We were able to spend the weekend at Barren Heights Retreat on Barren River Lake in Southern Kentucky.
Shelly had become very sick on Friday when we were supposed to go down so she stayed home with Bella and Alex. Joy, Lizzy, Jessi, Sammi and Daddy got to go and have fun.
Many activities and friends to talk with. We were able to go boating, play on the splash pad, have a camp fire and good times all around.
Bella wanted to help.. Brother loves to listen to music
These two crazy bugs waiting for the school bus!
My happy, silly girl!
The weather is so nice, we’ve been hanging out outside to talk about our days.
Sammi made us dinner. My Mother’s Day flower finally bloomed!
Blake Ledford will be joining our family on December 18, 2015 in the Nashville TN temple.
It’s a surreal experience to finally meet the young man you have been praying for for years and years. To see the happiness in your daughter’s eyes. To listen to their plans for the future. To hear her use the pronoun “we” instead of “I.”
Happy beginning to you Becca and Blake. Here’s to an eternity of happiness, joy, and companionship!
Becca headed back to SVU. Bye baby. Have a great semester!
It feels so normal to be back in school, summer seems like it was a crazy dream. The little girls are doing great! Teacher says they have been perfect! I am so grateful!
Lizzy is liking her classes so far. She is in the AP (the gifted and talented) class this year. She is so much happier already.
Jessi seems to be handling the transition to High School no problem. Hoping it’ll be a great year for her.
Sammi had a hard time the first day, but made it through the next two. I am so proud of how hard she works each day!
Alex starts school on the 26th.
Life is going back to full speed ahead.
Alex loves, loves, loves to run – but, of course, he can only do that if someone will take his hand and run with him. And then the joy – pure, sweet joy!
Reminds me of my Savior, and when I take His hand. Joy, sweet joy!
We love you Brother!!
High functioning Autism. High functioning Down syndrome.
People often try to lessen a diagnosis with this label: high functioning.
There is even disagreements between special needs parents because of this little adjective phrase.
“Oh, but my son is high functioning.”
“Yes, but she’s high functioning.”
As a Mama of a “high functioning” child with Autism, let me tell you it’s not all sunshine and rainbows over here. Sigh.
There is some protection in the self contained special ed unit. My daughters have teachers, aides, and classmates that get them. They are protected and watched over. They are in the same school with everyone else, but they are within their own world, a protected world. I love that world! I am so grateful for it! It helps my Mama’s heart not to worry as much.
But then my “high functioning” one- the one that can take Honors classes and get straight A’s, the one that can hold conversations with professionals who are astonished at her self awareness and ability to express herself – that one gets thrown in with all of the masses, and with all of her accommodations, she’s expected to deal. Deal with the noise. Deal with the chaos. Deal with the swearing. Deal with teenagers. And today she’s not “dealing” well. Today we are reminded that Autism doesn’t go away. Just because you are excited to start school. Just because you look super cute and did your hair in a cute new way. Just because your counselor spent hours and hours designing the perfect schedule, hand selecting your teachers, copying your 504 plan and making sure your new teachers have it before school starts. Just because you are ready and the school is ready, she’s still autistic.
And today was a hard day for my high functioning girl.
Sammi – 11th Grade
Jessi – 9th Grade
Lizzy – 7th Grade
Joy – 2nd Grade
Bella – 1st Grade
Joy trying out a new hair do
To the eye doctor, her eyes aren’t perfect, but she doesn’t need glasses.
Honestly, the sister watching her swears, she looked away for two minutes! Two minutes is all it takes!
Meet the Teacher for the little girls. Their teacher got a bigger room – they love it!
Sammi and a girl from church went back to the Japanese Restaurant!
The crazy toys I find for this boy – it’s a drying rack, but he loves it.
Off to the library!
We have been experiencing technical difficulties in the Turpin home of late, but I’m hoping to slowly get summer onto the blog!
I noticed today during nap time that to be a true Turpin, you must sleep with your arms above your head! (with evidence from 1995 and 1998).
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C (Sam)
Exhibit D (Bec)
