Going Private....again

Ok so we are going private... again. I just get spooked because so many crazies have been commenting on our blog! So I don't even know who even reads this blog anymore, but I am going private again. If I have your email from last time you should be good... but if it has switched leave me your new email.

Thanks!

PDD-NOS

For the past couple months we have been taking Lucas to the Child Development Clinic in Salt Lake to determine what is causing his social anxiety. After several tests and evaluations he has been diagnosed with what is called PDD-NOS. So what does this mean exactly? It stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified. It is on the Autism Spectrum Disorder, but is considered High Functioning Autism. When most people hear the word "Autism" you think the worst, I know I did. It is something that is still new and not many people know about it. 

Lucas fits the typical profile for a child with Aspergers Syndrome, but because his language is a little delayed it falls under the category of PDD. We have educated ourselves, talked with other parents who have been lifesavers, but most importantly accepted it. I guess that is a main reason I have refrained from blogging in the past month. I didn't want to talk about all the fun things we were up to because at the same time we are also coping with this news. The thing I have learned is it really doesn't change anything. We still love Lucas, now more than ever, and in fact is almost helps knowing what is going on in his little head. Instead of getting frustrated that he doesn't want to always be apart of a group, we now know he does. But his little mind gets so overwhelmed and over stimulated that he can't function. 

We have a long road ahead of us, but the prognosis is bright. Because we have such amazing pediatricians who gave us the tools needed to properly diagnose him, we can start early intervention and he will be completely mainstreamed by Kindergarten. 

I have had many people ask me, "How do you do it? Cancer and now this!" or "Man, can't you catch a break?" And my response is always the same. I am grateful for these trials put in our path. It isn't always easy and sometimes I am frustrated. But as a family we are closer to our Savior and have learned to lean on him. My mom gave me this amazing book by Richard G Scott and I love this one quote. It says, 

"When facing adversity, we can be led to ask many questions. Some of them serve a useful purpose; others do not. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Accepting His will, even when it is not fully understood, brings great peace and, over time, understanding."

"To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him and exercise faith in Him, He will help you". 

Las Vegas

Andy planned a fun little get away for our family two weeks ago. It was so much fun and although things didn't go quite as planned, we made the best of it!

A patient told me about this place in St George called Swig. She said that you had to get a diet coke and sugar cookie and it was a must. She also said to not worry about the 10 cars that would be waiting in front of you... it would be worth the wait. Oh man! It was so yummy. The diet coke was good, the cookies (I got 3) were amazing and the boys said the ice cream was good too. It will definitely be our new stopping place when we drive through.

 I can't resist taking pictures of sleeping babies... they just look so peaceful and innocent. 

 Unfortunately, as soon as we got into town the hotel door slammed shut on my finger and it broke it and required a trip to the ER. I probably couldn't have gotten away with a splint and band aid from Rite Aid, but I am telling myself the tetanus shot they administer saved my life from infection. :)

 After our quick trip to the ER we headed to our favorite Mexican joint Frank and Finas. It was just as good as we remembered!

 The next morning I went and had a pedicure with Sara and got caught up on each other's lives. Can't believe it had been over a year since we last saw each other! Then it was off to the pool for a day of fun in the sun. All of us loved the water... especially Jane!

 Lucky for us cousins even came to keep us entertained. 

I didn't get a picture of Chad and Owen, but they came later in the day to join in on the fun. That night Cari watched our kids so we could have a fun date night. We enjoyed some yummy food and quiet time without the kiddos.

The next day we headed to our old ward. Oh how we miss our Town Center family. It was so good to see old friends and thank everyone for all their support in the last year. We miss everyone dearly and hope to visit again soon!

Tulip Festival

Lucas loves trains. I don't think that is a surprise to most. We have been wanting to take him on the Frontrunner, but for whatever reason haven't gotten around to it. One Saturday we decided to take the train to Thanksgiving Point and see the Tulip Festival. We all had so much fun! And the train was awesome.

 Waiting for the train

 SO happy.

 This was on the trolly from the train to the tulip festival

 Lucas saw this hill and said let's run mom! So I started chasing him, meanwhile taking pictures. I assumed Andy and Jane ( in the stroller) would just walk around to the bottom...

 But as I turned around I saw Andy running in the stroller. Lucas and I started laughing so hard... it was so funny and we got some weird looks. 

 Then Lucas ran back up to the top and rolled down... laughing in delight the whole time.

 The flowers were so pretty and it has special meaning because it is where Andy proposed 6 years ago!

 They had these HUGE bubbles that kept Lucas entertained for a good 30 minutes. He loved them.

 Waiting for the train to go home.

As fun as it was, it has made everyday life a little more difficult because every time we get in the car Lucas asks, "Today we get to go on the train?" And if we see the train while driving he assumes we are going on it. I think in the next week we will take it all the way to Salt Lake for another Saturday adventure.

Park City

The best news possible came a little while back that our best friends The Hinckley's were moving to Utah!! They came up a couple weekends ago to look for a place to live and so naturally we got together. They stayed in Park City and it was fun walking main street and catching up. 

 Jane trying sorbet for the first time. She loved it! 

 All the kids on some sort of device.... keeping them entertained so the adults could mingle.

 Danielle read of an ice cream parlor and the reviews said it was a must. It did not disappoint. I think every time we visit Park City from now on we must go. 

The Hinckley's moved here last weekend and we have already gotten together. Although they are in Farmington, we are slowly closing the gap.... and hopefully soon we will be on the same cul-de-sac. :)