by Amanda Irtz | Aug 4, 2019 | Uncategorized
Ingles Hall is a spacious, open room with sounds that bounce off walls and the cement floor. The ceiling is adorned with rustic cast-iron chandeliers of pine-cones, birds, and of course, warm yellow lights. A fireplace is framed by a hearth of bricks. The hall...
by Amanda Irtz | Jul 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
The last birthday party I remember attending with my son was at least 365 days ago. The day was ordinary – beautiful blue Colorado skies, a breakfast of gluten free pancakes and almond milk, and an hour of Saturday-morning cartoons (streamed cartoons, mind...
by Amanda Irtz | Jun 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
When my son was 4 years-young, I told myself I wasn’t doing something right. Maybe I didn’t have enough know-how about this so-called parenting gig. The moments when my son trapped himself into his own world, thinking about the same thing over-and-over...
by Amanda Irtz | Jun 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
Our Aussie, a beautiful black Labrador, officially entered into our lives this week. She brought with her a beloved, familiar toy: a stuffed rainbow llama. Her eyes, a gentle brown, communicate her love for my son (and my daughter, of course) and her undeniable...
by Amanda Irtz | Jun 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
Buddy loves neon green, forest green, 10 various shades of green. I do believe that he would live in a forest green room with shelves and tables filled with his lego world creations. And if he could, and I could buy him an endless supply of athletic socks and...
by Amanda Irtz | Jun 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
After twelve cool, spring-air soccer games every Saturday, my daughter announced she was officially done with soccer all together. Not only were there not enough smooth paths for her to glide on her scooter, but my son’s soccer team had yet to win a game (after...
by Amanda Irtz | May 6, 2019 | Uncategorized
Ten months ago we learned that my son would be getting a service dog. Excitement bubbled up as my son quickly began to prepare for his new dog. He put thought into where his dog would sleep and what color ball he would enjoy catching. He pondered the size of the...
by Amanda Irtz | Apr 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
My daughter flits and floats and flies in her pink leotard on Friday afternoons. She squeals with excitement when she sees her ballet-reena friends at the end of each week. All four girls are dressed in shades of light pink and black with pink leotards and cascading...
by Amanda Irtz | Mar 29, 2019 | Uncategorized
You unlock this door with the key of imagination. – The Twilight Zone On a Wednesday night, my son tucked himself next to me on our brown leather sofa. He stretched his long legs onto the ottoman, crossing them and then wiggling his toes. “Mom, sometimes...
by Amanda Irtz | Mar 27, 2019 | Uncategorized
As a mother of a child on the spectrum, I’m not afraid or scared of autism itself. Instead, I’m afraid of those who don’t understand what autism is. I’m fearful of the neurotypical individuals who don’t have perspective or an open-mind...
