Spring is coming!

I hear bird's chirping. In between the laughter and constant chatter of my children, I can hear one. I'm sure it's perched on a newly budding branch, too, but I can't confirm this. Lars and Eden have played outside for the better part of three days this week, hopefully indicating that spring is right around the corner. All this outside sunshine time has increased the Vitamin D and helped Lars' mood, in turn helping all of us tremendously. Keep it up sunny and bright!

Unfortunately this also brings allergies. Daddy got a shot a few weeks ago and is feeling much better but Eden is not. She has been up much of the last two nights, crying and snotting all over the place. Come on Zyrtec, do your thing.

Elia, now 10 months, is teething again. She is very helpful, though, and makes it obvious by having a low grade fever constantly, drooling appropriately, experiencing the proper amount of diaper rash, being too stuffy to sleep at night, except on Mom or Dad's chest, and just the right amount of fussiness. Other than that, she's cute as a button.

Samson is getting old. He doesn't want to play fetch more than once. He gets it the second time, lays down and looks at me like, "what?". My first baby, I often wonder what he thinks now that three creatons have taken over his space in the car and in life's priorities.

Allen and I are on an adventure of sorts this week. The Autism Super Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, about 8 hours east of here. The topics include dealing with melt downs, transitions, and typical ASD and SPD issues. One of the speakers is Temple Grandin, who has autism herself and has been quite successful throughout her life and into adulthood.

The hope is to gather information, collect resources, feel the support of other parents and absorb the Nationally respected speaker's knowledge and understanding of the world we are venturing in so unaware. I have been tip-toeing through it thus far, but I have a feeling that we are about to get more than our feet wet in a few days' time.

My mom is taking the train from Michigan to meet us in Omaha, taking care of the kids at the hotel during the day, and spending time with all of us in the evening hours. Eden hopes she doesn't snore too loud so that she can sleep.

I am also thankful that our school district is providing resources for the Elementary special education teacher, the Sped Director and speech path to attend the conference. I feel very blessed that a school this size with so few students wants to take the time and effort to further their education in this specific field, helping my son and others as the time comes. Even our local librarian has ordered books specific to Lars' condition and placed them in circulation.

To everybody involved, we say THANK YOU!