More SNOW and Grandma's getting excited

We got 16 INCHES on snow here on Saturday! Danny and the dogs spend probably three hours outside shoveling and snow blowing. It was amazing! Thankfully, it is melting quickly!

My mom went to a Kid's consignment sale this weekend in MT for Baby Bronson. As you can see from the photo, she might have gone a bit overboard. :) I think she might be a little excited for her next grandchild. She even got him a little rain coat with a firetruck on it that will probably fit him when he is six!

Autism Awareness Month

I've had the opportunity to work with many special children with

Autism as an occupational Therapist. April is Autism Awareness Month. I just wanted to pass along some links and information for

those that are interested.

http://www.autism-society.org/

http://www.autism.org/

www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

http://www.autism-society.org/

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

What is Autism?
Autism is a severe developmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first two-and-a-half years of life. Most autistic children are perfectly normal in appearance, but spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviors which are markedly different from those of typical children. Less severe cases may be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or with Asperger's Syndrome (these children typically have normal speech, but they have many "autistic" social and behavioral problems).
It used to be thought that autism is just a fate that you accept.The good news is that there are now a wide variety of treatment options which can be very helpful. Some treatments may lead to great improvement, and others may have little or no effect, but a good starting point would be the parent ratings of biomedical interventions, which presents the responses of over 25,000 parents in showing the effectiveness of various interventions on their own child.
How Common is it? For many years autism was rare - occurring in just five children per 10,000 live births. However, since the early 1990's, the rate of autism has increased exponentially around the world with figures as high as 60 per 10,000. Boys outnumber girls four to one. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism.
What is the Outlook? Age at intervention has a direct impact on outcome--typically, the earlier a child is treated, the better the prognosis will be. In recent years there has been a marked increase in the percentage of children who can attend school in a typical classroom and live semi-independently in community settings. However, the majority of autistic persons remain impaired in their ability to communicate and socialize.

27 Weeks and Counting

Here a few pics of me at 27 weeks. I'm very thankful I am still feeling great,

but getting more and more excited to meet the little guy!

And, for those that were wondering, the crib is up! Danny did an amazing job! Now, we only have 259 more things to get done on my list before the baby comes. :)

And, just a few super cute pictures of my nephew, Ryan! He is turning 1 in May.

They live in Spokane and I wish I could see them more! Ryan with his Dad, Scott who just turned another year older too.

Man you are getting old! Ryan with his mom, my sister Katie. You don't see any resemblance, do you???

Discussion about Things to do before the baby comes

Time: Saturday morning 4/19/08 at 9:16am

Location: The Bronsons' house in Fergus Falls

Those present: Danny, Mandy, Tobie, and Josie (and Baby Boy Bronson)

Mandy: So, honey, are you going to set up the crib today. Please oh please!
Danny: Oh, today?
Mandy: Remember, we talked about it.
Danny: Was that today? Umm, yeah, I can do it. (with no excitement in his voice)
Mandy: Well.. . what time? I have a list of things I want to get done today and getting the baby room organized is one of them.
Danny: 4pm
Mandy: 4pm! UGH! That is the end of the day. Can't you make it earlier like right after your meeting this morning at 10am.
Danny: (laughing) Ok, especially since the baby is coming today at 2pm
Mandy: (smiling) very funny

(Does anyone else have a similar story? Our timeline just doesn't always seem to line up.

Maybe it is because I have this little baby in my tummy who keeps kicking me

reminding me he is coming soon! There is so much to do!)

Postscript: This is Mandy's interpretation of what was said. :)

Danny's might be a little bit different.

State Champs!

Meet the MN State Special Olympics Division Two

3 on 3 State Champions!

We had a great weekend playing basketball

and my team went undefeated. Here we are up on stage getting our medal. :)

A Baby Shower

The Seminary wives' group threw me a baby shower this last week. It was a wonderful time with great friends with baby advice and laughter. Check out the amazing cake!

We played the baby food game where you guess the kind of baby. Stuff like peas and peach cobbler. I wasn't very good at it. Hopefully, I will improve in the next few years. :)

I am so thankful for the support, prayers, and encouragement of these amazing women here in Fergus as Danny and I start this new adventure of parenthood.

Thanks so much for

the amazing night!

Snow in April????????

Here is Danny's (I mean our) white van on Friday April 4th outside of our house. And, in case you were wondering, that is my amazing reverse parking job. (I almost took out the planter :) Danny went to MT this weekend to help out at a youth ski retreat, and I had my first opportunity to take the 15 passenger van to work and to cruise around town. :)

And, notice, no snow!This is the same van outside our home on Sunday April 6th. I didn't even try to put it in the back driveway after church on Sunday because of the snow. I knew MN had bad winters, but I didn't know they lasted the whole entire year! Ugh! And, Danny enjoying his snow blower. :)

Special Olympics Basketball April 2008

Go Fergus Falls Junior Team!

I (Mandy) had the chance to travel to Monticello, MN this last weekend with the 3 on 3 basketball team I am coaching in Fergus Falls. The team has been a lot of fun and we had a blast this weekend. For 3 on 3 rules in Special Olympics, you play for 20 minutes or the first team to 20. Well, we won all four of our games by getting to 20 points before 20 minutes. By the last two games, I even asked two of the players to stop shooting and only pass the ball to the player that is still learning a lot about basketball. And, they did it. I'm still smiling. It was an amazing weekend. :) Here is a picture of the team!

My favorite part of the day was when I asked the team to pass to Alex so he could make his first shot of the game. Alex shot the ball. . . and missed 10 times in row. And, each time, his teammate Brandon would get the rebound, then pass to Ryan, who would pass to Alex. And, Alex would shoot again and miss. :) But, he finally made it. I almost cried, because I was so proud of their teamwork. It must be because I am pregnant. :)

And, here is the team again. We are off to state in Eden Prairie, MN this weekend!

And, there is a dance too. Life is too good!