Bumfuddled

Every once in a while we have a day that causes me to remember that we were told Zander was an alphabet child – and he is. Most days we sort of sail along and I forget. Earlier in the week I read on Dorothy’s blog about research she has done and her experience with her daughter in regards to social humor. Dorothy shares the classic “Triad of Impairments” of Austism/Asperger’s Syndrome is:

*Difficulty with social communication
*Difficulty with social interaction
*Difficulty with social imagination

I read it and thought to myself that I could see Zander in a couple of those bullets. Sometimes stronger than others. I also thought that most of us could probably see ourselves in the bullet statements from time to time...but really Zander does consistently have a harder time in social settings than he does at home or with folks that he really knows well.

Mike and I have wondered at times what sets Zander off. He reaches a point where he simply explodes and runs off to his room…..often when we’re having FUN and laughing. Today I accidentally buried him under a load of laundry taken fresh from the dryer. I didn’t see him on the couch and dumped the laundry on him. Nolan and I laughed.

Zander had a giant melt down. He fixated on this one event for most of the day. He told me that I had driven him to run away. He told me that no one in this family liked him much. At lunch he burst into tears and told me that he was “eating his last meal here and then he’d hit the outlaw trail.” He informed me that he was no longer “Alex the little boy” but was going to forever be “Alex the Outlaw.”

I quickly went back to Dorothy’s blog and printed the entry “A Reluctant Tourist in the Land of Laughter”. She shares how she and her family have taught her daughter humor….and it encouraged me.

I prayed.

I was encouraged when Trish wrote me and told me basically “you’re going to make it, you’re looking for the answers for Zander and God will show them to you”. She also reminded me of all that Zander has had to deal with this week. She mused as to what might be causing him to overreact….I wonder if the noise of our laughter just sets him off….sudden laughing really. Anyway, I was encouraged.

I distracted him by turning on Play Station. I now realize that he is NOT talking about the “stupid fake tooth” since being buried alive in laundry…so all in all it is good it happened. ::snort::

….but it’s been an exhausting day.

What IS Today?

It was poor planning to schedule a doctor visit for every day of the week. I thought I had an optometry appointment today; but it was an annual gyn appointment. ::snort:: ::gasp:: At this appointment, I was given a referral for a mammogram and told I HAD to go get one. I told her I called less than two weeks ago and she said THEN that I didn’t need one. She realized, today, that I have a family history – I told her that two weeks ago, honest Mom, I did. She also told me that contrary to the new young doc’s opinion, I am not likely in menopause.

A friend, Debbie, works at the pharmacy on base, and so she and I went out for lunch. I had an hour between my appointment and her lunch break so I headed downtown and bought a couple of gifts that were to be had no where else. I also went to the “big” library.

After lunch I visited the base library. I went to see Debbie M at the Heath and Wellness Center (HAWC). I took back her 3 mile Leslie Sansone tape – I purchased the 4 fast miles. Debbie gave me a big exercise band to play with….looks like that stuff dentists put in your mouth…..

I ran to the Commissary.

I came home, made dinner, waited for Mike to show up……he had talked to one of our deployed spouses today and she needed him to go take a look at her water heater. What FUN for me. I got to go along and visit with Gwen and play with the babies (she has a 3 and 2 yo).

It is now 9:16 and I need to bring the day to a close….For the first time in 9 days I did not do a 45 minute workout….but I did NOT gain any weight over the Holiday weekend….I think I lost a pound.

Christmas Helps

Some offerings from my cyber friends.....

Jen has a wonderful list of internet links for all things Advent. You'll find planners, devotionals, worksheets, coloring books.... And here she shares a darling Christmas craft that I can't wait to try.

I have been planning to post a list of all the Christmas books we've collected through the years. This would serve two purposes - 1. share and 2. be a LIST so I could remember what we have after we pack the books away. ::snort:: Dorothy has done a visual list of her favorite Christmas books.

Kathy has composed an impressive list of links as well. You'll find the link to our favorite Advent study, lists of "safe" toys, Christmas books, gift guides, and even a christmas carnival.

I'll write an entire entry about this next one, but I LOVE Beth's idea for making service at Christmas fun. Check out her 30 days of Joy.

I had to dig a bit for this one but Lisa decorated some darling paint cans last year - if you're looking for a unique gift visit her post.

I've debated about posting this. I'm positive that as SOON as I post, I'll find another list of links or site that must be shared...but for now....look at my talented friends. Aren't they grand? I'm sure you'll enjoy their blogs when you visit.

Homeschool Blog Awards

I've been nominated for a HSBA in the "Live What You Believe" category. Thank you to the readers who thought of me. Thanks also to God for using my silly words in the lives of others.

The voting will begin 3 Dec. In the meantime you can click here to check out the nominees in all the categories. There are some great blogs listed. I've found the winner and nominee list from past years to be a good place to begin surfing. ::snort::

Jesus' Stocking

During a rough Christmas Season last year (Mike was gone from Sept 5 - Mid March), Debbie gave me this stocking ornament. She said she thought of me when she saw it in the store. I immediately KNEW I wanted to create a new family tradition based on this idea. I wanted to find a Christmas stocking for Jesus.

I had a year to look. I found one on sale yesterday. (OK - so really Christmas Stockings aren't AROUND during the year, I didn't just procrastinate. ) I love the stocking. It didn't have a name and so Arielle and I looked all over town for ideas on how to make a name for the stocking.

Finally, at the Christian Bookstore (duh) we saw some of these rhinestone words - and here you have it.

I plan to center a family devotion or morning circle time around the theme of Christ's Character. We can go through His names, talk about Phil 2, I Cor 13, maybe use the Adorenaments....and then throughout the rest of the Advent season we'll catch each other being Christlike. When we do, we'll write the instance down on a slip of paper and put it in the stocking.

I'm not sure when Mike will want to do it - either Christmas Eve or maybe Christmas Morning, or maybe a different time (New Years?) we'll read all the gifts to Jesus that are in the stocking. I really like this idea (still haven't taken the Thankful Tree down - but I like this idea too.)

Countdown Candle

(This would be a good time to mention that I linked a few things some of us have written about Christmas in the sidebar this weekend. I'll link more. If you've heard why we celebrate Christmas before, you don't have to read it again. If you wonder - you can check. etc They are under the little "Jesus is the Reason" sign to the right).

This is one of our fun family traditions. I look for a special candle each year. The very first year we used some really intricately carved candles that my Mother in Law had given me. I loved them. Some years all we can afford is a plain 9 inch taper.

We wanted to find something SPECIAL this year. Arielle and I found this one at Hobby Lobby for 50% off.

The photo doesn't do it justice. It is sort of glittery and the young ones love it. We'll make 25 marks on this candle. We'll burn a "mark a night" during our family circle. This will be a visual aid for the little ones. IF I count right the candle will burn out on Christmas Eve. Often we have to burn it several hours on the 23rd to make this work. ::snort:: I figure it will be easy to mark this one as there are 5 squares on it with the letters P E A C E. I may let Mike mark it off. ::snort::

Fisher Price Nativity

I'm in need of two of the FP Little People Nativities. I bought one last year WITH the shepherd add on for around $30. This year they are out of stock at Walmart and Walmart online. They are out of stock at my favorite online stores. Amazon has two sets left for $89.00 - without the shepherds! If any of you happen to know of local stores in your area that have them, please leave a comment below. I'm on the hunt today for these. I'd like to find them for $30 or less. I may order direct from FP and pray they get here "soon" and aren't backordered. What do you all think? Would you take the chance that they'd arrive before 1 Jan?