I almost punched out a 65 year old lady at a Chinese restaurant

My mom took me and the boys out for dinner at a small hole in the wall Chinese place.  As we were finishing, the boys started getting a little loud so we agreed that she would stay and get the leftovers boxed, pay for the meal (moms are so good for that), and meet us at my car.

I was 3 steps from the door when a lady looks at me and then my kids and says,

"Those kids are too loud.  I mean, they are really loud."

The woman behind her rolled her eyes and gave me the, "yes you are clear to tear this woman a new one," look.

So I say, "Of course they are loud, they are children, just as you said."

"Yes, but these children are really loud."

"Well what do you expect?  They are children.  And we are leaving."

"I am a teacher and these children are really loud." (In case you weren't counting that is the 3rd time she said the same exact thing)

"I am a teacher too."

"Well that's great."

I turn to go, but just couldn't.

"Do you have children of your own?"

"Yes.  And THOSE children (pointing to my 2) are really loud."  (Yep, number 4)

"Listen lady, Karma's a bitch. You need to watch out." (Oh yeah, I was in threat mode by this point.)

She just nodded her head.  I walked out....AND THEN WALKED BACK IN!  I just couldn't leave without really blowing this lady up.

"Do you happen to teach any kids with special needs?"

"Yes, I have 400 students and deal with all types of special needs."

"Well one of those little boys happens to have Autism, have you heard of that?"

"Oh, yes." (I am looking right in her eye and she is avoiding my gaze)

"So maybe you should learn to use a little f***ing discretion from now on and watch what you say."

And then I leaned in close and actually called her a b****.  Yep.  I did it. Anger management issues anyone? Good thing is that my mom, who is somewhat of a saint, did not think I was in the wrong.  She couldn't believe that lady either.  I mean, we were leaving because I knew my kids were getting loud.  What more did she want?

Truth is, neither of my boys were being loud because of special needs, maybe a tiny bit could be attributed to ADHD and sensory overload.  But all in all, they were just being kids.  So this kind of thing probably happens to all parents, unless your kids are perfect, in which case you should stop reading this because I hate you and you are not welcome here.

Come on people, stop judging others.  Are two little boys making noise in a restaurant for 3 minutes really so bothersome you have to be rude and insult my parenting and my kids?  Get over yourself lady.  If you want everyone around you to behave in the way you dictate, then stay the f*** home.

This has been deep thoughts, the real truthful kind, by Jean Myles.

My New Car and Spreading Some Holiday Cheer

I can't believe there are only 6 more days until Christmas!  What happened?  Good thing we got our tree and put up decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving or we wouldn't have had time to enjoy them.

Our focus this year, gift wise, was on the boys, getting them a few toys, but mostly things that will last.  Our house is so filled with toys, most of which get played with every now and then, but are tossed aside.  This year they will get Karate gear and activities they will use over and over.

And for us?  Gerald is taking a trip to a huge music convention/trade show in January, and I got...drum roll please...A New Car!   We had been talking about upgrading our smaller sporty car,  which Gerald loved, to an SUV or Mini van.  Sadly, we got word on Wednesday that fixing an engine problem in that car would cost a fortune, almost as much as the car was worth.  So we went car shopping and SURPRISE, we got a great deal on a 2012 Honda Odyssey.

It is my first new car ever and the smell is awesome!  The boys love it, especially Jaylen.  He can't stop talking about the sliding doors and the fact it seats 7.  I look back in this thing and it is like an entire room, the kids can get up and walk around in it.  We could live in it if we got lost in a forest for some absurd reason.

Speaking of surprises, here is a video that will make you smile.  The bystanders in this one are all surprised by holiday cheer and I hope you enjoy it.  I am not a huge youtube fan but this one made me smile, a lot.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!







This post is sponsored by T-Mobile

Doing a Small Part in Fighting Cancer

At my last physical appointment my doctor said the words, "Wow, it looks like you are next in line in your family to get breast cancer."  Thanks Doc.

My maternal grandmother died of breast cancer shortly before I was born. My mother gave me her name.

My paternal grandmother recently beat breast cancer, caught very early.

And 4 years ago my mom beat breast cancer also.

I guess I really am next in line.  Every year I have to get a mammogram and breat sonogram done.  Not typical of most 32 year-olds.

My mom's best friend beat ovarian cancer 14 years ago and has been in remission since.  Unfortunately, last month they diagnosed her with stage 4 lung cancer.  She has never smoked or been around a smoker.

When I was given the chance to promote the American Cancer Society here on my blog, I gladly accepted,  it is the least I can do to help in the fight against this disease that affects so many in my family and families all over the world.



This post is sponsored by American Cancer Society.

11/22/08

"Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle." 

- Elizabeth David

11/22/08

11/22/09

11/22/10

11/22/11

Happy 3rd Birthday Xavi

12 eyes

Well, the JCPenney portrait studio people are gonna be pissed this year.  They will have a hell of a time fighting with the glare coming off our family shots.  3 of us are 4 eyes now.

We had no idea just how bad his eyesight was.  He recently started squinting, which gave it away.

We all would sit on the couch to watch TV and he would sit in his own little folding chair right next to the screen.  Him needing to be this close to the TV, and considering his brother is almost blind, we decided to get his eyes checked.  Sure enough, he has severe myopia like Jaylen and I.  

It is amazing to watch him adjust to being able to see.  For two days now he has been looking at everything, even me, differently.  He walks around saying, "oh my gosh, oh look at this." 

The day Xavi got his first pair of glasses, age 2

 

 

 

The day Jaylen got his first pair of glasses, age 2

10/27/2006

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” - Elizabeth Stone 

October 2006

October 2007

October 2008

October 2009

October 2010

October 2011

I've let my heart go walking outside my body for 5 years now.  It was the best decision I have ever, or will ever make.  

Happy Birthday Jaylen

Getting the Song out of my Head

Jaylen's Autism makes him extremely literal, but I am starting to realize how literal most young kids are.  I taught PreK, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade before having Jaylen, and guess by those ages most kids get sarcasm, and understand what to take literally.

This post on Mommy To Two Boys is about how Jaylen processes the term "private school."  His literal thinking is one of those things I enjoy, crack up over, and love about him.  

We recently moved and every time I mentioned our "old house" Jaylen asked when it was going to fall apart.  When I told him a new family was moving in he was surprised they would live in a house that was old.  When in actuality our "new house" is in worse condition than our "old house."  In Jaylen's mind, for some reason, all things die or fall apart when they turn 100 years old, so he assumed the old house is close to 100 and will crumble to dust any minute.

At my grandmother's 89th birthday party he basically told her she had 11 years left till the reaper came for her.
 
I could go on and on with stories like this when it comes to Jaylen, but recently Xavi made me laugh hysterically over the same thing.  He was singing a Lady Gaga song which I started singing too.  After a few minutes I told him he got the song stuck in my head.  He pulled my head down and started pushing my hair all around searching for something.  When I asked what he was doing, he said he was looking for the song stuck in my head.

I guess taking things literally isn't only for kids with Autism, neurotypical kids do it too (even though Jaylen does it a LOT more).  Oh, the things I'm learning by being a mom to both...

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This post was written for Best Of the Best (BOB) series on SOS Research Blog.  Starting October 15th you can click here to read more of the posts from some fabulous special needs bloggers who contributed.  This month's topic is enjoying our life with Autism, sharing things that make us laugh.