"Life as a Spectrum Mom"

Earlier this year my counselor told me I was sabotaging my writing. In a fit that would make my children proud, I thought, Oh yeah. I'll show you.

I am proud to present the book Life as a Spectrum Mom: The Ups, Downs, and Upside Downs of Parenting Autistic Kids. It's a series of essays, short stories, and laughable moments about my learning curve as a mom raising three kids on the spectrum. As far as style goes, think Erma Bombeck and Lisa Scottoline.

This is the first book in a series of books that will including such topics as transitions, routines, schools, tests, parent survival tips, and more. My goal is to expand the series to include the stories from other parents expounding on a portrait of their experiences. We all may be in a similar predicament, but our stories are as individual as our personalities.

To learn more about what Autism is like from a parent's perspective, click here: Life as a Spectrum Mom

Finding Joy

This year's goal for the women's group at the church I go to is focused on living life joyfully. Sometimes that is a hard thing to remember to do when you're in the midst of the day-to-day grind.  But the weekly reminder has been so helpful to me in looking for the little moments in my day that bring joy. 

For example, my little boys have been sick with stuffed sinuses making it difficult for them to sleep the last few nights. The other night I was rubbing Vicks Vapo Rub on Cyprus chest when he took a huge sigh and smiled.  Then he said, "I love you."  Please understand. . .this is ULTRA MEGA HUGE.  My son is moderate-functioning autistic with speech delays. He doesn't talk to me.  He is learning sign language and that has helped a lot, but if he says anything its usually only one to two words, and rarely I love you. He only tells me that every 2-4 months.  

The thing that is even more remarkable is that he's said it again yesterday. That's twice in one week.  And on top of it he is doing more three word phrases, trying to actually convey what he wants.  Those moments are only 1/1000th of my day, but those little moments make me want to climb Mount Everest and shout for joy.

So my one recommendation this week is to try to find those little moments of joy in your day. The more you look for them, the more you will find them.