this and that

sculpture

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/vr5bE3Wg This is the sculpture Nicole and I saw today.

She got out of the house

I got Jessica out of the house. We went shopping. I feel very tired but happy for this victory. Thank you for your prayers.

still waiting

Jess slept the whole night and now all morning. It's 10:30am and she still doesn't want to get up. I'm still hoping to get her dressed and out side to shop. Then I'll give her ,her computer back. The weather has gotten better. It's windy but sunny. Someone asked me why Jessica is depressed. She is a non verbal autistic person. We can only guess it's the stress of being in a different place. And the roads in Italy are small. The trucks drive very close to you. I think Jess is afraid of the trucks. I bought a screen to put on the window by her car seat. That should help. But so far she will not get back in the car. Apart from the fact we can not go on any tours for the next 10 days, we need to drive 14 hours to get home. The hard part for me isn't the burses on my arms (Jessica pinched me black and blue yesterday). The hard thing is seeing her stuck in this fear and depression. She could be enjoying her vacation. But fear keeps her from doing what she loves (shopping, swimming). So I hope we can break her out of this rut. Juergen and the kids are busy making a film. I'm glad this drama has not stopped them from having a good time.

The waiting game

I was going to go out with Nicole today. But first I needed to pull Jessica out of her dark bedroom just to go shopping. Well, it is the late afternoon, and Jessica still refuses to leave her room. I started this fight, and I feel like I need to finish it. We opened her window shutters to let the light in. We unplugged her computer. We took away her blanket. She is at least getting sunshine. But I'm waiting for her to get dressed and come with me shopping. Juergen and I are both worried about her. As you know, she is autistic. And she is at the moment falling into a deep depression. She does not want to eat, and wants to sleep allot. She gets more and more ridged. So I feel I must win this battle today. And even if she has to sleep tonight with out her blanket, I will not give in. She needs to get dressed and go shopping with me. I have a headache. This isn't allot of fun. I hate autism, but I love Jessica. This is what is best for her. Please, please, please pray for Jessica.

lazy day

en

We read San Gimignano has the worlds best chocolate ice cream. Nicole and I hope to test that claim tomorrow.

Making the most of the day

It was suppose to rain all day, so we drove almost 3 hours South to the Saturnia Hot Springs. We went there once before about 3 or 4 years ago. It really is in the middle of know where. People have traveled to this spot for thousands of years. You have to drive through very curvy roads. The drive was stressful for everyone, especially Jessica. And I hoped we could get Jessica to soak in these mineral pools. But she would not get out of the car. So Juergen and I took turns in the water, and watching Jess. Our friends also enjoyed the time (I hope). My skin feels amazing, and I know I will sleep well tonight.

looking for the sun

The weather has been pretty bad where we are. I think we will travel 2 hours South tomorrow to this spa. We have been here once before. We all felt so wonderful after we spent a few hours in this water.

Doing the best we can in the rain

I took a walk with our friends and Sarah. We got caught in a down poor but found a place to wait out the rain. Juergen spent hours teaching Thomas how to program computers. Nicole painted. And Jessica is feeling better. Philip read his book. It's his 4th novel in a series. He is already asking for the 5th book. And I'm so proud he is finally reading. I also shopped with Philip and Sarah. An Italian food store is a dangerous place for me to be. I love their fresh and good ingredients. I could fill our entire car with enough food for the rest of the year. But we don't have that kind of space. So We need to finish the food I've already bought. Juergen and I both can not get enough of the good olive oil, fresh basil, tomatoes and fresh cheese. Oh, the lemons, the peaches, and the beans!!!! It is a good food paradise. And I bought the kids a hot wheel track that has a car that runs on batteries. My brother had a set like that when he was little. I admit hot wheels is a little young for my kids, but it's raining outside. It's a good way to pass a lazy afternoon. So is playing guitars and sleeping.