tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55646774388369627912024-03-19T03:54:19.342-07:00For The Love Of Asperger'sJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-34996175731887549372014-06-10T10:09:00.001-07:002014-06-10T10:52:07.531-07:00Good Citizen <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LdXXat0rcQzIihiMYj6Fnee8uzGWzwGvm2_Kkm8moLcj_V-Es1Nnz1OvYLYMQ7I3uuYa-jKO-TWPSUIMJuTis5zKfr5FV_CMJNQrmxvdH7qMz1qO0rWdhPYmAY6oYW0seIb1JzPY_AM/s1600/4th+grade+awards+audrey+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LdXXat0rcQzIihiMYj6Fnee8uzGWzwGvm2_Kkm8moLcj_V-Es1Nnz1OvYLYMQ7I3uuYa-jKO-TWPSUIMJuTis5zKfr5FV_CMJNQrmxvdH7qMz1qO0rWdhPYmAY6oYW0seIb1JzPY_AM/s1600/4th+grade+awards+audrey+014.JPG" height="400" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Citizen 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each year at my kids' elementary school one student from each classroom is awarded the "Good Citizen" Award. This year it went to our daughter. She had to prove herself throughout the entire school year. Not only being a good classroom citizen, but modeling that citizenship for other students. <br />
<br />
Last week I received the following, very touching, email from her teacher:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "I wanted to let you that just prior to our last IEP meeting for Audrey last month, I had told the other therapist that Audrey was doing so well, that she was at the top of the list for receiving the citizenship award because of her accomplishments. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Although I usually struggle with this award, Audrey stands out as the best receiver of it. This year, Audrey will be receiving my class' citizenship award. Again, she has come so far in many areas this year, is academically gifted, and has soared on the social side as well. There is no doubt that every single student has respect for Audrey, and it is very clear that she had to earn their respect on her own. In addition, she is a good citizen despite her personal challenges and NEVER breaks the rules. She has learned to help others, respect them, and encourages good behavior as well. Thank you so much for the opportunity to allow me to have Audrey this year. She is amazing and I have no doubt that she will continue to succeed.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> She is also so very lucky to have parents like you and your husband. Please accept this award for yourselves as well because she could not be a good citizen without your support. THANK YOU for all you have done for your child."</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
While we knew upon attending the awards ceremony, Audrey did not know she'd be receiving this award. We were beaming and when her name was called I watched her head pop up in surprise. I wish I could have seen the surprise on her face as well. <br />
<br />
We are so proud of you, Boo. You have come so far this year and we have no doubt you're going farther than we can imagine. Remember, you have it in you to continue this success. Always be proud of your accomplishments and know it's your hard work and good character that got you there! We love you! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-4489276924054078792014-06-04T06:50:00.001-07:002014-06-04T16:09:50.184-07:00Losing It<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="224" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2cpCSPsvqMtSpUXaXXQGOdkhSZdH5HihKcAbxVVSe2oxl19mvEw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of someecards/google images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All moms (and dads) at one point or another, I'm sure, have lost their shit. Your kid is frustrated, you're frustrated, it's dinnertime, it's bath time, it's bedtime; it's never a good time. Your tantrum becomes bigger and louder than your kids. You're yelling, you're slamming, you turn around and no one is there. They've retreated because they know...Mommy lost her shit! <br />
<br />
There seems to be a stigma (okay, more like a self imposed burden of pressure) attached to special needs parents that we aren't allowed to lose it. We must have virtuous patience at ALL times. We must not get frustrated in front of our special needs kids, we must not get upset when they are upset, we must never lose our shit. If we, as special needs parents, can't hold it together then who the hell can?<br />
<br />
I will admit I've lost my shit with Audrey. Our biggest moments of contention are over A. homework or B. one of her worries. If she doesn't get the answer delivered in the black & white way she can comprehend then <i>she's</i> gonna lose <i>her</i> shit. Trust me when I say a 10 year old Aspie losing her shit is not pretty. When she loses her shit, I inevitably lose my shit. It is a raging, thunderous shit storm that neither one of us can take cover from. We ride out the storm and we both end up exhausted and apologetic. I will also admit that I have learned from these storms and I find myself losing it less and less with her. Which is the goal, to lose it less and less.<br />
<br />
Our love for each other is never in question. I love my daughter "to the moon and back times infinity plus one", (one of our sayings to each other) but that doesn't mean I love those moments of frustration.<br />
<br />
Recently a mommy-friend to a brilliant & beautiful seven year old girl on the spectrum, including <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/oppositional-defiant-disorder/basics/definition/con-20024559">ODD</a>, <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/basics/definition/con-20023647">ADHD</a>, and a list of fears & worries, lost her shit. She said this to me after the storm had passed: <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I spend so much energy trying to understand what my daughter needs only to be the one to act like an idiot. So frustrating; just can't win. Am I the worst mother ever? She was even apologizing when it was my fault.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My reply was this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What you have to do is royally f@$! Up before you get it right. Parenting special needs is trial and error...mostly error.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Like myself and many before me I believe my dear friend will learn from this and as time goes on will find herself losing it less and less; she is one shit storm closer to her goal. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We (and by we I really mean I) need to lose that self-imposed-burden-of-pressure-feeling that special needs parents need to be perfect. Hell, we (and by we I really mean I) need to lose that feeling that any parent NEEDS to be perfect. There is no such thing. We're all just doing the best we can! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While it is okay and human to lose your shit, it is <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>NEVER</u></b> </span>okay to be abusive!! Special needs or not. If you find yourself <a href="http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm">physically or emotionally abusing</a> your child you need to call <span style="font-size: large;"><b>1-800-422-4453</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-87157245427760392282014-05-28T11:26:00.000-07:002014-05-28T11:26:50.396-07:00Teacher of a LifetimeAudrey is only in 4th grade so it may be too early to say this, but I'm pretty sure her current teacher is her "Teacher of a Lifetime", that ONE teacher who changed our lives, the BEST thing to ever happen to our family. <br />
<br />
Audrey has had MANY wonderful teachers no doubt. We've developed a close relationship with each one in her short school career none of whom we'd trade for the world. This year, however, marked a turning point and it all started with Mrs. K. <br />
<br />
Recently our special education department asked parents to nominate a group or teacher who had made a difference in our child's life. While our daughter has an incredible team molding public education to her needs, we felt it was Mrs. K. who had the greatest impact to date. I am beaming with pride to announce that she was accepted for the 2014 Rise Up Award. Here is our nomination:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEUA3uB1gbXuV-r1E3TpJwwO3G-XHu2tzDmtReoX0a7lLabRN0TVFQodiH7fgP8w5t0y3zvxgi-JfWJTj1nC9EAyA0fmjoQX7_SGE82JvR_6xCx9FB8HOOS2AzpanMieIsJWEasUAGxY/s1600/20140527_085606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEUA3uB1gbXuV-r1E3TpJwwO3G-XHu2tzDmtReoX0a7lLabRN0TVFQodiH7fgP8w5t0y3zvxgi-JfWJTj1nC9EAyA0fmjoQX7_SGE82JvR_6xCx9FB8HOOS2AzpanMieIsJWEasUAGxY/s1600/20140527_085606.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. K and Audrey 2014 4th Grade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="color: #351c75;">A short nomination letter cannot come close to acknowledging the inspiration provided by M.K. She would be worthy of a novel, as it would take pages to express how important this woman is in our lives. Mrs. K's contribution to Audrey's success and triumph over her special needs could be compared to teaching a child to defy gravity. She taught Audrey to fly again, to find her wings.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #351c75;">At the beginning of 4th grade Mrs. K recognized Audrey's challenges right away, and worked with her rather than against her. She appreciated both Audrey's abilities and limitations - rather than attempting to mold Audrey to the classroom, she molded herself to Audrey's needs, while not singling her out or excluding the other children. In an early conference Mrs. K told us that we influenced her to be a better parent. What a shock - how could we have influenced one of the greatest teachers we had ever known? Mrs. K drew from her personal experiences when working with Audrey, and this only enhanced the teacher student relationship.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #351c75;">Before Mrs. K., Audrey hated school. She cried every morning and every afternoon. Because of Mrs. K., Audrey has started to look forward to school, and there are no more tears. Audrey has even acknowledged the future of her education. She is beginning to soar again - as a child should.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i>
If you have a special teacher in your child's life, special needs or not, take the time to thank them. Your child may be 1 of 30 in a teacher's day, but your child's teacher could be the ONE making their day! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ecAjrvo_v9E17lGtXxQcaccbhJepk2RR3TVJsnNgrrrOxthUCtJdmLHtZA6zNGwjD3ohpHUV-D7HPkAexdwpUlx9qcIXxXJ66dZ9cJQz1Q4wdJa8cUX9emS6c2XmIoNlHlBbYUdaFng/s1600/20140514_100157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ecAjrvo_v9E17lGtXxQcaccbhJepk2RR3TVJsnNgrrrOxthUCtJdmLHtZA6zNGwjD3ohpHUV-D7HPkAexdwpUlx9qcIXxXJ66dZ9cJQz1Q4wdJa8cUX9emS6c2XmIoNlHlBbYUdaFng/s1600/20140514_100157.jpg" height="400" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. K. receiving her "Rise Up" Award</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>We love you, Mrs. K!</b></span></div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-64159497595241795892014-05-15T07:09:00.002-07:002014-05-15T07:38:38.212-07:00The look you're not getting<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
One of the traits for Asperger's Syndrome is the inability to make eye contact. One of the reasons, I believe, this to be is because of all that occurs on our faces during a typical conversation. You are talking, your lips are moving, your eyebrows are arching, your forehead is wrinkling, you're waving your hands, and you're still talking. To a person with AS, who typically is also dealing with Sensory Processing Disorder, this is an overload of information to process at once. We, those of us familiar with AS, know this and typically work around the social "rule" of making eye contact. We look for ways to teach our children to make eye contact to be more socially accepted. We beg teachers to let our kids doodle while getting instruction so they can concentrate on words alone. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/73/87/4d/73874d83c3ef817f678efb478485f237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/73/87/4d/73874d83c3ef817f678efb478485f237.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look OR Listen NOT Both (google images)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even as we work on that have we ever really thought about if from the child's point of view? Recently I came across something Audrey wrote. It is simple and to the point and didn't offer a ton of insight, but it did put me in my place.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"I heart</span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: red;"> being nice. But sometimes I have a tough time doing so in person. I'm better when I can't see someone's face. Kinda weird".</span><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span> </span></b></i><br />
<br />
First and foremost my heart melted because she hearts being nice!! (I'm totally doing something right) Then my heart broke because she sees this as "kinda weird". Whenever one of my kids thinks they are weird or, more often than not, that Mom is weird I chant, "Embrace your weirdness". And with my Aspie I always tell her, "wired, not weird". She does these things because of the way her brain is wired. Embrace that too! Most importantly, it's for us to heed her statements. Accept that it's tough and be okay with that. <br />
<br />
So, my point(s) are this. <br />
<br />
**If someone is not making eye contact with you don't jump to conclusions and think they are rude.<br />
<br />
** Consider for a moment that this person is uncomfortable looking at you while you speak because of all the sensory information you are putting out there to be processed at once.<br />
<br />
**If you encounter a person like this do not be afraid to ask them if they'd rather not look at you. You aren't being rude by asking, you are being considerate and in tune to your audience.<br />
<br />
**We all have our own idiosyncrasies; embrace the way you are wired. Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-73749756734762634612014-01-09T11:35:00.001-08:002014-05-15T07:37:42.597-07:00Read All About ItHere is a list of books that have been helpful in our journey with Asperger's Syndrome. This is not an end-all list; there are many wonderful books out there. I will add more as I come across them. If you have some to share with me, please leave a comment. <br />
<br />
***********************************<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Audrey first started OT (Occupational Therapy) this book was suggested to us by her therapist. It helped us to understand so much of what she was dealing with when it came to her Sensory Processing Dysfunction.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out---Sync-Child-Carol-Kranowitz/dp/0399531653/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389294214&sr=1-1&keywords=the+out+of+sync+child">The Out-of-Sync Child</a> </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by: Carol Kranowitz & Lucy Jane Miller</span><br />
<br />
<b>From Amazon's Book Description: </b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>The Out-of-Sync Child</em> broke new ground by identifying Sensory Processing Disorder, a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. This newly revised edition features additional information from recent research on vision and hearing deficits, motor skill problems, nutrition and picky eaters, ADHA, autism, and other related disorders.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">********************************</span><br />
<a href="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781843102069/can-i-tell-you-about-asperger-syndrome-a-guide-for-friends-and-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781843102069/can-i-tell-you-about-asperger-syndrome-a-guide-for-friends-and-family.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Audrey was officially and clinically diagnosed with ASD we bought this book to read with her. She felt so empowered to have this information and know there were other kids like her.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1843102064/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Can I tell you about Asperger's Syndrome?</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by: Jude Welton</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>From Amazon's Book Description:</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Meet Adam - a young boy with AS. Adam invites young readers to learn about AS from his perspective. In this book, Adam helps children understand the difficulties faced by a child with AS; he tells them what AS is, what it feels like to have AS and how they can help children with AS by understanding their differences and appreciating their many talents. This book is ideally suited for boys and girls between 7 and 15 years old and also serves as an excellent starting point for family and classroom discussions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">********************************* </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593632150/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">School Success for Kids with Asperger's Syndrome</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">Stephen M. Silverman &</span> Rich Weinfeld</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>From Amazon's Book Description:</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Hundreds of thousands of children face life with Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism spectrum disorder that affects a child's language and social skills. Kids with Asperger's have average to above-average intelligence, but often have obsessive interests, are socially awkward, and do not understand the subtleties of language and conversation. With concentrated effort on the part of parents and educators, these children can begin to overcome the difficulties of this disorder and find success in school and life. </span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="iframeContent" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><i style="font-style: italic;">School Success for Kids with Asperger's Syndrome</i> covers topics such as recognizing and diagnosing Asperger's syndrome, addressing the needs of students with Asperger's, implementing successful practices in the classroom, working with the school system, and providing interventions in the home to help develop needed skills.</span></div>
<div id="iframeContent" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
<br /></div>
<div id="iframeContent" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
********************************************************</div>
<div id="iframeContent" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935274139/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How To Teach Life Skills to Kids with Autism or Asperger's</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> Written by: </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 19px;">Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Foreword by: Temple Grandin</span></span></div>
<div id="iframeContent" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="iframeContent" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">From Amazon's Book Description: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">In the real world, people on the autism spectrum need the same kinds of day-to-day skills everyone else needs to be functional!</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
<div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's true. No matter how high-functioning children with autism or Asperger's may be or may become, they function better as adults if they’ve had the chance to learn basic skills, from being on time to good personal hygiene. But many reach adulthood without those skills.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enter Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Aspie at Large.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">
</span>
<div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coauthor of the groundbreaking book <i style="font-style: italic;">Asperger's and Girls</i>, Jennifer's personal experience with Asperger's Syndrome and having a brother with autism makes her perspective doubly insightful.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jennifer can show you how to:</span></div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 22px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Create opportunities for children to learn in natural settings and situations</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teach vital skills such as everyday domestic tasks, choosing appropriate attire, and being polite</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Help individuals on the spectrum develop good habits that will help them be more fit and healthy</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Improve time management skills such as punctuality and task-switching</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And much more!</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Jennifer's straightforward and humorous delivery will keep you eagerly turning the page for her next creative solution!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
******************************************************************</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div id="iframeContent" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-69046711941246539142014-01-09T07:07:00.000-08:002014-05-15T07:35:11.508-07:00Identity Revealed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://logos.textgiraffe.com/logos/logo-name/Audrey-designstyle-love-heart-m.png" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When I started this blog I used our daughter's nick name, "Boo". I did this for two reasons. One, I wanted people who read this to be able to identify with Asperger's Sydrome itself and not with just the individual that I identify Asperger's with. Two, I wanted to somehow protect our daughter's true identity. <br />
<br />
I have been thinking a lot about this and decided that my reasons didn't make perfect sense. Coincidentally not much about Asperger's makes perfect sense. There is a saying out there in the Autism community: "If you've met one person with Autism you've met ONE person with Autism". This is a great quote because there are incredible differences among children and people on the spectrum in how they learn, think, feel, behave and communicate. People on the spectrum have many of the same characteristics that help diagnose Autism, but they are as individual as snowflakes; no two people with Autism are alike. <br />
<br />
Our daughter is Audrey. She is our "Boo". At the time of this entry she is nine years old. She has Asperger's Syndrome. She does not define herself as Autistic. You may read this blog and identify with a lot of her traits characteristic with Asperger's, but she is not like you, not like your child. She is her own person. I hope relating to her for who she is, her true identity will actually help you identify more with your own experiences as a parent to a child on the spectrum, particularly Asperger's, or as someone living with ASD. <br />
<br />
Be true to yourself, do not hide your real identity. <br />
<br />
<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-58269696713534472872013-12-05T11:26:00.002-08:002014-05-15T07:28:52.342-07:00"One of those well meaning moms"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JBH1KthMLlt_AB7chJM5olRN-bw2NPnkiwNNOh_BIpWo6QAvkCw3H4U3KQzaqNQrUoHO1whlU9jfyYMxtANyWbWdTDXdCM9kJ8Q36YGeDNtQKunUoCxVg114O0LXhOv81qmm1yE6aM8/s1600/spring-aspie-moms-300x261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JBH1KthMLlt_AB7chJM5olRN-bw2NPnkiwNNOh_BIpWo6QAvkCw3H4U3KQzaqNQrUoHO1whlU9jfyYMxtANyWbWdTDXdCM9kJ8Q36YGeDNtQKunUoCxVg114O0LXhOv81qmm1yE6aM8/s1600/spring-aspie-moms-300x261.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When Boo (now age 9) was three years old we went to a birthday party for one of her preschool classmates. There were 8-10 preschoolers and as many moms. We were all in close proximity. While the other kids were running, playing, and having a lot of fun interacting with each other my Boo clung to my side, crying, screaming, and thoroughly not enjoying herself. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the time I cared what other people thought of my parenting, and I was mortified that my child was the only one screaming during what should have been a fun couple of hours. Soon it was time to eat a snack of half-moon cookies. I remember that Boo had calmed down, but was still visibly upset. As she sat in the chair at the table she began sobbing looking at her cookie then looking up at me. Looking back at her cookie she reached towards it ever so slowly, the closer she got the harder she cried. It took me only seconds to realize she did not want to touch it. The feel of the frosting on her fingers was more than she could bare. There I was again, caring what other parents thought of me and my child, feeling embarrassed that my child was the only child using a fork to eat her cookie. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Finally it was time to go outside. The minute we stepped out of the house a switch flipped inside Boo. She was happy again, calm, and content to play in the yard. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the midst of all the chaos one of those well meaning moms asked, "Has she been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome?". I will never forget how that one question made me hate that mom. How dare she even suggest something be wrong with my precious daughter. What the hell did she know! I remember telling her she did not have Asperger's (even though I didn't know much about AS I knew Boo did not have it). I remember complaining to my close friends how other moms never know when to mind their own business. I never admitted that deep down inside I knew something was up with Boo. That incident was the beginning of what would later be diagnosed as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That birthday party was an overstimulation of senses that Boo could not process all at once. In the noise department we had several adults talking at once, along with several children yelling & playing. In the visual department we had pretty packages of all different sizes and shapes, balloons in many colors floating around, and a diversity of people's faces in close proximity. In the taste & smell department we had sticky frosting, sweet cookies, fruit juices, and an array of other foods. ALL! AT! ONCE! Still don't know how that feels to a child with SPD? Try this little experiment: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Go into a room, light some scented candles. Turn the tv & radio up loud, turn on all of the lights, call in your family and ask them to talk to you. Get the dog barking, call up your best friend on the phone, grab some colorful scarves and dance to the radio. ALL! AT! ONCE! </div>
<div>
Now shut it all off. You can breathe again. That was the switch that flipped when we took Boo from the party to the outside. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Years later I no longer care what other people think of my parenting, my children's behavior, or even their misbehavior. Years later I wish I could go back to that "Well Meaning Mom" and give her a hug and a thank you. She got us thinking, she made us realize that we had something to research, she had us questioning Boo's behavior. She was not rude or imposing. She truly was one of those well meaning moms. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I learned that I could trust other moms, trust my gut, and listen to my child. After all, I too am "One of those well meaning moms". </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*********************</div>
<div>
If you think your child might have Sensory Processing Disorder or want to learn more about children with SPD check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out---Sync-Child-Carol-Kranowitz/dp/0399531653/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386271369&sr=1-1&keywords=the+out+of+sync+child">The Out of Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz</a> . </div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-5535781024343494292013-12-01T04:23:00.003-08:002014-05-15T07:22:32.836-07:00Building Blocks<div>
Our first indication that Boo was unique or had Autistic tendencies was when she was between 15-20 months. We were sitting on the floor with her playing with wooden building blocks. The blocks were outlined in colors, ABCs on one side, numbers on the other side, complete with matching letter pictures. She was meticulously stacking a tower as tall as she was. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The blocks were aligned straight as could be with capital letters, colors, numbers, and pictures all following in their own suit. We would turn the blocks upside down, twist them out of alignment, or match a number to a letter side. She would turn around to get a new block, come back to notice our changes and fix it perfectly before she moved on to stacking the next block. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL2r-N0cIK44TYCi-1jhAUUfiqdKP3ZCIDA-7vfu7PQW4ulywqwU0g8Ma-Av3PaWtkYLvre3Pif8vSUz8UHMUDIYa3ubZrIRs6c5mcVRnvZ__KY6Hkk6Mw8si0SkWSXtMBYY-OTqNH3A/s1600/autism-letter-blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL2r-N0cIK44TYCi-1jhAUUfiqdKP3ZCIDA-7vfu7PQW4ulywqwU0g8Ma-Av3PaWtkYLvre3Pif8vSUz8UHMUDIYa3ubZrIRs6c5mcVRnvZ__KY6Hkk6Mw8si0SkWSXtMBYY-OTqNH3A/s400/autism-letter-blocks.jpg" height="210" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
My husband's strongest memory comes from yet another set of building blocks. She had a set of nesting blocks. Here is his recount of that memory in a recent email to our Autism Lead at our school: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<i>"I wanted to share with you that we first noticed Boo’s behaviors when she was still a baby. Boo was always sensitive to environmental changes and loud noises. As she grew she was always content to play </i><i>with her toys and did not require much </i><i>interaction from other kids or us to keep her happy. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;">
<i>One of the first telling experiences was when she was about 3 years old. Boo had multi-color nesting blocks with numbers, letters, and colors on each side of the boxes. Most kids would have been happy to stack the blocks anyway possible and make the stack high until it tumbled over. Boo on the other hand would stack the blocks one at a time largest on the bottom to smallest on the top. The numbers, letters, colors, and edges would always align and increase sequentially. As a test, I would sit with her and as she stacked each block and turned to grab the next I would move, change the order, or mismatch the numbers or letters of the blocks. When she turned around with the next logical block she would observe the change, pause, turn back around and place the block in her hand on the floor and return to the stack and correct all of the mistakes that I had induced. She would then turn and grab the next block and continue the stack, each block perfectly aligned at the edge with all of the numbers, letters, and colors matching. Anytime I would change something she would again correct any mistake and then continue to stack the blocks. She never seemed to grow tired of this play."</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Throughout the years Boo was was intrigued by any toy that enabled her to sort by color, shape, and size. It did not matter if that toy was "too young" for her. If she could stack it in ascending order, group it, or create an organized pattern it was a toy that kept her busy for hours. At that time we did not know she was paving the way for our journey to Asperger's Syndrome. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Years later while working with Boo's psychiatrist at Children's National Hospital we would learn that her fascination with patterns, detail to ascending order, and need for organization was a telltale trait of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We still have the wooden building blocks in a closet. It is one toy I cannot bring myself to be rid of. They are more than just a toy. They are more than a memory. They are what shined a light into Boo's soul. They are the blocks that built a metaphorical stairway for us to climb towards answers; one perfectly aligned step after another in the most beautiful pattern you can imagine. The blocks are a symbol of how unbalanced the tallest tower can be; crashing down with the slightest touch. Even that is okay, we have learned from a very beautiful and gifted girl that with patience and attention to detail we can rebuild. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5564677438836962791.post-51715841462355529532013-11-30T06:04:00.002-08:002014-05-15T07:22:24.070-07:00To Be Completely Honest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="179" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6t815XhjTgj5AOsv2vhK2GOIWzxOzuuWGBi6YfW163OHGEvU7kg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
While we have known for years that our daughter, "Boo" was an Aspie Girl our official clinical diagnosis didn't come until September 2013. She's 9 years old. We never allowed ourselves to self-diagnose her, we never used Autism or Asperger's Syndrome to describe her. We would never trespass on the those living with Autism until we had solid proof. <br />
<br />
When that solid proof came I sat down and cried. The weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders, we had answers, we could form more plans, we could get outside help, we could talk to Boo in a language she'd understand. It was the end of our fight to get outsiders to see what we saw. <br />
<br />
Parents I know already living with and having learned to parent their children who are on the Autism Spectrum told me we would find the blessings, the good. They all said the same thing, "focus on the positives". If I were to be completely honest, my initial reaction to those parents was a great big "F-U". My middle finger shot up at the good, the positives, and I sure as hell wasn't going to see this is a blessing. <br />
<br />
In the middle of this came a conversation between a close friend and myself:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="line-height: 14px; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1382394086536:2c9c61ceda2bbdcf97" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div>
<div class="_37">
<div class="_53" id="mid.1382394086536:2c9c61ceda2bbdcf97">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px; text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Friend: Do you find it all fascinating? Or...something else...?</i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1382394451775:e9be14060ff19fb530" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat" style="float: right;">
<div class="_39" style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="_3a" style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></strong>
<br />
<div class="_37">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><strong></strong></i></span><br />
<div class="_53" id="mid.1382394451775:e9be14060ff19fb530">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px; text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Me: TOTALLY FASCINATING!!! Also, discouraging. I've read a bit in the past, but now I'm reading a shit ton so I'm learning a lot more and learning how to work with it. Which definitely makes things easier. However, if I could undo it all in a heartbeat for her I would. At the same time I think, if I could undo it all how else would she be undone? Would her heart not be as big towards animals, would she not have the empathy she feels towards anyone hurt? Would she be so smart, creative, and easy to love? I look at other girls her age and sometimes I'm thankful for her AS b/c she's so much NOT like those little witches. I look at other girls her age and sometimes I'm sad b/c she's NOT like those little witches. It's a catch 22 I think. I think I'd be 100% okay with the AS if Anxiety & Depression were not associated with it. </i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
So, to be completely honest I am learning to find the good and focus on the positives. I won't find it all overnight, and I won't always be 100% at peace with AS. You will still hear me cussing out and flipping off Autism. I won't always parent my Aspie with zero frustration and in complete understanding. Isn't that true to parenting any child?<br />
<br />
To be completely honest I wouldn't change either of my children to make my life easier. I cannot change either of my children to make their life easier. I don't want to imagine how else they would be undone if I could do that. So we continue on this journey...and we'll come by all of this honestly! <br />
<br />
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1382394451775:e9be14060ff19fb530" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 1px; line-height: 14px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div>
<div class="_37">
<div class="_53" id="mid.1382394451775:e9be14060ff19fb530">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px; text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08422277807379002232noreply@blogger.com0