Wow, where do I begin here?? It all started when Brady was diagnosed with HFA back in November...I felt like it would be good to go to an autism support group meeting & speak with other parents going through what Richie & I were going through. It's hard trying to make decisions that you feel will make an impact on the future & not really knowing everything that is going on. So, we attempted the meeting in Rogers & didn't stay very long for several reasons that I won't get into on here. However, what I did get out of the meeting is that A) there is an autism walk annually & it would be coming up in April and B) I needed to partner up with the existing group & start a sister group in Fayetteville for families who want the resources but can't get to Rogers once a month. Little did I know, God had a plan to make both happen seamlessly. Lesa Otten is another mother at St. Joseph & her son Matthew is 10. She is very informed w HFA and is a super lady (and advocate) & she gladly stepped up to say "yes yes!" when I asked if she would be interested!
Richie and I also reached out to the ladies in charge of the Rogers group & they loved the idea. So, we decided to step it up & help them with the AIM walk as well as have a team for Brady & little did we know we were about to have a huge "AH HA" moment!
"Brady's bunch" was started & we met up with a friend of Richies from college & he designed the team shirts for us! We love them! We set up a web page & hoped that we had a few friends & family that would want to donate so we set a goal of $500 & we surpassed our original goal within the first 24 hours of sending out the original email! Without going into tons of detail, we kept increasing our goal & I finally stopped at $2,000. I was just in utter amazement that so many friends were so kind, thoughtful & generous to give to such a great (and still unknown) cause!!! We ordered over 100 team shirts (ordered a few extra & knew that some of those friends wouldn't be able to make it) but never even thought we would need more than 36! Wow! I actually still have shirts to deliver & feel terrible that I've been so super busy & haven't had a chance to do that yet...anyway, here are a few pics from the walk!!!
On our way to the walk! What a crew! The fam supporting our sweet lil Brady!
Sweet lil family of 4. Love these kiddos so much!
Our signs supporting Brady from us and Papa and Baba!
Brady's God mother drove down from Kansas City to make the walk! She said she wouldn't have missed it! So sweet of her!
Me & mom!
Bria - supporting her big bro!
Daddy chasing big guy...
Mommy loving on her lil man!
Part of our team! A few of them that were able to come & walk with us! It was so crazy busy that I felt terrible that I didn't really get a chance to chat with everyone like I wanted...But, I appreciated them coming!
Some of my best friends from high school & their daughters drove up for the event. Meant the world to me!
Yes, Brady slept through the majority of the walk. I think he was a little overwhelmed with all the crowds & the sun was bright & he is very sensitive with sunlight. So, he decided a nap would be good! Ha!
My sweet friend Poco (Kristen) who came with 2 kids under 3 by herself! I swear she is super mom!
Brady & his best friend Maddox!
What a great day! Richie and stayed to help clean up and get the auction items that we won. It felt so great having such supportive friends donate and come and walk with us! It was so successful and we are just in amazement that we raised $2,105 for team "Brady's Bunch" and I really appreciate my friends that also donated items for the silent auction too. All of those funds stay local and help families that need assistance in Washington and Benton counties. Thanks to everyone who made our day so special. We love you all!
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