A new type of summer. 

That is the plan. 

For the last handful of summers we have just simply survived. 

Not really the best way to spend or experience summer. 

But that has become the norm for our family for many years. 

This year is going to be different. 

That is the plan. 

A new type of summer our family is going to experience. 

We have activities and adventures planned. 

Where sandcastles on the beach will be built as a family. 

Where ice cream dates at night happen all together. 

A summer of joy and not being hidden away. 

That is how our family feels most of the year. 

Hidden away. 

Let me explain. 

I am a mother of three beautiful kids that are incredible but something you may not know is that two of my kids are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. 

Autism makes summer complicated, difficult to navigate and sometimes keeps us from experiencing all the beauty and sunshine that summer contains. 

My two kids that are diagnosed on the autism spectrum do not enjoy many adventures or socializing outside of our home. 

Truth be told they find it overwhelming and incredibly difficult to find joy. 

So for years we have spent our summers hidden away in our home where joy is rare and summer is another season that ends up passing us by.

A new type of summer. 

After weeks of planning and preparation we are going to accomplish a new activity and live life to the fullest away from our home this summer as much as we can. 

Summer may be difficult for us to navigate at times or it may be a breeze but we will never know until we try. 

Our vehicle is packed and ready to go on the first adventure & as I walk outside my front door I can feel it in the air.

The feeling of joy as "A new type of summer "  is what we are about to embark on together as a family.