Holiday Wishes

Well, here we are, everybody.  If you celebrate Christmas, you know that today is Christmas Eve and tonight brings the arrival of Santa for boys and girls everywhere.  We've been across the state for the last few days, visiting family and friends, but this afternoon have driven home.  We'll go back there on the 26th, but these next couple of days are all ours in our own little home. 

During the 3 hour drive today, both boys fell asleep.  I was driving, and feeling pretty drowsy myself.  In the rearview mirror, I could see their faces and how beautiful and peaceful they looked.  At that moment, there were no meltdowns, no sensory overload.  No typical sibling squabbles, and no autism-inspired rigidity or obsessions.  No out-of-control ADHD moments that look ever so much like manic episodes, and no awkward social moments when the "uniqueness" of my boys keeps them from making or keeping friends.  Nothing but the angelic faces of little boys utterly at peace, and all's right with the world........at least for an hour. 

We drove into the neighborhood, and they woke up, and it's back to reality.  The house is in such a miserable state of clutter and mess that I just want to cry, and tonight I get to use every weapon in my parenting arsenal to somehow manage both boys through TWO church services after they just rode three hours in the car today.  Hubby and I didn't get presents for each other this year.....it's just easier to put that money towards something else (can you say "therapy bills", boys and girls?  I knew you could!), but I think that today's glimpse of my sleeping, contented boys was all the present I needed. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!  I hope that you and yours have a wonderful holiday season, and a blessed and happy 2010.  Thanks for allowing me to share a bit of our story with you each month here at Hopeful Parents--I'm honored to be a part of this community!