Things I like, Things I don't like.....

I like Blue, I don't like Purple (Growing up Purple was my favorite color, go figure!)

I like Daisies, I don't like Bird of Paradise

I like loose T-shirts, I don't like tight clothes of any kind

I like Cherries, I don't like Blueberries

I like Mustard, I don't like Mayonaise

I like Pasta (of any kind), I don't like Peas

I like Spring & Fall, I don't like Summer

I like to eat my food at room temperature, I don't like steaming hot food

I like cats, I don't like big dogs

I like conservative clothes, I don't like busy, sequined, camo clothes

I like all living animals, I don't like killing (hunting) animals of any kind

I like baby dolls, I don't like Barbies

I like music of all types, I don't like heavy metal & rap

I like thoughtful, generous and helpful people, I don't like selfish & self-centered people

I like children to just "be children", I don't like children be able to wear make-up at 2-11 yrs old

I like Taylor Swift (some), I don't like Miley Cyrus (or Hannah Montana)

I like children with manners, I don't like children that back talk

I like Nautical themes & Old Historical themes, I don't like western & deer themes

I like PBS educational channels, I don't like Disney & Nickelodeon channels

I like Elmo & Curious George, I don't like SpongeBob

I like families with a normal amount of children, I don't like families with a whole county of children. lol....(they'd have to be insane)

I like natural colored hair, I don't like dark hair with blonde streaks

I like Toyota, I don't like Kia or Subaru

I like broccoli, I don't like turnips

I like my dating website name (Daisy, because my mom named me that [From 10 yrs ago]), I don't like anyone else calling me by it

I like my house being clean and anyone in it living helping me with it, I don't like it smashed and no one helping

I like University of Tennessee, I don't like University of Florida

I like Auburn University, I don't like University of Alabama

I like living in Tennessee or Alabama, I don't like Arkansas (sometimes)

I like Phillip Fulmer, I don't like Steve Spurrier & Houston Nutt

I like light blue eyes, I don't like dark blue eyes or green eyes

I like Christmas & Halloween, I don't like St Pattys Day holiday

I like following the rules of any kind, I don't like trying to bend the rules (or anyone that tries)

I like someone working with me, I don't like someone working against me

I like someone respecting me in my home, I don't like someone disrespecting me in my home

I like taking up for my spouse, I don't like my spouse not returning the favor

I like thinking outside the box, I don't like someone else struggling to do so (I know its not their fault)

I like being forgiving and giving 2nd chances, I don't like giving 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th.....

I like being around people that are going to have my back, I don't like someone trying to sabotage my every move of any kind

I like sushi, I don't like anything fried

I like losing weight & can do it, I don't like someone else saying "they can't" when they can (and there's no medical issue involved)

I like being rational, I don't like people being unrational

I like being strong & unemotional, I don't like people that are emotional, all at the wrong times

I like scrap booking, I don't like oil painting

I like Gap & Tommy H, I don't like Justice (too busy for me)

I like Iphones, I don't like Blackberries phones

I like Rascal Flatts music, I don't like Tim McGraw music

I like surrounding myself with people that arent going to stress me out, I don't like people that are going to do the opposite

I like being a christian, I don't like people descriminating against it

I like the way I was raised, I don't like someone teasing me because of it

I liked having one brother, I don't like even thinking of having a sister

I like that my son is brilliant, I don't like someone else questioning it

I like someone trusting me, I don't like someone else questioning me or going to someone else and questioning me behind my back (when the trust hasnt been broken)

I like being a different person than I was when I was younger, I don't like someone NOT learning from their mistakes

I like short blogs, I don't like long blogs (like this one lol)

On that note, the last thing.....I don't like Drama Queens.

Finding Compassion & Understanding

I really don't even know how to start this blog entry but it's been weighing on me. For those that do read my blog posts, you know we have a soon to be 4 year old son. He is the light of our life and we love him just as he is and wouldn't ask for anything different. He actually would be a pretty boring child if he was any different. I've always thought that God gave me him for a reason, not someone else. I think God knew we could handle a child like him and even though I wonder Gods decision some days, I trust him and I see now that I am honored to have him as my son!!
When my son was a baby, I did notice different things about him. Behaviors that were a little off and he was high maintance at times. Not financially but in other ways. As he got older, his doctor and I talked about my concerns and we started into a new phase with him. This new phase was the best thing that I had ever done but I still didn't know what was up with him. I started doing research on his behavior and that went on for at least a year or two. I/We still had no idea what was going on but we took him to a specialist to get some feedback. We shared with them how he behaved out in public, (which wasn't always good) and we shared with them all that we knew. We filled out many papers and the visit ended in just under 5 hours. Yes, very long visit and our little man was very tired. We left a little upset that day because we were told different things that were hard to take. At the same time, the specialist were puzzled. He had some behaviors leaning towards Autism but some that leaned towards other things.....Our next step was figuring out how in the world to tell our families. We decided since we were so upset, didn't feel like explaining everything and basically this just was a hard situation for us. We really didn't want allot of people to know, 1. because we really didn't feel like explaining 2. If the specialist were puzzled about what was going on, why should we just tell everyone what it was when it wasn't definite!?!?!?!
The hardest part I think for me is when we'd take our son out whether it be with family or by ourselves finding understanding and compassion when he would act differently. It's extremely hard for me when people glare at us because my son does something different, doesn't speak clearly or just plain out sometimes (they think) isn't behaving correctly. I would think it's even worse when some family members don't understand. All I can think of saying is if you've never walked in someone's shoes, you have no right wondering, judging or jumping to conclusions and just trust that the parents and professionals know what their doing.
I hope those that are out in public and have family members that are different that you find compassion and understanding and if you dont understand, then so what. You don't have to understand but find trust that the parents know what their doing.
We are now in a new stage. Last month we did get a diagnosis and we decided since we knew for sure, we'd start telling friends and family what was going on and what it was....we don't just meet some one and put it right out there but when we're somewhere and he's "misbehaving", we usually ask for patience. Some are really nice and compassionate, only a few have been rude. I feel sorry for them.
In closing, I hope who all reads this knows that disorders in children are growing rapidly. If you see a child that looks different or acts different, please show patience, compassion and understanding. There's no reason to judge the child and their parents. I'm sure who ever is raising the child is doing the best they can with the hard situation that they're in. There's no reason to add to their situation because you have your own hang-ups. I'm sure the world would be a much better (peaceful) place if people found these 3 simple things.

Protective Brinley

I haven't written in my blog in a while but I've had this entry in my head now for about a month and I decided to type it out finally.

As everyone did, the past couple of months have been very busy with Thanksgiving, Christmas and the new year. As most families we did the traveling thing to see family and we all had a great time doing so. We as a family travel about 6.5 hours south to see family and to make travel easier on my Dad, we met at my brothers house a few days after Christmas. This meant of course seeing his kids; Brady and Brinley. I always have a great time with them sense all of us seem to click with playing games, playing outside or whatever is planned for that day.
I have talked about my son Caleb on this blog allot and my son now is 3.5 years old. (I can't believe that!) He's getting to where he can play and talk with his cousins and that makes it fun for all of us. During this trip Caleb talked more and more and everyone said they could definitely see a change in him and could understand what he was saying.
During the end of our stay on the last day it was time for my Dad to leave and travel back to his home in Florida. All of us were out on the front porch saying our good byes and my brother and I were telling him to "Be Careful"......well Caleb just like other kids started yelling out "BE CAREFUL!!! BE CAREFUL", but Caleb's "BE CAREFUL" was more like, "BE PEARPUL"........"BE PEARPUL"......all of us started busting out laughing including my Dad whom was already to the street and to his car. I do have to say, we were not laughing AT Caleb, we were laughing because it was cute. This little moment did not sit well with my niece Brinley.
So, I have to explain now how Brinley is in my eyes and probably others that know her really well. She is not like most little girls (and that's OK!). Most girls like dressing up, getting pampered, nail polish, princess themed items etc.....not her! She wrestles with her brother who is 2 years older and believe me, she can hold her own. She is competitive in any sport put before her, she loves to fish with her papa and she can hold and clean a fish like it's nothing, she's determined and she's strong. She also already has a trophy in swimming and I think it's as big as her!
After a week passed by and we were home from traveling, I called my brother to check in and talk. He shared with me that Brinley did not like us "laughing at Caleb". Of course he and my sister-in-law explained that we all weren't laughing "at" Caleb but was laughing because Caleb was cute in saying the words like he did. I told my brother, "You know, if none of us weren't around, we wouldn't even have to worry about Caleb because Brinley would take care of them!"
So as I sit and think today, I am thankful for "Protective Brinley" because I always know she'll have my sons back. ;o)