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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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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
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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
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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
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A Great Start
We are five days into a new school year and as of today we are all smiles! Thursday, the first day of school, Nolan didn't really know...
Laura Harrell
Aug 11, 20212 min read
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Surprise
I've mentioned before that every little milestone in the world of special needs is HUGE! From brushing hair, trying new foods, getting a...
Laura Harrell
Jul 27, 20212 min read
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Look out school here we come!
Two years ago we were ready for the next step. Nolan had aged out of the speech program he was a part of in Oxford, MS at the age of 5....
Laura Harrell
Jun 30, 20214 min read
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Harper
Today you turned six years old! SIX! I blinked and you aren't a baby anymore. Not even a toddler. You love dinosaurs and know them all by...
Laura Harrell
Jun 24, 20212 min read
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Patience
We are smiling because we’ve reached a big milestone over here at the Harrell House! Remember when I told you milestones in our world are...
Laura Harrell
Jun 14, 20212 min read
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Seven
You are seven years old today. Absolutely unbelievable. I always wanted to be a mama and you were the one that gave me that. I had no...
Laura Harrell
Feb 10, 20212 min read
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Everyone Is Doing It
Biting nails Twirling hair Tapping feet Humming Whistling Pacing Everyone does at least one of these or something like it; whether they...
Laura Harrell
Jan 31, 20214 min read
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Dancing on the Waves
I'm reaching out I'll chase you down I dare you to believe How much I love you now Don't be afraid I am your strength We'll be walking on...
Laura Harrell
Jan 17, 20213 min read
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2020
Oh 2020 . . it was a doozy! Any routine we thought we had went up in smokes. Regardless of the chaos and set backs I am happy to say...
Laura Harrell
Jan 12, 20213 min read
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Out of the Zone
My comfort zone is such a nice and cozy place. I don’t like to leave it very much. But who really does? Writing comes natural to me. It...
Laura Harrell
Jan 7, 20212 min read
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Enough
I got curious the other day and looked back to see when I last made time to write. The last time I posted anything was in April . . right...
Laura Harrell
Oct 18, 20203 min read
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Silver Linings
Hello from home! Between storms, power outages, coronavirus pandemic, and stay at home orders I've had a hard time finding the time to...
Laura Harrell
Apr 19, 20205 min read
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Just Breathe
A year ago I couldn’t have survived a week like this. Heck, I could barely have survived a day. At home, all day long, inside the house,...
Laura Harrell
Jan 29, 20202 min read
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Makin' some lemonade
We sat in a tiny office with two doctors who had just evaluated our son and heard the word "autism." It took my breath away. Never had I...
Laura Harrell
Jan 18, 20207 min read
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No Small Victory
Milestones can be a tricky thing with autism. No parent knows thier child has autism the day they are born, or even shortly afterward....
Laura Harrell
Jan 8, 20204 min read
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Long overdue
Has the last update really been since June 2019? And here we are the beginning of 2020! To say the time has flown by would be an...
Laura Harrell
Jan 2, 20203 min read
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Faith over Fear
When I took on the role as a stay at home mom about four months ago, I had no clue what I was getting myself into in so many ways. I get...
Laura Harrell
Jun 20, 20193 min read
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