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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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Who Cares
Anyone who has met Nolan knows he is usually the loudest person in the room. Squeals, screams, laughter, jabbering, and sometimes words...
Laura Harrell
Oct 5, 20223 min read
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Inclusion
Inclusion- the act of including. That's a vocabulary word I don't remember having in school. When I went to school many years ago I...
Laura Harrell
Sep 28, 20224 min read
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Soak It Up
Its been a few weeks. I try to sit down and write at least once a week but sometimes life just gets crazy busy. Who am I kidding? Life is...
Laura Harrell
Sep 21, 20224 min read
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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