Happenings since then, or our Christmas letter early

Sorry it's taken me so long to post again! So many pictures and events have happened that there's no way to mention them all...I've found Facebook to be easy and quick, and I can do it from my phone which is easier for me because of my vision so that's what I've used most.

It's been difficult to accept the fact that three of the children have been diagnosed with autism (also called Autism Spectrum Disorder/ASD). We can see it, we acknowledge it, we love them just the same. I should have known with Timmy (dx one year ago), because he has very little language and is so fascinated with gadgets and toys with wheels. And the repetitive head flipping...self hitting...a peripheral player...looking up instead of at us (I thought because he's almost blind)...but he's always been so affectionate though--with anybody--which turns out is also a social problem. I figure the affection gene comes with the Down syndrome, although not all kids with DS/ASD are that affectionate with strangers. He does reach out and touch people as we walk down halls, I do think that's partly because of his vision impairment.

Remember, it's now at least one out of ten with DS that also have ASD. The Easter Seals evaluation team said that for us, since they are adopted, it was just the luck of the draw. It is common in biological siblings that if one has autism, a sibling may also have it. I believe there must be something in the genetic makeup that makes for an easier trigger of autism in kids with Down syndrome. We've loved them all! It's not a lack of love, that's for sure! It really is rewarding to see their individual interests and learn what makes them happy. Communication continues to be the toughest part with the two who are nonverbal.

I still wish and hope for a service dog, especially for Ella, who demonstrates the most classic autism. We moved to a one-level house in September. Just having the dog on the day of transition would have been and incredible blessing! I think a dog would be good for all of the family.

So what about Lucy? Our youngest has some typical compulsive behaviors, and some things I believe she has learned from Joel. She likes to watch certain movies at certain times of the day. And she likes acting movies out. They actually have several scenes in movies where they have them all coreographed, who plays which part. For instance in "Tangled", Joel plays Mother G and Lucy plays Rapunzel during the song "Mother Knows Best". It's really fun to watch!

Lucy is quick, we'd consider her "high functioning". But she's also pretty hyperactive. It's not just that we're getting older, it's definitely more than that, we can tell the difference because she is our eleventh child. And she can be VERY oppositional. But overall, she is beautiful, bright and affectionate! She has a special friend in "Grandma Neat", who works with her at home and at church. "Grandpa and Grandma Gibson", a special couple from church, are also very sweet to our kids.

Joel has been blessed to not be hospitalized for a good long time now! Hurray!!! Whew! His weight has been a concern as he's continued to gain but not grow taller. His shoe size hasn't changed in years. The endocrinologist had a hand wrist scan done on Joel and the results were that "Joel has already had a growth spurt (when?) and he probably won't grown much more because his plates are closing."

Joel and Tim continue to have the supervision of a nurse overnight (12am-8am) because of their respective health conditions and machines they are hooked up to at night. We don't know how long it will continue because of the changes in healthcare in our government. Having this care is so helpful and allows us to sleep at night without worrying about them. Linda does cares during the week and Eva on weekends. They're great!

I won't lie. The time that has elapsed since Joel's last Mitral valve replacement in Feb 2011 has been hard for us. Our schedules are much more regimented with very little time for play. We cherish the little things, and hope for understanding from those who know us and work with the children.

We do have personal assistance help from our daughter Mikelle and Juanita for designated hours on varying days during times when all four kids are home. This help is necessary and a huge blessing! (Can you imagine cooking supper with little ones surrounding your feet and opening the oven while others are getting into things elsewhere?) I know there are some out there with larger families and more kids with special needs, but ours are like quadruplet toddlers, with multiple needs...our other kids are grown and away...and I hate to admit it but we're not spring chickens anymore, lol.

Over the past year we have gone to a lawyer and made a legal will, living wills, assigned guardians and had a special needs trust fund written for these kids. Now we just need to be able to put money into that trust for them, so that when we are gone they can be cared for in the manner they're accustomed to.

We still need to sell the old house.

I opened an Etsy shop in May of this year. www.etsy.com/shop/doloresandcompany. I make peasant dresses for little girls. There are several to choose from on the site and I take custom orders. The custom orders are actually going pretty well. Unfortunately, once they sell they no longer show up on the site so people don't see them and can't place custom orders from them. I find posting dresses on facebook helps. My motivation to do this business? I love to sew, it gives me a creative outlet when all the kids are in school. I wanted to earn money so that I could donate little bits here and there to help other children with special needs come home to families; this cause is dear to my heart. And I wanted to provide some modest alternatives to what is available for little girls to wear. Mike and the family helped to build a beautiful dress studio for me--such a gift of love! I've never had an actual sewing room before. This one is perfect because it has a view into the family room and all the way into the kitchen, as well as outside to the back yard!

Milly and her children came to visit and stayed many weeks to help us get ready and move into our newer home. Her help was invaluable! Janina helped us get the old house/new house fixed up, sacrificing many, many hours over the year on these projects. Lora, Gabe and friends, also helped us for several weeks during their summer break. Matt Glass has worked for us in the yard. Ron helped and continues to help with the exterior and yard at the old house. Thanks to the missionaries as well, and ward members for helping with the actual moving day! It's close to being all be finished, but you know how life goes on!

At this writing, Janina is in the Marshall Islands with her new baby daughter that she and Marty have just adopted. The whole family was there for a while, Janina and her two youngest will be home this weekend! She has taken such beautiful pictures there I could fill up my blog with them! Baby Miriam is a gorgeous, plump little brown baby with lots of thick, black hair and big, dark eyes. She reminds me a lot of her sister Genevieve when she was little. We're so excited to meet her! As I have been with each of our grandchildren. I have always wished we could adopt an international waiting child, and Janina is doing it! I'm so proud of her and Marty for taking this leap of faith.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving here this year, and hopefully all the kids here for Christmas. Some great things to look forward to! I'm also praying for good health for my aging father and his wife Helena. God bless us, every one!

Love,
Dolores