Heaven has a new angel - and she's smiling down on us.  Marion loved her children, grandchildren and her entire family - and I'm positive sure she loved our family, too. 

When she learned about our efforts at Cecily's Closet she was so supportive and far too generous. We are so very grateful for her love, support and generosity. She found my rantings about my children hilarious according to my Mom. My parents had (and still have) this habit of what I will lovingly refer to as over-sharing... but luckily Marion found the antecdotes funny and my Mom would often remark that the things I said about my children left her in stitches. 

Her family said her famous quotes were "Actions speak louder than words" and on her passing she said, "This is a joyous time... be merry! No crying."

My parents adored Marion and her husband, Paul - my Dad's colleague at   Chevron. My parents respected and admired this couple and were always grateful to them for opening their doors when my parents moved to the United States in the late 70s.  Marion loved the arts and I'm pretty sure that if she lived in San Diego she would have rolled up her sleeves and painted for children with special needs with a smile on her face.  Her family says her glass was always full or half-full - never empty or half-empty.

She embodied life with a full heart and a positive spirit.  She will be missed.  Cecily's Closet would like to thank Marion for her continued support of Cecily's Closet.  We were shocked and so very touched when we read on her program that she had wished memorial donations be sent to Cecily's Closet - or a charity of one's choice.  This is yet another testament to her giving spirit.  We were so lucky to be a very small part of her life.  May we carry her wisdom, outlook on living life and spirit on our journey.

Thank you Marion and may peace and healing be with your loved ones during this challenging time.

With Gratitude for the support you supplied our family - our children - and our passion, Cecily's Closet

Onwards and upwards!

We're so excited to have Ethan & Curren's room complete! Check out their sandy space!

Thank you to our amazing volunteers & business partners - PaintGreen, Inside Emily Dolton's Head, Bair Home Inspections and Teen Volunteers in Action.  

We love this room and we hope you do too!

Onwards and upwards!

I encourage you to watch this video - Certain Proof.

http://vimeo.com/20567140

This video captures everything I have ever felt about raising a child with special needs.  I can't explain how I feel after viewing this video - I can only say that I'm determined to make sure more people see it.  If I could create a video for Cecily's Closet it would be this video.  EVERY child deserves a chance to succeed.   It takes a lot of time, patience, love, support, more patience, heart, soul, dedication and more patience to fight for the little victories that everyone - including me - take for granted every day.  It is so easy to get frustrated and even easier to give up.  It would be easy to look away or to just settle.  But imagine if everyone fought with the same passion.   

Can you imagine being trapped inside a body that won't let you communicate.  I am quite certain Cecily understands everything we say and do.  Her body may fail her but her mind is soaking everything in.  I will always believe.  Her life matters.  She counts.  And so do all of these special kids. 

I believe in Cecily in the very same way these three Moms believe in thier children - Josh, Colin and Kay.  We all want the same things for our kids - health, happiness and a life with possibilities.

You can make a difference.  You can believe, too.  It starts with a smile and direct eye contact.  It continues with treating everyone with respect and appreciation for what they can do.  What makes us different makes us special.

I heart this video and I hope you do to.

Onwards and upwards!

We are so grateful to family and friends for attending our very special day.  We love you all very much and we know you would be there for Cason in a second - and often are - when we need you the most.  We always feel loved but on this special day we were reminded again of the many, many blessings we share as a family and just how much love and support we receive from not only our immediate community but the greater community, too. 

Cason is blessed to be surrounded with so much love! 

 Onwards & upwards!

Happy New Year!  The Ackerly family has had its share of sickness but we're still swinging...  I just adore this picture of Cason because it captures his happy spirit perfectly! Every time I walk in the room he lights up and gives me this big goofy grin and all my stresses slip to the side and seem so silly.  He is just a joy and a blessing and a true gift. He is priceless!  Even with strep throat he is doling out the smiles and happy chirps!

We often joke that Cason was the best present we could have ever given Cecily.  She just loves him to pieces. She could sit and play with him all day - and she LOVES to swing with him at the park.  She was sitting next to him when we captured this moment. They are best friends! 

Life is busy - too busy... but we're going to make an effort in 2013 to ensure that we take the time to enjoy the simple things - like the park, the cuddles, the kisses and the hugs.  The kids are growing up so quickly and while I look forward to the days when diaper changes are a thing of the past... I will miss it, too.  I just love my little monkeys and I can't quite believe we have 3 - all at various stages of development.

Cecily made so many strides in the past month.  She is truly using her pretend play skills and exploring her environment in a profound way.  She takes care of her 3 baby dolls - feeding them, mixing them food, giving them bottles and taking them for walks in her new, double-stroller.  Grammy spoiled her at Christmas so she now has every doll accessory ever made...  I am not sure who she bought these gifts for - big Cecily or little Cecily... but they are BOTH getting a kick out of them. Cecily is responding to all questions and she is babbling up a storm.  She is using more words each day - like Mommy, Grammy, Grandpa, Noah, bebe (for baby), Elmo, Dumbo and more! It is a joy to hear the words pour out of her sweet lips. She is so proud when she communicates whether it be with her hands, her voice or her eyes.  We love the power of two-way communication and since it has taken almost 4 years to get there...we appreciate it even more.  It strengthens our belief to NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!

Cason is racing toward one and I just want to freeze him in time.  He is hitting his milestones and we celebrate the wonder he has in everything.  He observes everything and he is patient.  Yes, patient. We are not sure where he gets it from... certainly not from Mommy or Daddy.  He is so happy and peaceful.  Yes, peaceful.  This is another non-Ackerly trait... but we love it.  He is our zen baby and he is teaching us the joy of just smilng and being still. 

Noah on the other hand can't sit still for one second.  We try to channel this energy into soccer, skating and kung-fu... but as anyone who knows him will attest the child is made of boundless energy.  He keeps us running, jumping and hopping from 5am until we wrestle him into bed.  He loves life and he is just a very happy kid. We take pride in this fact because it would be very easy for him to feel pushed aside by the little ones.  Instead, he relishes his role as big brother and he enjoys being - the boss!

2013 will be a very exciting year!  We've got lots of great plans for personal growth and new ideas for Cecily's Closet, too.  We have expanded our team of volunteers, expanded our board of directors and we're completing our first makeover of 2013 on Jan. 19th for two precious boys!  Life is good.  Life is busy.  But we are happy!

Keep Swinging...

Onwards and upwards!