OUTINGS with 3 small children, Autism and only 1 parent

Outings are the HARDEST for me, not only do I have 3 small children, BUT its only ONE of me and THREE of them! Then there is also Autism, which limits at times where I can go with all three kids to be able to keep up with all three. At times Kaitlyn is like 3 in 1! I cannot keep my eye off the kids, and specially Kaitlyn because she will WANDER off, she will RUN off, and she is not able to sense any danger around her. So if we go to the park, if I am pushing another kid on a swing, Kaitlyn can run off and a stranger can just pick her up and leave, or she can run into the parking lot or even worse into the street, those are my biggest fears, and if i just keep my eyes on her, the same can also happen to the other two kids.  I get invited to events, birthday parties, and even play dates. A lot of the time, if I know people wont understand why our family is different, or understand why Kaitlyn is different. I don't go. I don't go if I know I cant control the situation and its more of a hassle to go for the kids and me than for all of us to just enjoy it. So if I ever cant attend something you have invited me to with the kids, please dont think its because I'm being rude or dont want to hang out. Our family is a lot different than your typical family.

NEW DIET FOR KAITLYN!!!

I have decided after so long that I finally really need to do this for Kaitlyn, she deserves it to be able to get better! We just started last week WOW I MADE IT ONE WEEK!!!!! I just realized it right now!!! I have made some cupcakes, pancakes and cookies for her using almond flour and honey. I actually liked them a lot more than regular cookies. I dont know if its the home made from scratch that i liked? or they are actually a lot better than buying oreos or chips ahoy? I am not a big fan of oreos or chips ahoy so it was easy for me to not give them to Kaitlyn or the kids. Kaitlyn is really missing gummies and chocolate. :( those are the  things she requests for the most now that she cant have them. Do I feel guilty that she cant have oreos, breads(unless home made), candy, rice, corn, CHEESE, or anything with dairy? umm, NO i dont feel bad, because its not necessary for her to have, and everything I will be feeding her is a healthy alternative. she can also have NUTS and MEATS and FRUITS and VEGGIES, so our world is not THAT bad lol these are all natural things that anyone out there can eat. Am I on the diet? well baby steps it is, I find myself having a soda, or a slice of pizza on hard days, I know terrible but I need to get her going first before I can change my diet completely. In the first week of it, Kaitlyn has been having increased speech! even eye contact without me "requesting" for it. She of course has a lot of other issues that need to get addressed but so far the first week I think it went pretty good. I have to keep baking and experimenting on what she likes! Kaitlyn has a lot of eating issues, sensory mostly and most foods she is unsure of trying. SPECIALLY WET FOODS! so i have to come up with a way to have her eat foods, but eventually she will overcome it, we will overcome it together. I am so excited for Dad to come home and find all the new foods we have been eating!!! its going to be so exciting! Cant wait for what the future with the diet holds. I feel really great about it, and happy that I know I am making the right choice for my family.

ALL GROWN UP!!!

I feel SO GROWN UP LATELY! I don't know why, maybe because I turned 22 recently? haha I really think the past year has made me grow up even more than I already had. I guess a lot of changes happened to me the past year. We made the grown up decision to move back to California instead of Virginia Beach, Kaitlyn was diagnosed with Autism, we actually MOVED back "home" and well one of the hardest ones besides the Autism is Peter deployed. Yes we moved to California knowing Peter would deploy, but it was the decision we had to make in order for Kaitlyn to receive the best intervention she can get. The deployment has been hard, way harder than last deployment. I think its because all the three kids know who their dad really is and they miss him. Last deployment I just had to worry about a baby and a toddler, who didnt understand much. Now, all three miss their dad, and ask for him all the time and bring him up out of no where. Of course, it also has been harder because of Autism.

I think I am finally feeling "grown" up because I am finding myself through all this that is going on and I am loving the friendships I have made through these hard times I am dealing with. These are the people I will remember for the rest of my life, because this is when I need my REAL friends the most.
so you know who you are, thank YOU for being there for me!

I just feel like I've realized how mature i really have been the past few years that it has finally made me feel grown up? or maybe I'm just feeling like I'm getting old? haha either way whatever it is, I'm loving it.

Once again THANK YOU friends for being there for me during these hard times!

I have also been thinking a lot about this lately, that I think has made me feel a little grown up...
I'm not just a young mom, and i'm not just a wife.

I am a YOUNG MOM of 3, I am an AUTISM MOM and I am a MARINE WIFE!!


Dont know if it has to do with it, but seriously, I feel so grown up lately!