INTRO TO GANG

How can one get the daily scoop without knowing a bit more about us all. Let's start here and now. I am a single mom raising the twin boys who will be 11 this year and have been raising them on my own since they were two. I also have 2 older kids J who attends college ft and works pt - he is my future chef (and btw - he did an awesome job this past Thanksgiving cooking dinner for us all). C is my oldest and only daughter. Having just lost her only son due to Krabbes disease she is struggling to find out who she is and how to move forward during this difficult time. I do have to say she is the strongest woman I have ever met. C did an awesome job caring for her son for the 16 months he struggled on this earth. I personally do not think I could of kept it together as well as she did. Kudos to her. I have told her many times how proud I am of her. Her dream is to go back to college to get a degree in the nursing field. I hold high hopes for her. Both of the older kids (from my 1st marriage) are out on their own. The twins (D & M) are from my second marriage. I will not discuss in this blog at all about my previous relationships. This blog is 100% dedicated to the kids and myself.

M has been dx'd with Asperger's in early 2007 and continues to be dx'd with ADHD. I have always loved challenges and believe me he gives me a few challenges each day -- yea, some of them I want to pull all my hair out -- but to date -- i still have all my hair. Amazing isn't it! Since an accurate diagnosis I have been able to get an IEP rolling at school and only this year am I able to really start evaluations/services that will benefit him greatly with his stuggles related to Asperger's. In matter of fact, toward the end of this week he will be evaluated for OT and PT which I am hoping will help with his small motor skills including feeding struggles, gross motor skills, and several sensory issues. We just started with a behavior specialist consultant and I am hoping thru his ABA training that issues we have at home will become much more manageable. I will keep it updated.

D is my typical all-american boy. He loves the outdoors and if I allowed him he would set up tent and live outside. He probably spends a good 80% of his day outside ignoring temperatures even when they are below 32. He does well - extremely well in school. I sometimes wonder if he has any issues but to date nothing has been diagnosed. He has been tested for ADHD and I am being told he has nothing going there. I think most times his behaviors are related to trying to understand his twin brother and learning to accept/deal with his behaviors . D & M are as different as night and day as I tell others. Literally all the way to their blood types being different. From being dark curly hair to M being straight blonde as toddlers.

J is in his first year of college and seems to be enjoying it. Although this year has been in his words too easy as he took the courses in his tech school just two years earlier. He is hoping to go oversees to continue his schooling - I believe he said France. He has his own 'pad' and has really matured over the last year.

C I have mentioned a few times in these blogs. I am really anxious to see how this year unfolds for her.