Thank you Liz

    Life is short.  Don't take for granted those that you love. As Catholics, we accept death as part of our faith.  We all have a journey that God has put us on.  At the end of that journey, we will be reunited with him in His Kingdom.  

     My teenage children had an amazing youth group leader, and I had an amazing friend.  She was so amazing because, she treated them as if they were her own children; she loved them as they were. She accepted all kids regardless if they have special needs.  Having a special needs child that was so important to me.  She brought the best out in all those who were in youth group, and those who knew her. We will miss her. Regardless of what youth group my children end up at in the near future, or with another youth group leader, we were better for loving her. She made us better people for being part of her life.  It is better to loved and lost than not to have loved at all.  God Bless you, Liz.

Happy Birthday to my 17 year old daughter!

Happy Birthday to my daughter, who is 17 today.  It seems like yesterday, we brought you home from the hospital.  I have been blessed to have you as my daughter.  The great joys we had, the summers we lived at the beach or in the pool, the vacations we went on, especially Disney.  I know Disney was your favorite.  The most wonderful thing has been watching you grow up and grow up more deeply in your faith with God. I am so proud of the person you have become.  I am so proud to be your mom.  I can look back and see what an awesome childhood you had and the times we just giggled about silly stuff.  The next two years of high school will speed by.  Before you know it you will be on your own journey through life.  Just know no matter what I will be your biggest fan, because you are an amazing person, who I have been so blessed to know. God gave me such a privilege  allowing me to be your mom.  Te amo meja.

Autism doesn't define you, your character does.

     All of you, if you have been reading my blog, know I have a son who has autism.  I have always told him Autism does not define him, your character does. I felt like all the therapies, all the work he has done, had come full circle tonight.  He stood up in front of his troop, something he has never did before, and explained to his troop about a Catholic Retreat for Boy Scouts he is going on, that our pastor runs.  I was so proud of how well he handled himself.  One person can make a difference in lives of others if they are constantly encouraging him. He has had several mentors in his troop through the years.  He also has an awesome Scoutmaster. I remember Temple Grandin saying in an interview, that  Boy Scouts is awesome for boys on the spectrum.  I wouldn't have believed it, unless I saw it with my own eyes, and tonight I did. My heart is so joyful for him in this accomplishment.

Praising Him,
Noelle