September = BUSY!

First and foremost - A happy belated 40th birthday to my hubby, David!!! :) :) :)
He turned 40 on August 23rd and this is what he woke up to ;) Signs and crows in the yard!
He also had a surprise 40th birthday party a couple of days later when he was expecting a fish dinner!
Luckily he's a good sport and enjoyed it all, but I'm told I better watch out in 5years, it'll be my turn!

So September, first of all,  the boys participated in the 2012 VA Beach Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 & Mini marathons. Ashton got to ride with Team Hoyt VB in the half and Holden ran the mini (5K). They had a blast! Both Ashton's runner and Holden finished with excellent times in their individual races - great job guys!

Then school has started and so far, both boys are having a great start to the school year! Yay! Hard to believe this is Holden's last year in elementary school, next year he'll be in 6th grade at the middle school - that's SCARY! Ashton, should we choose to let him move on with his typical-aged peers, will be moving on to HIGH SCHOOL! That's an even SCARIER prospect, as I have no idea which high school we want him to attend. He potentially could have the option of 3 local high schools; 1 which is his "home" school and 2 which are local to where his current school is. But, seeing as how he can receive services through the school district until age 21, I'm not too anxious to move him on to high school, *just yet*. We'll see. Will need to connect with his teacher within the coming months to decide what's best for Ashton. I do need to start checking out the programs available though, because I don't want to walk into a situation like what happened with his old middle school.

Lastly, Holden's busy fall schedule has kicked in to full gear. We're in the midst of soccer season, wrestling season starts soon and he's still running in a few local races this fall as well. PLUS, he's decided to join the 5th grade strings program at his school so add in homework and music practice (when we finally get his violin) and he's BUSY BUSY BUSY! I was finding homework was taking him far longer than it should (1.5-2hrs to complete) so we've added a very tiny dose of ritalin to the afternoons when he gets home and wow, what a HUGE difference. He had spelling homework tonight; had to write sentences for 26 words PLUS do a math worksheet. He had it all completed in less than 45mins from the time he started until he had it finished. WOW! Better yet, the med doesn't seem to affect his appetite or attitude at all, nor does it keep him from sleeping at night, which is an even BIGGER plus! He just couldn't quite settle down and focus on what he needed to do. Thank goodness the very small dose seems to be just what he needed! We're anxious for progress reports in a few weeks, but I suspect the boys' grades will be pretty stellar.

So without further ado.... here are the pictures from the last little while; pictures from the Rock'n'Roll half and mini marathons, pictures from the first day of school and everything in between :) Enjoy!

These are just a couple of shots of Holden at his first soccer game of the 2012 Fall season! I was VERY impressed at the amount of active participation he displayed. He actually got to play quite a bit in this first game, so that's testament to how much better he's doing this fall over the spring! Not bad for a kid who didn't play at all over the summer except a 1 week camp!

These are a couple of shots of the first day of school - EIGHTH GRADE and FIFTH GRADE! Hardly seems possible, doesn't it?!?! :\ Not sure how I'm gonna handle them moving on next year (well, possibly moving on in Ashton's case).

here's a good shot of Ashton and his Team Hoyt VB runner, Marc Leber :) We "surprised" Marc by showing up at one of his XC invitationals. Unfortunately though, due to traffic, we totally missed his run and arrived as he crossed the finish line! oops! Great run though Marc! (as always....)

and last but not least - a few of my favorite pictures from the Va Beach Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 and Mini Marathons ...... Marc and Ashton crossed the finish line for the 1/2 marathon with a time of 1:48:57! AWESOME TIME!! It was very hot that morning, and not to mention humid too! Marc did a fantastic time and this was Ashton's favorite race to date! Holden crossed the finish line for the mini marathon (5K distance) with a **NEW** personal record 27:43! Way to go little man! He's running another 5K race in a few weeks and his goal is to get it under 27mins! WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT! :) Very proud of all 3 guys!

Look at that super happy, but exhausted face!
Incredible job Holden! We're VERY proud of you!

He's running so fast, his feet don't touch the ground! ;) LOL!
Last push and he can see the finish line from here! :)

Surfers Healing VB '12 = AWESOMENESS X 1,000!

This amazing video was shown on the local news and is currently on the CNN website. :)

Once again, I am absolutely astounded at the amount of social growth in a year, that Ashton has made. From Surfers Healing VB 2010 to 2011 was a remarkable change, but WOW. The change from Surfers Healing VB 2011 to 2012 was absolutely amazing! We were at the beach from 7am (Ashton rode in the Surfers Healing 5K with Team Hoyt while Holden ran with Team Hoyt and David also ran the 5K) until 4pm! Outside, in the sun, for 9 hours! THAT IS VIRTUALLY UNHEARD OF for Ashton! He generally hates the sun and normally isn't a fan of the sand either.

So, to start off. The guys in my family participated in the Surfers Healing 5K. Ashton rode with Marc Leber, Michael Davis and of course, Holden all helping to push him with Team Hoyt. Holden ended up having to back off and ended up running with Jenny Dugan and William. David kind of ran back by himself :) Michael finished with a time of 23:24, Marc pushed Ashton to the finish line at 23:25 and Holden finished with a time of 30:44. David finished with a time of 41:12. All great times! Ashton had a blast (as usual) and I think everyone else did too!

Michael, Marc, Holden & Ashton - before the race

Ashton's Team & Ainsley's Angels - SIBLING TEAMS ROCK!

Ashton and Ainsley are ready to go!

Team Hoyt - ready to start........ ready, set......

GO!!!! ....... and they're off!

Michael, Marc & Ashton coming into the finish line!
Thanks for the fast ride Michael & Marc!

Holden, Jenny & William crossing the finish line! WTG!

David coming into the finish line - Great job honey!

Team Ashton totally rocked the SHVB 5K! WTG Guys!

Holden, William and Jenny chilling out after an awesome race!

As you can see, the Surfers Healing 5K race was a total success! I have so many pictures I could share, but well, I'd never get this post done. Suffice it to say that we're very proud of all of the Team Hoyt runners and rider athletes. Of course, we're also very proud of Dad who ran a good race too! 

Before I move on to the surfing part of the day, there's an image I want to share with you all.

This beautiful image was captured by Danny Holland of Virginia Beach. It absolutely personifies the passion, the loyalty, the emotion, the absolute healing powers of Surfers Healing. Josh Tracy is the remarkable rookie Surfers Healing surfer who carried this young child out into the surf in Virginia Beach on August 18, 2012. It was raining, yet he was still out there, giving it his all. This absolutely was my favorite image of the day and it wasn't one that I took, nor was it even of my child. Kudos Josh Tracy for your dedication and to Danny Holland for capturing this beautiful image! To see more images of Danny's from the day, please go to his Facebook album, found HERE and enjoy the rest of the heart-capturing images!

So, next we move into the Surfers Healing area on the beach. We get signed in, got Ashton's goody bag and get ready because Ashton's surf time was at 9am! We got to be a part of the opening prayer ceremony. What a heart-warming and soul-cleansing experience. 

What a way to start of a day of healing!

Then, the call came for 9 'o' clock surfers to get in line to get their life jackets and 

Surfers Healing VB 2012 was officially starting! 

You see that SUPER HUGE smile Ashton has on his face?
This is precisely why I will do anything I can, to ensure he gets to experience
the joy, love and healing of Surfers Healing every year :)

Marc (Ashton's runner) was standing in line with Ashton to get his life jacket on and I had went to scope out a spot on the  beach so I could watch. I never in my life, thought I would hear what I was about to hear. They had asked Ashton if he wanted to surf ON HIS OWN, and he replied happily and excitedly "YES!" - OMG! MAJOR freakout moment for me going "he can't do that!" OH YES YOU CAN!! (I should know that phrase so well by now, since it's Team Hoyt motto!). I was shocked! He LOVED it! He did freak out a moment or two when he wiped out but he did SO well! He never stood on the board, but he rode the board in on his belly all the way to the sand, would turn the board around and go surf again. He was out there for an hour - having a blast!

CHECK HIM OUT!!! Riding that wave ALL ON HIS OWN!!!

Whoops - Boy overboard!!!

Look at how relaxed he is!! feet crossed up on the board and he's having the time of his life riding those waves in!

To make this an even MORE magical experience - there were LOTS of dolphins in behind all the kids
just riding the waves along with them!

So then ..... it was over. The surfing part of the day for Ashton that is. He proudly stood with his medal and lei that was given to him and proclaimed himself the WINNER (for the 2nd time that day! :))

Yes, you my son, are indeed THE WINNER! That winning smile, those gorgeous eyes and your infectious personality, you ARE a winner! People adore being around you, and you make people BETTER people for knowing you! 

So ..... the social growth I mentioned earlier? Wow. Amazing the difference in a year. For one, he was SO happy and social with just about anyone who came over to talk to us. He LOVED seeing all the little kids and got so excited about seeing all the babies out there on the beach. He ADORES babies (almost to an annoying extreme, really) but he does pretty well with instructions of no touching unless you ask or gentle touches. Funny, a couple of years ago babies made him squirm because of the noises and crying. He's growing up! He enjoyed socializing with his Grandparents, his cousins and most of all, just had fun hanging out on the beach, as long as he had his sunglasses on! 

We got to meet one incredible man this weekend, 'Doc' Dorian Paskowitz, 

91-year-old surfer, father of Izzy, doctor and all-around awesome guy!

Ashton and 'Doc'

The speech he gave when he arrived brought tears to many of the parents who were standing around. Guilt. Do not have it. Nothing *WE* did, caused our children to be autistic. Love yourself, Love your child and do the best that you can. Words we can all apply to our everyday lives. What a sweet man! I loved having the pleasure to meet him and talk with him for a few moments.

Then, we got to see Izzy again! I'm not totally convinced Izzy remembered us (well, until I mentioned the cool man sunglasses and the picture that made it into our Christmas cards last year), but we had a blast seeing him again and having him sign our book "Scratching the Horizon".

Ashton (hugging Izzy), Izzy and Holden .... :) LOVE THIS PICTURE!

Love what Izzy wrote in the book :) Thanks Izzy!

Well, around 2:30pm they were wrapping up with the last of the kids that hadn't gotten to surf. I went and asked, would it be possible for kids to go back out again. So, happily, Ashton got to go back out and surf again, THIS time with a surfer, Kalani Brown. Nope, not the same Kalani from previous years, but Ashton enjoyed surfing with this one too! I got quite a giggle out of this experience because every time they rode the board to shore, Kalani would ask me "can he have one more ride Mom?" - how could I resist? so of COURSE I said YES! :) Ashton was out in the water for another hour and did ride the board in by himself a few times again! Unfortunately, I had hubby take my DSLR home with him when he went home around 12:30. Also, I forgot that I had my little point & shoot camera with me, D'oh! But I did catch a couple of cute shots with my iPhone :)

It was a truly wonderful, beautiful, healing day. Sure, it DOWNPOURED around 10:30 that morning for about 20minutes. It had everyone running for cover, well, except the extremely passionate and dedicated surfers, they were still out in the water with the kids. :) The boys had fun, made new friends, I got to connect with people I normally am online with, and it was in general a beautiful, healing day. Ashton loves the water, loves the surfers and just well, enjoys this one day. I enjoy it for many different reasons. The sense of community, the day free of judgement, and the smiles, tears, hugs that go around will forge friendships that are long-lasting.

We can't wait until Surfers Healing 2013!

Team Hoyt VB fundraiser!!!!

So - anyone that has been reading my blog since at least March of 2012, knows that Ashton has become a Team Hoyt VB rider athlete. What this means is that in a distance race, he gets to ride in a super cool jogging stroller (made for adults) and gets to feel the wind in his face while he's getting pushed! He has totally loved the experience thus far, and has become attached to a couple of his pushers (Marc Leber and his mom, Andrea). They've now pushed Ashton in 3 races (of the 5 he's done thus far) and will be pushing him in a couple of weeks at the Surfers Healing 5K here in VA Beach. 

Anyways.... to get to the point.... the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon in VA Beach is coming up on September 2, 2012. As the largest fundraiser for Team Hoyt VB/Guardian Angels Fund, they encourage each rider team to raise a minimum of $250 per team member. Ashton's team includes him, and two wonderful ladies (Louise Battaglia and Kim Thumel) who will be pushing him along the 13.1 mile Oceanfront course. That means his team needs to raise a minimum of $750. 

Holden has also kind of become an honorary Team Hoyt runner/pusher, and will be helping push Ashton in the Surfers Healing 5K (Holden's first official race "pushing") on August 18, 2012. Holden thought it would be very cool to see if he could help out a great group by raising money. He knows how much his brother enjoys surfing with Surfers Healing and he understands Ashton's excitement during the races and wants to ensure these great organizations continue on to do great things. So we set up a fundraising page. We got an idea put in our head by a little birdie, that Holden's fundraising goal should be $818. Why such an oddball number? Why, he wants to raise $818 by 8/18 of course!!

So - $818 + $750 = $1,568! 

CAN THEY DO IT?!?! YES THEY CAN!!!! 

We would be extremely honored and humbled with any donation you may consider giving this wonderful group and organization. No donation is too small, In fact, passing this blog post along to your friends and family is a great way to show your support, if you can't financially. Please help us reach our goal! THANK YOU!!!!

Team Ashton - SHVB5K & RnR 1/2 Marathon

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/mccboys2/shvb5k2012

A 501c3 non-profit, Guardian Angels Fund / Team Hoyt VB, strives to include the disabled into everyday able bodied activities, more specifically, the thrill of competitive sports. In addition, we support programs that provide these services like Equikids Therapeutic Riding Program. Your donation will help maintain our fleet of 60 racing chairs, trailer, inflatable boats the swim portions of races, website and taxes. Also, Team Hoyt VB will be sponsoring a summer camp in 2013 for 16 special needs children to attend Equikids. This program was cancelled this year due to lack of funding, and we are bringing it back. 

Other programs we have supported have been St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children, Pembrook Elementary Special Needs Playground, Surfers Healing VB, Allen Stone Memorial Races, Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughters, Young Life Capernaum, RWTTC, Stronger Together, and countless other groups.