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our kind of
normal


I once read a quote that said, "Normal is just a setting on the washing machine." I didn't know how true that could be until Nolan entered our life with all of his energy and joy. He changed our perspective on everything! We live in a society that tells us that we have to be, act, and look a certain way to be accepted. Autism, with all of its ups and down, has changed the way our family sees the world and how we live our lives. I started this blog, Our KInd of Normal, with the hope that it will do the same for anyone who reads it. Hope you enjoy!
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Boxes
In addition to autism, Nolan has a diagnosis of sensory processing disorder. He feels things different than the average person. With...
Laura Harrell
Aug 31, 20224 min read
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Mickey Mouse and Jesus
On Sunday afternoons I lay the kids' clothes out for the week. Well, that's the goal anyways. It isn't hard to do because they wear...
Laura Harrell
Aug 24, 20223 min read
211 views
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Kate
I have always loved animals. When I was a little girl, I was determined to be a veterinarian when I grew up. That dream changed when I...
Laura Harrell
Aug 17, 20224 min read
61 views
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Wonder Woman
Two years ago, for Mother's Day, Harper picked out a card for me at Walmart. She loves to do this and usually picks whatever character...
Laura Harrell
Aug 10, 20223 min read
104 views
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Fix It
For Nolan's 6th birthday we got him one of those Power Wheels four wheelers. He loved riding in his sister's little Power Wheels Jeep so...
Laura Harrell
Jul 27, 20225 min read
141 views
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Will he
On most Fridays I keep my two nieces and one nephew during the day, so our house is full of kids! Five kids under one roof may sound like...
Laura Harrell
Jul 20, 20223 min read
90 views
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Open-minded
I remember like it was yesterday. Nolan was around three years old, so we were about a year into this autism thing and still felt like we...
Laura Harrell
Jul 13, 20224 min read
59 views
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Try It
Last week I sat down to write several times; but nothing came of it but frustration. I had no hope or inspiration to offer. It's hard to...
Laura Harrell
Jul 6, 20223 min read
69 views
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Father's Day
Eight years ago today you celebrated your first Father's Day. I bet as you looked at that little four month old baby boy you felt so many...
Laura Harrell
Jun 21, 20223 min read
89 views
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Child-like
The pure joy that comes from seeing the beach for the first time in a year. The excitement of waves crashing at your feet. The freedom of...
Laura Harrell
Jun 15, 20222 min read
121 views
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The Cow
Nolan has about 10-15 words he uses consistently. cup more popcorn daddy kate pool sleep car ride and eat are just the most common ones....
Laura Harrell
Jun 8, 20224 min read
232 views
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Sweet Summertime
In my life before kids I imagined what summertime with my future family would be like. I saw things like vacations, swimming, ice cream,...
Laura Harrell
Jun 1, 20224 min read
104 views
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Talker
Shortly after Nolan was diagnosed with autism I took a deep dive on Google to l figure out what was ahead of us. I kept seeing the word...
Laura Harrell
May 25, 20223 min read
109 views
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Take the Time
Two weeks ago one of our biggest fears happened - we had to take Nolan to the Emergency Room. I think every parent worries about the day...
Laura Harrell
Apr 25, 20225 min read
162 views
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Easter
For many years Easter was bittersweet. Everyone getting excited about dressing up for church, family pictures, and egg hunts. Because of...
Laura Harrell
Apr 18, 20223 min read
158 views
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It Will Be Okay
Parts of autism get a little easier as Nolan gets older. He is expressing himself and using more words. He doesn't require supervision...
Laura Harrell
Mar 2, 20224 min read
340 views
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Morning Always Comes
Sleep is something I took for granted as a child. Right now I would give anything to have somebody give me a blanket, tuck me in, and...
Laura Harrell
Feb 25, 20225 min read
184 views
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Show Them
I grew up in church. I could sing "Jesus Loves Me," before I knew my ABCs. It all started in nursery, then Sunday school, and youth...
Laura Harrell
Feb 7, 20224 min read
158 views
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Dear me -
Today is Febuary 10, 2014; one of the greatest days of your life! This morning your baby boy, Nolan Grant Harrell, was born. He is...
Laura Harrell
Jan 18, 20223 min read
474 views
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New Year
I do this every time. I have such good intentions of keeping up with our lives on this blog and then our life gets in the way. I finally...
Laura Harrell
Jan 7, 20222 min read
54 views
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