Breathing Space Blogger Retreat

 I had the priviledge of working on Breathing Space Blogger Retreat, an amazing event for the past few months, thank you Aly Brooks for hiring me and to Dani Lassiter and Heidi Loewen for suggesting that I was the woman for the job. I am super duper proud of how things worked out. Courtney Carlson is due all the praise in the world for the incredible decor at every turn at this retreat. WOW!!! Is all you can say as you walked into every swanky dinner. Courtney is a visionary and I adore her. 

One of our sweet guests asked who the eye candy was serving our "Perfectini's" and the answer is our MEN! Sorry ladies they are taken for eternity! We are so grateful for such wonderfully supportive husbands. We love you dearly!

 Me and my Mister is our "perfect" outfits for the "perfect Stepford Wives dinner. So glad I could share this night with him. 

Brittany Egbert and I partying at the Cinco De Mayo festival. It was so great to meet so many wonderful women and sponsors. This is one of the highlights of the event. 

The other two highlights were special moments.....

1)singing happy birthday to the sweet boy who all he wanted was for someone to sing to him was precious. His mom and I crying over his new diagnosis of Aspberger's. 

2) Meeting Megan Falkner Brown, aka Sweet Tooth Fairy, was a moment I've waited for a long time since two and a half years ago the Rock said "more" for the first time because he wanted more of her cakebites at the shop. It was so wonderful to be able to thank her in person for "Baking a Difference" in our lives.

To see more photos from the fun event go here.

Breathing Space?

In two days another My Peeps and I will be throwing a major party here in the amazing Daybreak, UT. I am so excited to meet so many incredible woman who share their stories, triumphs, projects and trials on their blog. This has been such a fun event to put together and all though my family will enjoy the Breathing Space when it's all over, I am enjoying the ride.

Event weeks are always crazy busy and today I just took it all in and laughed as the day went on, because really Laughter is the best medicine. A lesson I hope to one day Master!

Laughter = Peace 

on SO many levels, that if we could use it more as a way to communicate the world would be a happier place. Have you mastered the art of letting the things you can't control become humorous? How?

see ya later, cause I can't say goodbye

My Sis and her Famdamily are moving to one of my favorite places, Florida. As much as I am excited for their new adventure, it is SO hard to say goodbye. So again I find myself in denial and refusing to say goodbye, just See Ya Later!

We had their family over and our cute 5yr old boys talked about how they would cry because it's the last time they'll be at our house for a long time. Here's a pic of the boys, it's as if it's too hard to smile http://t.co/pZqnktYE.

Heman and Batman http://t.co/pZqnktYE, you know tearing up's not the manly thing to do, so they ham it up and get cuddly.

Sistas http://t.co/qyl9QC3k

You know you're a M.O.M. when.......

....the most Peaceful time of day is 12am. I just had a friend email me at 12 (which was a 11/2 hours ago), I mentioned I was glad someone was up with me and she said it's hard to pass up getting things done with all the PEACE.

I had to laugh because it's SO true, how do you pass up these early morning hours. I'm not sure my brain is at full capacity but that's ok, right?

When's your peaceful hours of the day as a Manager Of Mayhem (all encompassing M.O.M)?

Time = Peace

As Spunky and Punky turn the ripe old age of 10 and 12 I can't help but look back at time and realize how fast it goes by. When I was in the trenches of them being little I thought the day would never come when I would have a moment of Peace.

Now they are growing up so fast I cry every time I think about it....so I don't! I have decided to live in denial and believe that they will Never grow up past 12. After 12 it all goes crazy, right?  

Punky told me last night that she was going to be a good teenager and make me proud. (after she heard on the news that teenagers were drinking hand sanitizer to get drunk, luckily she thought that was stupid!)

My girls are amazing young woman with incredible talents. Spunky can belt out a song at the top of her lungs at any given moment and fall in love with 10 ten boys in a day. Punky and can climb the tallest tree (just like Katniss) and has the loving heart of an angel. Time as given me the Peace to treasure these two gifts from above.

Party Time

I am a SaHM who loves to throw a party at any given time for any given reason just to keep things relaxed and busy all at the same time. We have six in our household. We are all very spirited! Our youngest was diagnosed with Autism 21/2 yrs ago, I write about finding peace with all the different pieces our lives including the "A" word, autism. A year ago I found myself longing to find peace all the time. I could never quite get enough peace before the next mountain in life stood in my way and I needed the strength to climb. I can look at life realistically (my reality of course) and see what needs to change, even if it's me. So a year ago I decided that I would start holding on to the small (very teeny tiny) pieces of peace I was given and then eventually it might be enough to give me the strength to keep climbing and the strength to stop when I need to. So I decided I would write about itnto keep it all together. I've joined the Ultimate Blog Party 2012 to meet new friends, find new blogs, tweet and post about all the good stuff out there.

seeking help

Just this last week I have received two phone calls with loved ones of children with autism seeking help. My heart hurts for them as they are struggling with what to do and where to go. I know this feeling all to well. Right after my son was diagnosed with autism and my two daughters diagnosed with learning disabilities I felt lost and like I was drowning in a sea of information I couldn't figure out what was the best thing for all of my babies. There is no one way for every child, they are all different and what works for one does NOT always work for the other. I had to learn to follow my mother's intuition more than ever before and believe that I was the only person that knew what was best for them, no matter what anyone else told me.

Motherhood for me comes with a lot of guilt and wondering that I screwed them up. I have to remember all the time that I am doing the best I can and one day hopefully it will be enough. I love this quote.....

"If you're a good mom 60% of the time YOU ARE A GOOD MOM!" I figure feeding, bathing, clothing, playing takes up more than 60% of the day so...........I AM A GOOD MOM and so ARE YOU!

Because I've had these phone calls I've decided to add a few of the sites and places that have made my life with autism a little easier. Look to the right.

Autism Anthem by Dave Eaton

This song is right on point of the every day life the Rock experiences and us along with him. I love my family and would NOT change any one of them for anything in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goyeS6ryNC8

World Autism Awareness Day

Let your blue lights shine at your home and work! Home Depot is wonderful and is now selling the official Autism Speaks blue lights. Thank you Home Depot!

Stats are IN!

BUT....In Utah the stats are 1out of 48! This is crazy, and over the last week I've had several people ask me why I thought Utah is out of control. I'm not going to guess why, I don't know, but the stats don't lie. We NEED these people of all ages with Autism to receive the therapy and services they REQUIRE to live a full and wonderful life. The cost is average at $40k a year per person for the help they need. Who has this much money lying around to be spent on therapies, school, doctors visits, etc.?