Special Kids 5K Race- Autism Mini Album

Hey there friends, happy Monday. 

Recently I had the opportunity to experience a wonderful show

of support from a friend who ran a 5K for my son with Autism. 

My son was even able to run the last 100 yards or so with him. 

It was such a beautiful experience that I decided to take the photos and turn them 

into a min album for my son who I want to be able to really

remember that day with visuals of course. 

I used the April Kit from Creating Made Easy to create the album and I am in love.

I lost several friends when my son was diagnosed because instead of making

 excuses for how my son acted and people treated him, I no longer accepted those

 behaviors and it really made me realize I didn't have to accept shitty behavior from

people for myself either. 

If I was going to advocate for my Autistic son then I needed to show him, I do

not allow that treatment for myself either. I don't want him to think it's ok 

for people to treat him like garbage and he just has to take it. 

So for JD to do this, it meant so very much! The support I have found from

amazing people far outweighs the loss!

WE ARE VERY BLESSED!

Thank you JD!

~Just Felt Like Sharing~

Hey there, just felt like sharing my smiles for the week...

My amazing family and the precious new addition to the home...

Baby Toffee. This is Daffodil our baby and our newest adopted baby Toffee. 

 BOTH dogs were abandoned and set for the pound. We love them.

And of course baseball season is in full swing,

I have taken over 4000 photos already.....I am super proud of my boys this year!

Justice is hanging in there with his injuries....both permanent feet injuries and stitches. 

 Gage is playing on an amazing special needs baseball team! **LOVES**

 And my oldest son Brad who is volunteering his time

for the special needs team. Such a proud momma this week. 

 Where does the time go? 

I know it won't be long until all of these moments disappear into

full grown adulthood and families of their own...

I better enjoy them while I can because I feel them slipping away...

Thanks for sharing with me today----much love to you. 

~Too Fat To Be Photographed??!!~

Good morning my craft friends, 

I thought I would stray of the crafty course this morning and post

about something near and dear to my heart....

being a plus sized mom/woman and maintaining self esteem. 

I really am not sure it's completely possible! LOL

However after reading this article yesterday

http://myfriendteresablog.com/so-youre-feeling-too-fat-to-be-photographed/

I decided I REALLY have to change my view on myself.

I have struggled for YEARS to overcome the fact that I am not a worthless

piece of shit and I am in fact not what my dad always called me "A retard" 

or what I grew up with my mom calling me "A fat whore".

Or what bullies call me "Attention whore" 

I think maybe 50 photos were taken out of 6000 on vacation that were actually

me and 49 of them I think I looked like Shrek. 

It's funny, I made a commitment 10 years ago when my son was

born to STOP thinking of myself as a piece of shit loser who nobody

would ever want. After an entire childhood of being abused then 

 several years as an adult of being beaten and abused. 

My entire goal in life was to stop the feeling that I was a nobody. 

It didn't matter what my weight was, it didn't matter what I looked like

it just mattered that I was the BEST person I could be and the best mom 

I could be, and give my best to the community around me. 

I felt like if I accomplished that it would help me to see I was didn't deserve to be beaten

and abused all my life, I was in fact a worthwhile human being who deserved love

and happiness and a life with a family. 

At the end of the day I was right-I am a decent person who deserves to be loved.

I am not a piece of garbage. I am a good mom and I do contribute good to others lives. 

BUT the one thing that has not changed is seeing myself as UGLY.

Growing up being told you are an ugly whore, fat (at size 8) stupid, retarded, 

disgusting, gross, no one will ever love you, "I don't love you", I have never loved you.
It takes a tremendous toll on your psyche. I don't even know if it is repairable.

Even ten years of being myself and focusing on the positive

apparently can't fix feeling UGLY and ashamed.  

SO today I post these photos, in hopes to remind myself of the wonderful

family and friends I have and how that double chin I don't see in the mirror

is ONLY a camera angle and nobody cares because in fact, they see

that moment I took their daughter to the dock, the moment I laughed with friend,

 the day I touched someone's life who mattered to me. 

The day I began stalking Jenny Lawson- blessing her with my presence!

The day we all laughed so hard I peed. 

My kids don't care if I am not "Skinny" according to American Standards,

my husband doesn't care if I am "FAT" my friends don't care

if I have tattoos and pink hair....so why can't I be in the photo once in a

while and be proud?!

I guess my lightbulb moments have happened in the last

2 weeks when my friend Lori asked why I wasn't in any photos,

then I read this amazing article. SO what if I am the fattest one in my group??

It doesn't mean anything!!....I am still ME, AND I know I never see the weight in my

friends photos, or their flaws because they are amazing humans...and I love them

and you know what...SO AM I!!

Thanks for letting me share my heart with you today. 

I think I am going to hug a friend today and tell her she is beautiful...

how about you??

~Chicks Man....CHICKENS that is! :) ~

Good morning my crafty friends, 

I have a few photos for you today because it is that time of year again,

you guessed it...CHICKEN TIME! :) 

I love this time of year, renewed amazing life popping up

all around-wonderful friends, beautiful flowers, amazing family time. 

Yesterday I stole sweet Bellarina and took her with me

to get new chickies. We got 6 babies this year (we have 9 full grown already). 

3 Easter Eggers, and 3 Orphington Chickens. 

You might remember we lost all of our Orphingtons last winter

to the coyotes here. Thankfully we made it through this winter

unscathed with a full batch. Just one lost due to a neighborhood dog. 

 Here is Daffodil, JEALOUS as ever! Begging for attention from Bells. 

Here is sweet girl helping me get them into their new home.

OH and I tried something for the first time this week....

Kings Cake! :) They turned out slightly dry, I think I overbaked them but 

good nonetheless. 

Here are the kids plowing into them on Mardi Gras.

I can't say it ever bothers me to have a full house! I love a house

full of family and friends. It warms my heart to have such beautiful

souls in my life. 

And to top it off, the best day ever!

Gage has been asking for a "Mommy date" so I took him out last night. 

He was very clear with the waitress we were on a date! haha

It was quite adorable. He picked Pizza Hut- I hate that place LOL

Anyways, nothing crafty- so sorry, just so much quality family/friend time,

I promise I will be back to creating today! 

Happy Hump Day! Thanks for popping by~