What is autism?

I get this question quite often. What is autism? According to Wikipedia, autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non verbal communication and restricted and repetitive behavior. To me, that definition is pretty right on. Autism is hard to understand for some people because no one child on the spectrum is the same. Having 2 on the spectrum, I see the large difference. The spectrum is large, and each child has different abilities or lack of. A way to explain it is to compare their brain with a computer. If you download every program, your computer will shut down. I think that is what happens to their brain....just too much going in. Those on the autism spectrum are very smart....each one in a different area.
Second most asked question: Was vaccines the cause? This is a hot topic. For us, the answer is no, they did not. Can everyone say that? Unfortunately, no. I know several people who have had children with reactions after a vaccine. So, yes, vaccines can cause damage for some. I believe each family has to make their own decision on vaccines. I believe that children get too many at one time. I believe they should be spaced out more.
For us, I think some of this is hereditary since we have 2. Could be from their birth mom as she had mental issues but who knows. We just move on. Our goal is to be sure Thomas is happy. I believe we are doing that. He is mild mannered. We do not have violence issues like some families do. For that, we are blessed. He loves people, and holding hands.
I am glad autism is getting attention now. I don't want people to be afraid of him, or thinking they can't approach him. Please do. Talk to him like you would any other person. He won't answer you in words but will in other ways. He is very smart, and knows what is going on around him....more than you realize.

Essential oils

What is this essential oil craze? Are essential oils just a media hype? These are questions I get more often than you think. Essential oils have been around since ancient days. The Bible mentions them. The rest of this post will talk about them pertaining to my own experience. For me, I like putting all natural things in my body to help heal my body as opposed to the drugs created in a laboratory. Alot of those drugs have a list of side effects longer than what ailments it helps. Granted, I am not fully away from OTC medicines but have decreased them significantly. There are many essential oils companies out there and you do need to do your homework on them. Some are not any better for you than the regular medications. I have found a company I trust for my oils. Since I am not selling on this blog, message me if you want more information. I love the results I am feeling. My husband was a skeptic until I had him try something for his indigestion and it worked! Yes, he is still on prescriptions but some things he uses the essential oils instead. So, for me, I made the best choice when I signed up for a wholesale membership a year ago. If you use essential oils or don't and would like to comment on your experiences, please do.

Follow Him Friday

Follow Him Friday.....this will be my day of inspiration. It could be Bible verses, sharing what I learned in Bible study, Inspirational stories. I am starting a new Bible study at church next week......The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. I think it will be an awesome study. I think next week, I will bear my testimony. My faith is important to me so, of course, I had to have at least one day devoted to it.
So, that is the days in a nutshell. Please join me on this journey.

Anything Thursday

So, what will this day cover? Basically whatever I want......whatever is happening or on my mind that day. Could be political, couponing, what's in the news, things I might be struggling with.....the sky's the limit! It may be controversial one day, and not the next. Let's just see what happens.

Puzzling Wednesday

What is Autism? What are symptoms? How does one get Autism? What resources are available? These are all questions I get asked and I will cover each one and many others on Wednesdays. What is my experience in this area? I have 2 sons with autism.....1 is severe and 1 higher functioning. Thomas is 21 and on the severe end. He is non verbal but loves music. Phillip is 25 and higher functioning. He completed 2 years at Community college. He is smart in the area of politics and history. I will be drawing upon my own experiences in some of my posts. Some will be funny. Some will be educational. And some will be controversial. If you have questions I can answer, please pm me.
By the way, sorry this post is so late. I chose to spend time with family today. We also decided to watch War Room this morning. Awesome movie if you haven't seen it yet. And we had church stuff.

Tastefully Tuesday

Tastefully Tuesday.....what will this day be about? Basically healthy eating and lifestyle....may even talk about essential oils. So, since I am writing about it, I must be healthy and in shape, right? Big fat NO on that. I am in the journey right now and want to share my experiences.
I do use essential oils....DoTerra and love what they do for me, and the connections I have made through them. No, I will not use this page to sell oils, so no worries there.
My weight story is such a simple one. Growing up, I ate alot of fresh, unprocessed foods. I ate alot of vegetables. I was outside all the time. Even my first year of college, I did not gain the "freshman 15". But in 2000, I experienced alot of tragedy and I didn't care how I ate anymore. I didn't want to be active. I gained 50 pounds in that year and another 10-15 the following year. I tried alot of "diets" and then I found Terrafit and it works for me. I will be starting it again soon. First time on it, I lost 15 pounds in the 90 days. You are probably waiting to hear more about Terrafit, huh? Sorry but that is next week's post.
I would also like to share recipes on here. I have lots. I have some from articles in the 1940s too.
I realize this was a long post but I really wanted to set up this week with my experiences......my journey with the subjects. Happy Tuesday all!

Sorry for the confusion

So sorry for the confusion. I was so excited to start that I wrote Monday's blog on Saturday. I was thinking I was behind schedule....lol. Then I realized this morning, it was Sunday not Tuesday. Lol. So, you're welcome....an early read for all of you.