I’m a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) of fraternal twin boys, married for 9 years, and I’m going to graduate school to get two Master’s in Education degrees (one in special education- learning disabilities endorsement; the other as a reading specialist). You could say that life is a little chaotic (well, okay, VERY chaotic).
I love bears, hence the “bear” in my name “beartwinsmom”. I have a huge collection of wildlife bears and teddy bears. I also love to do crafts (scrapbooking, rubber stamping) whenever I get a spare moment (which is INCREDIBLY rare). I also like to read and write (it’s the English major in me).
I’m also very passionate about autism advocacy. One of my twin sons has high functioning autism. I’m involved in an online discussion group for autism, and subscribe to many autism-related e-newsletters. I am a member of our local intermediate school district’s special education Parent Advisory Committee as a representative for my sons’ school district. I also am involved with my sons’ school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) as the secretary, and I’m also on the education committee with the school board. Plus, I volunteer to help for a lot of things. (LOL) I may be a “stay-at-home-mom”, but I’ve been very active in the education community for all the time that I’ve been home.
I’m certified as a secondary education teacher- English, Spanish, and Bilingual Education. After I finish my Masters degrees, I’ll be certified K-12 special education, as well as K-12 reading. My hope is to use the reading and special ed. together in some way after I graduate.
I also dwell amongst the valleys and peaks of depression. I’ve had bouts of depression ever since I was a teenager, possibly even younger than that. This time around is really kicking my butt.
My hope for this blog is to keep myself sane, keep my friends and family updated, and hopefully educate some about what it’s like to be a mom of a special needs child.
P.S. On some of my friends’ blogs (see “Blogs I Like to Read”) you might see “BTM”- that’s me- BearTwinsMom. Sometimes I might even use that abbreviation just to make things easier. 
Last edited 7.26.08
Hello and please do!
Hi there? I’m coming from the blogrush widget. I’m a Papa(father) to 3yrs old son and identical twin boys. Coming all the way from Sabah, Land Below The Wind, East Malaysia.
I just wanna say hello to every parent out there with twins or more. I salute you all and respect all the same.
May all your dreams come true and may the kids healthy and cheerful always.
Welcome papajoneh! Glad you found my site thru BlogRush! Parents of ID twins amaze me… I don’ t know how you do it.
Hope to see you again soon!
~Michelle
Thank you for coming by, I also have boy/girl twins that just turned 12 - mom’s of twinkies must gravitate to each other without even knowing it *wink* I’m so glad you could relate to my post about anxiety- like you said, it’s SO so good to know I’m not alone. I just find myself pulling away from life a little more each day…. Here’s to you and I getting well
I think I’ll have a look around here, thanks again!
Hey, my mom is a mom of twins (I have a twin sister!). I also know a thing or two about depression - intrigued by your blog.
@ Dr. Paul- We’ll have to chat sometime. I’m always interested in talking with twins who have “grown up”. Plus, your knowledge of depression might be helpful to me, too. I’m so glad you came by to read and comment.
Hi.
This is the first chance I’ve made to come by and visit (i get so little internet time each day). The depression we have in common, as well as lifelong learning and teaching others (though I only do it informally).
I would like to relate something in regards to your autism advocacy. Although we cannot fight for everthing that needs to be in this world, I had the extreme fortune to work with autistic kids when I went to high school (I graduated in ‘85). Ours was grade 8-12 and we were the first high school in our province to have ’special needs’ students present full time (they had their own classes, in their own classroom, but everyone could help out whenever time permitted). Not only were they welcomed and accepted, eventually our graduating class voted unanimously to have our three friends (who were there for all five years with us) participate in our graduation ceremony as one of our graduating class.
Because of our schools complete acceptance, it opened the door to have special needs students placed in other provincial high schools on a permanent basis. I have yet to see many students of the current ‘entitlement’ era work half as hard as even one of the many autisitic students I had the inspiration to come in contact with.
I wish you all the best with your healing, and your work on behalf of your family and all the others you care so much for. I hope to visit your blog often.