Mixed feelings

Katie has been going to the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center for 2 months now. I am very proud of her for taking such a dramatic step and making huge progress. I praise God that she is happy and flourishing in that environment, I know this is the best possible situation for her. She is making friends , learning life skills and preparing for college. These are steps I never thought she would take 2 years ago. When she first went to CDPVTC , she made us promise to pick her up every weekend so she could come home to visit. Then she decided to come home every other weekend so she could participate in trips and functions like dances and talent shows. Now she has called and said she can't come home for her sister's birthday party this weekend . she has been gone for 3 weeks and she is loving every minute of it. I am torn between being happy for her and missing her terribly. My heartaches but I suppose I'll have to get used to it because the child I have devoted my life to has moved on. Please don't get me wrong I love Ashley just as much. But when you have an autistic child the level of attention and devotion necessary to care and protect that child becomes such a large part of your life. I enjoy everyday with Ashley but I feel like I should be doing more... the constant vigilance is not necessary while Katie is away and I feel like there is a some kind of gap in my day. I miss Katie like crazy and I just don't know how to acclimate to this new situation. Katie has matured by leaps and bounds... she is an adult now and enjoying her independence. I'm afraid that I might drive Ashley berserk trying to find something to do with myself.

Ashley's birthday and mother's day

Ten years ago, I got the best Mother's Day present a mom could get. Ashley was born 2 days before Mother's Day in 2001. Most usually we celebrate her birthday on the weekend of Mother's Day ... We clump it together into one big celebration. But this weekend , Ashley was sick. And we couldn't have her birthday party. But that didn't  stop us from giving her the present we bought for her, and taking her out to eat. We got her a swimming pool and 3 movies (the Twilight movies). Now comes the task of setting it up and maintaining all the chemicals. I did not know what I was getting into... WOW. But I am looking forward to climbing into that pool with my girls and playing all summer long. Well ok so I'll be floating and catching sun more than I will be "playing". But it will be fun .

For Mother's Day, Danny got me 2 treasure boxes, a mailbox stamp holder and a sea turtle. That is what he bought for me at Crackle barrel , Angel. He told me about calling you to tell you not to mention that your sister saw him. I love all those treasure boxes and I hope he gets me one for every holiday/special day. But some of them are kind of expensive. I guess i should have taken pics of Ashley's and my presents but I am too ornery for that . Ok I guess I'll go do some laundry now before it is time to mow the lawn. Every day is Mother's Day and today is Mother's day to do some chores.