1. For the longest time, I did not want children. I liked them, yet I wanted my ‘freedom,’ so I would babysit a lot.

2. When we lost our first baby, I thought that was it. I had waited too late and in fact would not have kids.

3. We were VERY surprised to be pregnant again in less than 3 months.

4. I CRAVED and ate a LOT of ORANGES. I carried an orange peeler in my purse to work.

5. I thought being pregnant and even the birth, was the coolest thing EVER.

6. I thought that Ethan was the most perfect child I had ever seen.

7. I stayed up watching Ethan sleep for the first week. Now that he is 7, I still go by his bedroom to watch him sleep at least 5 times a night.

8. I am head over heals in love with Ethan, and Miss Ansley as well.

9. I know that somewhere in life, I must have done something really right.

10. I love my family 🙂

11. Being a Military Wife, with 2 small kids, and one with Autism, is not for Wimps.

12. I have found that I am stronger than I ever imagined.

13. I have found that I have ZERO patience for people who are either a jerk to my son or to any kid/family dealing with Autism. Walk a day in our shoes….. WAIT! You couldn’t handle it.

14. Forgive the jerks, just never let them back in. They are not worth it.

15. Helping other families is the sure fire way to make a difference. Give them a break, cook them a meal. Listen.

16. ABA therapy works. Eye of Newt and other ‘voodoo’ miracles do not.

17. A child with Autism sometimes just needs a chance to ‘prove’ themselves. Be an Angel and give them that chance.

18. The strategically spoken ‘motivator’ can equal AMAZING results: “You know….Optimus Prime always folds clothes for HIS Mom.”

19. Be a part of the solution. The numbers are growing. If it is not directly affecting you….wait. It will.

20. If you see a kid ‘having a fit’ in public, know that it may be more than just a ‘fit.’ Be kind. Don’t stare.

21. Ethan has taught me so much. I am a better person because of him. I look at the World and people in a way that I wish I always had. He has taught me to try harder.

22. Animals that CHARGE at my child(ren) and are NOT on a leash, in a location that they SHOULD be on a leash, should be shot. Period. It will take MONTHS to get Ethan to look at an animal on a tv after that, much less be near one in person. RESPONSIBILITY!!!

23. I still need to work on reeling in my Short Fuse when it comes to my kids. If any harm comes to them due to someone’s laziness or ‘whatever’ attitude….It is on. See # 22.

24. I never could have gotten through the past 7 years without God. I was raised as a Christian, but it kind of sat on a ‘shelf’ for years. After losing my Dad, Mom, a baby, Military friends (too many), and then Ethan’s diagnosis…..I was at the bottom of the bottom. I surely would have lost it had it not been for God. He pulled me up and renewed my life. I am not the same person. I am the person HE knew I could be. Jesus is my Best Friend and I will never again be ignorant enough to ‘let go.’

25. Being who I am and where I am would never mean what it does without Freddie. Freddie has weathered all that has come our way with love and class. Freddie has been the strength that has held our family together. His kind voice of reason, his Faith in God, and his love of me and the kids….well…the depth of it still amazes me. He is a Man I can count on and believe in. My heart overflows…. I Adore You, Freddie.

26. Best for Last: God is not done with us yet! God is not done with Ethan. I pray a special prayer for Ethan. I pray that God would finish the work He started in him. I feel that God will use Ethan’s Autism for His Glory. I know that there is a reason for all of this. So if you remember our family, please pray that prayer with us.