I signed up for what??!!!

 

Yeah not sure what I was thinking when I signed that paper. I have never done a hike before, well not one that I wasn't just leisurely walking along. But I just felt like this was calling my name. Its new and different and completely out of my comfort zone. And the fact that I will be alone, 4 hours from home. Not alone in the sense of no one is around because there will be 75 of us hiking together. But that's 75 strangers.

My family will be at home, this is my journey. I feel this journey means to me than I can even put into words. 

This hike, is a commitment of my gratitude for in my opinion the best organization. 

Make a Wish

A completely non profit organization that grants wishes for children with life threatening 

medical conditions. 

They did this for us. If you are wondering why I am so committed to giving back and helping them raise money. 

This is why...

Zach got his wish granted in October 2012, he wished to see Mickey Mouse House. I can't express how much that week meant to us. The smile on his face meant he was better. 

Make a Wish does more than grant wishes, they bring hope and joy to families. They cure cancer and other illness for a week. That week of no doctor appts, no hospital stays, no thinking about what its or not feeling well. They give children a week of being a child.
 

 

 

This is the 2nd annual Trailblaze Challenge

 That's 24.1 miles in one day along the Bartram Trail in the NC mountains. 

It is going to be strenuous, hard and life changing. But I have no doubt I can do it. I always think about everything Zach went through and always had a smile on his face. He is my inspiration. 

The goal of the Trailblaze Challenge Is to raise $2500 to help grant more wishes. So please help me.  Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated and 100% of the donations go directly to Make a Wish. 

You can go to my fundraising page Crystal Voss Trailblaze Challenge and read more and make a secure online donation. Or you can always mail in a donation, just click on link and print out form and mail it in.
Donation Form for mail

About Bartram Trail
  Located near the mountainous towns of Franklin, Highlands and Nantahala, the Bartram Trail in North Carolina meanders around 78.4 miles of the approximate route 18th-century naturalist William Bartram journeyed in North Carolina in the 1700's. The Bartram Trail boasts some of the most scenic mountains in North Carolina with elevation reaching 5,385 feet, providing hikers with spectacular views of ridges and valleys.

Our Section Of The Trail
The trail (24.1 miles): Commencing at Appletree Campground in the upper Nantahala Gorge to Nantahala Lake, the trek ascends and briefly joins the Appalachian Trail from Winespring Bald to Wayah Bald.The top of Wayah Bald, at 5385 feet, is the highest point on the trail which then descends the Nantahala Mountains finishing the adventure outside Franklin, NC.*The 15.6 mile option will start at Saw Mill Gap and end outside Franklin, NC.

About Make-A-Wish
For children who face the overwhelming odds of a serious medical condition, the bad times can be truly devastating. Make-A-Wish® exists to remind kids of all the amazing possibilities of life and to help them through the most difficult parts of their journey.

Fundraising Page

Please share my page with everyone you know!!

Award time

I am happy to say I was nominated for a Liebster award this week, by Tabitha over at A Hundred Tiny Wishes, which is good because I have been in a major writing funk and this definitely gave me a topic to write about.

The Rules:

1. You must link back to the person that nominated you. A BIG THANK YOU TO Tabitha for nominating me!
2. You must answer the 11 questions given to you by the nominee before you.
3. You pick 11 nominees with under 200 followers to answer your questions.
4. You cannot nominate the person who nominated you.
5. You must tell the nominees that they have been nominated by you

 

The questions that I have been given to answer are:

 

1. How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in 2010, at first just to keep everyone updated on the health status of my youngest son who has a chronic illness and was very sick. But now it has turned into a great love of mine and a place I can share anything.

 2. What is the story behind your blog name?

Both of my boys are have special needs, each different but both providing their own challenges. I chose Our Kind of Special as the name because they are one of a kind and both special.

 3. Who is/was the most influential person in your life?

My best friend

 

4. Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.

I  my boys have a brand new kitty, who is still nameless at this point. She is a 5 month old rescue from the local animal shelter. She is still new to us, but is very sweet and loves her belly rubbed.

 5. If you could attempt to do something, and not fail, what would you attempt?

I would want to be able to see the world through my oldest son's eyes, and to feel things the way he does, to experience emotions and struggles the way he does everyday. I would never want to change who he is, his talents, his imagination, his smile but if I knew what it meant to be him. I feel I could make his world easier and better fit for him.

 6. What is your favorite memory?

I think my favorite memory is hearing my first son's cry when he was born. He came into this world 8 weeks early and by emergency. He was a miracle from the day he was created and to think that he would not be here if he hadn't been delivered 8 weeks early.

 7. If you had to choose between makeup and hair products (shampoo, etc. not included), which would you choose?

This one is hard for me, most day I don't even wear make-up and when I do, it is very little. I am not one for going places that I have to really dress up for or get fancy on the make up. And the only hair products I use are mouse and occasionally hair spray when the static is bad. So to choose between them....hmmmm I would go with the hair products, I can pull off the messy up do

 8. Do you have a significant other? How did you meet?

 9. Favorite animal?

My favorite animal ever is an elephant, they are majestic, and when I was younger I read a book written by Cleveland Amory about his rescue sanctuary. It made me completely hate and boycott Ringling Brothers circus for the way they treated them. I also hate watching the shows that show "when animals attack" and show elephants. It's not fair. I am a huge animal lover, always have had animals. I grew up with horses, cows, pygmy goats (who would follow me around like puppies), dogs and cats. Probably why I have mostly always worked in an animal atmosphere. Nowadays though, I am only sharing my love with cats, just not in a place to have a dog yet.

 10. Do you have any hobbies, besides blogging?

I like to exercise and run. I participate in obstacle races and just signed up for a 24 mile hike in the mountains of NC. I enjoy anything to do with boys, and everything they like. They are my main hobby right now, we do everything together.

 11. Top three favorite blogs/bloggers.

 

Voyage of MeeMee- because she is so freaking funny!!! Her blog always always cracks me up and honestly think we would be great friends, I would so totally blate her <3 div="">

 

Busy Budgeting Mama- she is so down to earth and her kids are the cutest. She is everything I would love to be blogging, she is awesome with her kids, makes the cutest crafts and host parties all the time. And she and her husband have the best relationship and are so cute together.

 

Queen of the Distracted- an awesome adhd blog, she is so funny but truthful about her experience with her kids and husband having adhd.

 

My Nominees:

 

Jessica @ Just Jessica

Alyca @ A Table for Five

Kristy @ Twist & Sprinkle

Amber @ Amber Kristine says

Krystal @ Kinky.Love.Faith

Kae @ Where's My pacifier?

Laura @ The Everyday Joys

Jessica @ On the Wright Path

Barbie Bieber and Beyond

Mindy @ Best.Day.Ever

Amanda @ Happily Ever After

 

My 11 questions for them:

 

1.Is your blog everything that you dream of it being?

2. If you could live out your number 1 passion, what would it be?

3. What blogger do you most feel like you relate to and why?

4. Where is the one place that you want to visit before you die and what do you love about that place that makes you want to visit it?

5. What would you if you only had 1 day to live?

6. If you had a chance to tell someone something that you have regrets for not saying before now, what would it be?

7. What is your favorite all time movie?

8. What are your top 3 girl crushes, everyone has them so don't be shy?

9. What qualities matter most to you in a significant other?

10. Do you believe in love at first sight or knowing they are "the one" from the start?

11. What are your top 3 TV shows?

Eval

Last week I took Luke to his evaluation by his developmental behavior pediatrician, which was hard even though I already know half the struggles he has everyday. Seeing him struggle and not being able to help him is something no parent wants to watch.

 

We know Luke struggles everyday with having global dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder, adhd-combined type, dyslexia, dysgraphia and some more but with all these there are so many aspects that we don't understand still. There really is no telling what is going on inside his head at any time, and one minute he can be the sweetest most caring little boy then like a flip of a switch he is in full meltdown mode and I am left to figure out why.

 

He constantly tells himself he is horrible or he can't do anything right, that he is a bad boy and it takes everything I have to try and convince him that IS wonderful. But then just the simple act of telling him to stop doing something ends us back in the battle field again. He can't control his brain from thinking that every time he makes a mistake he is failing.

 

So the intent of this evaluation was to help us figure out exactly what is going on inside his head. Many people have told me that he shows a lot of Autistic tendencies and that he is probably on the spectrum somewhere. And yes I can see those characteristics in certain things he does,

-he has always lined up his toys, and color coordinated his cars and blocks.

-he has sensory processing disorder, which can also be a disorder all by itself but also a trademark of autism

-he has developmental delays

-he toe walks

-he will sit for hours engaged in an activity that most kids would be bored with

-he HAS to have his alone time

-his meltdowns are out of control

I could honestly go on and on about all the symptoms he portrays but really all I want our ways to help him. If he has autism or something else going on, he just needs me to understand him and be able to help him.

 

This evaluation was not much different than his pycho-educational evaluation he had back in May 2013 for school. But even after being in developmental kindergarten for half the school year already, he still struggles in areas that should be so simple. And it is heart breaking.

He was asked to time of day it was.. not like the clock time but like is it morning, afternoon or night, and it took several attempts and lots of extra clues for him to figure it out. He was asked what his last name was, he knows but he has to say his whole name to get out the last name and he couldn't write it when asked. He actually couldn't even write his alphabet, the only word he still only knows how to write from memory is his first name. He also had to imitate the doctor with simple hand movements which proved to be a greater task.

 

And I'm not writing this to tell you all the things he can't do, but for an almost 7 year old who has been in school since he was 2 1/2, was in pre k twice and now in a developmental kindergarten with only 4 other kids it is hard to cope with.

I KNOW he is smart and I want him to succeed, I HATE that he has to struggle to do so. He gets so frustrated at himself and he gives up so easily. So I really hope this evaluation will give me some insight on ways to help him. But I do have to wait till Wednesday to find out.

Finally Friday!!

Yay it's Friday!!

And I have a serious blog post I am working on, but just trying to get my thoughts all down so that will be coming out this weekend sometime.

But for today, it's Friday so lets have some fun!

 

5 on Friday

 

brought to you by Natasha

 

For one- this week has been amazing in many ways, Monday was hard but finally got past a really rough place that I was in. I had been missing smiles and laughter and being the reason for someone's happy thoughts. I truly know what is important in my life and I what I want to fight for. So since Monday, I have been so happy and thankful for what is going to be a great future.

 

 

Two- Luke had his evaluation this week with his developmental and behavior doctor, which was very hard to watch (more about this in the before mentioned serious post that will be coming out this weekend) But the appt was eye opening in some ways, I learn so much more about my boy and my love for him everyday. I know he will be great and will succeed even if it just takes him longer.

 

Three- My blog got picked for blog of the week by Lost and Tired a really big Special Needs blog. I am so truly honored to be picked by him, I love this blog, it is very informative. And also meant that my blog got recommended to Holly Robinson Peete, which is just so exciting to me. To think that my blog is truly making a difference and people are reading it, amazes me.

 

Four- I am finally starting to feel better!! Praise the Lord!! I so want to feel like a human again, and today I actually made my way back into the gym. Nothing major but a big step, haven't been able to go in over a month and my body was feeling it. Emotionally the gym is awesome, such a stress relief and just me and my own world. I am so relieved to be feeling better.

 

Five- I got my partner for the Valentines Day swap box, My partner is Ellen from Ask Away Blog I am so excited to get to know her. She is awesome and I love learning all about her favorites. She is an amazing fashion and advise blogger. Did I mention I love here fashion sense??!!! We will be great friends for sure.

 

 

 

Last but not least, it's Friday so time for Whitney  #backthatazzup jam 

Ready to scream!!!

The drama... if anyone was going to win an Emmy at my house, my boys would have it in the bag. I sometimes, well most of time, have no clue what evens starts the meltdowns. And sometimes I honestly have had enough, I really just want to scream. Not at them but just at the world, I mean how easy would it be to dress 2 kids when you didn't have to worry about the problems just the clothes cause to him. Without having to comfort him because it's winter and it's cold and it's not appropriate to go outside in shorts and a t shirt. It's a struggle, and it's heart breaking and it's consuming.

 

This morning we had some broken nose drama on top of it all, which caused more change. Lucas got to stay out of school due to a Dr appt for the supposed broken nose. And any change in routine causes major problems in his behavior. So really all the meltdowns were forth coming. Even knowing today was going to be less than pleasant from the start, it still takes me by surprise just how bad or what little it takes to really set off the roller coaster of endless meltdowns.

Oh and not to mention this morning over breakfast he lost a baby tooth.... so that ended breakfast and has farther ruined all meals for the remainder of the day.

 

 I have learned that sometimes the best thing during his meltdowns is to give him space and let him calm down. After the what seemed like endless car ride to the doctor, he sat quietly on the bench across from me, buried in his fleece hoodie, not looking at anyone. I let him sit there, got many looks from all the other parents in the room and knew what they were thinking. But until they walk a day in my shoes, they can give all the looks they want. When he finally made eye contact with me, I slid onto the bench next to him and he layed his head in my lap and told me he loved me.

The endings sometimes come just as fast and mysterious as the meltdowns do.

 

And now as I write this, both boys are immersed in playing Minecraft on their tablets. And hopefully the worst has come and gone today. But then we still have dinner, bath and bedtime to get through. And for a 6 year old that has no control over his hyperactive mind, bedtime leads into a bigger battle. So I am sure I will be ready to scream again around 9:00 tonight after the third or fourth time of tucking him into his bed.

 

 

 

5 on Friday

It's Friday, yay , well for me it doesn't really matter. I haven't been to work in about 3 weeks now due to my surgery and so I half the time I am not really even sure what day it is much less the date!!

But today I am going to link up with Whitney with the #backthatazzup

 

So here goes my Friday so far.....

 

1. First off, I have learned today that I will be buying my kids dentist his next new car with all the work that both my boys will need in their mouths. Good thing their dentist is also an orthodontist (as he reminded me today, I should be glad he went to school for those extra 3 years) Guess I should be looking for that extra job now and maybe by the time they are 10 I get them braces.

 

2. I am so tired of the cold, and if it's not the cold... it's raining, A LOT! My yard is a mudpit, my driveway is flooded, my floors are disgusting. And I'm really sure that Mother Nature doesn't know how hard it is to keep 2 boys, 1 of which has ADHD contained and happy when they can't go outside for days. But hey, on the positive note... I have greatly appreciated my rain boots I got for Christmas!

 

3. Football playoffs are this weekend! My team isn't playing but still I love football anyway and my home state team is in them so I guess I'm obligated to pull for them. Go Panthers!!!

 

4. My 6 year old experienced his first bloody nose and black eyes today. Thought it was a  good idea to burn off some energy after their dentist appt this morning at the bouncy house. My kids love this place! But yeah he decided to crash his nose into the back of his Nana's head and bloody his nose. Luckily it isn't broken but he will have black eyes for the next couple of days. Poor boy :(

 

5. And finally,

Good thing about the weekend, I get to sleep in!! Best plan ever!! NO school, and so the kids get to wake up with daddy and let mommy sleep in.

 

That's my 5 for Friday! And best part of course...

my jam for #backthatazzup