"Wordless" Wednesday: Autism Awareness

For today the first Wednesday in April, I wanted to share some photos of my children as they have grown over the past 4 years as we have been "Lighting it up BLUE" in support of AUTISM AWARENESS and ACCEPTANCE.

All 4 of my children posses various behaviors of Autism, from social delays, speech issues, sensory, perceptive issues as well as lack of executive functioning and more. 3 of my children have been diagnosed on the Spectrum while one my youngest is not she has severe food intolerances and allergies.

Being a parent of 4 special needs children is no easy task, nor is just being a parent at all. For my husband and I we tackle battles that may seem trivial or unacceptable to those looking in from the outside.

We don't always manage the best and often have a hard time dividing ourselves to help, support, and advocate daily for our children. But we DO because of the Grace of GOD, and from an amazing support group of family and friends....

So when you read and look at my pictures, are a parent or not...I don't post for pity or am saying: look at me and what I do....but for awareness...check out these amazing kids and know there are SO many others like them. The next time you see a child melting down in the store, or a child making odd noises and spinning in circles, or a child who likes to sniff your clothes, or a child who doesn't want to be touched, or a child who is extremely smart but is very unorganized....don't ignore or frown upon them or their parents, but just send a look of Acceptance, and " it's OK!"

Thanks, Julie

MAGIC Mon-Friday: a special trip countdown

Blessed Good Friday to all! I hope you have a Spring like and restful weekend :-)

Spring looks like its finally sprung up around our home...at least on the inside as we prepare for Easter this weekend:

I hinted awhile back on my FaceBook page with this photo:

That I was up to some MAGIC Monday fun, it took me a few different spurts of time to complete but it is done and I'm happy to share my NEW Disney Countdown for an upcoming trip in April!

I found some inspiration on Pinterest (but of course) from these two great crafter blogs:

disneydreamin4familyfun.blogspot disney-vacation-countdowns.html

this ladies' blog has lots of great ideas from big to little countdowns. I was inspired by her Mickey head cutouts w/ shorts :-)

and

mncrafts.blogspot disney-vacation-countdown

I liked the idea of attaching the countdown Mickey heads onto string from this blog post :-)


I got to work and per usual my attempt is to use what I already have in the house!

I got started by cutting out the Mickey Heads seen above. I used my cricut and the Mickey Font cartridge.

I cut out 30 heads using size 4, I was able to cut 4 heads out of a single sheet of 12x12 black cardstock. I saved the silhouettes for my daughter to craft with.

Next I made a list of 30 simple "activities" for the countdown and printed out on regular paper which I cut into squares. The "activities" range from just a fun Disney quote, watching a movie, to packing. This countdown is just for my Husband and I. So the goal was just cute, simple and fun!

The next step was to cut out the Mickey shorts. I used red cardstock and the cricut again. This time I used the George/Shapes cartridge and made 15 circles in size 3. I was able to squeeze 5 circles on a 1/2 sheet of 12x12 cardstock. A few of my circles cut some edges trimmed off by another circle...but my goal in crafting is FUN not perfection :-)

Next was Assembly time: I cut the circles in half and used adhesive on the curved edge and attached to the Mickey Head. Then folded the activity square and tucked it inside. Then searched through my button stash for white and/or yellow buttons which I added with glue dots.

I had the 30 heads all lined up on my long work space...

Now I needed to put it all together into a workable countdown! I used a thin piece of 12x12 cardboard and attached a colorful piece of 12x12 cardstock to it.

I inked the edges in black for a nice effect.

Used my cricut to cut out a title "Days 2 Disney"

(had a small mishap with the Disney "y: so it looks funky up close but oh well....)

A search through my ribbon collection and I figured out a rough length of string and made 3 rows. Attached the string on the back with tape and added a string to the top as a hanging point. This string needs to be re-enforced with stronger tape since hanging it up though. 

I flipped over all the Mickey heads and tapped them to the strings.

And Viola! it is complete! I totally love how it turned out. My husband and i made one change to it after hanging we flipped the numbers around so you counting from the bottom up. Oh and realized one Mickey is missing his buttons...whoops, hope his shorts don't fall off ;-)

there you have it! Enjoy and thanks for reading, Julie

Wordless Wednesday: St. Pat's Spirit

It's the FIRST Day of SPRING...although it still looks and feels like Winter...hopefully a little Irish green will brighten your day :-)

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Anniverary

Today's WW is for my brother and Sister in law...a happy anniversary to you both. One of best parties ever!