Calgary Trip ( a few weeks ago)

Playing camera shy and snuggling with daddy!

I am a Rock Star

Looking at his feet and probably pondering how to climb over the next fence we come too!

Look at me I am a Beaver

Hmm I have watched Gator Boys I could totally take this Croc on!!!!!  Yeah maybe not!

I have the cutest niece in the whole wide world.

Gorilla!

I love giraffes!  I wish the cable was not in this picture alas Zoo's tend to have cables and fences for our protection.

Hippo

Before

After!  I was so lucky and happy that the peacock decided to strut it stuff!

The three Musketeers!

Holding Hands!  Tyson and Kenzie walked around most of the Zoo holding hands and it was adorable!

Mady wanted to hold hands with her brother and cried when he refused so Jaris decided to walk hand in hand with Mady!  It was so adorable.

A tiger stocking it's prey!  Fortunately for us there was a cage between us and it because it was trying to stalk Kenzie!

Getting ready to pounce!  Very happy for the cage right then!

My Boys!

Yep I am a curvy Mama and oh well!  This is all 5 kids with us!  We have a great time at Heritage Park

All smiles from this boy!  Sure am blessed to be his mama!

So we went to Calgary at the beginning of June to visit my sister and her family!  We had a fantastic time and we were very sad to leave.  Our kids definitely miss their cousins.  

While we were in Calgary I was asked what was the intent behind getting Jaris assessed and ultimately diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder?  The intent was simply this, if things turned out that he did have Autism the funding would open doors to programs that our own private funding would not open up. As well early intervention is the key to helping Jaris succeed in life, and helping us as a family learn strategies that will enhance life for all of us.  Without the assessment and diagnosis the therapy needed would not be tailored in the specific way Jaris and our family needs. And truthfully we just wanted to know. Not knowing what was happening with our on was so hard and frustrating. I was also asked if having this diagnosis meant that we would then let Jaris get away with behaviours or use the label to excuse what he does. I know the question was asked from a place of really wanting to know and trying to gain knowledge, and honestly it is a very valid question. My original answer was no in no way does it mean that Jaris gets away with doing anything he wants. And while that answer is true, upon more time to think about it the reality is that I know there will be times when others think we are letting Jaris getting away with whatever he wants. For example at Jaris age most people would expect that a child would have to say sorry for pulling a siblings hair. Jaris for one does not have the word sorry in his vocabulary, and secondly right now does not understand the concept as his brain is wired differently. For Jeral and I we will have to grow a tough skin and let the glares, and comments slide by us because unless one is parenting a neurologically different child it will be easy to pass judgement on how we parent. 

So in other news, our renovations are coming along!  The master bathroom is slowly and surely coming along!  I can hardly wait for it to be done!  Mostly in part because I am looking forward to taking a shower in our new gigantic shower or taking a bath in the new free standing soaker tub!!!  The residing the house is also coming along nicely. Once it is finished the house will look very different as we are changing the colors. No more white and blue!  Yeah for making our home ours!!!!!  

Kenzie - Where do I even begin with her?  Everyday she says something amazing. For example tonight she told me,"Mommy I like the dark, because the dark is sooooooooo beautiful, like me, and Jodi, and you mommy!"  Seriously who could ever feel bad about themselves with Kenzie around?  Or this almost made me puke, yet it was funny!  "Mommy, I am eating boogers, black one, yellow ones, and all shapes.  They taste yummy!"  I know I ate my boogers as a child yet wow so not interested in eating my boogers now!  We also have registered Kenzie for preschool. Ahhh my baby girl is growing up. I know she is excited for preschool.  While Kenzie always seems to have a smile on her face I do know that all the upheaval as of late has taken a toll on her as well. As a mom I wish I could spare my kids all the drama and stress of life, yet kids are perceptive even when they do not fully understand what is all going on. they get that some how things have changed and they find ways to get out what is going on even if they are unable to articulate them! 

Hayden - He has started to sit up all on his own and he manages to get around very nicely. He has backwards crawling down pat, and goes forward a little bit at a time, then takes a break.  It is very cute watching him.  I love watching his personality develop daily!  He has a bit if a hair fetish!  If he sees hair he can grab he does!  Thus my hair is always tied back.  As a mama I am thankful that he has gone back to sleeping through the night!!!!!!!! 

I know as parents Jeral and I strive to be intentional in all we do with our children, and yet I know despite our best intentions we are not going to be perfect.  My hope is as we journey life together as a family, my children will always know despite my imperfections and my mess ups, I LOVE them with all that I am.