DAN Conference!

This weekend Todd and I headed to San Diego for the Defeat Autism Now conference. It was awesome as expected. Although I had to miss my 10 year high school reunion it was well worth the trip. Here are some of the highlights! Todd and I ate lunch and this cute little restaurant right across from crystal cove.
We met up with my good friend Amy from college. It was so fun to catch up.

Todd and I at Crystal Cove in La Jolla. The sea lions were so fun to watch.


The first night we got there we headed straight to Old Town Mexican Cafe to meet Sarah and Garrett for some good dinner. It was great to be able to see them again and catch up. They were are good friends from Ithaca.




Me at the conference. I put a picture of JoJo under my name tag so everyone could see my sweet boy.



Me and Julie Mathews. She is the author of Nourishing Hope. She is just amazing and knows so much about nutrition. She taught a cooking class and made some great things. I had my first taste of liver ( although it wasn't that bad I won't be having it anytime soon)

These are my girls from LIFE! Dawn is JoJo's AMAZING feeding therapist and Terry is just one AMAZING mom! It was so fun to be with them there. They are warriors.

Me and my Huby loving the conference.

AND THE GRAND FINALE!!!

JENNY!

Jenny showed up at the conference so I got here to sign her new book for me and take a quick picture. That was SO fun. And if you haven't read her new book MOTHER WARRIORS you guys really need to go get it. Its amazing and I loved every minute of it. I just LOVE her! She is really working hard for us MOMS!!!

Zoo Walk for Autism

Last Saturday was the Zoo Walk for Autism. It was really a lot of fun and the kids had a blast. Here are some pics of the day. Special thanks to Natalee, Meda, Vanessa, Shalae, & Noah for joining TEAM JOJO! Ready or not here we come!!
Nat and Meda.

My Boys!


Nat and I ready to go!

Todd and JoJo in front of the rhino. I love this picture of JoJo.

Me and my cute boys.

Sweet.

having fun on the carousel.

Nat and Meda enjoying the ride.

John Bear. (Don't you love the clean face)

Sweet JoJo.

Yet another Garage Sale!

We are having another garage sale to benefit our little boy JoJo and his journey with Autism. So here we are again asking for anything you don't want. Just drop it by my Mom's house or give me a call and we will come pick it up. Last year with the help from the garage sell we were able to begin bio-medical treatments, and ABA therapies that have helped JoJo so much. We hoping to be able to continue his treatments and therapies and see even more progress. The garage sell is going to be the first weekend in December. So if your cleaning out for the holidays remember that we want anything that you don't. More info to come!

Happy Birthday Todd!

Todd turned 27 on Thursday. Once again I love when he has a birthday because for a few months we are only 1 year apart. I thought I would post a few pictures of him when he was a little boy. He really was so cute and looks so much like little John. Todd loves to go grab these pictures when people think that John looks like me to show them that they are wrong. Have fun looking at BABY TODD!


I love this one. It looks just like little John when he is crying. So cute. Just wanted to wish Todd a Happy Birthday and let him know how much me and the boys LOVE him. He is such a loving and supportive husband and a wonderful DAD. Our boys love him. He takes JoJo and John swimming every night and is always trying to teach them things. He is a man of great integrity and I love him so much. Happy Birthday!

ZOOWALK! Go Team JoJo!

Don't Miss the ZOOWALK for AUTISM RESEARCH! It is Saturday October 18. This is a great event for families and helps a great cause. After the walk you can spend as long as you would like at the ZOO! Unlike other walks this one is on Saturday! We have a set up a Team JoJo for anyone that would like to walk for him. All the proceeds go to autism research.

Here are the details...

*6:30 am to 9:00 am registration at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, SW corner of Van Buren and Priest in Tempe (0.5 miles from Zoo)

*The Zoowalk will cover 1.1 miles on an easy paved path, with some shade and places to stop and view the animals.

*It is ideal for strollers, wheelchairs and wagons.
(no bikes, skateboards, or roller blades, please).

*After 9:00 am, walkers may continue to walk around the zoo as they like (free admission with Zoowalk bracelet).

For more info go to...https://www.ariautism.com/zoowalk/phoenix/index.html

JoJo

JoJo

I thought I would write a quick update on my sweet boy JoJo. One of the biggest accomplishments is that he no longer has a BINKY!!!! Can you believe it? I really can't. I would have never had the guts to take it away from him since he LOVED it so much and it helped calm him when he was having a melt down, but good things for Dads! Todd made it happen and JoJo really didn't miss it all that much. He would take me to where we kept them but I would just tell him that he was big boy now and didn't need one. It's been about 2 months and still no Binky and I have to say that is a HUGE accomplishment for my little guy.

Another one is he no longer gets to watch his little TV or DVDs. He was obsessed with his little DVD player and would replay the same part about million times and stem like crazy. The Dr saw him do that and told us that it had to stop now. Of course Todd was there so he made that happen too. He gets to watch TV but its limited and doesn't get to watch anything that he can rewind. That is such a huge accomplishment. He has explored so much more, getting into everything and anything. (I have to admit I miss his TV a lot of the time) but I know this will help on his road to get better.

Another huge accomplishment is that he can swim all on his own!!! He is good at it too. Move over Micheal Phelps JoJo is coming.

JoJo also has started Primary and is doing well. Thanks to his sweet teachers the Gornicks who make sure he is happy & calm him when he isn't.

We have been SO blessed in so many ways and know that the Lord is really looking out for our sweet boy and our family. So the hard days you can get through knowing that the Lord is blessing us. JoJo still has no words, but I know someday I'm going to hear the sweetest things come out of his mouth. John has passed JoJo a lot in his skills and that is really had to watch, but I know it will come in time. JoJo has the sweetest disposition about him and he really is a joy to be around. I'm really lucky to be is Momma.

Just some pics

I just thought I would post a few pictures of my cute boys.John LOVES to brush his teeth. He gets right up on his step stool and brushes away.
His older brother, not so much. He HATES it and when we actually make him brush and this is how it has to be done. Actually when it comes to JoJo this is how many things get done. I wish life could be a little easier for him.
We took a trip to the mall to let the boys play. Here is John having fun and looking to see if everyone is looking at him. He LOVES attention.
In-N-Out have gluten free fries. We probably go everyday. JoJo only eats a few things and this is one of them. We are in a new feeding therapy and are hoping to branch out and get some good things down him.

John enjoying them too.
My boys love to go on walks, I'm getting really excited about the nice weather coming.
JoJo having fun at the mall.
John throwing fit.

I just had to post this picture. I know he is crying but I think he looks so stickin cute.