Update on Dallas

So I've had a lot of questions about Dallas. First off-he's the same kid he's always been. And he acts pretty much no different than other kids when you meet him, but there are a few things he does that stand out to Sean and I because we are with him all the time. And when you compare those behavioral things to his brothers it's a little different. Nothing horrific, nothing devastating, nothing not fixable. But if it does end up being Sensory Integration Disorder or Aspergers Syndrome, then it's something we can work with and he won't have a problem when he gets older. I would help us to parent him better and understand what he's thinking. It's one of those things that most people would never notice at this point and some people may even think I'm crazy for pointing it out or seeking help because he just doesn't seem any different. But I figure, why not know for sure. Then if nothing is wrong, then I know I must have the most defiant child on the face of this earth. LOL But if there is, then we can seek Occupational Therapy early on and no one will ever know. We can change his diet if he's allergic to wheat or something and it would explain the diarrhea and upset stomachs and the picky eating. And yes these "titles" are all in the Autistic Spectrum but it doesn't mean in any way he's Autistic. ADHD is also in the autistic spectrum. It just means there's a behavioral abnormality and that there are things to correct it. And I feel its important to talk about it because its not discussed enough. 1 in 150 children are in the Autistic Spectrum and I think parents should be educated on it more so that they can help their children out, whether it be diet or therapy. I don't think it means the children are "weird" or that they should be ashamed. The more people talk about it the more children benefit. So that's why I'm talking and keeping you posted on our journey to discovery. Maybe I can help another parent out there that is wondering why it's so difficult to parent this child but not the others.

Medical stuff

I spent a lot of today talking with the insurance company trying to figure out what tests they will pay for with all the tests the behavioral specialist wants run. I was so relieved to find out that everything is paid at 100%. Boy God is good!!! We sure needed that. So I have all the appointments set and we are on the right path!

I also was bummed today to find out the Delayed Food Sensitivity Test I wanted to have done by Sage Medical Labs isn't covered by my insurance and it's $2200 out of pocket so I've got to find another way to have it done. They said a lab here can do another version of the test so now I've just go to get approval from the doctor. Boy all this is like having a part time job!!

We drove home today from the mountain and back to "real" life. The boys did great in the car as well as Dillard. It took us 8 hours 30 minutes with a lunch stop at McDonalds for the kids to play on the playground. We sure had a great time up there and can't wait to go back again soon. But it's also nice to be back home.

Day 3

Today we were ready for more adventure. First stop the train museum. The is my kids favorite thing to do when they come to the mountain house. They named the train Foxfire and they just love going to see if. It's literally right down the street.


If it hadn't been for Jess yelling "look Barrett's pooping" Dallas never would have looked. Thanks Jess...LOLThen it was off on our hunt for more waterfalls. The ride to the waterfalls was amazing. The leaves going up the mountain were just wonderful and colorful! This is what I love about coming up here this time of year. We pulled over and took some silly pics while leaving all the kids in the car. LOL

Our first waterfall had a hike to it...well to say hike really doesn't give it justice. We saw a sign pointing right saying "More Difficult" so we decided we needed to take the other route. AFTER the hike we then saw that the sign pointing left said, "MOST difficult!" And that pretty much describes it. On the way down Sean was carrying a sleeping Asher to make it even more adventuresome. I carried Asher all the way back up the hike. But the kids just LOVED it. All the roots sticking up out of the ground, the steep up and down and twists. It was so funny. I think everyone that passed us thought we were crazy with all 6 of our kids. But we had a blast. And thank goodness Jess brought a snack and we rested at the beautiful waterfall before making our descent BACK UP. I somehow ended up far ahead of everyone with 5 of the kids. Everyone that passed me asked, "are they ALL yours???"

Then we had lunch in Highlands, a cute little town we always enjoy going to. Then back on the road for more waterfalls. First we drove by Bridal Falls and then got to the one we were all looking forward to, Dry Falls. When we got there the parking lot was closed and everything roped off, but that wasn't stopping us! We climbing over, lifting each kid and headed down. This is a fun waterfall because you can walk behind it. The kids just loved it, well Dallas and Asher weren't too thrilled but did go behind for a little bit.

On our way home we stopped at the Farm Zoo at the Dillard House and petted all the farm animals. Of course the kids loved it.

Then back to the house for a bonfire and smores! (We sure do know how to pack in a day right?!?!)

This morning before we left Boston said to me..."Mom my tooth came out!" And sure enough, while he was sitting there he must have just wiggled it out. It's been lose new for a few weeks and I got to work working hard on this great tooth shaped tooth fairy pillow with his name embroidered on it. Sure enough, it happened while we are gone so I'll have to use that next time. He was so excited it had finally fallen out. He's been looking forward to this for weeks. I'll never forget him coming to me with the biggest smile that his tooth was LOOSE. So Bonnie and Boston were both missing their bottom teeth and it made for a cute photo.

And instead of Christmas two front teeth, Boston and the Jack O Lantern can look alike!

Day 2

Today first thing we headed to a park to meet up with Emily (my sister in law's sister who I am good friends with.) She was in town visiting her parents in Franklin. Our kids were all born so close together we've always been pregnancy buddies together, and usually going through all the same things with the kids at the same time. It was so great to see her for a little bit and for the kids to play together. When we only had one kid we talked several times a day to each other. Now we are lucky if it's once a month!

Boston and Ellie born on the same day
Dallas and Evan - 2 months apart

Asher and Everett - 2 weeks apart
One of the cutiest pics of Asher!

Then we headed to go mining. All the kids were excited about finding a treasure, as well as the adults for that matter. But the excitement was short lived and then the kids (or boys I might say) wanted to play in the muddy water and put leaves and sticks and watch them slide down. But they of course loved all the gems they found. And as Bonnie would say, "and they were free!" Ha Ha...of course daddy had to pay $30 for the big bucket of dirt...but yes Bonnie...you did "find" the gems in the dirt.

Dallas only mined for a minute and then decided that leaf boats were more fun

My sweet Asher in the red clay at the mine

After naps we carved pumpkins with the kids. Well really, the dads ended up carving them after the kids drew their faces on the pumpkins, and the kids went leaf sledding again!

Dallas laughing at his pumpkin drawing

Today is my mom's birthday - happy birthday mom!!! We got her a cake and celebrated. The kids even got to have cake BEFORE dinner...oh what a treat.

The superheros and tinker bell all ready for bed! (and the dog ready to eat someones food!)

Tonight we decided to put the kids down to bed and then make our dinner and have a nice relaxing dinner together. It was wonderful. Yummy steaks and more. I so love getting to spend time with Jess and Bart, if only they were in the same town!

Day 1 in the mountains

Oh the fun! We finally are all at the mountain house together! We have talked about doing this since last year. The Baldwins always make their annual trek back to Miami for the winter season in October and we tried to plan the trip last year so that they would coincide but it didn't work out. And this year it wasn't going to happen again, but they decided they really needed a vacation and made the drive just to come to the mountains. And we were all so happy it finally worked out. The kids were even so excited to see each other!
First we went right across the street and feed the horses. And then decided to hike up to the waterfall my parents recently found near the house. Dallas decided he didn't want to go and instead stayed at the house with my parents. I wasn't exactly sure how to get there but I figured it couldn't be that hard. Well after having hiked up this mountain we found out the in fact it was at the bottom of it. LOL Good exercise though. So down we went and we finally found it and it was beautiful.

Sean and Asher on the hike

The Baldwins: Curtis, Bart, Bonnie, Jess and BarrettBonnie and Boston, calling each other best friends forever and vowing to write each other each week. It was too cute!The hike itself was very fun. We found a baby bat laying on the ground. Of course my husband decided to pick it up. It was moving and hissing at us but he didn't care. We took pics with hit and studied it. The kids just loved it! Then all of a sudden it just took off and flew away. Bart was getting ready to kill it because he thought it was dying.

On our walk in Dallas was coming out and wanted to go see the waterfall so I walked him down to the brook with my mom and he enjoyed this for a little while.

We headed back to the house and put the kids down for a nap and Sean, Jess, Asher and I headed to Walmart to stock up. Of course we were laughing all the time. Jess and Sean are so much alike that we joke that they were separated at birth. I guess it makes since that my husband and best friend would be so alike huh?


Barret, Bonnie and Boston all together
Boston and Dallas

The kids loved sledding down the leaves on the slope next to the house. My dad blew all the leaves over there and this was a GREAT source of fun...and a wonderful to exert all the energy they have. With 6 kids ages 1,2,3,4,5 and 6...we sure do have our hands full!!

The babies: Curtis pulling Asher

Driving to the mountains!

Today was the first time I forgot it was Wednesday. Here Wednesday means you get out of school an hour early. So I got a call from the school, "Um Mrs Whitman, did you forget to pick your son up!" Oh my gosh!!! Craziness. I flew to the school. I was just so busy getting ready to leave for the mountain house that I totally forgot.

We picked Sean up from work and left for the mountain house at 5:30pm today. We arrived at 1:40am. It really wasn't too bad of a drive. 8 hours. My college roommate and best friend Jess and her husband Bart and their 3 kids drove down from New York to meet us there. Everyone was asleep when we got there except my poor mom who has insomnia most night. Off to bed we went and ready for fun the next day!!

Volunteering at Bostons school and college reunion on facebook

This morning I got to volunteer at Boston's school for an hour. It was really great. I loved getting to be hands on with the class and seeing exactly what they are doing and what books they are working in. Also to get to know some of the other kids he's always talking about was great. His friend Logan sits at his table and they really do enjoy each others company. Mrs Ramdehal said Boston's handwriting has improved tremendously. She was really great to get to talk to. I do feel her class was God's perfect match for Boston's kindergarten year.

For the last few days I've been reliving old college days. It all started on facebook when a friend of mine, Cindy, posted a photo of 4 of us from college getting together for dinner a few years ago. Another friend was jesting that she wasn't in the photo so I posted several old college photos with her in it and some others. This then started a rash of postings of pictures from several old college friends. We have been reliving old college days gone by, shows we did together, all the inside jokes, talking to friends we haven't gotten to in a long time and really just having a great time. College holds so many great memories for me, especially the theatre department. We lived, breathed, ate, studied, rehearsed, partied, and had so many great times together. It truly was a family away from home. I'm so glad I had this special group of people to share it with. And I even met Sean through the department. And I think that makes it even more fun. We know all the same people from college and can remember so many fun times together. Ah the good ole days!!

Boston accepting Jesus in his Heart!

Boston has been extremely curious about his faith lately and asking me lots of questions about Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. He's been asking me questions that I never even thought he would know to ask. He asked me what it mean to have Jesus in your heart and other like this. We had several different conversations at different times last week. After an especially hectic day today I was very quick to just get evening prayers over with and move on to some "mommy time" (better known as laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc). But tonight Boston was very insistent about the prayer. He prayed all by himself aloud and started out, "Jesus, I really want you to be in my heart. I want you to forgive me of my sins. Thank you for dieing on the cross for me. And thank you for coming into my heart. Thank you for my mommy and daddy. I love you. In your son's name I pray. Amen" WOW!!! It really came out of no where to me. It was like a little grown up praying. Like I had put the words in his mouth to say, but I hadn't. It was beautiful. And I thank God for such a precious child. I hope now we can continue to grow his precious little faith so he can be the man God intends him to be in the future! What a glorious day to this oh so hectic, stressful day!!!

Sea World with Dallas and Asher

While Boston and Sean were camping I took Dallas and asher to Sea World for a little while. Dallas loved this time! He got to pick whatever he wanted to see. He loved the sting rays, underwater viewing of the dolphins, aligators, saw the pengins 3 times!, and we even got to go Trick or Treating and got lots of candy. We even got a bag full for Boston. I got to see an old college theatre alumni, Sam, acting there. It was a fun day with 2 of my boys!!