Just Another Marvelous Monday Morning

I felt so guilty this morning when my friend posted on Facebook that basically she had the Monday blues, well I couldn’t have disagreed more.  I LOVE MONDAY MORNINGS.

First I digress, there is very few things that I respect more than a mom, especially a mom that works.  You have 2 full time jobs, because who are we kidding?  Running a family would make even the most busy CEO cringe some days, let alone having to run a household and a company, so my hat is off to you more than you all will ever know.

I myself am a stay at home mom of 2 boys, and a husband.  Every weekend about 4 o’clock on Sunday, I am so looking forward to Monday morning at 8:33am when those children are at school and the husband is at work. You see Monday morning at 8:33am is that time I look forward too, like a working person looks forward to Friday at 5pm.  It’s a 4 hour window of time I get to unwind from the craziness of the weekend, and caring and prepping and playing with everyone.

I start looking at my clock at about 4:45am.  I have prepped all clothes for the boys and husband, lunches are made, the coffee pot just clicked on, and I shake my husband out of bed, and push him into his shower. I pack his lunch, pour his perfectly made cup of coffee into his travel mug, I go start his car and warm it up for him, and he is out the door at 5:30am. (Yes, I’m practically shoving him out of the door – with love)

90 minutes goes by, breakfast, getting dress, brushing teeth, hair, and the school bus arrives for 1 child, and he happily runs down the driveway and gets on it.  2 down – 1 to go.  My little guy helps load the dishwasher, and washing machine, he plays a little bit, and at 8:15 we are in the car on the way to school. Singing our songs, playing “I spy”, or him reading aloud all license plates to me.

I drop of at pre-school, and make like a maniac back to my car on a Monday morning, knowing there is a quiet empty house waiting for me, and just me.

I sing to my music, I have trash reality TV on, and I clean quick and furiously.  3 beds made, 2 loads of laundry done folded and put away, vacuumed, and all toys put away in about 45 minutes, which trying to accomplish all of that with a husband and children around is like trying to shovel snow in a blizzard.

I enjoy the peace, and cleanliness and the accomplishment of my house, and by 10:30, I’m lonely and miss my kiddos, but am still giddy with that I have 90 minutes to myself.

Rebecca

The Clueless at "The Happiest Place on Earth"

Happy New Year.  I hope all are embarking on a New Year with resolve, happiness and conviction.  You can do anything, don't let the New Years Resolutions stress you out.
My children's birthdays are the same week as Christmas, so this year we took all their birthday money and Christmas presents from our family and friends and became Annual Passholders at Disneyland Resort.  I feel very blessed and fortunate that we are able to do this for our kids.
I have just returned from a quick visit there with my son who is 6.  He also has Autism and is non-verbal.  After his first visit to California Adventure a couple of weeks ago and his pure joy and excitement that was visible in the new "Cars Land", Tonight we had no extra therapy after school,  all my chores were done, and daddy was home from work early and was able to stay home with our 4 year old who was under the weather.  So I kidnapped my 6 year old and went for a quick trip to the Disneyland Resort.  This is completely blowing his structure and routine, so I could be asking for a major melt down, but hoping for the best.
In our home we watch the movie "Cars" everyday, which is why my son recognizes the area, and if you haven't been there, I highly recommend it.  You really and truly feel like you walked into Radiator Springs "The cutest little town in Carburetor County".  After we parked our car and loaded ourselves onto the tram, which I think my son thinks is a ride as he screams with glee as it drives to the theme parks!
After watching the Pixar Parade we do a couple of small rides that I know he will enjoy, and the smiles and joy you see on his face are just epic.  It fills my heart with nothing but joy.  Being that my son has developmental challenges  and delays I do get a Guest Assistance pass that basically lets us go into most rides through the exit and get on without waiting in line.  It helps my son with the crowds and standing around for a long period of time would completely ruin his time and the time of everyone around us.  So I do feel incredibly lucky that Disney sees autism as a disability and provides us with this pass.
As we used our pass to get on a ride that had a 30 minute line, there was the guy.  You know that guy with a big mouth who as a mother you want to punch in the throat for being a jerk.  As we got on the ride, he started exclaiming  "What is her money better than mine?!", the Disney Cast Member "Sir, they have a special pass that requires him to get special assistance".  The neanderthal "Yeah, sure he looks fine, there is nothing wrong, I'm calling BS on his mother and Disney".  And then the white hot rage in my belly came forth, but all that came out of my mouth was "You should probably stop talking now, because I will own you everyday and twice on Sunday because you know not what you speak and you do NOT want me to humilitate your ignorant self in front of all these lovely people."
And the tears welled up in my eyes and I got on the ride with the most precious gift in my life and put my arm around him and felt horrible that there are humans that are so horrible and clueless.  If you think Autism is a picnic and I fake it to get a Disneyland special access pass you need to be mentally evaluated.   Yes it makes my life easier at Disneyland to have a pass and it helps my kids enjoy their time at Disney much better.
I would give up the access pass in a nano second if my kids didn't have Autism.  Their lives are so challenging and difficult FOREVER.

• There will always be the thug and bully that was raised by the jerk in line who will want to pick on them.
• There will always be the challenge with their motor skills to do things appropriately,
• There will always be issues with sensory overload, there will always be social skills issues,
• There will always be the lack of awareness in others. 

This pass turns a sensory, crowded overloaded nightmare into a "Very Happy Place" for my kids.  Not the "Happiest Place on Earth" yet, but it really helps.
If you are a naysayer that believes I'm faking and want to cut in line because it's easy, I'm sorry you are so ignorant, unhappy and angry at the world.  Maybe you should look at your own kids who have no issues (except a jerk as a parent) and be grateful and happy because your kids

• were potty trained at 3 years old
• go to school and do homework without a yearly meeting with a team of people trying to decide what is best for your kid
• plays on a sports team, or other kind of socially involved club
• has regular play dates and friends
• sleeps through the night at 6 years old
• cognitively understands you when you say something
• can dress themselves, and feed themselves... (shall I go on) 

Until you walked 5 feet in my shoes you and your unhappiness and jaw jacking to embarrass someone in public serve no purpose.
I look forward to challenging and helping my kids get social skills this year and I have a huge tool that will help me.  I hope and pray  you can smile at us and know how truly happy we are that growing, and moving forward with the obstacle of autism and by allowing us to "cut in front" of the line you are helping make that lesson possible.  So for that I thank you and hope it doesn't ruin your time at "The Happiest Place on Earth".

My "Bridesmaid" moment

2013 is well underway, I've signed up for a race every month this year, and 3 YES 3 half marathons.  So my ass needed to get in gear, and get some junk out of the trunk and get my wind back.  So for the last couple weeks during Christmas break I started running, well trotting, and jogging basically getting back on track.

My kids and husband were sick most of the vacation, so I just would get out on the road when I could evenings or early morning getting out on the trails with me and my dogs.

Yesterday I think I had washed the last sheet and towel from the stomach virus that all the boys of the house were plagued with.  I took a little antacid because my tummy was feeling a little sour all day but I couldn't miss my run, I was getting my groove back on and really had cabin fever so nothing was keeping me from blazing the trails that night.

So I'm into my first mile, the dogs tails are wagging, I've got awesome mix of music on and after mile one my tummy started to give me a little bit of guff.  But I was getting close to 11 minute mile, which is GREAT for me.  By mile 2 I have a grumbling, rumbling and cramping in my stomach going on, and then the gas comes. 

So I am at this "crossroads" literally.  Do I stop and walk (which I did), clenching my butt cheeks together with all I've got, because I'm now 2 miles from home IN THE DARK.  I can't go into the bushes and squat because of the real threat of a coyote, bobcat or raccoon coming out at me.  So I call my husband, who doesn't answer his phone, to get him to pick me up.  So on I forge down the streets of Orange County to get myself home. 

Clenching and wincing and trotting home, I'm trying to make it without the wedding dress in the street scene from "Bridesmaid" becoming a reality in my world. 

So I am only about a half mile from home, and literally my stride is exactly like Lillian's in the scene where she is trying to get away from the bridal store.  Oh to the vey, I couldn't hold it any longer, and started laughing because the only thing in my head was the scene from Bridesmaid where the Megan character is screaming "It's coming out of me like lava". 

The explosive diarrhea that my kids had had for several days was now passed onto mommy while she was trying to run to be healthy and care for the little dudes.  So yes 3 blocks from my house the poop came, I couldn't keep it in.  I did POOP my pants, and as I was in shock and laughing all alone like a mental patient on the street in the dark and the cold,  I couldn't stop laughing.  At least no one was with me.  At least I was wearing an old pair of running pants and not my brand new Under Armour, and thankfully I chose to wear BLACK!!!

On the side of my house I did the surfer strip down got my clothes off, hosed myself off and my clothes, threw the old pants away and headed into the house half naked and carrying a jug of Clorox and my husband saying "What the hell are you doing?"  Me: "Don't worry about it".  I locked myself in the bathroom and finished the clean up!

The lesson learned.  Run on the treadmill at home when you have a tummy ache!  These are the things that running is teaching me.  While I was humiliated and embarrassed and still can't believe that as a 44 year old mother I crapped my pants in public, but I did get those 3 miles added to my pile.  Yes, I am a mother runner.  I survived cancer, a little poop, while embarrassing and much more funny than cancer, I'll get over that too :)

 

Rebecca

Oral-B Professional Precision 5000

If you know me, you know I hate the dentist.  I hate going, in the last 2 years between cancer treatments and pregnancies etc. my mouth took a proverbial beating.  I just spent thousands of dollars getting my mouth back in order.  I needed to find something that made my mouth get and feel dentist clean and fresh everyday.

The Oral-B Professional Precision 5000 rechargeable toothbrush is the amazing tool that made my mouth feel like I had just come from a cleaning at the dentist every day and night.  It was great. 

I had never used an "electric" toothbrush before.  I had always just used a regular toothbrush.  My gums would bleed, I'd have cavities, loose teeth, and gum infections.  All of this changed with the use of my new Oral-B Professional Precision 5000.  My mouth felt dentist office cleaning clean everyday!  Who doesn't love that feeling?!


I absolutely fell in love with the Oral-B Professional Precision 5000 rechargeable toothbrush.  It made it impossible to not take care of your teeth.  It came with a handy clock/timer.  That in addition to telling how late you're running in the morning, it syncs up with your toothbrush, times your brushing, and and alarm goes off if you're applying too much pressure with the toothbrush.  The oscillating, rotating and pulsating movements of the toothbrush were epic in getting my teeth clean like the dentist everyday.  I loved running my tongue along my teeth morning and night.

I am so happy with the Oral-B Professional Precision 5000  that I would recommend it to everyone.  It was a great find, and a healthy mouth, is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.

Oral-B is offering a $20 mail-in rebate on select power toothbrushes November 18  through December 31, 2012 (Please visit www.oralb.com for details)

Rebecca
 
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Modern Mom on behalf of Oral-B and received a product sample to facilitate my review
 

Ringing in 2013 Knott's Berry Farm Style

After a great 2012, and my toddlers starting school, and entering KIDHOOD, and spending a lot of our fun time at Knott's Berry Farm for Easter, Mother's Day, 4th of July at Soak City, Camp Spooky, and Knott's Merry Farm.  There is no other way I can think to usher in 2013 than with a Family Fun New Years Eve at Knott's.  The fun starts at 10am and will go all the way until 1am on January 1st!

This will be our first time taking the kids out on New Years Eve.  But I'm sure, as Knott's they always do my kids will have nothing but a good time.  We are going to watch "Happy New Year Charlie Brown" at the Camp Snoopy theater, we can still catch "It's Christmas Snoopy" skating show if we want too.  What I can not wait to see is "Snoopy's Magical Night of Lights" until 1am.

The grown up fun will continue up until 1am with Salsa and Country Line Dancing.  There will be instructors for those of us with two left feet!   There will be live performances from a popular band. 

Of course there will be a countdown and aerial fireworks display to welcome in 2013.  You can't have a New Years Eve without a little sparkle and fun.  I know after this year of our annual passes that Knott's never disappoints in the fun department. 

So join us and the Camp Snoopy folks, and those of us old enough to stay up until 1am and ring in what promises to be a great 2013.

Happy New Year.

Rebecca

Media Malpractice and Autism

Sandy Hook Elementary School saw the most unspeakable evil and tragedy at the hands of a madman on Friday, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all effected by it.

As I heard the news on Friday I ran to get my kids from school, I just couldn't NOT pick them up, I had to be with them. I was full of anxiety and just wanted to love all over them.

I had to turn the news off at the first mention from ABC News, "Shooter was autistic - with personality disorder". The same thing happened the day after the Aurora, CO shooting. Joe Scarborough of MSNBC said "These shooters are young, white, men, possibly autistic, loners". Well Joe, you're a jerk.

 On top of an overwhelming sadness for these poor babies, teachers, and school officials taken from their families, I'm so pissed off at the media for their blatant malpractice and lack of research on Autism.
Piers Morgon on CNN had a psychologist who stars on a BRAVO reality show listening to millionaire cocktail queen Bethenney Frankel whine about her poor pathetic life GAWD, blathering misinformation about Autism. Yeah, that's a great source to give you information about Autism, my GAWD. Piers Morgan then goes on to say how autistics are missing something in the brain. WELL THANK YOU PIERS. You and your over weaning ego have solved the mystery of autism. He also stated they are unemotional and unaware of right and wrong. That expert opinion of his is just mind blowing! I wanted to reach through the TV and punch his arrogant pompous English accent right in the throat. Him and his arrogant smug look on his face set back autism acceptance by years.
So as other reports are stating Autism is a mental illness, personality disorder and behavior disorder. Over and over to the point of nausea. The whole thing was sickening at how lame most of the media now is at their jobs.

As the parent of 2 small children with autism, I am pissed that the entire media has set back autism acceptance and awareness years. These children have so much social stigma on them already, so much to fight through just to do what typical children do. It was all shoved to the back of the bus by the large sweeping statements made by many bloating windbags who did nothing but damage an entire community of people by their false misleading, misguided and uninformed reports. My son does have public temper tantrums and outbursts, and can at times be aggressive. I get the stares, I have had friends stop bringing their children here to play, what we really need to do is throw psycho killer on top of the stigma they have to carry on their tiny little shoulders. Thanks a lot media. I thought your job was to tell a story of what happened? Clearly not your practice anymore. They literally set back the acceptance and understanding of autism years.

As I lost most hope for those in the media CNN's Dr Sanjay Gupta proved to be the voice of reason via social media. On his twitter feed "Something needs to be clarified, there is no evidence of a link between autism and planned violent behavior". Then Anderson Cooper took to the airwaves to debunk the myths being reported about autism. So to Anderson thank you, to Megyn Kelly thank you, to Dr Gupta, we appreciate your truth, support and common sense in your reporting.

And I think as the talking egos got the picture via social media that they lit a fire that they were not going to control the rage they brought out in autism parents, the phony "clarification" starts coming in. Fox News today had a panel of parents of children with Autism on Megyn Kelly's show "America's Newsroom". Megyn Kelly "Autism is not a mental illness but a neurological disorder." And believe it or not that is not very hard to research. That exact definition is on the CDC website, the Autism Society, Autism Speaks. So clearly our media and the so called journalists and anchor people no longer like to work they just want to report something first.

My heart hurt for my kids and then I was just overwhelmed with the thought of if a shooter came into my kids class. My son cognitively would not know what was going on, he would not receptively understand instructions from the person trying to hurt him or help him. The sensory overload of his nervous system would probably cause him to do something that would end up costing him his life. THAT IS THE REALITY OF AUTISM that the media is missing. These kids are more likely to be the victim, the helpless, silent victim of a crime than the perpetrator.

The pain that I feel for these children with autism that now have a new battle to overcome. They now have to fight their way out of the reports of idiots that know not what they speak. There are too many people that take the media seriously and will now be afraid of people with autism, will make more of a stigma on the kids than they already have. I have a friend that always tells me "Your kids don't play with mine" "They don't share", "They don't want to be friends with my kid". I have to constantly fight that kind of ignorance, and now I have to be an advocate for all the kids and families with autism that our kids aren't going to turn Psycho Killer. Thanks for that Piers, you're a GEM!

This is a tragic event for so many and we should not lose focus on that. However, the media has a responsibility to use their platform to inform the public. It does not have the right or invitation to fill minds of masses with information that is incorrect, especially when it has the capacity to hurt many more.

I will always pray for Newton.


Rebecca

I Will

As I have wiped tears from my eyes all weekend thinking of the parents of the children who were murdered on Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT because of the feeling of powerlessness over evil.

But I can not send my kids off to school today feeling powerless, I need to put in my head the things that I can do to help keep mine and other kids loved and safe.

I will empower my children
I will be kind to people
I will do my best to help those struggling
I will hug my children and love them everyday
I will be aware of the surroundings
I will make myself a known figure on campus
I will do my part to teach kindness
I will look for children and adults in pain and try to be a means to help them
I will not live with my head buried in the sand
I will point out those that are suffering or seem to be in pain or anger to those that can help

I may not be able to prevent a psychotic madman from doing unspeakable things, but I can if make the community aware, that is doing something.

I want to make the world a place that I want my kids to live in, and it isn't that place right now.  The parents and families of those 20 little souls that are in Heaven, were just walking through life doing their normal routine and in 1 minute their lives were crushed.  Why? Why? Why?  What did someone not do?  Where did a life go wrong?  What was missed?  Why? Why? Why?  The only true right answer is that Evil will always find away.  Evil is powerful and evil is baffling, and shocking and unexplainable to most.

I can't live being a part of the why, I have to be part of an answer, a solution, or what is the point of living in a community? What did this teach me?  Be kind and aware of those around you and love your kids even when he shredded all my Christmas cards that I addressed and stamped last night.  LOVE THEM, make sure they know you love them all the time no matter what. 

I don't know why, I just know that there are those out there hurting and crushed and maybe love and kindness is at a shortage and we need to more hugs and less dirty looks and fist a cuffs. 

God Bless Sandy Hook Elementary and Newtown, CT.  I pray in all this there is comfort somewhere for you and peace in your hearts and a relief of your pain.

REBECCA