Happy 25th Birthday, Matthew!

 The Singing makes him bashful...and the trick candles never get old.

Happy 24th Birthday Matthew!

Yesterday (September 25th) was a very special day. It was Matthews 24th birthday! He was so excited all day...he could barely contain himself. We gathered at the new house and had two of his favorite meals (Spaghetti and Pizza) for dinner... and of course a yummy birthday cake complete with the candles that keep relighting.

God truly blessed us with this special young man. Our precious son... who still see's the world through the eyes of a child. Happy Birthday my angel.

A Few Of Our 2010 Winter Festivities

This photograph was taken just before the boys left for their Lamar University Winter Concert performance. Could they possibly look any more thrilled? Me: You two could smile just a little! Caleb: We are smiling just a little Mom! Me: Okey Dokey...Click! I have tried staring at the photo, but I still can't make out a smile. As a matter of fact, Caleb looks a little like my brother in this photo, and for some reason I have this overwhelming urge to walk right up to him and thump his nose.

Shelby's winter concert. It is simply amazing how beautifully these kids play. They sound so professional. The photograph is not great. For some reason I just cannot seem take a good photo in that auditorium. It is because of the lighting I'm sure, and my lack of understanding of how to use it properly.
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Matthew enjoying a beautiful day at Claiborne West Park. I got some pretty good shots of Matthew for Christmas. Getting him to sit down on the ground took a little time, but once he felt secure...he relaxed and smiled. I also got some pretty funny shots. He is such a clown.
And finally a couple of shots of Shelby and her date before the 2010 Jingle Bell Ball. We had such a great time shopping and getting ready for this event. This was actually Shelby's first "real" date. I mean she has had dates where we dropped her off and picked her up, but this young man picked her up, took her out and brought her home. She had a blast!

Climbing Castles & Conquering Fears

I got an e-mail from Matthew's teacher this afternoon. Today the class went on a field trip to Shangri La in Orange Texas, and then to Lions Club Park for a picnic. She shared with me that while at the park, Matthew climbed to the top of the castle. With all of his anxieties about new situations, and fear of heights....going up there is a pretty big deal. She said he yelled the whole way, but he wanted to climb it , and he did. He was quite proud of himself. I've noticed this quite a bit with Matthew lately. He battles with the desire to try new things...and the fear that generally stops him. This made me think about our trip to the S.E. Texas State Fair. He walked around all day with Randy and I ...while his brother and sister rode some of the rides. He watched them, and I could see that he wanted to...but each time we asked him he answered... "NO!" That is until he watched them ride the bumper cars. He took some tickets from my bag, grabbed his dads hand, and pointed at the cars. I asked him if he wanted to ride and this time his answer was YES! So there he stood in line with his dad. The longer they waited, the more nervous he became. When their turn came up, he began to scream. Randy looked back at me...he was not sure whether to go forward or to help him away from the cars. But Matthew continued to walk forward. He screamed until they were both sitting in the same bumper car and for a few seconds after the car began to move. Eventually he relaxed and enjoyed himself. When the ride was over...he was beside himself with pride.

On The Mend

Well, Matthew's eardrum did not ruptured after all...thank goodness! He does however have a pretty severe ear infection. Bad timing too, as today he would have made the really fun trip with his class to Plantersville Texas, for the Texas Renaissance Festival. I hate for him to miss anything... this being his last year of School. Our visit at the doctors office yesterday went pretty much as expected. Randy restrained, The Doctor examined, Matthew screamed, and I to no avail tried to calm and comfort him. This is just one of the many hurdles of having a non-verbal child. After the doctor finished the examination, we were all pretty much  frazzled and in need of a sedative. Randy took Matthew back out to the car while I got the prescriptions, and talked with the Doctor. What the screaming boils down to is anxiety....so maybe an anti-anxiety medication is what he needs? But he is only like that when he presented with the unfamiliar. He has the sweetest personality, and a most outstanding sense of humor. Other than the occasional antibiotic...he has never been on medication of any kind. I'm just not sure what to do.

Waiting for Dr. Appointment

I am pretty sure that Matthew's eardrum has ruptured, and I'm feeling pretty lousy about it. I've always been pretty good at just knowing when something is off with him. He has had what I thought was a cold for the last few days, but sadly, I had no idea his ear was bothering him. It certainly hasn't affected his appetite one bit! Taking Matthew to the doctor is not an easy task, and to be honest...my stomach is currently in knots. He is going to begin screaming at the door, he is going to scream in the waiting room, and every eye in the place will be fixed on us. He is now bigger than me and I am no longer able to distract, or restrain so that the doctor can examine him. Thank God for my wonderful Randy...he will be meeting us there to help.

Saturday Morning

Saturday=Sleeping in even just a little! Lay in bed, drink coffee, read or maybe watch a little something on the television. In other words, wake up at our own pace day. Well, sleep in worked out, but the rest was not meant to be! I opened my eyes at around 9 AM, thought WHAT IS THAT SMELL, and bolted out of the bed. The kitchen and living room were filled with smoke! I shouted for Randy...who must have already bolted from the bed too, because he was behind me in a flash. We could barely see the anything, but I made my way to the back door, as he made his way to the kitchen. The microwave was on fire!

It didn't take us long to figure out that Mr. Matthew had decided to make his own breakfast. He took a hot pocket out of the freezer, and popped it in the microwave. I am not sure if he removed the wrapper, not do I have any idea how long it had been cooking. Apparently it must have been a long time, as he obviously got bored and went on back to his room. The microwave got so hot that the breaker flipped, which made the it stop running thank goodness. The fire melted the door. On the inside, the hotpocket looked like a piece of charcoal, and was still glowing. We got the smoke out of the house as fast as we could, but I can still smell it.

We were fortunate in many ways. Things could have definitely turned out another way Saturday Morning. None of our fire alarms went off. They are tested every month...and even tested normal that day. I am not sure why they didn't work, but we have new alarms now. We have a new heavy duty microwave, with a child lock. We have removed the knobs on the stove. Funny, we try so hard to encourage Matthew to do as many things as he is able independently and when he does...it scares the hell out of us.

A Greene Family Update

Well, this week we are preparing for the Caleb's prom. I went with him to get Shay's corsage. yesterday was his last practice with the youth symphony. One more month and our Caleb will be a High School graduate! I can hardly believe how fast time is moving.It seems like just yesterday we were sitting in the NICU wishing we could take him home with us. Or dancing around the living room in his "Barney WONDERware" and his blue Binky in his mouth. Sorry son...your friends most likely won't be reading this...and if they do....trust me.. I feel certain they wore Barney WONDERware too.

Gianna has not felt good. Her allergies are really flared up...and she is cutting more teeth. I remember my kids hurting when they cut their teeth...but this sweet baby has really suffered. She has been wanting me to sit and hold her...which is not like her at all. So I know she is feeling poorly. I don't mind just sitting and holding her....watching her shows, and reading books. Spring has been rough on quite a few family members.

Shelby has been staying after school to catch up and stay on top of her school work. Still struggling with the ADD and Dyslexia...but is hanging in there. She has been helping our new neighbors with their laundry. And of course...time giggling at Randall on the phone. She is showing such maturity this year and I am very proud of her. She turned 16 on the 23rd of March and just the other day mentioned driving. Her brothers immediately said NO! Lord give me strength! I don't think our Shelby is quite ready to drive yet. The truth is more like WE are not ready for Shelby to drive! Soon sweetie.

Stephen gets himself up every morning and goes to college. When he is not at school...he is at work. What precious little time he has left...he sleeps, bathes, eats and starts the day all over. He had the whole day off on Sunday and he took his brother and sister to see a movie. He still plays in the College band and just recently accepted a position to play Bassoon in a community players musical. He is thinking of possibly moving into a dorm next semester...which we are not totally against...it probably would be a good experience for him. But, Randy and I silently hope he will continue to live at home. Hey...home is free and I know he is fed and rested. I can't help it...I am still his mommy.

Life for Mr. Matthew is pretty much same ol' same ol'....just the way he likes it. A couple of times a week we try change his routine up just a little. Like by taking him to a movie, or a short walk at the park. He will oblige...but he lets us know clearly that this not what we normally do. He has this thing about getting into the chairs. The fact that it folds makes him nervous. We hold it down for him, he screams as his sits....and then we are fine. Lately he has been going through his chatty phase. Don't get me wrong...he is always pretty verbal....but it is a language that is all his own. Most of the time we can figure out what he is trying to say....Sometimes he says something as clear as a bell....but sometimes we still struggle to understand.

Work is finally slowing down for Randy. Tax season is always quite hectic. But with the warmer weather and the extra daylight we are out in the evening piddling around the yard. Randy has so many things he wants to do outside. Currently he is planning to build a new shop and a green house for me. I mostly want a place to put my plants in case next winter is like this last one. The crazy freezes we had killed quite a bit of our pretty stuff. I am not sure why but it seems everyone has a yard FULL off weeds this year. So he spent half the evening spraying them...and the other half throwing the tennis ball for a certain Labrador.

As for Monica....My photography class was pushed to the end of May...which is no doubt for the best...but I am so ready to get started. I am still keeping Gianna everyday. We spend almost every morning outside playing in the yard. She plays in the butterfly garden and has no clue that she is helping me develop the art of photography. She also has no clue how much joy she brings to my life. I am doing very well. Like everyone else, I have ups and downs, But, I have remained faithful to the promise that I made to myself. Ridding my heart of burdens, letting go of hurts of the past...and focusing only on what and those who bring joy. Though I admit, sometimes that is easier said than done.... I have learned that when I focus on the gifts in my life, I see blessings everywhere.

10 Words To Describe Our Children

Well, it is another cold, rainy Saturday (hopefully the last COLD) and we are all taking full advantage of a day like this...as my children like to say...we are "Chillaxing". Randy and I were in our room talking about how over the years, the kids have changed, yet...stayed the same, and how much they differ from each other.

So, we came up with 10 words to describe each of them.

Matthew

1. Musical

2. Affectionate

3. Hungry

4. Routine

5. Gassy

6. Talkative

7. Funny

8. Mischievous

9. Autistic

10. Silly

Stephen

1. Studious

2. Conservative

3. Curious

4. Inquisitive

5. Mischievous

6. Musical

7. Adventurous

8. Spiritual

9. Honest

10. Nerdy

Caleb

1. Talkative

2. Musical

3. Handsome

4. Thin

5. Smiley

6. Mischievous

7. Prankster

8. Tender

9. Happy

10. Diplomatic

Shelby

1.Natural

2. Ditsy

3. Mischievous

4. Gabby

5. Giggly

6. Casual

7. Musical

8. Helpful

9. Strong

10. Compassionate

His World Is Good

It's 3:35 Friday afternoon...Matthew's bus arrives home as usual. The bus assistant puts his Friday treat in his hand, (a couple pieces of candy)makes sure that he has his jacket and Matthew responds with a hug. He turns and heads up the driveway, toward me standing at the front door. He see's me, he is smiling, he is happy...he's always, ALWAYS happy! His head is bobbing from side to side, his hands are flapping close to his face, he is making that shrieking noise...all of which he does when his world is good.

Today is just the same as yesterday...and that is exactly how he likes it. The cars that had been stopped by the flashing lights of the bus slowly begin to move. It has almost become somewhat of a game to watch and see how many of the drivers simply drive on...and how many are going to turn their head and stare at him as he bobs, flaps, and shrieks up the driveway. He is oblivious to all of this...all he can see is me standing at the door, waving and smiling back at him....all that matters is that today is the same as yesterday...and his world is good.

We got new neighbors recently and all this week they have been having their roof re-shingled. Today when Matthew got off the bus...not only did these 5 roofers stare at him...but they stopped what they were doing, and walked over to our driveway to get a closer look. You would think that after 21 years of being his mother, the stares would no longer make me uncomfortable...and to be honest, most of the time it truly doesn't. But occasionally, like today, I can't help it.

Now, it wasn't like they were laughing at him, or making fun...at least I don't think they were...but they were staring at my son like he was some kind of freak show. I felt my skin get hot, I felt that queasy feeling in my stomach and I felt like crying. For the first time in a VERY long time I felt like shouting, "What the hell are you staring at!?!" But...I didn't...he reached the door, handed me his candy and jacket, smiled sweetly and gave me a hug... just as he did yesterday...and my world is good.