Happiness

We back from a 10 day trip to Florida and I am soooooo exhausted.  I didn't even get off the plane when I had voice messages of appointments for the that very day.  We hit the road and I never stopped until late Monday night.  Then I worked on Tuesday and today is my first time to just sit and catch my breath.

We flew into Punta Gorda and my dad picked up us.  We stayed there for one night and then drove to Orlando for 7 days.  Our passes allowed us to go to Universal, Islands of Adventure, Sea World and Aquatica.  It was VERY hot the whole time and we went none stop. 

This photo is at CityWalk's Margaritaville.  After spending the day at Universal we went back and got refreshed and came back to go out and have a few drinks and dinner.  Then we spent some time listening to live music and watching the break dancers.  Kory was in heaven watching the DJ spin the music.  It would be his dream to do that as long he would not have to speak.

We had a good time and enjoyed the rides and shows.  The highlight of the whole time was when my parents came up and we went to Sea World.  Kim did an interactive program with the Beluga Whales and had a great time.  We all were able to watch her and it was so cool.  I watched her light up for the first time in so long.  I pray that this gave her the desire to pursue marine biology.

Speaking of lighting up.....I guess that was what Bob and I felt was missing from this vacation.  When the kids were younger they seemed to enjoy everything so much more.  Kinda like Christmas when they are young and the magic of Santa is still there.  It was different to only have 2 of the kids too.  Still adjusting to the whole married daughter :)
All you ever want for your kids is to be happy.  We talk with them when they are babies and get them to smile, we play with them when they are toddlers and get a giggle, we spend time with them as they grow and make memories.  It all seems to have changed now and I don't feel like I can "make" my children happy anymore.  I know each of us is responsible for our own happiness and I have to trust that one day each one of my children will be able to choose to enjoy their life and make the most of it.

Vacation

The countdown is on....we leave in 3 days for a family vacation to Florida.  It will be the first time that we have ever flown anywhere all together.  It will be Kory's very first time to fly.  Kristin and David will be staying here at the house and taking care of the dogs and chickens. 

I am so looking forward to no cooking or cleaning or anything but fun!  We have 7 day passes for Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and Aquatica (a new water park with Sea World).  The hotel is like a small condo with 2 bedrooms and a full kitchen so there will be plenty of room. 

My parents will be coming up one day to go to Sea World with us. Kim is going to swim with the Beluga Whales while at Sea World.  Hopefully it will help her decide if she indeed wants to study marine biology. 

All that said I am nervous about a "vacation" because it seems that we always end up having some sort of melt down while we are suppose to be enjoying ourselves.  Maybe things will be different this time around since we have learned alot about how aspergers have effected our family.  Bob and Kory both struggle with change and mostly when it is out of their control.  Being on vacation leads to doing things on the fly and not having a regular schedule thus creating anxiety.  So the plan is going to be to sit down and have a daily meeting to come up a plan so everyone can be more relaxed. 

We now have a case manager through the county and are working on goals.  One of those goals is for Kory to successfully graduate from college.  We have a family support coordinator that is meeting with Kory and us to work on different challenges.  The coordinator will be going to the college with Kory to meet with his advocate and come up a list of things that will enable him to be successful.  She has been so beneficial already just by sharing with all of us about sensory issues.  It has made us all aware of problems each one of deal with. 

And you want to know what a small world we live in?  Kory's counselor knows this family supports coordinator.  They went to school together and are on the same page with therapies.  When I found this out I knew God had sent us in the right direction to obtain services through both the counselor and the county.  I am looking forward to goals reached and this new knowledge to be used for positive changes.