New "DO" for our baby girl.........

After fighting the tangles all summer long.....
Carrie said it was O.K. to take Margo to get a hair cut!
She looks so adorable and so much older with this layers look:D
She is such a pretty little girl, any hair do would look good.......not too prejudice..LOL!
The girl, Sarah, that cut her hair was so kind and patient with Margo.
Since this was a rather new experience, she was a bit apprehensive:D
Wasn't sure what that lady had planned with those scissors!
I prayed on the drive to Fantastic Sam's that the place wouldn't be packed!!!!!
It is hard to know what Margo will do, and with a full house it could have been a trying experience. When we arrived......we were the only ones in the shop!
God works in mysterious ways.....LOL!

Margo's June 6th Lesson

After the riding lesson, the girls came to stay for the night! With papa out of town we sure had a fun "Girls Night In". We played in the sprinkler, took big bubble baths and ate a lot.....including some Cherry Bordeau Ice Cream. Not really on my WW diet:(
This morning the girls got up early and we had eggs and yes, braunschweiger!!!! One of my favorites and Margo's as well:D
Once dressed, brushed and combed.....we headed off to the schools where the girls go for the morning:D

Margo's horseback riding lesson June 6th

Treadmills

margo's therapy lesson May 9

I know it sounds like Margo is terrified.........but...........it is more like you or me saying, "OMGosh or This is really scary". She loves riding and seems so proud as she gets off Gypsy and feeds her carrots"D Believe me, it is really a "Good Thing"! When Margo doesn't want to do something....believe me...there is NO WAY to get her to do it. That is not the case when it comes to horseback riding:D She loves it and is gaining so much self confidence from it:D Balance is always an issue with Autistic children and she is not only working on following directions and answering appropriately when asked a question.....but on feeling secure in her body. This is a big step and she is doing so well! They tell me that she will be standing up riding by the end of the summer......OMG!

Margo's therapy lesson May 9

Even though it sounds like we are hurting Margo.....that is her way of saying OMG, I am scared, I don't know about this....etc. etc. You will just have to trust me on this:D She is doing so well at her horseback lessons I can hardly believe it!!!!! When Margo doesn' want to do something.....she DOESN'T DO IT! She loves her riding lessons and immediately upon leaving the car.....runs to get her helmet on and out into the rink she goes. She is learning such self-esteem....you can see it when she rides! She is so proud of herself when she gets off "Gypsy". She sings all the way home. Because balance is such a part of life for Autistic children....the lessons are focused on balance and following directions. The movement of the horse has a soothing effect on children as well. Margo will pat and kiss Gypsy when feeding her the carrots after her ride. It is such a GOOD THING!

Autism Therapy at Exceptional Equestrian riding lesson....Margo

ASAP for AUTISM! My new venture!

I have started a new venture......stemming from my love of this little girl and the need she has for a better life with Autism!
Margo, as most of you know, is 8 yrs. old and Autistic. I would give anything to make her world easier and better.
This new project could help many families with an Autistic child.
I am going to provide
"ASAP for AUTISM"
(A Safe After-school Program for Autism).
In the summer the public schools in our area only
provide schooling for disabled children until noon!
What I have in mind is a program that will fill the afternoons for these children
while providing peace of mind for their working parents.
I have applied for the 503c non-profit tax status and several grants offered by the govt. and Pepsi Cola!
I have a program set up providing ABA, speech, occupational and physical therapy.
Autistic children will learn while having fun on field trips,
exercising,
arts & crafts
and
possibly horseback riding.
I will keep you updated if this interests you:D
The blog is located here!

Heartfelt Post!

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH!

Out sweet little Margo has a struggle everyday of her life......trying to express her needs, wants and feelings! Although she is starting to use a few more words, I can't imagine how she feels....trapped inside with no way to tell us what is wrong or what makes her happy! I would do anything to make things better for her!!!!!!!!! We have started a trust fund to support her when we are gone, but the thought brings me to my knees:( Who will love her, who will take the time to audit her every move, to try and understand her needs, who will constantly challenge her in order to develop skills she might accomplish, who will protect her, who will make her world comfortable with all her little quirks?????? Oh my God.....it scares me to death! My daughter and X son-in-law will always be there for her, but when they go........then what????? This fear has taken much of my energy for the past 6 1/2 years (she was diagnosed at 18 months). There was an article in the "Parade" magazine in the Post Dispatch this past week-end that I can't seem to get out of my head! It was about a 21 yr. old girl who is Autistic and the fear her mother has as to what comes next????? St. Louis has very few assisted living situations for adults with Autism! Where will Margo go when my daughter and Margo's dad are too old to care for her or pass away? This is a real fear facing hundreds of families today. Maybe there is something I can do before I am too old to be able. I have the desire.....but not sure of the direction.

Two Letters can make all the Difference!!!!!

Personally the difference between the words

"if" and "when"

mean everything!

We had some GREAT NEWS from the neurologist this past Thursday.

Although he tends to be rather stingy with any encouraging news.........

after examining Margo he made the comment off the cuff,

"When she starts talking you won't be able to stop her."

OMG did I hear that right??????

Carrie asked him if that meant that he believed she would talk..........

he said, "Oh yes,

it is all in there and one day the key will turn

and it will all spill out."

You have no idea what that meant to me.

In quite times over the past 4 days that is all I have thought about!

I dreamed about it as well!!!!!!

For my little girl to be able to express herself

is all I really want in this world.

I can't believe that old cranky doc that has never been very friendly.....

said the words that would change her world.

I pray that day will come while I am still around her hear it:D
Monday at Horseback Lesson she did better than ever.....

riding on the front of the sadle, backwards, on her knees and

backwards! She recited the days of the week and the months to Laura, her trainer

and what a fabulous trainer she is!

Laura is so well educated in Autism.....she is the perfect match for our precious baby!

A few days ago.........

....Margo rode bareback!!!!! Her trainer felt Margo really wanted to feel the horse as she rode and took everything off the horse except Margo. She loved it and felt the horse move below her. She held onto his mane for most of the ride:D In the picture above she is getting High 5's from all her helpers!!!! You go girl:D

I decorated the mantel with things I had around the house. The ferns I mounted a year ago and they had been hanging in the dining room. The frames are from a thrift shop as are the artificial artichokes.

Our mantel for Thanksgiving! I liked the natural look and found the pinecones under the trees at our village entrance:D There are several kinds and sizes.....even some that hadn't opened yet:D

.....I found this fabulous serigraph....numbered and signed (WOOOOOO) at Goodwill for $15.00. First of all I love the silk screen process and have been thinking of taking a class at Webster University. Second......this piece is 30" X 30"!!!!! Now, it could surely use a new matt and frame, but folks......someone slipped! They didn't know what they had there. Their loss was definitely my gain :D It now resides in my dining room......sweet!

.....we had our first snow :D So beautiful and serene!

Hope you had a good week as well......

Backwards, Sideways and All Around:D

My little cutie had her third lesson tonight and boy they don't let her rest.....ha..ha! She had to learn to turn around on the horse while she was riding......I know I couldn't have done it! They also had her ride backwards for a while and then ride while up on her knees! OH MY, she was scared but she did it..........I can't imagine what they will have her doing next week. She even got off the horse by herself.

Here she is riding on her knees. A big stretch for a child that was afraid of dogs a couple of months ago.

Backwards!

Another successful week......YEA Margo!
We love you so.......

Another Successful Ride......YEA!!!

Margo's second lesson and she said she had fun.......that is what it's all about! She was nervous and I can certainly understand that:D Once she was on the horse....all was O.K. I always have a problem when Margo cries. I never want to hear that sound and usually will do anything to make her happy. That is part of the problem......mommy and I don't ever make her do anything she doesn't want to:( The therapist knows what is best for her and purges forward. Once Margo gets comfortable the fear vanishes.

They took her into the woods and walked up and down the hills in the brush. She liked it!

You can't tell by the look on her face, but she is riding around the track and even galloping....Ha..Ha! Every time the horse took a step, we hear OH......OH.....OH! Carrie and I were in stitches:D

They had her turn around and ride the horse backwards. They want her completely comfortable atop that gentle giant. She rode that way for several minutes.

Headed back to the barn! Success again!
Can't wait to see what next week will bring:D

First Lesson.............

Today was Margo's first lesson at the Exceptional Equestrian where they work with disabled children. We had no idea they would really be able to get her atop a big horse......they were sure they would...LOL! She not only got up there, but spent 1/2 hour riding around giving the horse commands like whoa, stop, go!!!!!! It was sooooo damn cute and Carrie and I were in tears (Happy Tears). All I can say is....they are miracle workers:D

Needless to say, she was apprehensive.........considering up until several months ago she was deathly afraid of dogs...much less something as big as a horse:D

Her instructors came highly recommended....and I can see why! It is people like this that put a smile in your heart!!!!!! Dedicated and truely loving Margo's success.

Her first few minutes were scary and she didn't know what to make of it....but with the sweet encouragement of her instructors it wasn't long that she was sitting tall in the saddle!

Can't wait for next Friday to roll around to watch her again riding like a big girl:D

Observation.............

This evening we went to a riding stable that focuses on children with disabilities! What a gorgeous place:D Margo was a little hesitant (maybe 'a little' is not strong enough...LOL) She and Milly ventured out into the stable while two little girls were having their lesson. I was interested to see how far Margo would go without being frightened. She didn't seem as bothered by the big horses as I thought she would be.

Here she is comtemplating moving closer......with a big smile on her face! I think she likes the whole atmosphere:D

Really not too thrilled about petting the horse with Lindsey (her soon to be trainer).

Milly seems more daring.....but that doesn't surprise us:D

Margo and Lindsey took the little horse for a walk out on the trail. She didn't want to get too close, but was comfortable walking on the other side of Lindsey as they walked the minature horse:D So cute!

She will start her riding sessions next week.....they seem sure they will have her on a horse at the first lesson......I say, "Good Luck"....LOL!

Our little princess on a horse......more than I can even hope for! I am soooooo excited:D

Not setting my sights too high at this point....just want her to have something she enjoys and succeeds at!

Here she is putting the minature back into his stall!

VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENING!

The ring where they walk the horses once the children are ready:D