Come out and RUN!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zGiDiHrIjY&feature=colike


This video describes what ASD is and how they determine if someone has it or not.  I know 3 out of the 5 people in this video!  Kristi and Bryan are on the Walk board with me and Patricia has seen Parker before.  (I think for testing!)  It's a great video! 

Enjoy!

New Word!!!!

Parker enjoyed a day with other people with disabilities yesterday at Opportunity Day at the K of C in Alexandria. This event is so amazing. It invites adults and children with disabilities to come have a day of fun, fishing, riding a boat, bounce houses, riding horses, games, petting animals, making crafts, dancing to music, and lunch, all free of charge. Caregivers can drop off the disabled person and can take a few hours off. They have volunteers there to help take the people around and be the caregivers for a few hours. This is such an amazing event for the disabled people, the caregivers who get a few hours to themselves, and also for the volunteers who help out in so many ways.

This is the second year Parker has attended this event. We go with him and the entire family has so much fun. Parker is not looked at funny and he his a "king" for a day. Whatever he wants to do, we do. Its his day.

His favorite this year (also was last year) was riding the horses. His eyes just light up when he sees them and he makes a run for them. This year he was ready to ride them and couldn't wait. He got on and smiled ear to ear and laughed the entire time. When the horse came to a stop and it was time to get off, he got off, petted the horse, then got right back on. They took him around a few more times.

The horses just calm him like nothing else does. He LOVES looking in their eyes, feeding them, and of course, riding them. He can't stop smiling.

Well this year, the horses did much more than give him a ride on their backs. We were standing in line, waiting our turn, and I asked if he was excited to ride the horse. I looked at him and told him to say horse. I do this for everything. Ask him to try and say the word. So I said, "Parker, say Horse" Below is what he said.

AMAZING!!!! He says it so clear!

Thank you God for giving Parker another word and we are one word closer to talking! Also, thank you to EVERYONE who helped out at the K of C yesterday. An event like this means the world to families!

Florence Freedom Game Fundraiser

Please come out and support Autism Speaks and the Florence Freedom Baseball Team.  Tickets are $10 online and $5 from each ticket sold will go to our team walk 2013 total.  Go to www.florencefreedom.com and use promo code Parker!  Any questions, please email me at katieruschman@hotmail.com.  This is the first time the Florence Freedom team has made the playoffs, so they are celebrating by making it a way for charities to raise money!

Parker at school today!

Parker's Autism teacher Ms. Lindsey sent me a picture of his hard at work today.  They were learning about underwater animals, so they got to play in the water.  His aide said he only got a little wet but the other kids were not so lucky.  They said he did really well and loved it.  I love getting pictures like this from his teacher!

Dine to Donate Fundraiser!

I have been asked by A LOT of people to keep having the Dine to Donate fundraisers all year long.  We all love to go out to eat and not have to cook, but when it is for a good cause, WE LOVE IT!!!

So, September 9th from 11am to close, Applebee's in Highland Heights will give us 10% of all checks turned in with a flyer.  YOU MUST GIVE THE SERVER THE FLYER BELOW!!!!  Go here to print out a copy!  http://www.4shared.com/photo/ZU89_VtL/Applebees.html#I8FyWj50ZT0G7FjI.01

Please join us in our first fundraiser for the 2013 Walk Now for Autism Speaks!  This years goal is to raise over $18,000!!!! 

Please pass this flyer out to all of your friends, family, co-workers, etc.  Thanks so much for your support!

Free $5 Tanger Giftcard!

Just wanted to share a deal with everyone.  Go here.  You get a free $5 Tanger Giftcard.  I was just there for my birthday and bought myself a new Coach purse!  Have fun shopping!

Chore and Behavior Cards

I finally found a new chore system that is working in our house.  Dylan (our 7 year old) hates to help around that house so I needed something more than just a chart.  So I started a system with punch cards and a Treasure box that is working well right now. 

I got a see-thru box from the store and let Dylan pick out things to put in it.  A pack of gum, a bag of cotton candy, a red box movie or game rental, special Popsicles, and many other inexpensive items that he wants.  Every time he completes a chore or shows good behavior, he gets a hole punch.  When he fills up a card, he gets to pick a prize out of the box. 

It seems to be working well.  I wanted to share in case you have a non-helper in your house like I did.  Here is a link to the cards I bought. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/102593918/20-childrens-chore-punch-cards

There is also Behavior Punch Cards with the same idea!  Anytime he is "caught" doing something well, like doing a chore without arguing about it, helping is brother, going to get something for me, etc, he gets a hole punch.  But these can be taken back with a sticker if he does something bad! 

Here's a link to these also!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/102594464/20-behavior-punch-cards

Hope these ideas help your kids help around the house during summer break! 

Katie

New blog!

I have a new blog! 

I just started making ribbon wreaths (and crayon wreaths!) and putting them on a blog is a nice an easy way to show what wreaths I have available for sale!  So please follow me on my newest blog.  And if you would like to place an order for a wreath, please let me know.

www.katiesribbonwreaths.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for your love and support!

Giveaway!

I am giving away a gift certificate for a Free Oil Change to Joseph Cadillac and Subaru.  It is for a lubrication, oil, and filter change.  It expires 2/14/13.  It is located at 7600 Industrial Rd in Florence!

To enter this contest, you can do any or all of the ways below.

1. Leave any comment below.
2. Follow my blog and let me know you did.
3. Have your friends and family follow my blog and have them leave a message with your name in the comment section.  This will earn a point for you and your friend.

I will draw the lucky winner on June 15th.

Thanks and good luck!

Here's 10 free song downloads from iTunes!!!

I thought I would pass along a deal I just found.  You can download the 10 songs below for free!

2012 Summer Music Festivals

Take advantage of a special offer from USA TODAY. FREE 10-song playlist on iTunes!

Playlist:

1. Dawes – Million Dollar Bill
2. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Longer and Stronger
3. Feist – Get it Wrong, Get it Right
4. The Band Perry – Independence
5. Fitz & the Tantrums – Don’t Gotta Work it Out
6. Young the Giant – Strings
7. Phantogram – When I’m Small
8. Bon Iver – Calgary
9. Trampled by Turtles – Alone
10. Thomas Rhett – Something to Do with My Hands

Hope you like some of them!  I really like The Band Perry song!

Enjoy!

Katie

Walk day with Pictures!

Looking at all of the pictures my dear friend Paula Losure captured yesterday truely brings me to tears.

Paula, me, and Parker

  Having so many great people coming out to support my son is a blessing! 

We had close family, extended family, close friends, new friends, old friends, high school friends, co workers, teachers, church members, and even some people we have never met!!!  Having one of the biggest (if not the biggest) team is down right amazing.  We had so many people, I didn't know some people where there until I saw the pictures.  I am sorry I didnt get around to talk to everyone. 

Brian's aunt and uncle were in a car wreak getting to the walk, but still made it in time to walk with us.  Now that is dedication!!!!  


But thank you, thank you, thank you to EVERYONE who made it out to support us. It truley means the would to us to have so much support.  Words will never be able to describe the love we feel on walk day.  Knowing so many people come out early on a Saturday morning to walk for your son.  I stand back, look around at all of the blue shirts, and just want to cry.  Thanks again to an awesome Parker's Puzzle Posse!!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from yesterday!

 My favorite picture

 Cousins

 Parker and Audrey - Best Buddys

Schneider Family (minus Brian)

Brothers

 Parker's Puzzle Posse walking!

My family!

Saturday!

TO ALL WALKERS: I am getting to Coney at 8 am.  The walk starts at 10 am but I would say get there by 9 am.  There is entertainment from 8 - 10 and lots of free food.  Also, If you are a returning walker, please wear your Parker Puzzle Posse shirt from last year.  If you are a new walker, and ordered a shirt, you can pick them up at my house tomorrow or I will have them at the walk on Saturday.  Please just wear a white shirt so you can throw your new one over it.  If you are in need of a shirt and did not order one, I did order a FEW extra but not as many as I am going to need.  Please wear a "UK" blue colored shirt so you will at least match us in color.  Coney will be open from 11-1 for free so please stay, have lunch, and enjoy the day.  It should be BEAUTIFUL!!!!  Thanks so much for walking with us and supporting us.  It is such a fantastic walk and it really reminds us how lucky we are to have Parker and can count our blessing on how far he has come!!!  See you all on Saturday!!!!!!

2 years ago....

Two years ago, we received Parker's diagnoses of Autism, Developmental Delay, and Seizures.  This year we added Apraxia to the mix.  Thinking back on how much life has changed over the past two years, I realize how much we have grown as a family.  Two year ago was by far the worst day of my entire life.  Losing the hope of what you thought your child would grow up doing and what he would be is a very hard pill to swallow.  But, it had made us stronger, more understanding, a better brother, Dad, and Mom.

Every year on this difficult anniversary, I reflect on how much Parker has grown in the past year.

This year he has done so much.

-Learned to balance on a swing.
-He can cut with regular scissors.
-He knows his ABC.
-He makes a lot more eye contact.
-He has 10-15 words.
-He can try and repeat a word, and comes very close to a lot of them.
-He can trace his name.
-He throws things in the garbage when asked.
-He learned how to give Eskimo kisses.
-He give the biggest Bear Hugs that actually hurt!
-He imitates people.
-He blows kisses again.
-He can throw a ball.
-He listens to us now.
-He can brush his own teeth.
-He smiles all the time.
-He hates when the wind blows my hair in my face.
-He eats a lot more things.
-He climbs on everything now.
-He got a new bed.
-He plays with his cars now instead of just putting them in a line.
-He wrestles with Dylan.
-He loves to play with mulch.
-He is doing so well matching pictures into categories.
-He graduated from Preschool yesterday.
-Parker's Puzzle Posse has raised over $15,000 of Autism research this year alone!

I am so very proud of where we are today.  Parker is an amazing kid and I am blessed God gave him to me.  Below is a video I have been working on.  I hope Parker understands we will never give up on him or finding a cure for autism.

Mommy loves you so much Parker!

Parker is no longer a preschooler!

Today was the day I have been dreading all year.  Parker's last day of preschool.  Looking back over his preschool journey, he has grown SO much.  He went there my baby, and came home today my little man.  It was hard to say goodbye to his friends and teachers, but especially hard to say goodbye to Parker's 4th grandma, Ms. Debbie.  Debbie is our angel sent down from heaven.  She worked with autistic children for years so it was no surprise Parker LOVES her.  Every morning when I would wake his up to go to school, I would always say "Do you want to go see Ms. Debbie today?" and he would smile.  This morning I said it for the last time, and it broke my heart.  How was I going to say goodbye to a teacher who has been with both of my boys for the last 4 years.  I didn't know how I would do it so I sat down and wrote her a letter.  I told her how much she means to me and to both of my boys.  I told her I will blow up a picture I took of them last night and always remind Parker of the special angel God sent me to help him and me get through the years of preschool but she was also my shoulder to turn to when I had questions about autism.  She held my hand through it all.  Debbie will always hold a special place in my families lives. 

So walking up to the steps to pick up the kids, I took pictures of the other teachers with Parker and waited to talk to Debbie.  As I snapped away I tried not to think of what was about to happen in just seconds now. I looked at Debbie and tears filled my eyes.  I hugged her so tight and all I could say was Thank You.  Tears started falling down both of our cheeks.  I did not want to leave her.  I wanted to push her in my car and make her come home with me so I never had to say goodbye.  She said she told herself not to cry, but how could she not.  She loved Parker like he is one of her own.  So we hugged and cried one more time until I had to force myself to turn around and start walking to my car.  We were leaving a very special person and a great school. I can only hope and pray God sends me another angel like Debbie.  But no one will ever be able to take the place of Ms. Debbie, as she was there for us from the beginning. 

Thank you Ms. Debbie for everything!  It will never be enough, but I hope you understand how truly thankful and blessed Parker is to have had you in his life.  We will never forget you and I hope we can stay in touch for many years to come.  I will be sending you an invitation to his high school and college graduations.  (They will be in the mail shortly!)  Love you with all of my heart!

Katie

Parker is ready for Kindergarten.

Parker has showed me this week that he is ready for Kindergarten.  He knows his numbers, his alphabet, his colors, and now he showed me he can trace his name!  His teachers told me he could do it but he would never do it for me, until tonight. I was watching a movie with Dylan and I heard Parker scribbling with a pen.  I ran into my office fearing black marks all over my new white desk, but he was using an envelope.  So we went to the kitchen table and I got him another piece of paper.  I let him scribble then thought I would try and write his name with a highlighter and see if he would trace his name for me.  Sure enough, he did.  Several times.  So I moved on to his first and last name.  He did that no problem.  So I wrote the alphabet and he watched and studied how I wrote every letter.  He then took his finger and wanted me to help him say each letter.  We went through the entire list and he says 1/4 of them!  Then he started copying them.  If he missed a line, he would go back and trace it.  He was concentrating so hard and did a fantastic job.  He traced his name 4 times, traced his alphabet 2 times, and numbers 1-23 once.  This took around 15-20 minutes which is HUGE, because he can only sit and concentrate for about 3-4 minutes.

So he is starting to show me that he is ready for kindergarten and I can only thank his teachers and therapists.  I can not take credit for this one at all.  He never wants to write or color with me. So, thank you Ms. Weisel, Mrs. Debbie, Mrs. Linda, Ms. Kari, Ms. Staci, Ms. Jill, Krista, Kacia, and Emily!  I will never be able to repay you for all you are doing with Parker getting him ready for the next step in his life. 

This is the post I have been waiting to write!!!

WE HAVE BEAT LAST YEARS TOTAL!!!!!  As of today, we have raised $11,810.60, and we still have 3 weeks to go!  AMAZING!  And we have 102 registered walkers! It really brings tears to my eyes that we were able to beat last year.  Everyone in the autism community asks how I do it and all I can tell them is that I have a very generous team behind me.  Even if you don't walk with us, if you have donated even a dollar, you are part of Parker's Puzzle Posse!  2 years ago when we were hit with the news of autism, I NEVER would have imagined that we would raised almost $25,000 in two years.  Never!  But every year you help us raise money to help find a cure for autism so they can help our son.  I would never wish autism on anyone, but I do wish that in sometime in your lifetime, you will get the feeling of an amazing team of people who stand behind you and help you and your child like we have.  It is the most amazing thing ever! 
So I know that Thank You is not ever going to be enough to express the amount of love, support, and kindness everyone has showed us.  But Thank You.  Thank you. Thank You!

Parker had a great day last Wednesday!

Parker had a wonderful day on Wednesday! 

We were all down stairs in the toy room and I was talking with Parkers grandpa, when I noticed Parker playing with his letter puzzle.  He had taken all of the letters out of the puzzle board and put the board aside.  He then was taking the letters and putting them in order.  He put them in 4 rows just like the board.  It was out of his sight and turned upside down so he had no way of looking at it.  This was the first time he showed me his ABCs!  The first time, he put the R in front of the Q, but knew something was wrong, but could not pin point it.  So I fixed the letters, and he smiled, knowing they were all correct know.  Then he pushed the letters side, and started again.  We all watched as he put them in order, in the same rows, and this time getting them all correct!  We were all so excited!  So Parker showed us he knows his ABCs.  This was HUGE!!!

Later that day, we went to the park for Dylans baseball practice.  Parker went down every slide like he always does.  But this night, he wanted to swing on the swings.  His OT therapist has been working on his strength and balancing with him.  You need both of these to be able to swing and stay on.  So I put him on the swing, expecting him to want off right away like he always did in the past.  He was never a swing lover.  But this time he stayed on.  So I started pushing him, and HE STAYED ON!!!!  This was huge because he had to use all of those muscles we have been working on and also his balance.  He swung for a good 5 minutes or more!  He was swinging by himself for the first time.  He wasn't moving his legs and pumping by himself, by sitting and balancing all by himself on the big boy swings!  This was amazing!

And to end the wonderful night, he let us brush his teeth without putting up a fight.  He opened, smiled, and even took the toothbrush from me and started brushing the front of his teeth by himself.  Amazing!

Days like this really make me wonder how much this boy knows and is unable to tell us.  Brian and I both think he has a photographic memory, as he put the letters in the same order as the puzzle and knows which cars we move out of a line of 20 cars.  I really wish there was a way to get inside his brain and see everything he knows.  So now we know he can count to 12, knows his ABCs, and most of his colors.  He is SO ready for Kindergarten!!!! 

Love and Prayers,

Katie

Florence Freedom Basket For Sale!

Today's item for Autism Speaks is from the Florence Freedom Baseball team. They have donated a bag full of items. Selling for $30. Items included are 2 tickets to a game this season, 3 baseballs with a rack to hold them, a Barack Obama bobble head, a paperweight hat, and tshirt. Please let me know if you are interested in this bag full of goodies.

Autism Awareness at its finest!

Please watch this video.  It is 8 minutes long but worth the watch.

This is something Brian and I worry about every time we go out to eat or go out anywhere with Parker.  Its really nice to see how people react to a child with signs of autism.  What happened in this video shows that the word is getting out and people are becoming aware of how someone acts if they have autism.

The lady who says "They need to teach him how to behave in public" is correct.  We can not teach our kids how to handle crowds, loud noices, strange places, and strangers unless we take them out into public places.  I have felt just like the mother so many times.  You want them to behave "typical" and become so stressed  that you begin to cry.  I want to pick him up and leave to get out of the situation.  It's not fair to Parker or Dylan and I am trying to not become so stressed and deal with the situation, but most importantly, not care what others are thinking of us. 

Please let me know what you think of the video.  Has this happend to a family and your heart when out to them, or did you find it upsetting?

Thanks

Katie

Barleycorns Fundraiser and Total Raised!

Our next Dine and Donate location is Barleycorns in Cold Spring on April 25th.  They will donate 15% of all food, drinks, and alcohol!  This is an all day event, so please stop by for lunch, or dinner! You must bring the attached flyer!  Thank you so much for all of your support in all of these fundraisers!  It's nice to get out of the house and not have to cook while supporting a great cause!

We have raised $9,764.63 so far!!!!  We are going to beat last years total!  Simply amazing.  Thank you for helping us raise money for Autism Speaks so they can find a cure for our son. 

Also, I only have about 70 raffle tickets left.  If you are interested in winning an iPad 2 for $5, please let me know and I will get you a ticket!

Again, thank you is never enough to let you know who much it means to us, having the best friends and family supporting us in fundraising, but also in supporting Parker.

Lots of love and prayers,

Katie

Gift Certificates for sale!!!!

Here are the gift certificates I have left. Please help us raise money for Autism Speaks by purchasing one (or more) of the following!

Reca Roller Rink Admission Pass - Good on Weds 6:30-8:30 pm, Fri 7-11 pm, or Sat 2-4:30 pm or 7-11 pm. 2 passes for $5.

Susans Salon - Free haircut with Kaitlyn - Expires 4*30*12 - Selling for $10

GameWorks 30 minutes of play - Selling for $5

Mitchell's Fish ...Market - Complimentary Appetizer - Expires 12*30*12 - Selling for $5

Joseph Cadillac and Subaru - Oil Change - Expires 2*14*13 - Selling for $10

Raffle Ticket for a chance to win an iPad 2 - $5

Bruster's Ice Cream Fundraiser

Kids will love this fundraiser...and adults too!  April 11th from 6-9 pm at the Bruster's Ice Cream on US 42 in Florence is our next fundraiser!  Bruster's is donating 20% of all sales between 6-9 pm to Autism Speaks.  No flyer to print out, just show up and your order will be counted!  How easy is that!  Please come out and enjoy some ice cream! 

Thanks so much for all your support!

Katie

Scentsy Fundraiser!!!

My friend, Kathy Schwartz, is turning her Scentsy party into a Parker's Puzzle Posse fundraiser for Autism Speaks!  Kathy walked with us last year and I am excited she is helping in the fundraising!  If you are interested in ordering from Scentsy, please visit her page online  www.jenniferjohansing.scentsy.us.  On the left hand side, under My Open Parties, pick Kathy Schwartz.  20% of the sales will be donated to Autism Speaks!!!  I have a warmer I bought last year that has puzzle pieces on it for Autism and Scentsy donated some of the money.  They have AMAZING scents.  With Kareys house fire, I do not like to burn candles anymore.  So a warmer is so nice!  Please help us make this a great fundraiser.  Her party will close on April 7th so make sure to get your order in before then!

Again, Thanks so much for supporting Parkers Puzzle Posse.  With your help, we will be the #1 Individual Fundraising Team again in 2012!

Tastefully Simple Fundraiser!

Parker's Puzzle Posse is holding a Tastefully Simple Fundraiser. My friend, Kristen Hildebrand, contacted me and offered to do a party and she will donate 15% of the total sales back to Autism Speaks! This is at my house on March 30th at 6:30. Please feel free to bring a friend or two. We will be tasteing some really good food, so come hungry!      

If you'd like to place an online order for this party, shop online today at www.tastefullysimple.com and select the host (Katie Ruschman) prior to checkout.

Thanks for your support!  Let's make this fundraiser as big as all the other ones!

Katie
      

**Gift Card Sale**

For a donation to Autism Speaks of $100, you can have a 200 wing party at Hooters in Florence. These parties are awesome. Brian won one last year and we had a ton of people there eating wings. This party can be held Sunday - Thursday, excluding Wednesday. Select times are available on Friday and Saturdays (Call ahead). THey need 24 hours notice. This is dine in only at the Florence location. Expires 9/30/12. You could get a bunch of friends to all go in on this. Let me know if you are interested!

Susan Salon - Haircut with Kaitlyn - $10
Gameworks - 30 minute video game play - $5
(6) Hofbräuhaus - Free dinner entree (up to $10) - $5 each (Can not be used for the fundraiser!)
All money raised will go to Autism Speaks. Please let me know if interested.

Cincinnati Walk Now for Autism Speaks 2011 Video

Every year, a father of an autistic boy, puts together a video of the walk.  He trys to get everyone in and he does an amazing job!  On Sunday, at the Kickoff, we got to see the video for the first time!  It was my favorite part of the kickoff event.  If you want to get a feel what walk day is like, watch the video.  It makes me cry to know I am now part of an amazing group of amazing people.  I have met a lot of the people in the video.  A lot came up to me on Sunday night to talk.  It's nice to know I am not alone in this battle.  Look how many people support our awesome kids!

If you were part of the walk last year, try and look for yourself.  Parker's Puzzle Posse is in the video a lot!  Thanks to everyone who came out to support us, and I hope we have even more walkers with us this year!

God Gave Me You Parker David! I truly believe that! It took me awhile, but I see it so clearly now!

Enjoy the video!

Click here to watch the video

Katie

**Gift Certificates Still for Sale**

Susan Salon - Haircut with Kaitlyn - $15
Gameworks - 30 minute video game play - $5
(6) Hofbräuhaus - Free dinner entree (up to $10) - $5 each (Can not be used for the fundraiser!)
(4) Louisville Bats Game tickets - (Sunday through Wednesday games only) - Excluding opening night, Thunder over Louisville, Playoff games, July 3-4 and Concerts). $25
All money raised will go to Autism Speaks. Please let me know if interested.

Also still going on
*31 gifts fundraiser - 20% of sales - Visit www.mythirtyone.com/tammycrowder - Choose Parker Puzzle Posse Ends 2*28*12
*Cincinnati Skyline Posters - 20x30 posters - 3 to choose from - $5 from each sale to go to Autism Speaks - Sale going on until Feb 25 for $30
*Raffle Tickets - Win an iPad 2 - Tickets are $5 each.

Thank you so much to Sts. Peter and Paul students, teachers, staff, and parents!

Back Row: Parker's Grandpa Dan, cousin Abbie, Grandma Cindy, cousin Zack, me, Parker, cousin Billy, big brother Dylan, cousin Ali, and Uncle/Godfather Bill with the 6th grade class at Sts. Peter and Paul.

I wanted to give a BIG shout out to my niece and newphews school, Sts. Peter and Paul in California, KY. For catholic schools week, they hold a penny war. This year, Shelli Bezold, contacted me and told me they picked Autism Speaks as this years charity!!!

I was stunned. I thought a penny war would bring in $100, maybe $200. Well they blew that out of the water. They raised $784.29!!! That's amazing! I was so blown away.

Above is the picture of the winning class, 6th grade. My newphew Zack is in the class and is holding the check. They presented us with the check at their pep rally.

So Thank You to everyone who helped raise money for Autism Speaks. I LOVE when schools raise money for charity and the kids get to see it handed to someone! What a great school and a wonderful group of kids!

Katie

This is why we raise money for Autism Speaks!

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/46435214#46435214

Next dining out fundraiser - Hofbräuhaus!!!

Our next dining to donate is at Hofbräuhaus in Newport on Thursday March 8th.  This is an all day event.  This one also has a bonus.  Alcohol is included!!!  So get your drinking buddies and have a night out.  Warning - you might have to call into work the next morning! LOL! 

This event is similar to Applebee's.  You must present the flyer with your check for the money to go to Autism Speaks.  We will receive 10% of all sales!  So please share this on your Facebook page, tweet it, email it, and pass out the flyer.  With the alcohol included, this could be our biggest one yet.  Food and soda are also included. 

Hofbräuhaus is a great place to take the family for dinner.  We have a couple of times are it is really good.  They have a Pretzel Sandwich that is really good. 

So please continue to join us, as you have before, for lunch, dinner, or drinks.  Any questions, please let me know. 

Print the flyer here!
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/113640994/Hofbr�uhaus

Thanks so much for your continued support!


Katie

Raffle Tickets are IN!!!!

This years raffle is for an 32gb wi-fi iPad 2!!!  We are now selling tickets.  We will be selling them until we run out or until the drawing at the walk on May 19th.  Tickets are $5 each and all of the money raised will go to Autism Speaks.  Last year, we sold all of the tickets so this is our biggest fundraising event. 

If you are interested in buying some, please email me for my address.  You can pay with a check made out to Autism Speaks, drop cash off to me (you can mail it also if you want), or make a donation online here http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=994799&lis=1&kntae994799=8BE6909A3DEA432CB09CD88B1D117A44&supId=305799163

If you have any questions, please email me, or leave a comment below.

Thanks so much for all of your support!  Lets try and raise $12,000 this year!

Katie

Need new jewlery?

One of walkers last year, and a friend of mine, Kelly, is having a Silpada jewelry party this Sunday.  Some of the money raised will go to Autism Speaks.  So if you need jewelry, please check out the link below. 

If someone wants to order online, they can go to the website www.mysilpada.com/laurie.hartig

I think there is a link on the invitation.  Shop for the jewelry, then go to checkout and that leads you to enter their information. Then click the PLACE AND ORDER key and it asked if you want to associate this with a show. Click yes and Kelly Guidugli as a show that is upcoming.  You can do this through the 25th. If you would rather call her or email her your order, heres her email and phone number.   silverlah@sbcglobal.net. 314-267-3784. You will have to call to give her your credit card number.

Thanks so much for your support!  And a big thank you to Kelly for putting this fundraiser together!

Katie

New fundraising opportunity!

A friend of mine, Bill Bertke, contacted me today with a fundraising idea.  He has his own photography business and takes amazing pictures.  He has three pictures of the Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River that he can have made into a poster.  So if you are looking to get a picture of the beautiful skyline for your home or office, here's a way to help Autism Speaks as well. 

Cincinnati in Summer (Photo #1)



Bill will have these beautiful photos printed in a 20x30 poster size print and you can either pick them up at my house, or at your local Walgreen's.  If you are out of town, picking up at your local Walgreen's will save you money on shipping! 

Summertime Skyline (Photo #2)

When these posters are printed, the writing will be at the top but not on the side. 

Sunrise on the Ohio River (Photo #3)

From today until this Friday, Bill is offering these posters for $30 each.  After Friday, they will cost $40.  Bill is donating $5 from each poster to Autism Speaks! 

To place an order, please email me at katieruschman@hotmail.com with the subject Autism Poster.  Please include which picture you would like printed. Bill accepts credit cards, checks, or cash!  If you have any questions, please call Bill at 859-628-9229.

You can visit Bill's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Photographic-Art-by-Bill-Bertke/245440952133777 or his webpage http://www.photoartbb.com. 

Thanks so much for your support!

Katie



You guys did it again!

You packed Skyline all day!  They were so packed for lunch, they called in 3 extra workers to help out with the dinner rush.  The employees were busting their butts too.  We had a packed house and a packed drive thru!  Thank you to everyone who came out!  It was a huge success! 

I do not wish anyone to have to go through what we are going through with Parker, but I do wish for everyone to someday feel the love and support we felt tonight.  I said this at the walk last year.  To see people coming out to help support your son and a cause that is so close to your heart, is AMAZING.  Its a rush of love that is so powerful.  To think that people will take time out of their busy day to come eat at a restaurant, wake up early on a Saturday morning to walk with you, to place an order for another fundraiser you are doing, purchase a raffle ticket, or just hand you money, it really makes me cry. 

I started this journey with a little voice that said, "I have to do something to help find a cure to help Parker."  I heard a commercial on Q102 for the Walk Now for Autism Speaks the week we were given the diagnoses.  I wasn't ready then, but promised God that I would help raise money for this organization if he would help me along this road I am now chosen to walk down.  God has shown me he is right there helping me.  He gave Parker is first word that he didn't loose.  Mom.  Not Dad.  Mom.  He knew I would need that to not give up hope.  He gave Parker the word, Amen, and turned it into folding his hands.  He now does the sign of the cross and knows when to say Amen. So I am keeping my promise of raising as much money as I can to help find a cure for Autism. 

So thank you all for helping me keep my promise to God.  I believe that if you give a little, you will receive a much greater reward.  God has given me so much and I have given very little.  I try my best to spread awareness of autism, but I know I can do more. 

I know I went on and on, but I really do pray you will all feel the love we feel at these fundraisers.  Again, thank you so very much for coming out tonight.  We have our next one planned already.  Hofbrauhaus in Newport is our next fundraiser.  March 8th, all day, and yes, alcohol is INCLUDED!!!  So get your drinking buddies, and drink for Autism.  More details to come. 

Thanks again for your support! 

Happy Valentines Day!

Katie

Skyline Fundraiser Tomorrow!!!!

Have you seen the sign?  Skyline is advertising for us too!  How awesome is that!

Don't forget the fundraiser is tomorrow from open to close (10:30 am to 10:00 pm)!  It is good in the the restrauant and through the drive thru!  All you have to do is tell the cashier that you are there for the fundraiser and we will get 10 - 15%!!!!  There will also be a bucket that you can drop your extra change (or dollars!) into!  Every penny helps!

Thank you so much for all of your support!  Also, while your there tomorrow, please thank Skyline for being such a wonderful place to help us in this fundraiser!  I can't thank Joan enough!

Parker does not like change.

This week has been very hard for Parker.  He was acting up in school and not wanting to work at therapy like he usually does.  I couldn't figure out what was wrong.  Temper tantrums every day, hitting at school, whining all day long, and those are just a few of things he was doing that he really never does.

Then it hit me.  We are redoing our office at our house and our entire house is messed up.  We are moving furniture into other rooms, all of the things that were in the office are now in our living room, and the office now has a new color, new carpet and new furniture.  To the average person, this is exciting to get a new office look and know the mess is temporary.  But to Parker, it is all different and he just can not function like he he usually does.  To him, if his house is out of whack, so is he.  So hopefully by this weekend, we will have everything out of the living room and the office will be put together like it should be. 

We also found out some bad news on Tuesday.  Parker Occupational Therapist at Children's Hospital he has been seeing for almost 2 years, has decided to leave and change jobs.  As I wish her the best and know its the best for her, this is going to be VERY hard on Parker.  As I just mentioned, he does not like change.  So we are going to have to change therapist and everything that she has been doing with him.  They don't have anyone to take her place yet so we might have to take a break until they find someone to replace her.  Its all still up in the air.  Please pray that the transition is an easy one for Parker and he does not regress with this switch in 3 weeks.

And when it rains it pours, right?  Parker's Speech Therapist is also leaving us, but this one is only temporary.  Krista is having a baby in May so we will be taking a break in  the summer.  This was a hard decision I had to make, to take a break for 12 weeks or switch to a temporary therapist and then switch back to Krista.  This is 2 transitions and I think it will be overwhelming for him.  So I think Parker and I both need a break.  It will be nice to have the summer to do more things and not think about what time therapy is.  I think it will do him good and I will continue to work with him.

So please keep Parker in your prayers as he is going to go through a lot of changes this year.  First with an OT therapist , then taking a break from speech, and then the big one, changing schools, teachers, therapist as he enters Kindergarten.  Did I really just say Parker in Kindergarten.  Where does the time go?  I will keep you updated on how things are going, but now to get the house back to normal and get my normal kid back!

Have a great weekend!

Katie

Sold! Thanks Lauren!

Are you doing a project around your house this year?  Home Depot has donated a coupon for $25.00 a purchase of $25.01.  Selling for $20.  Money raised will go to Autism Speaks.

Also still available is Hofbrauhaus coupons for a free entree left.  Selling for $7 each (Value up to $10!)

And don't forget about the 31 fundraiser going on this month.  Visit www.mythirtyone.com/tammycrowder and select Parkers Puzzle Posse! We will get 20% of all the sales! Thanks!

Please leave a comment below if your are interested in any of these items.

Thanks so much for your support!

Sold! Thanks Bobbi!

This would make the BEST valentines gift!  Treat your sweetheart (or yourself) to a massage while helping out a great cause!  Todays gift certificate is for 1 session of Massage Therapy with Ruth Lehmkuhl!  Selling the gift certificate for $35.  This one went fast last year!

I still have some Hofbrauhaus coupons for a free entree left.  Selling for $7 each (Value up to $10!)

And don't forget about the 31 fundraiser going on this month.  Visit www.mythirtyone.com/tammycrowder and select Parkers Puzzle Posse! We will get 20% of all the sales! Thanks!

Please leave a comment below if your are interested.

SOLD!!! Thanks Sarah and Paul!

Does a room in your house need a facelift?  Maybe all it needs is a new color.  But you don't have the time to paint or you are just not a painter.  Then you might be interested in our newest package to raise money for Autism.

Sherwin Williams in Cold Spring donated 2 gallons of interior paint.  They can be tinted to the color of your choice.  Also with the paint, my father-in-law is an awesome painter and will come and paint what the 2 gallons covers.  This went quick last year!  Paint and labor - Selling for $100 (Value is over $200 with labor) 

Thank you so much to Sherwin Williams and to Dave Ruschman for donating the paint and labor!

Please leave me a comment below if you would like to purchase this package.  All money raised will go to Autism Speaks!

31 Fundraiser

In the month of February, Parker's Puzzle Posse is holding a Thirty-One Gifts Fundraiser.  Tammy Crowder contacted me and offered to do an online fundraiser and she will donate 20% of the total sales back to Autism Speaks!  Also, if you book a party and mention Parkers Puzzle Posse, she will donate a flat $50 for each show that is booked!  How awesome is that!

I have several items from thirty-one.   My two favorite things are my Large Utility Tote which carries a TON of stuff.  I take it to the pool, an overnight trip, and it holds all of our things.  The other favorite item is the Organizing Utility Tote.  I use mine as a diaper bag as do a lot of my friends.  It really is THE BEST diaper bag.  It has pockets on the outside so you can easily grab a bottle/cup, tissues, snacks, etc.  After Parker is out of diapers (which I hope is this summer) I will use it as a toy/book bag to keep in the car so I know we have some entertainment for the kids anytime.  They really hold up well!

So if you are in need of a bag, lunch box, wallet, purse, umbrella, check out the online catalog at the link below.  February has a great special!  For every $31 you spend, you get 31% off any item!  You can have your items shipped to me (if you are local) and I will get them to you.  The sale runs until February 29th and orders will be in around March 15th.

www.mythirtyone.com/tammycrowder - Choose Parker Puzzle Posse

If you have any questions, or would like a catalog, please let me know in the comments below. 
Thanks so much for all of your support!

Katie

**Autism Speaks Gift Card Sale**

Hofbrauhaus in Newport has donated 6 coupons for a free Entree (up to $10 value)  It's for Dine in only and one per person.  Selling for $7 each, $20.00 for 3, or $35 for all 6. All money raised will go to Autism Speaks.  Thanks!

NEW WORD!!!!!!

Parker was upstairs playing in Dylan's room and when I went to check on him he met me at the top of the steps.  I asked him "Parker, did you poop?"  He looked at me and said "Yes!"  Shocked, I told him to say it again.  "Yes!"  He says it clear as day.  I think his clearest word yet!  He repeated it for the rest of the afternoon!

So this week started with a new word "Apple" and ended with "Yes". 

So very proud of Parker how far he has come.  He can sing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song "Hot Dog".  His version, "dog, dog, dog, dog", its so cute!  He is just babbling away.  Music to my ears.  Talking might be taking him longer than other kids, but we are celebrating every word that comes out of his precious mouth.  I will try and get a video clip of it so I can post it for you soon. 

Katie

Skyline Chili Fundraiser - February 13th

Skyline Chili in Alexandria is holding a fundraiser for Autism Speaks!  On February 13th, dine at the Alexandria Skyline Chili (across from Wal-Mart) and 10 - 15% of your bill will go towards Autism Speaks under Parker's Puzzle Posse.  The event is being held all day long from 10:30 am until 10 pm.  You will not have to give a flyer, just tell them you are there for Autism Speaks and they will credit us! 

Please pass the word along.  I want them to be as busy as Applebee's was!  Orders placed at the drive thru lane will also count, just make sure to tell them you are there for the fundraiser!

I am going to try and do a fundraiser like this once a month until the walk.  For March, I am working on Max and Erma's in Crestview Hills. April 11th, we are holding a fundraiser at Bruster's Ice Cream in Florence on US42 from 6-9 pm.  We will receive 20% of the sales for that fundraiser. 

Thanks so much for your support!  Lets try and beat last years total of $11,453!  With all of your help, I think we can do it!

Katie

Applebees Fundraiser Total and more!

I just received an email from Applebee's.  They said their sales did double for the night.  They reported our total sales as $2647.12, so the check will be for $264.71!!!


Thank you so very much for all of your support!  I was hoping for $100 but you all more than doubled that.  I know we have a lot of support and very generous people behind us and this shows us that.  We have a lot more fundraisers coming up in the next few months.  Here are a few of them.  Skyline in Alexandria Dine to Donate, Thirty One Fundraiser in the month of February, Raffle for an iPad 2, Kid Sale (see previous post!), and gift card sales. 


Also, Parker had a great week.  Yesterday, he said the words, Apple, Grape, and Orange.  (I missed it because Parker's Pa Pa Snake offered to take him to therapy give me a break.  Thanks Dave!)  He also is done with the pacifier!!!!  So next is potty training.  Keep your fingers crossed on that one.


So THANK YOU SO MUCH for eating at Applebee's last week.  What a great fundraiser!  I will post when we are doing more fundraisers! 


If you want to walk with us, please sign up with the link on the right hand side.  We had 140 walkers last year.  Lets try and beat that! 


Katie

Needed : Baby/Kids clothes, toys, and equipment

Looking to get rid of your baby/kids clothes, toys, baby stuff?  Drop it all off to me and I will sell it for you.  All of the money raised from the sale will go to Autism Speaks.  This is a chance to support a great cause and get rid of your unwanted items that are clogging up your house. 

I will sell it at the Little Treasure Kids Sale. The sale dates are March 28 - April 1 at the Former Flick’s Food Store 1990 North Bend Rd. Hebron, KY 41048.  This is A LOT of work to get all of the items ready for the sale, so please drop them off by March 15th.  But the sooner the better. 

Just leave the items on my porch and send me an email letting me know to look out for your things.  You will not get your items back so please make sure you are wanting to part with them. :)  As I mentioned before, all of the money that is made from the sale of your items, will be donated to Autism Speaks. 

This is only for baby/kids clothes.  No adult clothes (sorry).  Things you can sell are clothes, toys, cds, dvd, outside items, monitors, strollers, carseats, Power Wheels, shoes, etc.  If a kids uses it, you can sell it.
If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks!

**Autism Gift Card Sale**

$20 to Shutterfly.com. Selling for $10! Code is good for one-time $20 credit toward a purchase of $20 or more (excluding shipping, handling, and taxes) at http://www.shutterfly.com/ This EXPIRES JANUARY 31, 2012! First one gets it! Thanks!  Money raised will go to Autism Speaks!

Autism kids are AWESOME and gifts from God to us Moms and Dads who are lucky enough to have them!

Videos like this make me so happy and hopeful.  This little boy is worse off than Parker with being blind and clearly can not stand still.  But he uses what God has given him to touch the people around him.  This is a must see.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

http://www.godvine.com/10-Year-Old-Boy-with-Autism-Sings-Open-the-Eyes-of-My-Heart-1041.html

This one I saw last year and it changed my look on my son.  Carly is an amazing teenage girl who didn't talk for years and now she types what shes thinking.  She is changing the what the world knows about autism.  She can tell us why they flap their arms, why they bang their heads, what they are feeling.  A lot of what the Dad says are what I feel.  How could you give up your kid, I would give sleepless nights, and every penny I own to hear the words I love you.  This is why I go to Children's Hospital 3 times a week and work at home with him for countless hours.  I don't know what he knows, but I will work my hardest to teach him everything he should know, even if he can't tell me just yet. 

I follow Carly on Facebook and she writes so beautifully.  You can follow her here http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Carly-Fleischmann/68996682748
She has been on several television shows and is writing a book.  Please watch the video and learn more about what Parker is going through and what Brian and I go through.  You will not bad disappointed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vNZVV4Ciccg

Have a great weekend!

Katie

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU and THANK YOU!

All I can say is WOW, AMAZING, SPEECHLESS!  Tonight was awesome.  I walked in to a PACKED Applebee's tonight.  It was like our wedding.  Everyone we knew, friends, family, coworkers, teachers, neighbors, church members, strangers, and long lost friends showed up to support us.  Words will never be able to express the feelings we have to see so many people come to help a cause so dear to your heart.  I am sorry for the long wait (I heard an hour!) and I know some of you just had to get it to go.  But for a fundraising event, thats a great sign!  I tried to go and say thank you to everyone, but I know we didn't make it to everyone.  Sorry if we missed you.  I will update you on the total amount made tonight when I find out.  Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!  As I put Parker to bed tonight, I told him all of the people came out for him and they all loved and supported him.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks 2011 Blog - Look who made it!

Every walk, someone write about it!  Well, at the Cincinnati walk, we were mentioned in the blog!  How cool is that!  It was an awesome day and I hope the walk this year is just as beautiful. 

http://walknowforautismspeaks.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/cincinnati_wnfas/

If you want to walk with us, click the link to the right.  We would love to have you on our team!

Applebees Fundraiser - January 19, 2012

Parkers Puzzle Posse is having a fundraiser on January 19, 2012.  10% of your total bill will go to Autism Speaks.  This is a great way to help a great organization and also dine on some yummy food.  This is important **YOU MUST PRINT THE FLYER BELOW AND GIVE IT TO YOUR SERVER!!!!**  This is only at the Highland Heights, KY location.  If you have any questions, please email me or leave a message below.  Thanks so much for your support!

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/111022373/applebees