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.
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!
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!
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!!!!!!
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.
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!
