April Is Autism Awareness Month

 

Today starts the beginning of April which means Autism Awareness Month has begun.  Tomorrow, April 2, 2013, is "Light It Up Blue" Day where homes, organizations, monuments, and places all over the world will go blue for one night to show their solidarity to support this condition that affects in 1 in 88 children (1 in 54 boys).  This hits home for me.  My son is autistic and it is a battle we fight daily.  We fight for everything for Connor, from bus priviliges on the "big bus" to speech pathology at school to paras to help him with transition and change to being integrated in a regular classroom.  This is something we struggle to battle now, so that life in the future for him will be much like life for you and me.

 

Never did I think we would be affected by this.  But then again, who does?  Autism is not a word we are afraid of and I wish that others, who may not be directly affected by the cause, but those with a honest and sincere heart to help the spread of what has become a worldwide epidemic, would put their foot forward to say "Hey, I am here to help".

 

To show you care, those participating in "Light It Up Blue" Month are shining a blue lightbulb on their porch to symbolize their support.  It is such a small effort with such a big saying.  Don't do it for me, don't do it for you .... do it for all the children, more severe and less severe, like Connor that have an uphill battle to fight to enjoy the things that we all sometimes take for granted.

 

Thanks for reading ~ my love to each of you,

 

Kelli

Spring ~ Is It Really Here Yet?

 

 

Today is Easter ~ the day of our risen Savior.  Because he rose from the grave, we have a future, a promise, a hope.  It is by far one of my most favorite holidays of the year.  It symbolizes hope, spirits renewed and new life.  Without his death and resurrection we have no hope, we have nothing.  Thank you, Lord, for sending your son to die for us so that we may have everlasting life with you in your heavenly home.

 

With the start of spring, comes many things to do.  Spring cleaning, a turn towards the end of the school year, cold weather passing away for a while and the sound of kiddos out to play.  This year is so different for us.  I have stress beyond belief.  Chad got a dream job working in Sports Medicine for Homeland Security in my home of Charleston, South Carolina.  The pay is greatly increased and it is a job with less travel and more time at home with our family.  I had given up hope that we would ever make it back there, but I can now almost touch it.  Our house has been on the market for almost six months now.  Many showings but nobody qualifies to buy.  It is discouraging.  My family is separated, my children are growing up without daddy looking on daily, and I just don't know what else needs to happen to sell this house.  Sometimes I wonder why God puts something in front of us and makes us wait.  Is it to teach us patience?  Is it to teach us to trust in him completely and fully?  I just don't know and I want more than anything for my family to be whole again.

 

Today, I take our Blue Point Himalayan Persian cat to get her semi-annual "Lion Cut".  Yes, look it up and you will laugh.  It is the ridiculous photo of cats that you see where there is only fur left on their heads, tip of the tail and paws.  Otherwise she is shaved down.  I have to say she is more friendly like this and our house is more allergen free.  LuLu, our Basset Hound, will tag along for a nail trim.  I might be tough when needed but cutting a 100 lb. sometimes not so pleasant female Bassett's nails is not my favorite job on the face of the planet.  Again, a time for renewal.  My vacuum will appreciate the lack of Persian fur being sucked up daily.

 

So, I guess the purpose of this blog is to say that life moves on with or without us.  Please pray for my family.  Pray for our home to sell that we can be together again, hopefully and with all my heart before the beginning of school next year.  If you had told me in November that being here through the summer was a possibility I would just laugh.  Now I just pray it doesn't happen.

 

Happy Spring to each of you.  May this new season bring change and positive renewal for each of us.

 

Love and prayers,

 

Kelli

 

 



When Is Enough Enough?  How Long Until You Lose It?

 

So, today I have had it.  I have had it with me, the kids, the house not selling, the separation of my family, my husband being 1 million miles away, 1 dog, 2 cats and 4 hours at Chuck E Cheese.  Oh, and let's not forget a realtor's Open House that brought in 1 couple who aren't even looking to buy right now.  Give me a fricking Xanex and lets call it a day.  Does that about sum it up?

 

I am tired of always trying to do the proper thing.  Do this, Kelli, because you know it is the right thing to do.  Say this, Kelli, because you know it is the right thing to say.  Act like this, Kelli, because nice women act like that.  All these standards that I have set for myself that nobody else seems to give 2 craps about.  A certain someone thinks I am over the top about being nice .... whatever.  Maybe this person has no idea what being nice truly means, and it doesn't mean hurting another over a nice act they choose to perform.  My mind and heart say be the bigger person.  My heart says I am tired.  I am so, so, so, tired.

 

I know there are so many more out there that have real problems and mine aren't even a drop in the bucket.  I know this.  I guess I am being selfish and wallowing in my own pity, but I don't care at this point.  My feelings have been hurt and I am tired of sucking it up like a big girl and making it ok.  If the ever so ominpotent "Dr. Phil" is right, then we teach people how to treat us.  How have I taught people to treat me?  Rude and uncaring?  Like a dishrag to be wrang out at their whim, my feelings never coming into play?  Or here is a good one .... some one would say .... grow up.  You grow up ... I am too busy raising my children, one of which is autistic and a handful just in himself.  I love my babies, but nobody ever said being a parent was for the weak.

 

I am getting more mad by typing this so I need to destress somehow.  I think there might be a Bud Light Platinum in there calling my name.

 

The bottom line is this .... I am not the cause of all your problems.  I don't appreciate being treated like a child at the ripe old age of 37.  I haven't taken from you, hurt you, tried to keep you out of the loop, or tried to dishearten you in any way.  If someone is in my life is in it, it is because I love he/she.  It is because you mean something to me.  So quit being a jerk ~ it only hurts me and does nothing for any of us in the end.  And if it does do something for you in the end, we have much bigger fish to fry at the end of the day.  Screw the hushpuppies, let's get right on to deboning the catfish.

 

Sorry for being rude all.  Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 

Love,

 

Kelli