Three Years Since the Last Post (Not Dacotah specific): 

Let me start by saying, I had no idea it had been three years. I guess I do a quick update on Facebook and continue onward. Covid hit, the world all but shutdown, we moved, the kids changed school, everything changed. As anyone on the spectrum knows, change is harder on those with Asperger's, Autism, ADHD, etc. We were not immune but maybe from here on I can do a little better with updating more than every three years. 

Life with a special needs child is unique on so many levels. Their needs are different from their same aged peers. Dacotah's not exempt. Change of routine is hard for him. We moved back into my home place in 2020 with my dad. My dad has lived in the basement since I was around 13 years old, so we have the entire upstairs. The upstairs still includes furniture from when my mom was alive, and dad being 78 doesn't want it donated, given away, etc., he wants it to stay but finally agreed in the past two months I can put it in the storage building so we have room for our stuff. This will allow me to put the therapy swing back up, fix up the keyboard (Dacotah loves them), and make a playroom so when company does come over, everyone still has their space. 

I cannot go back and put all three years into one post because truth is with Widow's fog, I cannot remember the majority without the memory reminders on FB. Sad but true. I tried managing both kids and their own unique needs while trying to balance a full time job at the office and honestly the stress became too much. So in September I put in my notice and in October I left the medical field. It was by far the best decision I have made for our family. Albeit one of the hardest decisions, I have ever made. Montana said one day "Mom, you are actually smiling". It was so AMAZING to be at home with them over Christmas Break or when school closes without notice I don't have to stress about how to balance work and having them home. Kuddos to those that do this every day! 

Now life is full of appointments, ballgame practices, ballgames, band, travel, cleaning, and enjoying life the best we can. There is still a huge void with Travis not being with us. It's been hard on the kids and me. There are times at the end of the day I just want to have him here to talk to, bounce ideas off, or just sometimes for him to watch the kids so I can go take a shower without worrying about them arguing and fighting. I won't lie there are days I am so exhausted from Dacotah not sleeping that I feel like a walking zombie.