Her Hillbilly Highness

This is a much needed blog about my sweet little Riley. Riley started to school four mornings a week and is doing very well there. He goes home with Stephanie on Mondays and Amber on Thursdays. I am so glad that I have great friends that I know Riley loves taking care of him! The other day of the week he goes to our church for Mothers Day Out while I go to Ladies Bible Class for a much needed study on prayer. He is doing well there too. Mostly because the teachers in his class know him and love him so much.

Also, he has behavior therapy 1-2 times a week for two hours at a time for Ms. B who gets him to stay in his chair for the whole time and works on skills and talking with him. WOW! I really like the progress that he is making with her. I'm so proud of my little monkey!!

Alan and I had an opportunity to go to the Autism Conference at the Adam's Mark Hotel a few weeks ago. We were very touched by some of the speakers and learned new information that can help us with Riley. One of our favorite speakers was Jessica "Jazz" and Lynley Summers who wrote the book, "Autism is Not a Life Sentence." Jessica is a high school senior with autism who spoke and sang. There wasn't a dry eye in that room. I can see why her mother is so proud of her. Lynley is someone that I could learn alot from. One thing she said that I related to was that they changed up the routine on Jessica all the time. They never let her get used to eating at a certain time or sitting in the floor in her room at the same time everyday......change is so important! That's why I go a million different ways in the car and Riley lets me know about it every time we don't go his way. He is getting better about that, though.

The thing that Alan and I took most from the conference was also something that Lynley said. Three things that we are going to do better about.
1. Educate Yourself
2. Educate the Individual (In this case it's the sister, Kylie)
3. Educate Others

Number three made Alan go out and buy the people in our family that are closest to Riley a book about Autism. It's called, "Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew." I am so proud of everyone in our family really trying to learn about Riley and Autism in general. We are most proud of Keith and Nancy who are really being proactive in learning and buying us books. Almost every time that Alan talks to them they have learned something new and are passing it on to us.


Since Kylie has had so many questions about her little brother, we purchased a book for her too. She has wanted us to read it to her many times. I took her to get her nails painted today while Riley was at school and the ladies asked me if I wanted to get mine done. I told them, "No, I have to pick my son up from school at 10:45 so I'm afraid that I only have 15 minutes." One of them looked puzzled and asked where he went so I told her that he had speech issues and he goes to the public school for help. Kylie looked her straight in the eye and said, "He has autism." (smile) I am so proud of my little girl!

I wanted to give all you Daisy fans out there an update on her. Kylie and I took her to the vet last Wednesday morning while Riles was in school and he wanted to keep her in the Animal Hospital. Yep, it was that bad. They had to hydrate her and give her injections. She finally started eating and the doctor said that I could take her home on Thursday morning but it would probably be better if she had more injections to help her along. I was okay with that, however my daughter was distraught and heart-broken. It was so sad to hear her ask if Daisy was ever going to come home. I actually went by the pet store to talk to the owner about Daisy and when we pulled up Kylie was less than thrilled to go in. She only wanted "her Daisy" and didn't even want to look at the other dogs.

She finally got to come home on Friday and has since been to Kylie's soccer game (which is another blog in itself) and in Kylie's arms. She still has a bad cough but continues to eat and drink and act like a puppy so I am just happy with that. I am also happy that Princess Kylie is happy!

Update: We had to take Daisy to the Frisco doctor this morning and they kept her. It looks like she has a bacterial infection in her blood and is very weak. The doctor said that he is giving her antibiotics and trying to get her to eat. I have already cleaned out her cage, sterilized things, etc.. to get ready for what might happen. Kylie has lots of questions and is very worried. Alan and I pray that Kylie is able to cope with this situation if things take a turn for the worse.

What's been going on with us? A sick little puppy, that's what. Yes, Daisy has been a little under the weather but with the help of the famous Dr.B, it looks like she is getting a lot better. She has a really bad cough that went to her lungs and all she wants to do is lie around. She really perked up when we came home from school and Ladies Bible Class today and I am hoping that it is all going to be good from here on out.

Kylie has been the best little nurse to her. She really wants her to get well and watches her all the time that we are here. It was a little hard for her to concentrate at school on Monday, sorry T, but I think the newness will wear off in a couple of weeks. We pray that Daisy makes it that long, too.


Driving Miss Daisy

Project 2996 is an awesome blog created for the victims of 9/11. The idea is for bloggers to take a victim of that horrible tragedy, research their life, and create a tribute to that person. I had the opportunity to learn more about Frederick T. Varacchi and what a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, and friend he was while he was alive on this earth.



This is Frederick T. Varacchi. He was 35 years old and lived in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was a loving father to three children, Thomas, now 13, Corinne, 11, and Tyler, almost 7. He was a devoted husband to Eileen, who he met in Biology Class at their local high school. He was a son to Betty Scanlon, and a brother to six older siblings. He is described as witty, level-headed, and always looking out for others. Friends say that he "always did the right thing." He enjoyed riding his motorcycles, playing golf, and spending time with his family. He would also coach his childrens' soccer and lacrosse teams.

Varacchi worked as Chief Operating Officer at Cantor Fitzgerald, a global trading company located on the 105th floor of Tower One at the World Trade Center. His wife, Eileen, had reached him on his cell phone right after learning that American Airlines Flight 11 had struck the North Tower where he was working. She was able to briefly speak with him and had learned that he was trapped in his office and could not get out.

His work demanded long hours and travel, yet he always made time for his family and friends. My heart goes all to all who did know him and are still missing him now, five years later. I know that his children must miss their father and hang on to the memories that they remember of him. I hope that his wife can find comfort in knowing what a good man he was and how he left her with a piece of him, their children.

None of us will forget what happened that day. I will never forget how Alan and I watched the towers get hit by the planes and then fall. I was thinking of the victims families since we had just buried my sister in law the month before. I had a two month old little girl and I didn't feel safe in my Texas home. I watched everything about that day and am still haunted by how scared those people on the planes, in the towers, at the Pentagon, and on the ground in New York felt. Not to mention the spouses of all the people that had to say goodbye on the phone.

I will be praying and thinking of these people on this September 11, 2006. Five years later and we will not forget! God bless them all.

We have a new addition to the Rutledge house tonight. Meet sweet little Daisy! She is adorable and Kylie can't get enough of her. She keeps asking if we can keep her! Riley runs from her but we are excited that he acknowledges her. He has said, "puppy" a couple of times and when we got into the car with her, he said, "dog"! Boo Boo Kitty is not a happy camper at all. And Alan went from, "This is yours and the kids' dog. Don't ask me to clean up after her..... blah, blah, blah", to being totally smitten with her.






This isn't just something that I cooked up today. Alan and I have been talking about the fact that Kylie wants something of her own to play with since Riley doesn't fully communicate with her, and how some kids like Riley can benefit from having a dog of their own. We went to the park in April and this particular breed of dog was there and Riley reached out his hand to him. It was so sweet! It was then and there that we decided to look for a Daisy. (We had to get a girl because Kylie would just not hear of having another boy in the house!) We have been putting it off for a while and after hearing an uplifting story at the Autism Conference today, I sort of made a decision to go ahead with the plan.




I know that I am in for a few sleepless nights, but I guess I'll do anything for my kids. It looks like smitten is going to help me after all. :)

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Well today was the first day that we had all been out of the house since Thursday. Thursday night is when I got "the bug". It was the worst stomach virus in the history of the world. I got sick that night and am still feeling queasy. Alan and Kylie got sick on Saturday night. And Riley just had a little bit of diarrhea on Friday. One of the worst parts for me (since I panic when someone else throws up) was taking care of Kylie by myself and listening for Riley to be sick all night. I got NO sleep when I should have been resting my body from being sick and dehydrated. But, Kylie did great and was so brave. I was very proud of her. At about 4am during Toy Story 2 she looked at me and said, "Mommy, thanks for helping me tonight". I wanted to melt.

Our trip to Arkansas was ruined and the kids were sad that they didn't get to see Meemaw, Peepaw and Essie. I am also sorry to Honey for being a "no show" on Sunday morning :( and leaving her to a class by herself.

So, today we had to hit the mall in a short time, get Riley a few presents, and then boogie over to my parents for his 3rd birthday. My little monkey loves Curious George so that is the party that we threw for him. He was a little out of sorts, but we had a fun party nevertheless. He asked Poppy to push him in his favorite car and of course Poppy obliged. The BEST part was him blowing out his birthday candles. Yea, Riley! Also, it's always so much fun when we get to see my family and visit. We got to hear about Gary and Carolyn's trip and get goodies. Carolyn is always so thoughtful to think of us! Gary too.



While we were at the mall, Kylie found the Halloween costume of her dreams. First she wanted to be Wonder Woman, then she saw a $100 witch costume at PB Kids that she REALLY wanted to be (I said "NO!"), next she found the one. Here it is and she still hasn't taken it off. Go Jasmine!





Also, on Riley's birthday was my parent's 40 Anniversary! Amazing that two people have been together and happy that long. They are wonderful examples to me and my brothers and I can't imagine my life today without these special people guiding me and loving me for who I am. I love you. Mom and Dad. Thank you for all that you do for me and my family!

Dear Riley,
Happy Birthday to my sweet little monkey! I cannot believe that you are turning three years old today! It seems like it was just yesterday that Josh Smith prayed for a safe delivery on September 2 instead of September 3rd. Little did we know that you were sticking to that promise and on Labor Day night you gave me a sign to go to the hospital...STAT! The doctors kept me and decided to deliver you and at 7:23 am God entrusted your Daddy and I to one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks that we would ever take on in our lifetime.


You were the most handsome little boy that I had ever laid eyes on. I fell in love with you immediately as did your Dad and sister, Kylie. You have always been the star of our family, demanding attention and the right to be heard. Kylie didn't know quite what to think of someone else in the house crying for something. You have puzzled and worried us yet filled us with love and patience.



I will always remember how sweet your hugs are and how much love I see when I look into your eyes. I love our nightly rituals and how much you want me to stay with you in your bed until you fall asleep. Now that you have started talking, we are amazed and intrigued at how much you can learn given time and hard work. I am fairly confident that you will read this letter someday and talk with me about how hard it was to be understood in the "early days".


You will always be my little boy and I will always hurt for you when things don't go your way. I will be with you through the good and the bad and I will protect you and provide for you. I really didn't know what God was thinking when he chose me to be your Mom. I do know that if he wanted someone who would smother you with love no matter what... he picked the perfect person. Because my love for you knows no end.

Love,

Mommy