A year in review! Happy New Year!

 2014 has been such a year of growth, change and joy. I tackled some new challenges, some old challenges and enjoyed a lot of family time! I think my greatest lesson I learned the year was the art of letting go. I travelled a lot! I enjoyed the beaches and city of Jacksonville and Clearwater, visited friends and had amazing new photos done by Clay Spann photography in Alabama, visited family


Danni got Married Renaissance Style!

Memaw turned 89!

and friends in Tampa and Tarpon Springs, Florida, Columbia, SC and Pennsylvania, visited friends in North Carolina and travelled to Richmond, Va to audition for America's Got Talent!

 I also faced a lot of transition which is VERY exciting so with it comes a lot of changes for 2015! We had a military retirement after 21 years in the family and of course some pretty special Birthdays and weddings!

15 months and so adorable!

I feel incredibly blessed for the love and family in my life!

New Beginnings! What a great year!

#AGT2015 Stay tuned!

My miracle!

Clay and Joey! (Clay Spann Photography and Competitive Image and my family! I love them so much!) 



International Stage ready in #JAX !



My besties!



Retirement!



Backstage Selfie!



Aunt Lois and Carter at Busch Garden, Tampa!



Bella Boo and I! I love you!



Caught in the action at the hotel in #jax!






beginnings......has it been that long already?

I have so many other photos I want to share and hope to add over the next week but thank you for sharing the year with me!

May your new year be one of new beginnings, blessings and hope!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE IN 2015!

EXCITED for 2015!

#AGT2015
#HappyNewYear
#beginnings
#blessings
#faith
#family

Deanna Maria 
 
 
 

God only gives special children to special people....giving thanks!

Christmas is such an odd time for so many people. I am Mom and as I sit next to my little girl while typing my VERY VERY active little boy is crawling around and not the conventional way but trust me when say he is EXTREMELY active. He crawls on his back and in just a few short days , January 2, he turns 6. You see, Carter, my son, was born at 23 weeks and spent 165 days in the NICU and his will to live and his fight to thrive has amazed us all for years but as Mommy...I never once doubted him. I trust I annoyed many neonatologist and nurses in the NICU because I was that Mom that was there every day but I fought hard to have him (I had 4 precious loses prior) and even harder to keep him when those that doubted went down the route of negativity.

This I thought would be a very good time of year to share some post/threads of friends about businesses and people who give back to our very special children that are often forgotten:

Happy Holidays! Sharing the joy!

TRIBUTE TO LEGOLAND
Dear Legoland,
As we experience the joy of the holiday season, we have been talking as a family about the best parts of the past year. There is no question that one of the most wonderful experiences the four of us shared was at Legoland in Carlsbad, CA. For our almost seven-year-old son, who builds the 1000 piece Lego sets in a matter of hours, Legoland was his nirvana. For his now five-year-old sister, it was an incredible example of the genuine kindne...ss that we can all aspire to.

Our daughter Eva has generalized developmental delays with no known cause. Principally, she has difficulties with mobility and communication, thought to be primarily muscle weakness and challenges with motor planning. Often this means that people whom she meets initially will not know quite how to connect with her and may shy away.
When we got to the Legoland factory tour, Renate, a member of the staff, sought her out and brought us all to the "behind the scenes" tour. She gave us a special look at the pre-Lego materials, and let Eva dig her hands through the plastic pellets. She furnished us with all manners of special Legoland bricks, and made our son and daughter feel like VIPs. Most of all, she treated our daughter with respect and caring. Our daughter communicates with those she likes by hugging, and Renate graciously accepted all the hugs she had to give.
Travel can be a challenge for the four of us, with all the assorted gear and extra time needed to navigate through a world not always made so accessible to everyone. Legoland, and specifically Renate, stands out as a place that worked to make us feel like we were truly on holiday. We will always be grateful for this kindness and hope to get back to Legoland in the coming years.
Huge thanks and happy holidays to Renate and the rest of the staff! We will always remember your warmth and the way you made our kids feel special.
Sincerely,
The Chambers Family (thank you Richard Chambers)
(attached is a photo of Renate with Jordan and Eva)

 

From Jenna Cohen Goldblatt:  Check out Bryce's Buddies on FACEBOOK!

Thank you Wegmans for ordering Caroline's carts for your stores. This will give so many families an opportunity to go grocery shopping with their children with special needs..‪#‎wegmans
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Melissa's Story

Truly such an amazing and beautiful Women, Mom and soul. A true inspiration and hero. Prayer warriors needed. Thank you Chelsea for sharing this video.

Breath Of Heaven - Amy Grant (A fan music video)