The Life and Times of Caden Riley Berens

Walking in Memphis...with Caden!!

2010-03-11T18:46:00.001-08:00

We are very much enjoying the sunshine and warmth that is now "springing" forth here in Memphis, marking our one year anniversary of living here! Here are a few pictures we took tonight walking our favorite trails at sunset. Enjoy!

A Cold Day at Riverside Park (but mom got some GREAT shots!)

2009-12-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

Our first weekend back in Memphis

2009-12-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

Some "Caden Chronicles"

2009-12-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

"And she shall be called Blessed..."

After a big Thanksgiving dinner!

Thanksgiving Day in Sikeston, Missouri at Aunt Margie's. Caden had a great time with all his cousins!

A beautiful shot of our street in Cordova, TN.!

Happy to be back home in Memphis!

Something you rarely see! His new "magic chair" is truly magic! :)

Caden likes climbing up the ladder in the attic at our new house!

At our new home in Memphis!

2009-12-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

Caden at Bellevue, our church in Memphis!

2009-12-21T16:56:00.000-08:00

Fun with Gramps!

2009-12-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

"Fun with Gramps!"

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2009-10-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

ColorDreams by Michelle - Artistic Creations

2009-09-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

Link

Missing Memphis

2009-09-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a bittersweet journey moving back to Michigan from my six amazing months in Memphis....but I'm exactly where I need to be and where I'm supposed to be.

Caden and I, hanging out by the pool tonight! He thought it was the funniest thing EVER to see himself on the laptop webcam!!!

2009-08-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

Caden's 6th Birthday...VIDEO!!

2009-08-23T19:43:00.001-07:00

Special letter from Caden's nanny to ME on his birthday.

2009-08-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

hey daughter; viewed the photos of the birthday boy and the ones of him at the beach and bous pool, wow what a little swimmer! no life jacket. You can tell that boy would be a fish in the sea if he could. He loves the water. I really like the ones where he is kneeling by the shore looking down at the sand or water in his hands and jest some of the poses and expressions you catch on his face sometimes. I just stare at them and wonder.... what is he thinking, what does he feel. Its something too when you really sit and look at pics on the screen how you see more. You see the eyes and they say a lot. Amanda especally here and there. Shes happy, shes acting funny, shes tired, bored, sad, she has some very pretty eyes, in fact I believe she is going to be quite the beauty, keep her close to the church mom. Did Chad know it was Cadens birthday? Any call,or card? Just let it go,honey.Caden has a heavenly Father who knowsand did,nt forget nor EVER forgets about our SPECIAL boy and I,d like to think that for him and for all the children like him that the angels put stars and underline their names in the book of life on every Birthday.

Caden's Birthday Party!

2009-08-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

"Picnik Show"

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Caden's 6th Birthday!

2009-08-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday sweet baby boy!!!!

Caden having fun at Riley Beach in Holland, Michigan!!

2009-08-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

What to do on Caden's Blog now that you're here!

2009-07-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Caden's Blog!! Please scroll down just a bit to the Phil Collin's YouTube video (it's in the sidebar on your right) and click "Play". It adds a delightful backdrop to viewing the rest of the page. Incidentally, this song is my song to my amazing son, Caden Riley Berens. Enjoy the page!

How Caden spends the HOT, hot days in Memphis! (Caden and his dad!)

2009-06-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

2009-06-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

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Caden's Field Trip to Downtown Memphis

2009-05-27T12:21:00.001-07:00

Opening Day at the Pool

2009-05-22T11:23:00.001-07:00

Another visit to Arkansas on a Beautiful Sunny Sunday!

2009-05-22T10:57:00.001-07:00

Chuck E. Cheese Odyssey

2009-05-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

My First Visit to Therapy Hut

2009-04-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

Today was my first visit to the Therapy Hut over in Cordova, where I went to have my I.E.P. consultation. I get really nervous going into situations where I don't know people as it is, so it was a bit nerve-wracking for me; mostly because I was going in to discuss a subject that I feel I should know way more about at this juncture of my son's life, given the fact that I have already been through several I.E.P.'s (none of which I was ever worried about being a professional "advocate" the way I am feeling the need to be since moving to Memphis!)

(Toto, we're not in Michigan any more!!)

My first I.E.P. with Memphis City Schools is tomorrow morning, and as anticipated, it is 1:34a.m. and I am wide awake, a bundle of nerves, worried that my notes are not in order, that I am going to say all the wrong things, miss something important, and inevitably sit there with a knot in my throat the size of a softball the entire time, fighting back the urge to burst into tears at any given moment. (I know this, as it happens every time without fail...the urge, not the actual bursting...)

So getting back to my visit to the Therapy Hut! I felt very welcome from the moment I walked in the door. I was greeted by the familiar voice of my new friend Angela, who works at the front desk...who I recognized immediately from our lengthy phone conversation earlier last week. She made me feel very much at home as I waited for my appointment, explaining to me all the ins and outs of the Therapy Hut, and the services they offered. I then enjoyed a conversation in the waiting area with another autism mom, which took me by surprise how much I appreciated having someone to talk to who was able to relate to me instantly, on a level which no one else in my every day life can. That's because she lives my life. She has a son with autism. The comraderie I felt with her was immediate.

Lastly was the actual consultation, the purpose for my visit. It was surprising to me the way different staff members and therapists just walking in and out of my appointment room just stopped by our table to contribute their input to me, just because of overhearing our conversation about my impending I.E.P. tomorrow; I walked away from my appointment having received a wealth of information that I did not have going in, and because of these gracious and helpful people (who were clearly passionate about helping not only people with disabilities, but the people who love and care for them, like me!)

I don't feel as worried now. I feel a little bit more empowered actually, than I would had I not walked into that office today. Not only that, but I feel like I just became part of a whole new community.

2009-04-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful morning in Arkansas today for the Autism Festival sponsored by the MidSouth Autism Association. It was sunny, and a VERY hot 85 degrees or so. I couldn't think of a more enjoyable way to spend my Saturday morning than at a place full of people coming out to promote Autism Awareness; we live with autism every day of our lives because of my son Caden, so this is a cause very near and dear to me.

It is a real treat to go out in public around other families who have children with autism, and get to have a good time with our son and not feel as though we "stand out" or to have people staring at us because of his behavior; to "blend in" in a crowd at these events is a true blessing, one that I will never again take for granted. What a great day!