La la la laaaa, la la la laaaa.......Elmo's World

Last week I took Jessie and Sam to Busch Gardens.

We rode on the River Rapids ride several times.

Jessica and Samuel rode it a few more times than me.

I could only ride it twice.......

anymore than that would have caused great embarrassment to my children......

well, to one, the other would have laughed hysterically.

Why???

My jeans, that I wore for their comfort level, had a flaw.

When waterlogged with copious amounts of water they like to fall slide slip fall down.

I then have to walk around holding them up.

Note to self......never sit next to Jessica on a ride where water is dumped, splashed, shot and gushed at you. 

Jessica attracts all the water!!!

Anyway, it was a fun time.

We went back today.

Sam has been asking and asking to go to

"Elmo's World".

That is what he has been calling Busch Gardens.

Today we went straight to

Samuel had a blast splashing around in the water area.

He had Jessica made a few laps around the tree house area with rope bridges, etc..

After splashing around for a while, Samuel came and asked if we could go and ride the train.

On the way out of the Sesame Street area, there was a photo opportunity tent with Elmo and Big Bird.  Sam made a beeline and stood in line very patiently.  When it was his turn, Samuel went up and gave Elmo tons of hugs.  Big Bird received a polite hug, but Elmo was the clear favorite!  Samuel was very concerned that Elmo wasn't speaking and checked out his mouth to make sure he was OK.

It was a great photo opportunity.

They were having issues with the computer, so while waiting for the photos, the two kiddos went on the kiddie roller coaster......

Jessica was very distressed because it had some "drops".

Samuel???  Not so distressed......

they rode it again.

We had 15 minutes to wait for the train, so we spent our time watching

SHEIKRA

Jessica declared that wild horses could not get her to ride this roller coaster.

Samuel asked if he could ride this roller coaster.

I said that I would ride this roller coaster when Samuel was big enough to go with me.

Samuel loved getting splashed with the water.

When the people plummeted down the 90 degree, 1000ft (well, maybe not that far!) drop, pulling 4gs, I couldn't help but think that it should be called "Shriekra" not just plain old "Shiekra."

We caught the train and headed towards the exit.

It was a good way to spend a few hours.

Just an ordinary day, doing ordinary things.

Just like everyone else at the park.

But, this wasn't such an ordinary day.

When you have a child with autism, remember that I write from our experiences, you never know.

You never know how a simple trip to the local amusement park is going to turn out.

Will Sam "keep his hands to himself", or will he push, hit, and pull hair to get another child's attention?

Will something cause a meltdown that will swirl so completely out of control and it takes every bit of your strength physically and emotionally to remove your child from the situation?

Will Sam take off running and I won't be able to keep up?

Will Sam truly enjoy the experience, or find it so overwhelming that he stims with his "Sam tai chi" the entire time?

I have hundreds of will, will, wills at any given time.

Can't live life dwelling on the "you never knows."

Can you guess what my "will" question was when Sam made his way up to Elmo??

"Will he hug Elmo or push Elmo down and run off with his head causing great trauma to all the small children present.....?"

That didn't happen.

Sam hugged Elmo.

Sam helped Big Bird look for some swimming trunks.

(They don't carry Big Bird's size)

When we were leaving the area, Elmo and Big Bird were out walking around trying to drum up some photo opportunity business.  Elmo saw Sam and came over to him.  He rubbed Sam's head and gave him another hug and waved good-bye to him.

So, today, was a good day.

As we go through this journey with our little boy, there are far more good days than bad.

There are more and more opportunities for Samuel to enjoy and experience life just like any 6-year old little boy.

There are more smiles and joy.

There is more of this.......

Sally-Ann

Jingle Bells.........

Christmas time is definitely one of our favorite times here in the Purdy house!

Last week we went to Christmas Lane and then drove around looking at Christmas lights for our Family Home Evening.

Here are some pictures!

Samuel actually sat still for a few seconds!!

So did Jessica!!!!

 Samuel wouldn't hold still long enough to get a photo of both of them together in the sleigh however!!

Love their huge Christmas tree!



Jessica was a very good sport.  Maybe this should go on the Christmas card this year?????



Ho ho ho.......Merry Christmas!!!!!



There is a Sam in there somewhere!!



I see his legs!!!!!!



There he is!!!!!



Time for a snack



It is tough getting a photo of my sweetie!



Sam got to ride the train several times, much to his delight!



I find the smile on the father snowman rather.......creepy......



Yep......haven't changed my mind



Samuel found these TVs shaped like yo yos ver facinating



I never have liked Jack-in-the boxes very much.......I'm watching you!!!!



Jessica was also cautious when passing the snowmen and the Jack-in-the box.....

Good-bye until next year Christmas Lane!!

Samuel talks about Christmas Lane every day.  He grabs my hand and says, "I love Christmas Lane."
Jessica doesn't do that, but I know she thinks it!!!!

Sally-Ann



Catch-up time again.....Fall Festival

Sam's school has a fall festival every year.

Just the right amount of activities and then they finish with a Thanksgiving Feast.

Building a scarecrow

Sam watches as Avery tries his hand at Scarecrow Toss

 Taking a break

 Table all set and ready for the feast!!

 Yum, Yum!!!

 Ready to eat!!

It was a fun day for all the children.  They made t shirts with their hand print on it and then used their fingerprints to make leaves - a tree with fall colours.

Sally-Ann

If I am found dead, "Keep Calm and Carry On"........

I have been trying to get my garage organized.

It is a job that requires a hard hat, a strong back, nerves of steel

and lots and lots and lots of large trash bags........

This actually is NOT my garage.  Ours is not THIS messy



The process has been slowed down a little bit because amongst all the junk are boxes of mementos. 

Photos, my baby's firsts......

their seconds,

thirds

and fourths......

.you get the idea!

Love letters from Jim to me.

Love letters from me to Jim.

Memories, memories, memories.

One of my most favorite photos that I found, is this one....

I was extremely pregnant with a 9lb 8.8oz Jessica.

Joshua wanted to come to my doctor appointment with me because he absolutely loved adored loved and adored our family doctor......Dr. Perzinski.

In this photo Joshua is listening to his sister's heartbeat.

A friend was doing a photography project and capturing the different stages of pregnancy on film. 

That is the only reason a photo of my big belly exists!!!  

Can't believe I am putting it on my blog!

But, I love the look of concentration on Joshua's face.

My next find was very bitter sweet.

It made me smile.....

It made me sad......

It caused me to reflect a bit.

It made me think of this..... 

 Shortly after my mother died, my good friend Andrea, sent me a box with some of her things.  I had forgotten about this one item, it is a note, and when I unfolded the paper, I laughed out loud. 
My Mum would put many of these notes around her house.  

"If found dead, PLEASE do not panic.
Phone Anne on *** *** and she will call Dr. Monks.  
Remind him I'm not to go to the morgue!!  Murphy McKay Funerals
Phone Murphy McKay *** ***
and Sally ***************" 

Yes, this may seem a strange thing.
If you knew my mother.........not so strange.

My mother had bad health and the last few years of her life she would often have times where she was sure that she was going to die on a certain day or weekend.  Mum would often call me and tell me this - so it wouldn't be a shock when I received the call!
I would always call her a few days later, and when she answered the phone, I would ask her how come she was answering the phone!!  She would get mad and hang-up on me!!

What made me sad then, and makes me sad today, is that she concentrated so much on preparing for her death and preparing others for it, that she stopped living. 

We need to find joy in every day.
Sometimes this may be hard.
But, if we look hard enough, there is always a bright spot in each day.

Samuel helps me to find the joy in each day.
He is a happy boy.
When you walk in the door he greets you with joy.
He builds you up.
He encourages you to "try again Mummy!"
and gives you a resounding, "You did it!" or, "Good job!" when you do try again and succeed.

Are we that encouraging and supportive to those that we meet?
Do we have joy on our faces??
Are we living in the moment???
Or are we swept up in what was and what will be?
Worrying about the past and about the future takes away from where we are.

Oh, I know that everything can't be sunshine and roses all the time.
But, we can live joyfully........

Just ask Sam.

 

Sally-Ann

Today

I was going to repost this a few days ago, but didn't.
It is a post I did about my brother.
I have changed my mind and will repost it after all.
Today is Veteran's Day here in the USA.  My brother didn't serve in the military, but he will always be a hero to me.

A few days ago I titled one of my posts, "Sometimes".

Last night and today, and I am sure in the next few days, I have thought about that post and the emotions behind it.

It has been a very long time since I have actually sobbed when I have cried.  The big heart wrenching sobs that are uncontrollable.......the ones that actually hurt your chest.

It amazes me how quickly life can change.  

How the world as we know it will never be the same.

In the blink of an eye........

 Or the ring of a telephone........

Today, I got out of bed like any other day.  I got Samuel ready for school and drove him through rush hour traffic to get there.  I sat through PTA meeting, walked through the mall and bought brining stuff for our Thanksgiving turkey.  All normal, every day type of stuff.

But, today wasn't the same.

Everything is different now.

Katrina, Graham (brother), Dianne (sister-in-law), Anthony and Jason.  Andrew wasn't there.

 This is my brother and his family at the airport when I left Tasmania to fly to the USA to marry Jim.  Nearly 25 years ago!

Anthony, Jason, Katrina, Dianne and Graham.  Andrew isn't there again!!!  I sense a pattern.

 Both these photos were taken last July when we were back in Tasmania for vacation.

Aahaa!  The elusive Andrew is on the right!

Graham getting an earful from Auntie Lyn.  She was telling him to visit!

Finally!  One of them all together.

This photo, and the next several, were taken in Western Australia when Graham and Dianne went to visit their kids and grandchildren.

I've been trying to recall my earliest memory of my big brother.  Graham was 17-years-old when I came into the picture.  My sister Gayle was 14.
Here are some of my memories:

• Every pay day, Graham would buy me a little bag of mixed lollies.
• I loved Graham's bedspread, it had a horse on it.
• Graham drove trucks for a living at one stage, and sometimes he would take me with him.
• I loved riding on the back of his motorbike, especially when he would take me to school sometimes.......I felt so cool  :)
• Graham was hired to cut down some big trees at my elementary school.  While there a huge bull escaped from the local "Sales" yard and made into the school yard.  While everyone watched out the windows, my brother caught it and took it back to where it belonged.  Then, after school, he took me home on the back of his motorbike.
• Whenever I got into trouble with my Mum, which happened quite frequently, Graham would swoop in and rescue me.
• Most of my summers were spent at Graham and Dianne's house.
• Everyone loves to hear Graham stories.  My brother is Crocodile Dundee and Steve Irwin all rolled up into one package.
• Everyone knows my brother
• I know that if I ever needed anything, my brother would take care of me.  Everyone needs a big brother like Graham.  A little rough around the edges, but a heart of gold.
• Graham would buy me mega cans of Milo.
• When I was asked to speak in Sacrament meeting at church, Graham would always come if I asked him.

Granny Geale, Graham and Mum

Grandfather Geale, Granny Geale and Graham

My sister Gayle - 12, Graham - 14

These are the only pictures I have of Graham in his "younger" days.  My scanner isn't all that flash, so this is the best I can do for now.

This photo was taken at a picnic right before I left to come to the USA.

 So many in the above photo are no longer here.

They are my family.

Last night.
With the blink of an eye.
With the ring of the phone.
Everything changed.

Eric Graham Johns
Graham is a son, big brother, husband, father and grandfather.
He loved his family.
Graham loved going up to his shack at the lakes.
Words cannot say everything that Graham is.


Last night,
Graham died,
and now, everything is different.

Sally-Ann