Natalie's Dream Team - Overwhelmed with Gratitude

We did it! 

Natalie's Dream Team

Natalie's Dream Team participated in the
 'Walk Now For Autism Speaks' event on October 26.  It was a day full of fun and entertainment with an atmosphere of excitement.

I must admit that this was one of the best days of my life. Words seem impossible in times like these and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. 

Nothing Brings People Together Like Love and this event was a testament to that. 

I was both humbled and inspired by the great turn out!

Thank you to all of those that were there to support Natalie and our Family and to those that were not able to be there, I know you were there in spirit. 

Together, we are changing lives and helping children and individuals with autism, plus their families, thrive!

Marching along

Natalie's Dream Team started with a goal to raise $500 and a goal of 6 team walkers. But by October 26th we had raised $1,050 and had 39 walkers!

Natalie with big brother, mom and dad

It was an amazing time with family, friends and host families. A beautiful walk through the Nova Southeastern University campus in Davie, Florida, 

where Our Brown-Eyed Girl, 

Natalie was the Star!  

Natalie with cousins and grandma

Early on I had decided that I wanted to record this incredible event by having a photographer capture all the moments before, during, and after the walk. I reached out to one of my local mommy support groups for references on good photographers for this type of venue. I was blessed to receive a a response from one very special mommy in this group who is also a photographer. She reached out to me and said that she too had been touched by Autism and wanted to donate her professional services to Natalie's Dream Team. Her name is Dani of Portraits by Dani and she was an incredible photographer and a lovely person. She took many photos and never complained about my numerous requests. She was such a trooper, taking the time to photograph individual families and walking along with us while snapping away with the camera. I can't wait to have those beautiful pictures and share them with all of you. But in the meantime, I have included pictures taken by family and friends.

Uncle was so proud to be carrying Natalie's banner

My family and I sincerely thank you for your love and support. 

We couldn't be more blessed having friends and family like you in our lives.

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Last night I went to sleep the mother of a two year-old. This morning I woke up the mother of a three year-old. Your name means "Christmas Day" and you are surely a gift from God. Happy Birthday Natalie!  You are my heart and soul. I want to tell you how much I love you. But trust me, no words would be good enough to express just how much you mean to me and how much you are loved.

I look at you each night and watch the little outside corners of your mouth turned down, as they did when you were an infant. Your sweet rosy cheeks and those beautiful long lashes look just the way they did when you would sleep in my arms back in those early months. I miss those beautiful days. Our whole world was in our little home, just you and me. Dad would go to work and big brother would head off to middle school, and the two of us would sit quietly and study each other. I thought that I was only studying you, but now I realize you were studying me, too. It was in those days that we began our mother/daughter relationship, our bond. I learned all your facial expressions, every wrinkle and those dimples! I watched your eyes come into focus, your mouth start to make sweet little sounds, and watched as your ears learned to listen {sign} I took it all in. I waited for your first word, I wanted to know what your voice would sound like, to better understand your thoughts and feelings.  But I also relished in the quiet peace of just you and me. You make life so beautiful and full and complete.There is so much I admire about you. Growing up with challenges of communication and the inability to say all that you want or need to say is not an easy task, so I respect and admire your deep desire to fight hard every day, to try to say what you mean and for using your best tool: self-motivation. I’m not sure I’d find the strength that you display each day as you work to become a more able person. I can only admire your greatness. 

Thank you for being my daughter and for reminding me what life is all about, for helping me stop and enjoy all the moments.  I love you more than I could ever put into words and I am thankful for the miracle of you in my life.

Happy 3rd Birthday my sweet girl.

 You make me whole in so many ways.

With Love,

Mom