Let's boast in Christ

I've been really frustrated lately about the fact that I haven't had any ideas to blog about. So I guess I'm blogging to let you know that I have no ideas for blogging. We've been so busy the past few weeks with school, church and life.

The main thing that keeps coming to me to blog about is bringing glory to God and not myself, but then I sit down to write and the post goes something like this...

"I really want to give all the glory to God." 

hmm, that really sums it up.

I guess what I really mean by that is that I want everyone to understand that my stories that you think are so good and so powerful are really just utterances of a broken heart. I'm so blown away at the fact that people are "moved" by them because that's just my life. I see the comments that you guys have left and realize that you are not really touched by me but you are touched by God God has lead me to where I am and all I do is write about it. Someone told me that I have such a talent for writing but I only have that talent and any other talent that I might have because of God. I honestly don't consider sitting down and typing out my complaints or joys a talent and I'm actually confused at why anyone would want to read my blogs. The whole idea of my blog when I started it was for people to see how God can work through something devastating and turn it into a blessing...even when it's hard, God is good.

My point being, He did it, praise Him!!!

I love the lyrics to Todd Agnew's song "Something Beautiful"

It's funny how all I can be

is someone completely ugly 

and then when You look at me

You don't see a wretch You see a reflection

of something beautiful

Busiest Day EVER!!!

     Yesterday was one of the busiest day's we've ever had. The day started off with the Lee County Autism Walk. We had friends and family come in support of Jacob. It was so nice to see everyone participating and wearing the sticker's that we had made for them. Jacob especially liked seeing his picture on the sticker.

~Jacob's Sticker~

         Everyone was so cheerful and happy to be there and it was such an inspiration to see this sticker on everyone in "Team Kent's" t-shirts. The best part was seeing everyone that we love supporting Jacob in something that is so much a part of our lives. We missed the ones that couldn't be there, but just because they weren't there doesn't mean they weren't helping in some form or fashion. The sweetest thing about the walk was knowing that our 10 year old niece, Anna Kathryn, desired so much to be there supporting Jacob. She has such a big heart and knowing that Jacob is important to her gives me so much joy. The other's in our family love and support Jacob just as much but there's nothing sweeter than seeing another kid love my kid...there's just something special about that!!

The next event was Jacob's t-ball game. We hurried from the autism walk to the ball field just in time for Jacob's game to start. As I've posted before, the miracle league is always a great experience. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures here, mainly because I was Jacob's buddy for the game. He loved every minute of me being out there with him too, which was a wonderful experience. I did take one quick picture though...

~ Goofy Boy ~

We then quickly hurried off to A-day game to see the tiger's play. It was a fun experience getting to see the new coach in action and getting to spend some more time with family and a friend that we hadn't seen in a while. I guess the most fun part of this time was getting to explain some football things to my niece.

After the game we headed back to our house for some burger's and hot dogs. Then we ventured back to Toomer's Corner for "The Last Roll." It was an awesome sight to see!!! 

I really enjoyed the day, even though my feet felt like they were going to fall off when I took my shoes off.
It was a great day celebrating the things I love the most...Jacob, family, friends and Auburn. War Eagle and thanks to everyone!!!

The Man Behind It All

       I realized yesterday that I hardly ever talk about the man behind the scene. I talk a lot about Jacob, some about Caleb, but rarely about Erick. The sad thing about it is that Erick is really where it all begins. Besides my faith in Christ, I have gained more strength from Erick than I have anyone else. He's constant, he's steady and most of all he perseveres.
       A lot of stories that I've heard of men when they find out that their kid has special needs is nothing like ours. Usually I hear that the men just can't handle the idea that their kid has special needs so they either deny the disorder or they run from the disorder. Erick has done neither. After the initial shock and sadness, Erick dug his heels in and fought for Jacob, and continues to fight for Jacob. He helps with medicine, diet and just taking on the day to day burdens. He even went as far as leaving his job (and his love, the lake) and moving away from the only place he's known as home to get Jacob in the best school system we knew of. But the biggest thing that he does is he encourages me. He encourages me in the littlest of ways and in ways that he probably doesn't even realize.
       Yesterday he text messaged me and started telling me that he got his yearly review and that it was good. It really didn't shock me at all because Erick is an excellent computer programmer and has excelled in every job he's had since we've been married. Nonetheless, it was a great review and it really made him happy at his job and his whole outlook about work was better. His next text message went something like this...

"Yeah, it makes me feel bad that you don't

get a review telling you all the good stuff you do,

cause I realize how it can change your whole outlook."

"I'm going to give you a review."

      Really??? How awesome is that?? I honestly felt like I had already gotten my "review" just by him saying that. It's awesome to me that he would even think about that. He's right though, it really is nice to know that you are doing a good job. Staying home with whiny kids that don't appreciate anything is definitely not the way to feel appreciated, but Erick realized that and met my need. One of the things that I like about Erick is that he's honest and he's not going to compliment someone if he doesn't really mean it, which makes his compliments that much more special. 

"In this same way, husbands ought to love 

their wives as their own bodies,

 he who loves his wife, loves himself."

Ephesians 5:28

     

A Story of Baseball, Miracle League Style

     Before moving to Auburn, I had never heard anything about The Miracle League. I signed Jacob up last year and was reluctant to do so because he has no interest in sports whatsoever. We went to his first game not really knowing what to expect. I was a little nervous, a little apprehensive and a lot anxious. Even when the event is for special needs kids I still worry about Jacob, his reaction to the event and other's reactions towards him. I guess this will always be the case with him. I'm slowly learning not to care what other's think. However, I was still nervous.

    When we got to the field I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with emotions. There were people who had gone down the same special needs path that Erick and I had had, sitting in the stands and cheering for, not only their kids, but for everyone else's kid. It was like a big celebration. There were coaches who were so patient with the kids that swung at the ball 15 times and still had not hit the ball. There were buddies for every kid to help guide them, have fun with them and cheer them on. But most of all, there were kids, that by other's standards would never play ball, out on the field having a blast and enjoying every moment that they had in the spotlight. It was an amazing sight to see.

 ~2012 Miracle League~

     The picture above is a picture from last year's season. Jacob was not into it at all and he needed help with everything about hitting the ball and some of the time didn't even pay attention to what was going on. (mainly because he has no interest in sports) 

     With each game last year I continued to feel overwhelming emotions at every one of the games. I can't even describe the joy that comes from watching these kids playing America's favorite pastime. I think what got me the most was seeing the buddies push the kids that were in wheelchairs around the bases and the crowd cheering abundantly for that child when they got to home plate and "scored." 

     This year I decided that I was going to go to the game and not get so emotional since I knew what to expect. I thought for sure that the new had worn off and it wouldn't be so heart warming this year. NOPE!!! I got there and immediately felt that same over flow of emotions, especially when my boy got up to bat! He got up there like a pro and hit the ball all by himself!!!!

 ~ First hit of the 2013 season~

    The entire crowd cheered Jacob on as he "ran" (I really mean walked, very slowly) around the bases. He's still not that into it but he at least was excited to hit the ball. Every year brings more and more improvements with Jacob and I'm excited to see what this ball season holds for him. 

    Then, my dear sweet Caleb, cried so hard and so long about wanting to go onto the field that Jacob's coach asked if he wanted to hang with him in the outfield. I don't even think Caleb even answered before he was halfway to midfield. He did everything that coach Randy did and he was very observant on what to do next. Coach Randy started clapping for the kid that was hitting and Caleb followed suit. 

~ Caleb & Coach Randy ~

    To most people this is probably cute because it's a two year old, just being a two year old. But, as I watched Caleb I saw a sweet little boy growing up to be an encourager. I prayed at that moment that he will continue to have a heart for the kids that are "different" than him. I prayed that he will be a rock for Jacob and that he will continue to be Jacob's biggest fan. I love that Caleb has the opportunity to see other's loving on these kids!! I'm so happy to have a bold little man on our team.  One Bible verse comes to mind when I think about what I want Caleb to learn from having a brother with autism. It's talking about the body of Christ and it's found in 1 Corinthians 12:22

"In fact, some parts of the body

that seem weakest and least important

are actually the most necessary."

    

Autism Awareness Day

I never really understood "Awareness" days. I used to think that it was pretty obvious that we were all aware of breast cancer, other cancers or anything else that we were "being aware" of. Today I understand.

Autism Awareness Day is Jacob's day. It's everyone with autism's day. It's a day that they have a voice without even saying a word. It's a day that everyone can come together and say "I know someone with autism and they are awesome." It's a celebration!

It's also a day that others can become aware of the disorder. I hope that some will learn about the disorder and realize that these kids are bright, intelligent and really fun if you get to know them. They are all different just like typical kids and each one of them has their own personality. They may love and learn in a different way but they still love and learn. The main thing that I want people to learn is that they react different to discipline than typical kids. So everyone may think that Jacob is just a brat when he's having a tantrum but that's the only way he knows to tell us that he's having anxiety about something. He will learn with time, you just have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

It's also a day to help others recognize the struggles that coincide with autism. Some just don't understand the day to day struggles and annoyances. For instance, I bet no one knew that for the first hour of our vacation (going and coming) Jacob asked repeatedly (I mean constantly) if we were going straight. FYI the answer to this question is always "yes" or you will have a meltdown. No, I don't understand why he asks this or why he has problems not going straight but he does, and we've figured out how to skirt around the issue. Just like most issues.

I also have to take food for Jacob everywhere I go. I can't just hop in the car and go to lunch, church or just wherever. Not only is he on a special diet but he doesn't eat anything. He only likes crunchy snack type food. I know some of you are thinking that if I don't take anything and he's hungry enough then he'll eat, not true. He gags on most everything. It's taken us almost a year to get him used to just eating apple without gagging. Will this texture issue with food go away? I really hope so!!

Did you know that Jacob takes at least 7 medicines a day? It's a mixture of vitamin supplements and prescription meds. I know that some of you are looking at the medicine list going "holy crap that's terrible." But you don't even know the half of it. It used to take 3 adults holding him down to force the medicine in his mouth. By the end of the medicine fiasco (morning and night I might add) I was in tears.

I could bore you with many many more stories of how day to day life is with Jacob. I just don't think that people realize the small things. Yes, there are the biggies like education, social life and health but the day to day struggles are what really beat you down the most. It's a way of life, it's not just something we struggle with every now and then.  So please raise awareness, but most of all teach your family, friends and children about acceptance. Yes, Jacob is different from everyone else but he has so much to offer!!

Baby Book Entry #2

So this is just another post to help me keep track of funny things that Jacob and Caleb do and say. It's really just for my own personal memory but I hope you enjoy the silliness.

Jacob

While we were at the beach, Caleb was once again getting into trouble. Erick sent him to his room for not sitting still and eating his dinner. While Caleb was in his room, Jacob was pouting and very upset and said "I don't want Caleb to be in trouble, come out and try again Caleb." What a sweet big brother!!

In the car on the way home from vacation Jacob wouldn't quit saying the same thing over and over. Erick finally looked back there and said "Jacob, will you please be quiet?" Jacob, with a growl in his voice and a little laughter shouted "NEVER." Erick and I busted out laughing!!

The other day I was telling Jacob that his new T-ball team was the Astro's and he got all excited and said "Daddy, I'm going to be an astronaut." That's right sweet boy, shoot for the stars!!

Caleb

This might be a little crude for some people but I still have to share because it actually happened and Caleb was completely innocent in it all. So, The other day I bought Jacob a juice from the gas station that had Woody from Toy Story on the top of it. Caleb was begging for one too, so I let him go trade the one he had for one like Jacob's. As we were walking to the cash register Caleb decided to announce to the store, "Caleb has a woody too." I'm sure I turned all shades of red while everyone in there was snickering. He proceeded to continually shout it until he got in the car. Needless to say, he was proud.

Caleb now uses the phrase "it sure is" instead of answering with a yes. i.e. when I ask him if that's a red car he says "it sure is." It's seriously cute!!

Sorry for another "off color" story but he's 2 and curious and really cute!...The other day Caleb says "mommy, I have a wee wee." Yes son, yes you do. "Jacob has a wee wee too!" "Daddy has a wee wee too." then he looks at me with a sad look and says "Mommy doesn't have a wee wee."