Rocky Mouth Trail 4/28

This fun little hike in Sandy was one we did twice...the first time was just Clay and the kids.  They enjoyed it enough to invite me along the second time.
The trailhead is located at 11300 South Wasatch Blvd.  It's a quick, 1/2 mile or so hike.  You park at the trailhead and then go up into a neighborhood to the actual beginning of the hike trail.

Beginning of the trail

2012 Summer Hikes

One of our "goals" for the family this summer is to do a lot of hiking.  I'd personally like to shoot for at least one a week, but of course there will be things that come up, plans that will change, etc, so I'm not specifying exactly how many hikes we're trying for.  Let's just say we want it to be a regular thing.

I've had some friends ask about good hikes, and frankly, I don't think I'm the best at determining that type of thing, but I'm going to make my best effort to show each of the hikes we do go on, share some of our experience with the said hikes, and give location info, etc...mostly so we'll have the memories, but hey, maybe it'll be helpful info too.

We've done a few hikes already, as we've been antsy to get outdoors with the nice weather.  Some hikes we've enjoyed enough to already do twice.  We're hoping to find more kid-friendly hikes that aren't too far up the canyons since it's still cold up there....so if you have any suggestions, we'd love them!

More to come...

Lucky Mom!

Yesterday was THE BEST day.

In years past, all I've wanted for Mother's Day was to take a nap.  Yesterday I did not want a nap, and I am so glad I didn't waste my day away sleeping.  Instead, I celebrated with those who made my dreams of becoming a mother come true.

Call me a sinner, but I didn't go to church yesterday.  Last year on Mother's Day, I was at church and Buddy Boy was having a tough time.  Not too bad, but he was a little ornery.  Some young men at the front of the church were also being kinda wiggly, and I thought it was funny to see.  The couple sitting directly behind my family also noticed the disruptive teenagers and the husband made a comment about it.  His wife replied, "well, at least they're not as bad as Buddy."  OUT LOUD!!!  FOR ME TO HEAR.  They compared my  then 4-year old son WITH AUTISM to the neuro-typical 16 YEAR OLDS, and insulted him.  I left church that day early with my boy and in tears.  I decided that this year I wanted to celebrate my kids, and not allow anyone to belittle them or me....

And so I took the kids on a hike instead.  It was fantastic!  We went up a little canyon that a friend took us to last week, and it was so much fun.  The post below with the two videos is of the wildlife that came to see us while we were there.  I didn't help the kids with much, if any, of the hike, and so Buddy Boy in particular had to work at it.  Munchkin was her usual in-shape, energetic self, and was proud to lead us up and down the trail.  The pride those kids felt after accomplishing the hike was so fun to see.

We were chock-full of endorphins afterwards, so we blasted some tunes on the drive home.  We enjoyed it so much that we decided to continue the music at home and we jammed and danced for an hour...which  ROCKED! (I have a video, but it's not exactly flattering of me, so I might spare you that one)

Later, we went to a local playground and had a good time running, rolling down hills, and the like.  I was exhausted by the end of the day, but oh, so happy!  I'm gonna plan a full day with the kids every Mother's Day from now on.  No more naps for me:)

Ducks at Bells Canyon

Autism Perspective Evolved

Evelyn here.

It's been almost two years ago since we were blessed with the company of the filming crew from the United States of Autism documentary.  As I read the updates on production, I can't help but go back to that day, to go over what I said and/or didn't say, and to worry that perhaps I didn't show myself and my family in the best light.

Although, I suppose a documentary isn't about giving people their best side, it's about showing people the whole picture, right?

Anyway, there is one moment that comes back to haunt me. Partially because I worry what other will think when they see the film, but mostly because my opinion on something very particular has....evolved, if you will.

I'm not going to go into details about anything I did or said the day of filming, but I will share with you an opinion I had back then...I am a Mormon, and as such, I believe in the Resurrection.  I believe that one day our bodies and spirits, if separated, will be reunited and that our bodies will be perfected.

My opinion two years ago was that one day my sweet little Buddy Boy would be resurrected, and that he would, too, be perfected, and that thought brought me hope.

I'm horrified that I ever looked at it that way, and I beg my son's forgiveness now.

Who am I to say that HE is the one in need of "perfection", in need of fixing?  What in the world possessed me to believe that hope couldn't possibly come UNTIL that day?

As I watch my son struggle with every day things, things that you and I think are so completely simple, I am amazed.  I am amazed at his dedication to work, work, and work some more to do the things that we as a society consider "appropriate", or "normal".  I am humbled by his effort to please me and make me proud.  I am touched by his moments of success and achievement.

I realize that my son is so PERFECTLY....HIM.  He's just who he is supposed to be, and he's so uniquely...HIMSELF!  People say to me all the time, "I believe God sent Buddy Boy to you because you are strong, capable, and an individual who can love and support him in his challenges."  How wrong they are.  I realize that he wasn't sent to me because I'm an incredible mom and he needs someone like me to love him.  Perhaps he was sent to me because HE is such an incredible son and I am the one who needs someone like HIM to love ME.  To teach ME.  Perhaps it is me who will be forever changed and "fixed" on that great day.  Perhaps perfection is simply more of an awakening, of a more open love and acceptance of all those around us, whether they "fit in" or not.  We all know that Christ certainly never fit in, and it didn't make Him any less perfect...


I'm not going to pretend; I still think autism SUCKS!  I still hate seeing the frustration and overload that is experienced on a regular basis.  I hate having to change diapers more than 5 years after giving birth to my youngest.  Maybe this is a perfect example of how much more acceptance I need; who knows?  In the meantime, I will enjoy being able to love, support, and appreciate my son more fully now, as he is...in all his wonderful, Buddy Boy Glory.

Random Updates

It has been a while since I (Clay) have done an update on the blog. There has been a lot going on lately, so I thought I would finally give an update. Evelyn has been working at Munchkin's school, and she seems to really enjoy it. One down side is getting to know really what happens at schools. There are a few disabled kids at the school and she sees how they are constantly picked on. Kids will tease and tease until the disabled kids has a blow up, the bullies act like they are doing nothing and the disabled kids get in trouble for having a "blow up." Evelyn knows about their tricks and cracks down on their teasing, but it makes us worried about Buddy Boy's schooling future. This is his second year at Pingree, so next year he will be in Kindergarten. We met with a person from Granite School who is in charge of placing disabled kids into their program. According to her they have two types. Normal, or disabled. She observed Buddy and said he would go into the "Normal" category. The trial period is Kindergarten in case there was an incorrect placement. He has made a lot of progress that we are very happy about, but we notice he has more to go. Evelyn submitted Buddy Boy for Spectrum Academy. There is a lottery, and you have to hope for the best. We felt like we won the lottery when we found out he was accepted. It will be a little of a drive to go to Bountiful every day, but well worth it. We took a tour of the school and Munchkin said she wanted to go there as well. They take 30% "normal" kids to help role model. We will have to see what happens with that.

 We finally decided Buddy Boy should have his own bed and room.  We tried to make it as exciting as possible for him.  Got a new bed with drawers,  and a soft mattress.  The first week was a little tough.  He would make it through the night 50% of the time.  It is now week #3, and last week he made it every night but one.  He has been complaining that he doesn't like his new room, but he does not like change. 

Munchkin has been up to her usual playful self.  She has been wanting to go on hikes and explore the world.  While it has been cold we would have a nature walk on the canal drive, then to the park.  She has explored a blown down tree and calls it "Old Finger Bone."






On our latest hike,  Buddy Boy had a meltdown in the car, and out of frustration she said she wished he was normal.  Trying to find a positive outlook I mentioned how he follows her and obeys her especially when she plays school with him.  Munchkin will pretend she is the teacher and teaches Buddy.  She will read him books and do spelling and math and any subject that comes to her mind.  He loves being taught by his big sister.

Teaching him dancing and drawing below.

Easter was a couple weeks ago.  Kids had a blast.  Munchkin had a cold, so she wasn't able to go to church.   At church the primary kids sang a song, and I encouraged Buddy to go, but he didn't want to.  I'm sure if Munchkin was there he would have followed her up.   As the kids started to sing he then said he wanted to go sing, but by then it was too late.  A major meltdown then came after.   Here is a picture of their new Easter clothes.

On my end,  my work is changing to be a business department,  which normally would be good, but my schedule will change which means problems for Evelyn to keep her job.  At least they were able to get me the ultimate phone Droid Razr Maxx.  ~Clay