tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76483124095518241712024-03-05T00:23:28.622-08:00Reflections on Autism, Parenting, and Life...This blog is a window into the life of a parent of a child with autism. Having a special needs child is challenging and not for the faint of heart but it is also an adventure. Welcome to my world!Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-37727856579429145022011-05-06T18:28:00.000-07:002011-05-06T18:58:26.835-07:00But I Like You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCkkx4VkHJajDdYrGw9eYkXoU1HH7WVCG0swAhL76P3kyp0kUKcOhXVfLgmuV5-syUj9DIuZJdVRxzy3TWUGQZqTzpuphJWHyOSPQUviRqZCTUcOzKvfeCQid4GKvRJWBcj80v4vu3A/s1600/bert%2526ernie.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603780237743826690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCkkx4VkHJajDdYrGw9eYkXoU1HH7WVCG0swAhL76P3kyp0kUKcOhXVfLgmuV5-syUj9DIuZJdVRxzy3TWUGQZqTzpuphJWHyOSPQUviRqZCTUcOzKvfeCQid4GKvRJWBcj80v4vu3A/s320/bert%2526ernie.bmp" /></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9AAJvQnUTQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9AAJvQnUTQ</a> (Please humor me and click link before reading) :)<br /><br />Ok, I realize it's a little strange to play Sesame Street songs on my blog but tonight I think it really has a purpose.......let me explain.......<br /><br />It has recently come to my attention that many "grown people" need to go back and watch Sesame Street. Now, I don't mean the new fangled one with Elmo, and the Fairy.....(forgot her name) but the old Sesame Street that I grew up with. <br /><br />Cookie Monster, Grover, Prairie Dawn, Oscar, Big Bird, and Bert and Ernie taught me some pretty valuable lessons that many adults (including myself on occasion) have forgotten. <br /><br />I mean.....the characters were fallible.......they goofed up! Other characters got angry with them but then a "wise" adult usually showed up, and everyone discussed the conflict.......and Voila! Everyone agreed to disagree and still be friends. <br /><br />Bert and Ernie are definitely an conundrum....... Bert is.....well.....OCD. Let's face it.....he wanted his world in perfect order. Everything to him should be well kept, cleaned and yes, "lined up"! <br /><br />Then you have Ernie......He was so carefree you often wondered how he managed to survive. He was never in a hurry, messy, and forgetful....... and yes, adorable! <br /><br />These two really were the "Odd Couple" for preschoolers. Somehow, no matter how much Ernie annoyed and Bert yelled, they were friends in the end. Nobody had to completely change there personality, nobody talked about the other's faults to everyone.......they co-existed, they cared about each other.......they agreed to disagree!<br /><br />I don't think God ever meant every person to be a carbon copy of each other. It's in the difference his glory can be seen....... If we are all truly created in his image, then our God must have no limits to His facets! It's a revelation that in our differences we can see and appreciate the infinite power of God.<br /><br />It is my hopes that by reviewing a little preschool we can learn to accept the differences in each other.......for it is by coexisting in love that we can find true peace in our lives!Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-8999563114896082092011-05-05T20:25:00.001-07:002011-05-05T20:52:13.035-07:00You've Been Too Gone for Too Long<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNUQ_wUQJEE0MFNzXwpkMUFTQgf_TWm0Ob6ahGfjCcUb6DLjj801zPg5OOsVWmefGGl1dGRZoY4Iv3rCOYXOD5BiQlvOlXNYzB8iW4Qd_m0w142xffak0UWKzRLaAsHEam_fP6gG91A/s1600/more+miss+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603445124601815730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNUQ_wUQJEE0MFNzXwpkMUFTQgf_TWm0Ob6ahGfjCcUb6DLjj801zPg5OOsVWmefGGl1dGRZoY4Iv3rCOYXOD5BiQlvOlXNYzB8iW4Qd_m0w142xffak0UWKzRLaAsHEam_fP6gG91A/s320/more+miss+018.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><br /><div>This song was brought to my mind today as for some reason, I have been hitting the old country music mode again. For those of you who do not know, it was performed by Randy Travis.</div><br /><div>The lyrics for the chorus are: "You've been too gone, for too long. It's too late to come back now." It is my sincere hopes that you don't feel this way.....but it's been a really, really long time.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Time has marched on......</div><br /><div>Kelsie has turned 18 and will be graduating this year, and DJ will be eight this July. He will be in second grade next year and is doing extremely well in school. We still hit lots of bumps, but so is living with Autism. It's always a bumpy road!<br /></div><br /><div>Over the course of the last year, we have celebrated victories, and dealt with setbacks. So is the course of life. Everyday he continues to progress.........and I learn by watching him grow. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Kelsie and I continue to raise rabbits. This endeavor has brought us much closer together, and I have enjoyed the time as I am beginning to realize that soon she will be leaving me. College looms in the distance and the our relationship will change as she leaves. This is the natural order of things......sometimes it's the letting go that is difficult! </div><br /><div>Time marches on.......<br /></div><br /><div>I look forward to blogging again. I have missed writing.........and missed sharing with you all these long many months. </div></div>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-83920450491910234822010-03-27T15:29:00.000-07:002010-03-27T15:52:44.718-07:00Finally Fair!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbWRXhC-_FS0A2QfhfrkuAU2kmKqBH5iiSHR3fWTjfZFc3DXTznkJdpsZoxBD5LPDgyCjAygZA0VdK9tLZ68cNBp4PwPyg9y4m9XB60_EsZsCa-8FNH_PBApz4kPbyX5DDG_8aM4NIg/s1600/4-H+logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453450084470447778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbWRXhC-_FS0A2QfhfrkuAU2kmKqBH5iiSHR3fWTjfZFc3DXTznkJdpsZoxBD5LPDgyCjAygZA0VdK9tLZ68cNBp4PwPyg9y4m9XB60_EsZsCa-8FNH_PBApz4kPbyX5DDG_8aM4NIg/s320/4-H+logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Today is nuts. I am scrambling to help Kelsie get all her animals ready for Yuma County Fair, get the little man off to mom's for a sleepover, get to church and prayer partners by four, try to figure out why the email on computer wont work, and get to Del Mar tomorrow! It's official......I am overbooked and boy am I feeling it today. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Monday starts the insanity of our fair. I love it and hate it all at the same time! We have thirty some animals to get there and then I have to help work the barn the whole week. Kelsie shows cavies on Tuesday, Poultry on Wednesday and Rabbits on Thursday and Friday, with the auction on Saturday, and finally check out Sunday night. Whew, just writing it is exhausting me!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Then, like the sucker I am, I have to be in Del Mar tomorrow........I think I need my head examined!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Somehow, it will all work out. It always does. I just find that in the middle of the fray, it's hard to come up for air. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">I am realizing this week how incredibly fast my daughter is growing up. Only two more fairs for her! It is my hopes this week to just enjoy being a 4-H mom and leader. Take time to enjoy the kids because that's what the fair is all about! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">It has been amazing to see her transformation and growth through rabbits. She was so shy in the begining she was scared to death to even show. So many wonderful friends and mentors have changed her into the unique and special young lady she has become. Only two more fairs........where does the time go?</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Wonder if my mother felt that way? Experiencing 4-H as an adult has been so rewarding and my hopes are that every child has a terrific experience. For ribbons are nice, but learning to keep it all together under pressure is the ultimate experience!!</span></div>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-62424996195728313492010-02-25T21:28:00.000-08:002010-02-25T22:00:50.340-08:00Aspiring for More!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAEnvCSI6OU9IIBQnyAyMIC1dgMbx03p_d4jJnB_TQf57Xsd-yBIAdDf02i79GrBHCFlH94S0-FMxujVTp4ECmXtp0lyEIHvspcXJdSJzzf7QwTBAmw33Yg3ytwjdzbdSUiU2p4R1Hw/s1600-h/skating+pic.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442423913400667682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAEnvCSI6OU9IIBQnyAyMIC1dgMbx03p_d4jJnB_TQf57Xsd-yBIAdDf02i79GrBHCFlH94S0-FMxujVTp4ECmXtp0lyEIHvspcXJdSJzzf7QwTBAmw33Yg3ytwjdzbdSUiU2p4R1Hw/s320/skating+pic.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I must admit that I am an Olympics junkie. There is something astounding about these athletes that have trained and sacrificed so much for one goal.......to be the best! I can't even imagine giving up friends, school , and even family to train as an elite athlete. Then you have their families........what have they given up to fuel the dreams of their children? Some have done without for so long......while others have worked two and three jobs to finance their young hopefuls.........It really is almost overwhelming.<br /><p>However, I got to thinking tonight that we parents of Special Needs children really aren't much different. I have traveled great distances, spent weeks away from home, quit my job, spent endless hours researching treatment, hours of therapy, hours giving therapy, and heartbreaking times fighting for my son. Why, because I believe in him.....I believe. </p><p>We parents will probably never be featured on national television, and our children won't be gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated. Still, we press on....some of us trying to teach our children to walk, talk, eat, or learn to be human. Daily.....all around us these struggles continue. Our medals are not Gold or Silver, they are smiles, tears, and triumphs for things most parents take for granted. </p><p>I never realized that I am an Olympian. Not a sports figure.....but in spirit because I believe that with tremendous hard work and effort AND faith.......my son will have a future! I carry my torch daily with so many of my special friends with special children. </p><p>If you know one of us......give us a congratulatory hug......our journey is long and for some of us it will never end....but we believe and we have faith! All we ask for is a little encouragement......our finish line is often far away and we need to hear the cowbells and cheers to push us along the way!</p><p> </p>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-30606856900169418382010-02-05T21:04:00.000-08:002010-02-05T21:54:32.922-08:00InvisibleToday, I have been feeling used up.......You know, the tired, overwhelmed, can't go one more step, kind of exhaustion. I think we all get there........sometimes.<br /><br />Kelsie had FFA career activities at our community college all day. That meant the burden of the barn and cavies fell on mom's shoulders. On top of this, I was up all night watching one of her does who was doing her darnedest to have her litter of bunnies on the wire. (This means out of the nest box and on the floor of the cage) Kelsie has had a tough time getting Tan babies this year so, it was important that they didn't become bunnysicles!<br /><br />I let her go to bed at midnight after we finished her breeder profile that she was asked to do. It was a real honor that she be asked to do this profile as the District Two Director, Joey Shultz will be submitting it to the Domestic Rabbit for his column. So, after much editing on my part.....we came up with a final draft for her to submit...........she went to bed........I babysat a dumb rabbit!<br /><br />Then, this morning hit with all it's glory. After two hours of sleep, my husband woke me up to inform me that my son had missed the Sped Bus. Great! Now, Kel had to be at school by eight and DJ had to be dressed, take his supplements, eat breakfast and at school by 7:45. So much for a calm morning with coffee and the Today show.<br /><br />I could go on.....but why??? Many parents face complicated lives.......it's just lately......I've started to feel invisible. I have become the cog that makes the clock work. I live on the inside and no person really sees what I do. It stinks, and it hurts.......sometimes.<br /><br />Many of us have felt the sting of being invisible. Although accolades are nice, are they the ultimate prize in our lives? God calls us to reach beyond ourselves and serve.........so serving here at home is still the most important job I have. So, for today, I need to rest and rejuvenate.....then, I can face the challenges that arise tomorrow.......with God's help!Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-39778552263864881972010-01-24T20:22:00.000-08:002010-02-05T21:04:03.191-08:00Blindsided......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l-OS_HjNP4yKgw2Y7DSY-DOGYowllJ3P5St3i3ycdUOXuRzkLlG8fv1Voq1N_2x_Zys2MAycn3bFTgMmS8FxEie2xMa2jsatEKMsmXnOQNPPLWXkiCxsoM0k9FGP4a54EzIDt92zjQ/s1600-h/IMG_0003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430537423805948610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l-OS_HjNP4yKgw2Y7DSY-DOGYowllJ3P5St3i3ycdUOXuRzkLlG8fv1Voq1N_2x_Zys2MAycn3bFTgMmS8FxEie2xMa2jsatEKMsmXnOQNPPLWXkiCxsoM0k9FGP4a54EzIDt92zjQ/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Today I was tired. Kelsie and I didn't get home until 10:00pm.........we had another rabbit show. I embarrassed myself by oversleeping and missing prayer partners this morning. I drove my daughter to a cavy meeting that wasn't happening this week, and concluded with an exhausting evening of AWANA. Oh, I also forgot that I managed to get two hours of HBOT in with DJ this afternoon.<br /><br />Now, that is always an adventure! Imagine zipping yourself into a round vinyl chamber (I refer to as the ziplock bag) with an unwilling six year old child for two hours. There isn't much room and you have to figure out how to entertain them! The first hour usually goes ok as he watches movies and the only scuffle is me yelling "Get your mask on!" You see he also has to wear an oxygen mask to make this work!!<br /><br />Hour two is much more grueling...... I have to live with the constant complaints of how boring this is, and dodge hits to the head from his elbows. He also likes to beat the lower part of you with his legs......the other awesome part is I get to do this for the next twenty days then take two weeks off......then we'll be back at it again for another twenty days.<br /><br />So, this is HBOT! I wish that was the part of today that was the worst bummer............but I made a discovery today that kind of blindsided me.<br /><br />Today, I decided that we would watch G-Force. I am usually watching pre-school shows because he really hasn't graduated to children's movies. I put my foot down today because I am SO tired of Wow Wow Wubzy, Bob the Builder, Thomas, and The Backyardagains! I started the movie and was really starting to get into it when he goes off on how he wants to see something else.<br /><br />This goes on for ten minutes. Then, he starts freaking out over any scene that has suspense. I keep explaining how it's a Disney movie.......no guinea pig will die.....it will end happy!! The pep talk wasn't really sinking in his little brain. Just getting through the movie was exhausting!<br /><br />Finally, it was time for movie wrap up! You know the time we all spend reviewing a film after we see it! Sometimes this part is even more fun than watching the movie! Why??? Because this is when we connect as humans.......we share an event that we both experienced emotionally.<br /><br />We connect!<br /><br />I got to this part with DJ......I asked him how he liked the movie? He responded with, "I want to watch Extreme Trains." I asked him again.....elicited the same response. I then asked him what pig he liked best.....I got, "I want to get out." This question and answer period went on for another ten minutes. Toward the end, I must admit that I was starting to get a little nasty.......out of shear frustration. I wanted to beg him to relate to me.....see something I did.<br /><br />Thank God, our time ended in the HBOT. I was struck a little later how it's almost impossible to connect with DJ on a primal level. I know he loves me.....and I love him. I was still left feeling that my son and I have nothing in common.......nothing to talk about......nothing to share.<br /><br />I could give you every scientific explanation for why this is......I could explain to you how his brain is miswired and how this affect his ability to communicate, relate, and make emotional connections. Truth is that today all I felt was heartache.......The in your face, painful, heart wrenching pain. I had to realize that DJ and I may never have things to talk about except what he finds interesting. I don't even know if he cares that I don't care and am tired of hearing about it.<br /><br />Tomorrow, we go to Phoenix for two days of doctor's appointments, IV's, and OT. Tomorrow I will bury my hurt and frustration and blindly have faith. Thank God.....I have tomorrow. This is how I cope...........this is how I survive.Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-81523363568744021602010-01-22T19:16:00.001-08:002010-01-22T19:42:32.118-08:00Is God Calling???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbnfh0w8gV6wdX-oLBZIvnLmdB1ddtZvmk4xxaZ7T0WgBpl0G2mXpS3nlJ-wLTS3nMOu571-o_xEIJ5GKu2Hgz0sf6Do77TRZQly7KJ2PmspG4nf40OKO0qdyyq5e-mro34mb9tcxEw/s1600-h/thumbnailCA0LNJHG.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429775197577792002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbnfh0w8gV6wdX-oLBZIvnLmdB1ddtZvmk4xxaZ7T0WgBpl0G2mXpS3nlJ-wLTS3nMOu571-o_xEIJ5GKu2Hgz0sf6Do77TRZQly7KJ2PmspG4nf40OKO0qdyyq5e-mro34mb9tcxEw/s320/thumbnailCA0LNJHG.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>I feel a shift....a change.....a movement....somewhere in my soul.</div><div></div><br /><div>Lately, I have felt restless......grumpy.....invisable.....in a rut. Here I sit.....a teacher without a job. I know being a mother is an important job. I also know raising a disabled child has been one of the greatest challenges of my life. Still, my soul thirsts for more. </div><br /><div></div><div>Why.....what can I do now? I know that God has called me to do more than I am doing now..........</div><br /><div></div><div>I think I figured it out tonight......I need to go to Haiti. I need to make a difference and use the gifts that God has given me. I can teach....I can lead...I can help. </div><div></div><br /><div>The times in my life that I have felt the most energized are when I have been actively engaged in helping others......now more than ever I need to be a part of something bigger than myself. Don't we all feel that way......when teaching, assisting. or helping others.....don't you feel like a bigger part of something?</div><div></div><br /><div>I don't know where this is going to lead but i will keep posting my journey. Needs are everywhere.....I just feel this is something God is calling me to do. The people of Haiti needed tremendous help before this happened. This need will go on for years after the media has long since left. I want to be there to help. Guess I better start working on my Creole!! :)</div></div>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-71663700239106681342010-01-20T19:23:00.000-08:002010-01-20T19:48:46.073-08:00Enough Already....<span style="font-family:arial;">Yuma is typically a city with no weather....... We vary between sunny and hot and sunny and warm. There isn't much else to our weather. Lately, I wish that that was the case. We have been flipping between windy and cold, and windy and rainy. I have had to arrange my schedule to get things done when we have a couple breaks in the wind and rain. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The other problem with the weather flips are that this crazy weather has sent my son into various emotional flips and behavior outbursts. You see, major shifts in barometric pressure can cause some children with Autism to have behavioral problems. I have been asking myself if he is actually my child this week. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">This week, I have spent many hours trying to keep a containment field around him. It also doesn't help that hubby is still rehabbing from hip surgery, so he's no help. I was really feeling at my wit's end this evening. After I had cleaned up the destruction that was my house for the fifth time, I was about to kill him. I put him in the bath and he threw water everywhere and then I knew that someone was going to have to call a professional for me.........</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">He got dressed.....then we finished the night time ritual. You know, brush teeth, comb hair, and read bedtime stories. I was so thrilled that seven o'clock had finally rolled around.........the magical hour when the child goes to bed! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Then, he did something that made me regroup and release all the frustration that had been building up all week. When we said our prayers, he asked for God to help mommy. Mommy was tired and grumpy and needed help........and God, could you turn off the clouds. I like rain, but Yuma has enough now and I want to play outside........and lunch inside at school isn't any fun at all.....</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Small children have this way of simplifying things. Clearing away all the complications and finding the exact way to solve the puzzle. His answer was that God could fix it..........pretty simple.........Darn, wish I would have thought of that!</span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-35900610299606701962010-01-19T14:44:00.000-08:002010-01-19T17:53:51.632-08:00Abundant Blessings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCn94Yv17cTsoptDUFS1EU1agUH64xrSX56mvwxrV2mgMvJR-t7-TK0BPlDXKddstnB8ex6eIn2Z6jBkthVLRpbNR37DfYxdwGcqBOtUr181CHD0LGCnkQLwJNH8Z305d5l9CGxABZg/s1600-h/starbucks.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428633242819847970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCn94Yv17cTsoptDUFS1EU1agUH64xrSX56mvwxrV2mgMvJR-t7-TK0BPlDXKddstnB8ex6eIn2Z6jBkthVLRpbNR37DfYxdwGcqBOtUr181CHD0LGCnkQLwJNH8Z305d5l9CGxABZg/s320/starbucks.jpg" /></a> <div>Today I got the opportunity to have coffee with a terrific friend and fellow mother of a child with autism. We laughed and talked about all the weird things our children do. It was such a release to spend a short time with a women who understands......a kindered spirit. I should have been doing two-thousand other things but chose not to. I chose to be in that moment with my friend. Away from reality for just one hour.......It was AMAZING, REFRESHING, and necessary.</div><div></div><br /><div>Sometimes, I think we get so wrapped up in ourselves that all we see is the bad in our lives. It's easy to get stuck in a rut.....I know I have been in one as of late. Visiting with a friend and watching the suffering in Haiti have a way of forcing you to change your perspective.</div><div></div><br /><div>I have been kind of nostalgic this week. When you turn on the news, it's shocking. How can you look at the destruction and human suffering and not be moved. I can't even imagine how the Haitian people must be suffering......so I've been feeling darn blessed this week. I didn't ask for a disabled child but I have a house, car, family, and friends. I think sometimes we forget how good we have it. We have more than these poor people started with. Today, I just took some time to actually appreciate what I have.</div><div></div><br /><div>Pray for those families and give what you can. Imagine loosing everything including your family......definitely changes your perspective. Over all, consider what you have in your life and thank God for it. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-14416562502385443022010-01-05T22:00:00.000-08:002010-01-05T23:08:25.820-08:00When a Band-Aid Covers the Bullet Hole...Pain is inevitable. Life doesn't go the way you want it to and it has this amazing way of ripping the ground right out from under you! Mine was cancer and autism.....What's yours??<br /><br />How we deal with the pain is the key to survival. Some people shut down and fall into deep depression......some get angry and spend the rest of their lives and bitter and mean.......a few just live in denial.......and others still go on to simile and tell you they are fine.....which one are you??<br /><br />I tend to be the smile type. I don't really like to focus on the negative, but it will rear it's head and I find moments when I just break down and fall apart...... You start to think about all the long term implications of your problems. Will my child ever be able to survive on his own, will my finances hold out, what is happening to my family and how will we be able to survive the next disaster. These thoughts tend to surface when it's very late, I'm alone, and exhausted. <br /><br />The thing is.....we all place band aids over the gaping holes in our life. Dark and spooky places where the light doesn't shine.<br /><br />What pulls us out of these places?? For me it's God and my wonderful friends. Little miracles show up when I least expect it. Today, it was a beautiful comment left for me on Facebook. <br /><br />I had a rough day....lately they all have been. Cardiologist appointment for husband this morning, then I had to pick up prescriptions, needed to do some serious cooking for my son, and that didn't even begin to put a dent in my to do list. I have been totally and completely overwhelmed the last couple of months. Yet, through it all....little miracles keep popping up. My small group has provided me with a couple of meals. One really special friend even brought desert, and made special brownies that my son could eat. His smile made lots of the frustration go away....... Then today, the beautiful comment. <br /><br />The point it how many people have that band aid on? Do we look deeper or take the, "I'm fine" band aid response as the final answer? Pain is inevitable.......how we reach out to others is a choice. Giving of ourselves is a choice. We can help properly dress each others wounds.......pour out love and dress with a hug. I think I will try to look deeper tomorrow.......I challenge you to do the same.Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-36920696090882999692010-01-04T18:52:00.000-08:002010-01-05T21:42:39.186-08:00They Grow Up So Fast.....<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1T5sbCuhHlm1HPuFitnq6usqRKWPEFjA55LS9nVsO3yTk_VpQUqysGanhh0H5Lwv1lpbnSG748FqPzpQ2dWq_gNfS_gXKROS9Y6g1P_vb1h5Kg1laMz0cKjXEQpK3FnwIDs45KW7jg/s1600-h/IMG_0017.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423083991688099650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1T5sbCuhHlm1HPuFitnq6usqRKWPEFjA55LS9nVsO3yTk_VpQUqysGanhh0H5Lwv1lpbnSG748FqPzpQ2dWq_gNfS_gXKROS9Y6g1P_vb1h5Kg1laMz0cKjXEQpK3FnwIDs45KW7jg/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" /></a> I am truly happy that this day is over. It started at four this<br /></div><div align="left">morning after a terrible night of sleep. Sleep or no sleep, I had to get DJ to his doctor's appointment by 8:20AM for labs and IVIG. Intravenous Immunogammoglobulin is an IV drip that lasts four hours. We head up to Dr. Schneider's office every month to have the procedure done. I usually stay over and follow up with chelation and OT the following day. I had to make it a one day trip with husbands hip surgery, so I knew that it was going to be a LONG day. Phoenix is three hours from Yuma, so six hours of driving with four hours of doctor's appointment isn't something you look forward to.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Anyway, today was our once a month.....With the kids being out of school, I took Kelsie with me.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I loaded everyone into the car at five and headed East. Kelsie slept off and on and DJ doesn't sleep but he was fairly quiet on the way up. I just tried to stay awake.....</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We got the IV started and I left Kelsie with DJ to go shopping at Whole Foods for his dietary needs. She had to help him for the hour I was gone by keeping him entertained and wheeling his IV down the hall to the bathroom when he needed to go. I could leave knowing that she was responsible for him.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We got through the doctor, shopping, and dropping off a rabbit to 4-H kid that wanted one of her Tans for the Maricopa County Fair. We got to Gila Bend and I let her take over driving. As she drove, I got to thinking about how blessed I am. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I looked over at the driver's seat and saw a young woman......not the kid I was used to seeing. It seems that the times you are the most exhausted that clarity sets in! </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Kelsie takes on a tremendous amount of responsibility. I know that she is capable of taking care of her brother which is no easy feat! She manages a herd of fifty rabbits, and thirty cavies while still managing to make decent grades and participates in 4-H and FFA. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Here's the issue.....I spend more time riding her butt then I ever do telling her what an amazing person she is becoming. I did a better job of complementing my students at school than I do her. What will the cost to her self-esteem for my mistake be?? </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I made it a point to let her know how impressed I was with her driving skills today. I also made it a point to thank her for helping me with her brother. I may not get it right everyday but, today I made sure I did. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I am so blessed to have both of my children.......they are more than just a job, they are my gifts from God!</div>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-86368554024350196372010-01-02T18:37:00.000-08:002010-01-02T19:37:24.548-08:00What Do You See??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oXG_LaIUt9soDDpkm6ctATaT4PUnOGpKT8XLkIwX2xV_8eQhgHxjiynmNx4pmPVNZz-XrXsGFy2P5emCfZYEUcnVmOKaV5G2bgjRzfAhSSLir8A6ZPbLECDKuJ-y82hA1QnUxDcQPw/s1600-h/eyes.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422348206647123570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oXG_LaIUt9soDDpkm6ctATaT4PUnOGpKT8XLkIwX2xV_8eQhgHxjiynmNx4pmPVNZz-XrXsGFy2P5emCfZYEUcnVmOKaV5G2bgjRzfAhSSLir8A6ZPbLECDKuJ-y82hA1QnUxDcQPw/s320/eyes.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Lately I have been studying a bit on the life of David. King David was certainly a walking conundrum. He either had his eyes on God, or somewhere in the dirt. He was either a hero or a goat and NOTHING in between.<br /><br /><p> </p><p>Sound like anyone you know??</p>I have often felt a kindred spirit to David. Considering I either really get it right or fall so short, I know God flinches with disappointment. It is always when I take my eyes off of God and look at circumstances or people as a human that I inevitably fall on my face.<br /><br />This past year, I would have missed the opportunity to get to know an incredibly special young woman had I based my opinion on my own judgement. You see, I saw this young woman as selfish, childish, and quite conceited. I based this opinion on the few times I saw her in very controlled situations. At first glance she did seem shallow but, I never took the time to speak with her......only about her to others. Yep, I participated in good ole fashion gossip. I never spoke outside my family but gossip is still gossip. Why did I do this?? I still ask myself that today.<br /><br />God sometimes has a way of making me see my faults. Sometimes He's pretty in my face about it.........but not always. Sometimes, He moves quietly behind the scenes. Weaving a tapestry that will become my bigger picture.<br /><br />It turns out that my daughter became friends with this young woman. At first, I was VERY skeptical. I warned my daughter repeatably to be careful as these "friends" were older and could eventually hurt her badly. Still, I felt that sometimes hard lessons need to be experienced and let the relationship develop without intervening. <br /><br />The turning point for me was when I sat down one afternoon and had a very long conversation with the young woman. She was so easy to talk to. I found her to be sensitive, caring, and extremely compassionate to others. She was like many people, putting on a front until she got to know you. Having been hurt so much in her past, it was just the way she protected herself and she was young. Young people need the chance to make mistakes and grow into mature people. I was surprised about her true nature and felt immediately drawn to her. In fact, I have become somewhat of a mentor to this young woman and have grown to love her very much like my own daughter. <br /><br />Initially, I felt incredibly disgusted with myself for making such rash judgements when I have fought so hard for people to see my son as person not a disability. Yet, I had done the same thing........I had done exactly the same thing to another beautiful human being. <br /><br />1 Samuel 16:7 says "God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart. (NCV)" I had forgotten to see the heart first......to see as God sees. Once again..........I was the goat.<br /><br />God forgives and, I learned. I carefully guard against forming opinions before getting to know someone and I definitely stay away from gossip. The lesson for me was truly seeing through God's eyes means looking inward first which is contrary to our nature.<br /><br /><br />What do you see when you look out into the world?? Sometimes stepping back and pondering what God's vision would be will keep you from being the goat too..........try it the next time your ready to jump to conclusions. Imagine how different the world would be if we all did!Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-45602485991316199302010-01-01T19:36:00.000-08:002010-01-01T22:34:38.192-08:00What is Your Breaking Point?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GNsefczMK0MsfxS0B1h0V_Q1urOUh0ZwsE49BHGlNshtRrxpl-iAw4IRF5Qxzk8hwYI_gaI8y00GoSpCIgRMs5MzIbcxNSpqrzgLGyk97cEP9WlmU8Uj3GyyZJlxFy3fB_wd-0gO_g/s1600-h/IMG_0024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 206px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422025595854909154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GNsefczMK0MsfxS0B1h0V_Q1urOUh0ZwsE49BHGlNshtRrxpl-iAw4IRF5Qxzk8hwYI_gaI8y00GoSpCIgRMs5MzIbcxNSpqrzgLGyk97cEP9WlmU8Uj3GyyZJlxFy3fB_wd-0gO_g/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" /></a> <div><div>Lately, I have been bombarded by a plethora of too much stuff to do........</div><div></div><br /><div>Hubby got a new hip, so I have had the privilege of convalescing him. Then, there is always DJ's diet, supplements, animal chores, and finally.....Christmas! Throw 4-H meetings on top of that plus medical trips to Phoenix, and I just wanted to find a large hole to climb into. </div><br /><div></div><div>The breaking point came yesterday. It wasn't anything huge...........just a painful part of raising small animals. One of Kelise's prize Coronet show boars, Preston, got a mystery respiratory infection and died. No warning........healthy pig one day, dead pig the next. This of course, just happened to be a pig I had gotten rather attached to. Whether it was my exhaustion, or just emotional release, I cried for quite some time. I honestly can't remember getting so upset about a cavy in years. I don't think it was just the cavy though.......</div><div></div><br /><div>The point is that we all have a breaking point. Mine just happened to be over a cavy. The pressure and stress that had been building up in my life spilled over because I just couldn't handle one more thing. The release was amazing and let my family know I had actually had it! They woke up and took notice. I probably should have found a healthier way to manage the stress but, in the midst of all the chaos I forgot to communicate. </div><br /><div></div><div>What is your breaking point?? How close are you to reaching it? Slow down in the new year and take stock of what is really important to you. I let things get away from me and ended up in emotional upheaval. I figured I had control of my insanity so, I pushed forward to the point of having a mini-breakdown. God reminded me once again that I can't survive without help. We all need to ask for help before things get out of hand.......remember, no person exists in a vacuum and everyone, even me, needs help from time to time! </div><br /><div></div><div>I do feel better today. I am blessed to have a tolerant and loving family. However, I still hurt and miss Mr. Preston. :( God never promised a pain free life but that's a topic for another day!</div></div>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-45613021053979298332009-12-31T20:09:00.000-08:002009-12-31T20:44:36.053-08:00Happy New Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMscIXuiYCqaLYfb9mIsQNK0hiAUFoPa88dVJ5fSBYaABBjj-XPPvcHOOiM602IfpM5KUF_oFK7FmvmAApnU474x07PIrMe8Qeyi9vneKxBJYXomVsWzVtTZxD4IqMnVszPr5wz6ecA/s1600-h/times+square.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421619751505317970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMscIXuiYCqaLYfb9mIsQNK0hiAUFoPa88dVJ5fSBYaABBjj-XPPvcHOOiM602IfpM5KUF_oFK7FmvmAApnU474x07PIrMe8Qeyi9vneKxBJYXomVsWzVtTZxD4IqMnVszPr5wz6ecA/s320/times+square.jpg" /></a>Another year has ended.........<br /><br />Sometimes that seems like a really awesome thing. A chance to start over.......<br /><br />Truth is that tomorrow I will still have all the problems that I have today. My son will still be broken, my family will still be incredibly financially challenged, and I will still have the insane merry go round that is my life. Not to mention, I still have that Christmas tree to deal with and those darn outside lights!! 2010 really won't erase these things. <br /><br />So then what is it that makes us feel renewed with the changing of the year.........<br /><br />Promise! and Hope! The passing of a year brings us back to the hope of renewal. No matter how dire the circumstances, we revel and celebrate..........we dare to hope and dream again. This new year hasn't been jaded by our bad decisions, crummy circumstances, and inner turmoil. It lays beautifully in our minds.........like the forgotten special Christmas present ready to be opened.........<br /><br />and we will open it! <br /><br />We will walk into 2010 for time really pauses for no one. <br /><br />It is my prayer for all to have a year of joy, prosperity, and love. I pray that we will all become more aware of our creator and His intentions for our lives. That we will be compassionate and loving toward each other and less consumed about ourselves. I pray that God will give special blessings to parents of Special Needs children and the world will one day discover the uniqueness of these amazing children. I finally pray for healing for our children......all children everywhere....... for it is children that truly understand hope and new beginnings.<br /><br />Happy New Year dear friends! See you all in 2010!! :)Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-19265674159022418862009-12-30T20:22:00.000-08:002009-12-30T20:58:01.304-08:00New Year's Resolutions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qRZmUKD6EEYoAv8P-7ASBtCb-gnjSxInzuS9YTKazZ_yx4u3AY5zWT5a2R3Yk2s7PBQSwnS6Jypl_LvHa2Hb9atjuY1R_vmYO5c8jGaNDSCNZy9d1Kxloe5Eoandi_iPkqEoYocKAQ/s1600-h/newyearsball.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421252188346829298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qRZmUKD6EEYoAv8P-7ASBtCb-gnjSxInzuS9YTKazZ_yx4u3AY5zWT5a2R3Yk2s7PBQSwnS6Jypl_LvHa2Hb9atjuY1R_vmYO5c8jGaNDSCNZy9d1Kxloe5Eoandi_iPkqEoYocKAQ/s320/newyearsball.jpg" /></a> Why is it that every year about this time we think we need to reflect. It's not that I'm against reflection it's just that sometimes people spend too much time looking backwards and not enough time looking forward. This <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">phenomenon</span> is only worse when December 31st rolls around. I have to admit that I am guilty of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">indulging</span> in this holiday tradition along with so many others. <br /><br />A year flies by so rapidly........it seems like just yesterday 2009 dawned with all the promise of an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unopened</span> gift. I had so many hopes for my family and personal life. Things I was going to change, improve.........<br /><br />Well, on December 30<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, reality dawns! So many things I didn't accomplish! My children still aren't perfect and I am still not slim, and my husband is still cranky! What's a woman to do??<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>LET IT GO!!! </em></strong></div><strong><em></em></strong><br />Tonight, I am going to make a choice to focus not on the things I didn't get right but on what I did get right! I am tired of punishing myself for all the things I flubbed. We could all be better, brighter, more considerate........<br /><br />I am thankful I have such a forgiving God. His Son certainly covers up many blotches that cover most of my life! I am going to strive to be better, be more holy, be more Christ like! This is my resolution for the coming decade. However, this has been my resolution for the last <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">forty</span> years of my life. I will NEVER be perfect........but, with Christ, I can be better than I ever imagined myself to be!<br /><br />Happy New Year to everyone! May God bless our country with abudance and compassion this year.Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-82429507626935542362009-10-28T00:35:00.000-07:002009-10-28T01:17:33.701-07:00Shades of Grey<span style="font-family:arial;">I consider myself rather low maintenance. In fact an old friend of mine once told me I reminded him of peasant women who had children in the fields and then packed them on their backs and kept right on working. I have always taken pride in the fact that I work really hard and complain very little. I don't need tons of beauty treatments to feel beautiful. Tonight, I had to challenge my thinking on my whole self concept.
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<br />Kelsie and I arrived in San Diego after a day of total chaos. We had cleaning, packing, cooking, organizing and loading before we could leave for ARBA National Convention in San Diego. Life has been like this pretty much for the last two months. This means that I have not had time to do much with my personal appearance. I was really looking forward to getting to our hotel tonight and having a much needed uninterrupted hair color treatment.
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<br />Now, I am not an amateur at coloring my hair. I started coloring when I was thirty after cancer treatment. When my hair came back in, it was really dark, coarse, and GREY. I was pretty salt and pepper at thirty and that just wasn't going to work for me! Hence, I started coloring.
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<br />Tonight, I colored with the same color I have been using for years. Left it on for the same amount of time......and then rinsed. No biggie, right? When it dried, I asked I daughter if it looked exceptionally blonde.....no grey. She stated, "Mom, your hair is as grey as a fifty year old." WHAT?? I totally freaked. Not just a little freak, total freak.
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<br />We ran to the nearest grocery store and bought a new box of hair color....Darker. I again repeated the process....praying and bargaining with God about total grey removal. The hair color worked, Thank God!
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<br />Now that the whole event is over, I have to admit that this is really trite. I cannot believe that I got so upset about grey hair that I had to run to the grocery store at eleven thirty at night.
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<br />I guess even I have learned that Mrs. Low Maintenance has a vain side. Guess we all do. There are things that we just don't want the world to see about ourselves. Now that the hair is fixed, I wonder what else I hide. What do we all hide?
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<br />People are complicated. 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font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family:arial;"> harried and frustrated race of beings. I'm SO glad that my heavenly Father loves me warts and all. It makes approaching Him so much easier. I know He had to have a good chuckle over my behavior tonight! I know in retrospect, I did!</span>
<br />Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-10689147246720176242009-10-25T09:24:00.001-07:002009-10-25T20:29:34.828-07:00The Endless Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rf7mjgR527W-q1-sRNsBnAi-IqVvIUTHhxWAEGGeEDyfbQ-qb1Y4Qtt4oKQro610tZk9CmwY9BKIbg1-hJazOD9hQIdgwnRn0APVhcTGiwVnXYN9ogHDcl2FnzSaDfapGabgVXYkdQ/s1600-h/Convention2009Logo_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rf7mjgR527W-q1-sRNsBnAi-IqVvIUTHhxWAEGGeEDyfbQ-qb1Y4Qtt4oKQro610tZk9CmwY9BKIbg1-hJazOD9hQIdgwnRn0APVhcTGiwVnXYN9ogHDcl2FnzSaDfapGabgVXYkdQ/s320/Convention2009Logo_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396574760348318338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Things here in Yuma have been pretty frantic and crazy the last couple of months. There have been three rabbit shows out of town and the usual keeping up with DJ and his trips to Phoenix and endless food preparation. On top of that, there has been many subbing jobs, house cleaning, laundry and the twelve thousand things that keep a house running. It's all about to come to fruition with the culmination of the American Rabbit Breeders National Convention. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Kelsie and I are leaving on Tuesday to head over to San Diego to help set up for Convention. This is our first and I still can't imagine seeing thirteen thousand rabbits and cavies all housed in one place! Just the thought of this is really overwhelming......<br /><br />Overwhelming too was the first two years of DJ's diagnosis. My sole focus was autism and how to best help my son. I spent endless hours doing research and other endless hours developing a treatment plan. Once I found Dr. Schneider and other therapies, I would spend weeks and months at the Ronald McDonald house in Phoenix getting DJ the treatment he needs. Time spent away from the rest of my family. This too was overwhelming......<br /><br />So how did I end up imersed in my daughter's "Rabbit Habbit"? I fell in love with many of the people! <br /><br />I don't actually raise and show cavies or rabbits, but I'm intricately involved in the hobby and community of breeders. This hobby has been my complete and total escape from the world of autism. Most breeders didn't even know I had a disabled son until I started my blog and jumped into Facebook. Through this hobby, I have met some of the most amazing people and rejoined the world. Her hobby has forced me to quit living in such isolation. Although most days I question my sanity (Kelsie's hobby is even more time consuming), I realize that my daughter's rabbits and cavies have brought me back into the world! :)<br /><br />I am praying that I can pull my life together to get out of here on Tuesday. I just want to experience all of the Convention this year. I have been told that California Rabbit and Cavy Shows puts on the most phenomenal Convention ever. I cannot wait to be a part of it!<br /><br />I feel the Endless Summer is a perfect theme in my life right now. The point being that life hits you with an endless amount of unforeseen problems and tragedy. I would like to think I am finding a balance in the insanity. Much like taking a break to reflect and walk down the beach on a warm Fall day. When you have an intense personality like mine, it's easy to miss these opportunities for balance. I continually thank God for all my breeder friends. They bring humor and joy to my very complicated life! I am truly blessed for my daughter's "rabbit habit" as it has brought me a needed relief from the endless needs of my very special son!</span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-40558073375834231592009-10-05T20:09:00.000-07:002009-10-05T22:34:28.424-07:00Open Mouth....Insert Foot<span style="font-family: arial;">I did something today that I don't usually do.....I got into an email argument with someone I shouldn't have even bothered with. For some reason, I felt the need to justify myself to someone who really doesn't care about me, my family, or the truth. So, I felt the need to shoot off an email and tell this person "just how it is"!! DUMB!<br /><br />This person decided to shoot back another email to let me know "how it was". This is where it gets tricky........<br /><br />I sat down at my computer.....madder than a wet hen....and I got busy letting them know how they were still incompetent and ignorant! My beautiful daughter told me to basically get a grip.........and just STOP! I yelled some nasty comment back at her and proceeded to type. Then it happened........God stepped in! I deleted the email and removed the person from my contacts. I quit playing the game.<br /><br />I LOVE the feeling of power you get when you know that you are right. You know, the feeling of superiority when you tell someone how they need to get it together. Here's the problem with that smugness.......it never lasts. Sooner or later you begin to feel stupid for having the argument in the first place. All I accomplished today was to give this person more ammunition to use on me. I really didn't accomplish making my point or changing anything about the relationship this person and I have. If anything, my very unchristian behavior made the situation more toxic.<br /><br />Sometimes the best thing to do is just let go. I feel terrible for behaving in such a trivial manner. I just wanted to make a point......I did. It just wasn't a good one. <br /><br />I'm glad my daughter set me straight. It shows me that I have at least gotten something right in raising her. God doesn't always work through force.........He sometimes reminds us that we have gotten off track through our children. At least she didn't lead by example today.......today she was my example!<br /></span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-65148684842144810022009-09-28T19:25:00.000-07:002009-09-28T20:23:14.730-07:00They Don't Have to Speak Your Language!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4H3ggSjLkvEU1DI1I9lt7gBdiMPx5Q9KD1jkcXDFtqy24njJlCf_TsPjxE6WDrRAPPgvB86FtWkE95W3VIU_pi1e_mnOdwGmBCBdWWwnjOKy-H2GyCHHYhQ6Y-E7sXp9hDy4apqmKw/s1600-h/communication.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4H3ggSjLkvEU1DI1I9lt7gBdiMPx5Q9KD1jkcXDFtqy24njJlCf_TsPjxE6WDrRAPPgvB86FtWkE95W3VIU_pi1e_mnOdwGmBCBdWWwnjOKy-H2GyCHHYhQ6Y-E7sXp9hDy4apqmKw/s320/communication.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386724170676717394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Today, I wanted to be one of the Apostles during Pentecost. I wanted to speak and interpret foreign languages! But.......I'm not, and I can't. This proved to make my day complicated and difficult.<br /><br />Today, I substituted in an ELL Kindergarten where these little buggers no se habla English. Seriously....they kept talking to me in Spanish and figured that I would eventually figure it out! Bless their little hearts, I know enough Spanish to get myself into trouble.........not much more.<br /><br />Still, we all stumbled through our day. Between hand gestures, drawing pictures, a lot of pointing, and some good interpretation from a few children, we managed authentic communication. It just made for a REALLY long day. partially because they physically exhausted me. However, I was more mentally exhausted from trying to understand and be understood.<br /><br />This whole process made me realize how much we actually don't communicate with those who are actually close to us. I thought about my husband today. I worked harder to express expectations to thirty little Kinders than I do my husband. We communicate through Post Its, email, texts, and voicemail. Then, we have the audacity to get angry with each other when we misinterpret an intended message. It's like face to face communication went out years ago when technology rolled humanity into this century.<br /><br />The point being.....communication takes real effort. It takes work to formulate your ideas into language that is received by others correctly and this is only half of the communication equation. An individual still has to listen and interpret information that is sent back your way. Communication takes active participation. Think about it, how often do we really communicate??<br /><br />It took some adorable five year olds to remind me that real effort on both parties is required to make our needs known. The nifty thing is that I get the opportunity to practice my skills again tomorrow! Now how cool is that? I get to practice authentic communication again.....try it.....it's a great way to learn about yourself and those you care about.<br /></span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-82955436095921700862009-09-27T10:41:00.001-07:002009-09-27T15:08:18.770-07:00Life Goes on Without You<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeKNrhqo5yWqPiK7OAuxudofo-sIpUxD8RpWzM8IChGU0IFJWnrBXP-dC8EnxUa6_fI8mlzoptZUGQ2o6IE__QPdZFTSJayyMbny7IP-hrRXXAhAQX5mc2sg7mDsMKve9hHYPySeOuA/s1600-h/A_Sick_Child_In_Bed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeKNrhqo5yWqPiK7OAuxudofo-sIpUxD8RpWzM8IChGU0IFJWnrBXP-dC8EnxUa6_fI8mlzoptZUGQ2o6IE__QPdZFTSJayyMbny7IP-hrRXXAhAQX5mc2sg7mDsMKve9hHYPySeOuA/s320/A_Sick_Child_In_Bed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386248839170911074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I do apologize to everyone for my extended absence from my blog, but I was stricken with illness the last week. I hadn't actually been feeling well for about a week and a half. By Tuesday of this week, I was completely down. I must admit that it has been quite a few years since I was stuck in bed.......I honestly didn't move a whole lot this past week.<br /><br />I have been working as a Substitute and in various Children's ministry's at my church. It is inevitable that little ones with runny noses, coughs, and sneezes will eventually catch up to you. I figured that I just had a cold that turned into a sinus infection. By Wednesday, I knew it was the flu. I felt like someone had beat on me with a two by four, and I really couldn't get out of bed.<br /><br />Mom's never actually get the option of being sick. I still had to have my son's meals prepared and get him up and ready for school everyday. That was about all I could accomplish as I never even made it to any stores or even out to the rabbit barn this week.<br /><br />This amazing thing happened in spite of my illness..............Life went on without me!<br /><br />Now, I must admit that I am somewhat guilty of thinking that my corner of the world will stop if something ever happened to me. I am learning that it won't. This lesson is a little painful in the ego department, but it's pretty darn practical in the end. All the times we stay up to finish a project knowing that life won't go on if we don't get it done.......is crazy thinking! The world will turn, birds will sing, and the sun will come up in spite of whatever we do. It's time to minimize our importance on what we do. The emphasis should be on who we love and how we have loved them.<br /><br />God doesn't care how much we accomplish on our daily to do list. He cares about our relationships. Most especially, He cares about our relationship with Him. So........How much time have you spent with Him today?? He should always be the first thing on our "to do" list. I'm moving Him up to number one this week! <br />How about you?<br /></span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-68052928939952892222009-09-20T09:46:00.000-07:002009-09-20T22:48:31.128-07:00It's 4-H Time!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_BS6kQaDO5Go3eFpfRwqV-X3KT5LpXwXvVllTknlrsmiXim2xQN4zrDJMEKu0Z3D-Gc7GhCnilCrxctwHG9HlNczcN6rHbofReFEgS3xpOdDzmUjKBNP486v93y0EzFVpy5mNjTUlQ/s1600-h/4-H+clover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_BS6kQaDO5Go3eFpfRwqV-X3KT5LpXwXvVllTknlrsmiXim2xQN4zrDJMEKu0Z3D-Gc7GhCnilCrxctwHG9HlNczcN6rHbofReFEgS3xpOdDzmUjKBNP486v93y0EzFVpy5mNjTUlQ/s320/4-H+clover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383592591468229522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">According to the Weather Channel....Fall has arrived. I think that Yuma missed that forecast as our temperatures are still projected to be hovering around 108 degrees for the next week. That aside, everything else is starting to feel like Fall. School has been in session almost a month, and it's time to sign up for 4-H!!<br /><br />For those of you who don't understand the 4-H organization, here's a brief overview. 4-H is a youth organization open to children from 9 to 19 years of age. It encompasses many projects with the ultimate goal of teaching youth leadership, responsibility, and citizenship.<br /><br />4-H has been a part of my life since I was nine years old. I started in a Foods project and added more projects over the years. I attended the National 4-H Congress, Citizenship Washington Focus and learned that the world is so much bigger than Yuma. Through 4-H, I learned so many lessons that apply to my life today. No wonder my daughter is a member of 4-H too!<br /><br />I have watched her learn how awesome it feels to win a competition, and how to be a good sport when she doesn't. With animal projects, you definitely learn responsibility and the inevitable facts of life and death. She has learned about politics and how sometimes it's not important what you know but who you know. All of these life skills she will use for the rest of her life.<br /><br />She has also learned how to actually practice being a Christian through 4-H. She has learned to turn the other cheek when people say hurtful things and how to stand up for others when they have no voice. She always tithes her income from her animal projects and God has blessed her with awesome bunnies to boot. It is amazing the lessons she has learned in such a few years.<br /><br />I'm not actually ready to start the chaos that is the 4-H year, but I am excited to see old friends again. I often am feel like I benefit more from Kelsie's hobbies than she does because of the awesome friends that I have made.<br /><br />So here's to another 4-H year......craziness and all! </span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-73629742924131458962009-09-16T17:17:00.001-07:002009-09-16T20:51:43.117-07:00Needs Met....Any Questions?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobizflx-eDJULCYQOEUelazxD1NaSxiTKcQf8YQVwrZMkgGpGpoboFHsq2ivOAlE6hCr68YQhKEls8bbgyoila42BNBK6qKm8WEKYKZtMjMkFmDK5L_Xv2FQhTEL4rr2xMZGurLY5OQ/s1600-h/teach+pic.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobizflx-eDJULCYQOEUelazxD1NaSxiTKcQf8YQVwrZMkgGpGpoboFHsq2ivOAlE6hCr68YQhKEls8bbgyoila42BNBK6qKm8WEKYKZtMjMkFmDK5L_Xv2FQhTEL4rr2xMZGurLY5OQ/s320/teach+pic.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382270712655110562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I usually let my husband deal with the challenge of balancing the budget around here. My belief is that this is as daunting as balancing the U.S. budget most days. We seem to keep spending money like the government the only difference is......credit isn't extended to us regular folks anymore. DJ's expenses keep rising and our income doesn't........MAJOR bummer.<br /><br />I haven't worried too much.....Joe's job is to worry about money, my job is to keep the rest of this insane asylum going. So far, this strategy has worked pretty well....until now.......<br /><br />With Joe facing surgery, the very real need for income has permeated even my world. Lately, I have been contemplating whether Publisher's Clearing House might actually show up on my doorstep! Figuring this probably wasn't going to happen, I have decided to make a real conscious effort to help lower the Vielbig family deficit.<br /><br />Hence.......Sub Fever!!<br /><br />I haven't been able to get a "real" job, but God is providing through substitute jobs. I just started looking this week and I have already procured nine jobs. At this rate, I might get to the point where I could make a dent in our finances. Needs met......any questions?<br /><br />God continues to move his way through my life. Painting murals where disasters once stood. When things seem the most dire, He opens more doors. Ever happen to you?? Miracles don't have to be huge flashes of light, smoke, and special effects. Don't answered prayers qualify too? I get miracles everyday......my husband, children, friends, and yes, even sub jobs. It isn't exactly what I wanted, but it is what I needed. Any questions? Nope......Thanks God!<br /></span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-41110471212195730912009-09-15T21:47:00.000-07:002009-09-15T22:42:56.268-07:00Running the Race<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdA4dzk3Nzv4jezfbw6cBF-N97afiW-FtoWDmV94_xIs1_89U7O8QieKhCQJZI8nIQiAIlNEycND7-67czNMiA4-rWZ_09p9oKWRBZp0_wa4sib4oYEMduzSMmhGRA5JUDMbCjVqPVA/s1600-h/marathon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdA4dzk3Nzv4jezfbw6cBF-N97afiW-FtoWDmV94_xIs1_89U7O8QieKhCQJZI8nIQiAIlNEycND7-67czNMiA4-rWZ_09p9oKWRBZp0_wa4sib4oYEMduzSMmhGRA5JUDMbCjVqPVA/s320/marathon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381935094873135778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Having a disabled child is not a sprint......it's a marathon. You have to realize that the finish line is a very LONG ways away. Possibly, a lifetime away.<br /><br />In the beginning, I tried to run this marathon as a sprint. All I could think about was what did I need to do to beat Autism. It was a quest, a drive, an obsession. I spent hours, days, weeks on the computer researching. I attended conferences, and checked out TONS of books from research libraries. I then planned therapies, changed DJ's diet, went to many doctors, and spent countless hours driving to and from Phoenix.<br /><br />I held this pace for two and a half years. It was certainly worth it as my son has recovered a tremendous amount.<br /> But......we still have so far to go.<br /><br />The difference is now I work at a bit slower pace. Instead of driving to Phoenix every week, or spending endless weeks there, I now go up once a month. I have taken on teaching DJ much of the therapy at home using my OT, PT, and Speech therapists as consultants. The work is still there is just slower and more deliberate. The gains aren't as obvious short term. We are looking for much longer term goals.....life skills that will help him function better in the real world.<br /><br />For myself, I have learned to accept and cope. I work the programs that DJ wants to be involved in like AWANA and church preschool. This way, I can intercept for him when I need to. It's still unbelievably challenging and time consuming but I'm enjoying working with other children as well as my own son.<br /><br />The major difference in my life today is my mindset. DJ and I have good days.....and bad days. Some days he is more "with it" than others. Either way, he's my son and I have learned to stop nit picking all his behavior. I have learned to let go. I will continue to do what I feel it takes to make DJ healthy and recover him but I will laugh, love, and relax a little along the way.<br /><br />God has blessed my family with so many things.....I guess we can bare the burden because of the blessings. Autism has taught me that is the key to living.......finding joy in the journey. To find the joy sometimes you just have to let go the reigns........and just live.<br /></span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-59971549998739412552009-09-11T23:25:00.000-07:002009-09-12T00:04:38.659-07:00Climbing Out of the Pit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUeYbr36rRHY44YwhoyK4ToetX-slw4kjnFhgWh0xUFc5YVmvhN9gl3iN8ozfD22XN9EchU48DzFFYdlHSadfccaVELaPoTebC6uJggrVgju6dsQ3KjsO_RLl8A5NJ3HKcSFf2gfpkA/s1600-h/hole.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUeYbr36rRHY44YwhoyK4ToetX-slw4kjnFhgWh0xUFc5YVmvhN9gl3iN8ozfD22XN9EchU48DzFFYdlHSadfccaVELaPoTebC6uJggrVgju6dsQ3KjsO_RLl8A5NJ3HKcSFf2gfpkA/s320/hole.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380473234804511490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm going to be gone for a couple of days so I won't post again until Monday or Tuesday. This is going to be the beginning of a series. I feel compelled to tell the story of how I learned to live with an unwelcome guest that came to live in my house. His name is Autism and he showed up to steal a beautiful little boy away from me. This will be the story of how I fought back......how I still fight today for my son and others just like him............<br /><br />The last couple of days I seem to be reminiscing with other parents of "special" children. People who walk in my shoes everyday.......my friends! God may have allowed Autism to hit my house, but He gave me awesome friends to help carry me down the road.<br /><br />Anyway, been reminiscing. Going down the long road that I started three years ago. Back to the really scary days.....the first days when the doctor blew up my whole world. I have been thinking of how it felt to hear the words.......your son has Autism. I remember crying in the office.......just staring at my sweet little boy. Waiting for time to pass, for the words to disappear.<br /><br />I got home from Phoenix and started running. I DON'T RUN! I put my IPod on and started hoofing.....not going anywhere in particular......just running. Crying, and running just trying so hard to run away from my pain. We all know that you can't.<br /><br />I let myself grieve for two weeks.......<br /><br />Then, with the determination of a Pit Bull, I dug in. Nobody was going to tell me my boy was lost forever.....nobody! I spent HOURS on the computer and at the libraries. I didn't sleep or eat much. I just searched for answers and cried out to God. I cried enough to fill buckets and kept thinking of how God counted all my tears....how He cried with me. Still, I searched in desperation for someway to bring my son back.....to allow him to live in our world. It was truly the darkest moment of my life. Even darker than when I had cancer. Black.....Dark.........<br /><br />I followed this path for about a month. Then, in His time......God began to open doors for me. I met people that pointed me in directions that ultimately led me to Dr. Cindy Schneider. Here was my lifeline. She is DJ's autism doctor and in many ways my friend. I had already put DJ on the "diet", and started supplements before I first met her so we were ready for the long haul........<br /><br />The point of the story is that I fell in a deep pit. The pit of desperation and despair. Ever been there?? Think we all have. The pit is deep and seems insurmountable. Little rays begin to shine down on you down there in the pit.......rays from heaven. You hold on and reach for the light and stumble many times. Eventually, you crawl out one agonizing step at a time. Hand over hand....dirty, muddy, crying, screaming, fighting every step. Finally, you haul yourself out. You lay on the ground just grateful you made it.......you're totally exhausted. Then, the hard part starts. You start living all over again.<br /></span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7648312409551824171.post-6103836217641911802009-09-10T15:38:00.000-07:002009-09-11T01:19:28.799-07:00PerilousTimes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK56jMP0xzOYRQEVQU9jcVqCamqhmNqivgB1y1PQFiHLzAur2eUN6KF79yq2nBQN6sE6D5WzJXlA-JJy_jUQZItyTOq14kaxp25cdtnir8PvKJynedyYoR2Vbn-rXhKUn8MCfawzprg/s1600-h/man+on+ledge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK56jMP0xzOYRQEVQU9jcVqCamqhmNqivgB1y1PQFiHLzAur2eUN6KF79yq2nBQN6sE6D5WzJXlA-JJy_jUQZItyTOq14kaxp25cdtnir8PvKJynedyYoR2Vbn-rXhKUn8MCfawzprg/s320/man+on+ledge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379982377951039954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We have all been tested in this recession. My family has been especially hit hard. I quit working three years ago to take care of our son and instead of cutting back we incurred DJ's skyrocketing medical bills and have had to assume tremendous debt. We are even at a point where we aren't sure how to pay monthly bills. Scary times for folks that were once debt free and didn't buy anything until we could pay cash for <span style="font-family:arial;">it. My paycheck often went to weekends out of town, shopping trips, and my savings account. Thank God, Joe had the mindset to save all these years because it kept us debt free until the last year.<br /><br />Still, through the hardship and pain, lessons have been learned.<br /><br />I first learned how much I can live without. My car is pushing 120K and I pray that it holds together. Just two years ago, I pestered my husband almost into fits to buy me a new Chevy Tahoe. I am embarrassed to admit that I thought I couldn't live unless he bought me a forty thousand dollar car. I'm SO glad he told me no....the last thing we would ever need is a huge car payment now.<br /><br />I buy my clothes in Sam's club and second hand stores. I honestly can't remember the last outfit I actually tried on! I don't even buy much to begin with.....mostly I shop for the kiddos. I've learned that being in style is not all it's cracked up to be. My daughter constantly jokes about me being a prime candidate for What Not to Wear!!<br /><br />Everything, and I mean everything in our budget goes for necessities and DJ's doctor bills. It's so hard to be frivolous when your child needs so much.<br /><br />Becoming financially strapped has taught me to be humble. I never thought a forty-two year old woman with a Master's Degree would be applying for retail jobs and substitute teaching. I'm not proud, I just need to take some of the burden off my husband. Unfortunately, I am trying to get back into teaching at the worst time......schools just got rid of teachers, and they surely don't want to hire me at a higher pay level than someone brand new. It hurts sometimes because I don't even get job interview calls. Talk about your confidence shaker!! Still, I press on and try to contribute the best I can. I know God will give me the job I'm supposed to have.<br /><br />I have also had to ask my parents for help.....OUCH! It's easier for me than my very proud husband. I just thank God they have helped us as much as they have. It's not what I had envisioned, but at least God gave me such amazing parents.<br /><br />I have learned most days to walk in faith. The blind, stumbling in the dark kind of faith. I believe that when you are pushed beyond your limits that is when you truly let go. I can't do this without God........ I just can't. We still have our house, and the necessities. I truly appreciate my friends and family. These are the things I value now on this earth........ These are the things I hold on to in these perilous times.</span></span>Michelle Vielbighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207917832089348957noreply@blogger.com0