My nostrils don’t match

You think you know yourself, and then one day, you record yourself singing at the piano and you’re like, WHAT? ONE OF MY NOSTRILS IS SMALLER THAN THE OTHER! How does that happen? You know how they say that the most beautiful people are symmetrical? Obviously I’m not one of those. Actually, people with perfectly symmetrical faces aren’t the beautiful …

The Many Adventures of Mr. Himself: In Which He Gets Ready to Travel Overseas to the Philippines

Yesterday I introduced you to my husband, whom I lovingly refer to as Mr. Himself and explained that I’m dedicating a blog post category to him. After I wrote the post yesterday, I realized I failed to let you know the important work he’s up to besides hoarding toilet paper.  My husband is a gifted guitarist, song writer and worship …

Autism grows up: Their first jobs!

It’s been an exciting school year so far at the Akins ranch. The twins are in their senior year. They are 20 years old and will be 21 in February. They’ve waited quite anxiously for several years for this to happen and now it has. They have jobs! Their vocational school, Heartland Career Center, has a program that helps high school …

Dear autism families, how do you spell spontaneity?

Because I really want to know. Sometimes I fantasize about running errands and grocery shopping. Freely, that is. I mean, without all the logistical hoop jumping that has to take place before, during and after. Before: rustling up the courage to ask someone to either go with me on errands or come watch the family so I can go alone. …

All the shiny things

Blogging is like exercise. It’s too easy to get in the habit of not doing it. I love to blog. I’ve blogged since the 90s and have had at least a dozen blogs over the years. My problem is finding a focus.  I tend to lead life that way, too. There are so many shiny things that distract me: theology, …

Public Shaming

Everyone’s talking about it. The recent scandal of a popular homeschooling family has tongues wagging all over the world. And even if I don’t mention their names here on this blog, chances are, you know exactly who I’m talking about. And it’s not all our fault. The family put themselves out there for public consumption. Except that, I like to …

Behavior is communication

As a Mom with special needs children, my mantra has always been, “behavior is communication.” Before my twin sons learned to speak at the ages of 7 – 9, they were constantly frustrated because they couldn’t express their needs and desires in words. Tantrums were a constant. As I watch the riots on TV, I have to wonder if part …