*DISCLAIMER*  This is a “non stamping” related post.

When I first started my blog, I did it so that I’d have a place to write down my thoughts, feelings and memories of our family.  Mostly, I needed an outlet just for me….a place to pour out all of it….all of what comes from being a parent of two children with autism. 

As I drove home today, after my son’s IEP meeting, all I could think was….Just hold it together.  Don’t cry and scare Zach.  Just do what you do and bury it all.  You can burn up that keyboard tonight and pour it out and just release it for the day.  So…that’s why I’m writing today.

It’s interesting that every time I get the emails scheduling the next IEP meeting I generally have the “Yep, check that box” feeling.  Let’s just do it and be done.  The actual meeting day(s) though are definitely a whole other story.  I woke up this morning (after not much sleep last night) with a feeling of dread.  I wasn’t sure why.  It definitely was NOT my “first rodeo”.  Been there…signed that.  But the dread was there all the same.  I went to work and did my job until it was time to go and the dread built as the hours ticked by.

Now….It may be that you read this and think, “Ok, really?  It’s just a meeting”.  Um, No.  It’s not.  I’ve sat through so many during Linz and Zach’s years in school that you’d think I’d be immune to all of the “findings” “test scores”, “labels”, deficits and more.  But, alas, I am not.  If you’ve read anything autism related here before you may remember me saying that there are times that sneak up on you when you “mourn” the loss of what might have been again and again.  This is one of those times.

You can simply click your big red “X” in the right hand corner now if you don’t want to continue.  I wish I could.

I had already read the copy of what was coming up in today’s meeting that they sent home.  That didn’t change how I felt today though.

My heart hurts.

Not like heartburn…..not like my steady boyfriend broke up with me….

It is the most gut wrenching, piercing, take your breath away kind of pain.

WHY?

That’s what I need.  I need to know the “why”.  I’ve lived my whole life doing what I’m told.  I’m a good rule follower.  Yep.  No prob.  I’ve followed rules as a child….as a teenager…and as an adult.  I followed every single rule during pregnanacy.  ALL of them.

WHY?

I’ve loved God first and everything else has it’s order after that.  I’ve prayed, sought God….prayed for wisdom…prayed over my children….read books…researched….fought….and fought some more to get them what they need and deserve.  Yet here I sit today feeling defeated again. 

Now the test scores were not a shock.  I’ve heard them before.  The reality is that Linz and Zach aren’t just cute, little autistic kids anymore.  It’s not about how funny the things that Lindsay says are.  It’s not about any of it.  It’s about the fact that they are now young adults and I have no idea…NONE…what will happen to my children if/when something happens to us.  None.  Linz can tell you the day, date and weather of the day that she got her 3rd (or 15th) Disney movie.  She can tell you what she ate on the last day of school….in 3rd grade.  But my son,…..my sweet, gentle giant…he can’t tell me what he’s thinking.  He can’t tell me what makes him laugh…..what he dreams about….what his wishes he could do…..nothing.  He simply can’t.  He won’t have a first love….a true love.  Neither one of them has not one SINGLE friend that comes to visit, calls or anything.  Not one.  Can you imagine how lonely  your life would be without that??  I can’t  and my children live it.  That is pain….pain deep in my mother’s heart….And I live with that every minute of every single day of my life.  It  feels like pain that is eating my heart from the inside out.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not venting looking for pity.  Not at all.  It is just unfathomable to me that I still….STILL live with the WHY and the WHAT CAN I DO all the time.  I want to FIX it.  I  NEED TO FIX IT.   But….no.

Tonight I’m sad and heartbroken.  I feel like I’m being suffocated.  I can’t breathe.
So many people have said, “You are such a great mom”, “I don’t know how you do it”, or….my favorite, “Oh, sweetie.  God would never give you more than you can handle”.  Really?  Really????  Live in my shoes for about 6 months and tell me just how soon you’re ready to cry “Uncle”.
I know that people mean well.  Those people just want to be “supportive”.  But….Let me just set the record straight.  Mothers of kids with special needs do NOT want to hear that….they do NOT want to hear that “God only give those special children to his toughest warriors”.  No one could understand what lives within me 24/7.  The pain that doesn’t stop every time I watch other parents and their children graduating….getting married….having grandbabies…..giggling about being “empty nesters”.  Tonight….all I can actually do is pray that God sees fit to live me and Mike live really long lives. 

Tonight I’m angry…..I’m angry at autism….at God….at the schools…..Just plain mad.

My sweet Mama came down this afternoon because she knew….she just knew.  She is truly THE strongest woman I know.  She is faithful and loves GOD and her family first.  She puts everyone before her own needs.  She sat with me out on my deck and listened to me cry….she cried and shared her heart….and she was what God intended her to be.  The most amazing example of what a mother should be for me.  I know it hurts HER heart to watch me feel this way.  Fortunately, she loves me and always has my back.  I love her and my dad more than anyone could possibly imagine.

Unfortunately, Mike is on travel for the night and he’s called several times.  He felt horrible for missing today’s meeting.  His heart hurts too.  I thank God every day for sending me such an incredible man to share not only my life but to be the most amazing father for our three children.

If you’ve braved it this far and are still reading, I apologize.  I just really need to be able to write this down for myself.  I feel wounded….seriously wounded tonight and I don’t want to even put one foot in front of the other to make my way up to bed.  Unfortunately, like in so many other areas, I don’t have a choice.

I pray that God will send his Holy Spirit to minister to me while I sleep tonight.  I need something before I face another day tomorrow.

Please keep us in your prayers,
Michelle

Hey there, Stampers and Friends,

Wow!  I came home today and had LOTS of “happy mail” from Stampin’ Up!  Not only did I get my pre-order and a copy of the NEW catalog, I got my Paper Pumpkin for this month.  I knew at the Baltimore Regionals when Shannon West showed a couple of projects using the stamps included in this month’s “pumpkin” that I was going to LOVE it and I do.

This set is called “Seriously”.   No…seriously!  LOL

Well….I took the stamps out of the kit and made a card with my own style.  Here’s what I came up with.

There are three stamps in the set.  There’s “Seriously”, “you kick booty” and “love your guts”.  LOL  So fun!!!  For this card I used a Sahara Sand card base.  I then cut a Top Note out of a piece of Daffodil Delight DSP.  The flower was cut from Calypso Coral card stock on the Big Shot and the petals were embossed with the Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  (LOVE it!)  I added a piece of Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon for a little POP of color…and a faceted button with Baker’s Twine for good measure.  Now….stepping outside of my ‘box” just a bit….I added a few little pieces of our new Washi Tape that’s in the “This and That” bundle.  I have to say…I’m really happy with the way it turned out.  🙂  Oops….I almost forgot…. I used my Calypso Coral marker and the Color Spritzer Tool to spritz a little added color on there for fun.

So….you see how you can take those awesome stamps  that are exclusive to My Paper Pumpkin and make them into something totally different and magical?  I love that!

If you’d like to find out more about Paper Pumpkin, just Click Here.  Be sure to choose ME as your demonstrator.  🙂  You KNOW I’d love to be your crafting Fairy Godmother!

Wishing you a magical day,

Good Morning Stampers!!

So many things going on here in my little corner of the world…whew!
I have exciting news!  I’m heading straight home today after school because guess what’s going to be waiting for me on my front porch???  My Stampin’ Up! Order!  Not just ANY order either… This one has tons of the NEW Sneak Peek items in it AND a copy of the brand NEW catalog!!!  Wahooooo!!!

So I thought “Hmmm… It’s even MORE fun to share the excitement with you!  I’ve added a new “Just “Cards” class for this Thursday night at 7:00 pm at my house.  Come and make five fun cards and envelopes and get a peek at what’s coming out SOON!  I’m just busting my buttons!!!

Make sure to email me or leave me a comment here on my blog to save your seat.  Space will be limited for this one.

Wishing you a very magical day,
Michelle

Good Mornin’ Stampers!!

Today is a very exciting day for everyone with Stampin’ Up!  The Retired List has been announced and those items will be flying off of the shelves.  Get those items you’ve wanted and have been waiting to order before they’re gone.  There are some AWESOME deals on the Clearance Rack too.  Those are also limited quantities.

Did you like my little “Chicks” cards the other day??  Well, that stinkin’ cute Ornament Punch is going away!  Get yours before it’s gone forever!

Here’s the link for you….

Hey there, Peeps!

I have two fun cards to share with you today.  They were both created for my presentation at the Baltimore Regionals.  I don’t know if you know this or not but Stampin’ Up! demonstrators all have one thing in common.  (well…more than one…but this is a very special “one”).  We ALL love to see that brown truck pull up in front of our houses and we especially love to see our own “Mr. Brown”…aka The UPS Guy…walking up to the door with our Stampin’ Up! orders in hand.

I created two different projects with the “Mr. Brown” theme.  Are you ready?

Ok….first, there’s a Gift Card Holder….Show your “Mr. Brown” how much you appreciate him with a gift card from some place fun…

Isn’t he just the cat’s meow??  LOL  He cracks me UP!

Ok….Then I was inspired by THIS photo to make another version….

 ….and I made this…

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  That just cracks me up!!!

Alright….now I want to see YOUR punch art!  Come on!  If you haven’t tried it…the time is NOW.  You can do it!  Just pick up those punches and jump right in.  You’ll love it!

Have a wonderfully relaxing Sunday!