Today was our 5K Run/Walk for Autism....it was a wonderful day...Elliott wore his police costume and Cooper wore his Army helmet and vest. Sandee and I joked that we should have worn a construction helmet and a Native American headdress. We said that some say it takes a village to raise a child, we'll we are the Village People! We began the race at the very back of the line (as all the runners were to be in front, walkers and strollers were to be in the back) We were the last team with only the police car behind us. We met up with a group of walkers before reaching mile marker one. Soon after, Elliott wanted to run because he said his "brain was telling him to run"...so we did (jogging). We left Sandee to push Cooper and off we went! We passed several people and Elliott saw two girls up in front. He said mom, we are team number two, if we can pass them we will win the race! And once we passed the girls, Elliott shouted over and over again to everyone he saw "WE ARE TEAM NUMBER ONE!" all the way to the finish line. It was such an overwhelming experience...each person that gave us support....made that moment possible ♥ It was priceless, and I was glad that everyone ahead of the girls had already finished so that we didn't have anymore to pass. We only planned on walking and not running so I was wearing flip flops...so picture my ... little policeman running full steam and me trying to keep up in flipflops behind....With him yelling all the way...what a pair we were!!! It still makes me smile big just thinking about it!! Next year I will wear tennis shoes and be prepared to RUN!! My camera was back in the stroller with Sandee and Cooper. I so wanted to take a picture of him crossing the line with his hands up in the air and his heart filled with pride thinking he was the first one to finish. It was a keepsake kind of moment, where there was no need for a picture, we were in the moment. I could feel it...and it was a moment I'll remember forever, crossing the finish line with him! We spent the afternoon listening to a Rock the Spectrum concert and Elliott enjoyed spinning to the hard rock bands! Cooper did his Lord of the Dance interpretation with his leg kicking moves! Our team the WonderTwinz raised the second highest amount for the day and we won a wonderful gift basket with Karate lessons, shirts and some gift certificates. It was truly and honor to raise the money. I had so many friends and family members on facebook donate, it was truly touching. I literally was in tears at each donation made. I shared with some how moving the donations were to me, we have lost all state funded services and are blessed to have insurance and school supports in place...but so many are not as fortunate and the services that are lost are so desperately needed. So many that gave, were under financial stress themselves (lost jobs, homes, etc) and they gave in such a big way! We give a BIG THANKS to my FB family that have honored Elliott and supported our family: Anji, Ron, Michelle, Missy B, Lynda, Andrea, Mary, Sherri, Liz, Leanne,Misty, Denise and Jim, Joy and Kevin, Dave and Heidi, Wendy W, Karen, Laura, Beth K, Donna Lea, Kinga, Kimberly, Pierre, Pam, Mary Jean, John S., Ricky M., Luke and Christine, cousin Homer, Jerry H., Jasmine, Yvonne and Yvette, Raymond and my mom, special thanks to Mike Zitz, Jenn and Bucky who have donated and posted our link on their FB pages....And to Sandee who came down and walked with us! We walked because you ROCKED ♥ We Love you!!!