1st Annual Stephens Pumpkin Carving Contest!

You decide the winner!
Email me or post a comment to vote.
William says we shouldn't disclose the artists until after the voting is finished... but I think it might be obvious whose is whose.

Things Kids Say

During a meltdown over Harry Potter #2 being checked out from the library.. he is crying hysterically and shredding a tissue:
Child: I need to go somewhere and pull myself together.
Me: Okay let's go to my room to cool down.
Child: That sounds good... can we play a game?!
Me: No this is a time to cool down... not play a game.
---We read a book about getting angry, which calms him down---
Me: Wow... you seem so calm now.
Child: Yes, I liked that book.
Me: Okay great well I think it's time to go to PE.
Child: (turning on the waterworks) I'm not feeling calm now... I REALLY NEED to play a game.

I have a child with severe autism (okay I have a few)... but this particular child has some "angry" tendencies... not violent... just angry.
Every time he sees me...
Child: NOOOOO STEPHENS.... NOOOOOO SPEEECH!
Me: It's not time for speech... calm down.
Child: NOO STEPHENS.
Me: What's your favorite food?
Child: ICE CREAM SUNDAES!!!
(It works every time!)

During a game... same kid as above:
Me: Okay Billy it's your turn.
Child: I'M MAD.
Me: Billy... you are always mad.  Take your turn.
Child: NOOOO. It's Sally's turn.
Me: No... it's your turn. Pick a card right now or you won't get a sticker.
Child: I'M SO MAD. (while turning over his cards).
Me: Was it a match?
Child: NOOOOO STEPHENS. IT'S DIFFERENT. I'M MAAAAAAD.

A child working on R's was in my room on Friday.
He looks at me and says: How did you get those spots on your face?
Me: They are called freckles.  I was born with them.
Child: I have an angel's kiss.  (Show's me a birthmark on his arm).
Me: Yea mine are like that but I have a lot more... (showing him my arms).
Child: WOW you have a lot of them.
Me: Yep... pretty much a million all over me... even on my knees. (He bends over to check... but I had on jeans).
Child: (He looks very seriously at me at says.) How long will it take for them to go away?
Me: (I was laughing hysterically... and he was still looking incredibly concerned) Um... I'm stuck with them.
Child: Oh... I'm sorry Mrs. Stephens.  I hope they find a way to fix them one day.  Like cancer.

William's not so happy...

Can you tell why?

I forgot to post about...

the best weekend we have ever had at the bay.

Words won't do it justice... so here's some pictures:

Fall Spruce Up

It's fall and boy do I love fall.  So because of this joyous season change, I decided to change up the blog background... what do you think? If you get this over email... come take a look!

So much has been going on in the past few weeks.  I'm sorry I haven't been updating much... but William pretty well limits my computer usage after business hours when he is home.  And when he isn't home, well I'm just too tired most of the time.  So here is an enumerated recap of our life!
1. William has been working, but he has also been home quite a bit! I miss him when he is gone and absolutely LOVE the time he is home.
2. I'm still working 2 jobs... I love my school job and have had my fair share of exciting moments so far. My private practice job is a little frustrating... but I'm surviving.
3.  I ran my first 5K.  I finished in about 42 minutes.  It was pretty fun and my running buddy was the best... wink, wink.
4. William, Jonna, Bryan and I went to the fair.  We accomplished our many goals... mostly having to do with eating copious amounts of fried food.
5. Then... my mom, my brother and I went to the fair. We also ate copious amounts of fried food.  We took the DART to the fair... which was quite an experience.  

I'm sure a million other things have happened... but for now... that's all I've got.
I'll post some new pictures later this weekend!