I’m up again in the middle of the night-can’t sleep. I have draining sinuses and an earache. As I am sitting at the computer piddling on Amazon, I started to think about the past year and how quickly time gets away from me. I haven’t really updated my blog in several months-one day turns into two, which turns into months. It has been a pretty overwhelming six months starting in June when the boys were home from school for the summer culminating with the end of the year and move to a new location. Hubby received a much awaited promotion and our family moved from South Carolina, to New York-a move that has been stressful but exciting. It probably wouldn’t have been too bad if we had rented a furnished place from https://www.chahomenow.com/international/ like my friends, but we wanted to take our belongings with us. Anyway, I’m happy to be closer to my family in NYC (Although I am still a five hour drive north of the city-and it’s cold up here).
In the first month of our living here two of my three brothers have been here to visit-one for Christmas, and one for New Year’s so despite all the moving stress it was worth it. The boys-I am worried about. The Tot has adjusted well, started school, and has been a pretty happy kid, but Little Man, he left many friends behind. Being in the 5th grade is hard enough, add his Asperger’s to the mix, and a move 1000 miles to the north of where he is used to and it is a quick trip to Meltdown City. He’s been doing fairly well in school and has made friends there but we’ve been in transit for a while so he’s made no friends to hang-out with at home like he had back in SC. I am praying this will change soon because he goes stir-crazy in the house, and then proceeds to drive the rest of us bonkers.
Aspie Teen has taken the change well-I think. He is not very expressive as usual, and would rather just stay hold up in his room playing video games online. He would do that all day and night if I let him. I was hoping to find more active things for him to do as his favorite activity (going to the bookstore in the mall) is not feasible since the nearest mall is an hour drive. I am still struggling to figure out how to have age-appropriate fun with the older boys who would like to ski and snowboard with the little ones in tow. Sometimes the age gap is really hard. On that note though, we have been out have a ball sledding together and playing in the snow as a family, and it is much-needed family time! I’m trying to think of other ways to incorporate family time into our routine. Perhaps we could all Cook as a Family or watch a film together once a week; this is age-appropriate for all!
Service Dog Update:
Unfortunately due to our move the delivery of our Autism Service dog was delayed. Originally, “Rocky” would have come home to us on November 22, but we were moving that same week so we needed to wait. (I am not going at waiting…) Now that we are settled in, we have another delivery date scheduled. Rocky comes on on February 7th!! We are all very excited to start this new chapter-well I suppose we are starting many new chapters-of our lives.
By the way, the baby (15 months now) HATES wearing clothes and screams like I am pulling out a rib when I bundle him up for the cold-fun fun.
It’s a New Year, and it is time for me to get back in gear. I have a book to finish, articles to right, blog posts to catch up on, and a class (Math urgh) starting tomorrow!
Hope all of you have a Happy Healthy and Safe Holiday.
Wishing you all the best in the new year,
Jeannie
What a wonderful update, even with all of the challenges. I’m glad the move went well and that things are gradually settling. When all was silent here I figured you had plenty to do with the move and the holidays, just to name a few things. Recently diagnosed at age 53. Live in West Central Wisconsin but I was born in Oneonta, NY – not far from Cooperstown. Thank you for writing your book. It was a helpful part of my own process. Happy January!
Nice to hear all is well considering the moving & integrating challenges. Jerry Bourne (aspie in norcal)
A lovely update, very pleased that your all settling quite well in your new home.