I'm Back?

I haven't been a very prolific blogger lately....last post was two months ago?!?!?!?! It's been rough going at my house. October was flu month at our house. As soon as someone got well someone else got sick. And when I got sick I was down for 2 weeks. I can't remember being that ill ever in my life. Yes, the doc suspected Swine Flu but we never had it confirmed.

So October was Flu Month and November was Flu Recovery Month. Along with just putting my house and life back together, I got an itch to get rid of as much stuff as I could before the end of the year. I became a maniac filling bags with clothes for the Goodwill and tearing into our closets, boxes and whatnot. ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! I still have more to do but it feels good to have gotten accomplished what I have so far.

Now in December we've had some issues with my oldest, Bear, come to a head. He's been "off" for weeks now. He had been almost completely unable to concentrate and lost in his "autism world" all the time. He had strayed far out from what is normal behavior for him and making some incredibly poor and dangerous choices. We found him lighting matches in the house twice. He left school without his brother after school one day. At school he was found in the library when he was supposed to be in the bathroom. I realize that all kids go through growing stages and testing periods but when an autistic child does this it's magnified. Plus, the typical parenting methods often don't work with those on the autism spectrum. We tried everything and then I finally called his neurologist. The doc ordered an MRI and a 24hr EEG. He also prescribed Abilify which freaked me out (just the word "anti-psychotic"....shudder) but I did try it with him.

The MRI and EEG were normal of course and didn't give us any pertinent information. However, Bear has been on Abilify for about 10 days and I CAN'T BELIEVE HIS BEHAVIOR! The drug not only helped him to get back to normal functioning for Bear, he is functioning BETTER than what is normal for him!!!!!! He talks to us more and has more complex conversations with us. His "pretend talk", the scripts he says out loud over and over and over, is quieted considerably. He now focuses on tasks better than my typical son! I tell Bear to go brush his teeth and lo and behold! He goes and brushes his teeth! The first time I ask!!!! In general he is calmer and more present with us. I still hate the idea of my 10 year old being on an anti-psychotic drug but if it helps him I will have to go with it. The good outweighs the potential side effects in this case.

Whew! With a lull in our family drama for now I'm finally settling down and ready to enjoy CHRISTmas! I think.....hee hee. The tree is up, lights on the house, I'm actually done with my shopping and 1/2 done with my wrapping. I'm working hard each day to enjoy the season, not expect perfection and build on traditions. Sad that I have to work hard to enjoy things but that's the way it goes when you are a busy mom. Nothing is ever "done" so I have to do my best and ignore what I can't do so I can have some FUN!

I'm also trying to reconnect with Christ. I'm looking for quiet moments to reflect on His birth and what it means. I want to put the CHRIST back in Christmas and put Christ back in my life too. Not just in my life but the ruler of my life as KING, LORD, WONDERFUL COUNSELOR...
I want to use this time with not much trauma to distract me to find Him again. I know He will be there waiting for me...He always is.

I pray you are having a wonderful CHRISTmas and He is blessing your day, your hour, your minute, your very breath...love you Sisters!