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