Thursday, February 28, 2013

Books FULL of Memories!!!!

Not too much going on at our household these days, I'm sure not to anyone's surprise, seeing that's what we like to do...we are definitely "home bodies"!  This past weekend, I got a night away with my sister and my scrap buddies at an overnight crop.  Man, have I ever mentioned that I love scrapbooking?  Well, if not, I do!  I love being able to take our memories and make lasting books to hold them in, so much fun, and so worth it when I come home and the boys look at them...as a matter a fact, they love their books and I enjoy having them as keepsakes! At the crop, my sister gave me a gift...one I will hold or better yet, wear on my wrist for years to come!  This is the Autism Speaks charm and I absolutely love it!  My sister is my best girlfriend and she always knows how to get to my heart!  Love her!!!


I don't get to see my mom very often these days, because she works a lot of hours and has a clientele she has worked hard for.  So, when my dad said, "Come on up, making turkey dinner" we did just that.  It fit well for us, since we were having an Open House at our place, anyway!  My boys love Sunday afternoons there, as much as I do.  I really enjoy going home, so I hope I instill that in my boys!


Well another tear jerker for this mama happened today.....This morning, Colin shocked me...here's the story....On my work days, I say to Colin...."Bye, see you later, have a great day, Mama loves you" and up till this point, no response back but a smile....HOWEVER, this am, I said the same thing to him and after my kiss this is what I got in response...."Bye, see you, love you"! My dad was there to confirm that I heard what I heard and then tears started running down my face! This has been an exhausting time in our lives, but so rewarding every single day....We're taking everything in and loving every moment of this journey...his progress is flabbergasting!!! I mean truly, a month and he's practically potty trained, I mean night time is still an issue, but the day time is a complete 360!  People say to me, "not sure how you do it, I wouldn't be able to" and that shocks me!  I guess, because I think to myself seriously, why wouldn't you go to the moon and back if there is hope in making the future brighter? Atleast, I want to hope I'm no different than any other mother trying to give my child a better future!  Colin, is a blessing and is changing so much; however, he's changing us and that is making all the difference!  
Yay for potty time, this kid is a champ!
listening to Amazing Grace...a song I've sang to them both since birth
having a friend to walk in with, makes all the difference

So, in turn, being a scrapbooker helps me keep all this progress we are seeing, in both our boys, right in the palm of our hands.  It's not just an outlet for my creativity, but one that these times we are living are a visual memory for the years to come!  







Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Life Changes!!!!

Decided today, as I'm sitting here thinking, I wanted to write another post on Colin.....our sweet little blessing!  For some reason, I can't help but think of the progress this little boy has made over the last several months.  Last year, at this time, I was at a loss....knowing something was wrong, hoping my gut was wrong, but realizing it wasn't and that reality was about to set in.  Last year, probably was my worst year to date and now, sitting here today, realizing it was the year that changed my life for the better. Yep, you heard me right, my priorities changed and my life no longer was headed down the same path that I had planned for it to be!  God had a plan and last year, I gave everything to him, realizing I couldn't drive the boat any longer....I needed help and his help was what would guide my path correctly! So, my life took on a whole new meaning and it turned out to be exactly what I needed!  Last year, was a world wind, now that I think about it.....life was changing very rapidly and Colin was out of my hands, not in a bad way, but as his mother for the first time in my parenting life I had no clue what to do?!?!  I gave in to the medical field (for a brief moment), thinking they knew the right path for our precious boy, but as I heard over and over the words "testing", "sedation", "PreK", and "Aspergers" I quickly realized there had to be a better way.  Seeing my son, who after the 7th or 8th time of calling his name, finally would look at me I saw the fear that he had inside of him, when we would go to the Dr's office or any building that looked like a medical one, I knew I couldn't put him through everything I was being told had to be done!  That's when God stepped in....he heard my prayers and we were introduced to the Brain Balance (BB)!  That was July 4th, 2012, and after 4 weeks of research not knowing if that was the proper thing (simply b/c it was the road less traveled) Brenton and I had our first meeting at our local center!  That day, would change the life of our little boy and that makes this mama very, very happy!  Would you believe that for 3 years our son had a rash, a flesh tone rash, from his toes to his face....had been seen by his pediatrician numerous times in those years and nothing had ever been mentioned.  So, we kept doing what we were doing with every meal cleaning up vomit, having a crying baby from belly pains, or a scratchy mouth even.....it took 1 day at the BB for them to give us a name milia and to tell us to get him off of dairy products!  WOW!!!  That very day, was a new beginning and the changes we started to see were amazing.  "Colin" I would say, and you guessed it he started looking at me....at the first call!  I will never forget those changing moments in him or the tears that I cried, because we realized there was hope for our son.  Label or no label, this little boy, is our son our precious gift given to us from above and we were not settling for mediocre for his care.....That decision, again as I sit here today, was the best decision of Colin's life and ours...for that matter!  Let's fast forward 6 months from that August day and now our little monkey is singing tunes, putting words together, playing, using the potty (Yes, even #2), hugging, kissing, using his hands to hold things and using the object correctly, doing heavy work, sleeping (yep, in his own bed), and loves getting out and about!  We still have a few minor hiccups with his social anxiety, but hey, he has come a long way in these 6 short months and we are loving it!  It's been a very dedicated time to Colin making sure his exercises are all completed everyday, but it's no different than doing Ethan's homework.  You do what you need to for your children, even if that means you go without, and Brenton and I are truly dedicated to that for our boys!  We have noticed a little jealousy in Ethan, so we have quickly nicked that in the bud and make sure we have quality time for him or recently have added some "special" exercises just for Ethan, so he doesn't ever think we are not loving him as much as Colin.  Fact is, our boys, are our world and we will make sure they both know it!  Most important though, I have my best friend to go along this journey with and I can't imagine a better partner.....Brenton, is my life, and our family doesn't work without him....Through every emotional roller coaster I've been on this past year, he's been right there.  We make a great team and I'm starting to realize, we were given this life for a reason and no matter what is thrown at us....we will conquer it together!  My guys (all 3) mean the world to me and because of them, I'm truly blessed!  

jump, jump
Let him sleep, for when he awakes, he will move mountains
bang the balls
I'm a big kid now!
our world
what it's all about!!!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Happy ❤ Day!!!

We had such a fun Valentine's Day yesterday!  I absolutely love making every "Hallmark Holiday" fun and exciting....it makes the year enjoyable and when you have kids, it just makes life fun! Plain and Simple!!! In my book, life is too short, so enjoy it and that we do!  I got my buckets last year for these specific type of 'holidays' that I decorate for each occasion, decorate accordingly, and my boys love them.  Anyway, here are some pictures to show the fun we had yesterday, hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine's Day too....

PS: sorry for half naked boys, for some reason, my boys always strip down when they get home =)

had a great time at his 1st school Vday party

Ms. Bowden showing how to do their heart man project
Valentine surprises
having fun...enjoying the moment
loved his valentine's
little man grabbed his favorites and off he went ;)
Oh boy, even the scout elves sent a valentine....better be good ;)
his very own Splat the Cat






Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Snow Day!!

I forgot how much I love snow days, until Ethan started school.  I loved them as a kid and now will love them, as a parent, b/c that means I get a free day with my boys like we used to!  Man, I truly do miss the days when school wasn't a part of our day.  Looking back, I have to admit and say I probably took those days for granted, not knowing that "school" would come so quickly!  Nonetheless, I'm learning each days is a gift and make the most of it....yesterday, we did just that!!





Monday, February 4, 2013

Time Continues...we keep pushing along!!

This past week or so, has been pretty good at the Shroyer Home Front!!!!!  Just seems we go with the motions and yet another week goes by, so crazy how fast time is going.  As a matter of fact, Ethan just celebrated his 100th day of school last week!  WOW!!!  Crazy to think that the year will soon be a memory and summer break will be here!  I have to admit, winter always does something to my emotions and this year is no different.....I get so sad about life and how quickly things are going that it drives me batty and then I kick into high gear, to only be exhausted from all the mental strain....I know, I know I do it to myself and trying my hardest to stop it.....I've been staying active and making sure we live life to the fullest, we enjoy each and every night with the boys, so that helps!  Anyway, this month has been great for Ethan at school he has reached his sight word goal, met the 100 book challenge, and celebrated his 100 days.  He loves kindergarten so much, he doesn't want to go to 1st grade....hahaha!!  I tell ya, this boy, he gets so attached to things!!!  Right now, it's me....man, his separation anxiety is getting the best of him and I can't go anywhere and I mean the next room even!  Ugh, not sure how to help him w/ that, but reassure him I'm not going anywhere and when I tell him something, mean it and do it....like picking him up from school or "just visiting" grandma and grandpa, etc....God love him, but honestly, Mommy needs a break sometimes....I just keep telling myself I will miss this one day, so I don't get upset, just talk him through it and give a lot of hugs & kisses. ;)

He did it....100 books =)
YAY
 
We are so proud of his progress
 
he loved his surprises =)


100 Days

Celebrating...almost done

On another note, this little boy, sure has come a long way, too....just like his brother! Colin, has sure been changing these days!  We are working with him on another round of a home based program from the Brain Balance Center and so far, so good.  His olfactory exercises (scent) has proved to be helping in the potty area.  He's been w/o a pull-up, except bedtime, for over a week now and we are doing really well.  He's had 4 accidents, but hey, I'll take it.  He's such a good boy and truly changing, we just love the patience, joy, love that he has brought to this family!  Man, I owe a lot to him.....

how did my parents ever potty train w/o technology?? LOL

loves his fishies

Hi Mommy...love my cars

love my big boy undies

learning to ride