Andrea Johnson Beck's Blog (33)

Be Present at Our Table, Proud Mary

Holidays at my grandparents house in South Dakota is one I will always cherish. The gathering of family, Swedish meatballs simmering, laughter filling the air and children sneaking cookies from the kitchen. Norman Rockwell...in a mental institute.

The Johnson's have their traditions: lefse, Swedish meatballs, booze, and singing.

Not necessarily in that…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on December 12, 2012 at 9:14am — No Comments

May I present Chapter 1 - Deadly Redemption (Book 2 of Deadly Series) Wait, you haven't read Deadly Deception yet? First, why? Second, let me help you out. Leave your name and email below and on Frid…

May I present Chapter 1 - Deadly Redemption (Book 2 of Deadly Series) Wait, you haven't read Deadly Deception yet? First, why? Second, let me help you out. Leave your name and email below and on Friday I will randomly choose two people who will receive a Kindle ebook of Deadly Deception. Now the *unedited* Chapter 1 Enter giveaway:…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on December 11, 2012 at 8:18am — No Comments

Teaser Tuesday - Logan's Story

My son removed the circular tube from his mouth, where he was inhaling the steroids to help him breathe and looked at me with twinkling ethereal eyes and flushed apple cheeks, he placed his tiny hand a top of mine. I was perched on an uncomfortable leather stool next to Logan’s hospital bed. The aroma of bleach and latex stung my nose.

I looked at the young child with curiosity. I wanted him to place the tube back in but he shook his head. My eyes…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on December 4, 2012 at 10:12am — No Comments

Deadly Deception (my second baby) is Published

I know, I know, I said November 27th BUT I just couldn't wait. Here it is on the Kindle

And the …

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on November 19, 2012 at 7:48pm — No Comments

Too Early To Debate With A Twelve Year Old

Are you eating chocolate cake for breakfast?

Yes.

Can I have some chocolate cake?

No.

Why?

I don't share. Especially chocolate.

Can I have a bite?

No.

Why?

I told you why.

Can I have chocolate for breakfast?

No.

But you can? Why?

Because A. I gave birth to you. B. I can. and C. I gave birth to you.

You said that twice.

I know, it trumps everything and it hurt a lot so therefore, I can…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on October 30, 2012 at 10:04am — No Comments

I Never Forget that my Child is on the Autism Spectrum. Never.

I never forget that my child is on the Autism Spectrum. Never.

Last night, after telling us about his brilliant weekend with his peep at the beach, we immediately noticed he looked and sounded exhausted.

Red eyes, squeaky voice, and ample yawns.

You know what this spells:…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on October 15, 2012 at 5:15pm — No Comments

Bullying Ends Now

Bullying is all around us. The boy at school, the parent on the soccer field, and the woman behind her computer screen…they are all around us. My family has had firsthand knowledge of this cruel and disgusting act. While my son, who was eight at the time, was taunted, poked, harassed, teased, chased at a public school in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Though his stay at this despicable institution was short lived, the emotional repercussions are still present. To this day, Logan will talk about…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on October 3, 2012 at 10:12am — No Comments

Let Go

Andrea Lynn Johnson Beck

A new day has come upon me

To see what I believe

To breathe

To live beyond what I know

To feel and to grow

Beyond the why’s

And shallow cries

Here…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on June 28, 2012 at 11:09am — No Comments

Joined the Flock

As much as it hurt my social networking soul I joined Twitter.

I reached out for opinions on Facebook and they were heavily mixed (thanks guys;-)

I was told that if I wanted a stronger book following Twitter would be good to add to the list so after much Tweet pressure I did it.

We'll see how long it takes until I want to rip my hair out.

…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on June 18, 2012 at 4:40pm — No Comments

Birth Anniversary

Happy Anniversary of my 32nd Birthday!

I adore being in my thirties.

To be honest I appreciate my birthday a little bit more every year. It’s not a huge deal to me per say but I’m happy that my mom brought me in to this world. My birthday falls either on or around Mother’s Day which has waaaaaay more significance to me.

I do like when the the days are spanned out so I can milk it a little bit longer.

Why yes I take advantage of it, wouldn’t…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on May 9, 2012 at 2:39pm — No Comments

What Autism Means to Me

By Logan

It is awesome to be different, it’s genetics. Our DNA makes us all different, that is what God wanted. Acceptance is a big word but really, it’s easy to do. Why would God place us all on the earth to be the same, I don’t want to be like everyone else. Why do some accept people in books and movies like Harry Potter, people who aren’t real but I’m real and you don’t accept me? I do awesome things, I’m a great friend, and I’m an awesome gamer and…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on April 2, 2012 at 8:41am — No Comments

Stachified Friday

Wouldn't it though?

If you…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on February 24, 2012 at 8:04am — No Comments

Peculiar frogs, duh!

This is why I don't watch the news because it makes my blood pressure rise and my brain hurt.

All I can say is DUH!

Study: Children most vulnerable to second-hand smoke

This story in our local paper continued on saying how dangerous cigarette smoke is when people are driving and smoking with their children in the…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on February 7, 2012 at 9:45am — No Comments

Potty Mouth Tree

I would like to thank my father for the beyond amusing phone call yesterday in regards to my grandpa's and their well, colorful language they bestow upon us all for now I haveinfinite material for my book;-)

One grandpa will probably be on profanity probation *bleep* nurse *bleep* *bleep* and*bleep* at the home and the other, let's say he vividly recalls…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on February 6, 2012 at 10:28am — 1 Comment

Should Have Known

When Logan was a baby I was a full time working mama, I introduced him into the daycare world at roughly 6 weeks (end of maternity leave) and from that time until he was about 3 it was a child care battle. In that time I did decide to become a Lead Teacher for Preschoolers at a local church who also had childcare, perfect set up. When Logan needed me I could be there, I could feed him while the children were napping and his daycare was free *bonus*. I absolutely adored my class and…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on January 30, 2012 at 10:30am — No Comments

Mama Q&A

*I'm not an expert but I play one of TV*

Are you wondering

"What the heck is she talking about?"

I have to admit, for the past couple of years I've led a double life, okay, not really but doesn't it sound intriguing?

I receive a handful of questions via email or message in regards to…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on January 24, 2012 at 11:54am — No Comments

My Son, My Hero

I started writing Logan's story some time ago but he asked me to stop because he wanted to write it, so I stopped. My son is privy to the ignorance some have in regards to not only Autism but Down Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome and many other Special Needs and Learning…

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Added by Andrea Johnson Beck on January 16, 2012 at 11:20am — No Comments

Happy Unstable Christmas

The boys and I were watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special the other night. This is one of my FAVORITES! I don't know what triggered this observation but I began to notice that all of the little boys have what seems to be premature balding. Now I realize they have roughly been 6 or 7 for the past 60 years and maybe the bitter and ruthless cartoon circuit has been harsh on them thus not producing enough hair follicles. Stress will do that you know. …