It's a Wonderful Light

06/09/2025

Woohooooo!!!!! 🎄😉 (Not nearly enough time to get everything ready)

It's practically here! 🎅

05/02/2025

In case you’re wondering what the “offseason” looks like…🎄🎄

04/21/2025

I'm a bit behind to post something on this, but felt it was still important to share my voice. Here's what the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services said last week about people with autism:

"Autism destroys families, but more importantly it destroys our greatest resource which is our children. And these are kids who will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem. They'll never go out on a date.”

I realize that he was primarily referring to people with severe autism, but as a father of an amazing girl with severe autism and a son who is higher-functioning, but still often struggles to navigate our world through his autism lens, I could not disagree more.

Autism brings plenty of challenges, but it has significantly blessed our family. I want to make sure my children know that we are grateful for them and that we love them with all our hearts. I learned a long time ago to not put limits on what my children are capable of accomplishing.

I am forever grateful for the intense learning I have been gifted because I have children with autism. To learn to see the world differently through their eyes and to learn how meaningful it can be to be a parent to children with disabilities.

This article was written by someone who has autism. I prefer to keep my focus on his words of positivity: "But even if they never created a single piece of art or simply existed, their life would not be a tragedy. There would still be joy. There would still be grace in their existence. Not because autistic people are naturally angelic, but because they are human beings with inherent value."

ANALYSIS: Health Secretary wilfully misreads data that should be celebrated, not feared, writes Eric Garcia

03/29/2025

We have been faithful Survivor fans for more than two decades and I was not prepared for this week’s episode.

At the beginning of the season when Eva first shared with Joe that she had autism, Monica and I turned to each other with tears in our eyes and shared how awesome it was that someone with autism was on the show and that Survivor was giving them this opportunity.

And then when I saw this special moment of perseverance through a challenge and the love and acceptance shown by Joe and the rest of the cast, I just lost it. 😭

I’ve been in those moments when both of my kids are spiraling out of control and just need someone to love them and help ground them. It’s a hard experience, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Like Eva said, autism doesn’t mean anything is wrong or bad with you. And giving people with disabilities an opportunity to show what they’re capable of is so important! What an incredible moment. 💙💙💙

02/24/2025

Update on the Christmas cleanup! 🎄

01/18/2025

If having your garage look like this seems fun, then extreme Christmas decorating may be for you! 😆🎄

01/05/2025

Had to get some daytime photos yesterday before I started taking it down. Here’s some of the behind-the scenes stuff that it takes to power everything. I have 300 extension cords in the display! 🤯

12/30/2024

Wind 1, Tree 0

The wind got my 10-foot tree on the west side of the yard today. I also took down the 8-foot tree on that side just to be safe. If you’re planning to come see the display this week, I’ll still have it lit up through Jan. 2, but a couple of the trees will be missing on one side. 💨🎄

12/26/2024

Time to start preparing for next Christmas! 🎄😁

Too soon? 🎄🎅

12/21/2024

Thank you Denver7 for helping us for the Autism community! 🙏🎄💙

Corey "Claus" Christiansen has outdone himself this year. He hangs lights on his Aurora home every year, but this year, he reached a personal record.

12/19/2024

Thank you Cherry Creek Schools for helping us shine an even brighter light on the Autism community!

12/19/2024

It's truly a community effort to this holiday season! So grateful for Hospital Batman, Colorado Captain and everyone else who supported our event this past weekend!