English Sunday Meetings
6 years ago
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
12 Days of giving day 2...
So, today I pretty much stayed home and hung lights and snuggled with the Bubbs so we didn't really get out today to do our good deed...but when I went to Panera tonight to get some dinner for Hailey during dance I saw a GREAT opportunity that Panera had sitting out there. It was a Care and Share thing but it was about great grain's or something like that where Panera donates bread to Care and Share so I decided to donate some money to them for their good giving idea!!! :) I'm hoping tomorrow will be a little more creative ;)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
12 Days of giving...
Well, I know it's been a while but my crazy friend Bethany has challanged me to do a 12 day's of giving blog for the first 12 days of December, and being that apparently I can't say no, I've decided to do this ;) It is an amazing idea and the concept is this: for the first 12 days of December I'm going to see how I can give to someone or do something special in their life for that specific day.
Today being Dec. 1st I had a photoshoot and while normally I charge a sitting fee and obviously full price for my packages, I gave a free session and a 25.00 credit to this client who I know can't really afford pictures of their little one! I know how important photos are to families and when people can't really afford them it breaks my heart! So, go on over to our photo blog and check out little Anastasia's photo session: www.photosbyjcm.com/blog
I wonder what tomorrow will hold... :) see you then!
Friday, September 18, 2009
It's been a while!!!
I just wanted to stop by and give a few updates from our neck of the woods...
Jayvier has been having a great year so far in 8th grade, his grades are amazing as we knew they could be and he's really positive about school so that's always a huge plus!!! We just got his CSAP scores from last year and they were GREAT!!! He's still playing soccer with Pride and we chose to move him down a level as his confidence wasn't so good with his old team and unfortunately he is having a hard time with the new team as he wants them to play harder and be better and they just don't seem to care as much as his other team. I'm hoping that this will push him in the direction he needs to go!! I just want him to be happy :) So, we'll see what he wants to do, he will be starting basketball here soon, which I'm very excited for!!! He's also been eating like a horse around here, he had a Double quarter pounder meal from McDonald's and ate the whole thing then ate my fries and Judah's fries then went home and made himself a sandwich...and he's HUGE, he offically is bigger than me but don't tell him that...haha he's about 5'7 and weighs 125 I can't believe how big my baby boy is!!!! ;( Makes me so so sad!! He told me the other day that he wants to bow hunt which is new and different so we're going to see if one of our friends can take him as Judah has never gone hunting :)
Hailey is doing pretty good in school right now which is soooo awesome, her teacher is AMAZING!!! And we got her CSAP scores back and she's profecient in everything which was a huge surprise to us as we thought she would be wayyyy behind! But she's catching up! I still struggle with whether or not to hold her back so we'll see how this year goes!!! She's still dancing of course and loving it so much, she's improved amazingly in the past few months and I can't believe the thing she's now doing!! She's doing some things I thought she wouldn't be able to do for years, her turns and leaps are crazy and her hiphop is so "street" it's hilarious...I don't know the names of things but she's really happy with the progress she's made and she's working so hard right now it's good to see her great work ethic! She's made some good goals for herself without us, it just amazes me how badly she wants to make this dance thing her life! She's also modeling again for a catalog so we'll be getting some more FREE dance shoes!!! I can't tell you how nice that is...hahaha She's also going to be trying to do some acting classes, I figure if that makes the girl happy why not! :) Maybe it can make us some money to pay for dance hahahaha
Jaemen is doing wonderful in his preschool class...he LOVES it so much and asks to go every day! He can make a 'J' and a circle and can identify 15 letters and he's just learned to count to 5!! He's been talking soooo much it's hilarious, he probably has a vocab of about 150 words and 200 signs he's just a little sponge and has picked up some pretty bad habbits like well, not eating for one and saying shut up...lovely we have just been ignoring him when he says it but it's soooooo funny!!!! Love that boy... He's been doing tap class every week and is pretty good...I'll try to get him on video!! He's going to start soccer next week, so that should be interesting to throw into our schedule...haha
Well there's the kids update, I'll update on me and Judah a little later :)
Jayvier has been having a great year so far in 8th grade, his grades are amazing as we knew they could be and he's really positive about school so that's always a huge plus!!! We just got his CSAP scores from last year and they were GREAT!!! He's still playing soccer with Pride and we chose to move him down a level as his confidence wasn't so good with his old team and unfortunately he is having a hard time with the new team as he wants them to play harder and be better and they just don't seem to care as much as his other team. I'm hoping that this will push him in the direction he needs to go!! I just want him to be happy :) So, we'll see what he wants to do, he will be starting basketball here soon, which I'm very excited for!!! He's also been eating like a horse around here, he had a Double quarter pounder meal from McDonald's and ate the whole thing then ate my fries and Judah's fries then went home and made himself a sandwich...and he's HUGE, he offically is bigger than me but don't tell him that...haha he's about 5'7 and weighs 125 I can't believe how big my baby boy is!!!! ;( Makes me so so sad!! He told me the other day that he wants to bow hunt which is new and different so we're going to see if one of our friends can take him as Judah has never gone hunting :)
Hailey is doing pretty good in school right now which is soooo awesome, her teacher is AMAZING!!! And we got her CSAP scores back and she's profecient in everything which was a huge surprise to us as we thought she would be wayyyy behind! But she's catching up! I still struggle with whether or not to hold her back so we'll see how this year goes!!! She's still dancing of course and loving it so much, she's improved amazingly in the past few months and I can't believe the thing she's now doing!! She's doing some things I thought she wouldn't be able to do for years, her turns and leaps are crazy and her hiphop is so "street" it's hilarious...I don't know the names of things but she's really happy with the progress she's made and she's working so hard right now it's good to see her great work ethic! She's made some good goals for herself without us, it just amazes me how badly she wants to make this dance thing her life! She's also modeling again for a catalog so we'll be getting some more FREE dance shoes!!! I can't tell you how nice that is...hahaha She's also going to be trying to do some acting classes, I figure if that makes the girl happy why not! :) Maybe it can make us some money to pay for dance hahahaha
Jaemen is doing wonderful in his preschool class...he LOVES it so much and asks to go every day! He can make a 'J' and a circle and can identify 15 letters and he's just learned to count to 5!! He's been talking soooo much it's hilarious, he probably has a vocab of about 150 words and 200 signs he's just a little sponge and has picked up some pretty bad habbits like well, not eating for one and saying shut up...lovely we have just been ignoring him when he says it but it's soooooo funny!!!! Love that boy... He's been doing tap class every week and is pretty good...I'll try to get him on video!! He's going to start soccer next week, so that should be interesting to throw into our schedule...haha
Well there's the kids update, I'll update on me and Judah a little later :)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Positive Day...
So, there's a challenge (from a little girl) floating around the blogosphere today: July 31st is to be positive day! I absolutely love this idea!! There is just so much negativity in the world right now, it's hard to escape it. I for one have had a really hard time lately being positive, which is weird for me because most of the time I'm really positive...hmmmm maybe me giving my top 10 reasons to be positive will help my attitude:
1. I have the most adorable children
2. I have the most amazing husband
3. health
4. I have some amazing friends that have managed to lift me up and show me that life doesn't need to revolve around peopl who can't or won't let go of the past.
5. My family is here, healthy and happy
6. We live in a wonderful neighborhood with great schools for those adorable children I so much love
7. Our great jobs that allow me to stay home and raise our adorable children
8. Love, because without this the world would be a horrible place
9. Laughter, because some days that's how I get through the day...I love to laugh!!!!
10. Gummie Bears, Watermelon, X-rated and vodka :), HD DVR's, Photography, and best of all, Chips and Salsa!!!
Have a wonderful day everyone! And remember it's always good to have your cup half-full! :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
It's been a while
Just doing some updating...Sorry I've been missing in action on the blog world but we've been super busy and I just don't really have time to sit down and write much anymore...:(
But here are some fun updates about what's going on in the fam...
Judah is taking the summer off from school, which is going to be a tremendous blessing! I'm so excited to have my hubby home and have him be able to enjoy his summer. He only has 2 more classes left and he will have his Master's in Project Management! :) YEAH!!! The first and only in his family to ever achieve such an honor!
Jay, is still in soccer and doing some camps with some speed coaches this week and next. He's wanting to "bulk" up over the summer so he can be strong...hahaha It's really cute how he all of the sudden is awear of his appearence! He's almost 5'7 and weighs 120lbs...he's HUGE and he's only 13 and the Dr. said he hasn't even started puberity....YIKES! He's going to be lik 6'3 or 6'4 if he keeps growing the way he's growing! He had a pretty nasty ending to his academic year last year so he's doing some "homeschool summer program" that he's not to happy about :) And if he doesn't get good grades next year I'm going to really be homeschooling, so pray he pulls his head out of his butt and notices that grades are IMPORTANT, not friends and girls....hahaha
Hailey, is dancing dancing dancing!!! We've been sampling some studio's here in our town and in Denver! It's been so much fun to take her into new situations and watch her learn. She has been asked to be on 3 different Company's here and in Denver. And some studios even remembered her dances and especially her Proud Mary solo she did this year. We had one studio owner run out from her class just so she could introduce herself to us and rememberd 2 of Hailey's(1 was her solo) dances from this year and one from last years season. I was shocked! I never knew that Hailey was being watched so much at competitions...but the studio up in Denver saw her at the last competition and told me to bring Hailey up there and that the studio owner would love to work with her! WOW!! I haven't told Hailey any of these things that the other studios have said about her, other than she needs to work hard where ever she dances and the teachers will appreciate it! Well, it's paid off...she's having a great summer taking classes all over CO. and her being able to learn from so many teachers has really helped her to grow. She really wants "it" and you can really tell...it's very nice to see her being able to learn so much. This has been hard on her and myself losing all of our friends from our old studio but, she's finally happy and that's all that matters! Life lessons don't always feel good, but they are here to teach us, and to teach us who our true friends are...I knew for a long time who my friends were and who were just playing the "dance drama" game, and some I was shocked by who can't or won't be friends with us anymore, but such is life. I did what was best and healthy for our family, that's what my job is as a mother, to protect my children and that's just what I've done. :) Please pray that we find the right dance home for Hailey! :)
Jaemen is doing great! He's talking mad crazy and I LOVE IT!!! He talks about everything! He's a little clearer than I thought he would be, and can even count to 5 on his own and knows about 15 letters by sight! He's still playing baseball and is a swimming fool! He loves the water and just swims and swims as long as we'll let him! :) He jumps in like a crazy man and scares me half to death! He can't really go under the water as he still aspirates on thin liquids and him inhaling the pool water could end up badly so we keep our head above water and swim all by ourselves!! He's having a PT evaluation here soon and hopefully he will be able to hipotherapy but because he hasn't had PT for over 2 years we'll have to see if we can do it for speech...I'm not even sure if the will like the horse! HAHA We were at the zoo yesterday and he HATED the pony's... :( He's also taking a dance class at AIM and is having a BLAST! He's so cute! Gotta love him! And the Buddy Walk is Aug. 22 look for that here soon...we won't be teaming with our old buddy so it will just be Jaemen this year, I think I might do another shirt like we did 2 years ago for the kids, they loved the shirts!
As for me, well I'm just pretty much playing Taxi driver lately, I love it and am having a great summer with the kids and my friends! I'm trying not to get too sunburned laying out at the pool...hahaha...I'm going to be starting a workout program called P90X and I'm super excited to get back into shape. I've been playing volleyball but I'm SO OUT OF SHAPE!!! :) So, here we go...:) I'll let you know how it works out for me!
Love to you all....until next time!
But here are some fun updates about what's going on in the fam...
Judah is taking the summer off from school, which is going to be a tremendous blessing! I'm so excited to have my hubby home and have him be able to enjoy his summer. He only has 2 more classes left and he will have his Master's in Project Management! :) YEAH!!! The first and only in his family to ever achieve such an honor!
Jay, is still in soccer and doing some camps with some speed coaches this week and next. He's wanting to "bulk" up over the summer so he can be strong...hahaha It's really cute how he all of the sudden is awear of his appearence! He's almost 5'7 and weighs 120lbs...he's HUGE and he's only 13 and the Dr. said he hasn't even started puberity....YIKES! He's going to be lik 6'3 or 6'4 if he keeps growing the way he's growing! He had a pretty nasty ending to his academic year last year so he's doing some "homeschool summer program" that he's not to happy about :) And if he doesn't get good grades next year I'm going to really be homeschooling, so pray he pulls his head out of his butt and notices that grades are IMPORTANT, not friends and girls....hahaha
Hailey, is dancing dancing dancing!!! We've been sampling some studio's here in our town and in Denver! It's been so much fun to take her into new situations and watch her learn. She has been asked to be on 3 different Company's here and in Denver. And some studios even remembered her dances and especially her Proud Mary solo she did this year. We had one studio owner run out from her class just so she could introduce herself to us and rememberd 2 of Hailey's(1 was her solo) dances from this year and one from last years season. I was shocked! I never knew that Hailey was being watched so much at competitions...but the studio up in Denver saw her at the last competition and told me to bring Hailey up there and that the studio owner would love to work with her! WOW!! I haven't told Hailey any of these things that the other studios have said about her, other than she needs to work hard where ever she dances and the teachers will appreciate it! Well, it's paid off...she's having a great summer taking classes all over CO. and her being able to learn from so many teachers has really helped her to grow. She really wants "it" and you can really tell...it's very nice to see her being able to learn so much. This has been hard on her and myself losing all of our friends from our old studio but, she's finally happy and that's all that matters! Life lessons don't always feel good, but they are here to teach us, and to teach us who our true friends are...I knew for a long time who my friends were and who were just playing the "dance drama" game, and some I was shocked by who can't or won't be friends with us anymore, but such is life. I did what was best and healthy for our family, that's what my job is as a mother, to protect my children and that's just what I've done. :) Please pray that we find the right dance home for Hailey! :)
Jaemen is doing great! He's talking mad crazy and I LOVE IT!!! He talks about everything! He's a little clearer than I thought he would be, and can even count to 5 on his own and knows about 15 letters by sight! He's still playing baseball and is a swimming fool! He loves the water and just swims and swims as long as we'll let him! :) He jumps in like a crazy man and scares me half to death! He can't really go under the water as he still aspirates on thin liquids and him inhaling the pool water could end up badly so we keep our head above water and swim all by ourselves!! He's having a PT evaluation here soon and hopefully he will be able to hipotherapy but because he hasn't had PT for over 2 years we'll have to see if we can do it for speech...I'm not even sure if the will like the horse! HAHA We were at the zoo yesterday and he HATED the pony's... :( He's also taking a dance class at AIM and is having a BLAST! He's so cute! Gotta love him! And the Buddy Walk is Aug. 22 look for that here soon...we won't be teaming with our old buddy so it will just be Jaemen this year, I think I might do another shirt like we did 2 years ago for the kids, they loved the shirts!
As for me, well I'm just pretty much playing Taxi driver lately, I love it and am having a great summer with the kids and my friends! I'm trying not to get too sunburned laying out at the pool...hahaha...I'm going to be starting a workout program called P90X and I'm super excited to get back into shape. I've been playing volleyball but I'm SO OUT OF SHAPE!!! :) So, here we go...:) I'll let you know how it works out for me!
Love to you all....until next time!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Such is life...
Well, most of you know we recently moved dance studios...Yes, it was a hard move to make and yes, we lost friends that I thought we would never lose, but such is life. I had to make a very hard decision after we were treated very poorly at Hailey's last dance competition. I told myself that I could put up with whatever came my way as long as Hailey was happy. Well, at the last competition when Hailey got into the car and was crying about some comments made, or not made, friends hurting her, and how she didn't want to dance anymore I knew I had to make a decision...should we stay or should we go? Hailey in her 6 years of dancing has never said she didn't want to dance anymore...NEVER! She was completely left out of things, from friends who she loved and who I loved as well...She did amazing at her competition, she was the only one from that studio to receive a diamond(the highest points you could score,) she also was in the top 10 in her age group, won her category, and got a judges choice award...and not one of her teachers told her good job...it was sad and broke my heart. It also broke her's, so, I decided that night of her solo's that we were done and throughout the weekend it was evident that we needed to be somewhere else. Where she was going to be appreciated and where the mom's weren't going to be running the show. I can only handle so much from mom's who think they get to make decisions about my daughter's dancing. It should be left up to the teachers whom opinions I valued, but unfortunately there mom's are picking music, costumes, and who goes on what team. That is not a place I want my child. It was an unfair environment for her or for me. The "in circle" there is not really "in," no, they are mean, nasty, back stabbing individuals who need to grow up and quit living life vicariously through their beautiful children. I've lost some amazing friends along the way and 2 amazing teachers. But that is the price I had to pay to get her into a healthy environment. I will always be grateful for the things she learned from her teachers there and the values the studio owner instilled in her, the teacher's aren't the reason we left...the drama is...I know the grass is always greener on the other side, but that's the chance I'm willing to take to get away from some very nasty people. Needless to say Hailey is happy, she is thriving and once again her smile has returned to her dancing! She is doing some amazing things at her new studio, her teachers are in awe and so am I. That's all I wanted for her was for her to be happy and be learning. I've learned my lesson, I will not be getting close to the teachers or the mother's at the new studio. I want them to have an un-bias impression of my daughter, and form their impressions by how hard she works, and trust me she is working her tooshie off right now. I want to teach my daughter the value of dancing and characteristics that she can use as she grows! I know there will be speed bumps and hurdles along the way...there always are! :)
Now, on to Jay...he moved to a new team as well the beginning of Spring. He is so happy there, he loves his coach and the boys on this team are really great! They have all accepted him, and cheer for him. He's learning that he has to prove himself right now being the "new kid" and I'm hoping that he will rise to the challenge! He has struggled a little with his confidence since it was shattered by his last team but slowly he is gaining it back and it's so nice to see him improve! I know he will do great things, we just have to keep him on the right path. Who knew parenting a teenage boy would be so difficult!?!? :) Since he broke his arm, he's been a little passive but his new coach is teaching him in a way that has really helped his confidence! His arm is about at 90% right now and Jay hasn't been able to play basket ball which really upset him. But I think he will be able to start playing come summer and you all know I can't wait for that! He's got a lot to catch up on since he missed last basket ball season, but he'll get there...lol :)
Lastly, my Prince Charming and my Bubbs...Well Prince Charming has been busy at work and school, he only has 2 more classes and he'll have his Masters in Project Management! YEAH!!! It's only been 10 years and counting...haha He's an amazing father and friend. He's been there to support me through all this drama with the kids and has really been a source of stability for me. He never seizes to amaze me, he's a great father, friend and husband! And he's sooo cute!!!
And as far as the Bubbs, well he's just about to start soccer buddies again, and special needs swim lessons and he's currently on a Special Need's T-ball team!!! He's busy busy busy!! He loves hanging out with his friends at the mall for lunch and has really started talking! Today he said "Mom, more chippies...PLEASE!!!" such good manners...lol
And as far as me...well I'm just hanging out...waiting for the next thing to start!!! I love doing photography and can't wait to see where that takes me in the next year...be ready soon for some BIG NEWS!!!
And as far as me...well I'm just hanging out...waiting for the next thing to start!!! I love doing photography and can't wait to see where that takes me in the next year...be ready soon for some BIG NEWS!!!
LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Jaemen's first baseball game!!!
Yesterday Jaemen had his official first T-ball game!!!! I was so excited that he could go out there and play with these kids. He played in a "challanger" little league for all types of kids with disabilities! It was terrific to see all these kids paired up with buddies to help them. I was super impressed with the kids from older teams come over and help us with our league! When Jaemen was first born, I never thought he would be able to play little league, but all my dispair was put to rest yesterday after I saw how good he did! He hit, ran the bases, caught the ball in his glove, and of course threw every ball that was remotely close to him...I know shocker...lol I was in tears just watching him have so much fun!!!
Pleanty of other things are going on with our family and one of these day's I'll get around to writing about it...lol I'm still just trying to catch my breath after all the changes that have been happening. Soon we'll be on summer vaca and I promise I'll catch you all up on our busy life!!!
Love to you all...and don't forget to check out our other blogs...
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday for Down Syndrome...
I stole this from my friend Renee's blog...she always has the most amazing stories and poems!! Enjoy...
Phillip's Egg
Author Unknown
Phillip was born with Down syndrome. He was a pleasant child.... happy it seemed, but increasingly aware of the difference between himself and other children. Phillip went to Sunday School faithfully every week. He was in the third grade class with nine other 8-year olds. And Phillip, with his differences, was not readily accepted. But his teacher was sensitive to Phillip and he helped this group of eight-year olds to love each other as best they could, under the circumstances. They learned, they laughed, they played together. And they really care about one another even though eight-year olds don't say they care about one another out loud.
But don't forget. There was an exception to all of this. Phillip was not really a part of the group. Phillip did not choose, nor did he want to be different. He just was. And that was the way things were.
His teacher had a marvelous idea for his class the Sunday after Easter. You know those things that pantyhose come in? The containers that look like great big eggs? The teacher collected ten of them. The children loved it when he brought them into the room and gave one to each child. It was a beautiful spring day, and the assignment was for each child to go outside, find a symbol for new life, put it into the egg, and bring it back to the classroom. They would then open and share their new life symbols and surprises, one by one.
It was glorious. It was confusing. It was wild. They ran all around the grounds, gathering their symbols, and returned to the classroom.
They put all the eggs on a table, and then the teacher began to open them. All the children gathered around the table. He opened one and there was a flower, and they ooh-ed and aah-ed. He opened another and there was a little butterfly. "Beautiful!" the girls all said, since it is hard for eight-year old boys to say "beautiful." He opened another and there was a rock. And as third graders will, some laughed and some said, "That's crazy! How's a rock supposed to be like new life?" But the smart little boy who put it in there spoke up: "That's mine. And I knew all of you would get flowers and buds and leaves and butterflies and stuff like that, so I got a rock because I wanted to be different. And, for me, that's new life." They all laughed.
The teacher said something about the wisdom of eight-year olds and opened the next one. There was nothing inside. The children, as eight-year olds will, said, "That's not fair. That's stupid! Somebody didn't do it right."
Then the teacher felt a tug on his shirt, and he looked down. "It's mine," Phillip said. "It's mine." And the children said, "You don't ever do things right, Phillip. There's nothing there!"
"I did so do it right!" Phillip said. "I did do it right. The tomb is empty!"
There was silence, a very full silence. And for you people who don't believe in miracles, I want to tell you that one happened that day. From that time on, it was different. Phillip suddenly became a part of that group of eight-year old children. They took him in. He was set free from the tomb of his differentness.
Phillip died last summer. His family had known since the time he was born that he wouldn't live out a full life span. Many other things were wrong with his little body. And so, late last July, with an infection that most normal children could have quickly shrugged off, Phillip died.
At his memorial service, nine eight-year olds marched up to the altar, not with flowers to cover over the stark reality of death.... but nine eight-year olds, along with their Sunday School teacher, marched right up to that altar, and laid on it an empty egg.... an empty, old discarded pantyhose egg.
And the tomb is empty!
Phillip's Egg
Author Unknown
Phillip was born with Down syndrome. He was a pleasant child.... happy it seemed, but increasingly aware of the difference between himself and other children. Phillip went to Sunday School faithfully every week. He was in the third grade class with nine other 8-year olds. And Phillip, with his differences, was not readily accepted. But his teacher was sensitive to Phillip and he helped this group of eight-year olds to love each other as best they could, under the circumstances. They learned, they laughed, they played together. And they really care about one another even though eight-year olds don't say they care about one another out loud.
But don't forget. There was an exception to all of this. Phillip was not really a part of the group. Phillip did not choose, nor did he want to be different. He just was. And that was the way things were.
His teacher had a marvelous idea for his class the Sunday after Easter. You know those things that pantyhose come in? The containers that look like great big eggs? The teacher collected ten of them. The children loved it when he brought them into the room and gave one to each child. It was a beautiful spring day, and the assignment was for each child to go outside, find a symbol for new life, put it into the egg, and bring it back to the classroom. They would then open and share their new life symbols and surprises, one by one.
It was glorious. It was confusing. It was wild. They ran all around the grounds, gathering their symbols, and returned to the classroom.
They put all the eggs on a table, and then the teacher began to open them. All the children gathered around the table. He opened one and there was a flower, and they ooh-ed and aah-ed. He opened another and there was a little butterfly. "Beautiful!" the girls all said, since it is hard for eight-year old boys to say "beautiful." He opened another and there was a rock. And as third graders will, some laughed and some said, "That's crazy! How's a rock supposed to be like new life?" But the smart little boy who put it in there spoke up: "That's mine. And I knew all of you would get flowers and buds and leaves and butterflies and stuff like that, so I got a rock because I wanted to be different. And, for me, that's new life." They all laughed.
The teacher said something about the wisdom of eight-year olds and opened the next one. There was nothing inside. The children, as eight-year olds will, said, "That's not fair. That's stupid! Somebody didn't do it right."
Then the teacher felt a tug on his shirt, and he looked down. "It's mine," Phillip said. "It's mine." And the children said, "You don't ever do things right, Phillip. There's nothing there!"
"I did so do it right!" Phillip said. "I did do it right. The tomb is empty!"
There was silence, a very full silence. And for you people who don't believe in miracles, I want to tell you that one happened that day. From that time on, it was different. Phillip suddenly became a part of that group of eight-year old children. They took him in. He was set free from the tomb of his differentness.
Phillip died last summer. His family had known since the time he was born that he wouldn't live out a full life span. Many other things were wrong with his little body. And so, late last July, with an infection that most normal children could have quickly shrugged off, Phillip died.
At his memorial service, nine eight-year olds marched up to the altar, not with flowers to cover over the stark reality of death.... but nine eight-year olds, along with their Sunday School teacher, marched right up to that altar, and laid on it an empty egg.... an empty, old discarded pantyhose egg.
And the tomb is empty!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Praise God...
Today we celebrate our Jesus..Our Lord...Our God, who gave his life for us...so that we may live. So that we will be forgiven, so that we can spend eternity with him...This week Hailey gave her life to Christ...it was so wonderful for her to do that, on her own, out of her own little mouth she understands that He is her's...All those sins, washed! She's clean, she knows that now...I love her so much and I'm so proud of her for making that choice!
Jayvier came to watch our churches "Thorn" production where he cried and cried when Our Jesus was shown getting beaten for our sins, enduring pain for once again our sins...Jay, was so moved. He get's "it," he understands that Jesus is our Lord that he did this for US!!!
Thank You Jesus, thank you!!!
I love you...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Kind of long...but worth it...
 I just got this in an email from my Best friend and I love it, it made me cry...do you know my Jesus? For those of you who don't know Beth Moore, she is an author, Bible teacher, and married mother of two daughters. This is one of her experiences: April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville, waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons, not the least of which is your ego. I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man. I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport... an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served up on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him. Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man. I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. 'Oh, no, God, please, no.' I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, 'Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!' There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane.' Then I heard it....'I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair.' The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, 'God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man.' Again, as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. 'That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair.' I looked up at God and quipped, 'I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?' God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: 'I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works.' (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, 'Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?' He looked back at me and said, 'What did you say?' 'May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?' To which he responded in volume ten, 'Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that.' At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, 'SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?' At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Long Locks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, 'If you really want to.' Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, 'Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush.' 'I have one in my bag,' he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag and went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knee and said, 'Sir, do you know my Jesus?' He said, 'Yes, I do' Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, 'I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior.' He said, 'You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride.' Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft. I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, 'That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?' I said, 'Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!' And we got to share.. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted, you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need! I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way... all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me. Internet Explorer 8 – Get your Hotmail Accelerated. Download free! Quick access to your favorite MSN content and Windows Live with Internet Explorer 8. Download FREE now!
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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Spread the "word" to end the "word..."
It is time to “Spread the Word to End the Word,” and tomorrow, 31 March, events throughout the United States and around the world will make people stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word “retard.”
Tomorrow, young people across the country will lead local efforts to raise awareness and collect pledges on www.r-word.org from peers and the community to vow not to use the R-word. Actor and activist John C. McGinley, of the hit show “Scrubs,” is helping with this effort by making national media appearances on behalf of the campaign.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
National Down Syndrome Day...3-21
So I totally missed National Down Syndrome Day...lol But in honor of that day I want to post this from my DS group forum....
I wish I would have known...
What Parents Wish They'd Known
This booklet is a collection of thoughts from parents of
children with Down syndrome, who responded to this question:
What do you know now that you wish you'd known from the start?
v
I wish I'd known that it wasn't the end of the world.
--Joseph, dad to Janna (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known Down syndrome does NOT make being my son's mommy,
or loving him, difficult or different.
--Kathy, mom to PJ (8 ½ months)
v
I wished I'd known just how much like a "typical" newborn my baby would look like
when she arrived. I was a bit scared and feared the unknown, but was pleasantly surprised:
Ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, two ears, a mouth and a nose . . . PERFECTION.
--Robyn, mom to Amarli (7 months)
v
I wish I'd known to listen more and assume less.
--Chris, mom to Stevie (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known that I could be the best advocate for my child.
I didn't even know what the word meant, but I know now that I have no problems
standing up for Hope, and this has made me better at standing up for all my children.
--Debra, mom to Hope (4 years)
I wish I'd known how much having a child with a disability in my life
would change the person that I am.
--Robert, dad to Hope (4 years)
v
I wish I'd known that I would say and feel so often, "You're so smart!" or "You are the cutest kid
in the whole world!" I wish I'd known I would use words like "sparkling," "vivacious," and
"infectious laughter" when describing my child. I underestimated her.
--Nancy, mom to Gabriella (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known how very joyful and in love I would be every second of every day.
When my son was born, I worried, can I do this? I cherished that worry because it meant his
was a life worth worrying about. I'm glad I know now that I don't have to worry.
--Kitty, mom to Nathanael (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known that my daughter would be so able. To clean her own room. To charm grown men.
To plant the garden with me. To play dress-up with other little girls. To read and write.
To be a friend that cares and shares. She is so able.
--Jeni, mom to Joy Daisy (6 years)
v
I wish I'd known that my baby wasn't going to die. We were left with so many unanswered questions and I thought for sure that it meant she would die within hours.
--Renee, mom to Kennedy (4 years)
v
I wish I'd known what a wonderful teacher my older son would be.
He is Owen's inspiration for everything—walking, talking, playing, climbing, eating, etc.
Jason treats Owen like a kid, which is exactly what Owen is.
--Tricia, mom to Owen (2 years)
I wish I'd known that my son would develop a personality like any other child.
I spent so much time wishing his babyhood away wanting to know what he was going
to be like. I wish I had relaxed and enjoyed the sweet baby I had.
--Ann, mom to John (5 years)
v
I wish I'd known that this unexpected journey that began 4 years ago would not be one of sadness,
but of unspeakable joy, filled with more love and pride than I ever thought possible.
Shirley, grandmother to Aleena (4 years)
v
I wish I'd known . . .
Not everything I read would happen to my child.
I would love her more than anything else on Earth.
Her hugs and kisses are real, from her heart.
She is just like any other kid.
She would make me a better person.
Her laughs are the best music.
--Jennifer, mom to Brook (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known how incredibly in love I would be with my daughter, how much fun
this whole process would be, and how amazing our friends really are.
--Francine, mom to Sofia (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known that my son would attend his local school, and would have lots of friends
who just accept him and like him for who he is. I wish I'd known how
happy and normal our family would be.
--Naomi, mom to Callum (5 years)
I wish I'd known . . .
That it was OK to feel broken-hearted when we first heard the news
That having a child with Down syndrome is NOT a life sentence
That my son would have his own agenda for doing things
And that it's a privilege to be his mom.
--Sara, mom to Nathaniel (9 years)
v
I wish I'd known that, although they say our kids "stay little longer," they still grow up too fast.
--Meredith, mom to Brianna (2 years), Emma (5 years, adopted),
and Micah (1 year, adopted)—yes, all three with Down syndrome!
v
I wish I'd known that my daughter would bring me only happiness, not pain.
-- Destiny, mom to Lily (9 months)
v
I wish I had known that my son would have received two awards at the end of second grade:
one for achievement in the Accelerated Reader program, and the other for being a "Number 1 Best Friend."
--Vicki, mom to Aaron (8 years)
v
I wish I'd known that children with Down syndrome just as loveable, kissable, snotty, tantrum-throwing, bubble-blowing, huggable, and milestone-making as their siblings.
Ava, mom to Daniel (3 ½ years)
v
I wish I'd known that I didn't have to be afraid, that it would all be just as it should be.
--Rhonda, mom to Alex (8 years)
I wish I'd known how deeply in love I would be with my son, and how
I wouldn't know what to do without him and his diagnosis of Down syndrome.
--Vonda, mom to Noah (9 years)
v
I wish I'd known how much joy and happiness Olivia would bring,
not only to me and my wife, but to everyone around her.
--Mike, dad to Olivia
v
I wish I'd known that she would survive two heart surgeries and continue to thrive
despite leaks within her heart. Her tiny heart was once a great big hole,
but it's full of a great big love that we get to experience each day.
--AJ, mom to Janna (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known he would be so full of life! He is intelligent, creative, a sports nut—
just like his siblings. He's a social butterfly, a love bug, an amazing little boy.
I wish I would've known he would be more like us than different.
--Jennifer, mom to Brady (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known . . .
That his sisters would love him so much
That he would have an awesome throwing arm
That he would have lots of friends
That he would read and love books
That he would do all the wonderful things little boys do.
--Anjie, mom to Adam (5 years)
I wish I'd known I would look Avery and NOT see Down syndrome.
I see her as this amazing, smart little cookie—strong-willed, self-reliant, and cute as a button.
She walks around like a little queen in a parade, waving, hugging, and talking to everyone.
--Kathleen, mother to Avery (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known having identical twin boys both with Down syndrome would bless our family
more than we could have ever thought. They work together, play together, and show us
how to take life one day at a time, and enjoy every moment.
--Stacy, mom to Caleb and Isaac (2 years)
v
I wish I had known that she would get through her heart surgery, that she would crawl
and walk and play just like any other kid, that she would be able to communicate so well,
and that life would be so normal.
--Karyn, mom to Talitha (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known that it isn't that hard, and that my daughter isn't different
from any other little girl her age. All my dreams for her can come true!
--Kelly, mom of Alexis (2 ½ years)
v
I wish I'd known how normal and silly moms of kids with Down syndrome really are!
I thought they were all supermoms that were like angels in the flesh—now I know the truth!
--Cas, mom to Jirah (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known life wouldn't be defined by the myths and misconceptions I had
about Down syndrome, but instead, it would be as "normal" as normal gets,
and my son would fill my life with love and joy beyond comprehension or measure.
--Sandy, mom to Lucas (19 months)
I'm actually glad I didn't know much about Down syndrome when my son was born.
I think if I had, it might have ruined those moments and that connection I had with
my son the moment I saw him. I would have thought of the negative,
not of the fact that I had a little boy who I loved and was perfect.
--Judah, dad to Jaemen (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known the pure joy, happiness, pride, love, and dedication that my baby would show us all. I wish someone would have told me that this baby was going to change my outlook on life, make me a better mother to his siblings, a better wife to his daddy and a better person to this world.
--Carmen, mom to Jaemen (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known that it was ok to grieve and scream, cry, vent and be angry. I wish that a facility or network had been in place to reach out to me, instead of the other way around. I wish that every parent coming home today could see my girl and how she smiles and loves.
--Amy, mom to Larkin (2 ½ years)
v
I wish I'd known not to believe everything the doctors said my child would not achieve,
such as breastfeeding. I wish I'd known the immense gratitude my son would bring to my life
just by reaching up and touching my face. I wish I'd known that I would never feel shame
for having a child with Down syndrome.
--Andrea, Mom to Alex (10 months)
v
I wish I'd known the new lesson on love that AJ would teach me would fill my heart
in a way I wouldn't have thought possible. I wish I had known of all the
positive changes I would see in my other children.
--Ibby, mother to AJ (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known I was strong. My husband and I always thought we were the people who
couldn't handle raising a child with Down Syndrome. Actually, there's really nothing to "handle."
--Stephanie, mom to Megan (4 years)
I wish I'd known the stands would erupt with cheers when she got a hit in baseball,
and that her classmates would circle around her with love and protection if anyone was mean to her.
I wish I'd known that "being slow" would mean savoring every step, every puddle, every blossom.
--Michelle, mom to Ciarra (9 years)
v
I wish I'd known that children with Down syndrome are NOT happy all the time.
Darah throws temper tantrums and needs time-outs just like every other three-year-old.
I wish I'd known that when Darah was first born, she was MY baby. When she was in the NICU, I felt like the hospital owned her and was afraid to speak up with my concerns and questions.
--McKenna, mom to Darah (3 years)
v
I wish that I had known that my broken heart would one day heal,
and the love that I felt for my son was the cure.
--Kristy, Mommy to Zachary John (3 years)
v
I wished I'd known we were going to be okay, that this one little chromosome was just a tiny piece of our lives. I wish I'd known that the dreams I had of the little girl with long dark hair were still going to come true! That while she may beg for a green Mohawk at times, she's still that little girl in my dreams.
--Leah, mom to Angela (12 years)
v
I wish I'd known that this would be such a marvelous journey,
and that everything would turn out . . . JUST FINE.
--Jackie, mom to Emily (28 years)
I wish I would have known...
What Parents Wish They'd Known
This booklet is a collection of thoughts from parents of
children with Down syndrome, who responded to this question:
What do you know now that you wish you'd known from the start?
v
I wish I'd known that it wasn't the end of the world.
--Joseph, dad to Janna (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known Down syndrome does NOT make being my son's mommy,
or loving him, difficult or different.
--Kathy, mom to PJ (8 ½ months)
v
I wished I'd known just how much like a "typical" newborn my baby would look like
when she arrived. I was a bit scared and feared the unknown, but was pleasantly surprised:
Ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, two ears, a mouth and a nose . . . PERFECTION.
--Robyn, mom to Amarli (7 months)
v
I wish I'd known to listen more and assume less.
--Chris, mom to Stevie (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known that I could be the best advocate for my child.
I didn't even know what the word meant, but I know now that I have no problems
standing up for Hope, and this has made me better at standing up for all my children.
--Debra, mom to Hope (4 years)
I wish I'd known how much having a child with a disability in my life
would change the person that I am.
--Robert, dad to Hope (4 years)
v
I wish I'd known that I would say and feel so often, "You're so smart!" or "You are the cutest kid
in the whole world!" I wish I'd known I would use words like "sparkling," "vivacious," and
"infectious laughter" when describing my child. I underestimated her.
--Nancy, mom to Gabriella (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known how very joyful and in love I would be every second of every day.
When my son was born, I worried, can I do this? I cherished that worry because it meant his
was a life worth worrying about. I'm glad I know now that I don't have to worry.
--Kitty, mom to Nathanael (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known that my daughter would be so able. To clean her own room. To charm grown men.
To plant the garden with me. To play dress-up with other little girls. To read and write.
To be a friend that cares and shares. She is so able.
--Jeni, mom to Joy Daisy (6 years)
v
I wish I'd known that my baby wasn't going to die. We were left with so many unanswered questions and I thought for sure that it meant she would die within hours.
--Renee, mom to Kennedy (4 years)
v
I wish I'd known what a wonderful teacher my older son would be.
He is Owen's inspiration for everything—walking, talking, playing, climbing, eating, etc.
Jason treats Owen like a kid, which is exactly what Owen is.
--Tricia, mom to Owen (2 years)
I wish I'd known that my son would develop a personality like any other child.
I spent so much time wishing his babyhood away wanting to know what he was going
to be like. I wish I had relaxed and enjoyed the sweet baby I had.
--Ann, mom to John (5 years)
v
I wish I'd known that this unexpected journey that began 4 years ago would not be one of sadness,
but of unspeakable joy, filled with more love and pride than I ever thought possible.
Shirley, grandmother to Aleena (4 years)
v
I wish I'd known . . .
Not everything I read would happen to my child.
I would love her more than anything else on Earth.
Her hugs and kisses are real, from her heart.
She is just like any other kid.
She would make me a better person.
Her laughs are the best music.
--Jennifer, mom to Brook (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known how incredibly in love I would be with my daughter, how much fun
this whole process would be, and how amazing our friends really are.
--Francine, mom to Sofia (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known that my son would attend his local school, and would have lots of friends
who just accept him and like him for who he is. I wish I'd known how
happy and normal our family would be.
--Naomi, mom to Callum (5 years)
I wish I'd known . . .
That it was OK to feel broken-hearted when we first heard the news
That having a child with Down syndrome is NOT a life sentence
That my son would have his own agenda for doing things
And that it's a privilege to be his mom.
--Sara, mom to Nathaniel (9 years)
v
I wish I'd known that, although they say our kids "stay little longer," they still grow up too fast.
--Meredith, mom to Brianna (2 years), Emma (5 years, adopted),
and Micah (1 year, adopted)—yes, all three with Down syndrome!
v
I wish I'd known that my daughter would bring me only happiness, not pain.
-- Destiny, mom to Lily (9 months)
v
I wish I had known that my son would have received two awards at the end of second grade:
one for achievement in the Accelerated Reader program, and the other for being a "Number 1 Best Friend."
--Vicki, mom to Aaron (8 years)
v
I wish I'd known that children with Down syndrome just as loveable, kissable, snotty, tantrum-throwing, bubble-blowing, huggable, and milestone-making as their siblings.
Ava, mom to Daniel (3 ½ years)
v
I wish I'd known that I didn't have to be afraid, that it would all be just as it should be.
--Rhonda, mom to Alex (8 years)
I wish I'd known how deeply in love I would be with my son, and how
I wouldn't know what to do without him and his diagnosis of Down syndrome.
--Vonda, mom to Noah (9 years)
v
I wish I'd known how much joy and happiness Olivia would bring,
not only to me and my wife, but to everyone around her.
--Mike, dad to Olivia
v
I wish I'd known that she would survive two heart surgeries and continue to thrive
despite leaks within her heart. Her tiny heart was once a great big hole,
but it's full of a great big love that we get to experience each day.
--AJ, mom to Janna (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known he would be so full of life! He is intelligent, creative, a sports nut—
just like his siblings. He's a social butterfly, a love bug, an amazing little boy.
I wish I would've known he would be more like us than different.
--Jennifer, mom to Brady (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known . . .
That his sisters would love him so much
That he would have an awesome throwing arm
That he would have lots of friends
That he would read and love books
That he would do all the wonderful things little boys do.
--Anjie, mom to Adam (5 years)
I wish I'd known I would look Avery and NOT see Down syndrome.
I see her as this amazing, smart little cookie—strong-willed, self-reliant, and cute as a button.
She walks around like a little queen in a parade, waving, hugging, and talking to everyone.
--Kathleen, mother to Avery (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known having identical twin boys both with Down syndrome would bless our family
more than we could have ever thought. They work together, play together, and show us
how to take life one day at a time, and enjoy every moment.
--Stacy, mom to Caleb and Isaac (2 years)
v
I wish I had known that she would get through her heart surgery, that she would crawl
and walk and play just like any other kid, that she would be able to communicate so well,
and that life would be so normal.
--Karyn, mom to Talitha (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known that it isn't that hard, and that my daughter isn't different
from any other little girl her age. All my dreams for her can come true!
--Kelly, mom of Alexis (2 ½ years)
v
I wish I'd known how normal and silly moms of kids with Down syndrome really are!
I thought they were all supermoms that were like angels in the flesh—now I know the truth!
--Cas, mom to Jirah (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known life wouldn't be defined by the myths and misconceptions I had
about Down syndrome, but instead, it would be as "normal" as normal gets,
and my son would fill my life with love and joy beyond comprehension or measure.
--Sandy, mom to Lucas (19 months)
I'm actually glad I didn't know much about Down syndrome when my son was born.
I think if I had, it might have ruined those moments and that connection I had with
my son the moment I saw him. I would have thought of the negative,
not of the fact that I had a little boy who I loved and was perfect.
--Judah, dad to Jaemen (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known the pure joy, happiness, pride, love, and dedication that my baby would show us all. I wish someone would have told me that this baby was going to change my outlook on life, make me a better mother to his siblings, a better wife to his daddy and a better person to this world.
--Carmen, mom to Jaemen (3 years)
v
I wish I'd known that it was ok to grieve and scream, cry, vent and be angry. I wish that a facility or network had been in place to reach out to me, instead of the other way around. I wish that every parent coming home today could see my girl and how she smiles and loves.
--Amy, mom to Larkin (2 ½ years)
v
I wish I'd known not to believe everything the doctors said my child would not achieve,
such as breastfeeding. I wish I'd known the immense gratitude my son would bring to my life
just by reaching up and touching my face. I wish I'd known that I would never feel shame
for having a child with Down syndrome.
--Andrea, Mom to Alex (10 months)
v
I wish I'd known the new lesson on love that AJ would teach me would fill my heart
in a way I wouldn't have thought possible. I wish I had known of all the
positive changes I would see in my other children.
--Ibby, mother to AJ (2 years)
v
I wish I'd known I was strong. My husband and I always thought we were the people who
couldn't handle raising a child with Down Syndrome. Actually, there's really nothing to "handle."
--Stephanie, mom to Megan (4 years)
I wish I'd known the stands would erupt with cheers when she got a hit in baseball,
and that her classmates would circle around her with love and protection if anyone was mean to her.
I wish I'd known that "being slow" would mean savoring every step, every puddle, every blossom.
--Michelle, mom to Ciarra (9 years)
v
I wish I'd known that children with Down syndrome are NOT happy all the time.
Darah throws temper tantrums and needs time-outs just like every other three-year-old.
I wish I'd known that when Darah was first born, she was MY baby. When she was in the NICU, I felt like the hospital owned her and was afraid to speak up with my concerns and questions.
--McKenna, mom to Darah (3 years)
v
I wish that I had known that my broken heart would one day heal,
and the love that I felt for my son was the cure.
--Kristy, Mommy to Zachary John (3 years)
v
I wished I'd known we were going to be okay, that this one little chromosome was just a tiny piece of our lives. I wish I'd known that the dreams I had of the little girl with long dark hair were still going to come true! That while she may beg for a green Mohawk at times, she's still that little girl in my dreams.
--Leah, mom to Angela (12 years)
v
I wish I'd known that this would be such a marvelous journey,
and that everything would turn out . . . JUST FINE.
--Jackie, mom to Emily (28 years)
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Stay-at-homes mom's salary
NEW YORK — If the typical stay-at-home mother in the United States were paid for her work as a housekeeper, cook and psychologist among other roles, she would earn $138,095 a year, according to research released on Wednesday.
This reflected a 3 percent raise from last year's $134,121, according to Salary.com Inc, Waltham, Mass.-based compensation experts.
The 10 jobs listed as comprising a mother's work were housekeeper, cook, day care center teacher, laundry machine operator, van driver, facilities manager, janitor, computer operator, chief executive officer and psychologist, it said.
The typical mother puts in a 92-hour work week, it said, working 40 hours at base pay and 52 hours overtime.
A mother who holds full-time job outside the home would earn an additional $85,939 for the work she does at home, Salary.com reported.
Last year she would have earned $85,876 for her at-home work, it said.
Salary.com compiled the online responses of 26,000 stay-at-home mothers and 14,000 mothers who also work outside the home.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Hailey's Dance Comptition...
This past weekend Hailey had her 2nd dance competition of the season. It was a local comp and there wern't to many other studios there but it was still fun. We had a FULL day of dance. We got there at 7:30 and left around 9...it was a LONG day to say the least! Hailey did a great job this weekend and ended up with some great scores for her solo's, and won title for Miss Petite Revolution and her group jazz got the highest score for the whole comp. 11 and under!!! That has never happened before in her 4 years of competing so this was a huge huge accomplishment. Gotta also give props to her great teacher Jennifer!!! I also had 3 photos that made the top 3 for photogenic!!!! Hailey won photogenic and when the announcer asked her who took her picture she so wanted to say my mom...but she said ummmm my umm Carmen...lol Too cute!!! Anyways, next weekend is all about soccer and Jay, his arm is finally getting better and he's off to play soccer now!!! I tell ya, that kid and sports...it was literally killing him not to play or go to practice. So, hopefully we're on a road to recovery!!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Are You a "Dance Mom?"
*Do you have a child who wears "booty shorts" most of the day?
*Do you take your child out in public with their hair all done up and makeup on?
*Do you get nasty looks when your daughter is out in public dressed and looking like that?
*Do you know what a pirouette is?
*Have you listened to countless hours of music to find just the right solo song?
*Have you blingged? Do you know what that is?
*Do your child's dance costumes cost more than an outfit for you?
*Do you feel like your second home is the dance studio? :)
*Have you ever been talked into taking an adult hip hop class, just to end up doing it in recital?
*Do you ever have to put super glue on your childs feet because they are cracked and bleeding?
*Have you ever had the pleasure of watching your child up on stage?
*Have you ever had the over whelming feeling of happiness to see your child succeeding and so happy up on stage?
Well...I'm a "Dance Mom" and it's worth all the heartache, headaches, tears, cheers, time, dedication and money!!
I Love you Hailey!
*Do you take your child out in public with their hair all done up and makeup on?
*Do you get nasty looks when your daughter is out in public dressed and looking like that?
*Do you know what a pirouette is?
*Have you listened to countless hours of music to find just the right solo song?
*Have you blingged? Do you know what that is?
*Do your child's dance costumes cost more than an outfit for you?
*Do you feel like your second home is the dance studio? :)
*Have you ever been talked into taking an adult hip hop class, just to end up doing it in recital?
*Do you ever have to put super glue on your childs feet because they are cracked and bleeding?
*Have you ever had the pleasure of watching your child up on stage?
*Have you ever had the over whelming feeling of happiness to see your child succeeding and so happy up on stage?
Well...I'm a "Dance Mom" and it's worth all the heartache, headaches, tears, cheers, time, dedication and money!!
I Love you Hailey!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Photo blog...
I decided to create a photo blog just for fun...not any of my business work, but just my fun photography! Any ways, check it out. I'm going to create a button or something for it so you can click on it from my site but until then here's the link : HERE
Saturday, February 14, 2009
What a week...
Well, this past week was one for the record books! We sent Jay on his first trip alone for a soccer tournament with his old team. And in the first half of the first game he broke his arm, he had a 100% clean break and they wanted to do surgery in AZ because when they first tried to set the arm it didn't set correctly and they wanted to put in pins. But being that niether me or Judah were there we decided to fly him home early on Sat. morning and they did emergency surgery on him on Sat. afternoon as soon as we got him to the hospital. Then, on Monday, or was it Tuesday...hmmm I can't remember, I took Jaemen to the dr. and he had pneumonia. Yeah, that was totally out of the blue, but he got on some good med's and is doing better! Then, on Thursday I was in so much pain I went to the dr. to be told that I had a kidney infection!!! I'm so done with Dr.'s offices for a while!!!!!!!!
I also got news from Hailey's teachers that she is now being tested for all kinds of things in school from, ADHD to learning disabilites to Dyslexia...Thank God!!! I'm just hoping that soon they will find out what is going on in her little brain so that we can start to teach her better. She also had her Mock competition today which was so much fun! Her teams did great and it was really fun to watch all the other dance pieces that I usually don't get to watch! She truly loves to dance and because of her difficulties in school it's so good for her confidence to have something she's so good at. She needs this positive time after all the criticism she get's at school for her reading! She's doing her solo this Friday (pray for her and me..lol) which is so much fun to watch. She's doing it to Tina Turner's Proud Mary. Her teacher did a great job of capturing her little personality! I'm so proud of her for getting out there and doing that, I know I couldn't!!! She amazes me every day!
As far as Jay, he has had his surgery and should be getting his pins out some time this week...I think..lol it was all a blur! Then no soccer or basketball for 4-6 weeks! Really, like 3-5 now...lol He wasn't so happy about this at ALL!!!! He has been such a trooper and is so brave I couldn't even believe it!!! I would have been a wreck if I were there at AZ when this happened! I'm so proud of him for being so courageous...he sure did have a lot of catch up work to do for school! But he makes me smile everyday with how happy he is about life eventhough he has a cast..lol
And the Bubbs...well, he's learned a few new words and we're working on if people are boy's or girls, he LOVES this game!!!
We're also headed to see my very good friend Bethany this week in DC!!! Judah has to work out there all week so, since his work is paying for hotel, car and food, he invited me and Jaemen to go out there so I could see my friend! Isn't he great!!! We also used his frequent flyer miles to go, so really this is pretty much a free weekend for me and the Bubbs!!! I can't wait to meet Bethany's new little one Nika who they just adopted from Russia...I'm SO excited! And thanks to all the people that are making this happen and taking care of my kids while I'm gone!! Thanks, Jennifer, Amy and Grandma!!! You guys rock! And thanks to all of you who offered to help! Ilove you all!!!
Any ways, I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about when I get back...but that's the update for now!
HUGS to you all!!!
CARMEN
I also got news from Hailey's teachers that she is now being tested for all kinds of things in school from, ADHD to learning disabilites to Dyslexia...Thank God!!! I'm just hoping that soon they will find out what is going on in her little brain so that we can start to teach her better. She also had her Mock competition today which was so much fun! Her teams did great and it was really fun to watch all the other dance pieces that I usually don't get to watch! She truly loves to dance and because of her difficulties in school it's so good for her confidence to have something she's so good at. She needs this positive time after all the criticism she get's at school for her reading! She's doing her solo this Friday (pray for her and me..lol) which is so much fun to watch. She's doing it to Tina Turner's Proud Mary. Her teacher did a great job of capturing her little personality! I'm so proud of her for getting out there and doing that, I know I couldn't!!! She amazes me every day!
As far as Jay, he has had his surgery and should be getting his pins out some time this week...I think..lol it was all a blur! Then no soccer or basketball for 4-6 weeks! Really, like 3-5 now...lol He wasn't so happy about this at ALL!!!! He has been such a trooper and is so brave I couldn't even believe it!!! I would have been a wreck if I were there at AZ when this happened! I'm so proud of him for being so courageous...he sure did have a lot of catch up work to do for school! But he makes me smile everyday with how happy he is about life eventhough he has a cast..lol
And the Bubbs...well, he's learned a few new words and we're working on if people are boy's or girls, he LOVES this game!!!
We're also headed to see my very good friend Bethany this week in DC!!! Judah has to work out there all week so, since his work is paying for hotel, car and food, he invited me and Jaemen to go out there so I could see my friend! Isn't he great!!! We also used his frequent flyer miles to go, so really this is pretty much a free weekend for me and the Bubbs!!! I can't wait to meet Bethany's new little one Nika who they just adopted from Russia...I'm SO excited! And thanks to all the people that are making this happen and taking care of my kids while I'm gone!! Thanks, Jennifer, Amy and Grandma!!! You guys rock! And thanks to all of you who offered to help! Ilove you all!!!
Any ways, I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about when I get back...but that's the update for now!
HUGS to you all!!!
CARMEN
Friday, February 6, 2009
Shout out!!!
I just wanted to give my hubby a shout out for doing such a good job being a photographer! He's really really good, even though he might not think so sometimes... he did Amanda's dance pictures at her studio Artistry In Motion over Christmas and posted some of them on our photo website! I love to see what he sees...he has such a good eye and it's so different than me, I love looking at his shots, I have so much to learn from him! HE ROCKS!!!
click here
click here
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Pray for patience
Well, it's been a long few weeks with Hailey...something is going on, I don't know what it is but it's something! She's been struggling with her reading and school for months now and I think I've finally gotten through to her teachers that she needs more intervention than what is going on! Last week I gave them until Friday to start to have her tested for some type of learning disability. Imagine how fast they moved on that when I told them that I would be going to the District if they didn't get on this ASAP! So, since we've waited for 9 months to have some intervention she's now behind in all subjects a full year! SIGH... I honestly don't know what else to do for her! She's going to be tested and then I guess we'll start from there? I think she's dyslexic. Her teacher thinks she is too...so why has it taken this stupid SPED team 9 months to test her???? I'm so freaking mad right now I can't see straight! I pay a lot of property taxes in this neighborhood so my kids would be able to go to a good school and that Jaemen would have a good SPED program not knowing that my daughter would or might need it as well... and now it's easier for Jaemen to get services than my other kid!!!! AHHHHHH
Please pray for patience, understanding and my relationship with my daughter! She's amazing and so smart, pray that we can just get it out of her and that her confidence won't suffer as a result of all of this! :)
Please pray for patience, understanding and my relationship with my daughter! She's amazing and so smart, pray that we can just get it out of her and that her confidence won't suffer as a result of all of this! :)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Enjoying the sunshine...
Today it was 65 degrees out!!! I couldn't stay inside so we decided to go to play at the bluffs, well, he played I took pictures. :) I'm trying to figure out depth of field and I think I finally figured it out today...here's those pics
And here's just some cute one's of the bubbs... he was so happy out there throwing rocks and playing with the sticks... I could hardly keep him still or even look at me! He was so happy out there...I love this kid!
And here's just some cute one's of the bubbs... he was so happy out there throwing rocks and playing with the sticks... I could hardly keep him still or even look at me! He was so happy out there...I love this kid!
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