A wrap-up of 2012

Well, as you can see, I just now got to finishing the post about Collin's baptism. So, here's a quick rundown of what's happened since August.

August-October: worked on getting things set up for insurance to cover Collin's therapy services. Someone in Sacramento who thought they were trying to save the state money has basically kicked out from the county programs all the kids who have autism. This is effective I think a couple years. I don't know if we'll go back to the county after. Too much red-tape about what can be worked on/not worked on because of what they deem to be "educational." The only part so far I don't like is the copays. We have to pay about $1500 out of pocket per calendar year before insurance will cover at 100%.

November: computer died a little before Thanksgiving. We were computer-less for about 3 1/2 weeks. Thankfully, we had the iPod and wireless router was still functional so we were able to pay bills, sign up for next year's benefits without too much trouble.

December: one of Tom's co-workers took a couple week vacation and immediately followed with 1 week of jury duty. Tom was asked to help pick up some of that workload, along with his own. It meant a lot of long days.

Ivy had an early birthday party. I think it was the biggest we've had as far as non-extended family kids invited who came.

Christmas-I tried to keep it simple this year. One present from Santa, and something homemade from me & Tom. Plus whatever from the grandparents or anyone else--I just wanted it simple on our end. The boys' superhero capes were a hit, except Brent but I suspect that'll change by next Christmas. As a backup, I also made Brent a VeggieTale soft book about sharing and a stuffed airplane that's nearly as big as he is. I found both at the local fabric outlet. Ivy got a friendship bracelet with a heart design that I found a video tutorial on--thank you Pinterest & YouTube! and a yet to be claimed coupon for sewing lessons(since she is always swiping my stuff, I figure this way she'll at least be supervised).

The kids got their Santa gifts early, December 1st. There was a first ever Coast Guard family Christmas celebration. Provided we got our gifts to someone early enough, Santa would give the kids a present. So, they told Tom ahead of time that Santa would be coming out of a helicopter. The kids were pretty excited about that. Something didn't quite work out, so when it was closer to time on the 1st, the kids were told that Santa's sleigh crashed in the water and the Coast Guard had to go rescue him. It was a cute story. They saw Santa go around the harbor a couple times on a Coast Guard boat. We also got food, face-painting(Collin & Brent's were on their arms, while Drew's was on his face--and yes, I let him wear his to church the next day since it had been less than 24 hours on him), free wooden cars, and a boat tour--one of the big boats!!

Collin is doing significant reading of simple words. This is a huge feat. He is motivated by the computer program at school and by reading 1 scripture verse a night(most nights) from the scriptures my mom got him. He is starting to want to initiate interaction more which is good, but makes his social skill lacking areas rather obvious--like calling people the wrong name, or telling them he "will see (them) tomorrow."

The day after Christmas, we had our house fumigated. The termites that reappeared 2 months after it was tented(before we moved in) had gotten into the walls. We stayed with the inlaws for a couple days, and we got to go visit San Gabriel Arcangel Mission for a report Ivy is doing this upcoming 1-2 months. The teacher said if we did a video, we didn't have to build a model--sign us up for that!!

So, Wednesday, we got a late start to getting out. We were told the wrong time window, and the fumigators got stuck in traffic an extra hour. Just over 24 hours later, we got a call from the fumigation company that our small car(that we purchased earlier this year) had the trunk & the opening for the gas wide open. Luckily, no broken windows, tires or siphoned gas. We had left it parked a little down from the house since we had barely finished paying Tom's license renewal online--we are still waiting for the new one to come. Apparently, it was not locked as thought and although the thief took Tom's bulletproof vest from Coast Guard, they left his other Coast Guard stuff there. Have to say, even though it's being replaced and not docked from Tom's Coast Guard pay, this is the first time after living here for 8 years that we've been broken into--including over 1 week+ trips we've taken out of state. I'm still in a state of disbelief.

Collin's baptism

August 11, 2012: Today has finally come! I can't believe it. Nearly 5 years ago, we didn't even know if this was a day that would be in Collin's future. Funny how the future seems so uncertain sometimes. A couple months back, we met with the bishop who wanted to see our thoughts (no matter that I had put it on the stake calendar 6 months ago to make sure we would have the building to ourselves) about Collin's getting baptized. I guess there is a technicality that he doesn't have to get baptized because of his not being accountable due to his autism mentally puts him at less than or around a 6 year old at this point.

Last year, though, at a friend's baptism(which we didn't stay long at because it was me vs. the 4 kids on my own and it was not a good day for 2 of them), after his friend came out of the water, Collin said "My turn is next." He has been consistent about that for the baptisms he has since attended.

So, we've been focusing a lot the past couple months about 1)What are the promises I make at baptism (got the book at Deseret Book), 2) How does the Holy Ghost make me feel? (another book from Deseret book), 3) practicing going under the water at a pool(just trying to get logistics down for him, not being sacrilegious), and 4)went to a baptism a week before his so he could see, and once we were home then a verbal schedule/breakdown of what would happen. He LOVES his schedules.

One of my sisters, her husband, and their little girl came down from northern CA to see us. We got a little late start waiting for some family that lived closer than my sister. I wasn't sure what to really expect with Collin, so we kept it rather small and only had told a few people at church before. He did surprise me by doing pretty well. It only took 1 time to go under the water. I had feared that because of swimming lessons this summer, that he would treat the baptismal font as a swimming pool.  While he was getting changed and dried off, we had everyone write Collin a message or draw him a picture. I have those all saved, and will at some point be scanning them in and turning it into a book for him.

Collin picked the songs, Choose the Right as the first song, and I Am A Child of God for the closing. The closing made me start bawling when we got to the second verse about "and so my needs are great" and "help me to understand His words before it grows too late."

I have to say, even though it was started a little later than planned, we were done with the closing prayer about 30 minutes later. That was hands down the fastest baptism I have ever been to in my whole life. I had the second talk, on the Holy Ghost, and when I saw Collin get antsy, I just cut it short.

Delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders & jolts

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride. " --Gordon B. Hinkley

My sentiments exactly. I certainly hope I don't give off any pretenses about our family & lives with this blog. We are not perfect or pretend to be. Heck, we(meaning me) are far from being crafty/uber-organized. Those only come up once in a blue moon or as circumstances necessitate. You notice that I don't put up pictures showing how chaotic our typical days are? There's a reason for that. There are a lot of things in our day to day lives that are hard & a lot of it related to the challenges of Autism Awareness day being every day at our home, a lot from having 4 kids, some from personal issues or the impact of others' choices and how they effect us, all the while still trying to make spouse top-priority while juggling it all & having the house somewhat respectable looking with the multiple therapists and dinner made on time. Some days it takes all my energy just to survive and/or hold my tongue. In the meantime, I'm trying to "have joy in the journey"(Thomas S. Monson) and to "feel my feet"(learned about in Time Out For Women this May).

It is done!!!

So, I have made a pretty huge accomplishment that I am feeling pretty darn good about. The last of the baby weight from Brent is all off--I had about 10 extra lbs on my frame when I got pregnant with him coming up on 3 yrs ago. From the day before Brent was born 2 years ago up till today, I have lost a total of 47 lbs. The last 32 of that has come off since this February. I am now at my ideal weight, with my small bone frame, and have maintained within a couple lbs or so for about a month now.

By the way, this doesn't mean I'm giving up on exercise till my clothes are snug. It means I get to do more functional fitness and not have to worry so much about the calorie burn.

A couple days before Brent was born:

Today:

Side by sides:

And yes, that is a different pic I added for the second after shot. I wasn't too thrilled with the above pic making my hair look flat. ;)

Summer fun

One of Brent's very few birthday presents this year was a Lightning McQueen bubble maker. Whoever made it was a genius. There is no way you can go wrong when you combine 2 of boys' favorite things: bubbles and cars.

Some swim & some birthday pics

Wall art finished

I've just about finished up my little project. Decided after trying to cut out the silhouettes that the X-acto knife idea I found wasn't the smartest idea. Didn't give me crisp edges, so I resorted to tracing the images onto cardstock and cutting it with scissors. I still need to run out tomorrow and get some double-sided tape since one of the kids probably used it up. Nice.

I also need to decide if I want the silhouettes in individual frames like this, or put them in a 16"x 20" poster frame. Thoughts?