This Christmas marked six months that we have been living in this house in Southern California. It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long! We miss the pool and hot tub at the condo we were renting down the street from this house, but having a big patio and yard is so nice. Usually there are a few hours a day that it’s perfectly mild outside. In the summer that time is the morning, in the winter it’s the afternoon, and in the spring and fall it’s perfectly mild all day. I’m actually outside right now as I write 🙂 As I sit here I occasionally catch the smell of Slow Cooked Chicken with Gravy wafting through the open sliding glass door. Mmm…
Since moving to this house Ashley has made some incredible progress. This past summer we once again decided to attempt potty training. For those of you who don’t know, Ashley is ten, but toddler age developmentally. I get her dressed, brush her teeth, wash her hair, cut her food, and so on, just like you would for a toddler. You can read more about her in my series “Recovering Ashley.” After many years of trying to potty train (on and off) I was really struggling to keep faith that it would ever happen.
Shortly after my interview with Diane we decided to try putting Ashley in underwear again. Andy got this book, and made Ashley step by step drawings of how to use the toilet, as suggested in the book. We had tried PECS when Ashley was younger, since it can be really helpful for some kids, but once Ashley could talk we stopped using them.
Anyway, we tried again and Hallelujah! She started using the toilet! I couldn’t believe it! I’m still thankful every day that she’s using it. It’s a dream come true!
For the first few months she wanted to sit down and try like every five minutes, and I joked with my friends that I lived in the bathroom 🙂 Now it’s slowed down, although she still goes much more frequently than anyone else, and I have to help her every time. And there’s at least one day a week that she has so many accidents that I change her pants until there are no clean pants left. Right now we’re working on keeping her pants on as she walks to the bathroom. This is especially an issue in public, when she’s mooning the whole restaurant 😀 But she’s doing so well, and I am so happy for her, and for all of us! Ashley hasn’t worn a pull-up to her horse riding in months, and she has yet to have an accident while there. I’m so impressed! She’s making progress learning to ride, slowly but surely. We adore her teacher. In between her days at the ranch we frequently go to the beach, walk or bike (her bike attaches to mine). My husband is also a tad obsessed with Disneyland. And of course I treasure every hug she gives me.
As for me, I was feeling really frustrated with cooking. Part of the problem was that my shelves had become a mess of half empty bags, and I couldn’t find anything. So I started switching to glass containers, and OMGeeee… it’s a whole new world. I know where things are, and if I’m running low. I got storage compartments for grouping similar items. Mind blown. All the extracts and baking stuff has it’s own container, the potato chips and plantain chips live together in another container. You get the idea. It’s brilliant. It cost some money up front, but it’s saving me so much stress, and money spent eating out because I was so frustrated before.
But lately I’ve felt like I have less and less time to cook, and the kids can be so picky, so the whole thing has to be very strategic, ya know? For years I’ve been creating our weekly meal plans, not every week, but most weeks. I’ve used lots of techniques for simplifying our meal plans, like salad prepping, and using the same ingredients for multiple recipes throughout the week. Anyway I got inspired me to write another cookbook, showing you how we really eat, all the family favorites, and easy recipes we make every week. If I appear to have a passion for baking and dessert it’s only because I plan, prep, and keep our meals easy in order to have time to make the occasional treat! The truth is that I don’t actually like to cook. But I LOVE to eat. And I’m an ingredient freak. I’m obsessed with healthy food.
Speaking of food, my husband has just informed me that he finished the gravy for that dinner I mentioned in the slow cooker. I’m off to the kitchen table. Sending you lots of love!
♥, Kelly
Elaine says
congratulations in the potty training. My 12 year old son has ASD and we managed to potty train him at five. It was quite an ordeal and looking back, I can’t imagine how I pulled it off! Best of luck with Ashley, I enjoy hearing about her progress, and always love your recipes.
mary Lynn says
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so happy for you both. Tommy is 9 and has autism. He was not out of pull ups at night until this past Nov. It has been a journey to say the least. I say, their timeframe is not always our timeframe. Tommy is nonverbal. I told him that we were not using pull ups anymore and he was potty trained. (Minimal accidents). It’s amazing the level of independence it gives us and our kids! What an accomplishment.
Love your book/blog/ and spirit!
Thanks for sharing.
Mary
Kelly says
Thanks Mary Lynn! I think she is proud 🙂
Michelle says
Congratulations to Ashley for all her accomplishments and also to you and your family. It’s amazing to see the changes in our children. I know that on days where I start to think of all the things my little girl can’t do, I remind myself of how far she has come since the day she was diagnosed 4 years ago. The potty thing is a BIG thing, and sounds like Ashley is getting it…AMAZING! Stay strong and just enjoy her.
Kelly says
Thanks Michelle! Completely agree!!!
Katie says
Ashley is so blessed to have both of you as parents. I really enjoy hearing updates about your whole family. I’m also in a similar process, trying to get the kitchen more “user-friendly”. All the best for 2015, hope it’s extra spunky!
peggy says
If you can take pics of your organizing, I know I would be grateful. I have some dexterity disabilities and need all the help I can get.
Christy says
We need pictures of your pantry and links for what organizing products you used 🙂 My pantry needs a makeover, too!
Kelly says
I will take more! There’s some on my Instagram 🙂
Katrina says
Thank you for writing this post and opening the door for us into your lives. I admire your candor, which has helped me over the years and is an inspiration. And, congratulations to Ashley!
Our family is gluten & dairy free, and I also organize food in clear glass containers both in pantry and refrigerator. It is much more convenient and reminds me not to buy too many items in packages. Love your posts and best to you!
Kelly says
Thank you Katrina! ❤
danielle says
Hi Kelly, I just clicked on the plantain chip link and am just curious if you’ve tried Turbana Plantain Chips? I get them at my local WFs, non-GMO, super thin and oh-so scrumdiddlyumptious! Tootles!
Kelly says
I haven’t, but they sound yummy!
Laura says
Hi Kelly! It’s a rare thing that I leave a comment on a blog, but I love your’s and just felt a need to do so. You see, my first child had developmental delays, missed milestones. There is a homeopathic remedy for this, as well as many others to help heal the gut. I have tried GAPS, whole food supplements, etc. -But none moved my daughter’s condition forward, and GAPS made her really lethargic. We began homeopathy with Joette Calabrese back in March 2014, and I tell you, my daughter is a changed person. She has changed for the better mentally and physically in just a few short months! Her progress has been astounding. -As has mine since I had many health issues as well. -Obviously loads of food allergies or I wouldn’t have gone Paleo, as well as asthma and a heart valve problem. It’s worth checking out her website and getting an appointment. I know from experience she will be able to help you. Another route to consider is taking her course, Good Gut Bad Gut. I am and it is excellent. I have been able to do so much for us from the course, all on my own. Here’s her site: http://joettecalabrese.com Diet only took us so far, and then progress stopped. This has been the kicker! I hope you will look into it. You can Skype for appointments since she is in NY. It works! If you have questions, feel free to post a comment.
Kelly says
Thanks Laura! I will check it out! Our ND said we should do homeopathy next 🙂
Laura says
Kelly, I’m so glad! I think she’ll make remarkable improvement with it! 🙂 I wish you the best.
Vivienne says
Lovely and inspiring. My grandson is on the Autistic spectrum and at age 4 we are hoping to get him trained by start of September term. Good to hear about her amazing progress.
Kelly says
Thanks Vivienne! Sending you my best for your grandson!
Elizabeth says
How can I get your latest E cookbook?
I love your postings and so happy to
hear of Ashley’s progress….
Kelly says
Thank you! My ebook is sold under “Cookbooks” at the top of my blog 🙂
Renee says
I’ve known you and Andrew and the kids for over 6 years now and whenever I think of you, I think of a very devoted, caring and patient mom. I also think California has been very good to all of you; behind all the trial and errors, cooking woes and finding those perfect weather times 🙂 I sense contentment in your writings as if your journey is in fact a peaceful one. Looking forward to following you and the family in 2015! Renee’
Kelly says
Thank you Renee! ❤
Jenni says
What wonderful news for you, your daughter is using the toilet! Only people who have experienced delays with their child toilet training only truly get this!! And I get It!! Congratulations 🙂
And I also get the need for an organised kitchen. I’m feeling a bit the same, finding cooking difficult but its hard to reorganised with crowded cupboards and shelves….
Anyway hope you do keep up the cooking cause I always love to see what you cook, and I do get inspired by your recipes.
Happy New Toilet Trained Year !!
Cathleen says
I am excited for you and Ashley, that you have reached this milestone. I’m sure it makes life so much easier for both of you. I love reading about your family, so thank you for all your honesty and candor.
Hoping the best for you and your family in the new year!
Tracy Pfeiffer says
Hi Kelly,
I so get your plight with ASD and potty training. I have a 12 year old that is not fully trained, but we are loads further than we ever were. Here’s to the little things that nobody else understands! Thank you for your blog. We are still allergic to eggs, gluten, dairy and soy so I try to navigate the best I can. Congratulations on the move! We are in So Cal too. Blessings, Tracy
RL says
Hi Kelly,
Congrats to Ashley on all her progress! I have been following your blog for years and am real proud of her… I don’t know if this will be a good resource to have, but I have one child with lyme disease that frequently has potty accidents. (lyme disease irritates your bladder big time.), and we have found the cure to that to be an herbal tincture made by Sprouts. Yes, the supermarket, which you should hopefully have out there in CA too. Their UTI formula works wonders and immediately stops his pants wetting in it’s tracks. He will go through periods where he wets multiple times a day, like up to 5 or 6 times a day. One dose will stop the wetting for a good 24 hrs or more. multiple docs including his naturopath have approved him to use it indefinitely and we have had zero side effects. The herbs are good for flushing out toxins and bacteria from the bladder and kidneys. It is so exciting to see Ashley’s progress and we are all cheering her on!