R.I.P. Auggie Doggie

Today we lost a family pet.  She was a great buddy to the kids and she will be missed!!

Wordless Wednesday ~ An oldie but a goodie

Chairs of Change, JCPenny Salons & MATRIX Make Over America

I was so honored to receive a call the other day letting me know the I had been awarded a FREE MAKE OVER from JCPenny's Salon & MATRIX from a national promotion going on called Chairs to Change.  When I first received the phone call and the manager of my local salon started talking about her exciting news, what ran through my mind was that they had taken collections of change from people who had their hair cut and was choosing my organization, The Arc of Jefferson County, to donate their change to.

As she went on for another minute and announced that I had been the one that had made the change in our community and I had won a makeover I was shocked....and very excited!!!  I come to find out that I was nominated in their promotion by the president, Linda Kearney, of my chapter of The Arc.  She wrote in that I have dedicated so much of my time to getting programs started for children with special needs in our area, and have done so with five children at home.  And then she went on to explain that two of my children are 5 year old identical twin boys both with Down Syndrome and Autism.  Her story captured the hearts of our local JCPenny's crew and I WON!!!!!

So here is my BEFORE photo before I left for the salon:

When I arrived there were balloons and the many of their crew was there to welcome me in, it was very humbling to know that this was for me.

I got my first pedicure and I have to tell you.... WHY oh WHY did I wait so long for one?? I have heard from lots of my friends that they get them, well now I know why... I will come back for another.  Thank you so much Lindsey for a great relaxing hour.

Then it was off to the chair to get my hair done.  Unfortunately, I had just gotten my hair cut three days prior to my makeover, and it was my short summer hairdo, but Jenn M. was able to work some magic, add some coloring and highlights and shaped up my hair a little more and I LOVE IT!!!

Here is the AFTER SHOT from today:

a little closer for the hair effect:

And look at what I received from MATRIX:

and this was my extra special gift from the salon:

then I headed off to the clothing department and was given $50 to spend on an outfit...  Loved That!!!

and to end a perfect day, my husband came and took me out to eat at Red Lobster. 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! I honestly don't feel like I've done amazing things in our community, I honestly think that my boys have changed my way of thinking and my heart and what I am doing is truly out of need and love for our special needs population.  I will always remember this day!!!!

Thankful Thursday...

Today I am thankful for the giggles I get out of my children everyday.  Today Caleb was the giggle for me.  He found his sisters headband and wore it on his forehead AND turned his glasses upside down.  He literally did this for 30 minutes.  He ran around the house being goofy and trying to get my attention because he knew he was being silly..  Thanks Caleb :)

Welcome to the Clan... Zoey Lyn

Our Newest Addition arrived on April 19th.  My brother in law and sister in law welcomed their fourth child into our clan.  I got to go and see her and take some photos, she is so precious...  sharing her with you, my family and friends :)