Boog

Boog

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

The Needs of the One



Ten points to anyone nerdy enough to get where this post's title came from.


So we happen to live in one of the poorest states. It's also the state almost always behind in everything important.

There are little to no options for children with Autism here. It's heart breaking. We are so blessed to have our elementary school, staff and teachers. I honestly don't know how we became so lucky to end up here. My opinion is that it was by the grace of God.

Having a special needs son hasn't necessarily made me more religious, but it has made me understand God much better and taught me to see signs I never noticed before. He has guided me every inch of the way for the last seven years and I am so so thankful.

Right now I believe He is telling me that I will have to uproot my little family and separate it from my extended family that I love dearly by many miles. Last summer Boog was in any amazing day camp for about six weeks. Well, because it's the only camp that is for special needs children they are only allowing two weeks per child in order for more to have a chance to attend. It's like every time I find something it never lasts. That's why I'm always nervous. I worry about years in the future and I know other mothers don't. Right now I'm already stressed about summer and it's two months away. Right now I'm stressed about middle school and it's years away.

Like I said, by now I understand signs and I "hear" so much more. For about two years I have had a thought in the back of my mind that we may have to move out of state one day. The longer time has gone on, the more that thought comes forward. I believe God knows how hard this will be for me so he told me years in advance. This way I can research where we need to be. I have plenty of time to make the right decision no matter how painful it may be.

I have lived here my entire life. I don't want to move. I also don't have the ability to settle for "pretty good" when it comes to my son. Unless some major changes happen in the near future, there won't be anything I deem even close to acceptable for my son's continued education and ability to be as independent as possible.

The burden of worry is a double edged sword. On one side, it makes you prepared way before anyone else is. The other side means your mind is clouded with worry and fear for things that are very far in the future, or things that may not even happen at all. An example is how important it is that Lucas be independent being constantly on my mind. I know I cannot live forever and it terrifies me. Until I find the perfect path that will last for more than a few years I will worry about this. As of right now there isn't much of anything here to help older children or adults with Autism. Literally every state that surrounds us has so many opportunities it is nauseating to me. Why? Why here? Why not?

It's like being in a beautiful meadow. There are brightly colored flowers and green grass all around you -  but you can't enjoy it. You can't enjoy it because you are standing in the one dark, deep, muddy puddle in the entire meadow.








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Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Artsy Alternatives for Advertising Autism Advocates



Good morning all!

I want to mention how proud I am of Boog. I'm always proud, but lately I've been super proud. Boog is always learning and working hard, but he also regularly has these times where he's just kicking butt and doing so many new things. We were both sick last week and I noticed so many subtle things I wasn't aware of. These might seem small, but parents of special needs children understand just how exciting and important every new skill is and how hard their little one worked to get there. I know I'm forgetting so many, but I've recently noticed/heard about:

Boog and his teacher reading about astronomy in a sixth grade level science book. I didn't know he was interested in space, nor did I have a clue he would understand a book five grades ahead of him.

I have a Windows based laptop from a few years back that's annoyingly slow, but I came up with a great purpose for it. I have it in the living room with a blank Word document open. I showed it to Boog and he was typing requests of what he wanted to watch on tv. Now we're working on typing what food he wants. He's typing these answers with no assistance. I don't know who's more excited, me to see him doing so much, or Boog being elated he can convey a specific request and I immediately understand.

Boog is writing without hand over hand. We still have a long way to go, but he's now moved on from his first name to his last. I'm so so thankful for his teachers, speech pathologist and occupational therapist he works with now and also those from the past that helped him get to this point.

Boog is even more helpful at home without any requests. He's just kind and does these things without thinking much about it, it's just who he is. He's a really, really good person. He even patted me on the back last week when I was sick and coughing.

Tip: If you have an iPhone, Notes are a great way to ask a question while you're out and about. While we were at the doctor, I was wondering if Boog's throats was hurting. I typed mouth for throat because I wasn't sure if he knew "throat" yet (he probably does) and he answered "yep". I had no idea he knew slang-type words!





Boog put on his jacket yesterday at school when it was time to go all by himself! He was so proud when he was walking up to me with the biggest beautiful grin. Again, so proud.

I also have to mention all the different foods he's eating now thanks to his teachers at school and the awesome cafeteria manager that can magically make school lunch really good with seasoning and other things most wouldn't take the time to do. Boog regulaly has and loves beef/vegetable soup, chicken hot wings, squash, chicken alfredo, turnip greens and much much more! There's no way I would have touched most of those at his age.

This year is already going by quickly and April will be here before you know it. I can be a bit eccentric at times and pride myself on being different. It must be from my Mom, she's very much a free spirit and never meets a stranger. She has always had the confidence to do what makes her happy instead of doing what every other person does. This goes for decorating to her hair to her colorful outfits and jewelry. I love that I grew up with a Mom who taught me to be confident and that I didn't have to conform and be unhappy in life.

That being said, I'm a bit tired of the puzzle piece. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great way to spread Autism Awareness and am proud to see it displayed more often every year. I just wanted to change things up and that's when I started noticing pro neurodiversity items online. I love it because it's not just about Autism and can include everything from sensory perception disorder to OCD. Neurodiversity means everyone has the right to be treated equally and fairly. It makes one realize how many people are "different" and that difference keeps life from being unbareably boring. A flower bed of yellow tulips is pretty, but the bed across the street of yellow, pink, red and purple is much more eye catching. 

This isn't a sponsored post, but Redbubble is a great site where you can order personalized items designed by people all over the world. Their stickers are also very affordable and usually have a coupon code. Right now if you order six stickers you get them 50% off. Here are some very creative stickers I ordered recently:


















Happy Valentine's Day to all!
-Boog's Mommy



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Monday, February 6, 2017

We Love Being on Lists!

I cannot tell you how humble and honored I feel when this little blog gets noticed. It means it's purpose, to reach those who have a loved one with Autism, is actually working. I always say if one person can read something here and at the very least smile, it's worth it.

This journey makes Frodo's trip to Mordor look like a freakin cake walk. I hope being honest and straightforward helps people feel less alone or maybe get an idea that will help.

I would like to thank Feedspot and cloud b for including All About Boog in their lists of top blogs about Autism. I also encourage you to follow the links below and check out the other blogs listed. Just like the puzzle pieces of Autism, you need more than one to get the whole picture.


Feedspot is the best way to have all your favorite blogs in one place. It's also a great way to discover new blogs with topics ranging from special needs parenting to learning a new language. They've even made it easier by listing the best blogs for the topic you're interested in.







cloud b was created by an awesome Mom. Their site has tons of toys and tools to help your little one get some much-needed rest (you too!). Since many children on the Autism Spectrum have a melatonin deficiency, cloud b is one company that we are so lucky exists.







-Boog's Mommy



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This Post is Sick - Literally



I have a cold. Boog also has a cold. That's about where the similarities end.

Me:
Grumpy
Tired
Throat hurts
Can't hear out of one ear
Grumpy
Can't smell anything
Headache
Cold, then hot, then cold again
Grumpy

Boog:
As happy, sweet and helpful as he is everyday


What's that saying? About something being greater than the sum of its parts?

Me + Husband = Boog

Boog > Me + Husband


How'd I end up with such a great kid? He's awesome. All the time. I'm serious.



I love the show Once Upon a Time. It's perfect to binge watch when you're sick. There's also Captain Hook....
Nevermind, I'm getting off track. So this post made me think of the seven dwarfs.

Me:
Sleepy
Sneezy
Grumpy

Boog:
Happy

We saw the Doc. Cough syrup can make you feel Dopey (no, I'm not on any - I'm this weird all the time).

Pretty much everyone but Bashful. We have a big lack of that over here lol.


-Boog's Mommy (who could be called Snow White due to a severe lack of tan)










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