Let me introduce you to this world of autism…Feel free to keep scrolling if you like, but I invite you to stay. You see, I might be writing about someone you know, like a frienda daughtera sona parentor a neighbor down the street.This world we live in is not a glamorous one.This world we live in is filled with sleepless nights, aggression, self-injury behaviors, broken furniture, favorite toys torn apart, and the screaming and tears of an emotional child trying to communicate.The media likes to glamorize autism by portraying them as a mathematical genius, a musical savant, or a medical doctor.This is not our autism.My son Collin was diagnosed with…

This is the 3rd night in a row that Collin has woken up between 12 am and 3 am and either stayed awake or maybe fallen asleep for an hour or two. He wakes up giggling and laughing, but I know at 7 am he will be grumpy and tell me no school. The last week of school before Christmas break is exciting. In fact, Jonah asked if I could drop him off at 7:30 am because it’s game day at school. I’ve been up late the past 2 nights baking Christmas cookies for teachers and once I go to bed, it’s usually for an hour or 2 and then…

So, this was a wonderful time, and no sarcasm here! This was hands down, one of our best experiences visiting Santa. One afternoon while hanging out with our friend Jaime’s house, she showed me her Christmas pictures of her kids with Santa. She told me how awesome it was and all she had to do was make an appointment online…no long lines!! I was sold on the fact you could make an appointment. In the past 4 or 5 years, we went to the same place, and it was great, but the long line was a little to be desired. We would wait anywhere from an hour to an hour…

Happy double digits to my sweet boys!!! I can’t believe how the past 10 years have flown by. We are truly lucky to have these cuties in our lives Going through all their pictures reminded me how many fun times we have had together and how much they have completed our family. I love you both!!! To infinity and beyond!!!.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! Collin loves Christmas time and not for the obvious reason most kids like Christmas…for the gifts. Collin doesn’t quite understand the concept of gift-giving and receiving. He loves the lights, the music, the trees, and the decorations. There is something completely innocent about it I can’t completely put into words. And secretly, this makes me happy. My other little guy has been asking questions about Santa. Who are the Santas in the mall and the ones we see around town? You know, just those friendly reminders he’s growing up. I know this is probably the last year we can pull off the…

Took the boys to Sea World for their birthday!! Thank you, Kelly! We are not the family that is there when the park opens and leaves when it closes. We’ve learned with Collin he does better when we go in the afternoon and spend a few hours. He enjoys Sea World loves the whales and penguins. Once again, we had him walk throughout the park. In the past, we would bring a stroller or rent one. He asked, but I ignored the request and kept him moving. We ended the day at Rudolph’s Christmas Village, which was beyond cute!! We met a couple of our friends Yukon Cornelius and Bumble!!…

Trying to catch up on last weekend’s events..so a little late. Last Saturday, our Cub Scouts made the rounds to collect food from the previous weekend of putting out door hangers. Collin got to ride in a flatbed of a truck and thought that was pretty cool!! The Scouts did an amazing job and collected 680 pounds of food, which will make it’s the way to our friends in the Bahamas Jonah played outside pretty much for the rest of the day. We live on a street with a group of amazing neighbors. All the kids get along and play outside all-day together. On most occasions, Collin stays inside, but…

Polka Dot! Polka Dot! Polka Dot! Circus!!!Collin’s favorite zebra Marty from Madagascar!!! I can guarantee it will be a fun day at school!!!

This is a heartfelt thank you from a mom with a special needs son. Collin’s autism makes it difficult to take him to theme parks. A range of things come into play between crowds, long lines, noise, and visual processing make it difficult to take him to a theme park. While waiting for my husband to purchase tickets in a long line, Collin and I took a seat by an employee who was checking guests into the park or back to the resort. He picked up on Collin’s behavior and politely asked if he has special needs. I told him yes and told me all about The Hero Access Pass.…

I took Collin with me to Publix on Saturday. We have 2 stops that we always make before shopping… bakery and then over to the bananas. He’s requesting to make banana bread. Oh yes! He wanted to bring Forky with us!! .