Brandon's Birthday

My baby is now 6 years old! I am so sad to see him grow up! We had just got home from Colorado the day before so we were all tired on his birthday. We went to McDonald's for lunch. One of Brandon's favorite places to go. He likes it for the toy and play on the equipment. Grandma and Grandpa Walker and Aunt Rose and Uncle Derek came to eat lunch with us and to play.

Later that night we went to Grandma and Grandpa Walkers house to eat pancakes and bacon and eggs. We got to open late Christmas presents and eat cake and ice cream too. Brandon and Nathan were very excited to get to open presents. We all had a fun time and Kimball has seemed to enjoy the presents the most.

Kimball fell asleep at McDonald's, he was pooped

Nathan loves his new sweater

Birthday Boy and Daddy

Aunt Melissa helping Nathan open presents

Kimball loved this new ball

Grandma and Grandpa watching all the excitement

Aunt Rosie and Kimball had a great time playing

Brandon's Iron Man cake. It was really good!

Brandon was so excited to open presents. Nathan liked it too!

Kimball was content just sitting with Uncle Wayne

Uncle Derek was excited about the presents too....maybe too excited

Uncle Wayne was trying new hats on

Kimball didn't like the hat too much

He liked Uncle Derek's hat more. And found his new favorite toy, a walking and talking robot

State Capital

With the economy lately everyone is trying to make budget cuts here and there. I received an email yesterday talking about the budget cuts and that the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee (HHS) was thinking of cutting 100% of the autism resources across the state. This would mean cutting Nathan’s preschool that he attends now. So last night I was calling people and telling them about this and asking them to please contact their legislatures to support the autism preschool fund. After calling them myself and emailing them and many others, I was able to get a group (with help from another parent) of the parents of some of the children from Giant Steps (Nathan’s preschool) about going up to the meeting at the State Capital that would take place tomorrow to have our voices heard.

So we were there about a half hour before the meeting and were interviewed by the news media (I was not personally interviewed but another woman with a child with autism talked) and then we signed our names to be able to speak to the HHS committee. I traded my spot with someone else and was at the bottom of the 4 page list to speak. At the meeting there were other people there from different organizations that were facing budget cuts as well but the majority were parents and teachers of children with autism. There were approximately 80 people there and about 60 of them were for autism cause. I was rather nervous talking to them but did tell them about Brandon and Nathan and the progress that they had made and how many of the parents were helping in fundraisers to help Giant Steps and that we were doing all that we could to help as well.

As of now the autism preschools will not be getting a budget cut, but it may change when the Legislatures meet later to finalize the budget cuts. So the parents will be up there yet again to make our voices heard.

I was reflecting on the ride home how far my children have come and how far I have come. When Brandon was first diagnosed with Autism I never would have thought that I would someday be at the State Capital speaking to Senators and Representatives about autism. I never would have thought that I could help organize a fundraiser that brought in thousands of dollars. I never thought I would have a voice loud enough to make other people listen to me, but I do. I have realized that I can do a lot more than I what I was doing and that I am good at it what I am now doing. I am a good leader when the time arises and I am a great supporter. I am also smarter than I first thought I was. I know that everything happens for a reason. I know I was given Brandon and Nathan for a reason and I know that I was blessed with them to help me become a better person.

Schnakenburg Family Reunion

This Christmas we were able to have a Schnakenburg FamilyReunion. We all met in Colorado Springs at my Aunt Sandie's house. There ended up being about 60 people there and it was a blast. I was extremely worried about Brandon and Nathan with that many people and how they would act but they had a blast. Sandie had a nice big basement with a lot of new toys that Brandon and Nathan played with he whole time. There was lots of food and good company. While at the reunion we did have someone come in and take our picture. Man try getting 60 people together and smiling!! Very hard! But we were able to get a good one I thought. It was nice to be able to see people that I haven't seen in a long time.

Family is a wonderful thing and I know that even though some members may leave earlier than we would like; I will be able to see them again . Where they go is a good place for them to be, and that they will have work enough for them. So even though we may be sad that one leaves, if we live righteously we can see them again. Thanks to our Savior we can all be a family together again after this life.

Christmas

For Christmas we went town to Ely Nevada to see Travis's Dad. We got to spend a few days there and spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Hendrix. The night before Christmas after a Hendrix Family Christmas Eve get together with family in the area we got to decorate sugar cookies. Kimball mostly enjoyed eating the candy and frosting instead of helping but that is okay. Half way through the process we discovered that both Brandon and Nathan had been licking off the rest of the frosting on the knife after each cookie. Needless to say we didn't eat any of the cookies.

On Christmas Day the boys had such a good time opening presents. They got costumes and cars and action figures. All fun toys. Kimball was mostly confused and didn't really know what to do but did an okay job ripping off the paper. We had a fun time there and were glad that the weather permitted us to see Grandma and Grandpa Hendrix. One thing we got a lot of this Christmas was candy! They ate candy all day!

Travis's Award

A few weeks ago we went to Travis's work party. They sent all of the employees to Costco for breakfast and gave them all $200 gift card. We had fun there, we ate, saw Santa and Mrs. Clause and played a lot of games for the kids as well as Travis and I. We ended up taking my friend's daughter with us and she had a blast with us. (This girl is Lucy, the love of Nathan's life. He tells everyone that he is going to marry her after she marries Eli.)

After breakfast they gathered everyone around and passed out awards to a few individuals. Travis was lucky enough to be one. He received a glass mouse for top performer in his area. We were all proud of him. The boys were way excited for him as well and like to carry the mouse around with them. Although to keep peace during the holidays, we allowed them to take it with them to Grandpa Hendrix's house, unfortunately it was forgotten. So now Grandma Hendrix can now proudly display it for us.

Kimball did not enjoy sitting on this strangers lap. He held still for about 10 seconds and then decided that he was going to do anything he could to get off.