HUGE favor....promise :D

I have a massive favor to ask everyone :)
It's only 2 clicks I swear.

My brother just started making Vlogs.
I want to tell you about his vlogs first before you commit to subscribing but maybe I could persuade some of you to doing so ;) 
                                  
His vlogs are very local but he is passionate about showing people to just go out and have fun and to  be adventurous, active and to try new things. He shares his experiences and he supports local businesses, bands, and events. So him starting a vlog is actually him starting an amazing journey and wants to share it with people that would like to also. He posts vlogs weekly to a couple times a week. He is looking for others to subscribe to his channel. I'm not just saying to subscribe to get him more viewers. I just want others to watch and be inspired and want to go try new things and to go have fun, be yourself, and get out there. My brother is the sweetest, funniest guy I know and I'm not just saying that cause he's my brother, you will love him...i hope lol and I hope you guys like it and if you wind of subscribing, you are awesome! :D Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2jHJ0WgebXTWGi0AUNUX8g

I'll be posting on my blog more. Just been super busy these past months. For now, long story short: Things have been going really well. The boys have been doing great in school and have been reaching their goals. I want to thank you all for the support. Talk soon <3

Spread Autism Awareness

Spread The Awareness

After hearing the terrible news about Jayliel Vega. The boy in PA, who has autism and went missing on New Year's Eve and was just found yesterday after drowning in a canal. I never blamed the parents for what had happened even though some people did. Those people that blame the parents of this child have no knowledge of autism and what can happen and made me realize just how many people need to be educated about autism. Some Autistic children wander and don't know the fears and dangers of being outside. Some are also attracted to water and this is why there are more drownings that occur with children on the spectrum. There are ways to prevent such things from happening. This story was heartbreaking and I couldn't imagine what his parents are going through right now. Things happen so fast. When the story went out about him missing I was hoping that he was found quickly and safe. If you have a child with autism you know the dangers that could happen around every corner. There are always ways you can prevent tragedies like this from happening. 

GPS Watches for children 

(Some even tell you when the watch gets wet)

http://www.safewise.com/blog/10-wearable-safety-gps-devices-kids/

Swimming lessons

In the link below there are all the YMCA locations who offer lessons for special need children

http://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/autism-safety-facts/swimming-instructions/

Spreading Autism Awareness

Spreading awareness is the easiest thing you can do. It costs nothing and it informs others and yourself about Autism. You can also donate to the cause which would help other families with children who have autism and yourself. You can participate in Walks for Autism. Even just bringing it up in a conversation with a family member, or friend, or someone you just meet. Autism Awareness is a huge part in keeping children on the spectrum safe. Everytime you talk about it and put the word out it is helping every child with autism. Here are a couple sites you should visit :)

-http://nationalautismassociation.org/

-https://www.autismspeaks.org/

-http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/

Sign up for a Walk for Autism in your area. Here:

http://www.autismspeakswalk.org/site/c.igIRL6PIJrH/b.7683511/k.2EFB/Walk_Now_for_Autism_Speaks_Home.htm

Keep your loved ones safe 

Sunday Morning

Sunday Morning

Not sure If I should be sad about this Christmas vacation ending or happy that I get back some of that me time. I loved having the kids home and getting to spend time with them and my husband. My husband, Max, had off from work for all of Christmas break as well. It's nice to relax and watch movies with my family and not have to worry about getting the kids up super early in the morning to take my husband into work and then take the kids to school because we only have one vehicle so I am the taxi for everyone. Tomorrow it's back to the grind and back to my slowly rising stress meter. Before the winter break my oldest son Oliver was beaten up in school in his class. A child went over to my Oliver and kicked him hard in the shin and then kicked him in his stomach, and it was all for nothing. Oliver did not say anything to the other kid to set him off. Then after lunch another kid from his special ed class went over to my son while he was working on a work sheet, and punched him in his shoulder blade hard. The nurse had called me and told me about the incidents that happened and found out that nothing was done. Neither child wasn't punished for what they did. They put bruises on my son and nothing was done? They hurt his feelings because Oliver just wants the best for his classmates, even helps them out when they need the help and the school wants to let this go unnoticed? I am having a meeting at the school after the break to discuss what happened and what needs to happen, and their lack of consideration for their students. Oliver deserves the best from that school. He loves everybody and everything, and it just breaks my heart. I know the other children in his class have their hard times. But when I found out who the kid was, it was the same child from last year who hit Oliver on his school bus which made him hate school buses after, and never wants to go on one anymore, and that is also why I take my kids to school, because some kid ruined that experience for him. I also found out that this child didn't have special needs but he was just a bad kid put into a special ed class because of his behavior in school. That child also picked up a stick at the bus stop last year and tried hitting Oliver with it but he was caught. I really want to find another school for Oliver and Finley but they are in this routine now and if it was switched up right away then they would not take it very well, especially my youngest Finley who is three years old. He is in a mainstream pre-school class in the same school and he loves it there because his teacher and aid are wonderful people and they are always their for him when he needs the help. He also has autism. Maybe when summer comes around I will be able to find a new place so then when the kids are out of school I can prepare them for a different school. A fresh start. A school specifically for children on the spectrum. I just want a school that will be behind my sons 100% and nothing less. I hope everyone had an amazing holiday and new year. All I want is a fresh start this year and it will happen. :) I want the very best for my children. Oh and I got my two sons their very first dog :) I adopted him from my sister and his is an amazing pup. When my youngest has a meltdown, Maynard runs over to him and comforts him and nudges his hands to let him know he is there for him and he is protective of the boys. He is a wonderful addition to the family. :) Hope everyone has a wonderful day today. 

Oliver and Maynard 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Hope everyone is having an amazing Easter, and spending some time with your family and friends. 

Today turned out really well. My dad came over to visit with the boys and gave them both an easter basket and hugs and kisses. Then we had a small egg hunt for the boys out in the yard. Finn didn't want to cooperate of course haha He was not into it last year as well. Ollie did awesome, found just about all the eggs. They had a good day and that's all that matters. :) After the egg hunt we spent the whole day outside playing. Beautiful weather with my beautiful boys. Oliver was more excited about dying the eggs last night then going out to find them today. haha Have a good night everyone! 

Walk for Autism Awareness on April 18th at this location in NJ

There is a walk happening in my area. Just trying to get the word out. It's a walk for autism awareness. If you're in the area, please join us on this walk. Bring your runnings shoes and your voices so we can raise awareness for autism. The walk is at the JP Cleary Middle School in Buena, New Jersey.

My event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1617519811793665/

Thanks guys :D

Rough night

Tonight I had a huge breakdown. It has been a really tough day for us. My oldest son, Oliver had a huge meltdown tonight which felt like it lasted forever. I never want to be looked at as a weak person but when my days are super rough, at the end of the day when I'm ready for bed, I breakdown and cry. I never want my kids to see how broken I get when things go wrong. I'm sure it doesn't help that my hormones are out of whack today so everything is making me cry. It is always a battle with Oliver at bedtime. He lays down fine then all of a sudden he wants to get up and run around the house at 11pm, and he has been up since 8am this morning with no nap. He gets so angry when I tell him to lay down that he throws things and hits things and I know most of the time he doesn't realize that he is doing these things til he starts to calm down, then gives me a hug and tells me he loves me. Most of the time its the unknown that sets him off and that's the wonders of autism sometimes. Things I try to understand but can't. When he goes to bed he always needs certain things out of the room or he refuses to sleep in there. And example, he doesn't like when shoes are in the room when the lights are off so he freaks out, or trucks, he cant have trucks in his sight when the lights are out. Certain things trigger him and he gets upset. They are easy fixes. I just get rid of the shoes and trucks but there are times he just gets frustrated out of nowhere and I hug him tight and rub his back til he kind of melts in my arms and relaxes. Pressure and touch is his go to that helps him calm. He has a hard time soothing himself. My 2 year old just found his soothing technique. Whenever he starts to get upset he lays his head down on the floor and then waits it out and then he is good. But Oliver is harder to soothe. I didn't plan on writing this much but it's time for bed. Night all. :)

Some days

These are my boys, Finley and Oliver. My blog is mostly about these two amazing kids. Most things I write about is Autism and how it is living with it everyday. Some things I will write will be positive of course, but I do have those days where some things are tough and hard to get through and I know it's best to not just give you the good days all the time cause that isn't what really happens. And any parent that has a child or children with autism know that there are days that are tougher and most days will be okay and take a turn very quickly. One minute your child will be pretty content and happy then the next minute your child will be in full blown meltdown mode with no signs of stopping. Before my oldest Oliver was diagnosed I didn't realize what was happening, being a first time mother, I was scared and in denial for a little while but he eventually got diagnosed and then we were on out way to getting the help he needs, he was diagnosed a little later on at 4 years old which made things a little more of a challenge but he has made incredible progress given the circumstances. I never knew that when I was pregnant with my youngest, Finley, that he would have autism. I was thinking "what are the chances of this happening again?" but when he hit one, he was not hitting milestones and not talking and I knew right away something was off so we got him help right away. We got him help so early on because I knew what to look for because of my oldest. Finley is in early intervention and is doing amazing work and is suprising me everyday. It is VERY important getting help for your child so early on, it makes a huge difference. He is happier, more understanding, and even has some words when he had none from the beginning. Things have been tough but compared to how it was before diagnoses', it has been a little smoother. My oldest son still has issues in school which is not his fault entirely, the school is not cooperating well with his needs and what he needs everyday. I am in the process of finding a school that is best for him. He has been back and forth from his elementary school to a partial care program for behavior which was only 6-8 weeks but that helped him tremendously. The therapist there have been amazing working with him. I will have to write more about his school in a future post. I swear I can write a book alone on Oliver and his school. lol 

My youngest is so much different then my oldest. Yes, they are both on the spectrum but they are so so very different. My youngest is almost 3 and he has an amazing temper. He rarely has a meltdown, especially ever since he had early intervention. He is a very happy child that loves to be hugged and kissed. My oldest loves affection too but he has frequent meltdowns no matter where he is. He throws, kicks, punches, pinches, scratches, whenever he gets into his fits. Sometimes he becomes a little dangerous and I have to pull his little brother away from him because Oliver will not care who is in his path when he is throwing things. He isn't always like that with his brother, he loves him and will give him a hug and a kiss from time to time and before bed. It just depends on the day. They can be  affectionate to eachother and I love that. Most days they do their own thing and play separately and not so much ignore each other but are in their own little worlds. I love my children but some day are super tough and sometimes I feel like I can't do it anymore but I try and brush the stress off and do what I do as a mother to make my children happy. <3