Everything Changes, Nothing Stays the Same...

Has it really been since 2010 that I wrote last?  It's been 3 years too long. The past 3 years have brought us many different emotions that I cannot describe. Just ups and downs and all arounds.  We are now living in Port Charlotte, Florida. Sam and Gabby love it here, as do Adam and I. What's not to love? The weather for this time of year is beautiful, we're close to the beaches, we don't have to put oil in our tank, don't have to shovel the driveway, and we can get to work without slipping and sliding all over the place. Oh, and there isn't a state income tax down here!

2013 was a busy, hectic, fun, crazy year for all of us! But, with all the chaos, we managed a Disney vacation for all of us! It was amazing and can't wait to go back again!

As for my little man Sam, he is doing great! He's adusted well with the move. He likes the house we live in, enjoys the pool in the backyard, and is doing pretty good in school. When he started at his new school at the beginning of August (school starts a month earlier and ends a month earlier down here), Sam was in a special needs class for the entire day, whereas up north, he was in an inclusion classroom for 1/2 of the day with pullouts for speech, ot, etc. I noticed he was starting to take a few steps backwards with his speech, and behavior. I felt the lack of interaction with the "typical" children was hurting all the progress he had been making over the years. I asked for a meeting with the school team to discuss the issues. I was able to get him into an inclusion classroom setting for about 1 hour a day to start. Sam seems to like it, so we'll see how it goes. Florida's curriculum is about a grade level ahead of Connecticut's. Gabby is handling that well considering she has made honor roll the past two quarters! Go Gabby!

We miss everyong up north terribly, and hope that our friends and family can come down and visit soon.We've been able to see some friends since we have been down here. Last July we visited with Christine and her mother Caren who spent a week in nearby Englewood. In October, our lady friends, Kim, Pam, Charlene, and Jeannie spent a week in Naples, and last month we had Don and Diane over for 2 nights.  Then just a couple of days later, we had Kim, Rich, and Johnnie over! I needed to see familiar faces!

I will do my best to keep updating this blog for Sam. I feel like a terrible mother for not keeping this going. Adam and I have been blessed to find such awesome jobs down here. However, me working 55+ hours, 6 days a week is taking it's toll.  Family first!

As soon as I figure out how to post the pictures from my IPhone on here, I will.

XOXO

Anticipation...

Oh yes...we are anticipating Spring! Most of us have always hoped for time to pass slowly, however, we are now finding ourselves over these winter months, wishing for time to pass very quickly! Only a few short weeks left and we will be once again camping...Yay!!!

It's been 2 months since my last post...shame on me. As usual, we are constantly doing something and by the time I'm able to sit down and type, I'm exhausted. I've got quite a bit to update everyone on and hope I can remember everything because there's a lot of good stuff to talk about!

Sam is doing great in school, however he will tell you that he "hates school"! That means he's working hard, and by working hard, he's making progress. He is amazingly smart and his memory is unbelievable. At school, he's learning to read sight words, completing patterns and is starting to identify letters by their sound. His speech is fantastic and it continues to get better every day. Now, if we could just get this potty training thing down!

We will be sitting down at the table again next month with the Town of Tolland for Sam's PPT meeting. These meetings get me extremely stressed out as this is where the fate of Sam's schooling is decided. We will continue to fight and keep him at River Street for as long as we possibly can. If for some reason we don't come out victorious, then we will make sure he gets all the services he needs at the elementary school. He really does want to go to school with Gabby, although she will be a grade ahead of him if he would start there in the fall. We'll just have to see what happens.

As far as keeping busy when one of us isn't sick, we've been going to all of the local RV & Camping shows with Auntie Lisa and Uncle Fran. Sam loves going because he likes to collect all kinds of brochures from the RV dealers and campgrounds. But, the best part of the shows for Sam is going into all the campers. He definitely shows more interest in the motor homes.

We've also made a few trips up to Vermont to spend time with our friends Denise & Terry. We have such a good time when we go there...relaxing, sledding, playing in the snow, me trying to snowboard and it not working out so well!

We've begun the planning process for this years Autism Speaks Walk for Autism. Something very different and exciting will be happening this year! We are going to have our very own "1st Annual Super Sam Sheidy Autism Speaks Campground Walk for Autism". It will be held at Whispering Pines Campground located in Hope Valley, RI on Saturday, June 5th, 2010. We appreciate Clint Ramsden, Whispering Pines Campground owner for allowing us to have something like this in the campground. We are still in the planning mode and I will post more information as it becomes available. If anyone would like to reserve a site for that weekend, I encourage you to do it now as sites fill quickly.

Come on Spring!!!

On Our Way to 2010. Happy New Year!.....

Wow! Where has the time gone? I looked back and saw that my last post on here was November 3rd. Guess I've been busy! Thanksgiving came and went in a hurry and now Christmas as well. In just a few days we'll be saying goodbye to 2009 and welcoming 2010 with happy hearts.

It's been another great year for Sam, probably the best yet and so much more to come. My little man is happily engaging this world with open arms...who would have ever thought? It's so hard to explain...you just have to see him for yourself.

Sam had a wonderful Christmas and enjoys playing with his new train table and trains very much. He's very protective of it and is not hesitant on giving a tongue lashing to anyone that gets close to it.

The year 2009 brought us so much fun! We decided to take a chance with Sam and step outside of our "safe zone" and go camping...seasonal. Our instincts were right and it couldn't have gone any better for Sam and all of us. We found something that he loves, and now desires, and can't wait for Spring to get here so that we can go back to Whispering Pines. He now has his camper with a slide-out and bunk beds and he's so excited about it!

It's been a tough fall and winter I must say, with all the sickness that has plagued our family. It seems as though Sam and Gabby have been sick with something since we've been home for the season. But, even with all of the sickness, Sam's progress continues to move forward. He's an amazing little boy. He's counting objects up to 20, writing his name and has almost mastered tying his shoes! How about that!!!!! His speech....well, that is something that is just music to my ears! Now it's time to get him potty trained...can't stand the Sammy Specials anymore!

We appreciate all the love and support from Sam's family and friends that have been there and understood how life can be for a family like us. We've lost some family members and friends over time, which makes me very sad and angry at the same time. We always wish things were different and didn't have to be this way. If you know someone that has a child with special needs, has a chronic illness or has a terminal illness of some sort, have a little compassion. Our worlds are turned upside down and we often don't even know what day it is. It is not in any way a typical, normal life by no means. A person cannot judge if they don't know how it is...especially if you never see us. It hurts that there are some out there that are missing so much of the progress that Sam is making, and some that haven't taken the time to even get to know him.

With all of our hearts....We wish everyone a very Happy New Year!!

A Whole New Sam...

Tonight, as I was putting laundry away, I could hear Sam and Gabby playing together in the living room, conversing with one another like two typical children. Sam was speaking very clearly using complete sentences...not missing a word. It was truly music to my ears and it put a huge smile on my face.

He is getting older and better as time goes on. I knew with all the hard work, he would get better. In so many different situations, I see this whole new little boy. He's playing with typical children, conversing with them and just wanting to be with them. Remember, that over 3 1/2 years ago, this was a little boy with no words, wasn't even expected to talk. His autism level was severe. He is now on the mild side and he's come so far and I am so very proud of him.

We are working on the potty training with Sam these days. He is able to stay dry at school and is even now initiating that he has to "go potty" at home. However, he refuses to do the #2 on the potty and we are working on that. As a parent, I can't wait to get that part done!

Sam is very excited about our new camper we bought last weekend. He can't wait to get it to the campground in April. It's got everything he asked for...bunks for him and Gabby and a slide-out! It's great to see him excited about things to come. He's also looking forward to Santa coming as he's been going through the Toys R Us Christmas flyer over and over again for the past week picking out the doll houses and kitchens he wants. Yes, Gabby has taught Sam well!

We all had a great Halloween this year with taking our golf carts out trick 'r' treating. Auntie Lisa and Uncle Fran had their golf cart and we had ours. It was so nice having the whole family with us this year too! We had Grandma and Grandpa Sheidy, Kristie, Emma and Jeff, Auntie Lisa, Uncle Fran, Brittany & Christine. Sam and Gabby got alot of candy and really enjoyed the night.

Sam has a school review coming up this Thursday, and a visit with his neurologist next week. I'm sure these visits will be the most positive ones yet.

As I have said many times, Sam will beat Autism. And based on his progress, he's not far off from doing it.

Great job buddy! Keep up the good, hard work!!! We love you...

An Ending to The Best Summer...

It's hard to believe that the summer came so late and went by so fast this year...almost like a blink.

Thanks to my Aunt Doreen and my Uncle Mike from Maine helping us out, last year while on vacation there, we brought home a 32' travel trailer because our little pop-up just wasn't cutting it. Adam and I talked about the possibility of trying a season with it somewhere, but just weren't sure where to go. After countless hours of online searching, we discovered Whispering Pines Campground in Hope Valley, RI. As I write, my eyes are welling up with tears. These are tears of sadness because I never thought...ever...this would be the best summer. Not only for myself because I'm once again back in my childhood roots of spending summers at campgrounds, but for Adam, Sam & Gabby as well. And I must add that it's been great having my sister and brother-in-law right next to us to enjoy the summer as well...Just like the old times!! We've all in some way bonded with many people there, especially our family on W Road, who have taken our children in like their own and have shown much patience and love to Sam & Gabby. Although there have been many times when BOTH kids have had outbursts, tantrums, meltdowns, etc., everyone has been more than understanding and are often trying to help us out when a situation arises. I will miss WP while we are in hibernation for the winter and I know for certain Adam, Sam & Gabby will too. For now, I will reflect on all the wonderful, fun & exciting memories made this summer, and look forward to next Spring when we get to do it all over again. I truly believe that WP has made a huge positive impact on the progress Sam has made, especially in the social aspect of Autism. Thanks for the BEST SUMMER EVER 2009!!!

We had another PPT with the Town of Tolland last week to decide what's going to happen with Sam. Thankfully, he's staying at River Street at least until next June. Their intent is to hopefully have him start kindergarten in the fall of 2010 here in Tolland, but honestly, I just don't know about that. You know me, if I don't believe he's ready, he's not going anywhere!

Oh yes, the progress he's made...let me start by saying he's doing great!!!!! He's a smart mouthed, funny, an eating machine and so on! If you haven't seen him in a while, you would be amazed at how different he is...in a great way. So often now he says something that any typical child would say and will even play like a typical child. You wouldn't even know he has Autism.

Adam and I have made progress as well! We have accepted the fact that Sam is now riding the bus to and from school!!! That's a very big deal for us!!! Sam loves it and gets upset when I pick him up from school. He wants to ride the bus.

I want to add something personal to this post, only because it may be the only way to reach out to some people that have for whatever reasons, have chosen to distance themselves from us. The past 5 years have come and gone so quickly for Adam and I because everything is always a rush around here, and often nothing ever comes easy. It's very difficult for us to talk on the phone to anyone without kids yelling and screaming in the background. So if we don't call, it's not because we don't think of you, it's because it's an impossible feat. We forget birthdays and anniversaries of one's that we DO care about, so please don't take it personally. Some may think that we are selfish for being away all summer and leaving CT behind. But honestly, this was a risk we took with Sam not knowing which way it was going to go. And it turned out great for our kids...and for us too. After everything that we have been through for the past 5 years, we feel we deserved some kind of break and this is what we chose to do. Adam and I STILL haven't had one night away from the kids since they've been born. If what we chose to do this summer as a family is selfish, then so be it. We miss certain family members and friends very much who we hold dear to our hearts that won't talk to us. As far as the family members go, there have been many, many instances that we could have turned our backs because of the lack of communication and for times not being here when you were needed, but we brushed it off and moved on. An invitation is never needed to visit here nor is it needed at the campground. That goes for everyone. We do love you all and care very much. Enough said and I hope I made some kind of point.

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable summer and look forward to catching up with everyone over the fall and winter. We do miss our CT friends and family!

Life Is Becoming Very Good...

Yes, Life is Becoming Very Good...Finally!

When we decided to buy a camper at the end of last summer and put it at a campground for a season, Adam and I knew it was a huge risk. We weren't sure how Sam was going to react being out of his elements here at home, and if it didn't work, what a financial hit it would have been on Adam and me. Not only have I been able to get back to my roots with camping, but I've been lucky enough to share my love of camping with my family. I honestly believe that camping has been the best therapy for Sam. Many children with Autism have sensory issues, social issues, speech issues, etc. Whispering Pines has everything there to naturally address most of the areas that Sam has been lacking in. His sensory therapy includes enjoying the water and playing in the sand at the beach. His social issues are constantly being challenged with all of the people at the campground and he has made so much progress there. He's very social and is starting to have conversations with all of the wonderful people we have met there and his speech just keeps getting better. We definitely made the right decision and look forward to many more summer's at Whispering Pines. However, if Sam keeps asking for golf carts and other highly priced items, we may have to reconsider! Yes, we bought Sam a golf cart. He loves it and even slept on it Saturday night.

Sam continues to do great in his new classroom with his buddies. It's still difficult getting him out of my car in the morning to go into school, but once he's inside, he's happy to be with his friends and to move on with his day. His teacher made me a book that has pictures with velcro attached to the back of them. With these pictures, Sam is able to use them to tell me about his day and what he did. Right now he's limited to 2 pictures, but should move on to 3 since he's doing so well. As I mentioned in previous posts, our conversation in the car after I picked him up from school was the same thing every day. He would tell me that he peed on the potty and had gym. Now with pictures, he's able to tell me that he had center time, sensory room time, circle time, etc. I love it and I love that school!

Both kids had dentist appointments today and thankfully I had Adam with me. Gabby did great, but unfortunately things didn't go so well for Sam. He will need to go to a pediatric dentist and get sedated in order for him to have his teeth cleaned...poor kid.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as we are and welcome visitors down at the campground anytime!

The Twins Turn 5...

It's so hard believe how these past 5 years have flown by, but yes, Sam and Gabby turned 5 on June 10th. As I sit and type, I'm reflecting on these past 5 years realizing in all honesty just how tired and sometimes stressed Adam and I both are with all that we do in raising our little tike's. Adam has his role with working day and night painting cars and I have my role in managing everything else that comes along with being a parent to twins. But...being tired and stressed is so worth it when it comes to Sam and Gabby. They also bring so much joy to our lives that we just couldn't ask for anything better than that. The smiles on those little ones faces is enough to melt any one's heart... and how lucky are we to see those smiles every single day? And our little Sam, well let's just say this child is a true fighter with this Autism business. Over the past 3 years since he was diagnosed, he has come so far...so fast. The reason for this is because we as parents work so hard to get the very best education for him and give him all the love and support he needs. The other reason is for the family and friends that have stood by him and us from the very beginning. We've all needed you in so many ways, and you've all been there and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for never turning your backs on us...especially Samuel. And for the new friends from Whispering Pines that have come into our lives and taken us in like family, we thank you for your understanding, love and support and for caring for our children the way you all do. It warms my heart every time I hear one of you say that you've noticed a positive change in Sam and how it excites you when he does something new and great. This means the world to us.

We continue to enjoy our camping weekends at Whispering Pines and even had a whole week to spend there last week. The weather was terrible and Sam became very sick 3 days into vacation, which turned into a visit to the urgent care center. We aren't sure if Sam had a simple virus or had the H1N1 Virus aka "Swine Flu". He was treated with medication to treat the Swine Flu and started to perk up within 2 days. However, we all ended up on the medication so that the rest of us wouldn't get the virus, which resulted in a $160.00 prescription bill! All in all, we had great company to keep us going throughout the week and we were still very happy to be there.

Some great school news to post...yesterday Sam was moved out of the classroom that he had been in for the past 2 years and moved to a classroom with higher functioning children who are mostly verbal. The children in the class he was in were mostly non-verbal children. This was a great move for Sam as he now can't wait to get out of my car and into school since he is now in the same class with all his buddies! We couldn't be happier for him and it was getting harder to get him to go into the school without the help of a behaviorist and lots of tears.

We are all looking forward to a nice long 4th of July weekend...at the campground of course. We all love being there and it's turning out to be great therapy for Sam. I've even been told that we could possibly write the campground fee and camper cost off on our taxes next year as therapy for Sam...hmmm...not a bad idea!

We hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend!