I have been reading articles regarding "curing" autism and find some that are somewhat disturbing. When Matt was dx with autism I wished that he had not been stricken with this ailment and often wished that he was "normal". Over the years I have come to terms with our dx and appriciate all of his qualities and most of all his smile and wonderful outlook on things. I would never want to "cure" that. We treat other disorders and diseases but haven't found a cure for them. We treat diabetes, cancer, AIDS, and etc. and are yet to erradicate the world of them. EVERY autistic child has something great that he or she can teach the rest of us if we only take the time to learn from them instead of trying to "cure" them. God does not make mistakes, he makes us all the way we are suppose to be. Unfortunately some must be different or even suffer through struggles because of illness or disorders. My son is one of them... and I am very proud of him and the things that he has overcome and achieved w/o attempting to change him. Each day he teaches me how to have a different outlook on things and how to praise God for all that we are given in this life. So to Matthew.... THANK YOU, SON for all that you have given me. As for those that follow a strict regimen and have given up soo much for their children and are trying everything to correct the disabilties that their children have I do not in any way fault you. I may have done the same thing if the options that you have today were available to me many years ago. I cannot say so as a definite answer because that would only be speculation. As I have said before, Matt is the way he is for a reason and he touches many lives because of his different perspective of things. If I had attempted to change him or cure him then he would not be the same Matt that we all know and appreciate each day.

Matt getting ready for the trip. Everyone needs a cowboy hat in Nashville.

Downtown Nashville

Lunch at the Wildhorse.


Josh Turner just happened to stop by the night we went to the Wildhorse!!! WOW!!! Matt was beside himself w/excitement.

Vacation Time

Every family looks forward to getting away together for a while each year, and mine is no different. We decided last year that we would take a trip to Nashville this year. It was really Rob's idea... he thought that Matt would enjoy it.
Matt has always loved music ,ESPECIALLY country music. Some of his favorite artists include, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Josh Turner. He is a huge fan of CMT. He can identify county songs after only hearing the first few notes of a song. He is so excited about going to Nashville. Rob's children are as well. Katy is a huge fan of Carrie Underwood as well. We have purchased tickets to the Opry to see Carrie but none of the kids know it yet. The will be sooo suprised.
Matt has been helping me pack today and he can't seem to pack enough. He thinks we "may" need everything. He wanted to pack the tv remote because as he put it "may need". I tried to explain that the hotel would have what we needed and that we only needed to pack our clothes. "Oh", he said and continued to pack objects that would and would not be needed. He is truly so much help to me. He brightens my day each and everyday.
We will be leaving early in the am, and I am sure it will be difficult to get Matt to go to sleep tonight with all the anticipation that I am sure he is feeling.
Matt and I will try to update some while we are gone. Hope everyone who may be going on vacation and those who have already gone and returned home had and will have a great time and a safe trip. Please say a prayer that my family will as well.

Vacation... in two more days

Nashville Tn bound in two more days. Matt is so excited. He thinks everday is the day we are leaving for vacation. Everyone is going, Rob/me, Matt, Katy, Seth and yes Solomon. "Solomon Goes to Nashville". Hmmm....sounds like a good title for a movie, LOL.
Matt watches CMT all the time and knows every artist and all of their songs. So Rob thought it would be a good idea to take him to the city where it all began. We plan on touring The Ryman, The Grand Ole Opry(have tix to see Carrie Underwood) but Matt and Katy do not know it yet(hee hee), The General Jackson and Music Row. Whew... already tired, but it will be a blast for Matt and the rest of us watching him. Pray for us a safe trip. I will try to update on twitter while we are gone.

We are coming up on another meeting of the autistic support group meeting for my area and over the past several weeks since the last meeting I have been reading articles and searching the internet for subject matter pertaining to gluten free diets and vaccinations related to autism. Along with reading those articles I have been reading my bible and pondering alot regarding myself and Matt and autism.
When Matt was born, even before he was born I had expectations of what he would be like. What his personality would be, what type of sports he would play, where he would go to college, who he would marry, and all the other things that parents think about before the birth of a child. After Matt came into this world he appeared "normal", met all of the milestones he was suppose to around the correct age, until it came time for signs of language to be present. He cooed and laughed and made all those adorable baby noises, but true language was absent. He had experienced numerous ear infections during his infancy and had some scarring to his ears because of that. I was certain that this was the cause of the language delay. He had tubes placed in his ears around age 2 and I was certain with a little time he would be talking. Speech did come but not as it should. I was in denial looking back, thinking even by the age of four that he would catch up. Finally I came to terms and said, "something isn't right". After many visits to physicians and specialists we were given the diagnosis of "mental retardation". My world was shattered. I moped for months, even years. Finally we received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by age 8. Eleven years ago I had never heard of the disorder, let alone the vaccine issue or diet issue. Other than medication and attempts to receive proper services at school that was about all that we could do. Over the last several years the debate over diet and vaccinations have raised many questions and sparked many controversies.
I have pondered the subject and wondered if I would have done or not done some of the things that are out there now to "prevent, improve, or cure" autism. I have come to the conclusion that God does not make mistakes. He is the Creator of all and designs each of us the way that He wants. Matthew's name means "Gift from God" and he truly is. All children with autism are gifts from God. Matt has taught others around him and myself that he content with himself and that he can accomplish much with time and effort. Vaccines and diets may or may not have changed anything with his disabilities... but either way if Matt had been born any other way then he would not be the son that has taught me so much over the years and he would not be the Matt I know and love.

Finally able to get Huntsville pics posted. Kids and Matt had a good time but I don't think that they could appreciate the greatness of the shuttle, Saturn IV, and the excitement of the technology that Rob and I could. We decided that space travel is something that the all have grown up with, it is something that they have always known. For us older people(LOL) we can remember a time when it was unheard of or just a fledgling program. This year in July celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing. Amazing!!!!!

Our trip to the space center.

June 22 trip to Huntsville Space Center!!!!

"Luke, I am you father". Rob, Matt, Seth, and Katy.

Look how small Rob looks next to the the shuttles.

Matt wanted to wear a space suit.

1. Matt at the controls!!!

the space shuttle

Matt is beat... Must take a break.

Rob, Seth, and Matt checking out the planes.