Whew.....we made it!

I guess we need to play catch up......just maybe. April and May were pretty consumed with finishing things for Jesse.  

First: In April, we had an Eagle Court of Honor!! The brothers got close with theirs, but Jess is our only Eagle Scout. We had a fantastic turn out with family and friends there to support him. Scott Munford also received his Eagle that night.  

Fly high baby Eagle!

Second: in May, it was the mad dash to finish everything before graduation! Jess had a couple of projects to finish up and barely made it! He almost had to do summer school!! I almost thought about crying......this is my baby after all....but I sucked it up and celebrated with the rest of the family!

Here's a few of our favorite pics from graduation!! Enjoy

CHS Class of 2011  

My Happy Boy

Looking thoughtful

Go Redmen!

My favorite picture of Jess.

Two major celebrations with my baby seal face!! And now, on to all the summer fun!!

party on peeps!
Connie 

Mother's Day

Moth.er-/ noun/ woman who conceives, gives birth to, or raises and nurtures a child; also known as: ma, mama, mammy, mater, matriarch, mom, momma, mommy, mum, parent, and one whom a child adores; a gift from God. 

My Mommy!

I don't know where I'd be today without the love and strength that I  have received from my mother! 

She has been by my side as Ron and I learned of the challenges our family was to face. She also did all she could to learn about Asperger's and what would help. She has held me when I cried and didn't think that I could face one more day. And has laughed with me when the 'crisis' has passed.
Mom has also helped with the raising of my boys. They all know that the way to Grandma's heart is a hug and a bag of cinnamon bears!  
We are great travel buddies! We have 'dragged' my boys everywhere since they were small. Some of our greatest adventures were seeing how much vacation we could get for the boys with the least amount of money. Mom started the 'No Dad's Camp-out' when there were only 3 grandchildren. It has been a much loved event not only with my boys, but all of the grand kids that have gone.
We love her long and mighty! 

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all of the other mom's in my life!!

It's good to be Queen!

  Party on Peeps!

Connie

April is......

So, maybe you've noticed a cause that is near and dear to my heart.  It's blinking at you over on the right side of my blog.  April is Autism Awareness month. As a momma who lives with this every day,  I am taking a minute of your time to stand on my soap box make you just a little bit more aware.

Autism affects every 1 in 150 children. It is one of the most confusing conditions. It varies so much from person to person.  Even with 2 of my boys having the same diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, they are so different.

Shane

Heath

I didn't have some of the problems that other mother's have had to deal with. My heart aches for the families of the children who can't seem to be reached, and exist in their own world. Please remember, when their child is in full melt down and they can't be controlled, they are not spoiled children throwing a fit!  Please offer to help and don't judge them. You have no idea how hard it is for that mother to make a trip to the grocery store, or anywhere else for that matter.  They live in fear that they are being judged by people who just don't understand.

I don't post this for sympathy, I don't need any.  This is just life as we know it in our house. We have been very blessed to have these boys in our home. I will admit that there were a lot of tears when the diagnosis was first made. But now I see just how precious this gift is. Chances are that you know someone who is facing this challenge right now. Please educate yourself and don't be afraid of these wonderful individuals!

All of us!

In honor of these precious souls, I am posting this on both the family and the craft blog.

Party on peeps!
Connie

Feelin' the Love

Image from Graphics Fairy

Have a Wonderful Valentine's Day!


party on!!
Connie

Baby Seal Face....

Once upon a time, in a December a long time ago, there was a momma who deperately wished to walk normal for Christmas.  Her doctor, a kind and indulgent sort, agreed to help the poor woman with her Christmas wish.  Things went as planned??? and she had a new baby to hold and a normal walk for the holiday. 

Fast forward 18 years and this is what the baby looks like now!!

the youngest and the tallest of my boys

And all he wanted for his birthday was a Fedora!

looks sort of Sinatra-ish

Oh how I love this boy who is now becoming a man. He is truly my child.  He enjoys the performing arts as well as all of the manly things he does with his father and brothers.

We have been told by others that he is truly a gentleman and is very caring towards others.  

always hamming it up!

His nickname?? Given to him by his grandma because his face reminded her of a baby seal when he was little.

Shopping for school clothes and having lunch with mom and grandma!

How boring would my life be without my baby boy?!

Christmas Cookies

Every year for Christmas we are in charge of making the Phefferneus! Known by my nephews as 'Scooby Snacks'.  (I think that I might be excommunicated from the family if I forgot to make them.) These are an old fashioned gingerbread cookie from Denmark. I would share the recipe, but the only way I got to have it was to swear that I would keep it to myself. Sorry.

My niece started helping us about 3 years ago. Now she thinks that it's 'No Fair!' if we don't include her. If you are lucky enough to be related to, or live by us, then you know just how tasty these are. And from the pictures you'll see just how much work they are! 

From start...

 

to

......finish!

And here are my fine little cookie makers!

Shane, Heath and Jesse

the 'Girl with the Cookie Dough Teeth'

As you can see, we have way too much fun in the kitchen! What kind of goodies do you make every year?

Party on!

Connie 

Playing Catch Up

I guess that if you have a blog, that you must keep it somewhat updated? I know, what a slacker! So here's my attempt at catching things up really quick.

October: I adore all things about autumn. And my favorite holiday is Halloween! Why, you ask? Because it is the beginning of months of celebrating!! Here are some of our favorite pics from October!

 

Me and the Hubs! 

We attend a couples party every year with some of our favorite peeps! Wish you all could have been there. We have more fun than should be allowed! The costume competition gets to be pretty fierce! These 'costumes' were so last minute, but I love them.
After being divided into teams we were sent on a digital scavenger hunt! What craziness! I thought for sure that we were either going to injure each other or the police were going to start pulling us over!

at Fresh Market with the Church's

one of our last tasks!

What an incredibly fun night! I love the large group of friends that attend this party! We had way too much fun with Jake and Ana!
Trick or treats came next.......I love all of the little 'beggars' that come to my door! This year was fun because I got a phone call in the afternoon from a niece. She couldn't find the cape to her witch costume so she had to change plans at the last minute. Can you guess who she is??

Me and Chani

That's right!! She is being Auntie Connie!! She had on her stylist smock, big earrings, and high heels with her jeans! She knows me so well! I love this little lady! Here's a few of my girlfriend's kids and other little trick or treaters that made it to my door. And that, my friends, is October in a nutshell.

Shawna's girls

family and friend

Nic's girls