My Crazy Life...

12 Days of giving day 2...

2009-12-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

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 ;)

12 Days of giving...

2009-12-01T22:26:00.000-08:00

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!

It's been a while!!!

2009-09-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

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 :)

Positive Day...

2009-07-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

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! :)

It's been a while

2009-06-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

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!

Such is life...

2009-05-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

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!!!

LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!

Jaemen's first baseball game!!!

2009-05-17T16:02:00.001-07:00

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...

www.photosbyjcm.com/blog

www.from-my-eye.blogspot.com

Monday for Down Syndrome...

2009-04-13T11:32:00.001-07:00

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!

Praise God...

2009-04-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

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...

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

Kind of long...but worth it...

2009-04-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

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.

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Spread the "word" to end the "word..."

2009-03-31T07:55:00.001-07:00

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.”

Most people don’t think of this word as hate speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends. Using "retard" as a term of derision is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.

What It's All About
Spread the Word to End the Word will raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. America will be asked to declare their support for more respectful and inclusive language, specifically that referring to those with intellectual disabilities.

"The earlier we can start teaching this awareness, the easier it will be to reverse the language, " wrote James Saetern of Sacramento, California, in an e-mail to Special Olympics. "This is not just a day of awareness, but a movement to end hate as a whole."

Ideas are pouring in. To date, we have heard of more than 700 events and activities happening throughout the United States – and around the world. They range from tables set up in malls, to grade-school assemblies on differences to all-day kiosks and movies at college campuses. The commitment and creativity are growing. Below is a sampling of events planned for tomorrow:

How It Started
Created by young people with and without intellectual disabilities, Spread the Word to End the Word is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is valued. Leading the way in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics opposes prejudice and discrimination, continuously working to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with this population — the use of the R-word being one such stereotype. In a world that has worked to eliminate pejorative racial and ethnic language such as the “N word,” among others, the R-word is gaining popularity.

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.

What YOU Can Do

Send us your plans to Spread the Word at r-word@specialolympics.org.
Take the R-word pledge to not use the word "retard" as a put-down
Download Spread the Word to End the Word resources

After 31 March, let us know how your Spread the Word event went. Send a report, photos and videos to r-word@specialolympics.org

National Down Syndrome Day...3-21

2009-03-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

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)

Lera Pictures...

2009-03-25T22:13:00.001-07:00

Go over to my photography blog to see the rest of the pics of Little Lera... click HERE

Stay-at-homes mom's salary

2009-03-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

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.

Hailey's Dance Comptition...

2009-03-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

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!!!

I posted some pics of Delaynie...

2009-03-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Go to my photography blog to see Delaynie's photos click: HERE

Are You a "Dance Mom?"

2009-03-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

*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!

Photo blog...

2009-03-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

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

What a week...

2009-02-14T21:49:00.000-08:00

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

Which one

2009-02-14T18:23:00.001-08:00

WHICH ONE?????? I need help and I have to order by tonight!!!!

My pictures of Amanda...

2009-02-06T15:28:00.000-08:00

Some of Hailey

These are the action shots of Amanda I took...

Shout out!!!

2009-02-06T15:05:00.000-08:00

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

Pray for patience

2009-02-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

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! :)

Enjoying the sunshine...

2009-01-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

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!

Birthday Parties

2009-01-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

Hayden and Jaemen

Jaemen and Emily

Jaemen a little scared of Chuckie Cheese...

Last night Jaemen went to his friend Hayden's 4th birthday. Jaemen has known Hayden since they were about 3 months old, they are great friends! Jaemen had so much fun, and cried when we left, it's so nice that I can finally let him just stroll around and not feel like I have to watch every move he makes. Sometimes these feelings, of never getting out of a "certain" stage with him really get to me. But, last night I felt like we've crossed a bridge. Not that I can just leave him to run and play, but at least I don't have to be all over him all the time when he's playing. He took turns with random kids, gave high fives to some boys and played air hockey with two typical boys. It was so precious! Now, if he could just talk...lol

And, about talking...sigh...I think Jaemen might have something called Apraxia, I'm not quite sure how to explain it but it impares his quality of talking. Like he can say the word "eat" but when he says it, it sounds more like "t." And with Apraxia you sometimes miss the beginnings or ends of words...here's a video of him talking..(excuse the messy basement, the kids have taken it over...)

VIDEO

I think that's about all for now, I'm off to take the boy to the park and take some more pictures to try out some new things I've learned....

Hailey and some fun effects...

2009-01-19T16:48:00.001-08:00

Today I was just messing around with some new photo ideas while we were waiting to do Alana's pictures (and of course I bribed my daughter to be my subject.) I like using the ring flash that we just got but I'm not sure if it's blowing out Hailey's face a little too much, but here's a few that I took today...

Beautiful Alana

2009-01-19T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is little Alana who Hailey likes to call her "little sister!" She's a dancer at Hailey's dance studio and is also going to be entering a photogenic contest so she needed head shots and I had the honor of doing them today! She did great and is so fun to shoot. Recently Judah and I got a new toy, it's called a ring flash. Well, I used it today and had some good luck with it. It was a little heavy but worth it! Let me know what you all think...

The man...

2008-12-22T09:24:00.001-08:00

Ethan walking!!!! FYI...I totally didn't take these pictures, I just kinda edited them. Bethany my apprentice took all these...you go girl! ;)

Which one?

2008-12-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

Delaynie's headshots...

2008-12-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

Ashlee's headshots...

2008-12-19T09:12:00.001-08:00

Jumping...

2008-12-12T16:03:00.001-08:00

Watch what I can do...

Doing a split jump like my sister...

That's right...don't mess with me!!!

Judah was taking some pictures in the studio and got these great pics of Jaemen jumping! I know that most of you don't think that jumping is a big deal well for kids with DS it's quite a feat! Jaemen has been doing this since he could walk so he's a pro now...we just think it's hilarious how he now is starting to jump with his legs out like a split jump. I'm glad Judah caught this on camera, he's a hoot!

My Christmas wish...

2008-12-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

To all of our friends and family:

The Morales family would like to ask you this year instead of getting our family gifts that you make a contribution in our names to a charity. Do we have a charity that is close to our hearts you ask? Well, yes we do! This year my close friend Bethany adopted a little girl named Addison from Russia. Little Addison also has Down Syndrome like her bio daughter Payton and our crazy man Jaemen. She and her family have sacrificed, prayed, cried, and finally get to hold this precious little one in their arms. Addison has found her "forever family" as many call it.

So, this year I would like for all of you out there that were thinking about giving us a gift to consider adopting a family along with us. The family we are choosing to adopt this year is Mckenna's family-click here to see her blog... they are also adopting a little girl from Ukraine named Reese. She happens to have Down Syndrome and a cleft palate. She is absolutely adorable and really needs a "forever family" that will teach her help her and to get her palate fixed as they don't do that in the Ukraine.

So, in this holiday season where times are tough for us all please consider giving to these families who are trying to bring these beautiful children home...forever!

If your interested in sponsoring another child you can go to http://www.reecesrainbow.com/angeltreesponsorpage.htm

I love you all!!!

Grab This Button

More Christmas pictures...

2008-12-07T21:48:00.001-08:00

You'll have to go to our Photography site to see the previews for these because I'm tired and going to bed...editing photos makes my eyes hurt! :)

www.photosbyjcm.com/blog

Check out these in color...

2008-12-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

2008-11-30T21:53:00.000-08:00

Well, I stole this poem from Renee's blog(hope you don't mind) that our friend Vonda wrote about her son Noah who also has Down Syndrome... When Jaemen was born Vonda who I met on a message board sent me a CD of songs and a poem and a sweet message of encouragement! Her little boy Noah is an inspiration to me...whenever I get down I just read a little story about Noah and he makes my day better.

I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I did...

Noah's Poem
By: Vonda Weikert

In the spring of 99,
a gift from up above,
was sent to me from heaven
to cherish and to love.
He's not what I expected,
and at first I was afraid,
but who was I to question,
the choice that God had made.
For he gave to me an angel,
so precious and so sweet,
and I thank Him each and every day
that the two of us could meet.
I named my angel Noah,
he's the love that I adore.
He needs me more than ever,
but I truly need him more.
I'll turn my times of sorrow
into happy times at last.
The crying and the heartbreak
will be memories of the past.
We'll look forward to the future
and the milestones that it holds.
We'll battle all the boo boos, the sniffles and the colds.
We're together for a reason,
It was clear right from the start.
I'll be loving him forever, till death our lives will part.

An amazing boy...

2008-11-30T21:33:00.000-08:00

I was reading a blog and came across this amazing little boy who's dying wish was to save the homeless...Through my tears I was able to find that I want to be like him...I want to help, and I'm going to...Let this little boy's dying wish inspire you and your family!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r6_ySvrATs&eurl=http://www.xanga.com/fireflysouth

Winter pictures...

2008-11-29T14:03:00.000-08:00

Finally we have snow!!! I finally get to go play with the camera in the snow... WOW is it hard! Just figuring out the lighting is a lot more challenging than I ever thought it would be. It's funny, I never thought photography was so complicated! I've really started learning from Judah about lighting and realize that lighting is the most important thing in a shot. I just always thought you pointed, shot and bam you have a picture...WELL, I was so wrong!

Anywho...on to the pictures! If you want to see more go to our business site: www.photosbyjcm.com/blog

Thankful...

2008-11-27T10:32:00.000-08:00

Today I thought I would write about who and what I'm thankful for...
First off, I'm thankful for my God, without him I can't be who I'm supposed to be...I'm thankful for my husband, he loves me inspite of my craziness. My children, Jayvier is the most amazing 12 year old I've ever met, he's thoughtful, respectful, smart and a wonderful brother. Beautiful Hailey, who is the little love in my life, she gives and gives and has such a sweet, and she's so good with her brothers! Jaemen, well, he's just my light, he makes everything glow...he's truely an inspiration! I'm thankful for my family...Mom, Dad and Joe who still love me, my sisters who are so swee! I'm thankful for my friends...Shellie, girl I'm so glad that I have you...Noelle, well I'm so glad you're back and for who you are in my life, Amy, Bethany, Jennifer, Ardele, Patty, you guys are all great friends! Our jobs...I think that speaks for itself! I'm thankful for my Mother-In-Law and all she does for us, and that she is cancer FREE!!! Thank you Jesus!!! I'm thankful for Apelles and her family! I'm thankful for our home, our health, this country, our president (only because he HAS to do something good, God put him there for a reason.) I'm thankful for chips and salsa and popcorn in bed. Snuggling with my baby girl. Kisses from Jaemen and the wonderful and sweet things Jay says to me. I'm thankful for my husbands smile, and his great hugs...To all of you out there, I'm thankful for you... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Also...

2008-11-26T11:27:00.000-08:00

My husband wants me to promote our photography blog and site so go check out the pics I took of my friend Wendy's boys yesterday!...

http://photosbyjcm.com/blog/

DeYoung Christmas

2008-11-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Judah and I took some pictures for our friends the DeYoung's. It's always so much fun shooting Cadence! And Skyler is just as beautiful as ever. They wanted most of the pics in b&w or sepia...Jennifer's parents are in town for Thanksgiving so they wanted some pics with the Grandparents. Also, it will be her parent's 40th anniversary this year, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Attempted Christmas card pictures....

2008-11-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Well today I decided to take my kids out and do some pictures...I was hoping for a Christmas card picture, but these stinkin' kids were so difficult!!! I've gotta talk to their mother, they we're really naughty...lol I only like one for our Christmas card...kinda bummed! Oh well, I did get some good pics of them individually! The third to last is my favorite of them together...I took them to the train car as we didn't have much time because Jayvier got his braces today so I was trying to get some of him before he got them on!

9 years and counting...

2008-11-19T08:33:00.001-08:00

Well today marks mine and Judah's 9th anniversary. I can't believe it's only been 9 years! lol We've been together since we were 16 &15 so it seems like forever. So I've almost been with him more than half my life! WOW!!!
I'm so happy that he's my man, my love, my best friend, and my everything! I don't think there is a better person on this planet than that man for me! God knew what he was doing 15 years ago when sweet Chris Kurz placed a bet that we couldn't "go out" for longer than a week...haha I guess we proved him and the rest of the world wrong! It's funny because when I was about 14 I would write my name on my books at school or just doodling and I always would write Carmen Yolanda Morales and just think it was so funny how my name meshed with his so nicely! And BAM 15 years later here we are with 3 kids! So, it was meant to be!!!! Well honey, it looks like your stuck with me forever, I don't think I could find a better last name than yours! :)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!
I LOVE YOU JUDAH!

Lot's of things going on...

2008-11-12T19:32:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Hailey had her first dance competition of the year. It was exhausting!!!! We went up on Friday night and didn't get home until Sunday night!!! And my cell phone died on the way with no phone charger...ahhhh! Anyways, it was her first time competing her solo...Yeah, that means on stage by herself with no one else to help her if she messes up! I was a wreck (that's an understatement) but she was good to go! She did her solo to Tina Turner's Proud Mary...it's hilarious! She is so full of energy out there shaking her little self it makes me tired just watching her! I was so proud of her, she did amazing for her first time on stage. We were on a make-shift stage that was about 24feet by 24 feet and she's used to a much bigger stage. So, for her to be able to change things in her mind and dance on a smaller stage was a huge step! She got a silver, which wasn't the best and they were pretty harsh on the judging... it kinda made me a little mad as she got the biggest applause out of anyone dancing that night and to me she did wonderful! Oh well, I'm mom and a little bias...:) But, it was good all in all, she has some things to work on and she has so many things to be proud of! It was good to get the jitters out this early in the competition season, her next comp. is in Feb. So, there will be a good amount of time to practice for the next one!

We also are having some issues with Jayvier's soccer club and have been contemplating moving him along to another club here in the Springs. It's been a long drawn out issue...it's so hard when to know you need to move you kid on and not hurt their feelings, their friends, coaches, parents, and family. How do you move to another club and not mess up what friends he has as well as the friendships we've made with the parents? It's so hard to know what to do...I don't want him to lose his friends and for us not to lose our friends. But, I honestly think that it is in his best interest to move on... he needs a change and he needs to get away from the drama and some of his "friends." How do you make a clean break??? Any suggestions would be GREAT!!! Pleas pray we make the right decision for our boy. He's such an amazing kid and he deserves the best and to learn from the best to make him the best soccer player that he wants to be so badly!

Jaemen is doing wonderful...his speech amazes me everyday! Today he said BIKE, PLEASE, EXCUSE ME, DOGGIE, CANDY, DOOR, DOWN, UP, JAAAMEN(JAEMEN), LAYNIE, KATHY, CADE(his BFF who was Tae Tae until today), JENNY(which was neeeeeee), TIMES...all as clear as a bell!!! I had his IEP meeting last week and they are going to up his speech and give him OT as I have requested! I'm so happy!!! His teacher is totally thrilled with him, he knows 4 colors(sign and say) and knows 8 letters and when he is doing his alphabet he always jumps ahead to the next letter...like if your on m, he says n, then I'll say o and he says p and so on...it's hilarious! Smart boy!!! Now let's learn to eat and we'll be set!!!

Also, one of my bestfriends from my online Down Syndrome message board( that I've seen in person so I know she exists) is adopting a little girl from Russia this week!!! Her name is Addison Veronika Balsis...I'm getting tears just typing her name! She's absolutely beautiful and couldn't be coming to a better family! I'm so proud of them and I can't wait to meet her in a few weeks!!! Here's a link to her blog: http://dreamingonanangel.blogspot.com/ so send a prayer their way!

Well that's about all this week!

We're talking!!!!

2008-10-31T09:38:00.001-07:00

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!!!

2008-10-30T07:45:00.001-07:00

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...

2008-10-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

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!!

2008-10-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-10-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-10-11T17:26:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-10-09T14:20:00.001-07:00

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

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????!!!!

2008-10-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

This morning when I woke up I turned on FoxNews(the only reputable and fair news channel) and they were running a story on a community organization called ACORN(Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) which has just admitted to voting fraud! OH YES, ACORN does endorse Obama, not McCain... They have stated that and Obama whom trained staff and was their attorney in the 90's is their clear candidate. In the state of OH which is a key state in this election they have gone to the homeless(whom can not prove thier residence), inmates, college campuses and collected votes and registrations for Obama. WHAT??? How in this time and age can this happen you ask...Well, because these are all done by hand, ACORN states that they do not have enough manpower to count all these alleged fraudulent votes. How you ask can this go undetected for so long? Well its simple ACORN has targeted local, in carefully selected urban areas, to make its national profile lower. Acorn likes it that way. And so, I’d wager, does Barack Obama. Terrell Owens who is registered in Texas apparently is now voting in Las Vegas??? Deceased people are now voting??? We can vote 50 times??? In the state of Indiana 2000 votes were processed from ACORN and out of that 2000, 1100 were found to be illegal! And to quote Sen. Barack Obama: "Sandy Newman, who was running this national project called Project Vote, contacted me and said we need somebody to help organize voters to make sure that they turn out in the polls in the general election. And so, I started working as the director of Project Vote here in Chicago and our task was simple. It was to get disenfranchised communities, minority communities, low-income communities, to turn out to vote. " Really Obama you have nothing to do with ACORN?? Considering that ACORN and Sandy Newman run Project Vote, it's really hard to believe that Obama has/had nothing to do with any of this. This should not be happening in our great country!!! It sickens me to the point of nausea

Relaxing weekend...well kinda

2008-10-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend was pretty much just a chill and watch TV kind of weekend. It was so nice when Judah came home on Friday. He had been in DC all week so, it was nice to have him home and the kids were sooooo happy! We watched a movie and were in bed by 10...well then I woke up at 4am and couldn't go back to sleep! I hate this, i know I have a sleeping problem, but I really don't want to admit it! I just want to blame it on Judah...haha Sat. morning Hailey had a dance performance at the zoo. They did a great job, and we were done by 10. Jaemen went to soccer buddies with Judah and he said he did good, a little crazy but good. That doesn't surprise me, that kid is obsessed with balls and loves to run. So, hopefully we've found something he likes. Jay had the week off due to him having Severs disease(inflamation of the growth plate.) They had a bye week, which was nice for us as the dr. said to keep off of it for a week to 10 days. That's actually hard for Jay to do being that he's a 12 year old boy who hates to sit still! On Sunday we went to a new church which was actually a break off church of our old church about 8 years ago. We ended up there by mistake...We left our church of 15 years about a year ago and haven't really found a church that has met our needs or that we all can agree on. I really wanted to go to church on Sunday and told Judah we should try a new one. So, we decide we're going to the one behind my house at Hailey's school. Well, we get to the parking lot and there are about 6 cars there. ...WAY to small for us! So, we decided we were going to try a church further down the street and when we got there it was LDS and the next one was Catholic. Being that we're niether of those religions we hopped back in the car to look for another church. So, we're headed towards this Mega church here in my town and see a sign for another church...when we pull in we find out it's Assemblies of God(which is what we've been going to at our other church.) We walk in the front door and all of the sudden it looks so familiar to me and I can't figure out why! So, we go to drop Jaemen off at the nursery and the workers there are a family that I knew from my old MOPS group. YEAH!!! I was so happy, I couldn't believe that we were at the new plant church from our other church! God definately knew we needed to be there and that's just where he took us. Praise God!!! On sunday afternoon Hailey had her solo practice that went good, She competes her solo on Nov. 8th....ahhhh I think I'm more nervous than she is!!! She's doing a dance to Tina Turner's Proud Mary, I have to say that it is the perfect song for her! So much attitude, I love it! Anyways, that's our little weekend journey...kinda relaxing, kinda!

Happy Fall, and Happy Apple Farm..

2008-10-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

We went on our annual trip to the Happy Apple Farm last weekend. Much to Jayvier's dismay he had a great time! You all know 12 year olds are far to "cool" to be picking out pumpkins...Hailey couldn't help herself with just one so, she got two, one for her and one for her webkinz...We met some friends there and had some yummy applewood brisket for lunch! And we actually saw 4 different families we knew there, kinda crazy! Well, we all had a fabulous time, the weather was great(ok a little hot) and I even got a few black berries! Good friends, good times!!!

Oh the attitudes...geeze I just wanted a picture!! :)
Can't imagine who they get it from!!! :)
Yes, yes, my 12 year old is bigger than me...

Happy Halloween!!!

Jaemen tried to kick the pumpkins...his soccer coach will be proud!
Jaemen didn't want mommy to hold him, he wanted his Daddy...whatever!! :)
My little Cuban man...haha
Beautiful Hailey...

Little Dude...

2008-10-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Today my good friend Jennifer and I went with our boys up to Quail Lake for a walk and some pictures. I had a great time and so did the boys...Cadence(Jaemen's BFF and partner in crime) was such a little champ letting me take some pictures. By the end he was pretty much done with me...haha Oh and Jaemen pee'd on Jennifer while she was watching him so I could take pics of Cade...OOPS!! :) Sorry again girl! I still need much practice with all these blondies, but they turned out pretty good...enjoy!

2008-09-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

Picture Monday!!!
We've had a photography business for the past 2 years, and about 99.9% of the pictures are taken by my wonderful husband. Well, this past week I decided to try it out for myself, with of course the best model in the world, my son Jaemen. It was really fun, I experimented with light, aperture, blah blah etc...I took these right behind my house at our school park. I had soooooo much fun. I think I found what I want to do...I want to do children's photography!!!! I'm going to have 1 assignment a week from my husband. So, if you're looking for some pictures of your kids give me a call, I would love to try some things out on other peoples kids. My kids are getting sick of us constantly pointing the camera in their faces...haha So, enjoy my little angels pictures!

Help bring Addison home from Russia!

2008-09-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

The Mom Crowd is hosting a very exciting raffle for my very good friend, Bethany. Her family is in the process of adopting a little girl from Russia who has Down syndrome and they just found out they will be traveling on Monday to meet their sweet angel!!

As most of you know, adoptions are very expensive. We are hoping that this raffle will help raise funds to help with their substantial adoption costs. Please take the time to pop over and see all the wonderful items being raffled off. Click here to see all the goodies. Not only will you be helping bring an orphaned child home but you'll be in the running for some pretty cool stuff for just $5!!

My baby's a star!

2008-09-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

Parenting.com is doing a special about children with Down Syndrome for the month of Oct. for DS awearness month!!! And my baby's a star...lol check out the link, he's about 10th in line, check out all these cute babies...I could just kiss them all day! I think Jaemen was about 10 months old when this picture was taken...

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/Baby/A-Special-Joy-5-Babies-With-Down-Syndrome/

Updates :)

2008-09-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems Jayvier's stomach problems are a result of constipation and a lack of fiber!!! They did blood work to see if his white blood count was elevated which would mean possible appendicitis. That was normal...they also did two other blood workups for the liver and they came back in normal range so he just has a big liver! Just like his big head!!! :) Praise God!!!

We also did his sleep study last night, boy is this kid a big baby! First I had to threaten to sit on him on Wednesday when he got his blood drawn! I told him his little brother gets it done everyother month so there was no reason for him to cry!! I swear!!! AHHHH Then last night at the sleep study they had a cannula in his C-flex (like a C-Pap for his sleep apnea) so they could measure his carbonmonoxide and he freaked out! That poor tech! I thought he was going to kill him, so finally I told Jay if you don't just deal with it you're grounded! That seemed to work, so hopefully they got the readings they needed and we'll be getting his oxygen here soon!! Maybe after 12 years of not sleeping and waking up 9-14 times an hour he'll get some good sleep!!! I just can't imagine what that's like!

Well, I have a migraine ( I think from all this stress this week) so I'm going to get off the computer and go rest!

Thanks everyone for praying for my kid!

Jay's stomach

2008-09-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

We just got home from the afterhours clinic and they said Jay is all backed up and gassy! YUCK...But the problem is that the Dr. found that his liver is a little enlarged. This could be from the ADD med's he's on or it could be hereditary or another problem. So, we've called his regular Ped to find out if they need to run any tests. Pray with us that it's nothing. I can't help but going to a bad place when it comes to my kids. I always think the worst, so pray it's nothing at all just a little enlarged from the meds! He's also going off his ADD meds as they found he has Sleep Apnea and 50% of the kids with ADD have sleeping disorders, not ADD!!!. He's getting his C-pap machine on Thursday night so hopefully this will clear up all of his problems!

Thanks for the prayers!

What a Monday

2008-09-08T20:04:00.000-07:00

Monday's usually are pretty busy for me and today was no different. I went to Jaemen's therapy appointment and got the results of his last assessment. He seems to be doing good in most areas. They put him at 33 months for receptive speech and 24 months for expressive. I was totally shocked that they put him so far in advance for his receptive. I mean it seems like he's "getting it" more lately. He follows 2 step commands, knows about 4 letters, 2 colors and is responding to questions with yes or NOOOOO answers. :) But that really only puts him behind like 6 months on receptive...so, YEAH JAEMEN!!! As far as expressive....(sigh) he sure does express himself it's just usually with a scream or jaemen jargon...lol He is mimicking so much more which is so cool to hear. I just love hearing his little voice. Today his word was house...and he just kept saying it over and over....houuuuse, it was so adorable! We have some flash cards that he loves, so he's been having a good time with those. As far as potty training, well, that's another story. He understands it, but has NO interest anymore! I'm kinda bummed I didn't push it a little more when he was interested. I figure I'll give him a few weeks off then try it again! Wish me luck!

As far as Hailey, she got her cute little glasses this weekend! OMG she is so freakin adorable I can hardly keep from kissing her sweet little face! She looks just like my sister-in-law Apelles! She had solo practice with Jennifer this weekend and it's getting cleaner and cleaner. I know she will rock it for her competition in Nov!

We had Jay's soccer quarter-finals this weekend! Boy was that stressful! 3-2 us in overtime!!!!! We had some issues with a few things but now, hopefully everything is worked out and Jay can feel like he's adequate enough to play with these boys. He's an amazing defense man but, since they moved him up a year ago, his confidence has been shattered by some of the boys. This team is extremely competitive and sometimes Jay has a hard time understanding that. He's ready to work his hardest this weekend to win and move on to the finals! That would mean that Jay's team is ranked in the top 4 teams in the state! And if he wins Sunday he will be ranked either 1 or 2...hopefully 1!!!! This is the first time that a team has EVER made it this far from his club, so if you remember pray for safety, confidence and a win if that's God's will for Jay's team on Sunday!

We went over to our friends Shellie and Brad's house this weekend to watch a UFC fight, but unfortunately for Shellie, Mr. Chuck Leddell lost which was very sad! :)

I'll try to get pics up of Hailey in her new glasses..

Until next time!

WEll, that was my crazy life this weekend!!

Jaemen's eye appointment...

2008-09-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

So, today we took Jaemen into the dr. for an eye appointment. As my child somehow lost a pair of glasses and the other pair are currently getting smashed on Powers Blvd. from him throwing them out the window...ahhhhhhh Anyways, we got in there and much to our surprise Jaemen was behaving himself, for about the first 1/2 hour...YEAH!! Well, then the eye exam started...and they asked me does he know his letters? Does he know his colors? Does he know his shapes? HUMPH...NO, NO he doesn't---HELLO! It was completely obvious that these people have never worked with a child with DS...So, I look at the girl and say "nope sorry!" she says Oh Oh that's ok we'll figure something else out! Then the Dr. starts the process of looking in his eyes, and asks Jaemen to look at the letters on the board...ahhhh HELLO?!?!?!?! He can't even talk how do you think he will tell you what letters are on the board!!!!!????? Sometimes these things just hit you...WOW, he's so behind...I mean I know he's behind and all but some days I see it and some days I don't. Today, I saw it and it hit me like right hook to the jaw! I guess it was just one of those surreal moments for me...it's ok though, I gotta say he's going to look like a stud in his new specs!!!

We did get his lab work back and his thyroid is acting normal, he's a little low on his TSH but not low enough to up his meds! And he starts on Prevacid tomorrow for a heital hernia! Hopefully soon he'll start eating and drinking! Man would that make my life easier!

As far as the other kids, Hailey has dance this week and is working really hard on her solo! And Jay got to try out a friends half-pipe thingy in his backyard, so he was stoked! Also, Jay's soccer team also made it to the quarter-finals for State Cup. Which apparently is a big deal, so good job son! We're off to Denver this weekend for another soccer game! GO NIKE!!!!

A few myths about individuals with Down Syndrome

2008-09-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

Below are tips for the proper use of language for ‘Down syndrome’. The National Down Syndrome Society and the National Down Syndrome Congress encourages all media to use the below language:

· Down vs. Down’s. NDSS and NDSC use the preferred spelling, Down syndrome, rather than Down’s syndrome. While Down syndrome is listed in many dictionaries with both popular spellings (with or without an apostrophe s), the preferred usage in the United States is Down syndrome. This is because an “apostrophe s” connotes ownership or possession. Down syndrome is named for the English physician John Langdon Down, who characterized the condition, but did not have it. The AP Stylebook recommends using “Down syndrome” as well.

· People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first. Instead of “a Down syndrome child,” it should be “a child with Down syndrome.” Also avoid “Down’s child” and describing the condition as “Down’s,” as in, “He has Down’s.”

· Down syndrome is a condition or a syndrome, not a disease.

· People “have” Down syndrome, they do not “suffer from” it and are not “afflicted by” it.

· It is clinically acceptable to say “mental retardation,” but you may want to use the more socially acceptable “cognitive disability” or “cognitive impairment.”

Down Syndrome Myths and Truths

Myth: Down syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
Truth: Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring genetic condition. One in every 733 live births is a child with Down syndrome, representing approximately 5,000 births per year in the United States alone. Today, more than 400,000 people in the United States have Down syndrome.

Myth: People with Down syndrome have a short life span.
Truth: Life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years, with the average life expectancy approaching that of peers without Down syndrome.

Myth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.
Truth: Most children with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35-years-old simply because younger women have more children. However, the incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are severely “retarded.”
Truth: Most people with Down syndrome have IQs that fall in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability (formerly known as “retardation”). Children with Down syndrome fully participate in public and private educational programs. Educators and researchers are still discovering the full educational potential of people with Down syndrome.

Myth: Most people with Down syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth: Today people with Down syndrome live at home with their families and are active participants in the educational, vocational, social, and recreational activities of the community. They are integrated into the regular education system and take part in sports, camping, music, art programs and all the other activities of their communities. People with Down syndrome are valued members of their families and their communities, contributing to society in a variety of ways.

Myth: Parents will not find community support in bringing up their child with Down syndrome.
Truth: In almost every community of the United States there are parent support groups and other community organizations directly involved in providing services to families of individuals with Down syndrome.

Myth: Children with Down syndrome must be placed in segregated special education programs.
Truth: Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. In some instances they are integrated into specific courses, while in other situations students are fully included in the regular classroom for all subjects. The current trend in education is for full inclusion in the social and educational life of the community. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary academic and college experiences and, in some cases, receive college degrees.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable.
Truth: Businesses are seeking young adults with Down syndrome for a variety of positions. They are being employed in small- and medium-sized offices: by banks, corporations, nursing homes, hotels and restaurants. They work in the music and entertainment industry, in clerical positions, childcare, the sports field and in the computer industry. People with Down syndrome bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability and dedication.

Myth: People with Down syndrome are always happy.
Truth: People with Down syndrome have feelings just like everyone else in the population. They experience the full range of emotions. They respond to positive expressions of friendship and they are hurt and upset by inconsiderate behavior.

Myth: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships leading to marriage.
Truth: People with Down syndrome date, socialize, form ongoing relationships and marry.

Myth: Down syndrome can never be cured.
Truth: Research on Down syndrome is making great strides in identifying the genes on chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Scientists now feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.

For more information visit: www.ndss.org or www.ndsccenter.org

I have never been so excited about politics in my life!!!!

2008-09-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

For the last few months I've gone back and forth about my decision on who would get my vote come Nov. And I'm so excited that McCain has asked Palin as his running mate! I think she can and will crush some of those statements being said about her being a working mom, I think she will also show the world that choosing life over abortion is always the answer!

One of the main reasons I have chosen to go the route of McCain/Palin is because of this horrific part of legislation that Obama has decided to back..check out this link, it hurts my heart!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo

For some of you that don't know Gov. Palin has a son who has Down Syndrome. She knew prenatally that her son would have an extra chromosome and she decided in spite of this that she would continue her pregnancy. She didn't hide the fact that her son has DS. She has embraced it and loves her son and thinks of him as a perfect son.

So, Gov. Palin...YOU have made me decide that you are and will be the best VP this country has ever seen! Thankyou so much!

Starting...

2008-08-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been bugged and bugged enough to start my own blog...so here goes guys!!!! This should be an interesting outlet for me as I'm really not such a good writer but it sure would be nice sometimes to just get "stuff" off my mind...so enjoy!!!