Thanks to Our Incredibly Generous Family and Friends . . .

Brandon is the proud owner of a new iPad!!!

Notice the military-grade case? :-)
He immediately wanted to find "Bugsy," which is an educational game he plays at school. Luckily, I was prepared and had it loaded and ready to go! He was thrilled!!

Also, because we raised so much money (THANK YOU!!!), we bought him a weighted blanket - the dinosaur blanket in the pictures. We are hoping it will help him with his sensory needs, and possibly help him sleep better.

What a lucky boy!

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!

Happy Birthday at the Aquarium!

Brandon's birthday was cold and rainy. We had been watching the weather, so we knew it would be -- so we postponed his birthday party for a week (fingers crossed that next Sat is dry and warm!). What can you do on a rainy morning? Go to the Auquarium of the Pacific! We have a family pass, which has been the best money we have ever spent! We went several times a week during the summer, and try to go on as many days off and Saturdays as we can. Brandon is so happy there -- as are Rylie and Levi. We like to go as soon as it opens in the morning, to beat the crowds. Brandon leads us to his favorite tanks, and we are usually done in about an hour :-)

 Here's a favorite tank-- the lobsters!!

 It's always fun when there are divers cleaning the shark tank!

 Spider Crabs!

 Snack time!

Brandon loves polar bears! He loves people in animal costumes even more! :-) Hugs galore!!

It was a wonderful start to a very fun day! We stopped by In-n-Out on the way home for some birthday french fries! Then it was off to yogurtland!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful 6-year-old! We love our Brandon!!

Our Second Home . . . Yogurtland

Happiness for Brandon equals a huge cup of frozen yogurt! We have had many successful family outings to Yogurtland! Brandon knows what to expect, and we all have a sweet treat in the end! We took him there earlier this week, and it was busier than I had ever seen it. The line was almost out the door. My nerves were on high alert, but Brandon was great! He had a hard time waiting, but he was easily redirected and stayed calm. Phew! After surviving the crowd, we felt victorious! It feels so good to have a place we can take Brandon that doesn't end in screaming and public humiliation! :-)

If ever you see Brandon running by . . .

You have our permission to STOP HIM -- using (almost) any means necessary!!!

Last Sunday, an older and visibly frail woman at church just about tackled him in the choir loft. I was sure he was going to flatten her. Luckily, no one was injured, and Brandon's mad dash to the microphone was cut short. Do you know how to kill the mood during a very spiritual and emotional speaker? Brandon does! I should apologize to the congregation, but everyone keeps telling me how much they love the entertainment he offers. You're welcome?
I don't know what's worse, watching him run rampant through the chapel, or the 200+ heads that turn to see my reaction . . . :-) I've learned that my face flushes less if I just laugh!

A new kind of love

Today has been an emotional day. A wonderfully emotional day. My heart is so full, I could burst!
My fear of "going public" is gone. I exposed a part of me that is usually saved for closest family members and friends -- and it is liberating!

This journey of ours has been rough, but we've had plenty of help along the way.
After becoming a mother, I discovered a kind of love that I had not yet felt, or anticipated. It is the love you feel for people who love your children. I am talking about teachers, aides, therapists, doctors, clergy, friends, extended family, and the list goes on. As parents, we are wired to love our children from the moment their lives begin -- those around us have to want to love our children. There is a special place in heaven for people who choose to work with, and love special-needs children. Brandon spends the majority of the week in the hands of teachers and aides who are priceless. He has been in full-day school since the day he turned 3.

I still cringe to think of that fateful day. He ate his oatmeal for breakfast, put on his sweatshirt (which was a battle even then), and I walked him out to the bus, and handed him off to a stranger. Nothing prepares you to watch your 3-year-old baby's fuzzy head drive away on a big huge bus. I may not have survived that moment if I did not believe he was going somewhere safe and loving.

Years have passed, teachers and classrooms have changed -- and one thing remains the same -- he is always surrounded by love. We have been lucky enough to have aides in our home, and every one of them has been wonderful. Granted, Brandon is easy to love. He is very affectionate, and always happy to hug and cuddle. This is not very characteristic of children with Autism, so we consider it a huge blessing. Even after his worst tantrums, he wants to be held and loved -- which is usually as healing for him as it is for the person holding him.

I think of the tantrums he has at school and church -- the ones I never see. I think of the arms holding him tight, the calm voices and gentle hands; keeping him safe -- even from himself.
He is surrounded by love.

So, thank you to those of you who know and love Brandon -- those who have worked with him at school and church, and the special family members and friends who step in at a moments notice to offer relief and support. We could not survive this without you. Your place in our hearts is permanent, even if we part ways in this life.
Also, thank you to those who have never met Brandon, but have shown our family love through your generosity. We will never forget how we felt today -- thanks to you. 

An iPad for Brandon

I started this blog last year- thinking I would update it often, and then I forgot about it. Maybe I just needed a quick outlet? I read back over the few old posts, and they brought tears to my eyes. What a journey we have been on. I never planned to make this blog public, but have recently felt prompted to share our story. These days are just as difficult, yet completely different than the days I wrote about last year. It is strange to see what has happened to our family as we have struggled to live with Autism. We are less and less adventurous- now avoiding most situations that take us outside the home, and even avoiding company in our home. Recently, Brandon has turned a corner. With the help of an amazing Doctor, he is on a new medication that is helping make his home and school lives happier, and a little less chaotic. We, however, are constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's like we've been holding our breath for 2 months. It hurts. We are determined to be braver this year -- starting with throwing Brandon his first "real" birthday party! It will be small, and well-supervised, but are still so nervous! Wish us luck!

We have also been brainstorming to come up with other things that may help Brandon at home, and in public. We met with his teacher this week, and she strongly encouraged us to get Brandon an iPad. She is convinced that his increased access will help academically and behaviorally. He uses one at school, and I have been very surprised at the progress he has made because of it (along with the medicine- they work hand-in-hand). His language is improving rapidly, and he has a sudden obsession with all things alphabetic. Does this mean reading is just around the corner? I hope so! So, it is time to get a little creative, and figure out how to get an iPad in our home sooner than later. Luckily, I quickly came across an article about a family living with Autism, and how they used ChipIn to raise money for their son's iPad. It's worth a shot, right? We are hoping to raise enough money for the iPad, a very sturdy and Brandon-proof case (is there such a thing? I hope so!), and maybe some iTunes credit for his favorite apps.

Here are a few articles and news clips that explain a little more about how iPads can help children with Autism.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/09/can-apple-ipad-cure-autism/
http://www.blogher.com/ipad-nearmiracle-my-son-autism
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7385702n

We realize that having an iPad will not "cure" Brandon. However, an iPad, used appropriately, can help encourage positive and more appropriate behaviors. We plan to use it with his in-home therapy, and maybe as a way to make public outings more of a possibility. If having one improves our family's ability to engage with the outside world- bring it on! :-)

If you would like to contribute to Brandon's iPad fund, please click the "ChipIn" button on the sidebar. The process is fairly painless- and accepts paypal, debit or credit cards.  Any amount is appreciated!
Thank you for reading about our little family! We are very lucky to have so many understanding and loving friends and family members!

*For some reason, Google Chrome does not like my widget. Try Explorer or Firefox if you are having trouble.
**Thank you to all who have already contributed! I am completely overwhelmed at the generosity and support!!