We're talking!!!!

Jaemen has started repeating everything we say, it's so funny! I thought it would take forever for him to talk, but he has finally started and he just cracks us up! We were waiting for Jay to get done with soccer practice last night and Jaemen was watching his signing times show and they said "grass" and Jaemen repeated "Ass"....hahahahaha we almost died laughing...this kid, I swear!!!

Check out this link:
http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=7476c67ec2ed2a1988ec44&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

I'M VOTING DEMOCRAT!!!

I'm voting Democrat because English has no place being the official language in America.

I'm voting Democrat because it's better to turn corn into fuel than it is to eat.

I'm voting Democrat because I'd rather pay $4 for a gallon of gas than allow drilling for oil off the coasts of America

I'm voting Democrat because I think the government will do a better job of spending my money than I could.

I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Afghanistan and Iraq, I know the Islamic terrorists will stop trying to kill us because they'll think we're a good and decent country.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe people who can't tell us if it will rain in two or three days, can now tell us the polar ice caps will disappear in ten years if I don't start riding a bicycle, build a windmill or inflate my tires to proper levels.

I'm voting Democrat because it's alright to kill millions of babies as long as we keep violent, convicted murderers on death row alive.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe businesses in America should not be allowed to make profits. Businesses should just break even and give the rest to the government so politicians and bureaucrats can redistribute the money the way they think it should be redistributed.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe guns, and not the people misusing them, are the cause of crimes and killings.

I'm voting Democrat because when someone with a weapon threatens my family or me, I know the government can respond faster through a call to 911 than I can with a gun in my hand.

I'm voting Democrat because oil companies' 5% profit on a gallon of gas are obscene, but government taxes of 18% on the same gallon of gas are just fine.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe three or four elitist liberals should rewrite the Constitution every few months to suit some fringe element that could never get their agenda past voters.

I'm voting Democrat because illegal aliens are not criminals, are not sucking up resources through government aid, hospital services,
education, or social service, but are just people trying to make a better life by coming to America illegally. We can't blame them for that, can we?


Makes ya wonder why anyone would ever vote Republican, doesn't it?

Pure Joy...

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking Mackenzie Joy's pictures at an abandoned train car. We had a blast and this little girl is a hoot, so smart and absolutely beautiful! I didn't want to process many of her pictures into black/white because with her skin tone, eye color and hair she took amazing pictures!!! Enjoy...and thanks Nat for lending me your beauty! I also put some of her pics up on our business site, go check that out too... http://photosbyjcm.com/blog/

Our weekend!!

On Friday night we went to our good friends Jennifer and Brandon's house to paint some pumpkins and eat some yummy fondue! We had a great time! Well our crazy husbands decided that they were going to get the punching bag and gloves out...and guess what? Jennifer got to take a shot at Brandon(with the gloves on of course, cuz she didn't want to hurt her hand;)...lucky girl! She got him good...








And the kids had a great time painting the pumpkins!!! :) Jaemen even did it! Thanks to Jen and Brandon for another great fam night!!! :) You guys rock!






On Sat. we just kinda hung out and Hailey went to dance with her friend Lizzie and then went to see High School Musical with her friends from school...THANK GOD I didn't have to take her!!!

Jayvier, went to his first boy/girl party on Sat. night...gotta say I was a little freaked but like usual Jay made all the right decisions, and was a gentleman! He's such a good boy, gotta love him!!!

Jaemen just hung out and was awesome as per usual!!! :)

Sunday we went to Boo at the Zoo with Hailey's dance team...it was soooo COLD!!! But we had a great time! All in all it was a good weekend!!!

21 things about Jaemen...

In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness month I'm going to tell you 21 things about Jaemen...(Down Syndrome the triplication of the 21st chromosome...thus 21 things about Jaemen :)

1. He loves to jump around and off anything
2. He loves to wrestle with his big brother Jayvier
3. He loves to help me make his PB&J's
4. He aspirates on any thin liquids so all his liquids are thickened to yogurt like consistency...
5 He weighed 4lbs 6oz and was 16 inches long when he was born.
6. Jaemen was born at 35.5 weeks and went home with us the next day no oxygen! :)
7. He has the most amazing curly hair, but hates it being brushed...
8. He loves eating yogurt for any meal
9. Jaemen loves to watch signing times about 500 times a day
10. He can say a sentence now...."Hat on!" I'm so proud of him...
11. He still sleeps in a crib, that has a tent netting around it so that he can't escape...:)
12. His name means Right hand of God and his middle name means Life...
13. He throws anything and everything!
14. He goes to pre-school two days a week for 3 hours...
15. He's in soccer buddies with his bff Cadence
16. Jaemen loves to dance whenever Hailey is in her dance class, and often breaks into her class so he can show them how to really dance...lol
17. His favorite food is cookies...
18. He can almost ride his bike all by himself
19. He knows 5 colors and 2 shapes
20. Jaemen loves to smile, and when he does he lights up the room!
21. He loves to read books, and gets really mad if we don't read to him before bed!

http://www.myspecialks.com/2008/10/todays-day.html

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month!!! I've found some great things online, but nothing like this that was written by a mom of a child with DS... ENJOY!!!

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a triplication of the genetic material on the 21st chromosome. This trisomy occurs with the first division of the developing zygote, as a result there is extra genetic material present in every cell of the individual. Recently, science has discovered that this cellular abnormality is highly contagious. As result, family members (and even friends) of individuals with Down syndrome often find themselves exhibiting dramatic changes due to this "something extra" permeating their bodies at the cellular level. These changes manifest themselves in a number of ways. Something extra in the visual cortex results in parents who view the world differently. In addition to seeing things in an entirely new light, these parents also report having an increased ability to focus on what is important. Spontaneous appearance of tears of joy have also been confirmed. The section of the brain used in logical thought undergoes dramatic changes.

Parents suddenly find themselves able to comprehend and discuss complex medical procedures. The ability to decipher long strings of acronyms appears almost immediately and it is not uncommon for affected parents of newborns to be able to differentiate between ASD, VSD and PDA. Familiarity with G-tubes, Pic lines and the NICU is another side effect.

Over time, the entire nervous system is transformed, enabling parents to perform tasks previously thought impossible. These changes result in individuals finding the nerve to advocate before large crowds, speak to classrooms of medical students and educate the population at large about issues they are passionate about. These changes are closely tied in to dysfunctions in the verbal abilities, which makes it virtually impossible for parents to bite their tongue. Often, individuals who previously considered themselves reserved will find themselves outspoken and effective communicators.

The pulmonary system is altered to a dramatic extent. Parents report having their breath taken away at the slightest prompting. The cardiovascular system develops similar vulnerabilities and reports of hearts pounding loudly and swelling unexpectedly are not uncommon. One mother reported that her heart skipped a beat when her son smiled at her for the first time. The extremities are also altered. Arms reach out to strangers for support, and in turn, hands comfort and nurture those in need. Legs strengthen and balance improves, allowing parents to stand firm in their convictions and walk without faltering, even when shouldering a heavy load. Scientists are baffled by the widespread scope of these symptoms. Equally perplexing is the response of those afflicted. Parents readily acknowledge fundamental changes in their being, however, almost universally declare a preference for their new, altered level of functioning. "I wouldn't change a thing" is a common refrain. Apparently, the presence of a little "something extra" enhances the lives of individuals fortunate enough to be infected.

Wendy Holden

Skyler and Hailey's head shots...

I would love to hear which is your favorite of each girl. These are head shots for most photogenic for dance competitions these girls are in...

Yesterday I took Hailey and her friend Skyler out to take some head shots. The girls are so beautiful it really wasn't hard at all to get a good picture! Seriously, I think I took maybe 30 shots total! These girls are apparently pro's....hahaha Hailey better start making me some money!!! :)

Hailey: 8 (my daughter who looks nothing like me!!!)
Skyler:9 (almost 10)

Such Beautiful Girls...

Today I was happy to get away from all this political nonsense and take some pictures of my best friends three beautiful girls. They did great, they even hiked a little in dress shoes! Hailey says that Ginna is her oldest friend (as in she's known her, her whole life) she met her the day she was born and have been having fun ever since. These girls are some of the sweetest most precious kids I know...enjoy...

Sydney age: 5



Ginna age: 8

Avery age: 7