Peace on Earth?!

Christmas is HERE....Ready or not!  For the most part, we are ready.  Started reading the Christmas stories a few weeks ago.  The kids are well versed in their knowledge of stables=barns and inn=hotel...a la...Holiday Inn.  Jesus is the reason for the season and all of the wonderful things that we teach our kids.  But they most definitely learn from what they see and are exposed to as well.  We talk about lots of things.....then there is what we do.

I will personally admit that my focus has been on gifts.  Who have I bought for, who will I buy for and what is left to "find" for the kids.  Every day the email is filled with sales ads and the mailbox full of deals. I seriously did not realize until yesterday how off my focus has been. 

Ethan has already seen Santa once this Christmas.  That visit was SO successful that I plan to track down any Santa in a 30 mile radius for another visit.  Well, yesterday Santa was at the High School here. 

Let's Go Kids!!! 

We came home from Church, freshened up and of we went.  As we waited in line, Freddie talked with Ethan and Ansley about using their manners and how to nicely ask Santa for a gift.  This was Ansley's first visit with Santa so we didn't know how it would go.  As we got closer and closer to Santa, she got increasingly excited.  She was not afraid a bit.  Typical Ansley.  She is Bold and Fearless.  She scares us a little.  We joke that one day she will take over....followed by nervous glances that we may be speaking the truth.

We were next in line as Freddie tells Ansley to ask for her gift but to also ask for Peace on Earth.
 
"What?! No Peace on Earth!  I want a Princess Kitchen!  A PRINCESS KITCHEN DADDY!" Yes, she is 2 years old and a few people laughed along with us.  But it got me thinking.  What are we really teaching our kids?  I feel confident that we have good kids.  They are generally well mannered and typically the best behaved kids in any group.  They are well behaved because I mean what I say and do not soft parent them.  I do not negotiate and beg my kids to behave.  If we go somewhere and a certain behavior is expected, we have our "Come to Jesus" meeting before we get there.  They know that if they act up there will be consequences.  I do not spank them....torture seems to have a more lasting effect.  Loss of computer time and all day Fox News or Daddy's 'Hits from the 70's' will do the trick.  Loss of playdoh and trips to McDonald's is also a favorite consequence.  We have a system and it works for us.  We understand the expected behavior and the rewards or loss of privileges.  Freddie and I also try to be careful to not set the kids up for failure and to be reasonable in our expectations.  If we are skipping nap time with Ansley to go somewhere, we know that we are rolling the dice on behavior.  We know that if we are going to a place that has scared Ethan in the past, that we need to be reasonable in the amount of time we are there, if he is stressing.  Always looking for a balance.

But the Santa visit was an eye opener.  We can all stand to take another look at what we are teaching our kids.  I dare to say that no one has it truly figured out.  Even with the best of intentions, our kids ultimately want the *Prize.*  Maybe we need to re-evaluate what the *Prize* really is. 

Sorry Ansley, it is not pink with cooking utensils.

He Loves Me

For a child with autism, emotions are tough.  Social inferences and relationships have to be learned. I liken it to trying to teach an alien how to be a human.  The alien can be very intelligent, but they don't know how to be 'us.'

Ethan and I have always had a close connection.  Even at Ethan's farthest times 'away' - when the autism seemed to be winning...he always wanted to have time to be with me.  Snuggling on the couch - no words- were some of our most precious moments. 

May 15, 2011.  Unsolicited, Ethan told me that he loved me for the first time.  Yep, I cried my eyes out.  He will always reciprocate "I love you," but he had never just told me on his own.  He will now tell me he loves me, unsolicited....a couple times a week.  We have that bond and I know that indeed, he does.

Ethan now has a habit of asking me if I am happy.  He seems to really worry about it.  As soon as I pick him up from school "Mom, are you happy?"  Once he is good and awake in the morning; while doing homework; during a tv show.... always worrying.  I try to reassure Ethan that I am ok and that I AM happy.  I have explained that I do not have to be smiling really big to be happy.  I tell Ethan not to worry so much.  Sweet boy.

Tonight at dinner, Ethan once again asked me "Mom, are you happy?" 
I stopped eating and asked him "Ethan, why do you ask me if I am happy?"
Ethan stopped eating and said "Because I love you.  I love you forever."

The way he looked at me and said those words....I could ride through eternity on that love.  I truly must have done something really right in my life to have been given Ethan. 

My cup runneth over...and so does my heart.

Is this our "First" Christmas?

Christmas always has and always will be my Favorite holiday.  I love celebrating the birth of Jesus and what that meant to us as a World.  I love that people seem to act a little nicer, happier, more hopeful, and generally more....Jolly.  There are so many events to keep us busy this time of year.  Some of my favorite outings is going to the local Craft (crap) Fairs.  Lots of Ladies carrying large crafty items as they struggle to see if the next vendor has yet one more thing they can't live without.  I attended my 2nd Craft (crap) Fair today with a friend.  We left the kids at home with their Dads and off we went.  There were lots of cool Americana home furnishings.  It took lots of self control to not get one of everything in there.  I did manage to find a few Christmas gifts, along with a Christmas dress for Ansley. It was a fun morning.  I saw that Santa was there too.  As we were leaving the Fair, I bought some raffle tickets.  On the way home, I got a call that I had won.  I got home and told Freddie that I needed to go back to get my prize.  No one wanted to go back with me.  Then I mentioned that Santa was there.  Ethan jumped up, ran and grabbed his shoes.  "I'll go!" he said VERY excitedly.

Last year we could not get him to go near the Easter Bunny or the "Normal" Santa.  We had to take Ethan to a Sensitive Santa event.  This event was held on a Sunday morning in the mall.  All of the mall lights were dimmed.  No music played...it was eerily quiet.  There was no flash photography used.  All of the elves understood.  They obviously had been trained to work with autistic children.  This was such a thoughtful event.  Taking a child with autism into a mall, during Christmas is a feat all its own.  The lights blinking, the loud music, the strong scents, then sitting with a strange old guy to get your picture made...with a ka BOOM flash of the camera - it's just too much.  So Sensitive Santa was a blessing.  We got in line and watching as it got so long that it went all the way down the mall and around the corner.  I kept thinking "there are SO many of us.  This has got to end."  Autism can make you feel isolated and like you are the only ones dealing with this.  It is moments like this that make you wish that it could only be us.  We saw lots of kids that were all over the spectrum as far as severity.  I kept thinking how Blessed we are.  "IT" can always be worse.

So Ethan and I arrived at the Craft (crap) Fair.  He kept repeating "Santa is here Mom, right?  He's here.  He will say "Hi Ethan!  How are you?  Are you naughty or nice?"

We went in and Ethan's face LIT UP!  Before we even got to Santa, Ethan waved at him.  Santa waved back.  You could see Ethan's eyes light up.  He was SOOOO very happy.  Ethan has NEVER been happy to see Santa.  Today he was.  We walked up and no other kids were waiting, so we had extra time.  Ethan went right up to Santa and said 'Hello.'  He then crawled up in Santa's lap.  He started talking about Transformers as he gently touched the fur on Santa's coat.  You could see his mind going. "He is real" is what I imagined he was thinking.  That look of joy and excitement is a far cry from the spooked manner in which he used to approach characters. 

We got our picture.  Ethan and Santa.  Holding the proof...I think Ethan floated to the car.  He got to tell Santa he wanted the new Transformer toys, so that should 'seal the deal.'

So while Ethan has been present for 7 Christmases, this will be more like his 1st because he understands what we are doing and why.  And with Ansley being 2 (almost 3)  she will really understand it this year.  What an EXCITING time at our house!  I love my Sweet Babies!!!

Ice Ice Baby

I woke up this morning to the glow of my hubby's iPhone.  He was reading the Bible at 5:00am.  God Bless Him.  God forgive me for wanting to (just for a moment) shove him off the bed so that the *BRIGHT* glow of the phone would go away and leave me to my lovely sleep.  - I turned over. Bah Hum Bug.  Fifteen minutes later, I was up.  Who can sleep through the glow of an iPhone?  Ok, so I did get a much longer shower this morning than I usually do. The downside....It.  It!  Where did IT come from?  We have IT on Xbox LIPS, but we haven't played that in a while.  Yet.....I hear IT.

"Alright STOP!  Collaborate and Listen!  Ice is back with a brand new edition."

Oh Vanilla Ice's catchy 'Ice Ice Baby!'  I have heard this in my head throughout the day.  I would somehow manage to mentally find places in the day to insert the lyrics.

A friend calls me up to get advice on her situation.
"If there was a problem, yo I'll solve it.  Check out my hook while the DJ revolves it"

Go to pick up Ethan from school.  Ansley says "Mommy, the wind is cold."
"Ice ice Baby - TOO COLD, TOO COLD!"

This has to be a form of torture!   I need this out of my head.  So I decide to sing it until I am sick of it.  So I did.....sorry to say - not much success there.

Afternoon comes and we go to pick Ethan up from school.  He had a good day, as usual.  YEAHHH!!!  I will NEVER get tired of being told that. On the way home, I am singing my beloved "Song of the Day."  Ethan responds "Mom!  Do you still have that problem?"  Y E S honey, I do!

Once we are home, I start going through Ethan's book bag.  For a moment I lose myself as I go through his paperwork.  He is doing SO well.  Then I see the pictures. 

Ethan had school pictures made about a month ago.  His Teacher said that he did not like the photo shoot 'setting,' so he fussed.  The picture they finally got captured his frustration.  He looks incredibly sad and stressed.  I had to stop a minute and think about it.  We are having SO much success with Ethan.  It is hard to think back to bad moments.  No matter how hard we work with Ethan, the autism is there.  No matter how successful he is with life in general, the autism is lurking.  Sensory overload can hit and all bets are off.  It is like having your 'fight or flight' button permanently pressed.  The sudden popping of a balloon, the back firing of an old truck, or even a prolonged time in a loud environment.  All of these things can cause Ethan to react in his 'I'm Outta Here' mode.

"I'm Outta Here" can be a simple "Let's go Mom," to a scared look on his face, to crying, or a complete emotional meltdown. We are going on 6 months since a true meltdown. AMAZING! Many kids with autism have them daily - ALL day.  Ethan's coping life skills have improved dramatically.  We prep him for almost every situation, which is the key for Ethan. We use Social Stories and we tell him the truth.  If he is getting a shot at the Doctor - we tell him.  We explain what will happen, how long it will last, and what his *prize* will be for being Brave.  Ahhh..the Motivators. We are all operating on Motivators, right?

So maybe on picture day, I didn't do a thorough enough job of preparing him.  Maybe I have gotten a little too confident with all of the success.  Sometimes it helps to stop and re-evaluate our plan...and to remember, IT is still there. Ethan's IT has not been conquered, yet. However, it has been put in a pretty well controlled holding pattern. We will get through these small moments...with photo evidence :)

As for my IT - the crazy 'Ice, Ice Baby' lyrics...they were almost gone, when Ansley came into the bathroom this morning saying "Ooooh Mommy, I'm cold - Too Cold."  Noooooooo....

He got a haircut

Today was uneventful. It was a crisp but sunny Fall morning. We did our usual scramble with short snips of "Hurry" being called out. We were only 8 minutes late for Church, which is a miracle all its own. Ansley went to play with her friends in the nursery while Freddie, Ethan and I went into the Church service. It was a very good sermon. The kind of sermon that leaves you with 'things' to think about. Afterwards we were off to lunch and then Walmart. As Freddie went to do a quick run through the store, we waited in the car - watching Phineas and Ferb. I looked at Ethan. "Maybe not today. He looks so happy. Maybe after school tomorrow." The boy needed a haircut. He needed a good haircut a month ago. But I keep subjecting him to "Mama Cuts" to not have to deal with what might happen at a hair salon. For a child with autism, the simple errand of getting a haircut can be a nightmare for all involved. In Ethan's defense, I get it. I am asking him to sit in a chair that squeeks, spins and has a weird booster cube in it. I then ask him to let a trendy girl with BRIGHT hair come at him with buzzing clippers. Oh and ask him not to worry as his hair falls off. I get it, babe. But Mama Cuts needs a fresh cut to keep up.

But he looks so happy. Am I really going to ruin our day. Yep...

So when Freddie comes out of Walmart, I ask if he is game to go get haircuts. Freddie was more than willing. I turn around and break it to Ethan. Putting on my "Happy Face" I explain that Daddy needs a haircut. "Since we are going to get Daddy a haircut, let's go ahead and get you a Big Boy cut too."

Wait for it.....The smile turns into the blank stare....Wait for it....

"ok. But Fox NFL Sunday after the haircut?"
"YES!!! We can watch anything you want to see when we get home!"

I watch as he mentally sizes up the deal. "ok Mom."

Did he just say ok?

We all get out and pile into the salon. I am ready to 'inform' the trendy stylist. I have the whole explanation down. I am an expert of sorts at making this haircut thing happen, no matter what. However, I have to be ready to do it. If I am not in the frame of mind to wrestle the bear, I don't even attempt it. Today I feel the Force. Let's do it.

I say this knowing the history of such events. The crying, the fighting...knowing that once I say we are doing this, that we have to.

Law of Behavioral Principles - If you provide an escape versus finding some way to work through a situation, you do so knowing that it will be 10 times worse on the next attempt.

So once we decide we are doing this...we ARE doing this. Ugh.... It would be so much easier to give up. To pretend I do not know this. To say "He has autism and cannot help it" and then walk out. But I know his limits, as well as his strengths. I know that if I cave and let him be weak, that he will pay for this as an adult. Life skills. Coping. Strength. Autism ain't for wimps.

Taking a deep breath and putting on that fake smile, we open the door and go in. They are ALL trendy girls. Visually confusing for Ethan. At least he only stares versus asking questions. We sign up and wait our turn. I whisper in his ear, telling him how Big he will look with his new hair cut. I remind him that we will see Fox NFL Sunday when we get home...that I have a lollipop in my purse....that his teacher will love his new haircut....how fast it will go...
I am starting to panic.... a little. Ethan nodded his head while staring off, in his own World.

"Ethan, you're next." *** inside voice*** thanks, I think we'll run now****

So what happened? He got a haircut. Nothing happened. No whining, no fussing, no freaking. Nothing. He smiled and answered the stylist's questions. He was charming.

She had no idea.

We did not cause a scene. There were not looks of sympathy. We did not have to hear about someone's friend who has a kid with autism. How bad off that kid is. How that child doesn't talk and how lucky we are that Ethan isn't worse. It is exhausting living with autism. Having everything rotate around that one word. Trying to weigh the 'is it worth it' factor.

Ethan got invited to a birthday party - at a skating rink - Is it worth it to try? Worth it defined as: Is there a chance he will like this or are we just gonna torture him by taking him?

Today is was worth it. It is a life skill. One that we conquered at our previous station but had yet to conquer here.

Today was uneventful. Our son got a haircut. He went in, got it, we paid and we left. Just like everybody else. Oh yes...AND he was charming.

autism - you are losing.

The Promise

Driving back home from taking Ethan to school this morning, my friends were heavy on my mind. Not all of my friends, but certain.... special ones. The ones that are going down the same road that I was on, just a short while ago. A road too familiar and too fresh in my memory to even speak of very often. But today, for some reason, I felt the need to think about the beginning of this journey. As I felt the memories come to mind, I knew that I would soon be crying. Maybe that is why I don't usually allow myself to take this stroll down memory lane. As soon as the thoughts come up, I do anything to make them go away. Crank up the radio, make a phone call...whatever it takes. But today, I needed to revisit it. So I did.

Back in 2002, we lost my Dad to COPD. Then in 2003, Freddie and I lost a baby. About 3 months after losing the baby, we were once again pregnant. We were shocked and thrilled! We had been dealing with such loss that we were overjoyed at being pregnant again and just KNEW that everything would be alright this time.

Ethan was born on Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 7:07 am. It was the Greatest moment of my life, thus far. He was Perfect! Healthy, fat, sweet....Oh the smell of that newborn baby. I could not kiss him enough. I knew in an instant, that we were to be the Best of friends. He was everything I have ever dreamed of. I adore him.

Two weeks after his birth, we moved to our new military station in Savannah, GA. What a magical city. We got a beautiful little cottage house and life was great. My sister and her family, along with my Mom, were just 4 hours away. This was to be the Best of times.

Two months later, Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. After a tough 10 months, she lost her battle. I remember holding one hand as my sister held the other. We watched her slip away. I felt as though a piece of my soul went with her. From this, I have never recovered.

Things began to get back to a strange normal. Freddie was continually overseas with the military and I had good friends to share life in Savannah with.

As Ethan got older, he began to say words and was a happy child. Everything was going well. Normal.

But as he approached 18 -24 months old, he seemed to be different from the other kids. He started 'changing.' His language decreased. He began to draw away from other children and preferred to play alone. He became very frightened of loud noises. Little things. People (doctors included) would say, "Oh he is fine. He is just doing his own thing. He will catch up." But I worried. As his peers were building little friendships, he was memorizing Wiggles dance moves. He began to lift his heels when he walked. Not exactly toe walking, but sort of like that. When Freddie would get to come home between deployments, he would urge me not to worry. Ethan did so many things well, maybe I was overreacting. I prayed for this to be true.

We then got orders to move to Alabama. Being back near the majority of my extended family sounded great. It would be strange to live there with Mom and Dad gone, but Aunts, Uncles, siblings, cousins, would fill the space. We made the plans to have a new house built. It was beautiful and things were good again.

We made our move and stayed busy getting reacquainted with our family. But I continued to notice the changes in Ethan. Freddie and I discussed this but did not know what to do. So I got on the computer and Googled what we were seeing in Ethan. Autism. Autism came up over and over. I thought "Autism? He doesn't have Autism"...as pictures of Rain-man came to my mind. I knew it had to be something else. I also saw Developmental Delay. THAT must be it! Just a delay.

So we called Early Steps and got him started with Speech Therapy. Ethan's speech improved, but I knew in my heart of hearts that there was something else. So after many evaluations, out of state trips to have multiple EEGs, MRIs, etc... We had conflicting reports. Autism. Absolutely No Autism. We did not know who or what to believe.

So we prayed. I prayed harder than I ever have in my life. We had dealt with so much, surely God wouldn't do this to us and to our little boy. We were in a form of denial and despair. On the outside we held it together pretty well. We would tell friends/family that we had accepted whatever it was that was going on with Ethan. To this day, I cannot say that I truly 'accept' it. We looked good on the outside, but once inside the walls of our perfect life, we would crumble. Freddie grasped to understand what had 'happened' to his son. I grasped to deal with the loss of my Dad, Mom, the baby, and now being 'robbed' of the child that sat right there before me. Devastation would be a fitting word.

So I prayed. I went through cycles of begging the Lord for help, to times of rage at Him for what He was allowing to be. I even went as far as the deal making stage. If God would let this not be our reality, He could give me something instead. Freddie could raise Ethan without me. Total Despair.

I then began to see that life WAS going to be, what it was. Ethan did have Autism. The pity party had to end and we had to get to work. So we got to work. Therapists, Camps, School, Sports.... It became my 'Mission' to do everything I could to help Ethan survive and be happy in life. It is still my life Mission. Freddie and I joined forces, became Ethan's team, and have fought for him and for our family ever since.

The crying, begging episodes to the Lord have since calmed down. I still pray every day, sometimes all day. I pray for our family, which now includes sweet Ansley. She has completed our family. Her sweet, funny personality is the boost we all needed. She too, I adore.

But one thought comes to mind as I make this trip down memory lane. A particular Church service in Alabama. We had a Great Man of God as our Pastor. His words brought us through what was one of the toughest times in our lives. But this one particular service, I remember the Church was packed and it was hot in there. It is hard to concentrate when you are hot. So as my mind would drift to finding something to fan with, I felt a little different that day. Maybe it was the heat? No. I soon realized that God was speaking to my heart. It was kind of like heavy thoughts that would not go away. I kept pushing them back and trying to find a darn paper to fan with. They would not go away. I finally stopped and listened. I felt as though God was trying to bring Ethan to my mind. He was in the childcare/bible class and having a blast, as always.

I looked at Freddie and saw that he was totally soaking in the wonderful sermon that this Pastor was sharing. But I kept hearing....Ethan. I bowed my head and began to pray. Whatever it is Lord, tell me please. Since the crying, begging stage of praying, I now would simply pray for God to let Ethan have a good and happy life. I did not ask for a Miracle, for him to be Healed, or anything of the sort. Just happy and good. I prayed the rest of the service. Nothing noticeable to anyone else, I don't think. I wasn't even sure what I was praying for in particular, just for Ethan. Ethan. My precious baby boy. My dream come true. Ethan.

As we stood to sing, I felt the word come over me. I still cry as I get to this part of the story, just as I am now. The word was HEALED. I SCREAMED inside my soul...NO!!!!!!! That was not possible! I will not let that despair take me over again. It is not possible for him to be healed! He can get better, but my logical mind knows, there will not be any healing going on. It is what it is. He is what he is. And it is okay. We will make it. He will make it.

HEALED.

I could not escape the words. Over and over and over. I felt myself start to shake at this point. Not crazy shake, but more like a strong tremble. I fought this word with Everything in my soul. It just kept getting louder in my head. I closed my eyes and felt the words wash over me like a waterfall. As much as my mind would not let me believe, my heart knew this was from the Lord. The tears began to roll down my face. At this point it was very evident to Freddie that something was going on with me. He probably was looking for the exits to drag his crazy wife out, that had finally lost it. I opened my eyes and felt my face wet with all of the tears. I felt a sense of peace that I had not known in years. I quickly dried my face and got myself together. Freddie held my hand and squeezed it. He smiled and let me know that whatever It was, that he was there.

Church was over and I couldn't get back to get Ethan quickly enough. I held him closer than I ever had. We 3 went home and snuggled on the couch. I couldn't get close enough to my boys. Could God really mean 'HEALED?'

Of all uncertainties in life, I know this. God knows what He means and Means what He says. I take Him at His Word. I may not understand Him, but I Believe Him.

So today, we are yet at another military base. It is the 4 of us. Life has been good, tough, easy, and crazy. Ethan is in lots of therapy....currently 6 days per week. He is in the 1st grade at a private Christian school. Ethan has regained his speech. He still is not developmentally with his 'typical' peers, but he is quickly getting there. He has his quirks. He stims. He is still afraid of loud noises, but working through it. It upsets him terribly to see the black screen of a tv that is turned off. Quirks. But he is also Funny, smart, has attitude, can read above his peers, likes tae-kwon-do, is a Great swimmer, laughs easily and is well behaved with excellent manners. He is happy, safe, and doing good. All I could have even asked the Lord for.....

But God put The Promise in my heart. He wrote it on the Walls of my heart. HEALED. The progression that Ethan has made and the pace at which he is catching up is MARVELOUS and a dream come true. But God told me HEALED. And I believe Him. I am not asking for "Healed" but that is The Promise. I heard it with my very soul. I know what I know. I heard Him....

So I now pray for God to finish the work he started in Ethan, in me, and in our family. I ask God to use me where I can be of help to anyone else that is going through this. In time, I have come across many situations and people that I have indeed been able to share our story with and been able to help them. For this I am so thankful.

As I go along, from time to time, I will see the word HEALED on a sign, in a book, just randomly in places. It never ceases to ring that 'bell' in my heart as a reminder of The Promise. I have no idea exactly what God has in store for the rest of our lives, but I know He is Faithful and IT is going to be Awesome~

Ethan got a Yellow stripe on his white Tae-kwon-do belt yesterday. What a great end to a day.

The stripe was unexpected and Ethan seemed as surprised as Freddie, Ansley, and I as we excitedly clapped and did 'thumbs up.' I am so glad Freddie made it to this particular class. Freddie goes to Tae-kwon-do as much as he can. It is tough to get there in time from work. But he made this one, and Ethan was shining like the Sun.

He happily announced 'I got a stripe! I did a good job! A Yellow stripe!'

'Yes, you did a good job and we are so proud of you' we told Ethan. And we are. And he did. Even Ansley clapped.

We Clifford's had a moment there. In this moment, all of the therapies and worries and stuff faded away.... And we all held his belt and touched the stripe. The precious Yellow stripe.

Earlier that morning was not such a shining moment. As soon as Heather arrived (Ethan's OT) the fussing began. Ethan usually loves to see Heather. She is fun and 'gets it.' Her work is masked as play and Ethan has a blast with her. But this particular day was not going as expected. Complaints, fussing, escape. Heather, in her patient way explained that everyone has an 'off' day. She reminded me of how many great sessions they have had. She was right. She is awesome.

So after Heather left, Ethan sheepishly came up to me. 'I am sorry about this. I am sorry about the fussing with Miss Heather. Computer time?'. Ethan was wheeling and dealing to get his computer time.

Computer time is Ethan's most preferred activity. He can earn it or lose it. I explain to Ethan, as I pick up his token reward board, that he has to earn his computer time. So after completing his tasks laid out, Ethan earned the computer time. Oh the fun Ethan had on the computer!

So we were back in the car, beaming from the Yellow stripe.

Ethan says from the back seat 'I did a good job. I got the Yellow Stripe.'

'Yes, you did a good job' I reply. But then I asked him 'Do you know why you got a Yellow stripe?'

He thought and said 'Because I was a Good Boy.'

'That's right, Baby.'

After thinking for a few minutes, Ethan said 'and this morning is all gone.'

Huh? What was he talking about?

He then said 'this morning....the fussing is all gone.'

Ethan was asking and sort of telling me at the same time.... He wanted me and US to forget the bad morning. He had gotten a Yellow Stripe at Tae-kwon-do and he wanted today to be about that. He wanted to know that I was over it and he was not in trouble.

He had made up for it. He had a Yellow Stripe to prove it.

'Yes Ethan, this morning is forgotten, it's gone, and Forgiven. It is all gone. You have done a good job and I am Very proud of you.'.

He smiled his brightest smile...and then said 'Computer time?'

'Of course, Baby.'