Change

Do you ever have one of those days where everything changes in a moment and you feel like you were takin up in a tornado? I had one of those days this week. I got a phone call from JJ's OT this week telling me that he has outgrown the preschool he is in, that the typical preschool at Just children he goes to part time is being cut next year do to budget cuts. They were hoping I was planning on sending him to kindergarten next year. Unfortunately that is not our plan his birthday is two weeks before the cut off and we were hoping to keep him back a year so he could be more emotionally mature. My head was spinning trying to figure out what to do.

Just like that all my plans changed God slammed a door shut and redirected me to an open window. In a matter of hours in my heart I decided to home school JJ. I know this sounds absolutely insane but God has completely made a way for me to do this. We are within months of having all our debt paid off, nursing school clinicals were postponed for a year, we are moving in with my in laws so I can go to school and we can buy a house, my in laws are both teachers by nature along with my husband, etc..... In the midst of the tornado i saw everything. I saw a road already paved out for us. Children with autism tend to excel being home schooled do to the one on one teaching and quiet environments where you can tailor there education towards there interests. This isn't for everyone and every child has different needs, but for JJ I don't want his anxiety for school to interfere with his desire to learn. So here it goes.

It is all about perspective.

Today started out like any other day. We awoke to JJ jumping into his metal closet doors at 6:30 am and Abby laughing hysterically at her brothers antics. Except for today I took JJ to go see Dr. Kerschbaum a Psychiatrist who finally gave us a diagnosis for JJ. Its official he has A-typical Autism or PPD-NOS/ASD. Pretty much he doesn't fall into any specific category but displays some characteristics of Autism.

I know this sounds weird but I actually felt relieved if not happy. We finally have a diagnosis!! As I drove home from my sisters today with JJ sitting in the back seat (buck naked because his shorts got "dirty") I couldn't help but laugh. Our life may be insane but its our life. I really couldn't imagine JJ any different. He is all mine and I have been in love with him from the moment I laid eyes on his beautiful face. What we call autism is just seeing life from a different perspective. This gives him a unique ability to see things in people and situations that we may not notice.

Everyday with JJ is a new journey. I am thankful for the diagnosis that allows him to get wrap around. I am thankful that he is fearfully and wonderfully made. I am thankful for the amazing support of our family and friends. I am thankful that when I tucked him in to bed he said "I love you too mom". I am thankful for every hug and kiss. I am thankful for his huge smile that brightens my day. Most of all I am thankful for JJ and the blessing he is in our lives everyday. He may not fit into conventional societal roles but he fits perfect with us.