Learning the Hard Way

I'm not that girl that things just come easy to. The one who always gets what she wants. 
That's OK because I am that girl that doens't mind working really really hard to get what she then deserves.  Sometimes it's hard when no matter how hard you work- your success depends on something else...That throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing... So sometimes it's good to take a step back and redefine success.

I'm working hard to kick Autism in the ass...to be a good Mom...to be a good person... and to live a good life... Something tells me that we have stuff in common.

I like to learn things the hard way. I want to fail from trying...not fail from not making an attempt.. Of course I'd rather not fail at all....but if I have to. 

I learned the hard way that I need to put the brake on my stroller when I stop to adjust Parker in his Bjorn...actually -Grey learned that one the hard way when his stroller rolled into the street and crashed on its side...

I frequently learn the hard way that putting your finger at the top of the back of a diaper is a terrible way to check if it's poopy...

I learned the hard way- it's not a good idea to have bagel friends...you know, the type that fill you up but provide no nutritional value and just weigh you down?

I let Parker learn the hard way---how close he can get to the edge of the pool before he falls in...for the 5th time.

But the good thing is- once I learn something...I'm usually pretty good about hanging on to that lesson for life (except for the finger in the poopy diaper one...)



2 years ago I set the automatic seat placement on my car...I did it in a hurry- and it turned out  that both side mirrors were just a little off...and the seat was still just a tinge too far back...so everyday after the seat automatically adjusted-- I would then take another minute to make those small corrections...every time I turned on the car...

Finally today, I took 20 extra seconds to figure out how to reset the seat correctly --permanantly... Why did that take me two years? Because in a World full of multi-tasking we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves...we forget to do the little things that can make life easier...

What little things can you do to make your life easier? What is stopping you?


Time and obligations pull us in so many different directions throughout the day... Sometimes it's so hard to keep focused on the things that matter the most to us...

I want you to come here to remember...

My caffeine intake is positively correlated to Greyson and Parker's behavior during the day. The more outbursts and struggle we have...the more caffeine I drink...

Does that give you any indication of my day?

There was a little of this...


And some of that...


And a little...




And by the time 3pm rolled around...I swore today was already 3 days long.

But again, as I look over pictures I remember...not all bad....not all bad at all.


Because we had a lot a bit of this...


And this...



I will never say, We don't jump on the bed...In fact, I'll often jump with him...besides for sleeping, what else are beds good for? Maybe it's a bad or dangerous idea- but I'm gonna learn that the hard way.


We had...


and this...


I don't see that very often at all...The two of them interacting...

One of the screening questions they asked me when we were evaluating Grey for Autism was, "Does he show an interest in his brother, or in your pets?"...and the truth is- not really...(except for Belle the Dog- they have a special relationship). Spectrum Kids often have a higher infinity for objects rather than people...like if it came down to a blinking lights toy or me- I'm pretty sure the toy would win...
But today he noticed his brother...really noticed him....and I can still feel that sweet lump of Wow in my throat just thinking about it.


Don't worry- I'm not going to let them learn that it's a bad idea to play with outlets the hard way...I was still just so excited about them interacting I let this happen for a few seconds...

And later we had this...


It was a long, hard, horrible, awesome, beautiful naked buns kind of day...

Right now I feel inadequate in expressing just what I want to convey with just words...doing my gratitude justice... But I will try...

Thank you for caring about our story... In a World where Kim Kardashdian is famous for...what the hell is she famous for still?!!!That sex tape was ages ago... It's nice to know that people still care about a real story about real people...about real struggle...and real joy... I think that ours is a story worth sharing because so many of you can relate, whether you have a kid with Super Powers or not.

And not only do you care....but you help me share this story...and it's all still pretty unbelievable to me. 

I want to say a special Thank you to Bridget, Debbie, Angie, Dusty, Cheryl, Carol, Danielle, Carla (the Friend I met in the OC!!), Katie, Amy, Trisha, Christen, Teacher Amy and the awesome-feels like my Aunt- Lani and my Mom and Dad (I was gonna send you guys some anyway- but I love you for texting me asking at 2:31am California time!!) for your willingness to help me share Life with Greyson stickers. For reaching out to me and saying, "Send me some! I want to help!" I was so stinking happy tonight, licking envelopes....

But here's the deal... I've got a TON of stickers left (see that full box of them in the picture?)  and I'd love to send some to you...Yes -YOU...You- reading these words right now...Will you help me hand out stickers that say www.lifewithgreyson.blogspot.com? Even if it's just 1 for you to put on your desk at work...that will make a difference! It will help. They are FREE and they are purdy!

I know you are busy living your own life- focusing on the things that are important to you...but if helping people do good things is important to you too--send me an email with your address and I'll send you some stickers that will help me raise Autism Awareness all over the World! (kellyc43@gmail.com)

As soon as I run out of stickers, I'll shut up about it....I swear...

Have a great weekend and a Wonderful Father's Day.



Happy Father's Day, Michael! We love you!  See how Parker looks at his Dad? It's cuz he knows he has a good one.


And he's a favorite with this one for sure...


Happy Father's Day to the best Dad ever- my Dad! Ronald K Pratt in St. Louis! I miss you everyday- not just on Father's Day!