Check us out on The Mighty

So, so excited to be a featured post today on The Mighty. This website is all about creating a community focused on changing the perspective on disability. Proud to be part of that today!

http://themighty.com/…/why-i-wave-goodbye-to-my-daughters-…/

The unedited version of this post was my Mother's Day gift to other parents of special needs kids and is featured in Happy Dream & Wave Bye Bye.

Tripped Up Daddy's new DIY project - Fireplace

He's so proud of the progress on the new fireplace treatment that he didn't want to go to bed last night. He just wanted to sit and look at his work. All we need now are the fluted pieces to make the sides look like columns, one cut tile for the left bottom side, the mantel shelf, and the painting job.

So, what color should the surround and the mantel shelf be painted? Options are:

• White
• Black

What color should the flourishes (on top and corners of surround) be?

• Blend in with the surround's color (if it's white, they're white, if black they're black)
• Sharply contrast with surround's color (if it's white, they're black, if black, they're white)
• Stain the flourishes so there is slight contrast (probably a cherry stain or red oak stain - something to pull out the red of the tile).
• Paint the flourishes a darker green than the room will be painted ultimately.

Hearth?
It's currently brick painted white but badly in need of re-paint or a change. Please provide thoughts on that as well.

Notes on room overall:

• Hearth is brick painted white, but badly in need of re-paint (or a change).
• End tables and coffee table are black and will stay that way. All incorporate tan/dark brown wicker baskets as part of the tables.
• Black shadow boxes on wall next to fireplace (shown slightly in pic) will be moving to another wall.
• We expect to paint the livingroom green (probably a version of sage, not hunter) and may use some shades of burgundy/brick red as accent colors.
• Furniture is still old and will be changing, but for now it's shades of green and brown. 
• Trim in room is white and the large picture window has a green curtain (a dark sage green).

You can give us your ideas via the comments here or email trippeduplife@gmail.com and we will post the finished photos as soon as project is complete.

Santa brought Mrs. Claus breakfast in bed this Christmas Eve

Apparently there are benefits to being the only one who wraps gifts and stays up to the wee hours to do it. Who knew?

Enjoy the smiles! The photo challenges of families impacted by autism.

Photos and autistics do not go together like peas and carrots - at least not in my experience. School photos, while always getting the best look of Sunshine triplet (who NEVER takes a bad picture ever) are generally crap shoots for Princess and Angel triplets. Catching Princess triplet in a candid smiling photo is also ever elusive.

A super fun time at Christmas tree farm.

That's why when I come across photos like the candids shot by a teacher during a class field trip, I can't help but want to share them EVERYWHERE. It's a natural, smiling shot of Princess triplet with her looking straight into the lens - great eye contact. This almost NEVER happens and this slice of HAPPINESS is too good to hide.

I know I'm not the only one who struggles with photos, not just with trying to get the typical picture postcard photo that in my world is a pot of gold found via rainbow, but also with the whole expectation for even owning that type of photo. I have young triplets, two of them have autism. I have a huge age gap between my oldest and my youngest three children and no one in between. On good days, Tripped Up Daddy and I can look more like grandparents than just older parents, because, well, we're just plain tired. Everything about our family is a little, well, a little odd. We don't fit into a box and sometimes I think photographers have a really hard time knowing how to even start with us.

Trips at two

So when there's a nice candid shot that I love, I share. And to other families who are impacted by autism, I strongly suggest seeking out a photographer who can also be a friend in your little world. You can achieve fun, beautiful, and honest photos that capture the loving memories of your family, but I think you need a photographer that will sign up for the long haul of a long-term relationship with you to make that happen.

Family pic - 2010

The endless tries to get 3 posed
on a couch at 3 years old.

Check with your local autism support groups for recommendations, interview photographers, check with friends, interview again, ask if you can do a trial run to help your kiddos get used to the whole idea. If you find a photographer who will come to your home, where your family will feel the most comfortable, that is invaluable. NEVER lose that photographer's number.

Family pic - 2012

I'm lucky. I have Sandra Ellen who I attended college with. Photography is her business, I'm just lucky enough to also have a relationship with her and she gets my family. I never had to go out looking for just the right photographer, she was right there waiting for me to call her. You may not be that lucky, but trust me, it's worth so much to develop a great photographer relationship.

Trips at 4

Sunshine triplet - 4

Lotte - Senior pic

Princess triplet - 4

Angel triplet - 4

A Little better every year

Caught our Mina kitty in mid-stretch.

So Lotte's home for a few days. She was pleasantly surprised to see the tree already up! Her quote? "It looks a little better every year, Mom." 

Better, as in not Occupy Christmas Tree anymore.

Christmas in the life with triplets, autism,and kindergartners.

Our #AutismChampions!

The little girls are getting some attention on Twitter today :-) That's great because they're all Champions! It's part of a trend started by Autism Speaks to show our wonderful kiddos and all that they do and how amazing they are.

At school Halloween party as Anna, caught mid-laugh. @autismspeaks: Tweet a photo of your #AutismChampions!” pic.twitter.com/8ZtxttYsjE
— Lisa Roberts (@trippeduplife) December 12, 2014

At 6, 1st day of horse therapy. Brave girl faced her fears. @autismspeaks: Tweet a photo of your #AutismChampions! pic.twitter.com/DOV5Eq1jqh
— Lisa Roberts (@trippeduplife) December 12, 2014

Triplets fit like puzzle pieces. 2 have autism. So much love @autismspeaks: Tweet a photo of your #AutismChampions!” pic.twitter.com/jFYtMToLJ2
— Lisa Roberts (@trippeduplife) December 12, 2014

If you are against Autism Speaks for whatever reason and therefore think I'm horrible for participating in this PR/Awareness endeavor, please know I see many sides of the issues and would refer you to this well written post. Perhaps there's room for all of us and all of our shades of disagreement/agreement.