It's been way to long I know!!!

Ok so quick update.... I switched job positions so I am not available to get to blog at work anymore...So we are trying to decide if we are going to break down and get the internet hooked up at the house...anyways...Dean's check ups are going great!!! He is doing so much better...We have compleated the 4th session of Chelation medication....Those 3 days are pretty rough...most of the time Dean is really tired, and breaks out in a bad rash but hopefully that is all working and we are getting the toxins out of his body....on FEBRUARY 26 2008 across from Taco Bell in the old carteret news times building there is going to be an art show from all over the county of the schools grades k-12 and DEAN GOT SELECTED!!!!!! I have no idea what he drew or that he was even interested in art so I am so excited to see what it is.....
The kids got bunk beds this past week and they love them they are the kind with the stairs instead of a ladder...but you can't tell sissy its a bed she calls it her castle...Dean actually likes sleeping in his room now, so hopefully Richard and I will have our bedroom back soon......

I am really excited about the calling I have recieved...I am an Assistant Teacher in Primary now...it is so much fun...I was really nervous because everything is all so new to me still but I love learning more and more and its great to be able to see things in kids perspectives.....One of my kids, Caysen, she is so smart....I don't think that we have asked her one thing that she didn't know....They are all really great and I have the best time with them...

so here is my update for now
if i think of anything else Ill try to post it
and try to keep more updates coming sooner

the far far away doctor's report

So, we went to see Dr. Harum yesterday. She is Dean's Autistic Specialist. She gave us really good news about the toxins since they screened his urine and compared it with the hair sample she thinks that the hair sample could have been a false positive and we are doing that again. We have increased some of his medicines, changed some, and added some but all in all he is really good at taking the medicine. We will see how this goes and see if it helps with his focusing. That right now seems to be where the biggest problem is. So, I'm off for now and will update next month on the doctor reports when we go back for the results. By then, the TEACCH sessions will have started.

TEACCH HERE WE COME!!!

So we have decided on the dates for Dean's (and our) therapy sessions and we go back to the "far far away doctor" on nov 6th to see about the toxin reports. Dean bless his heart has been having a really hard time at school lately. Mainly I think it is because they are trying to do his routine a much different way than what he is used to. They had so many great implemets last year, and since they have a new Resource teacher this year she has taken all of those things away.. (i.e. the sit and spin, the picture cues for him to understand things ect.) I have no idea what she is thinking.......And to tell you the truth, I'm not that impressed either.....we have tried to get an iep meeting set up so we can discuss this and her remark (the resource teacher) was ...."That requires much more paperwork than an regular confrence meeting so we should just have that" WHAT?!?

ok so enough ranting right now
last week we took the kids to Wilmington, and went to the children's museum and the rail road museum...well anyone that knows Dean knows he LOVES trains...so, he has been asking for the steam train all week long.
So he asked us if he could go to see the steam trains next time he sees the
far far away doctor. too cute

and the answer was yes of course!!

birthday

Dean's 6th birthday was on Monday the 22nd, and we had his party Friday the 26th @ Dairy Queen. It was really fun and he had a great time. I really enjoy having his birthday parties there because

1) Someone else does the cooking and cleaning, and preparing,
2) I can actually ENJOY the party and the guests without having to run around like a chicken with my head cut off

so anyway fun was had by all

I am Unique!!!!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Brand New

So, I am now officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I must say already my life has been compleatly transformed. Not only is my relationship with Heavenly Father better, but so is my relationship with my husband, my kids, my family and even here at work is just so much better. At my baptism, I was asked to give my testimony if I wanted to. I thought I would be so nervous, but, I wasn't. It felt like I had this surge of energy all through my body. All that day I felt compleatly at peace and clean. I have been able to tackle obsticles head on instead of worrying about them until it drives me bonkers. All I can say is that, I feel so much better about everything.

I've been thinking a lot about my dad during these past few weeks, and the work that needs to be done for him here. I cannot wait for that to begin. I feel so much more at peace about him passing. Before I thought I had lost him forever and that when I pass away I would know him but not KNOW KNOW him. I have learned now that is compleatly false.

Dean has been doing great this past few months and Lily and Dean have been starting to ask to go to church. Let me say that is a wonderful feeling. Lily has decided that she is supposed to run around like crazy during Sacrement Meeting. So, I end up having to take her out. Then, she decides to be good out in the lobby area. So, I try to take her back in, and the whole cycle starts over again. I even have snacks, coloring books, a babydoll, anything I can think of that would keep her occupied. So, I am open to suggestions if anyone has any....I am sure I'm not the first one for this to happen to.

storm clouds and rain and a lawn mower

this was taken about a year ago but i love the pic and just had to add it....

I must admit I might be a little biased but sometimes Dean can say the funniest and cutest little things....case in point..

Dean: Mama I see a storm cloud (looking up at the sky)
Me: you do?
Dean: yeah that means its gonna rain, we cant go play until its a sunshine cloud again...

next day :
Dean: mama its a sunshine cloud today we can play!

(BIG BIG thing for him) cause and effect and recognition!!!!!!

at school yesterday Ms. Damren got so tickled at Dean :

Dean is very very attentive to any type of outside machinery
someone was outside on the school yard mowing the grass and Dean was sitting with Ms. Gina practicing writing some numbers....well he heard the mower....got up ran to the window and watched the lawn mower until he couldn't see it again
next thing you know he's going back to his seat to do more numbers again until.....
he hears the mower again....she said he kept watching until he could not see it anymore and then went back and finished his numbers... at least he knew to go back and finish his work hahaha

my little man has a number

1st Grade.... he had so much fun yesterday and did so good...everyone was commenting on it, his teacher, the physcologist, even the principal...everyone is so great @ Smyrna....We met Miss Gina who is his 1 on 1 teacher this year. She seems really nice and really interested in working with Dean. Ms. Laura who is his main teacher is really excited. I was more nervous than he was yesterday. He just went right in and kinda looked around the room a bit and then went to his seat and went to work on his morning work.....I am so proud.

Sunday during Sacrament meeting I looked down and Dean was coloring...not just scribble coloring though actually choosing a certain color for a peticular thing on the page. I was so excited that he did that and then said "l0ok mama, I colored Manny's (Handy Manny) hat yellow and his clothes green and the tools blue and the tool box red" I almost started crying right then, that is a huge step with his thought process..he sat and thought and new exactly what he wanted to do and it was a multiple step process....my little guy is on to achieving more great things!!!!!

second meeting

Since the sisters left the day right after my first meeting, I now have Elders teaching my lessons. We met them last night, I must give *kudos* to Emily because my first meeting was at her house and she fixed a really really good supper. I on the other hand opted for pre cooked and heat in the oven (food lion special). Anyways, this meeting was more of them finding out where I was and we watched a film on the Restoration. I told them about the first meeting and that I was really more of a Teach me and I'll get it sorta person. I really can't just sit down and read something and come up with questions. I'm really having a hard time coming up with questions also because I consider myself like a sponge. I'm not really comparing this to the way I was brought up, its more along the lines of just learning and learning and not really asking why is it this way sorta thing.

We have decided to meet twice a week so I can get all the lessons in before my baptism. I definatly don't want that changed to another date.

After the last meeting I took some time to just go over what the Sisters had told me. I remember how it felt when Sister Jolstead was saying what Joseph Smith saw. I re read the pamplet and as I was reading it I just cried and cried, I had goose bumps upon goose bumps and suddenly it felt like I was wrapped in a warm blanket I prayed about this to know if what I was hearing was true and couldn't hardly get any words out. I realize now my heart was speaking for me. I know that this is the true gospel. I know that Joseph Smith did see our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and that he is a prophet of God. I know that President Monson is the living prophet today.
How could it not be true ? that is the only question I have now.

Since my father passed almost two years ago, this is the first time I really have felt I still had my dad, he has just fullfilled his misson on earth and returned to Heavenly Father. Before, I just felt like he was dead and in the ground, and I didn't have a dad anymore. I can not say how much happier I am knowing he is there waiting for us and that we will be together forever.

You know I have always been around people that were of the LDS faith, I mean I went to HS with people, were in Drama at ECHS with people, and I never really had a yearning to learn, I was even friends with Richard's sister from 8th grade on, and never laid eyes on Richard until 2001. Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us, I know now he spoke to me when I was ready. I am so glad I had sense enough to listen.

As I was speaking last night it suddenly dawned on me, that Richard and I have changed the course of our families life for generations to come. Not only will we recieve all the wonderful blessings that Heavenly Father wishes for us, but so will our kids, and grand kids and great grand kids and on and on, all because we are converts. (you know I'm really starting to like that word.)

Save the Date!!!!!!!

SATURDAY AUGUST 30, 2008





MySpace Countdown

first meeting

(photo compliments of flickr)

Last night was my first meeting with the missionaries. I learned in more detail about the restoration of the church. I've decided not to get ahead of myself and to just read and study the pamphlets as they give them to me. Last night, when the Sisters, were teaching me, I had no clue that it would be so emotional. Just talking about where my life was, and how it had been so long since I had allowed Heavenly Father to talk to me and to listen to what he was telling me. As the opening prayer was being said, I felt this compleate peace and warmth from head to toe. When one of the Sisters was telling me about when Joseph Smith saw and heard Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I got chills. It was so amazing and powerful and yet calm and peaceful, I knew what I was hearing was true and that it did happen. Last night I spent some time reflecting what I had been told and truthfully that is all I can think about today as well. It is so nice to have something in my life that I know is not going to go away, that I have to look foward to and build upon. I know that I as a person, a wife and a mother deserve that as do my family. I am so glad that my husband chose me and opened my eyes and heart to something that I have embraced for myself and have come to know and trust is the truth. My life is truly changed and blessed because Heavenly Father brought us together. I know in my heart that from the moment I opened my heart and truely listened last night and believed what they were saying, that my life as well as my family has changed course, and will be so much better, fuller,spiritful, and following Heavenly Fathers plan we will be together forever.

wow!

Sunday during the Sacrament Meeting, one of the church members were giving their testimony and part of it was about how people tend to want to shame or discourage people of the church...well basically say its out right wrong....I've just begun to learn and study about this wonderful gospel and basically a better way of life and already know just exactly what he was talking about......



I've been taking my Book of Mormon and the hand out that the Sisters gave me on Sunday to work and quietly reading them and studing them during my lunch break...Some of the employees were talking about dieting and cutting out soft drinks and stuff like that so, I joined in on the conversation and said how I have been doing really good with no tea or caffeene for about two months now...well of course since I was reading the hand out....one of them made the comment



Person 1. Are you Mormon now?



ME: well actually I have been going to the LDS church and really enjoy it....



Person 2. (in a very loud aqward voice) well how come if God made tea leaves how come its so bad then, he didn't make soda so that should be worse



Me: If you knew something was harmful for your body why would you want to put it in your body. Tobacco leaves were grown for a purpose but that doesn't mean our Heavenly Father intened for people to smoke it...



person 1 and 2 NO RESPONSE!!!!!



I was so proud of myself, after I went back to my office and thought about it I called Richard.I was so excited...the response just flew out of my mouth...no hesitation no stuttering or anything

and Im not going to quit bringing my books into the break room.......I sure don't know anywhere near all of the answers to ignorant questions like that, but I'm not gonna stop learning either....

weeks review

Lily really has taken to her cousin Ashleigh, she thinks she can hold her like a babydoll. So we indulge her by letting her hold her while one of us holds her...she even was singing rock a bye baby to her it was very cute......We were talking the other day and Dean must have out grown his medicine levels because it seems like he is starting to become more and more stimulated very easily. His emotional upsets are getting worse too, if the slighted little thing is off he will just fall all to pieces, bless his heart, it sure does break mine...Im hoping his levels just need to be upped a little.

Saturday was Richard's 34th birthday...bless his heart he really thought he was turning 33 and was going to pick on me about getting the age wrong on his cake....until he realized I was right!!!

hahahaha

Sunday at church we talked with some of the missionaries about setting up some lessons for me, this is really great because with all the reading and watching of the movies I have been doing on my own, it helps to have someone there to answer questions that I might have. I'm really bad at remembering questions after the fact. Plus, it will be nice just to hear what they have to say, and help me out on things. It's a lot to try to comprehend and trying to do it without help has proven to be very confusing mostly since I have no clue where to start. (especially the history and how the books were writen) I must say history was not my best subject. but, I am up for the challenge....Richard says I'm like a fish that doesn't need any bait to be hooked.

school today...

Ms. Josie said that Dean did really good today, He did all his jobs (lessons) and recieved a piece of candy because he did them so well. Last night, I think the kids played so great together, better than I have seen them play in awhile. Lily was tickling Dean and he was laughing and laughing, plus "Tom and Jerry" was on and of course they love that show. If I ever need them to calm down for any reason that's all I've got to do is tell them they can watch Tom and Jerry and they immedatly sit down in their little chairs and get ready for it to come on...I know that sounds kinda lazy but it really helps if I'm washing or folding laundry or trying to get some straighting up done around the house. Of course, we do have our fun and play time also...

Yesterday I heard about the little baby who drowned in the pool. I couldn't help but reflect what happened to my little girl and how fortunate and blessed we are to have her with us on this earth still. In a split second you never ever know what is going to happen. I actually got sick here at work after hearing about it. It also made the hair stand up on my arms.

Our Heavenly Father is such a gracious, wonderful, loving, father and truly blesses his children.
I know in my heart that things on this earth happen, and you really can not understand someone's true pain at mouring the loss of a child, trust me I got really really close, and never ever want that feeling again, but for someone to actually go through it, before Richard and I started going to church and I started learning about the things to come after this life is over, I would not have even known how to begin to heal with the fact it almost happened much less really losing a child. I am so thankful that we have her here with us and have the chance to teach her the truth and for us to have a chance to be sealed in the temple one day... I can't even begin to say how that makes my heart feel. I can only pray that the ones that have lost loved ones know the truth in their hearts as well..

Baby Girl!!

ASHLEIGH RENAE STEPHENS
7/25/2008 not quite sure on time but between 2:45 and 3:00 pm
8 pounds and 7 ounces. 19 inches ..

she looks just like her big sister Brianna did when she was born but with less hair...very cute!!!! Mama and baby doing just fine and at home....

Lily wasn't to sure of what to think about the new baby. (Especially when Daddy held her) She did pretty good though. Dean pretty much wasn't even paying attention...he was all about playing with toys...

waiting!!!!

Well today, I am going to be an Aunt again!!! My sister-in-law is in the hospital right now so just as soon as i find out I will update with pictures....

catch up

It's been a few weeks since my last post. I was off from work all last week YAY!!!!!!! On Monday, we went to Wilmington to get some more supplements for Dean since he was running low, so while we were there we decided to take the kids to the battleship..it was nice but boy was it hot. We really didnt go down on the ship very far 2 or 3 levels I think since we had to carry Lily and the steps were pretty steep. Dean seemed to enjoy himself but was ready to take a ride. He wanted to boat to move bless his heart. I on the other hand had a mini panic attack for being so inclosed..closterphobic, much???? very!!!!!

For the past 2 Sundays Richard and I have taken the kids to the LDS church on Harker's Island. Richard is a member there and we had been talking about going...So, I decided to do some research and studying before going....what I found was so amazing...It is absolutly nothing like most people think it is....Never have I found a place to go and worship that I have found compleate peace and answers like I have at this church... the fellowship with the people is amazing. not to mention the choir. I could listen to them all day....In my studying, I have found that I can not put it down, I keep wanting to read more and more and learn more and more. We have talked about getting a missionary to come to the house to help answer some questions that I have, mostly wanting to understand every part of what the gospel is saying down to the last detail..I feel like I have been missing out on so much and that I have jiped my kids out of something so special...I just wish I would have been learning about all the wonderful things that our heavenly father has in store for us a lot longer than about a month...

pondering...

Dean's session at Smyrna went really good today. Ms. Josie said that he did really really good. They read, wrote, and did some other things also. Dean has been having a really hard time lately adjusting to the fact that my dad isn't with us anymore. I know he is in paradise and we will all be together again for all eternity .....but, I am having a really hard time wraping my brain around how to put it so Dean can understand....Dean knows that Pops is with Heavenly Father and with Jesus, and that Pops was really sick here with us and going to live with our Heavenly Father made him all better, and he knows that Heaven is a place that you just can't go and visit. Until, recently he really wasn't asking so many questions.... now when Richard is at work Dean is asking me "did daddy go to Heaven?" is pops all better now? can he come home since he is done being sick, and most recently he asked my mom can he (Dean) go to Heaven so he can get all better. He pretty much affirms that Pops can't come back and that he is in Heaven with Jesus every single day for the past week or so, and then will name different people off, saying they are here but, pops in in Heaven with Jesus. I am glad that he seems to understand that my Daddy is in a better place, so, how do you tell a 5 year old that takes everything so literally, Bless his heart. With autism, Dean doesn't really understand what "just sayings" or stuff like that are, for ex. If you make the comment it's raining cats' and dogs' he would say nu uh mama its raining water...every things is literal and visual for him...so back to my question What and how do you do it?

July is here

This week marks the first full week of exteded school year. Last week they were closed because of the 4th. So while I'm waiting to see how that is going I figured I would post a few more pictures of the kids up. Things are going really good right now, sometimes Dean gets stimulated more that what I would like him to, and here recently he has been getting really upset if something is sightly off. We are supposed to go back to the doctor next week and are taking some more test. Oh, the last round of testing showed that Dean's body doesn't release toxins. which is pretty scary when we got the results because his levels were pretty high. (this was from the hair samples that we sent off) So they are going to be doing a 24 hr urine test and some other type of urine testing. Hopefully we can find out a way to detox him and get the bad stuff out. We are also going to be testing our water and soil to see if any of the toxins are coming from those areas.

the good news keeps on rollin' in!!!!!

Yesterday evening Richard called me at work and told me that Dean had been accepted into the TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped CHildren )program in Greenville. Praise the Lord!!! Plus, the lady that is the head of the program picked Dean to work with for herself. Praise the Lord again!!!!! For some of you that do not know what TEACCH is, I got a little overview from the website:

TEACCH is an evidence-based service, training, and research program for individuals of all ages and skill levels with autism spectrum disorders. Established in the early 1970s by Eric Schopler and colleagues, the TEACCH program has worked with thousands of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. TEACCH provides clinical services such as diagnostic evaluations, parent training and parent support groups, social play and recreation groups, individual counseling for higher-functioning clients, and supported employment. In addition, TEACCH conducts training nationally and internationally and provides consultation for teachers, residential care providers, and other professionals from a variety of disciplines. Research activities include psychological, educational, and biomedical studies.
The administrative headquarters of the TEACCH program are in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and there are nine regional TEACCH Centers around the state of North Carolina. Most clinical services from the TEACCH centers are free to citizens of North Carolina.

So now all that is left to do is to pick out our dates and head on up there!!!!!!