Blogoversary!

So apparently I have been blogging for one year today. Wow.  A lot has changed in my life in that one year.  For one thing this blog went from just a random “Who Am I” blog to also an Autism Awareness blog.  Thank you so much to all of you who have been a part of this first year, especially those who reached out to me when my son first received his diagnosis.  Amazing that we can share in each others journeys though we are scattered all across the globe.  I have encountered so many interesting, supportive, and funny people!  Looking forward to what this NEXT year will bring.

I haven’t been blogging as much lately.  It’s not for a lack of things to say, but rather a lack of time to say it.  I can’t seem to create a post that takes me less than an hour to write.  I am a perfectionist like that with my writing.  I will try and do better  

I intended to give you some of my favorite posts from my first year of blogging, but ran out of time and I need to go to bed!  But I would love to see what posts are YOUR favorites.  Please share with us!

Six Unspectacular Quirks

My bloggy friend Mama Mara  from Mama on the Edge recently tagged me to do a meme.  When I say “recently”, that is a relative term.  It was probably over a month ago.  I am bad like that.  Anyway, the meme is Six Unspectacular Quirks.  Mama’s so savvy that she suspected I may be slightly quirky. 

Here’s the rules:  
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks you possess.
4. Tag 6 bloggers & link to them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

All of my quirks are pretty spectacular, but I will try and not be too exciting.

1.  My second toe is longer than my big toe on my left foot .  My big toe is also shorter than normal.  It’s like God took a piece of my big toe and used it to enhance my second toe.  That’s not quirky, I know, it’s just plain freaky.  My husband calls it my “Freak Toe”.  The quirky part is that I can pick up things using my feet, actually grasping items in between my toes.  My freak toe comes in quite handy.  It’s almost like having an extra opposable thumb, except not so opposable, but still…

New Title, New Mission!

I have changed my blog’s title and tagline to the following- My Platypus Life: Awe and Angst, Ranting and Rejoicing 

What do you think?  I think it better reflects where I am in my journey now.  My life is very “platypus”, and you all get to share with me as I go through the ups and downs.  I love how diverse and unique my life can be (and also mundane), even if that means that there are challenges.  I am going to try and rejoice more than I rant from now on (though I do not underestimate the therapeutic power of a good rant!).  I truly appreciate the neurodiversity reflected in my house, even though aspects of it are exhausting.  Actually, I have found this whole process fascinating.  I talk about Autism issues and neurodiversity and disabilism a LOT now.  I have been excited by the opportunity to meet and reach out to and even help new people.  I can actually say that I have been blessed by this experience.  I cry a LOT, but I have still been blessed.  One potential danger is that since I am not ashamed, and talk freely about the subject, people may not see my children for who they really are beyond the labels and struggles.  I have two beautiful and smart and sweet and happy and unique boys. 

More Sunday Comics

Time again for a post that is just for fun and foolishness!  Um, except for the few occasional moments of contemplation and melancholy.  Here are the search engine terms that were especially unusual the past two weeks…

By the way, we just got back from our third road trip in 10 days and then we have Vacation Bible School all this week.  I may not be online much.  If you are the praying type I would appreciate your prayers:  Percy was incredibly difficult this afternoon from all the activity and changes (he hurt me badly with a kick in the ribs) and I am not sure how he will do at VBS ALL WEEK… although at least they have a routine!

Friday Fun

In honor of the weekend let’s take a break from all this serious stuff and have some fun!  Here are some of the recent random and amusing phrases used in search engines that brought people to my little site.

Choose Compassion

Sometimes life presents us with opportunities, but we have a choice as to how we respond.  Will we choose compassion or contempt? 

I received this beautiful email this week from my friend PPPJ and share it with her permission.

Just Random

I think I need to put some FUN and random-ness back into this little blog.  I have been cracking up at some of the google searches that have brought people here lately so I thought I would share.  I hope you are amused…  

Over 2000 hits!

This little blog is just barely one month old and it already has well over 2000 hits!  Whoohoo!  Thank you!  In fact, over 30% of those hits have been just this week alone (more on that in a minute).  I am very excited considering that I am pretty new to the blogging world and hadn’t yet encountered many fellow bloggers.  Since then I have already gotten to know so many new “faces” and have really enjoyed it.

April is Autism Awareness Month

I found out a little late in the game that April is Autism Awareness Month.  I am not sure how official it is…it may be a bunch of bloggers just got together and said, “HEY! Let’s proclaim Autism Awareness Month!” but that’s still good enough for me.  I do know April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day.  Missed that too.  But I DID buy a Autism Awareness sticker at Toys R Us for $1!  Anyway, I will be blogging as much as I can this month about my search for answers and our Early Intervention journey.  Please click on the widget on the right to find some wonderful blogs by others whose lives have been affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Seven Random Things About ME

I got tagged to do my first meme, 7 Random Things About Me,  by my blog-buddy Kemi   http://kemilikechemistry.wordpress.com/  

I decided that these random ME things would be about the me that was simply ME.  The ME that I miss being sometimes, that ME that is all too often neglected…who I am apart from being a mother and a wife.  My family is so very important to me and I love my role in their life, but I also love just being me. 

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