Photo by Maria Alexandra Photography

It's april... that' means it's autism awareness month. For those of us whose children fit in the 1 in 88 statistic, every day of every month is drenched in autism awareness. It's our lives, it's what we do, it's a big part of who we are. In December I pulled Sawyer (my oldest) from public school and started homeschooling. Now our days are filled with school and play and therapy thats so ingrained we don't even recognize it as therapy anymore.

For those of us who have a child (or children in my case) with kids on the spectrum autism isn't something that has happened to our kids or to us... it's a life changing event that forces us to dream different dreams and make different sacrifices ... not worse... just different.

The thing is, even though life is more challenging and filled with things meltdowns, heavy duty marital stress and heartbreak when our kids just don't fit in... I can say our life is amazing! My boys have made me a better person, they have made my faith stronger and my love deeper. They are amazing little men, and for every milestone they haven't reached or challenge they face, there are so many more things that make them special, unique, funny, and wonderful.

Our life works like a flowing symphony now, sometimes it's a crazy on crack symphony... but it's one I am blessed to be a part of. While I would NEVER wish this on my children, honestly if I could take it away from them if I could... (probably not the PC answer, but no one wants to see their kids hurt or struggle) I love seeing my guys grow and learn and develop in their own way at their own pace. They have taught me to see beauty in pain, and celebrate the small, unexpected victories. They are beautiful, bright, funny... they are my wonder boys...

For autism awareness month not ever post on EMM will be about autism... but all of mine will be... because it's important... it's my life... it's my future. While it's easy to spout off statistics and theories for this epidemic, it's also easy to forget the numbers represent real kids in real families. Two of my three boys are the 1 in 88... they are real, amazing, phenomenal people... they will do amazing things and be leaders of men... they love god in such a true and sincere way, they love people and they have overcome more challenges in their short lives than many of us face in a lifetime...and I think it's important to recognize that.


Just in case you're new around here I thought I'd introduce myself.... I'm the scattered crazy Earth Monkey Mom Lindsay:) And this is my family. My kids never have clean faces, my house is usually a mess and I always have 3-15 loads of unfolded laundry sitting on my couch. My family just received an Extreme Home Makeover and it's crazier than ever here! I post on Fridays and we're glad you're here and we hope you'll stick around... More than anything we want you to know that none of us have it all together... and wether your kids are 40 or 4 you're not alone in your journey through motherhood!