The Christmas 'letter'

As I sit back and reflect on the year, I realize what a fast paced and busy year it has been. For those who are just finding the blog, Marci was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, Autism. She is bright and gifted and there are hopes that she will test out of the spectrum in a few years. In order to reach that goal we are doing lots of therapy and lots of play. It is amazing how play can unlock so many things in a child’s mind and yet how hard it is to do. We are so thankful for dear neighbors, friends and family who have offered a helping hand or shoulder to lean on. We are so thankful to our amazing daughter, for the joy, laughter, songs and lessons she teaches us daily. We love to focus on what Marci can do. Forgive me but I will list a few of her favorite things! (Bragging rights??) Marci loves to count; she can count in 10's to 100 and can read up past 30. Marci also does addition and subtraction on her hands. Marci can also count in 5 languages! Marci loves to sing. She has mastered all the nursery rhymes and over 50 gospel songs. She will sing for hours at home. Marci loves all kinds of music (except for rap) and will memorize everything she hears. Marci loves to read and can sound out simple 3 and 4 letter words. Marci can spell her entire name and tell you her phone number. Marci also loves to memorize books that are read to her and she can read you a library of books. We were surprised at Christmas time when we found she already knew what a Christmas tree and presents were and could easily point out the different ornaments and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. She also loves Jesus and loves to sing his praises. Even though Marci does not have any functional speech, she is finding ways to tell us and guide us as to what she needs and wants. Marci is such an amazing gift to us and we’re so thankful we were blessed with her spirit. Marci adores her dog KC and he adores her – when she is not screaming! They walk daily and are good playmates.
Kenny is working for Siemens. It has been nice to have him home more this year and Marci loves to play with her daddy. Kenny has added a new 4 wheeler to his motorcycle collection but this one has a plow now and Kenny doesn't mind 'plowing' the snow this year. I even caught him grinning this morning while ‘plowing’.
I'm working from home for a company called iMod. I’m a Project Manager for electronic medical record (EMR) software installations. I’m only working part time. Marci stays at home with me and I’m able to accommodate all the therapy each week. I'm so thankful for a kind and understanding boss! I love the opportunity and the 'sanity' of the job. When we are not working, doing therapy, playing or cleaning... I love to run and work the stress out. Now if I can just stop eating junk food, my problems will be solved! :-D I do miss riding with Kenny and someday we will be able to do that again. Kenny and I are hoping for a few good ski days also this winter!
We have taken a couple of trips this year. Several to Louisiana and a couple up to Idaho and Bear Lake. We miss our DC family, our CO family, our LA family and our VA family! We miss our friends in California and hope to see you all soon. We pray that this holiday season is filled with joy and peace. We wish you all the very best for the New Year!

Thanksgiving in the Bayou!

I wanted to post some pictures of our trip to Louisiana and as usual, I'm late in getting things done. We had a wonderful time visiting with friends and family. The food was incredible, the hospitality was amazing. Kenny and I spent some time in Lafayette where I was able to go into the office, and also in Patterson. Marci loved to be outside and loved all of MawMaw's flowers and fountains.

While we were there Marci memorized several books and a bunch of holiday songs. She loved staying in the back bedroom of MawMaw's house where she memorized all the names (from the pictures of course) of her relatives that line Grandma's wall. It was incredible to watch her little face light up when she realized who Aunt Celeste was or Aunt Tina (in person). This was the first time I've seen her light up and get excited because she figured it out!!! YIPEE! Daddy's picture didn't look at all like daddy and he was the only one she wouldn't say whose picture it was. The picture was taken in 1976 and we all remember what hairstyles were back then! Marci loved visiting with everyone and enjoyed her downtime also. For whatever reason I didn't take many pictures this trip. Between keeping up with Marci and enjoying family and work I didn't think much about the camera. I will do better for the Christmas holidays.

I also want to extend a big thank you to Michele, Tony, Coree, Jenna, Casey, McCade and Parker for taking such amazing care of KC. I didn't worry at all and knew that he was loving it there with all of you. Thank you for opening your home up to my hairy little dog. You are so generous and wonderful. THANK YOU! (KC sends a WOOF and a SLURP!)

Not so Nocturnal November...

I feel so guilty for a promise that I never delivered... so in vain, nearing the end of November, I will attempt to post a few pictures and notes. I have been in frantic mode preparing for our upcoming trip to Cajun Country for two weeks and have doubled up on therapy and all things related to life here. It's been insane and Marci is finally starting to revolt... I don't blame her...

After the Halloween events and in between therapies.. sweet little Ms. M was quite pooped... here she is with her favorite stuffed animals and book...

Marci's new thing is Yoga! I can't believe how's she's taken to it and does it many times a day... "OHHHHMMMM" Namastae...

Above - Marci takes her 'babies' and does Yoga with them - here she is putting the block on their head so they can walk 'smoothly'....

Last but NEVER least... Marci and her cousin McCade. Uncle Tony, Aunt Michele, Cousins Coree, Cade, Parker and KC came over to share some Gumbo. Marci didn't take much time to warm up to everyone and shared one of her favorite books with Cade, Goodnight Moon. They are kindred spirits! Cade is a very talented and up and coming artist... he sold two "Cade" originals this night! We are so proud and honored to know such an amazing gifted artist...

I hope to keep posting our Thanksgiving posts in LA but in case I don't, I promise more in December. Have a peaceful and joyous Thanksgiving. God Bless our Troops and their families.

October in Overdrive

Here are highlights from October for this fun toddler. I will be adding to her loving list soon but wanted to note that Marci can spell her first and last name - without help! Pretty amazing considering she is not yet 3... She is also loving Yoga! I'll post some pictures in my next post... Ohmmmmm


Marci's loves motorcycles... must run in the family!
(Below) enjoying my friend Tracie and some flannel board stories...

Can you find me in the pile of stuffed animals?

(Below - the next few are at the Pumpkin Patch in Syracuse.)

My friend the cat... below - your kidding me right?

(below)You want me to put a rope around this tire? oops.. I mean cow?

Marci loves her daily walks with KC. Here she is at the park across the street from us.... feeding the ducks below...

This was funny... notice the tiny phone on KC's bed, she was talking into the small receiver...




(below - our first snowfall in the middle of Oct..)

I know - she's still her her pj's... but they were fleece! She kept saying 'I see snow'... remembered that from one of her memorized shows...

Marci is showing Will how to spell a word. She really enjoyed this visit with the Vidrine's! YIPEE!

(below - at the pumpkin patch again...)

Marci loves this toy magazine for some reason.. it is now missing most of the pages.

Can you believe she actually fell asleep on a tramp during the day?

Marci loves to play 'mommy' to her babies... here she is feeding them after their bath...

One of Marci's friends Heidi, lives on a horse ranch and invited her to come and see the horses! We didn't get her to enjoy getting on the horse this time but maybe another day... Thanks Heidi!

Marci had 2 Halloween parties she attended this year. This day she was a sailor...

On Halloween she was a motorcyclist! Daddy and Mommy dressed in leathers to complete her look...

September in Pictures!

Well, by now many have given up on me and who would blame them. I put blogging high on the to do list but it always falls to the bottom by the end of the day. Between therapy, play, work, play and just life... So over the next week I'm going to post pictures of adorable Marci through the months. I hope someday I'll stay current but until then, I'll photo blog! I'll try to catch up on some upcoming post but for now... here are some pictures to start...

(Marci - still an avid reader, catching up before bedtime...)

Marci at her easel... crayon in hand!

Marci lining up cards.. usually she can line up her animal family according to type!

Just relaxing .... and riding...

Lining up Noah's ark animals....

Scatter Brained Mommy

Once again I have let enough time lapse before posting a new blog. I am so good at making lists and more lists to keep myself organized but somehow that to do's don't make the connection to my brain! Between Marvelous Marci, playing, behavior moments, working, therapy, play groups, behavior and me time (just kidding - not much of that!) my blog time has been cut out of my lists. I will try to do better - REALLY!

I hate to admit it... especially since I've always been proud of being a positive person.. but I think I'm fighting off depression - I think it's due to heartbreak and the pain I feel for my sweet daughter. I hate to be depressing in this blog but I have to air out some feelings.... I feel so guilty as this disorder is not about me, it's about MARCI! I always have selfish thoughts - envious of the mom who can just take their toddler to the store without meltdowns or to the park without leaving in tears or the ability to walk through any door - be it a store, church or home and not have your daughter throwing a fit... To be able to play with and around other kids. I've mourned the loss of people I thought were friends but now are distant and thankful for those who have given prayers and a shoulder when it's been sorely needed. I miss having time for me, for Marci research and the money and time for therapies that are needed. I am thankful for all of those wonderful mom's, kids, people who have gone before and forged this path that we are embarking on. For all of those that have shared advice, support and hope. I'll get off my pity pot for now and will share some fun photos of Marci over the weeks I haven't posted... we've enjoyed carnivals (for autism...) boating and just being there... Enjoy!

Playing in the sand at the Autism Carnival....

Cool bubbles!

Boating at Pineview....