Good Question

This weekend I was carrying Itai and he gave me a great big squeeze. Then he put his head on mine and said, "Are you going to be my Abba forever?"

I said, "Yes, I am."

He asked, "And ever?"

I said, "Yes."

"And ever?"

"Yes."

And on and on. I loved that question, but what's more, I loved being able to answer yes! Avi and Itai are such wonderful children and I am grateful to be their abba here and for ever.

I am so grateful to have married Debbie in the temple and to know that my marriage can be eternal.

Trisdesimt?! That Means 30!

This week is supposed to be a kind of big week for me. I'm told that turning 30 can be pretty difficult. So far so good, but I still have 364 days of being 30 to go. Maybe it's because I lost my hair a long time ago and never had any looks to lose, but I think I'm doing ok with it. I'll keep you posted on any sudden changes.

But, because 30 does mean something (I'm not really sure what yet) I thought I should write something for the occasion.

First, I willing to admit that I'm not a finished product. I am not yet the person I hope to be and I have not accomplished everything I hope to accomplish. Maybe that's why I'm ok with turning 30: I don't feel like I've reached my peak yet. Yes, my knees are bad and if my high school me could see what has become of my stomach I'd probably punch myself, but because the last 30 years have been so good to me, I believe the future is bright.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my wonderful parents and siblings who kept me alive and heading in the right direction. Not to mention humble, well slightly more humble than I would have been.

I owe another debt to my wife and children. Debbie has been patient and kind when I haven't deserved it and...shall we say "motivating" when I needed it. Avi and Itai are the children I needed and I seriously don't know how I ever got by without them!

To all my family and friends: thank you for thirty years of memories!

Ramblings

Avi had his birthday this week. He has had a really great week. When I left for work last night he said, "See ya tomorrow." He's been so expressive and playful lately. I love seeing all of the

changes he's made over the last few years. It hasn't been easy and an outsider may not recognize all of them, but I love his little victories.

We went ice skating with my sister Valerie and her children yesterday and I loved watching the smiles on the faces of my beautiful children. They were so happy and both worked so hard to try to skate on their own. As I watched them I was again taken by a feeling I've had a lot lately. Time is really, really precious.

I wish I could get paid in time. More time with Avi just as he is now. More time with Itai asking, "Why?" More time cuddled up in bottom bunks and story time nervously perched on the top bunk. I wish I could have more time with a little boy who tells me, "You're so funny," "you're super strong," and my favorite, "Abba, you're my friend." I wish I had more time with a little boy who surprises me in the middle of the night with cuddles and hugs, who smiles at me when I walk into his classroom and who constantly surprises me.

I wish I had more time to relieve stress for my sweet wife. I wish I had more time to plan, scheme, joke, laugh, and sit on the couch doing nothing with her. I wish I could give her the surprises she deserves.

Money is great, but I wish I could get more time.

Even as I wish I could capture these moments in a bottle forever, I realize that if time didn't pass I would never have known the moments that I love today. Today's moments come from all the moments, good and bad, that preceded it. I can't wait to see what moments come next.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!

Ah, winter without the snow. I can go for that.

Even if it is freezing outside.

You can still go to the park do the slides without getting cold and wet,

Or play tennis,

Or you can even see SANTA!!

Itai was pretty excited and Avi was just happy to play with Santa's beard. (He looks scared by he's not.)

The best part is Santa even gives treats!

Free is Good

Debbie and I were given free tickets to the 1st annual Peek Awards. This award, named for famous Utah native Kim Peek, who inspired the title character from the movie Rainman, is awarded to a person who positively portrays disabilities in the media. This was the inaugural year of the award.

Because the award was named after the late Kim Peek, his father was on hand with the Oscar the film won. Salt Lake City mayor, Ralph Becker, proclaimed November 3rd, "Kim Peek Day". Finally, after two introductions, the key note speaker took the stage. Tenured professor, author, patent holder and noted autism rights activist was given the 1st Annual Peek award for writing and inspiring the movie, "Temple Grandin".

As arguably the most famous person with autism (Kim Peek did not have autism) she has been sought out for insights into the mind of a person with autism. She explained the differences between neurotypical, Aspergian, and autistic brains work. She also explained how her brain processes information, even showing personal fMRIs to illustrate the point. According to her, when an NT (Neurotypical) person reads a book while in an fMRI the areas of the brain that focus on syntax and general ideas light up. When a person with autism reads the area of the brain that focuses on details lights up. Finally, when a person with Asperger's reads both details and syntax light up.

Ms. Grandin asked everyone to imagine a steeple. Ok, do it. Do you see a steeple? She said she was shocked to learn that when people are asked to do this they picture a generic steeple. When she is asked to picture a steeple she pictures specific steeples. Her mind is like a "Google search", she can see steeples in the rain, snow, night, etc. She said this is true of any thing she thinks of.

She also said that though people with autism have difficulty imagining things, she can see blueprints or schematics and picture exactly how it will function in reality. "Maybe I'm not smart enough to design a nuclear power plant, but maybe a person with autism could help. I look at the blueprint of the Fukushima Power Plant and I can just see the water pouring through the doors. I can what would happen if it all came in at once or if it all just keeps coming."

She wasn't given much time to address the crowd, but as she finished up she said something I won't forget. "I would never give up my autism. I like the way I think logically. I don't understand how other people think."

I wish she was given more time, but maybe next time.

We Have a Blog?

Ok, It's been a little while since I've posted. This semester has been crazy, but I'm afraid it's nothing compared to wait lies in store next semester. In the meantime, here's a quick run down of what's happened since the last post.

Avi continues to speak more and more.

Itai started hating daycare...and then begging to go!

We learned that Itai is an "exceptional speaker" for his age. Aunt Tiffany came for a visit!

We had our fundraiser.

Avi fractured his knee. (At said fundraiser.)

We went to the autism carnival.

We missed the Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

We made many trips to the park.

We made a trip to one of the biggest parks of all: Disneyland!

We got back into the swing of things back at home. *sigh*

We all went to a family farm for a maze, pumpkin patch and wagon ride. (We forgot the camera.)

Uncle Jon moved in. (Not pictured due to grumpiness issues.)

Oh, and we went TRICK OR TREATING!!!

A lot. Once at Itai's school and once at Avi's school. And the College of Social Work held a Trick or Treat event at Officer's Hollow. And of course, on Halloween.

You could say that Itai likes Halloween. Stop by some time and join our busy-ness. We're casual.In fact, we invented casual.

Miss Me?

I've been pretty busy trying to prepare my application for a master's degree and haven't had the chance to post anything in a while. The deadline for the application is tomorrow so I'm looking forward to the finish line.

I still have a lot to do so for know I'll just post a short video. One of my facebook friends posted this link on her page and I had to share it!

Man with Autism Sings National Anthem.

Enjoy!