To the best dad I know....

When I was young I used to dream about the man I would marry...

...what would he look like? What would his name be? I could have never imagined how lucky I would be the find my Joshua Earls.  He lured me in with his swagger (if you know him, you know what I'm talking about).  It's the way he walks, the confidence he exudes.... I can't get enough! Oh lets be honest, he's a pretty man (eyelashes for miles).

Mostly though, I could not have imagined the man of God he would be.  The love he would have for me and mainly the unselfish love he would have for our Bella.  He suffered silently while he was deployed, coping with her diagnosis.  He held my hand when I couldn't hold it together as a special needs mom.  He worked hard to enter a career and provide for her unique needs and therapies.  He still gets tears in his eyes when he hears her use words to pray out loud to God.  

So, today I want to say HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my Josh.  I could never imagine another dad for our Bella (and #2 on the way).  No one loves us like you do:)

** And, I would be remiss if I forgot my dad, Richard Koole (or Ricky as I call him).  He was and is an amazing example of a father and man of God.  I looked for the same qualities in a husband and I'm so thankful!  Love you dad:) My dad has swagger too!

*Oh, and one more awesome dad... Rod Earls.  He raised his son to fear God and love his wife and for that, I thank him!  He's also an awesome Poppa!

Time is Precious

Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom"

Time is precious. Time is fleeting.

Some days time feels terribly slow as it creeps by in the dullest of moments.  Some days time is frightfully quick, causing us to wonder how we arrived at that very moment we happen to be in..... I've decided that time, for our Bella, is a splendid thing.

It may seem meaningless to write about time, but I truly cherish the "ticking of the clock".  It is a constant reminder of my lack of control.  I do wish some days that I could slow the clock's ticking so that Bella could have "more moments" to get caught up in life and development.  Every day that passes is a good day for her because she acquires knowledge....but oh how they pass so quickly.  Every night when we pray for her little brain to catch up, I am reminded of the limits of this life and the lack of control we possess to help our girl develop (as God is the ultimate keeper of time).  As I read Psalm 90:12, I quickly became thankful for the way Bella reminds me to number not only her days, but also my own.  To count them as precious.  To ask for a heart of wisdom to be her parents....no, to be her guardians (after-all, God chose us for her).

This month, time caught up with us and Bella graduated from preschool.  A snippet of her life I will forever cherish.  She has come a long way from this little girl:



She is growing in grace, patience, and wisdom. She speaks in short sentences and rarely experience tantrums like the one above.  She likes to dress like a princess, wear high heels, dance when her favorite songs come on, and makes us laugh out loud daily--to God be the glory:

Two proud parents!

I mean the cuteness factor....I can't take it!

Number your days friends...  We waste so much time that could be spent loving and cherishing moments:)

Annie

Eloping and Autism: How to get a free safety kit for your ASD kid (or share with a family you love)

Wandering, elopement, running-off.... whatever you want to call it, it's scary.  For autism families, a child wandering away from the parent is not only scary, it's deadly.  It's not that we don't pay attention to our kids, we do... it's just that they are CONSTANTLY wandering and lack the capacity to understand fear/danger.  Kids with autism wander for many reasons (get away from sounds, find a sensory stimulus (water), or just plain curiosity).  The problem is, many of these kids are either non-verbal or non-responsive to strangers.  When I see an alert in the news regarding a missing ASD kiddo, I actually have a hard time watching it.... I can just visualize my sweet Bella in the situation and frankly the thought of her missing for even a second, is too much to bare:(

Did you know that wandering (or "elopement) is now the LEADING CAUSE of death for children on the autism spectrum.  With recent news of children, much like our sweet Bella, wandering and being found dead in surrounding bodies of water I was prompted to "do something".  My sweet mom found an emergency tool kit called the Big Red Safety Box that is offered by the National Autism Association.  This tool kit (which is outlined below) can be ordered  by ASD families (free of charge) and used in case of elopement.  Please read below and order one, autism moms and dads!  OR If you know a family who has a child/teen/adult with ASD, pass this along.  I can't resist in sharing something that could save a life!

Here's how to apply:Apply Here (only direct family can apply)

* I copied all of this information from the National Autism Association website

NAA’s Big Red Safety Box includes the following resources:

1) Our Get REDy booklet containing the following educational materials and tools:

•  A caregiver checklist
•  A Family Wandering Emergency Plan
•  A first-responder profile form
•  A wandering-prevention brochure
•  A sample IEP Letter

2) Two (2) Door/Window Alarms with batteries

3) One (1) RoadID Personalized, Engraved Shoe ID Tag*

4) Five (5) Laminated Adhesive Stop Sign Visual Prompts for doors and windows

5) Two (2) Safety Alert Window Clings for car or home windows

6) One (1) Red Safety Alert Wristband

*You will receive instructions to submit a custom personalization order online at roadid.com. Your tag will be quickly engraved with your emergency information and mailed to you at no charge.

Regardless of any tools caregivers may have in place, if a loved one’s medical condition interferes with their ability to recognize danger or stay safe, it is critical that caregivers maintain close supervision and security in all settings. For more information and ways to prevent wandering-related incidents, please visit http://awaare.org  

Those diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and who are at risk of wandering/bolting from a safe environment, qualify to receive a Big Red Safety Box while supplies allow. Limit One (1) box per family. Recipients must agree to terms and conditions. Please allow two to three weeks for your Big Red Safety Box request to be processed.

NAA’s Big Red Safety Boxes are packaged and shipped with care by a company employing adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.  (LOVE THIS)

I (Annie) am planning on getting local law enforcement involved in my hometown.  I'm sure they have training programs but, with the amount of autism/PDD families here in my city, you can never be too safe!  NAA offers a kit for law enforcement if you want to share it with them in your area: LAW ENFORCEMENT KIT

If you do not have a child with autism but wish to donate to this amazing cause (to help NAA fund the kits for families like ours) visit: This link