this post wasn't completely about Ty but just to give an update in his summer stuff - he is going to therapy 3 days a week 2 days in summit and one in Hattiesburg and he loves his baby sitter! Tripp does too! They have played and played and played for the past month and I don't know if I will be able to convince them that school is fun lol! They both had a blast at VBS and I am so grateful for a church that loves on my boys! We are blessed beyond measure!!

Thanks for reading!