Ready for new Beginnings

Running Update

Well my toe is finally better and touch wood I can get back to running injury-free.  I'l be taking it very gradually and mixing in quite a few Gym sessions.  Fingers crossed!

Life Update

The last 6 weeks (or more!) having been very intense.  I had university exams for my nursing degree a month ago, I drove straight from my last exam down the South coast to do my one month acute hospital placement.  Thank goodness my husband took long service leave and the family were able to visit as much as possible.  Placement and my exams were really successful and I have just had two interviews at some local hospitals for a nursing assistant job and I've been offered one new job in a prestigious hospital starting February (hopefully leading to an RN job one day)!  I'm very excited but right now very exhausted....

On a 40C day I was very happy to spend the day reading and swimming - first day off in a LONG time.

Autism

When the boys got home from school they were straight in the pool.  It was so great to see them playing together.  Once upon a time I dreamed of the twins playing "typically" with my eldest and its only very recently that T2 would join in  - they were playing pool American football :)

Now that I have a moment to breathe I am going to develop a couple of goals for the boys to work on, especially T2. My passion for ABA is still strong - I love the science of behaviour.  I love seeing the boys learn and achieve things I didn't think possible.  I'll keep you updated.

NFL in the pool

In typical Aussie fashion no matter how hot is is cricket training was still on.  Thankfully a cool change kicked in late this afternoon.  Hopefully next year T2 will be ready to play cricket too.

T1's cricket training

Do your kids with ASD play team sports?  

I've heard more than once that kids with autism can't play team sports = myth!! My boys play soccer in Winter and in Summer T2 plays cricket and hopefully T1 will join him.

What are your current goals for your kids with autism?  

I'm thinking about this today

The Universe Plotting....

against me getting fit.  We're on holiday and I set my alarm to go for a beautiful coastal run.  BUT instead I kicked my toe and badly broke my pinky.  6 weeks until it's healed so I'm going to continue to really focus on my nutrition.

My poor husband is such a trooper and took me to the hospital and now has the kids at the beach while I lie on the couch.

My toe was angled very badly the wrong way.  I may have screamed the following...

' get up!!'

' I've broken it!!!!'

' get some ice!!'

' the one that's at right angles to my foot!'

' we need to get to the hospital!'

' what colour is it?  They might have to cut it off!..aaahhhhh'

 Autism

I hate the generalisation that kids with asd lack empathy.  T1 wrote me a sweet get well note and T2 wanted to stay home from the beach ' to look after mummy!'

My eldest ( neuro typical) was the kind hearted 12 year old he always is (well most of the time:)).

That's it for now.  I have a high tea with my mil booked in this arvo.  Until then I'll lie on the couch.

Have you broken your toe?

How long until you could run?

Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation & back to Parkrun

Update

I've decided to resurrect my blog as I really miss it.  It helps me reflect and clarify my goals and values and to appreciate all the good things in my life.

Over the last few months (at least 6) I've completely lost my mojo.  I've put on weight, had several injuries, been stressed out with uni work and paid work and feel like I've lost perspective on what is really important to me.  So I'm making an effort to pull myself together. 

12WBT 

I signed up for the Michelle Bridge's 12 Week Body Transformation (with the support of my MIL who also wants to loose a few kilos and is a whizz in the kitchen).  I'm on day 6 and its been great but very tough.  I'm on a 1200 calorie plan and exercise 6 days a week.  Sometimes we eat the recipes in the plan and sometimes I eat whatever as long as I track the calorie content.  Here's a sample of this weeks meals and snacks.

Cauliflower and chickpea patties with salad

Stir fry beef and greens

 

     Chicken, mushroom and salad toasted wrap

            Ryvita, ricotta cheese, honey and chopped almond             

   







Today I did my first parkrun in a LONG time.  5km of hell.  Now my hip is just letting me know its there and I'm a bit scared about that.

But I've been sticking to 1200 calories (though I do have a high tea treat coming up :)).  I have to eat 3 meals plus 3 snacks a day so its really forcing me to chose super healthy and light foods.  I can't believe I haven't had chocolate in 6 days!!!  Honestly, it was becoming a problem.  I was eating a BLOCK of chocolate a day plus other sweet treats.

Autism

Well I'm very ashamed that I've put the boys' goals on the back burner while I unsuccessfully try and keep work and study going.  I need to change this for their sake.  They are beautiful boys who deserve a maximum chance of living successful and independent lives in the future.  Tomorrow we are going on a much needed break and I just want to have FUN with them.  Then we are going to get back to progress.  Meanwhile bring on a much-needed break

Its good to be back!

A Pump Class & Saying Goodbye

Cross Training

I've decided I can't run every day otherwise I'm going to keep getting injured.  So yesterday I went to the gym and did the new release pump class.   As you can imagine I'm quite stiff today but thankfully my hip seems completely healed (at last!).

My new best friends are my theraband and my foam roller.  I wish my physio could see how well-behaved I'm being :)

Saying Goodbye

Two of the twins' therapists are both returning to their home countries this week.  It will be a huge loss for Australia as good ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) therapists and especially BCBAs (Board Certified Behaviour Analysts) are in very short supply here.  One of the reasons I think the twins did so well is they had fantastic, experienced and qualified therapists.  And today it is paying off :).  We will miss them.

They came over for afternoon tea to say goodbye and my mother-in-law cooked up a storm….quiches, chicken sandwiches, scones and caramel slices - yummo.

She set the table with her great Aunt's hand embroidered table cloth and special tea cups and saucers.  It was a wonderful afternoon.

Never Never Never Give Up!

Running

A few months ago I tore my gluteus medius.  Unfortunately I resisted physio for a couple of months before getting help.  But finally, I'm injury free, but I'm right back at the beginning of my marathon journey….Couch to 5 k Week 1, Run 1.  It was a beautiful start to a beautiful day.

A beautiful but cold morning for a run

Kleames Barber Shop - Chatswood 

• 4/76A Archer St
• Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia 2067

My eldest son is a die-hard Liverpool fan.  A couple of weeks ago I was at Chatswood and stumbled upon this amazing Liverpool-themed barber shop.  I kept the secret for 2 weeks and dragged my unsuspecting son to Chatswood for a haircut.  When he saw the place he was speechless!  He absolutely loved it.  My Mother-in-Law and I watched on in amusement while the barber and my son talked Liverpool.

How cool is this

Everything has the Liverpool insignia

My eldest taking snaps 

Then it was off for some quality time bowling with my son.  You know your kids are growing up when they start to bowl properly :)

After that the three of us ate pizza and spaghetti in Chatswood's piazza followed by…

Sssh…don't tell anyone - this is the BEST gelato I've ever tasted.

Gelateria Gondola - Chatswood

The owners are from Venice and the gelato is out of this world.  I had the hazelnut in a cone.  And we sat outside opposite the Liverpool barbershop and chilled (it was quite chilly :))

Archer St Chatswood- you won't regret it

So pretty...

…and so yummy

Still Injured - Holidays - The Big Banana Coff's Harbour

Long time no blog.  About a month ago I did a fun run and injured my hip.  A couple of weeks ago I went out for a 15 minutes shuffle and my hip ached afterwards.  Usually, the best thing for my injuries is rest (also very cost effective!).

Meanwhile, we're on a family holiday and having an absolute blast in Coffs Harbour...

The Big Banana

There's lots for the kids to do at the Big Banana - toboggan, ice skating, water slides, laser tag, eat bananas :)

A chocolate coated banana  - too be honest it was a bit rich.  Maybe a banana split next time..

Its been a very long time between trips and well worth an extended visit.  We checked out the toboggan rides and the water slides and all 3 of my boys had a blast.  We went to an afternoon session and the water park was pretty empty.  Its funny because T3 is not a fan of going into the water at the beach, yet he'll hurtle down the biggest slides head first.  Go figure!  In between fun times here at Coffs I've been trying to get some of my nursing assignments done

My kids love water slides and all 3 had a ball!

The park was pretty empty - kids with ASD aren't known for their waiting skills

One Perfect Day - Surfers Healing Australia

Surfers Healing Australia - Autism Awareness Australia

It took 3 burly surfers to get T2 out there - but he did it!

 Yesterday the twins had an amazing experience of going surfing at Manly.  I signed up months ago thinking we might not get a spot, but we did!  The boys had a half hour slot where the wonderful Surfers Healing took the boys out and actually got them standing up on long boards.  Amazing!  The kindness and patience of these people is incredible.  It was such a beautiful thing to be a part of.  There was the full spectrum there - young people severely effected by autism as well as those who appeared indistinguishable from their peers.  It was wonderful to see the respect and inclusiveness of the whole event.  

T1 has no fear!

T1 loved every minute.  He isn't scared of the waves.  The surfer who took him out was full of praise and I felt so proud and just happy that he was enjoying the experience.  T2 was much more apprehensive.  He loves swimming but is scared of the waves.  There were a few tears from T2 but the surfers were so kind and they carried kids past the waves.  Some of the surfers were surfing with a little kid propped up on their shoulder!  They really are amazing people.

Plus each kid who participated received an awesome trophy.  They are really well- made and inpressive trophies that the kids loved. 

The boys loved their trophies!

 Next Summer I am definitely working on T2's fear of the waves.

T2 coming in

 No running for me - I've injured my hip - again