Sunday, July 28, 2013

13. 13?! 1. 3. Where did the time go?!

I obviously haven't blogged in quite a while, mostly due to the ease of just posting on Facebook, in the moment, when something good, bad, frustrating, or exciting happens with our journey. We have since moved and the boys started middle school! As I write this, I still can't believe I became a mom 13 years ago to twins (I only ever wanted ONE! lol). It's not always been an easy journey, but we have been blessed none the less. 

  After 15 years in Frisco, we moved to Garland (closer to Dallas) back in October 2012. We still work and go to school in Frisco, and I will do everything I can to keep things that way. There truly is no better place for me to work, and for the boys to go to school. We are supported and surrounded by amazing friends and understanding co-workers, with an outstanding (cant be matched anywhere else in DFW) program for students with Autism. I definitely have job security due to the number of people always calling and inquiring about our programs for students on the Spectrum. 

  Our new life closer to 635 has been challenging and also adventurous. We have spent the summer making a new life for ourselves, going to new places (restaurants, stores, walking trails and farmers markets), and making the best of an unexpected and difficult situation. I have since taken up running (I still think I must be crazy!) and the boys are enjoying our walks. It benefits all of us as, a way to get some fresh air for the day, some Vitamin D and for me to still get in some type of workout. My health has been one of my top priorities the last few years, especially the last year and a half. Not only have I been running, but I have been working hard at finding a balance between eating better and still enjoy "good food". I mostly eat a raw/plantbased/low meat-dairy-gluten diet. I've reached 60lbs in weightloss and have shocked my doctor with how low my BP is now. My goal is still to get off the medication one day, but my main goal is to continue to find the right combination of food and exercise that help me feel my best. Bottom line is, yes to some it may seem selfish, but I'm all the boys truly have, so if I don't take care of me, no one else will. 

  We spent the boys birthday surrounded by school friends/co-workers. I hope the boys felt or understand how much love and support they have around them. I truly appreciated having them share the day with us even though to the boys it was just another day. I hope to blog again soon, but as life with Autism has taught me, you can plan all you want, but that doesn't mean it gets to happen! :)

4 days old  (Logan - left; Brenden - right)


13th birthday (Logan - left; Brenden - right)


June 2008 (my heaviest weight)



June 2013 (60+lbs lighter - 3 1/2 years in the making and STILL going!)

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

And Merry Christmas to all of you and your families...

We wanted to thank everyone for all your prayers and support this past year. Our annual financial meeting went better than expected. We actually came out of it with money being owed to us! So thanks again to all of you that had been praying.

Our requests for 2009 will be that the boys continue to grow and develop to their fullest potential, whatever that may be, that the issues with Medicaid will soon be resolved, and that all our needs will continue to be met.

Here are a few pictures from Christmas Eve & Day...

http://picasaweb.google.com/sptsimone/Christmas08?authkey=ekQZJo7BwAA#slideshow

Blessings,
Shanel, Brenden & Logan

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We hung out at the Shops at Willowbend for a while today and I was able to get a few pictures of the boys....

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51176&l=d8e7b&id=641828092



We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Love,
SBL

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Go Yankees!




Well not the real ones anyway. :o) The boys 'played' baseball yesterday and since it was such a nice day we hung out at the park after they finished wandering around in the outfield and sitting in the dugout for 45 minutes.

http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii208/simoneboys00/Miracle%20League/BaseballFall08/?albumview=slideshow

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Updated Photo Gallery


Here are some photos of the boys from their birthday party at Hawaiian Falls back in July and new photos from Camp Summit.

http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii208/simoneboys00/New%20Photos/?albumview=slideshow

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA!!!

What an awesome day in our history!








Its been 40 years since the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and for those of you that understand the significance of '40' you know this means a time of REAL change for our country and world.