Hello World! Welcome to our blog! I’m Kimberly and I have felt for about a year now that God was leading me towards starting a blog. I can’t explain it. I don’t really read blogs or follow many. I just knew it was something I needed to do.
So what has taken me so long? Well, I wondered if anyone would read it, if I would have enough to write about, and if I was a decent enough writer to make it bearable to read. Last weekend I heard Charles Stanley preach that “God will not lay something on your heart that he has not prepared and equipped you for.” So, here it is ……. my leap of faith! My only other reservation.…… I have to admit……was that I am so nervous. Our family has been fairly private about our struggles and being so raw with anyone and everyone is very scary. But now, I am deciding to face that fear while claiming Psalms 27:1…… “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”
Now, on to what this blog is all about. The mission is to follow the life of my family as we navigate this world with our son, Cannon. He is 4 years old and Autistic. There….I said it. Many friends of ours knew something was up but not many knew the whole story. This blog will definitely provide you with the whole story. I pray that this will be a place that I can share our struggles, rejoice in our triumphs, and just tell our everyday life stories. I pray that we can keep our friends and family updated on Cannon’s developmental progress and medical condition along with educating them about Autism and the other issues and therapies he endures. I also hope to network with people who have been affected by Autism or any other illnesses or disorders. I want this to be a place where we can all support each other.
So, do me a favor! Subscribe to this blog! Give a girl some confidence to keep it up! And if you know others who might be interested or have similar struggles……pass this info along. I know that God has a plan for this site and I am excited to see what it is. Join us!
Laura Story - Blessings
Kimberly,
Thank you. I have a much better understanding of your family’s journey, as well as a better understanding of how to pray. Thank you for using your life to show how our precious Lord makes all the difference.
Love to you and your men!
I love you Jenny! Thanks for the vote of confidence! I have such hope for the good this site can do!
Kimberly,
You do not know me personally, but I have been listening to the journies of Cannon’s life for a long time now. I am very good friends with your sister Rebecca. I am a special education teacher and she seeked my opinion, advise, and comfort before Cannon was even given a diagnosis. I look forward to reading about his life through your words. You know already, but Cannon and his Autism would not have been placed in your hands if God did not think you were going to be the best blessing for him. God bless you, Cannon and the rest of your family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Weslie Thompson
Thank you so much Weslie! I have heard a lot about you from Rebecca! Thank you for being such a great friend to my baby sister! And I really appreciate your support for the blog. This is truly my heart in print. Take care! 🙂
Kimberly,
It’s about time! We are always thinking of you and your family!!
Thank you Yvette! I so appreciate your support! We miss you guys and pray for ya’ll often as well! Hugs!
Dearest Kimberly,
I have been trying to keep up with your posts about Cannon and praying for him and all of your family daily! Know that I will continue to do so. You are an awesome woman and mother!! God Bless all of you!
Katie
Thank you so much Mrs. Katie! That means so much to us! We are so grateful for your support, prayers, and love! All our best! 🙂
Kimberly,
I think you and your whole family are very brave, and a wonderful example of God’s love. Thank you for sharing…
Katie
Thank you so much friend! It has taken me a long time to work up the courage to do this so I cannot tell you how much your support means! Be well and I hope we can get the kiddos together soon! 🙂
Kimberly,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share more about your family. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I look forward to following your blog!! take care
Jodie Mae Michelle Broughton
That is so kind Jodie! Thank you so much for coming along on this journey with us! God bless you!
Kimberly,
You are doing a wonderful thing by telling Cannon’s story! Thank you for finding the strength to share it, your words will help others who are going through similar circumstances.
I miss you guys very much and hope that we can see each other soon!
I love you guys very much!
Much Love,
Tara
We love and miss you too Tara! I really needed a hug yesterday and I got that through our precious text conversation! Thank you so much for your love and concern! We WILL see each other soon! 🙂
Kimberly,
I love you hun! I love and admire your strength and faith! My son has sickle cell and his health has been a constant struggle. So this is coming from an old friend and loving mother. God has blessed your family with an angel who I know you will nurture to his fullest potential. You’ve always had an amazing heart and an incredibly supportive family, so I know God will see Cannon and the rest of your family through this time in your life. Cannon is so lucky to have a mother like you!
Always in my prayers…love ya!
Trisha, Trisha, Trisha! You warm my heart completely with your beautiful words! Thank you! Your so right! Our little guys are amazing blessings and a sure example of strength and courage! Thank you for your prayers! We feel honored that you are on this journey with us! Much love!
Kimberly,
I am SO proud of you for putting this beautiful website/blog together. You continue to inspire + amaze me with all that your family has navigated and yet your steadfast dedication to the Lord and how you can minister to others.
You are an incredible family and I feel privileged to call you friends and to be able to partner with you in prayer through each journey God guides you through! I love you!!!
And where would I be without the constant love of my dear friend, Karli? Hmmmm…..don’t want to know the answer to that one. Seriously….I can always count on massive support and love from your direction and I could never express to you how much it means! Thank you for being my friend! For loving me even when I am at my worst! And for always being a text away! I love ya girl! 🙂
Hi Kimberly,
Your blog was forwarded to me by our mutual friend, Maryann Bulldis. I am going to post your blog on my FB page because I belong to a support group for mom’s of “special needs” kids called “Holland Moms”. I know several of the moms have kiddos with autism and will be encouraged by your blog. My daughter is not autistic, but she does have many sensory issues, so I know how hard that can be for you and your son.
God bless you for the courage to write your story. I have felt for years that I should be writing our story but had fear that no one would care or it would come off as self-serving–thank you for inspiring me to take the same leap.
Love in Christ,
Ericka Balli
Thank you so much for the support Ericka! I really appreciate the encouragement! I completely and totally advise you to put your story down somewhere! If for no other reason, than to document it for yourself and/or your child. In the 2 weeks of its existence, this site has already given me a thousand times more hope, strength, and support than I could have ever imagined. And it is so therapeutic to get it out! You also appreciate the struggle and the victories more. They become more visible to you. I pray that God will continue to give you perseverance as you tackle your child’s sensory issues. They are so complicated and difficult. And no day is the same. Please stay in touch! I really hope this place in cyber space can be a support group of sorts for those of us with similar struggles. May God bless you and your family!
Oh wow, what a journey–so wonderful that you have your relationship with Christ–THAT gives me some peace when I reflect on your story. You are a gifted writer. Joy through Christ-Priscilla (where you know, we almost have toooooooo much green) and hey, did I ever tell you about the time in the nursery when 1 year old Mark bit 18 month old Christian?? Did not concern us in the least but Evelyn (Mark’s wonderful Mom) was horified! Mark was such a sweetie she was not prepared–I think he thought she was giving Christian some of HIS attention.
Thank you so very much for your kind words! We are so thankful for friends who are willing to ride this ride with us! 🙂 And yes…..I have heard that story. So not like the Mark I have today! So, quiet and reseved! And kind! 🙂
Kimberly,
Thank you so much for sharing Cannon’s story. We are thankful we can join in through prayer. Prayng for you this morning from Bangkok as you care for precious Cannon in the hospital. May God give you peace beyond understanding.
In Him,
Sheila
Peace beyond understanding…..ah yes….that is absolutely what we need. Thank you! Thank you for your support, kind thoughts, and prayers from so far away! 🙂
Thank you for sharing…hugs!
Thank you for caring…..and reading! 🙂
I have a daughter on the spectrum and it is the hardest thing I have ever encountered! I know God only gives you what you can handle, but I can’t help but question that daily! Keep the good faith and know that there are people out there who can help! I don’t know you, but I feel for you and you are not alone even though I know you feel like you are.
Oh Kristy! I know that questioning that goes on between you and God! I have said a few times before that I wondered if God was using me as the test subject for the verse that says that He will never give you more than you can handle. You know what I am finding lately? I have to get up every single day and decide that I will trust Him today. That his plan is perfect….even though I can’t possibly understand it. That I will be positive and that I will love Him even though He has given me so much to handle! I read this verse once and it helps me so muchon those tough days! “Let me seek more than reasons, your wisdom; more than answers, your approval; more than peace, your blessed presence in my life.” Please read through that slowly and soak it in. Write it down and read it on the hard days. And when you just feel like you can’t do it anymore….cry out to Him….beg Him for the strength to carry on. And write to me anytime you need encouragement! I want this site to help all of us struggling….to have the hope we need to stay strong for our precious children! I leave you with what my Grandpa Grady always used to say, “Keep your knees down and your chin up.” My prayers are with you as well! Take good care!
Kimberly,
Your friend Tonya Collins shared this with me.
As a parent of 2 sons with Autism, please know that I understand your highs and lows. It’s clear your strength shines through your words as you passionately speak of your son. My boys are my reason, and just like Cannon, it’s never just one thing with Autism. Joseph has severe allergies and epilepsy. Noah is hearing impaired and has ADHD-combined type. I live by 2 mottos – DAILY VICTORIES and It is what it is, so what’s next!? 🙂
Don’t let anyone prevent you from advocating for your son…that is your blessing. Autism moms are warriors. Hugs! :), Naomi
Oh Naomi! I am touched by your presence on our site! Thank you for sharing your story and struggles! You have a lot to handle over there! I love your mottos! What great things to focus on! And you are so right! We have to be warriors! If we don’t fight for our little men….who will! And on those days that we feel like we have no fight left….we look at that (those) precious face(s) and find the strength to go one more round! Right?! 🙂 Please stay connected here! We are our own best support system! We truly know what the other is going through! May God bless those precious boys….and their strong warrior Momma! 🙂
THANK YOU! For everything….and mostly for appreciating what it took to get this site up. It has been hard to be so raw and honest….and out there for all to see. But God has a plan for this site! I KNOW IT! Thank you for pushing me to do it and for your support now that helps give me the confidence to continue! All our love and thanks!
you do not know me but you know my mom(shirley) and she has told me all about cannon and all my daughter was diagnosed january 2011 with aspergers syndrome and the strugles i have daily arent easy but seein that im not alone your are doing something awsome and it will help other families who are strugling with the same issues hopefully one of these days when i go home we can me. Thank you
OH …..we love your mom! She is the kindest, sweetest woman! What a blessing she is to our family with all her cards, calls, and hospital visits. Thank you so much for reading our blog and for saying hi. I have heard a lot about you and would love to meet you sometime! Please know that we have prayed for you before and will continue to do so! Stay connected here and we can support each other! We definitely understand and empathize with all you go through on a daily basis. May God bless you with all the strength, courage, and fight you need to help that sweet little one.