Writings from Ethan

In going through some school papers from last year and found this humorous writing that Ethan did. It shows how literal and logical his brain is...and yes, all the spelling is exactly the way he wrote it.

I know a book is fiction because would look out side and se a horse drinking coffee with a hog? NO! Because it is Fiction! (F) (I) (C) (T) (I) (O) (N) (!)
..... 100 times and see if Im right :-O :-)
      I know a book is non ficton because Look around you see all that is real. Life is not a dream kids! Youre real Im real dreams are not.

Puppy Wordless Wednesday

Source: someecards.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Mommy's Favorite

This morning, the Today Show had a segment about a parent who blogged about having a favorite child. They asked the "professionals" if they would do that...to which they all said no, of course. But if you have more than one child, do YOU have a favorite?

Personally, with my three kids, I love them all in different ways. My oldest is, well, older! She can help me clean, help me with everything around the house, watch her brothers, if needed...she understands when things can't go her way. I appreciate that about her. She's musical and creative and outgoing. I would like to think that she gets that from me. But that doesn't mean she's my favorite.

My middle son has issues...he has a variety of initials behind his name that designate that he has special needs. He has ADHD, SPD, APD, and Autism/Asperger's. There is also always present anxiety. In his 11 years, I have spent an enormous amount of time with him, taking him to doctors, therapy appointments and calming him down. Because of that, people might think that HE is my favorite...but that's not true. I just realize that he has to be parented in a different way and it's up to me to make sure that happens. His best advocate is me...but he's not my favorite.

Jonah is my youngest son. He was born with severe asthma and allergies (food included) that he graciously had passed to me while pregnant with him. Again, I have spent an enormous amount of time in waiting rooms for doctors, therapists, not to mention hours and hours of research on how to help him the most. There have been many a time where he would have to stay home all day because his asthma was so bad. He has a soft spot in my heart because of everything he's been through, and he doesn't complain that much...at least no more than I do about it! But that doesn't mean he's my favorite.

If I was to be honest, I love each child in a different way. I parent them in different ways because they are different kids. Each one of my kids have their own issues and I feel like it's up to me to take those into consideration when disciplining or handing out chores, or dealing with them at bedtimes. None of them are favorites...they're mine!

But, if you really want to know...this one just might be my favorite. He doesn't talk back, he gives unlimited kisses and is happy all the time. He's my puppy!!

*Just kidding kids!!

Fall Fashion from Polyvore

Do you use Polyvore? It's a fun fashion site where you can put together outfits and shop brand name designer clothes. I love it! Here's a fall collection I put together!

Fall Fashion by graynmere featuring gant

Pullover sweater
sheinside.com

V neck top
amazon.com

Vivienne westwood
$910 - viviennewestwood.co.uk

Gant
gant.com

Cynthia rowley
cynthiarowley.com

Blumarine lace legging
marissacollections.com

Keds lace up shoes
keds.com

Vince Camuto over knee boots
lordandtaylor.com

Tory burch satchel
toryburch.com

Melie Bianco studded handbag
$150 - fashion-conscience.com

Chanel makeup
musingsofamuse.com

Fall photography - red Autumn leaves photograph- original wall art...
etsy.com

Don't Stress...Do Your Best!

This morning was the second time in just a couple of days that my daughter has passed out. The first time, she was in the shower. I thought maybe the water was too hot, or she was really tired. But this morning, she had just gotten up and hit her head on her dresser. She felt nauseous, her vision was blurred, and her head hurt. After talking to the nurse at the pediatrician's office, I decided to take her in. They took lots of blood and are scheduling a EKG, but the doctor felt like this was a result of anxiety.

Who knew that anxiety could cause such problems and who knew that she HAD so much anxiety!

The cause of her anxiety? High school! It's not enough to be a teenage girl, with crazy hormones and high school drama. But the schoolwork they give high school students now is crazy! She is in all Honors classes and has never had a course load like she has now. I can see why she would be stressed!

Source: yasrsly.com via Meredith on Pinterest

I never learned good study skills or test taking tricks. Tests were awful for me and I always had anxiety about them...anything I DID know, I would quickly forget as soon as the test was in front of me. Obviously, my kids have the same issue I do!

Luckily, I have been able to schedule an appointment with a tutor who specializes in helping kids learn study skills, test taking techniques, and homework strategies. Hopefully, having someone other than a parent or teacher give advice will work.

It's hard to see your child stress so much. While talking to the doctor, she gave my daughter a small piece of advice SHE was given while in medical school. "You know what the last doctor to graduate is called? Doctor! You don't have to be first in your class. Do what you can do and try not to stress so much!" I thought that was great. We don't expect perfection out of her...just to do her best!

Celebrate Talk Like Pirate Day!

Ahoy!

Shiver me timbers! For one day only, on 9/19, Mabel's Labels is offering 50% off Pirate Ship or Skull 'n' Crossbones Sticky Labels in honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Don't miss your chance to shop this great offer, arrrr! 

Funny Wordless Wednesday

Here's some funny pictures to get you over the Wednesday hump!

This is a picture collage Jonah made while we were waiting forever at a doctor's appointment. I love how the picture of me says, "Please shoot me" because that was what I was thinking after waiting so long!!

Jonah found this shirt at Wal-Mart and wanted to get it...it says "Your Lagoon or Mine!" 

Since Jonah had a doctor appointment one day around lunch time, I needed to get him something to eat before going back to school. He wanted to try the local cafeteria...I know, I know! Anyway, he walked in and saw all that food and thought he had died and gone to heaven! This is everything he ordered...didn't eat it all then, but we did take it home!!

We bought this Halloween costume for our puppy...he will be BatMan, or Bat-Dog! The kids can't wait...although I hate to tell him that we will probably NOT take the dog around trick-or-treating!!

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Decorating for Fall with Pinterest

I am so ready for fall...cooler temperatures, shorter days...plus, this time of year always reminds me of when I met my husband.

But I'm ready to put away all signs of summer and break out all the fall decorations. I don't have that many, so I'm going to have to work on some DIY projects.

Here are some inspirations from Pinterest...

Source: noplacelikehomeally.blogspot.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: poppiesatplay.blogspot.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: mycoveredbridge.blogspot.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Of course, there are tons more ideas on Pinterest...it's just a matter of getting them done! Do you have any fall "pins" or ideas for decorating?

Win a Nordic Getaway!

Do you find yourself dreaming of a vacation? Now's your chance to turn those dreams into a reality! Tea Collection has partnered with Jetsetter and is offering you the chance to win a Nordic Getaway + a Tea Collection gift certificate to pack your suitcase full of Tea. Enter to win here. Don't miss your chance because this contest ends on 9/25. Good luck!

My Son..the Star

I love the elementary school that my boys go to. The teachers have always been so accommodating and I have gotten to know many of them very well. One thing that is unique about our school is that we have a school dog. This is a 5 year old papillon that belongs to one of the staff members. She has brought the dog to school with her several times a week for years. All the kids know "Baby Betsy" and love having her at school. The kids can read to her, they can tell her secrets...they can even earn special tickets to have breakfast with Baby Betsy. 

Last year, Baby Betsy got sick with a rare form of arthritis...so she had a stem cell transplant! Have you ever heard of such a thing?!! The kids wrote her good well notes, drew pictures, and couldn't wait until she came back to school. 

Well, yesterday was her first day back. The local tv station came to the school to do a story about Baby Betsy going "back to work." Since my autistic kiddo has spent quite a bit of time with Baby Betsy, especially when he gets really upset at school. He loves her soft fur and her wet nose. "It's a sensory thing, Mom" is what he told me. So to help brag about Baby Betsy and the contribution she makes to our school, I agreed to let the tv crew interview my son...which led to ME being interviewed. Not exactly what I had planned! And the irritating thing is that they took about 1 1/2 hours worth of footage and then edited it down to less than 2 minutes. So almost everything I had said, and Ethan had said, and Baby Betsy's owner said was cut out...until the interview basically didn't make sense. But Ethan was so excited that he was on tv! He thinks he's a star!!

Inspiration

I'm one of those people that let music speak for them sometimes. No matter the situation we are all in, there is always a song that can say things better than we can. Going into this week, my inspiration is music...to keep me going, to make me happy, to help me forget, to give me something to look forward to. Do any of these songs inspire you?

Anna Nalick "Just Breathe"

Anna Nalick "Wreck of the Day"

Christina Perrie (Arms)

Skylar Grey (Love the Way You Lie, Pt. III)

Taylor Swift & B.O.B. (Both of Us)

Taylor Swift (White Horse)

Seether with Amy Lee (Broken)

Linkin Park (Numb)

Matt Kearney (Breathe In Breathe Out)

What is your favorite song to listen to when you need a little inspiration?