When summer vacation begins, everyone is happy and full of energy, but by the dog days of summer appear (and the hot weather that usually goes with it) energy is depleted, the kids have run out of things to do and the phrase that every parents dreads is repeated often: “I’m bored.” Here’s an idea that is sure to lift… View Post
Do you remember when you were a child trying to make a homemade volcano for a school project (or for fun)? Remember the delight when it worked and it “erupted”?! 🙂 Not all science requires expensive and hard to find chemicals or fancy laboratories. See the list below of 25 + science experiments and projects below to explore the fun of science in… View Post
Summer is here and kids probably have more time on their hands then they’re used to. Want your kids to be creative over the summer? Check out these 25 fun summer crafts that will help keep the kiddos busy—and maybe give parents a little quiet time—all summer long! 🙂 Fan Craft Egg Carton Turtle Craft Seashell Necklace Craft Popsicle Stick S’mores Craft Felt Popsicle Craft Paper… View Post
Summer calls for vacation plans filled with relaxation, fun, adventure and spending time with loves ones. But before that vacay kicks in, you usually must travel to your destination first. Whether by train, plane, boat or automobile, traveling requires some planning, especially when traveling with a baby or little ones. The following are 11 parent recommended tips to help you… View Post
Being able to partner with Viaja San Agustín (and Florida’s Historic Coast) as a U.S. Hispanic Ambassador for Florida’s Historic Coast, we were able to experience how wonderful St. Augustine and Florida’s Historic Coast area was for couples to relax and rejuvenate together and for multigenerational family vacations. Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf… View Post
As the days get warmer and school starts winding down for the year, we know that summer vacation is right around the corner. In my family we travel with 3 generations—my parents, spouse and kids (my parents’ grandchildren). In addition to my multigenerational family, my children’s ages are across various age demographics from teen, elementary aged twins and infant. Its always a goal to try and… View Post
🥳 Happy Birthday to Joshua, our favorite Aquaboy!
🌊 He loves playing outside, and his ultimate favorite activity is being in the water. Whether it’s the ocean, a pool, or a lazy river, any body of water is his happy place. Swimming underwater from one side of a 6-foot pool to the other has been second nature to him since he was just 3 years old. In the water, no impairment or disability matters.
🌊 Today, he spent his birthday doing what he loves: jumping, diving, swimming, and laughing. This day would has been made possible by my dearly departed parents and his beloved late grandparents. However, Joshua still had a wonderful day because he is blessed to have a chosen family that loves and cares for him. Thank you to his cherished earthly grandparents and his earthly aunt and uncle for making this birthday so special! ♥️ Joshua loves you all more than you know!
✝️ Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
🥳 Happy Birthday, Joshua! Feliz Cumpleaños! 🥳🎂🧩💙 #Happy10thBirthdayJoshua #HappyBirthdayJoshua #JoshuasAngels #TeamJoshua #AutismAcceptanceMonth #WorldAutismAwareness
Sometimes you just have to get up and clap with the Praise & Worship team! @hopeinternationalchurch
@hopetorchlighters
#hopetorchlighters #specialneedsparenting
#disabilityministry
#teamjoshua #joshuasangels
🕊️🎂💙 March 11. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Daddy.
🕊️🎂💙 Over 40 years ago, a former professional baseball player from Cuba, who had become an acclaimed international delegate and contract executive with the International Longshoremen’s Union, was approached by Mrs. Coretta Scott King. She asked him to come down from our home in Brooklyn, New York, to assist her in Orlando, Florida. She knew my Dad as a friend & as a trusted advisor. A well-known snack factory, which predominantly employed people of color, planned to shut down its major facility to relocate to the Midwest. Unbeknownst to the employees in the South, the company had already prepared a community for employees of lighter skin and intended to pay them significantly higher wages.
🕊️🎂💙 This was a high-stakes battle that unfolded behind closed doors among top leadership. It encompassed various critical issues—discrimination, fair wages, accessibility, education, human rights, job advancement, and promotion.
🕊️🎂💙 Within 48 hours, they had saved the factory, ensured employees received proper work gear, and raised their livable wages.
🕊️🎂💙 The day the negotiations concluded was March 11—my Dad’s birthday. None of the employees ever knew what the snack officials attempted against them or what my Dad and Mrs. King did for their benefit.
🕊️🎂💙 In 2025, that factory still stands in Orlando, continuing to provide employment.
🕊️🎂💙 Tonight, on March 11, my Dad’s birthday, I sit just a few miles from the factory he and Mrs. King saved. I wear one of my hats for the community as the Chairperson of the Recreational Advisory Committee for the City of Groveland.
🕊️🎂💙 l am incredibly humbled and thankful that God has consistently allowed my experiences, education, work, and talents to be in service to others.
🕊️🎂💙 With over 20 years of experience in federal and local government, community agencies, television and media, and ministerial work, I continually give thanks for the opportunity to bloom where I am planted.
🕊️🎂💙 This is the best way to honor my Dad on his birthday.
🕊️🎂💙 Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love and miss you every day of my life.
#HappyHeavenlyBirthday #HappyBirthdayDaddy
🦅 📚 Our dynamic duo, Jonathan & Jeremy, while being dual enrolled at @hopepreparatoryacademy, have been invited to join @lakesumterstatecollege’s The National Society of Leadership and Success!
🦅 📚 Boys, from the very beginning of your educational journey, you have consistently achieved academic excellence each quarter and semester. Now, as dual-enrolled students in high school and college, you have reached even greater heights. These accomplishments are impressive on their own, but they become even more significant when you consider the kind of moral and empathetic characters you possess. With loving and compassionate hearts, you continue to serve as community youth leaders for special needs and neurodiverse families. As special needs siblings yourselves, you understand the importance of quality, individualized time that many siblings don’t have. Yet, you choose to dedicate your free time to supporting other special needs families and siblings. Whenever someone needs a helping hand, it’s often said, “The twins will help.” Your intelligence makes us proud, while the content of your character fills us with love and admiration. 💙💙 🦅 📚 The National Society of Leadership and Success, NSLS, is the largest collegiate leadership honor society in the United States, with more than 800 chapters and over two million members nationwide.
🦅 📚 Membership is available to a limited number of students, and they have earned this recognition because of their academic accomplishment and leadership potential. Their candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction. Their achievement of a 3.8+ GPA provides you the distinguished honor to join the NSLS as a Presidential member. #twins #jonathan #jeremy #dynamicduo #DualEnrollment #HPA #honorsociety
Every non-profit organization or community resource has a story behind it—usually centered around a person who inspired its creation. Joshua’s birth and life have been the driving force behind programs that support and empower special needs and neurodiverse families since 2018.
He embodies the promise of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I am grateful to everyone who has come alongside us to help educate, empower, support, and, most importantly, LOVE, this truly amazing child. The best is yet to come! 🙌🏽 💙
#TeamJoshua #JoshuasAngels #specialneedsparenting #hopetorchlighters
#hopebuddybreak #hopeinternationalchurch
#Repost @hopetorchlighters
・・・
#selfcarelinda #hoperestquest
🌊 We had wonderful time with Linda and learning about @myrestquest. Its so important for all of us to take time to rest and have breathing spaces.
💻 If you missed last night’s virtual support group click the link and the video will open so you can watch and listen to this important topic ⏩ https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/YfIw4zPBx6mj6OrCjueL53orvgiAA5nivK-o11Bxd8tZeIfeLzHT8V0tCXB0qx9c.kJIOzEuQQVnaC0-d
💻 Our next meeting with be on Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 P.M. with Cara Carlson from ADP!
#hopetorchlighters #supportgroup #specialneedsparenting
