Roper's Round Up

Noah, our baby boy, is doing well. He is starting preschool on Thursday and we are so excited. Praying that the transition into school will go smoothly. He even gets to ride a bus!!

He is making great progress with his speech. A lot of the issues we are having are behavioral issues. He can go from being fine one minute to tantrum mode in another. And that can be very emotional and frustrating.

We are thankful that we have Connor and Dawsyn. They are Noah's PT's (Play Theapists). They have taught him how to play. Using toys appropriately, his imagination, and keeping him from drifting off into his own "world." I'm grateful that God has blessed Noah with brothers that can help him in those ways. They are 3 peas in a pod.

We are 1 week into the gluten/casein free diet. I can't say for sure its helping, but we have a 2 great days so far this week. Praise God!! We were due for a bit of a break.

I was able to attend a great Autism Conference last Friday with a couple friends in Wenachee. I learned a lot and I'm so glad I took the time to go. I also went to a support group and was only 1 of 3 people that showed up. We chalked it up to the Presidental debate.

We are learning so much. Some things are discouraging and frustrating from a finanical stand point and other things are very exciting. We are chosing to take it one day at a time and doing what we can in the now for Noah. Right now we can get him in preschool, work on his diet, and are waiting for his OT appointment on the 27th. As long as this makes progress, thats all we care about.

Chase has been an amazing daddy and husband. And I believe these last few months with him home has been therapy for Noah as well. He has that daddy touch Noah needed I believe. I'm thankful that he has chosen to take an active roll in helping Noah through this instead of "checking" out or going into denial like so many dad's I have read about do.

Connor started 4th grade. He has the same teacher and class as last year, which I think took away a lot of the beginning of the year jitters. He was very excited to see his best friend Justin as well. (It was really hard to get them together over the summer.) He is very much into reading right now, and I love seeing his face in books.

Over the summer we got some of his WASL results from last year and he passed all the parts they took. We were so proud of him.


He joined Cub Scouts and we can't wait for meetings to start up after popcorn sales are over. If you want to help Connor with his selling email us for more detail on how you can buy some popcorn!!

I thought it would be fun to ask Connor some questions, here is what he had to say:

What is one thing you have already learned this year? Learning about the history Washington State.
Favorite thing to wear to school? blue sweatpants and his hurley black shirt, NOT together.
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Wii (at home) read (at school)
Favorite subject? PE and Math
One special thing about you? I'm good at drawing
Who is your hero? Mimi, lots of reasons, but one is she spends time with me. and Mom and Dad because take care of me when I'm sick. Too much to think of
Favorite Food? Chili
Favorite candy? Willy Wonka candy and candy corn
Thing you look forward to most this year? walking home from school alone
Favorite book: Goosebumps
Favorite TV show? Mythbusters
Whats your favorite thing to do as a family? Movie night
Favorite Movie? Spaceballs
What do you want to be when you grow up? basketball player
How are you going to change the world? be better at recycling
What do you hope your brothers and sister learn from you? how to read and help people in need

I'm back!! I decided if I was going to start blogging again and keeping up with our family blog, it needed a makeover...what do you think??? I think it's pretty cute!!

So many updates..I'll slowly catch up on everyone over the next couple of days. Hope your still out there reading!!

Loves and Blessings!

Today is the birthday of the most important/beautiful/supportive/awesome woman I know to exist in all eternity. . . my wife! At the moment, she's sleeping soundly because she worked a graveyard last night. She also works at 10pm tonight. This means that she not only works on her birthday - but she works TWICE on her birthday. If you know where she works, go see her and say Happy Birthday! Also give her good b-day tips ;)

I remember a time in my life when I thought I had perfectly guarded my heart from letting anyone inside. Almost ten years later I am always amazed at how she managed to get through. But how couldn't she? She's just too amazing of a creation and I'm far too lucky for God to have deemed me worthy for her. I learn new reasons for that daily. SO. . .

Happy Birthday Honey

I love you!

Enjoy some of our summer pictures!

Well, what can I say? I've neglected this awesome family blog when I promised to keep it up while Sabrena is at work. Sorry everybody!!! I hope you are ready for a whirlwind of catching up. There will be a new post going up each day this week starting today with Con's birthday at the Great Wolf Lodge!

For Connor's birthday this year, we told him that a present was going to arrive in the mail for him. This was not true. We had in fact, orchestrated a plan for Sabrena, Dawsyn, and myself to pick him from school with his bags all packed and in the trunk and to head for The Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA. I'd never heard of Grand Mound, WA and when we got there, it looked a lot like Rochester to me. As you'll be able to see from the pictures, the place is AMAZING and heaps of fun. Here is a little video slideshow I made. The soundtrack is by Connor's favorite band (and mine - it was mine first), They Might Be Giants. It seemed to fit the occasion, what with my post  being so late his actual birthday.

Over the next few days I'll be updating posting updates on all that has been going on over the last few weeks. Yikes, we're behind! We've had three birthdays, a baby start walking, a boy ride a bike without training wheels, and a dad who has reached an all-time high weight since becoming a stay-at-home dad/struggling freelance writer who still decided it would be a great idea to take off his shirt at an indoor water park. That last sentance was a run-on purposely but I spelled sentence wrong on accident (I probably should have just corrected it ( now I've also made this sentence too long (dangit, I'm making it worse.)))

The last full week at Connor's school was Spirit Week and kids were encouraged to dress according each day's theme. The day Connor looked forward to most was the "Dress as your favorite fictional character" day. I think he looked like a dead ringer for his character but can anyone else guess who Connor dressed up as?

My heart is heavy today for Nate, Tricia and their baby girl. If you have been following my blog you know this is a family I have been following for awhile now and have come to celebrate, cry and pray with/for.

Less then a week ago I was so excited to finally hear that sweet family driving home. ALL together. And the excitement I felt knowing that Nate and his girls were all together.

Sadly, Tricia is back in the hospital and a lot is going on. Please visit Nate's blog and send your love, prayers, and good thoughts. They all deserve it after EVERYTHING they all have gone through.



To the Lawrenson Family:

Thanks for being such an inspiration to me, relying on God. Your faith is amazing. In moments of weakness know that we are praying for strength, courage, and that when it feels like it may be too much, remember God will carry you. You have touched many hearts and we are all standing in the gap for you all!

Nate, I think your a hero. The love you have for your girls is amazing and what true love is all about. Stay strong and keeping loving your girls through.

All our love,
Sabrena

UPDATE: Sounds like things are looking up and our prayers are being answered. Spencer is remembering the things he wasn't and was only kept over night for observation. He will have a EEG today and if nothing comes up will be sent home. They have no idea why he passed out. Thank you if you read the post below and were praying. I know we all appreciate it.

Be Blessed and Praise the Lord!!
Sabrena


We received a call this morning that our good friend Spencer is in the hospital. Apparently he passed out, hit his head and is not remembering things. I don't have a lot of information at this time, but PLEASE be praying for this sweet family. Spencer has a wife Tammie and sons; Skyler, Drew and Trace.

I will keep this updated as I know more. We appreciate you keeping them all lifted up.

Sabrena

Today was our oldest and wisest son, Connor's birthday. It is amazing to me how big he is. Of course, the fact that he is so incredibly smart, funny, and thoughtful are astoundng too, but mostly I'm amazed at the sheer size of the kid. In all seriousness, I love him so much it scares me. He was my rite of passage into father hood. Nine years ago I had to sink or swim because it was Connor on the line. Not a high score at the arcade or a few bucks lost in a laser tag tournement. Everyday I see him, I thank God that He has not given up on me or let me screw this up somehow. Here is a little message from Sabrena to Connor for this special day.

Connor,

You're a very special boy and we are very lucky to celebrate you today. I thank God for choosing us as your parents! You're a blessing to our family and we love you so much!!

Happy Birthday!

As most of you know, our youngest Noah Vincent, was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which is on the Autism spectrum. In hopes of bringing awareness and hopefully one day a reason and cure, we are asking family and friends to join us on July 19th to Walk Now For Autism.

Click on Noah's picture to the left, it will take you to our team page where you can join us for our walk or donate. Every penny helps and we will forever be grateful for all donations and support!

Our team name is Noah's Ark Angels. We have made a huge goal of 5000.00. It's been a slow start, but everything counts, and we are dedicated to doing what we can.

Be apart of the solution! Be the difference!

God Bless,
The Roper Family

Sabrena

This past year has gone by too quickly. I remember the day Gracie was born like it was yesterday and now it's been a year. She brings such joy to our family and I LOVE having her girlieness around. I'm so thankful to God for choosing me to be her mommy and proud to call her my sweet baby girl.

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl. Momma LOVES YOU!

On Wednesday, April 9th we went in for the results of Noah's evaluations. We were told that he had a lot of behaviors that look like delays and behaviors that are atypical. Enough of those atypical behaviors brought them to believe PDD-NOS(Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified) best fits Noah as a diagnosis, at this time.

PDD-NOS is on the Autism Spectrum. It's seen as the "milder" form of Autism. Although, one symptom may be milder, another may be worse. And we defiantly feel this is Noah's case. He is making great progress and his prognosis is looking good. With this diagnosis we can get him the help he needs and plan to do so in as many ways as possible. We don't want this to be a road block for him in his life.

The recommendations for Noah's treatment are:

What it Is

Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS, for short, is a condition on the spectrum that has those with it exhibiting some, but not all, of the symptoms associated with classic autism. That can include difficulty socializing with others, repetitive behaviors, and heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli.

How it's similar to classic autism

Those with PDD-NOS behave like those with classic autism in many ways. First, they are all different (meaning one person with PDD-NOS doesn't act exactly like another; the same holds true for classic autism). When interacting with others, they may appear unemotional or unable to speak, they could have trouble holding eye contact, or they may have trouble transitioning quickly from one activity to the next. . . . .


Most of all please continue to pray for us. We appreciate it and love you all!!
The Roper Family

It's A GO for Tricia!

Be praying for this whole situation. Family traveling to the hospital, nurses, doctors, Nate and most of all Tricia's body to except these lungs. Also, be praying for the family who lost a love one and is giving the gift of life for this dear family.

All our love to the Lawrenson family!
Sabrena

Sabrena

Life has been "off" for lack of a better word lately. It's been hard to keep up with my blog with everything that has been going on so I apologize for the lack of updates and pictures.

On the Noah front. He had his longer evaluation on Monday. It went wonderful! He did amazing. He made it through the whole thing and was very compliant. I was disappointed that they didn't get to see the fun temper that he has, but thats o.k. We have an appt for the 9th at 1:00 to discuss the results. Be praying for the results and our hearts. We are prepared to hear either way. At this point I don't know it will make too much of a difference other then programs and such.

Connor is getting ready for Spring Break next week. He's been keeping busy playing lots of basketball and spending a lot of time outside. He's been reading a series of books called How to Speak Dragonese. We had conferences last week and he is doing very well. We are proud of him.

Dawsyn is enjoying a lot of pretend play. Playing with his action figures. We are thankful for the nice weather that has been around because he LOVES to get outside. He's a very active boy. He has a hard time wanting to do everything Connor does, and not always being able to. Last Friday, I took Connor and Dawsyn to see Horton Hears A Who and then we enjoyed some IHOP from their special Horton menu. It was a great time!

Can you believe my baby girl is going to be 1 next month???!! Gracielyn is getting SO BIG. She is very much a mommy's girl and I LOVE IT. I can't believe how different boys and girls can be at such young ages, but she is the complete opposite of the boys. She loves to cuddle, give kisses already, and has amazing eye contact. I'll be feeding her and we will just get lost in each other's gaze. I love it. She is "cruising" around on furniture. And walking when we hold onto her hands. She loves to play as well. Wants to be where all the action is.

Please be praying for our family please. We have been climbing a mountain and I feel like we are finally near the top. Chase has decided to make a career change for reasons that most of you already know. Please keep us lifted up that God will bring to us the perfect match for him. His heart so desires to write, I'm praying that that door is opened some how for him. It would make him so happy to do what he loves and support his family doing so.

Pictures to come soon!

Many Blessings and Love,
Sabrena

Late Update: Unfortunately, those lungs were "no good." Tricia is still waiting. Although, I read this morning 4/2 that the transplant team came in with news of another set that may be a match. Check Nate's blog for more updates!

Praying these are the ONES!! What a special birthday present it would be for Nate! Our prayers, love, and birthday wishes go out to your family!

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News came in that lungs may be available for Tricia. Visit their blog for more details. Please pray for her and the donor's family.

My prayers go out to Nate, Tricia and their baby girl, as well as, their families. I hope this is the news everyone has been waiting for.

Rejoicing in the news of giving life,
Sabrena

Sabrena