Is it possible to have one of the most disgusting autistic events and a great day of progress at the same time?
Yes. Yes, it is.
Poop. I could go into a lot of disgusting detail, but I'll spare you. I will say these words and you can use your imagination: spoonfuls, mold, mysterious smells, trampoline netting, smears, rotating fan, Jacob. Have fun with that.
And now for the good stuff because I'd like to get the occurrences of the last few hours out of my mind. However I doubt I will ever forget. It's seared there forever.

When your child is a toddler its flattering to have them attached to you. Wanting mom, giving hugs and kisses, displaying such pleasure when you pick them up.
But when your child is seven and shows that favoritism, to a dramatic degree, it is not so fun anymore. At this point Jacob's development is similar to that of a two year old. So this phase that is common when your kid is two is understandable to us, but that does not make it easier to deal with.

We are stuck in Diaper No Mans Land.
Jacob is still wearing diapers about 60% of the time. Over the past seven years we have been working our way through every brand and size, adjusting accordingly as Jacob's body changes, and now we are hitting a brick wall.

School starts tomorrow. Three months ago I was anticipating a really hard summer. And now its over and I'm anxious to have some freedom again, but already missing the laid back fun and late night drives with my kids.
Tyler is off to 6th grade. Middle school. He's very excited about it, I'm a bit more apprehensive. Tyler was a perfect baby in my arms just yesterday. He's continued to be a kind, fun, smart kid as he's grown. I just hope he continues to talk to me and let me hug him. I know that a lot of the rules could change. I don't feel grown up enough to have a child this old.

How do you get a Prince to turn off his charm?
No, it's not a joke, although I bet I could be a good one. It is the question I have been debating with myself lately: at what level does expressing affection become inappropriate with my autistic child?
I love that Jacob kisses me, holds my hand and wants to be near me. I love that he brings me a flower or stick every time he comes in from the backyard. It is touching that Jacob draws me, shapes me out of play dough, carries objects around and calls them mom. These are his physical expressions of love for me.

Jacob has been making some fantastic progress. Five years of therapies and programs and attempts to teach him basic skills with very little improvement has been so discouraging. And in the past few weeks he has exploded with understanding and compliance.

It has always taken a well thought out plan to leave my house. There is no ordinary walking out the door and closing it behind you. It is much more like a secret escape- keys held tightly in hand to keep from jingling and giving you away, whispered goodbyes, walking softly on tip-toes, gently shutting and locking the door behind you, like a cat burglar might do. All to avoid allerting my seven year old to the departure.

Things have been going so well at the Jones' home lately. And like I said a few blogs ago, I tend to write to relieve stress and work out difficult situations, so my blogging has been less frequent. Look at it as a good thing when you don't hear from me for awhile. :)

I have always been an emotional writer. I have notebooks full of letters and poems and song lyrics that were inspired by love lost and found. My most creative times have been the result of my tender heart cracking open a little. It takes a little tugging on the heartstrings for me to be inspired to write. Occasionally a really happy line or two will break through, but in general you could call me a Broken-Hearted Poet.

Two years ago, when we were preparing to move back to Oregon from Idaho, Chris and I knew we were leaving behind a good thing.