What's new with the Cotterell crew

It has been a bit since I have written and since I should be cleaning right now, it is the perfect time to sit down and write something. Things are going really pretty good here. This last week was a lot of fun we were able to go to a concert with the kids this week at Capital theatre. The Utah symphony and the Utah Opera every year put on a show for children with autism and their families. It was so fun and the kids loved it. We were even able to take Taylor and Courtnie's family, and Susy and the kids. It is so great to be somewhere like that and not have to worry for a second about the noises your child is making, or any other crazy behavior they are doing because everyone in the room is in the same shoes. It was fun to hear the loud noises every once in awhile and it was even fun to see autistic kids running up and down the aisles it was a great night.

We were given some fun news about Porter and he is doing so good. His latest test scores are awesome and they just blow me away. He has come so far and I am sure the people who were there when he was first diagnosed would be surprised to see where he is at. He has some great friends at school and is doing really good in class. He is doing pretty good at home and has started to be a big help to me. He blows me away.

Nickelle is growing up so fast and is always so funny. Yesterday we were driving home and we were talking about my birthday this week and she tole me she had written me 10,000 songs for me for my birthday. Porter said that he had a present for me and wasn't going to tell me what it was then he said "it's not a phone, it's not a book, it is a shirt". It was pretty funny. She is picking up reading really well and in a way it surprises me a bit. I think in so many ways I am used to having to work so hard for skills for the boys that I sometimes forget what naturally can be like.

Bennett has had a really difficult week. One of his worst in a long time. Yesterday was probably the first time I considered taking him home from church because he really could not handle it. It is times like those that it really breaks my heart for my boys. I can only imagine feeling so overwhelmed and not understanding that and not being able to find any relief from it. We are going to start working a lot in therapy with coping skills for him and I think it is very much needed. I hope we can find things that can click for him to be able to calm him.

Brinley is starting to talk which makes me happy. We have gotten her to now say 12 words consistently. She is starting with a new therapist today. After the huge mess a few weeks ago I have been able to resolve that with different therapists. Bennett's is doing really good and though I have not worked with Brinley's yet she has come before and I thought she was good. Brinley has come so far with all her therapy. Her sensory issues are hardly noticeable and they no longer interfere with her life. She is getting around great and most importantly her energy level is way more typical. She still sleeps a little more than typical but the doctor feels that she is in a more appropriate level with that. Time will tell with the speech but I really do feel hopeful that she will soon graduate from therapy.

Dallin is as amazing as ever. He works so hard but loves it. He is always studying and learning more. He just taught himself how to create websites and has been able to redo his works website. He has also been able to offer that skill to a few other people. He is already outside riding and rides daily at home. Last weekend he rode 54 miles. He is really enjoying being the young men's president in our ward. He has so much fun with the boys and I enjoy it because all the boys in the ward look out for our kids and are so helpful. We have one family who sits behind us and whenever the kids get out of control their son who is 14 always is the first to ask to take Brinley. One of the kids from the young men's or young woman's always ask to help take kids to nursery or primary. We honestly have the best youth in our ward. We are so lucky to have them. How could Dallin not love getting to be around all these kids. They are amazing.

I am chugging around. My back is as bad as ever. I go through cycles of a dull ache to hardly can walk. I never seem to heal. What is really weird is that I will be doing good and then I will have a really awful back spasm and then for weeks I can't move. I am never doing anything special when the spasms hit. I have spent way more money than I ever wanted to in trying to figure out the problem and frankly I am not sure if there is really anything that can be done if they do. So I am just trying to do all I learned in physical therapy and keep the swelling down and just go about my life. I try hard not to complain but sometimes I think mentally I get a little worn out about it. My sweet Nickelle tells me everyday that she is praying that my back will get better. She is such a sweetheart. I am getting back into therapy mode and trying to fit in as many sessions with Bennett as I can in a day. I am having to go back and reread some books and get familiar again with early techniques but it has been going well. He is excited to work and works hard for me. I am learning more and more daily on how he ticks. I am also in the process of research, lots and lots of it. Research on how to do certain therapies, and research on where to get services and also research on Porter for next year. I am learning all I can about IEP's and what the district can offer us. Sometimes it is hard for my head to juggle to much information but for the most part I am really learning a lot. I am praying hard to know what to do for both the boys and I am sure we will find the right solution for both of them. I am so lucky to be the wife and mother to this crew and I love my days. I am getting that January winter fever and feel the need to redecorate everything. The walls are a little too familiar but in a way it is a good thing my back is hurt or I would be painting and re staining furniture. We love all of you and hope all is well with your families.