Our 3rd Child is Our 1st

Ok, so I know it may seem odd, but we never had a normal parenthood, I wasn't the Mommy who experienced those "normal" infant milestones.  Our 3rd child comes along 11 months ago, we call him Jaden, and he has given us a gift, as much as D'Angelo & Adalina's gift of Autism has been to us.  Polar opposite experiences, with amazing insights on both ranges of child development.  What was it like to have a child wave bye bye, to clap at 10 months and mumble the words, cla, clap.  Miguel (my husband) & I were cracking up last night because Jaden was blabbling on and talking to D'Angelo, and D'Angelo was cracking up...you know, that infectious child laughter. It was as if they met, soul to soul, no words needed, just babble!  It was at that moment that Miguel & I acknowledged that this was the 1st time we have experienced what a "regular developing" (whatever THAT is) infant is like. Miguel confirmed, "yeah, you think D'Angelo & Adalina are hard, ha!, watch out, Jaden is the one we gotta watch out for!"  And we laugh, we bonded over our amazing journey together.  Jaden has shown us.  I know it may seem simple, but when you didn't experience this with your first two, at this age, well it's an awakening.  But let's hold up here: on the flip, and in reflection: why is it so important to us, as parents, to connect with our children on these simple, yet profound reflections of ourselves.  That's the lesson. You see, with Autism, our children on 'the Autism spectrum", don't always give us those milestones, at what is thought to be the 'normal' developmental stages.  And we are left to think, what's wrong?  I'll tell you what: what's REALLY wrong is that we can't relate, so that leaves us to question ourselves, thinking it's about us, because boo hoo, our autistic child won't look us in the eyes, won't communicate their feelings in words. I say...get over it, take action, look within.  Life doesn't ever give us anything we can't take.  Come on, let's be honest here: we pride ourselves in our children, for whatever selfish reasons.  Maybe it's time to look at our children as a gift to the world, not for our own selfish pride.  As so many times, when there is an Autistic meltdown in the middle of a public place, I know I have become self conscious, due to my two autistic children.  I'm over being this way, as I learned through my spirtual teachings: you can only control your response to circumstance, you cannot control others reactions to that circumstance.  So, thank you, Mr. Jaden for your gifts, and for reminding me that it's not about me. 

It's Your Turn.
What do you think?  Do parents have the right to claim pride in their child? Do think it's self-promoting?
Please do share your opinion in the comments box below.

4am Clarity in The Stillness

What does one do when one awakes at 3:22am...hmmm, futz around on Facebook ('cause goodness knows, I no longer have the time I use to, for what 'use to be' regular FB interaction during the course of my busy day...was that a run on sentence?, hehe).  So, I'm up.  Usually when this happens, there is something deeper trying to surface into my energy field. Well, it happened!  I have to thank Yvonne Tuchscher, check her out: www.resplendentdayspa.com - Amazing Total Body Work-Massage-Stretching - clearing of stress!...all in One!, you must have her work on you! ) for being a true friend & support and sending me a link on FB to this Dr. (www.beatautismnow.com) that will be speaking live stream tonight on: www.naturalhealth365.com. You see, I have been having this very strong vision and consistent inner talk about a cure for D'Angelo & Adalina's Autism (something I had started researching awhile back when they were first diagnosed and then halted continuing alternatives due to financial means, as you might not know...health insurance does NOT cover alternative medicines for Autism, what a shocker!)...and now my thoughts have manifested the answer, at 4am, God, the Divine (whatever you want to call it), has lead me to The Answer!  Just Lead The Way...I will follow!  Blessings abound. My God!  This happens to me every week: when I open myself to any and ALL possibilities, I am showered with Greatness, Love, Positive Answers!  So, the next time you awake at 3am...Sit In The Stillness, seone or Some Thing is trying to help you Reach Clarity!  And SO it Is!  Love & Light, my friends!

It's Your Turn.
What do think? Is there clarity in the stillness of an early morning time for you? Do you constantly think of something you desire and it come to fruition? Share your experience and insights in the comments box below.

Being Open & Receptive

I have to say, the minute I went viral with the preview of my book, my story, and really being open to this journey from a public perspective - the last people I thought, have surfaced and come to the table with guidance, stories, friends of friends who they want to connect me with, avenues of sharing my book, ideas, help, and so on. I was so private about this for so long. Why? Did I fear what other people thought of me, my children, my family, did I want to keep up outward appearances - so we could glide along, somewhat unnoticed. Mabye a little bit of it all. A TERRIBLE emotional cocktail. Why do we do this to ourselves. Walking around as if no one shares in the same pain, fear, whatever it may be. It's time for us to get honest with our story, to share it and to know that what we share is used to heal, to enlighten. Enough with "status quo"...really! And you know really taught me to not "care" what others think and to live life OUTLOAD - D'Angelo and Adalina, the two angels, who, through their Autism, really don't pay attention to outward circumstances....wow, what a lesson!

Nature Serves Them

A simple and unexpected walk at our local nature park, set D'Angelo & Adalina on a time of exploration.  For parents of three, two of which are on the autism spectrum, to escape, and let them run, explore and just BE, was a lesson in nature itself!  No one to tell them what to do, no strangers onlooking at their hyperactivity, just them, the trees, the paths, the freedom to be...and ironically, they were calmer than ever.  They understand their roots and look to nature to guide them.  Nature, the best remedy!

Writing

Why do I find it such a challenge to sit down and type it up in my book, get it out, move my thoughts, down through my fingers and onto the manuscript. I'll sit and send hundreds of emails out - words that will probably be forgotten tomorrow, next week. Tasks, to-dos, follow-ups, thank yous, the email response are endless. Writing is a discipline, a "schedule it / or forget it" focus. Call it the distractions of everyday "kids with autism", the from sun-up to sun-down continual needs of these children of my energy, and if I do stop to write, really focused writing, I run the risk of the two lovely ones tearing the house apart...and then I am back to square one. I will prevail, my writing will get out, my book with reach those in need! Breathe!

The Book - a Preview

Open publication - Free publishing - More autism

SSI - yet more paperwork!

ADALINA LUNA. We left the State Ordered SSI - "Mental Exam" (IQ test - for short) for Adalina today with a feeling that these "standardized" tests to determine whether or not our daughter has been formally diagnosed correctly, is just another means to "try" to make me feel like my daughter is below average. I sat there watching this psychologist ask my four year old Moon Angel, question after question, holding back my tears! OK...go ahead, try to assess her as "Below Average" for her age. The State couldn't see in the original IEP reports that she has Autism and that she's in special education, receiving daily assistance from her Special Ed TEAM of teachers and experts?! What in the reports make you need to refer us to "your" state approved doctors? Her teachers tell me she is amazing and progressing beyond belief, and that she is a wonderful little girl! I should be so proud! Fine, I'll go through the "motions", if that's what they need, in order to get Adalina the help and support she needs.