April is "Autism Awareness" month

Here is a copy of what I posted on Facebook regarding autism awareness:

I wouldn't consider reading a cute little "autism awareness" slogan as truly being aware. There's so much more to it than knowing that these kids have language delays, social delays, and sensory issues.

Are you aware that having a child with autism means that I sometimes lie awake at night, my stomach in knots, wondering how things are going to be for my son when he's grown? He's 11...I only have a few more years before he's legally an adult. Will I be able to teach him enough, will he be able to *learn* enough, to function successfully on his own?

Are you aware that my heart breaks when I see little boys hanging out together, knowing that even though my son is as friendly as they come, he doesn't have the joy, the closeness, the comradery that comes along with having a best friend?

Are you aware that it tears me up to realize that maybe he would be doing even better if only I had been trying harder? My worst nightmare is to let him down, to fail him.

Are you aware that I am beyond thrilled that he still holds my hand in public? He has no idea that its not cool to hold your mom's hand and I love it! I love that I still get to give him hugs and kisses any time I want!

Are you aware that my heart just about bursts with pride when I hear my sweet boy say, "I did it, Mommy! I tried a bite of new food and I liked it!" (Even though he refuses to eat any more of it.) The little accomplishments feel so huge.

Are you aware that I love my son more than life itself?

He may have autism, but he is not autism. He is special, he is beautiful, he is Cade.

Mosaic Reviews--We Choose Virtues

I had the awesome opportunity to review a product called We Choose Virtues. You know what virtues are, right?  A virtue is "moral excellence and righteousness; goodness."  Honesty, patience, obedience, forgiveness, diligence, contentment, perseverance, etc.  Those good character qualities that we all need.  That's right...all of us, not just our children!

This is the idea behind WCV: 

Let's be honest, instilling virtues in kids is hard work! 

But can it be fun too?  We think so. In fact, there's no better way to learn. 

So We Choose Virtues brings memorable catchphrases, endearing characters, and just plain fun to 

Simply Inspire Character that Lasts. 

I was sent a set of Virtue Flash Cards, a Parent Card, a Family Character Assessment,  a Teacher's Handbook (PDF), Butterfly Award (PDF), and Coloring Book (PDF).  *Now here is where I'd like to let you know that this is not my first time hearing of WCV.  I've bought from them in the past. :-)  As a matter of fact, I currently own, and have hanging on a wall in my dining room, the Kids Virtue Poster.  This poster has been invaluable!  I love being able to direct my children over to the wall and have them look up the virtue that they're needing "help" with at the moment!  I also own the Virtue Clues cards--these are absolutely perfect for carrying in my purse and pulling out as needed!

The Family Character Assessment lists all 12 virtues and allows your children to rate themselves (you can rate them, as well--it's interesting to compare the results!) The Teacher's Handbooks includes 4 simple steps to teaching virtues.  The Butterfly Award can be printed as often as needed and is to honor your child when you feel they have been succeeding at a particular virtue.  To be honest, we haven't used this award.  Yet!  I've been reinforcing virtues and encouraging them daily.  I think this award will make them feel accomplished and have pride in their efforts.

I decided to start with "I am Forgiving" since that is the parent card I received.  Each parent card has a cute little "virtue kid" on the front along with a positive statement and a positive "I am not" statement.  It also has a scripture listed (you can choose from NIV or KJ).  Side note--you can also choose to receive cards without scripture if you want to use these in a secular setting.  The back of the card is jam packed with great stuff...a virtue user challenge, what to say after "I'm sorry," teachable moments ideas.  It also has a short story about the virtue kid.  While I was reading the story to my kids, they were able to color the corresponding coloring sheet that I printed out for them.  This kept them busy but focused as we discussed the virtue and talked about how it relates to us in our day to day life.

The Virtue Flash Cards are similar to the Parent Cards.  They don't have all the extra stuff that the parent cards have on the back, but they have the basics...the positive statements and the scripture.  There are game ideas that can help with memorizing these.  

We Choose Virtues has several kits available for purchase, including a classroom kit, home school kit, church kit, family kit and others.  You can also purchase each item individually.  Prices range from free (Yes, free!  Memory Verses, Bible Heroes and Truths; Family Character Assessment) to $244.99 (Classroom Deluxe Kit).

I highly recommend this curriculum, not only to homeschoolers, but to anyone with kids.  Like I said, character development is something that we all need to work on.  We Choose Virtues makes it fun and meaningful!  As an added bonus, I have a couple of coupon codes for you!  (They cannot be combined.)

VIRTUE15 is good for 15% off any order and is a lifetime code that does not expire.

HOME20 is for the Homeschool Kit and is good until the end of April 2013.

Gearing up for a 90 day challenge

I'm fed up with my weight.  I'm tired of being blubbery and out of shape.  I'm tired of eating tons of junk food which I know leads to bad health.  I've been so addicted to sugar.  The other day I saw a picture of myself.  I didn't realize how big I had gotten.  I was actually quite embarrassed, realizing that while I thought I wasn't too overweight, everyone else saw the real "fat" me.  That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I signed up to be a part of a 90 day Beachbody challenge.  While I'm waiting for the challenge to start I've been eating clean.  No processed foods, no sugar, lots of protein and veggies and fruit.  I'm staying away from grains (although whole grains are acceptable when eating clean).  I eat 5 times a day, about every 2 1/2-3 hours.  I've also been following an exercise video called Chalean Extreme.  It is killer and I love it!  It's mostly slow, heavy lifting.  And about a billion lunges and squats! 

In the very first week, I lost 3 1/2 pounds!!  I'm excited about that.  Although it does feel like it'll take forever to lose all the weight I need to.  And here is where I work on my consistency, determination, and patience. :)

I'll be using my blog to document my journey.  Here's my intro video that I shared with my challenge group:

I'll eventually post before and after pictures.

Mosaic Reviews--Blog Planner Review

I'm a little excited about this post.  This is my first review as a team member of Mosaic Reviews!  We were given a choice of ten free blog planners to review.  This was perfect for me because, to be honest, it never crossed my mind to plan out my blog posts!  I know all the big bloggers do it but I'm more of what you call a "random" blogger.  In the past I've gone an entire year without blogging!  I'm a little more consistent now but my posts are still random...I write about whatever I'm thinking of or whatever pictures I'm looking at. ;-)

I chose this planner from The Flourishing Abode.

You know why?  Because it is simple.  It is perfect.  It fits me.  The other blog planners were amazing as well, but this one...it is exactly what I need.  One page encompasses an entire week.  There is a line for each day.  This is where I scheduled a couple of blog post topics according to what we had going on that week.  I kind of rock at fill-in-the-blank forms! haha  

Under the weekly section there are two columns separated into four sections.  Notes, Images to make, Future post ideas, and To do.  I liked these sections because it gave me a place to start.  I was able to focus and plan out what I wanted and what I needed to do.  The very last section is titled "Where to promote."  Lightbulb moment!  If you promote your blog, more people will read your content.  (Like I said, it never occurred to me to plan out my posts, nor to promote my blog at all.  I am a changed woman, though, thanks to this fantastic little planner!)  I searched around and found a couple of interesting linky parties on blogs that I loved...ones that I could contribute to (and my goodness, I sent a lot of time reading!).

Want to know what I liked most about this blog planner?  It is super cute!  And free!  April at The Flourishing Abode shared it because she's just plain awesome!

Let it Rain

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory

We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?
Lift your voices, lift your hands!

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

*Let it Rain by Michael W Smith

Getting back up

As a {homeschooling} momma, I'm used to teaching my kids.  I've taught them the alphabet, how to add numbers, the continents and oceans.  I've taught them how to brush their teeth and how to throw trash in the garbage.  I've spent my life as a parent teaching them.  When that role is flipped, when my kids teach me something, it's neat and exciting and such a blessing.  When they teach me, it's usually a BIG life lesson. 

Cade has been riding horses for about seven or eight months now.  He loves it.  He loves horses.  He loves hugging horses!  His favorite horse, the one he rides most often, is Cochise.  He's comfortable with Cochise; he feels safe on him.  They make a great team.

For a brief period of time, Cade was having to ride other horses.  They all have a different feel to them and Cade's teacher wanted him to experience that.  One day, he was riding Charlie.  Charlie's trot is not smooth like Cochise's.  As a matter of fact, Charlie started to sidestep and stumbled a bit while trotting.  Cade lost his balance and fell.  I watched my baby boy fall off a horse!  My heart stopped.  I held my breath.  Thank God, Cade hopped up and said he was okay.  He was scared, though.  The entire right side of his body was covered in dirt where he fell.  And he was holding his wrist.

Then he did the bravest thing.  He got back up on that horse!  He didn't want to.  But he did, even though he was scared and hurting.  He finished his lesson with Charlie.  He went back the next week and fought through the fear and worry and panic.  I'm proud to say that within a couple of lessons, he was back to trotting.  No panic, no fear.  Just joy!

How many times have I given up out of fear?  How many times have I been hurt or scared and run away?  How many times have I held myself back from something I would love because I'm afraid?  Too many, unfortunately.   I've lost out on too much.  I want to have courage and face my fears.  I want to overcome my hurts. 

We've all heard the old adage, "If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again."  My son lived it.  And he left a lasting impression on this momma's head and heart!

She's funny. And sweet. And beautiful.

Three is such a fun age!!  Camden says so many things that crack me up and then she'll turn right around and say something that melts me and leaves in a puddle!  The other day she told me, "Oh, you my princess girl.  Mommy, you my baby!"  See?  Melt, melt, melt!

 "Mommy, I'm growing bigger like an adult. I'm growing taller. I'm going to have boobies like you!"

"Mommy, you a little stink poot!"

**Cade is super funny and sweet, too.  I'll have to write down some of what he says, soon.  It's harder getting pictures of him, though.