Sorry about the delay in response here!

SM, yes I do have faith. Recently, though, we left the church we have attended since I was pg with Aaron.

They had been helping us and praying for Aaron and then we found out a whole lot of very bad and unbiblical stuff was going on behind the scenes (and the pastor/leadership was completely unrepentant of it) and we made the decision to leave in December of 05. Its been hard healing from that as well as all the other stuff going on.

We recently started going to a new church *it actually meets in the same building as the old one, so that's kinda weird...* but everyone understands about Aaron and is so compassionate. The pastor's wife is a speech therapist, even! Typically, they have the 3 year olds go to Sunday School, but Aaron is about 18 months old developmentally, so they let him stay in the nursery-- he doesnt bother anyone and is a relatively good boy.

I totally understand about the 2 dogs, 1 cat and a giraffe!! That kinda made me giggle !

The cry of my heart is for Aaron to be able to communicate with me verbally and coherently. The only communication he does with me is to have me fill up his water bottle for him. There are a few other things, but its very minimal.

Victoria is the same developmental age and is way past him. She brought me the "Cosby Show" Dvd and asked if she could watch "Show?" I have no spectrum worries about her.

I have hope for this new RDI program, especially since its parent based. I am royally ****** off that I had to find it myself and it was already at Aaron's school! Halleluija that I was asked to be on the parent advisory committee because I shouldnt have had to go looking for the services that were already in the daamn school-- and I will voice that concern. MILI gave me the email address for the lady that will be doing Aaron's RDI!!! Dont you think that in a special education only school that they would tell you what services they had there???? DONTCHA THINK?????

BOLLICKS!!

Anyway-- thats one stressor that will be dealt with.

CCKids-- I am currently making a conscious effort to change my eating habits as a stress response as well. Im sort of the opposite--- I would eat when I was stressed. I joined weight watchers and now have boundaries. But gosh, sometimes its super tough.

I started working part time at a local grocery store to get not only some extra money, but to get out of the house! I love it. I work in the healthfood section. Im able to learn more and more about supplements that could help Aaron in some areas. Almost all the people I work with I've known for years and a few of my relatives work there too. My sister is the assistant manager in my department and my cousin works in the dairy department. Its just fun to have the social outlet. Especially since we had been away from church for so long. (Another plus is most of the men in this store are very easy on the eyes--- dont get me wrong, Im hopelessly in love with my husband, but wow, the scenery isnt too bad there!)

I kind of dumped some friends that moved on from that old church too. The way they were wasnt healthy for me. Constantly negative and always absorbed in gossip *but they swore it wasnt gossip, just information on how to pray for someone...riiiiight....* It just seemed like the right thing for me to do. (I have just quietly distanced myself from them)

Anyway, its late and I need to get to bed. Thanks for the helpful words