Hi, I’m Heather!👋 I’m a Christian, Wife, and Mom of 5 that loves my crazy, beautiful chaotic life!❤️
02/21/2026
is when you host a birthday party with 2️⃣0️⃣ kids (mostly 3rd graders) from 2:30-8:30 PM on a Friday and then you call your big baby girl to talk and she says that she’s all alone at her college house doing lots of homework and she sounds like she needs some company so you and the baby girl pack a quick bag and drive to her house an hour away at 10 PM at night just to spend the night in the house so she’s not alone. 😅
01/20/2026
1️⃣0️⃣ • T E N • 🖐️🖐️
It’s been 10 Years since I had a 10 hour brain surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma tumor that was wrapped around my earring, balance, and facial nerve. The risk were so high! Permanent hearing loss, permanent balance issues, and permanent facial paralysis were all very likely and the risk of other brain injuries and even death was explained to us numerous times.
…BUT GOD! 🙌
I am permanently deaf in my right ear because they purposely cut that nerve to work around the balance and facial nerve and I have a few other small differences like handwriting and lack of tears in the right eye but I’ll never stop giving God all the glory for bringing me through and allowing me to continue to live this wonderful life that He’s blessed me with and I’ll never not remember all of YOU that were there and supported our family through it all. ❤️
11/15/2025
Life Lessons: Serenity Mom Life Edition
Anyone else have a calm, quiet, peaceful place to go when they need a little break from life?
Sitting in the woods is definitely one of my favorites to find my serenity!
I can claim hunting as the hobby but honestly, that’s not the reason I go. It’s one of the only places that I can be completely unavailable and have zero guilt.
It’s where I can sit and whisper conversations to God about so many things. I just love telling Him how thankful I am for the wonderful life He’s given me. I literally talk to Him like I’m a child...
“God, Thank You for the sun, the moon, and the stars.”
“God, Thank You for the trees and the beautiful fall leaves.”
“God, I’m so amazed by this world and everything You created.”
I whisper “Thank You!” every time the squirrels play in the leaves, the birds sing, and the deer roam free.
I almost always leave empty handed and I’m sure everyone thinks that the hunting trip was just a waste of time but little do they know that this Hot Mess Mama loved EVERY MINUTE of just sitting still in those woods admiring God’s creation while taking time to just relax, breathe, and recharge before heading back to my wild, crazy, chaotic, absolutely beautiful life that the Lord has blessed me with.
So, Yes, I may leave empty handed but my cup hath been replenished! 🙌
11/13/2025
11•12•2025
Today’s Visual of this Hot Mess Mom vs the 10 Year Old, Non-Verbal Autistic child gone WILD! 😅
He beat me down today y’all! 😮💨🥱
11/12/2025
Life Lessons: Autism Mom Life Edition
This morning was a ROUGH morning with our 10 year old autistic son, Miles! Not the laughing, smirking, ut-oh sort of emojis rough either. Like 💔😭 ROUGH!
His (wonderful) teacher called before I even made to work. I dropped him off at school and had to pick him up all before 8 AM. He was distraught! He was hitting his head and slapping at others! 😳
Miles doesn’t usually act that way! (I don’t play that mess!) Something was obviously wrong but he couldn’t tell us (which is where the heartbreak 💔 came into play).
It seemed as if he was having urinary issues so we went to the doctor. Urinalysis was negative but his behaviors were evident enough to try treatment. He was MAD MAD y’all! 😡
Well, next challenge… 👩⚕️ “Give him these pills!” 👀
“Ummm… Excuse me.” 🙋♀️ “He doesn’t take any pills! He rarely even puts candy in his mouth. I promise it ain’t happening.” 🤷♀️
👩⚕️ “Just crush them and mix them with something.”
Okay, first up, I mix with antibiotic… He 🤮 and now he and I are both stained highlighter yellow. (IYKYK 😩)
Next up, I mixed with chocolate pudding… Wow! It actually worked (even though even he didn’t love it.) 👏
Then, I found some old “all-natural” oils that we tried last year (again IYKYK) and gave him some of it. I was desperate y’all! 🫣
Finally, he was a little calmer and watching Mickey Mouse! 😮💨
My Mama came to my rescue about lunch and I headed back to work. 🙌
Miles is now sleeping peacefully at home! 😴🙌
I’m worn out though y’all! I feel like I’ve wrestled 3 bears, a mountain lion, and completed a triathlon!🥱
…but this life never stops so this Mama just keeps on chugging along! 🚂🚂
April is Autism Awareness Month so let’s share some of our journey with the world…
Hi! 👋 My name is Miles and I am Autistic. I live with my Daddy, Mama, big brother Malachi, big sister Mariah, younger brother Myers, and little sister Melody. Yes, a big ‘ole family of 7! 💙🩷💙🩷🩵🩵💖
I was born on May 07, 2015. I was the happiest baby boy so full of smiles that many people named me SMILES! I met a lot of the beginning milestones like saying Ma Ma and Da Da, waving and clapping, and dancing to music. I began failing milestones at 15 months. I quit trying to walk, I quit talking, and stopped developing new skills. At 18 months old, I was evaluated by Babies Can’t Wait. Honestly, my Daddy, Mama, and Nana weren’t 100% honest when answering the questions presented because they weren’t ready for the truth. So, they convinced them that I just couldn’t hear and I was referred to an ENT for a hearing screening. The results of that test were normal. So many people told my Mama that my talking would come and that she shouldn’t worry. That’s because other than being non-verbal, I didn’t appear much different than other toddlers in public. However, at home, my family knew deep down that I couldn’t understand commands, I flapped when excited, was terrified by sudden loud sounds, and just lived in my very own little world. At my 2 year well checkup, my Mama decided to finally address the issues and they arranged another evaluation with Babies Can’t Wait. That evaluation led us more understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and confirmed that I was definitely on the spectrum. At 2 yrs 4 mths, I was referred to a Pediatric Developmental Specialist. My Mama had to complete a very detailed questionnaire which led to my official diagnosis of ASD. The doctor suggested starting Sp*ech and ABA Therapy if available. My Mama started searching for help immediately but realized quickly that the journey would be long and not a quick fix. 😔
One night after my Mama made a Facebook post about my diagnosis she was sent a video and the kindest words via messenger from two other Mamas that gave her hope. (The three of them founded what’s now the non-profit Autism Advocates of Appling County to help support other families on the ASD journey. ❤️🧩)
After being put on several waiting lists for ABA Therapy, I finally started therapy at 2 1/2 years old. Someone came to my house 3 nights a week to provide ABA Therapy. When she walked through our doors, my success story began. Since then, I’ve learned and grown so much! Yes, I’m 9 (almost 10) years old and I still don’t say many words besides “No!” without being prompted but I’ve learned to communicate through many other ways such as with an AAC Sp*ech Device. Using that thing I can communicate many of my wants and needs like “I Want French Fries Ketchup”, “I Want Take Off Shirt”, “I Want to Swing”, “I Want Swimming”, and so much more but most of all I like to tell my parents and my teachers that “I Want Wild Adventures!” over and over again because I LOVE rollercoasters. I also love to ride on the golf cart and 4-wheeler, watch random parts of random videos on repeat, play outside, and I’m obsessed with water. (I still don’t know why my parents don’t have our pool heated year round so I can swim whenever I want?!?! 😏)
When you look at me, you usually just see what appears to be a normal boy. I don’t have any distinct characteristics that set me apart like individuals with physical disabilities or other mental disabilities like Down syndrome. I think that’s probably one of the hardest parts of being autistic. When my quirks start to kick in, most people that don’t know me don’t understand. Even though my parents make me follow all the same rules as my siblings and try to make me be my best self, sometimes certain situations overstimulate me and I like to stomp and cry. For example, I’m not the best at being patient while standing in lines, sitting still on the bleachers or at the movies, or being made to do anything requiring a pencil and paper. Other than that though, I’m really a pretty awesome, laid back kinda guy. (My parents, teachers, and therapists all say that I’m too laid back but whatever! They just don’t like not being able to bribe me. 😉)
Many people ask my parents if all the therapies have been worth it since I still don’t really talk but what they don’t see is just how much I have learned and improved in life skills. When I’m at home, I’m pretty self sufficient. I have been fully potty trained since I was 5 years old which is a big deal for most kids like me. I know how to do simple chores like take my clothes to the laundry basket, and throw my plate in the trash. I go outside and play without getting into trouble, entertain myself with toys or watching shows, and I even go to bed by myself most of the time without being told. To be honest, I’m probably my parents’ best child. 🤔
Well, that pretty much sums up my Au-Some life! Maybe my Mama will share more of my story with y’all throughout the month of April.
Anything particular you’d like to know about our Autism World?… Just ask! It’s a pretty Wild, Chaotic, Crazy, Beautiful World!
05/13/2024
Life Lessons: Mother’s Day Edition
Today, several people praised us Moms for being such great mothers and juggling all the many hats that we wear each and every day.
In all honesty, I feel like a failure most days. A real life Hot Mess Mom!
To me, there’s never enough time in a day, me to go around, or money to buy all the things.
Today was a great reminder that WE’RE DOING GREAT even when life gets messy.
From Mom to Chef to Chauffeur to Circus Ring Leader and Chaos Coordinator, we have survived another year raising other humans, we’ve kept them alive, the house is still standing, and they all seem happy so we should be proud of ourselves.
I take on a LOT of roles in this crazy life but my absolute favorite will always be Wife and Mother!
As the proud mother of 5 beautiful children between the ages of 20 down to 2, I’m raising adults, kids, and a toddler. Life is bound to be messy.
I already know that there’s probably never going to be a perfect picture with this crew.
Someone is always not smiling or looking away or has their eyes closed or is giving the face of “I hate pictures!”.
I mean, there are S E V E N of us so it’s just the facts of life.
…but I wouldn’t trade a single thing because these are my people and my favorite job in life is being the Chaos Coordinator of this crew!
I’m One Blessed Mama! 💙🩷🩵🩵💖
Happy Mother’s Day to all the other Hot Mess Moms out there! 🌺
I see you and I feel you! You’re my people! 👊
04/16/2024
Life Lessons: Hardworking, Middle-Class Mom Edition
I hear it every year…
🗣️ “I bet y’all get that big money back in taxes with FIVE kids!”
My reply: “Nope, not us!” 🤷♀️
You see, we’re just your average, hardworking, middle-class, 2-person income household that hustles to hit our financial goals.
To do that, one and/or the both of us typically have a side-hustle and while those side-hustles bring in extra cash to payoff debt faster, they usually come with hefty tax implications you have to be prepared for and they eat up most or more of the taxes you overpaid leaving you with a small refund or even owing taxes. 🥴
So, tonight at 8:21 PM, I finally clicked submit on our taxes and gave God all the praise that we barely made it out this year not having to pay more taxes. 😅
🥂 Cheers to all the other hardworking, middle-class, April 15th filing families out there!
04/14/2024
Life Lessons: Mom of Adults Edition
As a mom of 5 children ages 20, 18, 8, 7, and 2, people often ask me random questions like “Is it harder when they’re little, teenagers, or grown?” 💙🩷🩵🩵💗
Well, I’ve learned that even though all the stages have their pros and cons, raising young adults may keep me up at night more than the infant stage. 🥱
Our 20 year old took off to a UGA Baseball game today and is spending the rest of the weekend in Athens with friends. 🐶 ⚾️
Our 18 year old daughter attended her Senior Prom tonight. 🏴☠️ 💃
The other kiddos are sound asleep yet here it is after midnight and my husband and I are still sitting up waiting for the oldest two to settle somewhere for the evening. 🤪
Now, we don’t always wait up for them as we trust them but they almost always check in and let us know where they are and when they’re settled for the night whether it be at home or somewhere else. 📱
It’s not even a command they have to do anymore but it’s a common courtesy that they still don’t mind doing because they know I just want to know they’re safe and seeing that text message on my phone even if it’s at 2 AM makes this momma at ease. 😅
So, here’s to still raising young adults! 🥂
May we teach them how to be independent adults, trust them to make good choices, show them how to effectively and respectfully communicate, pray over them daily, and watch them soar. 🥹
04/10/2024
Life Lessons: Geriatric Mom Edition 👵🏼
In case y’all didn’t know, I have 5 children from ages 20 down to 2. 💙🩷💙💙🩷
With our first, I was considered a “Teenage Mother” because I was only 19 years old when I got pregnant (even though I was 20 when he was born). 👱♀️
With our last, I was considered a “Geriatric Mother” because I was 38 years old. 🙄
Well, parenting when you’re young and old(er) both have their rewards and challenges but let me tell y’all little about parenting at the old(er) stage…
Rewards:
1. Older really is Wiser!
2. You know what mistakes not to make again!
3. You’re more financially stable!
4. You pick your battles!
5. You enjoy all the moments because you know how fast time passes!
Challenges:
1. We tired y’all! That’s it… We’re just tired! 🥱
We pray every single day that these littles turn out to be good humans because we don’t have the same energy we use to have to discipline these younger children. 😩
Example pictured featuring our 2 year old toddler, Melody, vs the reaction of the now 40 year old mom, Me…
Toddler: When you’re supposed to be potty training but your brother tattled that you p*e p*ed your pants, this is how you look around the corner when momma calls your name… 🫣
Geriatric Mom: Don’t jump up at all. Just call the toddler by name and then grab your phone and snap a pic when they try to hide from you and laugh about it and post it on social media because isn’t she just the cutest. 📸👧
BTW… That all happened like an hour ago and the hubby and I are still contemplating who’s going to clean up the mess. 🤷♀️
Did I tell y’all that We’re TIRED! 😪😜
04/03/2024
Life Lessons: Autism Mom Life Edition
🧩 AUTISM AWARENESS DAY 2024 🧩
Every April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day and the month of April is Autism Awareness month.
Autism is something that a lot of people don’t know a lot about but it’s a part of the life we live EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Autism (aka Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD) usually isn’t identified by physical features but by emotions, reactions, communication (or lack there of), quirky gestures, etc
Autism can look as normal as these photos of our precious 8 year old boy… 🥰
✨Handsome! Charming! Happy! Carefree!✨
This is how our Miles looks and acts most of the time. He is the cutest boy, with the most precious smile. He is the most laid back, chill, loving, fearless child we have.
We know without a doubt that Miles see the world differently than we do.
He loves the Wind in his hair and the Water between his toes.
He isn’t afraid of big rollercoasters, big waves, or big crowds.
On the opposite side of Miles’ carefree life, sits an entire village of people that are fearful, uptight, protective, defensive, always alert, and many days exhausted trying to give him the best life possible.
You see, Miles is mostly nonverbal so he doesn’t verbally express his wants and needs. We have to use our best judgement to understand him daily.
Also, in all of these photos, there’s a story that I don’t remember being all smiles like you see.
When we’re at the beach, we have to watch Miles closely because he doesn’t know how far out in the ocean is too far or why he can’t just go with strangers.
When we’re at an amusement park, Miles wants to ride ALL the rides but doesn’t understand the rules of waiting in line so we have to do our best to teach him the rules but we stay ready to defend him if someone has something to say.
When we’re trying to take professional pictures, getting Miles to make eye contact with the camera is almost impossible unless one of us is acting like a crazy person behind the lens which means we usually don’t ever get a full family photo with him looking.
When trying to take the random picture of him against the brick wall today because he was laughing and smiling so much, he ran away from me and ran into the parking lot in front of a truck which almost gave me a heart attack. The truck driver honked at him 4 times and gave Miles the meanest look and while I was very upset with Miles for dashing into the road, I was ready to fight that man like I had nothing to lose. Then, I was short-tempered with my husband about not being right there beside us and it wasn’t even his fault.
I’m telling you… Autism families face many struggles every single day and we stay ready!
I’ve always got a whole conversation already started in my head before someone even makes a comment about Miles’ actions and I’ll probably take a whoopin’ if I get into a fight but I will throw hands for my boy without thinking twice. 😉
I say all of that to tell you that Autism families are always on guard and in our case, only when we’re at home, can we take a deep breath and relax just a little because at home, Miles knows the boundaries, the rules, and how to be more self-sufficient.
So yes, we could easily live a more stress-free life by staying at home instead of putting him out in the world where so many things can go wrong but we will continue to face the fears, embrace the chaos, and carry all the emotions that go along with raising a child with autism by taking him into the world because that is how you spread Autism Awareness each and every day and not just one day or one month out of the year.
Most importantly, we will continue to take Miles into the world to teach HIM about the world and how to be the best version of himself so that he can one day thrive in the world he’s been given with more independence and we pray that by people meeting him and others like him, the world will be filled with more autism awareness and acceptance to embrace him and all of his special abilities. ❤️