Hey friends – happy Monday to you! Hope you’re doing well. I haven’t written a weekend post or update in a while, so thought I’d catch you up with a newsflash from my little Snow Globe about what’s going on behind the scenes at our house. (Besides delicious test batches of Salted Caramel Sauce.) Hope you’ll tell me what’s going on in your world too.
So we’ve had two big things going on here in the last few weeks.
First, Hudson got his speech device. So let’s have a party, right? Many of you know Hudson is our sweet six year old with Downs who doesn’t have very many words. It can be a real challenge living daily life, just trying to figure out (guess!) his wants and needs. We’ve been waiting on this speech device for nearly a year, and really hoping things are going to click with it. Unfortunately Hudson can be pretty resistant to new things and change. (I can relate!)
So he gets a thirty day trial with this new speech device, which is covered by insurance. If he shows interest and learns how to use it, he’ll get one of his own to keep. The first week was pretty frustrating as he seemed to want nothing to do with it. Sigh. But then this past week has been a lot more promising. Apparently he’s been using it at school to ask for cookies (a boy after my own heart!) and pick fun activities to do. At home he’s used it to ask for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and tell us which DVD he wants to watch. Also to ask for a glass of milk.
If you’re not familiar with a speech device (I wasn’t until I learned about Hudson’s), it’s basically a machine that looks like an i-pad, maybe a little bigger. We’re programming it with pictures (small icons/tiles) of things in Hudson’s world. Not just broad categories like food or fruit. But pictures of bananas, apples or grapes. Not just cereal, but different kinds of cereal like Raisin Bran or Cheerios.
So it’s a process, not just for Hudson, but for all of us. He has to find the right category and picture tile, then press it on the touch screen, and it will say the word(s) out loud. We’re all learning how to program the speech device and how to encourage him to use it to make his life easier and less frustrating.
So the other big thing we have going on here is, drumroll please, we just put our house on the market. If you know me at all, you know how difficult change is for me and you’re probably surprised by this news. We’re not going far, just moving locally because we need more space and the time seems right.
I remember the day we moved into this sweet cape in June of 2004. I fell in love with it, and have truly loved making it home. We have a lot of sweet memories here. Back then we had just two little boys, three and six. Well, things they change. And now there are four boys. And Hudson is the youngest now at six years old. With bigger boys comes more and bigger stuff. And their friends. This house has been such a wonderful place to raise our family, and it’s going to be a teary goodbye for sure.
Once we made the decision to move, we kicked into high gear getting the place all spiffy. Jon took a week of vacation and painted (and painted!) and grouted and we’ve been organizing, packing and shining up the place. We replaced some lighting fixtures and updated wherever we could. I got a wide angle lens to take pictures for the MLS, so I thought I’d share some of those with you here today. I still have a lot to learn, but I never knew how cool a wide angle lens is. It captures so much more than a regular one can, and it’s been a lot of fun learning to use.
Well I wish each of you a wonderful week, whatever you have planned. Does it include snow? It seriously has been a Snow Globe around here. Sixteen inches of snow last Thursday. Of course the kids are delighted. They’ve had two delays and two snow days last week alone. Woo hoo! And with the Super Bowl last weekend, it’s been quite a week.
School was canceled again today since we’re still shoveling out from yesterday’s big storm that dumped nearly a foot. So bring on the hot chocolate. I’m a true New England girl and love the white stuff.
(Then again, I’m not the one shoveling it! Thankfully.)
XOXO,
allie
Aunt Margie says
I’m so happy to hear that the speech device is beginning to pay dividends. Can you imagine how much that might mean to Hudson’s little world? Transform tears into triumph! And your house looks so lovely, warm and beckoning to any who can climb over the mountainous snowbanks in your front yard. Why is it that I love yellow houses?
Allie says
Thanks so much Auntie M, we are both partial to little yellow houses. (Big ones too!) Hudson keeps using his device …baby steps. And yes, SO MUCH SNOW. We are getting more this afternoon. We’re getting to the point that there’s no place to put it all. You have to pull out really far in the intersections in town to see around the snow banks. It’s getting absolutely ridiculous! Sign goes up in the yard tomorrow or Friday. XO
Paula Yost says
Looking at the pictures of the house made me remember back to when you moved in and the many times we enjoyed a meal at your house. Such great memories! Wishing you much success with Hudson’s speech machine and on the sale of your home.
Allie says
Dear Paula, we miss you and your family around here. Yep, great memories. Are you still overseas? Please give our love to all your family. We don’t have another house yet, but hoping more will come on the market soon. We saw a few we like n Bedford, just not the right one yet. So good to hear from you friend, thanks for saying hello. XO
Leslie says
Did you know that in my life not as an missionary (friend) to Manchester and beyond, I am a realtor?!!
That saying, your pictures look great!! Your house has such a welcoming feel even when not immaculate ! Mainly because of your heart and Jon’s. But will be praying that the Lord brings a buyer quickly for you!!
Leslie
Allie says
Hi Leslie, I did know you were a realtor, but in the busyness of getting this on the market, I forgot. Thanks for the kind words, I feel the same about you and Dan and your beautiful, welcoming home many times over. We haven’t found a house to go to yet, but hopefully things will come on the market as spring rolls around. (Which could be quite a while around here.) Jonathan says the weather is beautiful there. (He reminds me a little too often, as the snow keeps piling up here!) Love to all.
Aunt Pinkie7 says
Hope the speech device continues to help Hudson! And hope the house sells quickly-it’s so darling!
Allie says
Thanks SO MUCH Aunt Pinkie, don’t have a new house to go to yet, but hoping something will come on the market soon. We are getting SO much snow, more called for this afternoon. XO
LaWanna J Burrows says
Your Home you are selling is beautiful, good luck with selling it. Also you move me with all you do for your son, Full Time life job for you and your Husband and sons I wish you well.
LaWanna
Allie says
Hi Lawanna, thanks so much for the kindness, it means a lot. It’s a gift to know someone is rooting for you. Thank you. XO
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Oh YAYYYYY to Hudson getting the speech device! I know that is something you have been talking about and waiting on for a while now. I’m glad he is starting to come around to using it too! This is such wonderful news, Allie!!! I have all my fingers and toes crossed that the device turns out to be such a great thing for your little man! And congrats on the new lens! AND congrats on putting your house on the market and the NEW house! WOW! You have such great things happening over there! I honestly could not be happier for you guys! Your (soon to be old) house is SO cute and you guys have it decorated so cozy! I’m sure there will be tears when you move, but just think of all the new, wonderful memories you are going to create in your new home! Sending you hugs and love! xoxo
Allie says
Thank you so much Cheyanne – you are so sweet. Thanks for sharing our joy. It means a lot to this heart. XOXO
Simmie Farland says
I am so happy to see that Hudson finally has his speech device! Jumping for joy with you and looking forward to hearing more about his progress.
Your home is so lovely and it almost…almost made me want to come back to Manchester! I don’t think that you will have any trouble selling it.
I have always enjoyed your posts, Allie. Love the way you write, communicating love and compassion and humor through it all. You put a smile on my face and in my heart every time. Thank you!
Allie says
Dear Simmie, You have a real gift of encouragement, and I’m so blessed that you’ve shared it with me and my family so many times. Thank you. I knew you’d be excited about Hudson’s speech device too, and he’s had a great week with it so far since I wrote this post. I really sense it’s going to work for him long term and it’s such a huge relief. We miss you around here but I hope things are going great where you are. You might be getting dumped on with white stuff right now – I know the coast is supposed to get walloped tonight. Hope you’re warm and cozy. Love to you and my best to Norm! So good to hear from you, thanks for dropping in. XO
RuthAnne Fuller says
Love seeing your darling Cape Cod home…looking so good!!!
May it sell on His schedule and may you find the perfect
new home that fits your needs to a T..xoxo…RA
Allie says
Thanks so much Ruth Anne – I loved hearing from you. We’re still looking for another house. I know His timing will be perfect, thanks for that great reminder. XO
Laura Tucker says
That makes me so happy for Hudson!
Hope the house sells quickly – it is such a great one!!!
Allie says
Thank you friend, I knew you’d be happy for him. You da best! Miss you. XO
nancy mcmahan says
Your home is beautiful but after a little while in your new house it will be a beautiful home. So excited for all of you but mostly Huddin. I hope He Really takes to it. Here’s to a real quick sale.
Allie says
Thanks Nan, loved hearing from you. I knew you’d be happy for Hudson. He continues to do well with his “talker” this week. I’m so thankful. FYI, we don’t have another house to go to yet, but are hoping we’ll be ready to buy when the right one comes on the market in the spring…
Tam says
I’ve been researching devices like the one you talk about.
found an app for your phone that a father made for his daughter. (Just something else to google & for you to look into /money is always a factor ……its called tippy talk). We’ll be starting the trial in a week after people are done being sick here. Good luck & hope you find the best option possible. We all need a voice or way to communicate.
Allie says
Hi Tam – I was so intrigued to hear from you about Tippy Talk and also that you’re at a similar place in your family. I hope the trial goes well for you too – Hudson has many autistic qualities beside his Downs, and so anything new, including food and toys are always met with great suspicion and usually covering his eyes and sticking his thumb in his mouth. It’s such a challenge. I sincerely hope things go great in your family with the trial device and I’ll be thinking of you while we’re working with Hudson here. We have until March 1st with H’s talker and then we have an evaluation before we/they make a decision on whether this device will work long term. Thanks so much for dropping by, I really loved hearing from you.
Linda Jenkins says
I am so delighted to hear that Hudson is taking his little leap of faith with the new speech device. So many things in your life have been a leap of faith, and I have learned so much from that philosophy. My own leap of faith is in progress at CTR. There is so much to learn and absorb; however, I am growing and loving each and every moment. I could listen to Jon for hours; I am taking in so much, processing it, and applying it to my own life. I feel an emptiness when the Foundations sessions or his sermons end.
Your house looks amazing. I have never felt anything but at home there. Every corner breathes the essence of the Taylor family. I pray that the right buyer will love and cherish this home as much as you and your family have.
Love to all,
Linda
Allie says
Thank you Linda – you are a wonderful blessing in our lives as well. Thanks to you and Jaco both for being good friends and encouragers, both to us and our boys too. Hope you are feeling much better now. XOXO
Susie Mandel says
The speech device is so cool!! Praying that Hudson will love it and be able to get one of his own. It sounds like he is warming up to it, so very promising! Your home is just beautiful and I won’t be surprised to hear it sells quickly. We are not shoveling snow down here, for which I am very thankful. Maybe that’s why I live in the south. 😉
Allie says
Many thanks Susie – glad you are not shoveling either. We got more snow last night, but not as much as the coast. Some got as much as a foot, we only got a few inches, thankfully.
Dorothy Dennehy says
HI Allie: your home is beautiful. Great interior design–talented. Love the blog today. What an interesting device for Hudson. It’s amazing what is available for helping children with disabilities. I am so happy that Hudson is accepting it & learning. Praying that it continues well for him. Also for selling your home quickly. Blessings to you all. Love & hugs.
Dottie
Allie says
Hi Dottie, thanks so much, I’ve loved making this house a home. It’s given me a lot of joy. Hudson continues to do well with his device and I get reports from school that it’s going well there too. I’m so grateful. Not sure what will happen with the house, but it’s so nice to have all the little things done that have been needing to be done for a while. I’m enjoying the fresh paint and the fact that everything works all at the same time. 🙂 Hope all is well with you, thanks so much for dropping by and your kind words. XO
Karen Espalin says
So much excitement…..how fun.
I’m sure the speech device will make things so much clearer….and hopefully easier.
What a beautiful home you have. I’m sure it will sell quickly.
Prayers for everything to go splendidly!
Hugs,
Karen
Allie says
Hi Karen – thanks so much for dropping by – yes! A lot of excitement here! Thanks for the prayers, I hope all is well there too! XOXO
Whitney of WorthyStyle says
SUPER new to your blog but I just wanted to say I hope he takes to the speech device! It sounds fascinating and I have high hopes for you all to have a successful monthlong test run. I LOVE the photos of your home – it’ll be fun to see where you all will live next with such a lovely, cheerful decor in this current Cape home.
Allie says
Hi Whitney, thanks so much for dropping by, things are still going well with the talker and the house went up on Zillow today. Here. We. Go!!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Oh Allie – so happy for y’all that Hudson got his speech device and has started to use it after week one – though I sure got a chuckle from hearing what he has been asking for in school – yup, I’d probably do the same! And – wow – am super impressed y’all got your place ship shape in a week – it would probably take me a year! Yes – “things, they are changing” and most times, they work out for the best in the long run…so am wishing y’alls place sells fast and y’all find another house y’all love just as much as this.
Hope y’all stay warm up there!
xoxo
Allie says
Many thanks for all the encouragement friend, love ya! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead as you juggle so many things. XOXO
Kathy says
Love your snow globe, Allie! I’m with you on the change-is-difficult part. Praying God’s grace flows in a mighty river to you and your family during this challenging time, and for a smooth transition for you all, on the home front and the speech device front. Hudson’s small signs of progress so far sound very promising!! 🙂
Allie says
Hi Kathy, thanks so much for the encouragement and the prayers. Both needed. Have a wonderful week ahead. XOXO
Adina says
You have a beautiful house, I would be sorry to leave it too. But I am sure your new house will be great as well. I hope Hudson will learn to use and love his speech machine.
Allie says
Hi Adina, thanks so much for the encouragement my friend. Have a great week ahead. XO
Ellen says
Praying that Hudson will continue to welcome the speech device, that would be so helpful for all of you. So excited for the new changes you are about to embark on…oh the possibilities ! you will make your new home as lovely as your current one. Praying for the right one to come across your path!! Xoxo
Carina says
Dear Allie, such exciting news all around. I really hope that the speech device works out well and facilitates communication for Hudson in all areas of his life. Your home looks so welcoming and beautiful! I wish you all the best, both in selling it, as well as in your move to your new home. Take good care, my friend! Xoxo
Allie says
Dear Carina, I loved hearing from you, thank you. I wanted to tell you we don’t have a new home yet. We found a house that we loved, but lost it because we didn’t have a contract on this one yet. So that was discouraging and there are not a lot of homes on the market around here right now. I’m sure when the time is right this one will sell and hopefully we won’t get stuck without a house before the right thing comes on. We are having a spell of warmer weather today, it was almost 60 out. The snowbanks are melting quickly, but I know this is not true spring. I’m not going to get my hopes up anyway. Have a wonderful meek my friend. XO
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Yay for Hudson’s speech device. The device sounds so cool!! I hope that device would help little Hudson. Allie, you have a very beautiful house. I would not never want to leave it. I wish your house sells fast and you get another beautiful nest very soon.
Allie says
Dear Anu, thank you, I am so hopeful Hudson’s “talker” will help. Thanks for all the good wishes. Have a wonderful week my friend. XO
Gaila says
Love to hear the speech device is working!! Yay! Allie your house is just lovely, like a beautiful doll’s house!! I am sure you will sell it right away! hugs
Karla @Small Town Rambler says
Allie, your house is just gorgeous and I’m sure the next family will make many happy memories in the house as your family has. I love the yellow exterior as well, so cheery and inviting! So happy to hear about Hudson’s speech device too! Sounds like you all are experiencing some positive changes in the Taylor home! 🙂
Allie says
Hi Karla – thanks so much! We did most of the house ourselves, one project at a time over thirteen years, mostly before Hudson was born six years ago. We spent the last couple weeks updating things like paint, etc to get it ready for sale. We haven’t found anything else yet, but we are just needing more space. I really hate to lose the charm, it’s been such a great house. I’ve been thinking of you a lot in the last few weeks as we’ve been working on projects. (I wonder why?) HA. I am still in awe of the bathroom you just completed. Just beautiful!
Eva says
Ma chère Allie! Combien des changements dans ta vie!! Ta maison est tellement belle que j’imagine le pansement que tu as eu dans ton cœur pour la vendre. J’en suis sûre que la prochaine deviendra très bientôt votre nouveau foyer! Je suis aussi très contente pour Hudson! Good for him!
J’aurais aimé partagé un bon chocolat chaud avec toi! xoxo
moon says
Hello!
Your home is beautiful but after a little while in your new house it will be a beautiful home. So excited for all of you but mostly Huddin. I hope He Really takes to it. Here’s to a real quick sale.
Allie says
Thank you so much, Hudson is adjusting well and loving his new home. Thank you so much for thinking of him.