Yesterday afternoon Sawyer and I took a trip to Starbucks. I needed a coffee and some alone time with my little man. When we are in the car together he talks nonstop. It’s the kind of chatter that I love. He tells me about school, dinosaurs, and the newest Nerf Gun. He tells me about his friends. And what he wants for Christmas. And that we need to hurry up and write his letter to Santa. I soak it all up. Every single word. On our way home he started…
Read More
I am so thankful for my sister and godmother. She is amazing hands down! She has been with me from the very beginning of my son’s autism diagnosis when he was four. From my grieving, unanswered questions, mixed emotions and through tears I faced. Through every meltdown, challenges and struggle he faced and still faces, she has loved up on him and helped me and my husband face this head on. She reminds us we’re not alone. My son Jason even inspired her to learn more about autism in a…
Read More
Have you ever felt a tug on your heart. An idea that was placed in your head. Often it seems as though it has come out of nowhere but it gnaws at you. It often seems so crazy. Your try to ignore it. You continue to pray for guidance, friendship, and help and wonder why you aren’t getting any answers? I am sure that God it thinking that I am so dense that 2X4 over the head wouldn’t even get my attention at this point. So, God took it up…
Read More
When my son was five or six, I finally accepted that he ‘may’ be nonverbal forever. It wasn’t easy. And it almost depleted me. I grieved the words I may never hear. All the mamas, I love you’s, and endless questions. Around that time I started wondering what our relationship would evolve into without words. Would we have conversations? Would it be quiet? Would I be lonely? Would I spend endless hours wondering what he was thinking or needing? Well, the answer is no. Cooper and I ‘talk’ all day…
Read More
Mommy guilt is real. It’s powerful and it can crumble the strongest of women. It is painful, shaming, blaming, isolating, gut wrenching and all together time consuming. If you let it, IT WILL DESTROY YOU. How do I know this? Because it almost happened to me. The guilt I felt had such a strong hold that I was numb. For the first time in my life I felt nothing, I heard nothing, saw nothing and was NOT okay. My family was afraid to leave me alone and in all honest,…
Read More
I laugh every single time I walk into a room and see a blue blob. Especially since it’s blaring music from Choo Choo Bob. And giggling. Cooper doesn’t really care for many so-called sensory gadgets. He doesn’t have any interest. But this sensory sack is one of his favorites. He even requests it after particularly long days. He crawls inside and stretches and rolls. I highly recommend it if you have a sensory seeker or a child that craves deep pressure. Link to Transformer Sensory Sack from Fun and Function:…
Read More
Last night I was snuggling with Harbor and I found myself subconsciously saying…’say ma-ma-ma-ma.’ And as I looked at him I saw Cooper. I immediately flashed back to seven years ago and all the times I encouraged him to start making sounds. I waited for so long. Calmly at first. But eventually desperate. Here we go again. https://www.facebook.com/findingcoopersvoice/videos/862215027463626/ Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you…
Read More
We want to honor our son’s speech therapist Jacqui. She started as a person that came to our home on Saturday’s to give Carter extra help with speech, but she has become a part of our family and our Autism journey. She is the “original” member of our tribe. Our family lives in the Tampa Bay area, as well as almost our entire extended family. We have a huge support network and Carter’s tribe is the most amazing group of people that I have ever gotten to have the pleasure…
Read More
Because every picture tells a story… A few weeks ago we had our family photos taken. Harbor was brand new. I was exhausted and emotional. Nursing was hard. Recovering from having a baby was hard. And introducing a new little one into our already chaotic world was hard. I knew Cooper wouldn’t touch his new brother or most likely sit with us for a photo but…I hoped anyways. I wanted pictures of my family. So, we tried. And here is what we got. I’m in love. As I look at…
Read More
My name is Stacy, and I’m a married stay at home mom with four kids. My nine year old son Mason is neurotypical, which is the politically correct way of saying he’s “normal” or NOT autistic. My 7 year old daughter Elliott was recently diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, which was enough to make me want to check myself in to the loony bin. Like seriously, I’m waving the white flag and really need to NOT have any more diagnoses handed down for a while. But that’s a different story for…
Read More