Best. Purchase. Ever. 

This time of the year, Jake really struggles with being out of routine, unexpected guests, unmet expectations and the list goes on and on and on and on..... 

To offset some of the chaos, we start serving up a double helping of our sensory diet every fall night... I don't know why it's called a 'diet' actually, these days it should be sensory gluttony! 

Each night, our 'talk time' has increased, our 'prayer time' has increased, it takes longer to 'find our dreams' and now he's stretching out the Brushing-Joints-Lotion routine too. So what else could possibly help? 

I search the corners of my brain, ask everyone and pray about it. How can we help this kiddo calm down.

Let there be light! 

Not just any light, blue light. 

We changed the bulbs in his ceiling fan to blue bulbs. Cost me about $6.00 and completely changed the feel of the room. We only had small bulbs in the light to begin with, but they would blast a bath of white light wall to wall. Yes, that's what lights are supposed to do, but for the Super Hero with Super Senses, stop and think. 

Is it really a calming and restful place to go if it's blaring bright? 

We were so excited to try it out. He was feeling anxious about something, can't remember which thing it was this time, but we laid on the bed, put on his sound machine to 'ocean' and I watched him physically melt into the bed. The tension went out of his shoulders and mine too for that matter! 

He grabbed a blanket, cuddled up and stared at the light. His eyes fell shut for a spell and his breathing slowed. 

What a find! So simple and so worth it. 

We can all learn something from these blessed super heroes, I've changed the bulbs in my room too! 
 
Be the air conditioner not the furnace... keepin' it cool! 

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care. The Jesus candle is blazing an orange glow near the manger. We sit at the dinner table discussing our noodles, broccoli and the most awesome 10-rule point sheet ever.  Bragging about report cards and growing up. 

When out of the blue comes, "Mom why can't I call people shit?"

"What?" I inquired as calmly as I could without bursting.

"S-H-I-T." Jake spelled out carefully. 

"Well, it's not nice to call names. Do you even know what shit is?" 

"No, but I heard a kid call another teacher that name when he got in trouble." 

"Oh, we don't use that language. Shit is poop. Do you think it feels good to be called a shit?" 

Now, Jake is wearing a sly little grin, I think he's proud and excited he learned a new word and were discussing it so frankly. 

I can see his wheels turning as the wires slowly connect.

"OOOHHH shit is crap!"

"Yes!"

Put it this way, "Jake you are such a shit!"

He giggled slightly. "Does that make you feel good? 

"No."

"Is shit stinky? Do you like shit? Would you like to be a shit?" 

I'm trying to use it as much as I can, so it's not such a big deal. He's still smirking, just waiting for me to crack up. 

We ended this stinky dinner talk with an agreement we don't call anyone shit  because that's not how educated young men speak. 

"So mom, what's so bad about calling people cracker?" 

It's beginning...... 

The most celebrated month of the year is here and we have to focus on lies.

Yes... Santa will bring you presents. 

Oh, really? OK. No. We'll tell Santa not to come into the house. 

No, he won't break the fire place. 

Well he comes to visit so many times in December to make sure you're being good.  Sometimes we don't even see him. 

No there's no reason to be scared. 

He won't come in through the attic. You are safe.

No there aren't 50 Santas, just lots of helpers that look exactly like him. 

A tree is supposed to be inside the house to remind us of everlasting life. Jesus... etc...

Ok. We won't wrap any presents. 

No, Santa will bring you this and mommy/daddy will get you that. 

No freaking wonder we're stressed out around the holidays!!! 

I have to say, I'm not alone. Chris has to remember all the lies too. It's really funny. Every morning, we have a 'pow wow'... this is what I told him yesterday. Tell him this today. Should we really be keeping Santa alive, or just tell him already. 

He's so into the Santa piece, eventhough it causes all this anxiety. 

Let's just run away! 

Happy holiday prep folks. Remember your lies. 

From the moment Jake was baptized as an infant we've tried very hard to lay the groundwork for a strong faith. 

My feeling was, that life is hard and everyone needs someone to turn to in times of struggle. Someone they trust and believe in. 

Then the autism diagnosis came. Imagination is hard, they said. If it's not concrete, it's not real, they said. Kids with autism can't visualize, they said. THEY WERE WRONG! 

Jake has the most amazing faith and trust in God. He knows He's there and cannot wait to meet him. His prayers everynight are already to the point of casual conversation, gratitude and apologies. He's comfortable and assured. 

If I ever have my doubts, I just ask God for direction. Then I wait. Yesterday out of Jake's mouth comes: "Mom, will God ever swoop down here to Earth into our car and give me the most giant warmest hug just because He loves me? I know He loves me so much and helps me. I can't wait to see Him if I do good stuff in life." 

Any questions?
Ask God.