Special Mamas Need Some LOVE!

The first part of this post has a lot of words, but please stick with me!
This is IMPORTANT and I’M SO STINKING EXCITED!

Okay, if you’ve been reading the blog for awhile now, then you probably know
I’m a Speech-Language Pathologist.

I work part-time for McKinney ISD in the STC classrooms (specially designed for students with autism) and the FAC classrooms (specially designed for students with intellectual disabilities).

I have also seen children privately (in their home or my home) for the last 10 years.

It’s not always an easy job, but it’s an AWESOME job.

Helping children become more effective communicators is so incredibly rewarding.

The kids bless me in ways I never could have imagined, and my goodness do they keep me smiling.
Oh, the stories I could tell!
I really should write a book.  The stories would warm your hearts. 🙂

I have so many precious moments that are seared in my mind.
 Exact moments where I feel like I made a positive impact in a child’s life and their families lives.
And you know, getting to know the families is such a neat part of the experience,
a part that I never anticipated.

These families sacrifice so much for their children.
They would do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING for their kids, and they often do.

I have such respect for them.

Since my very first second as a speech therapist,
I of course have always had a heart for these sweet kids.

But after I became a mama myself, I developed such a heart for their families too.

Especially the moms.

Moms (and dads and siblings) of children with special needs all deserve a special place in Heaven.

I have seen first hand the love, the passion, and the INCREDIBLE dedication that these families have for these special kids that they love so much, so unconditionally.
  And you wouldn’t believe the sacrifices they make.

They turn their own lives upside down on a daily basis.

They often do without.

They shuttle kids between a countless number of therapies and doctors that they pay so much money for (often out of their own pockets).
They are constantly working with and loving on their kids.

They have little or no free time.
They go to bed tired, and they wake up tired (many children with special needs
 have a very hard time sleeping).
And they start it all over again the next day.
It’s truly something to witness.

They do it all to give their children the best they possibly can.

And what I’m most consistently impressed by is their patience.

Oh my word, the patience that is required is often more than moms and families of typically developing children can imagine.  

Watching these moms and these families love on their kids like they do is nothing short of inspiring.
But in addition to all of the sacrifices that are made for the children, in addition to all of the work…
it’s also of extreme importance to note that these precious kids bring their parents and their families SO MUCH JOY!!!
Yes, the kids are blessed by their families.
But in turn the families are also blessed by their kids.
It’s wonderful to see.

And so, a simple note written by one of my student’s moms at the beginning of the school year prompted me to come up with a way to celebrate these moms.

These VERY SPECIAL moms.
They deserve a little celebrating, that’s for sure. 🙂

Here’s the note that got the ball rolling.

And just like that, the idea for a contest was born!

Thank you SO MUCH Candace for the push I needed to think of something like this!

Are you dying to know the specifics?
Well, I’m dying to tell you!

Here’s what’s happening.

This week I am partnering with one of my favorite brands (eek!) to  honor to all of these mamas and to celebrate 1 special mom!
Who is joining forces with me?
LOFT, that’s who!

Pinch me.
Seriously, somebody pinch me.

Hold tight, and I’ll tell you what’s up for grabs in just a bit.

 In order to enter, you must meet the following requirements:
You must be the mom of a child with special needs, and
you must enter your e-mail address in a blog comment for the rafflecopter below.
By doing this, you will be signing up to receive e-mails from LOFT.
(You will see that there are additional ways to gain entries, but they are not required.)

What’s the winner going to get?

Well.

Hold on to your hats ladies.

The LOFT absolutely loved the idea of celebrating these extra special mamas,
so they came on board in a BIG way.

Wait for it…..

I know.

 Let’s just all take a minute to collect ourselves.

I’m BEYOND thrilled.

 I mean, I’ve always LOVED and ADORED LOFT, but now I’m completely smitten.  🙂  

So, how’s this all going to go down?
Well, on Wednesday I will be highlighting lots of my favorite FALL things from LOFT so we can help the special mama that wins get some ideas on how to spend her money!
If you haven’t see the fall line at LOFT, well then you’re missing out.
The winner is going to be totally set with pants, jeans, cords, sweaters, t-shirts, scarves, and jewelry all in gorgeous fall colors and patterns.

And that’s not all!
IN ADDITION TO THE $500 GIFT CARD FROM LOFT,
Pinterest Told Me To is also going to be gifting 3 items to the lucky mama!
WOOHOO!
The mama will also get:
*a pair of MUST HAVE jeans
*a pair of boots or shoes
*a necklace

YOU GUYS!  I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO!
I wanted to give everybody a chance to join in on the fun, so
YOU ARE ALL going to get a chance to vote on what specific items
the lucky lady is going to receive from PTMT.
You will decide which pair of jeans, which pair of shoes, and which necklace the mom should get!
FUN, RIGHT?
I want us all to have a part in blessing this mama!

So, here are your choices………

FIRST,

Every lady needs a great pair of jeans that makes her feel great!
This year I found THE BEST and MOST AFFORDABLE jeans I’ve ever had on my body, and I’m now totally and completely obsessed with this Vigoss brand.
I’m giving you guys 3 jeans to choose from.  They all have the perfect amount of stretch in them.
(They have a little give, but they aren’t sagging by the end of the day.)
Any of them would be a great addition to any woman’s closet!
a.  clean cuffed jeans HERE   
You know these are my absolute favorite jeans right now.  
 The cuff makes them SO cute with booties and flats!  I probably wear these every other day.  Okay, not probably.  I wear these every other day.  🙂
   b.  boot cut jeans HERE   
 These boot cut jeans have great pockets in the back (so important in a jean) and fit just right.
 c.  black jeans HERE 
These black jeans from Vigoss are new, and I am so excited about them!  If you like the idea of a black legging, but are scared to death of an actual pair of leggings, these would be perfect.
They would look great paired with cognac boots!

Which jeans does our special mama need?
	a) clean cuffed
	b) boot cut
	c) black skinny
pollcode.com free polls

NEXT,

So, we all know that everybody needs a great shoe or boot that’s a GO TO in her closet.
You get 6 different choices for this one!
I LOVE every single one of these pictured above, and they are all under $110.
a)  tall brown riding boots HERE
A great cognac riding boot is such a great and versatile item to have in your closet, but it does come in black too.  And you know a cognac boot is on my FALL STYLE STAPLES checklist.
b)  taupe suede tall wedge boots HERE 
This boot is new to Nordstrom, and I think it’s great!  You know I love a wedge, and I really like the mushroom color of these (a really great neutral) and the cute buckle detail.
c)  taupe wedge TOMS booties HERE
If you read my blog, you know that these are the newest addition to my closet. If you don’t read, check out the fantastic reviews on these babies.   I’m going to be wearing them fall, winter, and spring with my Vigoss cuffed jeans as well as skirts and dresses!
 d)  cognac flats HERE 
I love the detailing on these, and you know how I feel about cognac.
 I tried these on and they are super comfortable.
e)  cognac suede booties HERE 

 Again with the cognac!  

This is a classic bootie that would pair with just about anything in your closet!

f)  leopard flats HERE

Swoon.  I love these leopard flats. And remember, leopard is a neutral.
Say it with me!
Leopard is a neutral.
Plus, these have near perfect reviews!

What shoes does our special mama need?
	a) cognac riding boots
	b) tall suede wedge boots
	c) TOMS wedge booties
	d) cognac flats
	e) cognac suede booties
	f) leopard flats
pollcode.com free polls

And FINALLY,

             

I’ve had this necklace for a little over a year now, and it is hands down the
most worn piece of jewelry I own.  It adds just the right amount of “oomph” to any outfit.
I seriously have no idea how I got dressed in the morning before I had it! 
Sanibel Pendant HERE
This is the newest Stella and Dot piece that I’ve added to my collection, and it is surprisingly getting as much wear as the Kimberly necklace!  It’s reversible (see above), and the length can be adjusted to be a single or a double strand making it super versatile. A good pendant necklace is a great addition to any jewelry collection because it looks great with just about everything.

(If you want to get one of these for yourself, remember to enter “Sheaffer Sims” as your hostess!  I love using my credits to buy gifts for future contests!)

Which necklace does our special mama need?
	a) Kimberly necklace
	b) Sanibel pendant
pollcode.com free polls

So, get to voting ladies!
And don’t forget, this is just the first part of her prize….
Stay tuned for Wednesday where I will highlight loads of my favorite things at LOFT right now!
(I went to LOFT on Friday and on Sunday.  That’s how much good stuff there is.
  Can’t wait to share the pictures with all of you soon!)

BUT WAIT!
Before you go, I would like to ask for your help.
 If you are one of those incredible moms with a precious child with special needs, please enter!
Or if you know a mom that this contest is perfect for, please let her know about this.
SPREAD THE WORD!
If you’re a special education teacher, maybe send a quick e-mail to all of your moms!
Blog about it, tweet about it, put it on facebook.
Do whatever you need to do to get the word out to your circles of friends!
I am praying that whomever wins this is going to be so blessed by it…
so let’s tell as many people as possible!
(It is also my hope that the mama who wins will feel comfortable sharing her story with us!)

The contest ends at midnight on Friday,
 and I will announce the winner on facebook Saturday morning. 
THANKS EVERYBODY!
AND THANK YOU LOFT!

p.s.
If you would like to share the contest on your blog, I would of course LOVE that!
Feel free to use the graphic above or this one below by just copying and pasting it into your post! 

p.p.s.
Also, if you shop at LOFT and you’re a teacher, you need to know about the LOFT
Loves Teachers Program (if you don’t already).
Click HERE if you are a teacher and don’t know
about it.
 Lots of great perks, including 15% off of your full price purchase all day every day!

p.p.p.s.
LOFT is having $20 off of all full price jeans and cords HERE! 
 I LOVE the cords.  They are stretchy, flattering, and SO comfy! 
Here’s a preview of one of pics for Wednesday!

AND THEIR SALE IS ON SALE!
Click HERE to shop a great selection of items at deeply discounted prices!

Okay, now it’s time to enter!!!!!
Good luck mamas!!!!
AND REMEMBER, YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS TO ENTER!  In fact, even if you’re not entering, leave you e-mail address if you want to be put on the LOFT’s e-mail list.  I love getting my sale updates and you will too!