A Mothers' Love~my story.

I thought I'd share with you some of my story of my boys. My oldest is Kyle, and my youngest is Brandon. They were both born in August, 4 years and 4 days apart, Brandon was born on our anniversary.
First off, I was told I couldn't have children due to alot of female issues, so imagine my suprise when I ended up expecting!
No one tells you what to expect. You have dreams and hopes for your children, but when you discover other issues happening, it is difficult to discern, and you mourn to a degree.
I knew SOMETHING wasn't right, but my son at two only had five words and everything else was screaming and pointing. He was always VERY active and we got him into a special ed program, where he received speech and OT three days a week. No one said anything about Autism.
By the time he was 5, we had moved into our home, Brandon was almost one, and he was such a breeze, because he was so calm and he would eat! Kyle was VERY picky and was always below the 5th percentile.
The school said we had to have a diagnosis in order for Kyle to get services at school, so we went to the Uof M's nuro clinic, two weeks of testing, we finally sat down and got a prognosis: Your son is in the Autism spectrum, and by the way, we've been observing your younger son, and we believe he has it too, we'd like to test him.
We finally had an answer, but we didn't really understand, and my husband had a VERY hard time with it. We actually went to another specialist for both boys and the conclusion was the same, Autism.
When I am learning about something, I will pick up anything I can get my hands on to read so I can learn and understand. We had the boys in intense therapies 6 days a week, for the next 6-7 years or so. I also did things at home, and I worked full time then too.
It was very hard, we have no family here, not really, so it was always us.
I still to this day am fascinated to listen to young children speak, my boys didn't have these milestones, it was signing and pecs (picture symbols) which we still use to a degree for Brandon, as he is very visual.
I have participated in every type of therapy there is with my boys, and I believe that all the work has helped them immensly, plus I believe that God has his hand in this as well.
I never was angry or asked why me? Part of me is concerned for the future, like who will look out for them. Brandon says I have to live forever! I plan to try, because I do have concerns. No one is going to care for them the way we do, I know that, and I try not to borrow it, but it creeps in.
They have came so far, and I am SO proud of both of them! We homeschool Brandon, and he is really learning, he learns in a different way, but it's so much better than the middle school.
Minnesota has some of the best programs, but some of the teachers shouldn't be teaching these children.
We have had our share of issues, it was so bad, we were sort of forced into this, but you know, it really has been rewarding, and Brandon feels more secure now.
We may try high school next year, they have a better program, his best friend is there too.
Kyle will graduate this spring, and then he will go into a transition program. Did I mention how proud I am? We still face challenges and discrimination from ignorant people from time to time, but this mama doesn't back away!
There is a saying I have in their rooms, perhaps you have heard it, but I'll share it with you. Whenever I look at it, I cry. It says " You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out like heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes". That's how I feel about my boys, they ARE heroes, they have overcome SO many challenges, and I just love them so very much! My husband does too, but you know, most men don't always show emotion well. I am so thankful for my husband too, we have been through alot, and we still love each other, and he's my best friend!
I hope this hasn't bored you all too much.
Thanks for visiting.