wussup? Here's wussup

Last week Cory raised over $2000 for Autism Awareness at the game in Rockford. That is a total of about $4000 raised for Autism awareness this year alone and another opportunity to raise even more has now been made available. I am so proud of you Cory! It is such a great cause, and to see so many people affected isn't heartbreaking like it used to be. Now we celebrate and join together- to always have progress. not perfection.

Chandler has been making amazing strides in his general education class at school. His days have been all positive with very few incidents and usually just small ones that are ended before they have even started. Finally we feel as though progress is being made!
He has also really taken to drawing. I love his passion and dedication, I also think it is a good outlet for him. He seeks so much perfection that they are all really good. I'll post some soon.

Spencer's school does a new "curriculum every month- something based around social skills. They are starting "Beauty Shop" this week and a note was sent home making sure parents were okay with this interactive activity as they would be painting nails and applying make up. I guess since he is three- that it must be acceptable. They have also asked for a parent to volunteer for their child to have a haircut so the class could see. Spencer and his shaggy head were happy to be nominated and hopefully they will be doing it soon, because I am not sure how much longer I can stand to see it grow over his ears :) Noosh is now my official potty superstar. He still struggles with going at school and will hold it all day long, so any suggestions you may have- we would gladly take, but otherwise- diapers are for babies :).

Alyssa is really coming out of her shell. She is so artistic and imaginative that I just marvel at all that she does. I can totally see her being a teacher when she grows up, she has the patience and the desire. She is also our sarcastic and quick witted one- she has been pulling one liners out on us and she leaves us laughing for days. We are so blessed to have her around.

Then there's Kades. She has learned several more words and is compiling her sentences together very well. "Dad! Dad! Look It!" is probably her favorite. She is always doing tricks and wants everyone to see. Just tonight, she stuck her hand down the backside of her diaper, made sure you were watching then pulled it out and smelled it. It was hard not to laugh- which only made her do it even more. She loves the attention and will do anything to get it, even if it means being naughty. She has learned several bad habits from the older kids and while it is cute to see her trying to be big like them, I'm sad to see my baby get so big.

Cory is still pulling the load for our family. We appreciate and love him so much. His travels have had some not so expected reactions with the kids, like Aly not being able to get to sleep when he is gone. Spencer not eating dinner only when dad is gone, and Kades looking for him every second of every day "weaws dadda? I ont dadda" But when he's home, we are elated. I have to admit I think we are all closer because of it, even if it does suck.
We are not sure how much longer he will be doing this. We are looking for something where he can be home every night. Cross your fingers.

Nothing fantastical or new with me. I finally have a working computer that doesn't leave town when Cory does, so I hope to be blogging more. I also haven't taken any new pictures in a while, honestly it is just too dang cold to take pictures and the ones inside have been limited also because my house rarely looks like this:

However, it did exist once- so I took a picture to remember it by :)

Traveling Sucks!

So standing in the unemployed line with no benefits might suck more, but traveling just to gain a few dollars and pay ten times more to the bills, isn't as fun as you would think either. I know hard to believe that being poor and broke is the best thing in the world, but there are a few benefits. None I care to share- you have heard them all before.

While Cory travels most of the week every week, I stay home and lose my mind with all the kids. Their routines have my head spinning and still, losing weight or taking time for myself is non-existent. Why does it never work the way I want? I am preparing myself mentally for a phone call I am about to make. The one where I see if Chandler qualifies for Respite care. I have had his school, his pediatrician, and now his psychiatrist all tell me about it and that I should qualify and to take advantage of it. (see- a benefit of being poor :)
Anyway, I know that this just won't be helpful for me, but for Chan too. It's just admitting the need for help that is hard.

This weekend, we have decided to travel with Cory. Now that the soccer team is in season and playing games, a lot of them occur on the weekends. So not only does he leave us during the week, then he turns back around and is gone on the weekends too. Those are rough weeks and not just for me.
So this weekend, especially since it is a long weekend, we have joined him in his home away from home. The hotel keeps an open room for him so that he can come and go as he pleases. It is much cleaner than he keeps his space at home, maybe I need a maid?..... hmm.
Anyway, Cory took Chandler and Alyssa to a hockey game tonight, we are all going to Autism Awareness night at the soccer game tomorrow night and then we are taking the one hour drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to see the Soccer team play an opponent there. A busy, fun filled weekend and even better since it is time spent with dad.

So, I guess traveling doesn't always suck- just when we don't get to go too.