United States of Autism Music Video

2011 Cox Family Quotes

Some of my favorite quotes from our family last year:

Buddy Boy:  "Mom, can I have milk?"  
Mom: No 
BB: Can I have juice? 
Mom: No 
BB: Can I have water?
 Mom: No 
BB: Can I have slime?


"You know, life is hectic, stressful, and certainly not easy.  Yet when I look at my children, really REALLY look at them, I feel such a love and peace, and how can I complain? When I see my sweet smiling kids, EVERYTHING is right in the world." - Evelyn


"Maybe I won't have as much stress at school if I can be surprised and come home to a clean house." - Munchkin


"(singing)  In the name a blow, what more in the name a blow?" - Buddy Boy


"There may not be a cure for Autism yet, but love is kind of a cure, and it's the best kind of cure we can give!" - Munchkin


"I'm SO thankful for steroids!"  - Evelyn


Changing Buddy Boy's diaper Mom said "Okay, let's check your bottom."  Buddy Boy looked down and replied, "Yes Mom, my bottoms are still there!"


Munchkin's friend (during their playdate):  "Your mom is so cool!"
Munchkin:  "Yeah she is, but sometimes she swears."


"So Mom, how are you enjoying your Malibut?" - Munchkin


 

In July we drove by a Texas Roadhouse.  Munchkin mentioned that she'd gotten a coupon from school for a place like that...but couldn't remember the name of the place.  I gave her some ideas:  "Spaghetti Factory?  Outback Steakhouse?"  She replied, "No, it was, um, let me think.  It was Obama-Rama, that's right!"

 

Getting out Christmas decor,and Buddy Boy sees a plate that says, "Dear Santa, Here is a treat for you and carrots for your reindeer." The first "for" is missing the O and R. So he sounds it out and reads " Dear Santa, here is a treat. F You and carrots for your reindeer."

Also, Munchkin put on Christmas music and the song "Noel" came on. She listened for awhile, then came to me in clear distress and upset. "Mom, you know that Noel song? I don't think we should listen to it anymore. You know, cause of how it says 'Born is the kingdom of h**l'" I explained it's "born is the king of Israel", EL, not with an H.:-)

"You don't have a fever.  Oh no!!  What if you're getting the weasles??" - Munchkin

Family Christmas Letter (written by Munchkin)

Dear family and friends,

We hope you have a Merry Christmas.  Here are some things good about this year:

Because of Buddy Boy's autism, we were given an Ipad from a very special person!  We have found some educational apps to help him read and write new words.  He's very special to everyone, and he's the best little brother ever!

I (Munchkin) started the year by getting baptized.  I got on the honor roll this first trimester at school by getting 98% and above on ALL my subjects!  I have been kind to my wonderful and crazy cats.

Evelyn (mom) has gotten a wonderful new job at my school.  She found out about a carnival held at Wheeler Farm for families with autism, and we all went and had a blast!  She's gotten to be in the Mormon Messages for the church.

Clayton (dad) is still working at Verizon Wireless.  He took us on a weekend trip to Bear Lake over the summer.  He taught me to swim a lot better that trip!  He's the best dad...give all the cheers to our wonderful and great dad!

Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas!

Love, Cox Family and our two wonderful cats

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

St. Luke 21:25
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth..."

Elder Nelson shares his thoughts on this scripture in an eloquent and heartfelt way:



To see other inspirational videos, along with many "good reminders", you can go to LDS.org, or you can subscribe to the Youtube channel, Mormon Messages.

Setting Up Christmas Stuff

Getting out Christmas decor,and Parker sees a plate that says, "Dear Santa, Here is a treat for you and carrots for your reindeer." The first "for" is missing the O and R. So he sounds it out and reads " Dear Santa, here is a treat. F You and carrots for your reindeer." Gotta find some replacement lettering!

 

Also, Akaila put on Christmas music and the song "Noel" came on. She listened for awhile, then came to me in clear distress and upset. "Mom, you know that Noel song? I don't think we should listen to it anymore. You know, cause of how it says 'Born is the kingdom of h**l'" I explained it's "born is the king of Israel", EL, not with an H.:-)

My Gratitude List

Throughout this month I've read hundreds of gratitude lists from friends.  I chose not to participate, because I didn't trust myself to remember every day, and quite honestly, because I didn't want to simply 'follow the crowd'.  I have, however, truly enjoyed reading so many thoughtful statuses, so many kind words, and feeling the feelings that were meant to accompany them.  I thank all of my FB friends and family who posted every day, because you really lifted my heart.




I'm not gifted in the way of words like some are (Yes you, Andrea Aquin and you, Kambree Miller).  I read the words of others; they are harmonious and melodious, they paint a picture, they tell a story, they speak to the heart.  You will not see that from me today, because that isn't something I'm good at, and that's okay.  You're just going to get a simple bullet-pointed list, because making lists, well, that's something I know how to do:

• I'm thankful for my kids.  There is no greater gift in my life than the gift those kids are to me.  With every breath they take, they take my breath away.  Their thoughtfulness, their humility, their eagerness to learn, everything about them sets me in awe.
• I am thankful for those around me who love my kids.  When aunts and uncles and cousins and friends treat my children with respect and admiration, I see it and my heart soars.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, for loving my kids. 
• Last Sunday I was (and still am) thankful for a positive strep throat culture.  Oh, the relief of knowing I was not going to be sent home without antibiotics!  It was a big deal.
• I am thankful to see Buddy Boy learning to read.  We were still working on him writing letters correctly, but he decided it was time to move on and just started.  It's so exciting to see his progress.
• I am thankful that Munchkin is such an amazing student.  I certainly never had all 98% and above in every school subject.  She's not only smart, but she's well behaved, and I've only heard RAVES about her as a student.
• I am thankful for good, kind, loving, and dedicated teachers (Ahem, Shelly Prettyman).  The difference in my children when they have a teacher who cares vs. a teacher who is simply working for a paycheck is HUGE.  We've been so blessed to have good teachers 80% of the time.
• I am grateful for the opportunities I've had in the last few months to be involved with a couple of church productions.  No big parts, mind you, but no matter the role, the spirit is there, and it's very uplifting.
• I am thankful for so many good people surrounding us.  From the neighbor who always leaves goodies on my porch when I'm down to the neighbor who invites Munchkin over to play to the friend who gave Buddy Boy an iPad....how can we NOT be grateful?
• I am thankful for good music.  For the Jack Johnson's out there to provide me music when I need to just enjoy the mellow, relaxing waves of life.  For the many Christian artists whose music uplifts me when I need it.  For the APPROPRIATE teeny bop music I can feel okay with my daughter listening to.  For the stuff that makes me wanna move, for the sounds that motivate and challenge me, and for those that soothe and inspire me.  I'm grateful to be a lover of music.
• I am thankful to have discovered how wonderfully soothing herbal chamomile tea is on a sore throat.
• I am thankful that Buddy Boy's trip and stay at the hospital did not lead to surgery as initially thought, and that he's already completely recovered.
• I am thankful for family in general.  I am thankful to have a home to live in.  I am thankful that my husband has a stable job with good insurance.  I am thankful for the gospel.  I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And many, many more, but I'll leave it at that.  Happy Thanksgiving.