tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90768528158329912842024-03-05T14:17:22.714-05:00Loving LifeKaitlyn was born with T21, otherwise known as Down syndrome. She also has some other medical conditions, one of which she shares with her brother, Blake. They both have Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a genetic heart defect. I want to share our story so that others can know that our lives are full of blessings.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-61769756160303508592013-03-07T08:43:00.003-05:002013-03-07T08:47:33.154-05:002013 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-42309247422056765392013-01-20T16:30:00.000-05:002013-01-20T16:53:59.734-05:00Comparing Katie with..........Katie?Have you ever heard anyone tell you that there is always going to be someone.........happier than you, sicker than you, prettier than you, smarter than you, skinnier than you, richer than you, etc., etc., etc.? You add the word. There is always going to be someone ___________ than you. It's true. I am sure that you can name someone right off the top of your head for everything I just listed. 10 someone's. 1000 someone's. So why do we compare, then compare some more? Why do I fall into the trap of wondering if and when my daughter will do something?<br />
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Almost 5 years into the world of Down syndrome, and some days find me falling into the trap of "how long before we get there?' My comparisons are not with the typical kids, but with other special needs kids, specifically those who have Down syndrome. Even though I know in my heart that it will happen when she is ready, I worry that I am not doing enough. Maybe I shouldn't work. Maybe I am not consistent enough. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Kiley gently reminds me that everything will happen in "Katie time". Whether that is 5 months from now or 5 years from now. We have to give her time. It just seems that sometimes we will never see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hear or see something that another kid 2 years younger than her has done, and I think, "what about her?" When is it her turn? Then I get upset with myself for trying to compare what can't be compared. <br />
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We started potty training when she turned 3. Mentally, she was nowhere close to being ready prior to the age of 3, but she was starting preK and we thought we should try it. It was a short foray into the PT world. She wasn't ready at 3 either, and we held off for 6 months until she started a full year of PreK at the age of 3 1/2. She had a few successes such as going in the potty on occasion, but for the most part, she was very content to go in her panties, her pull up, on the floor, in the bed, and anywhere else it flowed. She went to two different schools, so there was a lot of people working with her also. She turned 4 and she still wasn't anywhere near being potty trained. She would do really well for awhile, then she would get sick and it would be a setback for her. I don't know if it confused her because there were so many different people trying to assist her with the training. We are halfway through another school year, and she is doing much better this year being in one place for the school day. In fact, she is holding it so well that she won't go until she takes a nap at school. Her bladder relaxes and she will potty. Holding it for long periods is not good either, but we do know she understands the concept of the potty now. It is just getting her brain to cooperate and send the right signals at the right time to allow her to pull all the pieces together at once. She will not sit on her little potty chair at all, she uses the big people potty at school and at home. That is fine by me, makes it much easier for her not to have to adjust to the big girl potty. She turns 5 in a few months, so overall, we have been working on potty training for about a year and a half now. I would love to see her potty trained during the daytime hours by the time school lets out or when the next school year starts. There are a few nights when she will remain dry all night too. I am not really concerned at this point about the night training. I know that can take a little longer to master than the daytime potty trips. The light at the end of the tunnel is on. It was just hidden for awhile, but we are able to see around the shadows now. <br />
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Of course I celebrate every potty success story that my friends share about their children. I am happy when their child masters this. I love to cheer them on. I can't help but compare at times though. One of my friends posted a question to our DS community about the time it took to potty train their child. It was a relief to see the varied responses. I don't know why I felt relief. Maybe because she already has so many challenges she deals with, and it was nice to hear that there are other kids who are taking as long as we are. We aren't alone, and I know that, but sometimes you feel like you are. I KNEW the responses would vary in age. I guess the relief came because I needed that validation that 2 years to potty train is ok. Heck, 4 years is ok. It will happen in Katie's time. I just need a reminder of that once in awhile. She has amazed me from those first few weeks when she was struggling in the NICU. She hasn't stopped amazing me since. Katie is not like any other child in this world--with or without Down syndrome. Katie is Katie. One of one. <br />
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This shirt was her brother's. She wears it as a nightshirt. How appropriate that I would be writing this post and think of this shirt. Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-21803787682964527492013-01-15T20:30:00.000-05:002013-01-15T20:30:02.160-05:00Greek Yogurt--my new love!<br />
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Greek Yogurt, where have you been hiding??? Oh. My. The food Gods have smiled down on me, and shown me the way. It is straight down the path where Greek yogurt lives. I decided to try this last week. I am hooked! I love regular yogurt, but Greek yogurt takes it to another level. The only way to explain it is to say that the texture is thicker (translation: creamier). I love that it has a lot of protein per cup too. Downside? The price! The brand that got me hooked: Oikos by Dannon. I really could care less what the other brands taste like. I have tried the yummy flavors of blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, key lime, and orange cream. Can you say fabulous!? I know it seems so exaggerated, my new found love of this yogurt, but I can't get over how much better this tastes than regular yogurt. I can't wait to try some of the other flavors that Dannon makes. I also want to try some Greek yogurt ice cream. If you love yogurt, you have to give this a try. <br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-28352370522214198542013-01-07T22:25:00.000-05:002013-01-07T22:25:56.501-05:00Trying to make blogging a go....maybe I will, maybe I won't.I have debated on whether I should keep trying to write on this blog or not. I don't have any rhyme or reason to my posts. I definitely do not have the gift of writing. I take horrible pictures for the most part. I can't be bothered to use anything more than my camera phone these days to take pictures. I guess I have decided to try it again because I am not writing in my journals, and I like how fast it is for me to just type out my thoughts instead of writing them on paper. I started out trying to blog because I was writing updates about Kaitlyn on a site where people can share their medical journeys. When you start on a journey that is unfamiliar, you want those closest to you to be there to encourage you, and to help you find your way. I liked the idea of writing it once and pushing it out for everyone to see. You didn't have to explain yourself over and over. Blogging was starting to really catch steam after our first year was behind us. By then, I didn't have the intensity I had in the beginning to share every single cc of every bottle Katie took. Facebook was coming around then too. I found a friend or two to start with who had a child with Down syndrome. It blossomed from there. At this point, I have really limited any friends on Facebook. I want to keep up with all my in real life friends, and it was become harder and harder to do that. I wanted to get to know the ones I had in my list. I remember what those new moms felt like, and when one of them want to friend me, well, how can you say no? I was there. I haven't forgotten. I still remember those uncertain moments, those fearful moments, those moments when I felt overwhelmed with what had been put before me. I want to keep sharing with those people who may stumble in the beginning.<br />
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I know 100 other blogs (all talking about Down syndrome) who write better than me, who share incredible pictures, who tell a story that makes you come back for more (and I will share those), but a part of me wants to share my Katie too. I want to share with those who may be hearing the words Down syndrome for the first time. I want people to know what I have learned along the journey. If I never pick up another pen to journal, I want to have a place that my children can come back and read and know who their mother was. <br />
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I love to read, and I love to look at pictures. Lately, I have been on a house blogging kick. I have been finding blogs about home renovations and decorating, and I get hooked and have to read the entire history of the blog. I did this back when I was first learning about Down syndrome too. Kind of like reading a book full of short stories who happen to have gorgeous pictures. I can't wait to share those amazing spaces with everyone. There are some other things I want to share too. Things such as my favorite pins from Pinterest, great movies, good quotes, yummy recipes, and all sorts of other things that inspire me. <br />
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So, I will push on and try to find some rhyme and reason in my rambling thoughts and bring them here for you all to put together. Ha!<br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-83819110068103433652013-01-04T22:10:00.000-05:002013-01-03T22:12:20.864-05:00Pinterest Love: DIY Laundry DetergentI remember when I first heard about <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>. I was running around telling everyone that there was a new website that was going to be huge and that I couldn't get enough of it. I loved the idea of having a virtual corkboard that I could "pin" all the ideas I love onto. It was like a picture book of great ideas using a single photo to express whatever interested you. I started out pinning to the variety of boards I created and then I stopped pinning and just liked everything for awhile. A friend of mine convinced me that I needed to start pinning my likes again, so I did. I have around 6500 "likes" on my page, with only 1600 pins on my 45 boards. What can I say? I like to "like" stuff. I am the same way on Facebook. Always hitting the "like" button. If you haven't checked out Pinterest, you need to hop on over and see what it is all about. <br />
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Since I have 6500 likes, I figured I would share some of the ones I have actually tried. First up: A link to the detergent I made. <br />
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<a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent/"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">DIY Laundry Detergent</span></strong></a></div>
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I have a pretty glass jar that I keep powdered detergent in. I have had it for years. Depending on the mood I was in, sometimes it sat empty for months. (That was when I was in the mood for liquid detergent.) We go through detergent pretty quick around here. Our washer never has a day off and we never get rid of the laundry pile. NEVER. I do not have a love affair with laundry, but it must be done. I would say we wash around 10-15 loads of laundry a week on average. Some weeks we are right at 10, others at 15. We wash at least one load every day. I don't know how much laundry detergent we have used in a years time, but I liked the whole idea that I could make a tubful of detergent that would last months. </div>
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I made the detergent as listed except I used Fels Naptha instead of Zote. I couldn't find any Zote in the stores I checked, so I stopped looking and bought the Fels. I did use 2 bottles of softener. I love the smell of fresh laundry. I read through some of the comments on the link posted and I did follow the advice of those who said to microwave the soap and then grate it. It grates into a fine powder without any effort. I also used more detergent than what was called for in the recipe when I washed my clothes. I used the entire capful off of the softener bottle. I made the soap in August and we just ran out of it last week. So that is around 4 1/2 months. I spent close to 35.00 dollars on the supplies. I was very happy with the detergent and the way it cleaned my clothes. I will make this again in the next few weeks using the same recipe. DIY Laundry Detergent = Happiness.</div>
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Thank you Pinterest! </div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-27583266324383568492013-01-03T22:07:00.000-05:002013-01-03T22:07:00.358-05:00Formations of links<blockquote>
Edited: I wrote this for a guest post on my friends blog, Erin, @ <a href="http://crazybeautifullove.com/">http://crazybeautifullove.com/</a>, quite awhile back. I realized that I never shared it here. Erin is a local friend of mine who also helped to get our support group started here in south Georgia. She stays as busy as I do, but the posts she has written are wonderful. <br />
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That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it and think how different it's course would have been. Pause, you who read this, and think for a long moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on that memorable day.</blockquote>
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Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
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I am sure many of you have had days which stick out in your mind as an "epic" day. It is a moment in time that creates a ripple in the timeline of your life. A day which you can define as life changing. For me, one such day came on the morning of a beautiful Easter Sunday.</div>
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Katie was born the day before Easter and less than 24 hours after her birth we would hear the words, "we think your daughter has Down syndrome". These words would be the formation of the first link in my life to a world that I had not ever been a part of. Three and a half years have passed since those words.were spoken to me and the formation of the links keep on growing. I am changed in ways I never dreamed possible. My chains are definitely made up of gold and flowers, tulips if you please. (Now mind you I have loved tulips long before Welcome to Holland came out. If you have no clue as to what I am talking about, google the phrase welcome to holland.)</div>
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My husband, Kiley and I have been married for 16 years. We both work full time, me in oncology and my husband in prison management. We were married for 4 years before our son arrived. Blake is 12 and in the 7th grade. It would be 9 years later that Katie would arrive, a surprise baby after a wonderful vacation. Blake and Katie share the same type of heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot. When I heard Katie had a heart defect too at birth, I was so upset to know that I had two heart babies, Never mind the Ds. Katie would be shipped off to the NICU in Florida due to her diagnosis. We stayed in the hospital for 6 weeks during this time dealing with breathing and feeding issues. Once we got home, we worked on keeping Katie healthy for her heart surgery. Blake underwent heart repair at 19 months in an emergency surgery--he was undiagnosed until two days before his surgery when he underwent a heart cath. Needless to say, we didn't go home after that heart cath. Katie had her heart surgery at 5 months of age. It was nerve wracking to have to see both of your children undergo such a complex procedure, but they are both doing wonderfully now. Blake even plays football for the middle school team! Katie also was diagnosed with a form of seizures called Infantile Spasms at 8 months of age. Of everything we went through, this was by far the hardest thing for me to handle. After several months of nonstop seizures, they were able to get her seizures under control and she has been seizure free since. I am happy to report that health wise she is doing amazing in the health department now. Really, the biggest challenge we face is that the 9 year age difference in our children is like raising both of our children as only children! Talk about having our work cut out for us. I would do it again in a heartbeat though. I just don't want another 9 year age gap between them! </div>
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I have been asked several times to describe to other people what it is like living with a child who has Ds. To be honest, some days are good, some are bad, just like it would be had I not had a child with special needs. The National Down syndrome Society promotes a slogan saying "More alike than different.". That is certainly the case in our lives. We do everything any other family would do. We go on vacations, Katie goes to school, she likes to play outside, she loves to watch tv, she has her favorite foods, and she loves music among many other things. In short, she is living a regular life. But what about all of those other things you ask--things such as therapists, support groups, IEP's, Early
Intervention, and delays? Well yes, they are part of our everyday life too, but we are not defined by those things. I like to think of our lives as being enhanced by these things. Society's perception of Ds for the most part has been one that believes our children are the iron and chain links. That we are bound to a life of doom and gloom, that we and our children are suffering, that they are a burden to society. Have we become so selfish as a society that we would put less value on a child who has special needs? That their life is not worthy because they have a little extra genetic makeup? I know that we face many challenges ahead, but what family doesn't? Whose to say that I won't have more challenges in life with my "typical" child?</div>
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I find it a privilege that I am allowed to raise my two children. I look at my daughter and son everyday and I know that I am blessed. I have learned more about life in these last three plus years than all my other years combined
. You cannot see my thoughts or feel the emotions that come from my heart, but let me tell that it encompasses a very deep emotion within me. I can't imagine my children any other way, especially Katie having Down syndrome. I like to think that she is the best parts of me and her dad put together. I have never been more proud then to have her beside me as I navigate this life here on Earth. . </div>
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A word to any expectant mom or newly diagnosed family---love your child first. Down syndrome is a part of your child, but is not all of your child. You may have many thoughts and emotions in those first few days, weeks and months after you are told--"I think your child may have Down syndrome.....". It won't seem like it at the time, but everything will work itself out. You are not alone in this journey and everything you feel is normal. Again, love your child first, all the rest will fall into place. </div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-33248071574242830142013-01-02T22:08:00.000-05:002013-01-03T12:17:47.607-05:00Iris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a flower I started to post back in Jan 2012 regarding Iris, a beautiful little girl I asked you to pray for. The last post I wrote in 2011 had to do with 2 children who were having medical complications. One of the children being Iris, the other being Ethan. I never posted this picture. While looking at my blog last night, I saw this picture in my drafts folder. Nothing there except the picture and the name of the post. I wrote about them back in this post--<a href="http://ourblessingswitht21.blogspot.com/2011/11/sometimes-there-are-no-wordsjust.html">Iris and Ethan.</a> I am sad to report that Iris did pass away from complications related to heart surgery. Her moms still need our prayers. I will sometimes send a message to her mom via Facebook just to let her know I am thinking of her, that I love her, that I wish her daughter was still here with her. I really don't know what to say--to her, to Millie's dad, to Carly and Brad's mom, to Aziza's mom, to anyone who has lost a child. But they need to know that their child is not forgotten, nor will they ever be forgotten. It is a small consolation, if any at all, but I think people are so scared of what to say or what not to say, that they don't say anything at all. I am blessed to know these parents, to share with them the love they have for their child and the heartache of losing their child. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the post that I wrote concerning Ethan. Good news did happen. He was adopted, but he has faced several medical setbacks and is currently in crisis now. Her mother still blogs and her words just pierce my heart. Her faith is amazing to be a part of. Please keep praying for Ethan. Miracles happen everyday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our group of friends within the Down syndrome community recently lost another precious child, Aziza. She was fine one day, got a stomach bug, went to the ER, had major surgery and passed away. It happened so suddenly. It tears our Ds community apart. I cannot explain the bond we share, but it is incredible when we come together. No, not every parent who has a child with Ds feels the need to be a part of a support group. We don't all share the same views. We find out that we aren't all compatible with each other. It's real life. It happens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: http://www.bitly.com/citysexadrianboth; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The shooting of innocent children in Newtown, CT this past December brought our nation to a standstill as we grieved the innocent lives of 20 children gunned down. I can't imagine the despair those parents felt. As a parent, and like so many others, I held my children closer and said I love you a hundred extra times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To beautiful Iris and all the others.....may your light always shine on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDpUTBlBUPf9-eV1-pzO3Iv43QPgXgj8nS95PxA5L-bgBc-14r66kNuUAlR2mMfeDZ5dn5OLHI7ZOH8ir48KFC-zhmmb_yl0-wPiWlnwthLl-nhuI__aRzXrrajbvKiJpGs_lGinKfJP8/s1600/303792_2668953600499_1155845886_3054414_1581911622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDpUTBlBUPf9-eV1-pzO3Iv43QPgXgj8nS95PxA5L-bgBc-14r66kNuUAlR2mMfeDZ5dn5OLHI7ZOH8ir48KFC-zhmmb_yl0-wPiWlnwthLl-nhuI__aRzXrrajbvKiJpGs_lGinKfJP8/s640/303792_2668953600499_1155845886_3054414_1581911622_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-68183494898020430552013-01-01T21:38:00.001-05:002013-01-01T21:38:54.035-05:00It is hard to believe that 2013 is here.It doesn't seem possible that another year has passed, but it has. I wrote a total of 2 posts for 2012, with both of those being posts that I wrote for our local Down syndrome support group and that I just cross posted on my blog for some promotion of the events we were hosting. I didn't write a single post about any of us. Another sign to me that blogging really isn't for me, but maybe this will be my year. I am reading blogs again (save for a few that I never stopped reading), and I decided to check on this blog. Even though I haven't posted anything, I have people looking at this blog everyday. The top posts are no surprise to me: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9076852815832991284#editor/target=post;postID=6017662326687825232">Gratitude and Blessings</a><span id="goog_513293213"> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9076852815832991284#editor/target=post;postID=8276583708331153934">Q is for Quotes.</a> I think that people who do get directed here may have googled one of those key words. Maybe people want to be reminded of counting their own blessings. Maybe they are looking for a quote. Who knows? It just seems to be very popular themes, so it is a reminder that I need to be writing down my blessing more often and sharing quotes too. It seems that in the past few years, I have really slacked on my journals. I journal about everything--lists of to do's, prayer books, quotes, musing of my everyday thoughts, etc. Or I use to journal I should say. I miss it. I want to re-connect with myself again. So here I am. We will see how this goes for 2013......</span><br />
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Our home computer is on the brink of extinction--it has been months since we have been able to get on and properly use it. I can't get to sites, long delays in refreshing pages, etc. It probably needs to be cleaned, but at the rate electronics are developing, its probably best to just buy a new one. (this one is 3 years old) I am debating on whether or not I need to just get a laptop versus a desktop. I like them both for different reasons. We have smart phones and an iPad to browse the Internet on and for the most part, use them about 90% of the time. So, that being said, I am going to try to do my best with what I have until I can get something new. Tonight is a good night as I am able to type without having to wait on the computer to catch up with my fingers on the keyboard. <br />
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I will have to say that overall we have been doing well. Katie and Blake both had great cardiology check-ups this past year. Blake had a huge growth spurt in the past year. It hasn't affected his heart and we hope that he will continue to do well. A local chapter of Mended Little Hearts (cardiology support group which has chapters nationally) was started here in this area and I joined, but I have only been to the first meeting in the past year. I hope to do better in the upcoming year. I have yet to meet any parent that has multiple children with a heart defect. Blake and Katie both have their pulmonary valve. About 85% of children who have ToF usually get a prosthetic valve. (that was the number given to me by one of our cardiologists--I haven't looked this up to confirm and it was several years ago that I received this information.) Blake's echo that he had last month showed that he has moderate leakage from his valve. It was stressed to both he and I at the doctor's visit that if he starts exhibiting any symptoms such as dizziness, heart skipping beats, etc, that we need to report those to the cardiologist. Evidently if his pressure gets up to a certain point, he would have to have the valve replaced regardless if he had any symptoms and if he starts having symptoms they will have to do a MRI of his heart and cath to see if another surgery would be needed. We know that there is a possibility that both of our children could have future heart surgery--it is nerve wracking to think of going through it again, but you do what you have to do. I was told that they are doing some of these procedures by cardiac cath in Europe right now, but are in clinical trials here. It would be wonderful if they ever needed a new valve, that it could be done via a cath versus an OHS. Blake played football again this year for school. The conditioning is tough, but it really is good for him and we have the doctor's approval to let him play every year. I have to admit that I have not seen him play at all in middle school. I physically cannot do it. I get upset thinking about him even playing and the last time I even talked about trying to go, I bawled my eyes out in front of the other person I was talking this over with. I don't know if he will even try to play in high school, but if he does, I will cross that bridge if and when it happens. <br />
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Something that the cardiologist said surprised me. He said that patients with congenital heart defects usually stay with their pediatric cardiologist their entire lives. He said that some huge medical group just passed a ruling allowing a certification to be obtained by MD's to allow them to be certified in congenital defects. Currently the rotation through pediatric cardiology is a short couple of weeks. Kind of like a "hey, this is what we do with those type of patients kind of visit". We have a ways to go before either child will be considered an adult, but it makes perfect sense that we would stay with a pediatric cardiologist forever. I just thought that you would transition to an adult cardiologist at the appropriate time--same as switching from a pediatrician to an internal medicine doctor. What the heck do I know?? <br />
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Great news on the Infantile Spasms (seizures) front. We went for a check-up in November and Katie is off the seizure medicine completely!!! Yay! We had gotten the go ahead to start tapering her if we wanted back in Feb 2012, but we told the neurologist that we would stay on her current dose. Well, several months passed by with increasing difficulty in us giving Katie her medicine, so we decided to start weaning her. By the time school started in Aug, she was only taking a dose every couple of days. She has done really well without the meds. We go back to the neurologist in June to re-evaluate as long as she doesn't have any signs of seizures. I don't think we have seen a huge change in her neurological status since being off the medications. She tolerated he medication very well when she was on it and she seems like the same person off of it. <br />
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I tend to write too much when I blog, so I will share more of what has been happening in some future posts. Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-60990004792014405802012-09-20T20:54:00.002-04:002012-09-20T20:54:10.702-04:00Buddy Walk-Jacksonville, Florida <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings everyone! It is
that time of the year again where we join up and walk to raise awareness for all
the amazing people living with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. We have walked in
Tallahassee the past two years, but we are changing things up this year. We
will be walking in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012. The
event takes place from 11:30 am- 4pm at the Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion.
The walk will be on the beach and is approximately one mile. There will be
entertainment, food vendors, carnival games, awards, face painting, inflatable
jump houses, carnival rides, prizes, and music. This walk promises to be a fun
time for all involved. The registration fee for each participant is $15.00. You
will receive a t-shirt to wear on the day of the walk (t-shirts cannot be
guaranteed for anyone registering after October 11th). Please visit the
following link to register for the walk or sponsor a walker. </span></h3>
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<a href="http://www.dsaj.org/events.php"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Buddy
Walk-Jacksonville, Florida-November 3, 2012</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We look forward to seeing
you there! If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us at <a href="mailto:info@southgeorgiadsa.org"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: Times New Roman;">info@southgeorgiadsa.org</span></a>.
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-16495282490412431562012-02-02T23:14:00.003-05:002012-02-02T23:14:17.632-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Presenting</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">h<strong>APP</strong>y Heart Day~~Share the Love</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mary Clare Tarpley</span></div>
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Please join us in welcoming our first guest speaker, Mary Clare Tarpley, to the Feb. 11th monthly meeting. Mary Clare is a local educator for the Valdosta City Schools, majoring in reading education. Mary Clare will be sharing great websites and apps to help our children reach their fullest potential while using the latest technology available. She has a great presentation planned and some nice apps and accessories to give away. Please make plans to attend and invite other parents who will benefit from this presentation. We look forward to seeing you next week. <br />
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Meeting will be held at First Christian Church on Patterson St, Valdosta, Georgia. <br />
Meeting time is 10 am - 12 noon. <br />
Childcare provided. <br />
For more information, please contact Erin or Donna @ <a href="mailto:info@southgeorgiadsa.org">info@southgeorgiadsa.org</a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-69191240076145370232011-11-10T22:05:00.001-05:002011-11-10T22:05:17.838-05:00Sometimes there are no words—just heartache<p>I read my blogs and Facebook posts and the writers share their stories of themselves, their families and their thoughts about life in general.  You start following their stories and suddenly you feel like you are part of their lives.  And you are in a sense.  Friendships for me have developed just through the written word.  Sometimes I find their blogs because someone linked it in their post, sometimes I see them link it from Facebook or just word of mouth.  I have been following and praying daily for two Facebook friends and their children who have been in crisis recently.  I just read heartbreaking news about both of them back to back.  And sometimes all you can do is cry and ask why.  </p> <p>This was the title of the blog post over at Shannon’s blog—The post in which my heart breaks.  You can visit Shannon over at <a href="http://littlewondersofourlife.blogspot.com/">Little Wonders.</a>  To understand the reason for the post is to go back and read her story.  She has been trying to adopt Ethan.  He is medically fragile and needs this family.  Today she found out he is being transferred to another hospital.  She is losing the boy she has fought to adopt, the boy she has advocated for, her heart.  I can’t understand these things.  I again ask God why.  Why does he go away from the family who loves him and wants him?  What happens when he is transferred away?  This little boy has spent so much of his life in the hospital and with this family who wanted him from the first moment they saw him—he is being taken away from them.  I ask that you lift Shannon, Ethan and her family up in prayers during this difficult time.  She has an amazing faith despite all the doubts, fears and heartache.  </p> <p>The other post I read tonight was Stephanie’s.  Her daughter Iris had open heart surgery recently and has been battling some big complications in the past few weeks.  Her post on Facebook was this:  Iris had a very rough morning today~she went into a Pulmonary Hypertension Crisis~her heart stopped & they had 2 code her & perform compressions on her chest 2 bring her back~they are not sure why this is happened~trying to stabilize her & get her into the cath lab 2 find answers~PLEASE CONTINUE STRONG PRAYERS.  They have recently started a blog.  You can find them here:  <a href="http://irisangels.blogspot.com/">http://irisangels.blogspot.com/</a>.  Please keep them all of them in prayer and pray for Iris to stabilize.  </p> <p>This doesn’t even touch the surface of people needing prayers and support.  Sometimes I find my heart just hurts from the heartache of other people’s grief, sadness, despair, and troubles in general.  We are here to do God’s work, to share his love with others.  If I feel this pain, what does he feel?  I have been asking myself so many questions about suffering and why it is allowed.  I have searched for answers and have gotten them, yet I don’t feel a peace over the answers.  Maybe because my human needs are to be selfish and to ask God to stop all this suffering.  That it feels so unnecessary.  But I know that we are not to know all of God’s ways.  I know his people rise time and time again, through despair, sadness, grief and troubled times.  So I continue to look upward and to a promise that remains to this day.  Trust in HIM and he will never fail you.  </p> <p> 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says--Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  </p> <p>Philippians 4:6-7 says--- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</p> <p>Psalms 119:50---My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-60176623266878252322011-11-08T23:16:00.001-05:002012-09-20T20:55:13.953-04:00Gratitude and Blessings<h4>
gratitude---the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful; blessings---something promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity;the bestowal of a divine gift or favor </h4>
As we barrel forward into the month of November, our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and the meaning of that day. It is said that people began having feasts as early as the 1600’s to give thanks. (Attributed back to 1621 in Plymouth.) A lady by the name of Sarah Hale promoted the idea of a national day set aside for giving thanks back in the 1800’s. She spent many years trying to persuade Presidents to observe this day. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln set aside the last Thursday in November as a national holiday. This would be observed by following Presidents until 1941 when Congress finally made it a permanent holiday to observe. Thanksgiving was observed to give thanks for the harvest of the year. Today Thanksgiving holds a lot of different meanings for different people nowadays, although we should be grateful for the farmers who bring in the harvest every year. Without them, we wouldn’t have any food on the table. It is the kickoff to the Christmas season, great shopping deals on black Friday, football, stuffing your face with an enormous amount of food, traveling, long weekends off from work, and time spent with extended family and friends. I count Thanksgiving as one of the greatest holidays we celebrate. <br />
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It is a time to reflect and to give thanks to God for all that I have. It is so easy to complain and think of the things you don’t have in life or the things others have that you are lacking. Are you lacking a bed to sleep in? A roof over your head? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat? What about a job? A car to drive around in? TV to watch? The computer to surf the Internet? A smart phone so that you don’t miss a single tweet? Take a vacation or mini vacation every year? Some of these things are things we take for granted. You come home to your house and you wish you had a bigger one or a newer one? Be thankful that you are safe from the elements in your home. Be thankful you know where you are going when you come home for the night. What about your car? Too many miles on it for you? Doesn’t have a navigation system in it? Well, be grateful you have a motor and four tires. A job that you can’t stand? 100 other people are waiting for you to quit it to take your place. In America, we have so many “things” that we just take for granted. These are really things to be extremely grateful for. I could be somewhere riding a donkey to get from point a to b—somewhere tonight a donkey is thanking God that I have a car! I could be homeless and hungry looking for a job. I am blessed and grateful.<br />
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What about the things such as parents who loved and nurtured you instead of belittling you and neglecting you? What about a spouse who adores you and loves to see you every evening instead of one who takes you for granted? How about the freedom to walk around outside your house without hiding your face because you are a woman and are not valued? What about when you walk outside at night and your silence mingled with the crickets and frogs? Some people are listening to bombs and living in fear. We live in this great nation of ours with so much freedom because of the men and women who continue to serve and uphold our freedoms. I am blessed and grateful.<br />
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Did you know that there are over 925 million people going hungry in the world? Our Earth just reached the distinction of having 7 Billion people inhabiting it currently. So almost 1 Billion of those people are starving. How can this be? 1 in 7 people are starving. They are in our towns, cities, and states, not to mention the untold millions around the world. Do you remember to be thankful when you eat a meal? Do you ever think how much food we waste and how so many people would be thankful to eat our leftovers—even out of the trash. I am blessed and grateful.<br />
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Do you have your children with you? Can you love on them and hug them? What about your parents? Your extended family? Your friends? So many people are hurting tonight. They are lonely. They are missing important people. They feel empty. Do you take the time to tell those you love the most how important they are to you? How much they mean to you? Have you reached out a hand to those struggling? Don’t avoid them—it only hurts you. Be grateful that God put you here to minister to those needing love and attention. You can never tell someone enough how much they mean to you. I am blessed and grateful.<br />
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There is so much to be thankful for in this life. Every day during the month of November I am posting on Facebook something I am thankful for. I thank God for the little things, the great big things and everything in between. Even when you think there is nothing to be thankful for, remember something or someone that made you happy or made your day, even if it happened 10 years ago! Be thankful for those memories. Try blessing someone if you don’t feel blessed. Your heart and soul will thank you. I am blessed and grateful. What about you?<br />
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Blessings by Laura Story</div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-36225207232744242052011-11-03T00:02:00.001-04:002011-11-03T00:02:51.868-04:00Felt weird not blogging last night<p>It was weird not blogging last night, but so nice to get to bed at 10 too.  I really want to thank everyone who did take the time to come and check me out at my blog this past month. I had 1250 views for the month, which I think is wonderful considering that in the past year since I started blogging, I had 1750 views for the entire year.  I blogged 31 times in 2010 and 30 of those days were during this exact same challenge in October.  I have posted a few times since last October, but I couldn’t stay consistent with it.  I know 1250 is probably what some people get in a hour, but I am perfectly happy that I did have a few people reading.  I don’t know what my future holds concerning me blogging on a regular basis, but I will give it another go.   I guess if you write it...they will come? Corny I know, but who doesn't love Field of Dreams? And if you haven't seen the movie, then you definitely won't know what I mean about the write and they will come line. </p> <p>So, my Halloween night didn't turn out quite how I expected. I rushed home to find that Blake's Toy Story army man costume shipped to us in an adult XL----perfect for Kiley, not so great for Blake. A last minute run to Wal-mart and Superman he was. </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ni1ero0lsb0/TrISQMUHxvI/AAAAAAAAAis/H_uMKoh7tEE/s1600-h/IMG_1973%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1973" border="0" alt="IMG_1973" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yg6Jdad-Bg8/TrISQX-ilkI/AAAAAAAAAi0/ec0e19n0mzw/IMG_1973_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iexvvNwefsc/TrISROFaHjI/AAAAAAAAAi8/A5O5K9Yq07k/s1600-h/IMG_1974%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1974" border="0" alt="IMG_1974" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-khsEEtbMQzE/TrISReO2EPI/AAAAAAAAAjE/R7m4wdaa0eY/IMG_1974_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">My child who argues every year about what his costume can and can’t be.  This year he wanted to be something I had never heard of as a character—Smart A@#!!  I am pretty sure he wanted to be that so when everyone asked him who he was, he could say those two words!  Negative boy!  When will you learn?  His second choice was fine and I even like this one too.  They grow up way too fast!</font></p> <p> </p> <p>My sweet Katie has had a cough for a couple of weeks and it has only gotten worse in the past week. When she didn't get out of the bed Sat, I knew that she was feeling worse than it seemed with just the cough. Her temp was low grade, never got above 100, but she didn't want to eat either. Halloween night she started whining as soon as I put her costume on her and I knew that she wasn't going anywhere. I took the costume off after having it on her for 5 minutes. She went to bed and that was the extent of her night. </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rkLtIk-Jir4/TrISSdZ_siI/AAAAAAAAAjM/rYQSep1tHYc/s1600-h/IMG_1958%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1958" border="0" alt="IMG_1958" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fYyERIphbiU/TrISSqyOw7I/AAAAAAAAAjU/WRGbA15IP_I/IMG_1958_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IioLnFgJKrM/TrISTgiSIoI/AAAAAAAAAjc/yWTKYcM60f4/s1600-h/IMG_1965%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1965" border="0" alt="IMG_1965" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3OSnYrsIQZcmwZ-H1GoCcj2jUwY2EMVsvAbn2Ue7r4SwklT1Ws6v6fRT7VA_DULAN6MSCx_5M5S1lcWPxWmSJTJNG0S-1OxDdSLOUeka9SRWUPT5RIoUa9_gGsdrNv-SGIg6rgL8JBOH/?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1_rUAm6y4I4/TrISUxJRVaI/AAAAAAAAAjs/WyZxmjOwgNA/s1600-h/IMG_1972%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1972" border="0" alt="IMG_1972" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CNh6tQn1veU/TrISVES8YAI/AAAAAAAAAj0/qrRoh6xlzFU/IMG_1972_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">My bug not feeling well at all.  Her costume was so cute that I will put her back in it just to take some pictures of her standing up in it. </font></p> <p>We had a great time taking my cousin out trick or treating. I use to take my other cousins out, but they have all grown up and now we just have one or two to make the rounds with. So, a few of us walked around the neighborhood near my parents' home and we watched Abrianna enjoy herself getting her treats. After we had walked a couple of miles, we went back to my dads, got the truck and then went out for the last hour riding to houses that way. The houses are farther apart in my parents' neighborhood, so it was quicker to ride in the truck. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z-HpJe1H6-s/TrISWFG8d4I/AAAAAAAAAj8/e09-cfN6mzw/s1600-h/IMG_1981%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1981" border="0" alt="IMG_1981" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o-ysnDzYrTg/TrISWQ2vQ3I/AAAAAAAAAkA/wk9HjLmPcbs/IMG_1981_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscNKefzezthzzMPE8jJPxl2p7tefXXHfXyNph3b0Tl0SBiyQUJ2eDmlrBAYpQxt6j29rIBbRYuFh-xV_RQbTjvtAS4OPWIoJSScnbwDLQlYpMWPEhm8t5uiR60H-pYr3Ag3KjR1pAM0Rq/s1600-h/IMG_1986%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1986" border="0" alt="IMG_1986" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BNx7CsRlWlQ/TrISXoK1JdI/AAAAAAAAAkU/pFBuQSBRS1Q/IMG_1986_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">My cousin Abranna enjoying herself as Batgirl!</font></p> <p>There is always controversial beliefs about this day and especially with the Christian believers.  I grew up only to see Halloween as a night to get out and get candy from your neighbors.  That was it.  It was a dress up night with lots of candy involved and socializing with your friends.  Nothing more.  Of course it wasn’t until I was grown that the whole idea of evil and celebrating the devil and stuff such as this was told to me.  We have alternative plans for this day  in the Baptist religion such as fall festivals which I think are wonderful and I enjoy those too.   I don’t want to hide behind a mask of pretending that I don’t allow my children to get dressed up and go trick or treating.  I am certainly not celebrating the devil and I just want the innocence of what I had as a child to be passed on to my children.  Of course this day and age finds much of their innocence stripped from them at such an early age.  I will tell you that I saw more people out and about on this one night then a whole year combined.  It was fun to speak to everyone and admire costumes and just remember that this was what being neighbors meant.  It is a shame that I am so busy, that I am never out in my own neighborhood!  Maybe we should start something called Meet and Treat once a month.  It would be a way for all the neighbors to come around and get to know each other.  I might be on to something here!  Anyway, I enjoyed this as a child and if my children want to enjoy it, then I want to let them.  They can make their own minds up about it when they are older.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bIwSR6vJwpE/TrISYc2zOSI/AAAAAAAAAkc/LROlezy9wtQ/s1600-h/IMG_1985%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1985" border="0" alt="IMG_1985" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Ubl9NaLfuA/TrISYntMNtI/AAAAAAAAAkk/ujIM5MsJXUI/IMG_1985_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Isn’t he cute?  </font></p> <p>So, I posted the other night about getting stuck in the ditch.  That was a lot of fun! Not!  Triple A showed up exactly to the hour when they said they would and at 11:15 we were trying to get my car out of the ditch.  The guy trying to tow my truck out of the ditch couldn’t do it without my help.  The car was that stuck.  The left front tire has a huge slash where the culvert just ate it up.  He didn’t think I should just put the spare on because he had a hard time getting the car out and he was worried that I tore something loose under the hood.  He towed my car to the shop for me and everything checked out fine.  I will get 2 new tires later this week and my car will be like new money next week!  Very eventful night for sure.  As I was snapping pictures on my phone, I told him I had to have these pictures to blog about.  He thought that was cool.  Wonder what he would have thought if I had asked him to step into the pictures?  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ofn9jddSxYE/TrISZh-_N7I/AAAAAAAAAks/wsP9g4V8hqs/s1600-h/IMG_1993%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1993" border="0" alt="IMG_1993" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RL8Vgwa9h-I/TrISZ-5o3MI/AAAAAAAAAk0/XPGdiyvUgnE/IMG_1993_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pc80eWex1g8/TrISaXwDgpI/AAAAAAAAAk8/NGTE-RP8Zfc/s1600-h/IMG_1996%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1996" border="0" alt="IMG_1996" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rNnxgVcNtXo/TrISahwwNmI/AAAAAAAAAlE/2oJfpP4mv3Q/IMG_1996_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">The car hung up on the culvert with my tire slashed and flat and the car getting towed away.  </font></p> <p>I had to take Katie to the doctor yesterday as she was still acting like she did over the weekend, which was miserable.   Strep throat was the diagnosis.  First time she has had this.  She is still pretty miserable.  Her cough is so wet and poor thing doesn’t have any clue about coughing it up and out, but her lungs sounded clear and her ears are fine.  Antibiotics for 10 days.  No joy in that for her.  We had to wrap her in a towel and hold her down to get her to take the medicine.  I hate doing that to her, but I can’t take a chance on her not getting these antibiotics in, especially with her heart condition.  My little munchkin took some cough medicine tonight (first time for this too) that the doctor prescribed since she was coughing non-stop and she will stay home for the 3rd day in a row tomorrow.  The doctor said that strep was running rampant right now and we have already had several cases of the flu as early as the beginning of Sept this year.  I am hoping that tomorrow little bug will start to feel better so that she can get back to school.  </p> <p>The 31 for 21 challenge was a lot easier for me this year than last year.  I only started floundering towards the end and I can safely say that I only had one day that I would consider a cop out post with 3 sentences to it.  Why did I feel so strongly about finishing this challenge?  Well, for one it honored my daughter and those living with Down syndrome.  It is a way for me to share with people who have no clue of what it is like living with special needs.  It is a way for me to meet new people who are sharing my same experiences.  It was to tell the world that my little girl is amazing because from the moment she took her first breath outside my womb, she was fighting for her chance to be here in this world.  I feel we are here on this Earth for two reasons-one to share the love of Christ and to honor him and the other is to honor and love each other.  Every moment is a gift.  I see that everyday in the work I do and from the people I interact with.  At any given time, I have friends whose children are medically fragile and yet they continue to amaze me with everything that they do with their lives and their children.  If I could help one mom out there who is struggling with a decision on whether or not they should keep their child with Down syndrome, then I have done more than I could have ever imagined with these words from the past month.  It really is more than just awareness of Down syndrome for me, it is awareness of life, of living in the moment and being grateful for all that you have, including a little extra 21st chromosome.  </p> <p>This has been going around Facebook and I love it, so I leave it with you all. </p> <p>When you were but a tiny speck deep within my womb, something happened to your cells as life began to bloom. A 'chromosomal abnormality' is what the doctors say, but you are EXACTLY what I asked for each night as I would pray: "Dear Lord, send me a happy child who will not grow up too fast, (for I love the joys of childhood & I wanted that to last) send me a child who sleeps all night & doesn't often cry, a little girl with endless love & a willingness to try." That little extra chromosome, that number 21, gave me all I ever wanted, YOU, my precious one! Happy Down syndrome awareness month! I love you Kaitlyn (Katie bug) Brooke...... JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-52992927286762344862011-10-31T23:13:00.001-04:002011-10-31T23:13:24.552-04:0031 for 21: Last day!I didn't envision my last post of this challenge coming from my phone, but when you are stuck in a ditch with a flat tire, you make do with what you have. Waiting on the tow guy from triple a to get here when I should be hitting the bed. Oh well. That's life. What I loved about triple a was when I called them, the first thing they asked me was if I was safe. So thank you Lord--I am safe.<br />
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I had a simple post thought out for tonight-kind of like some closing remarks about this challenge, but I will save them for Wednesday. Might blog tomorrow, but highly unlikely since I am exhausted!<br />
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Bug is not feeling well at all. She was very fussy this afternoon when I got home. I tried to put her in her costume, but she was very unhappy. I didn't even get a picture of her standing in her outfit because she was miserable. I guess I tried because it was what I wanted, not what was in her best interest. Trying to make a moment happen that was not meant to be. I took her outfit off and that was the extent of her Halloween. She will feel better another day and we will try again for pictures. If not, we can just buy a new costume and try again next year. I just want my bug to feel better.<br />
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Blake wanted to dress up this year, but he wanted to be something inappropriate. I have always had this clash of the minds with him over costumes. I don't care for the scary type costumes--he always wants to be one of those. We have always settled for great outfits like Buzz Lightyear, Batman, and Tigger. His second choice was the army man from Toy Story. The outfit that came in the mail was an adult xl. So, we end up at Walmart today and he became Superman. We both liked the outfit, so I was happy that in the end he got to be something he liked and I got another "cute" costume out of him. Maybe we won't have a battle next year--yeah,as if it could be that easy!<br />
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I am hoping that the guy gets here soon and gets my car out of the ditch so I can go home! Happy Halloween! I guess I got a trick instead of a treat this year! Oh well, I could have gotten a bag of rocks. Such is life....<br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-82765837083311539342011-10-31T00:03:00.001-04:002011-11-07T00:31:25.106-05:0031 for 21: Day 30—Almost there, Q is for QuotesI love quotes, Bible verses, and almost anything that packs a punch with a few words. I find inspiration in many different places. Sometimes it is in someone’s signature line with their e-mail, sometimes it is a saying on a mug or picture, they are all over my Facebook wall, and they even have good one’s in my Dove chocolate candy wrappers. My favorite Dove one has to be the one at my desk at work: Chocolate therapy—oh so good! True words for sure! Good one Dove candy wrapper inspiration team! I know that had to come from a woman—I haven’t really seen many men go nuts for chocolate. I love quotes from famous people such as Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, and Eleanor Roosevelt to name some of my favorites. I find inspiring words on Facebook pages such as Hopelights and An Angels Love. My love of quotes can be found just about anywhere. On logos, in magazines, favorite passages in books, in cards and gift shops. Chances are you usually see a quote when I am writing too. I just thought I would share with you some of the quotes around my house. <br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m2ghDXilp30/Tq4d0UN-KMI/AAAAAAAAAe4/x4o4U78Qm1A/s1600-h/IMG_0041%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0041" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rLWmxCuq7Gg/Tq4d09FqUCI/AAAAAAAAAfA/KlXz42TWrKM/IMG_0041_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0041" width="184" /></a></div><div align="center">Can’t remember where this came from, but it is a magnet that hangs on my fridge. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r7XMp_RFpQs/Tq4d1g4GeyI/AAAAAAAAAfI/AOhi-Wcak2M/s1600-h/IMG_0044%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0044" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PU_NKqqTNq0/Tq4d16rRmuI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/5uZ5oH7FwNE/IMG_0044_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0044" width="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WL_LrH9cBjA/Tq4d2nLMx0I/AAAAAAAAAfY/nuBWjMejQhE/s1600-h/IMG_0045%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0045" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ppqkVg0hK1I/Tq4d23e8GzI/AAAAAAAAAfg/eveP2qYtzfY/IMG_0045_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0045" width="184" /></a></div><div align="center">Books such as these have a lot of inspiring words in them. Book on the left has great pictures to go with the great words. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dkLvhZqgjhw/Tq4d3jaY-fI/AAAAAAAAAfo/fM-RZWIf5EY/s1600-h/IMG_0042%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0042" border="0" height="390" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EpDo_pGWS4U/Tq4d4F0A_pI/AAAAAAAAAfw/E7cRG4A2lS4/IMG_0042_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0042" width="322" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3kbC-Jpla9Y/Tq4d4zaBxpI/AAAAAAAAAf4/VZLfPaqyCXE/s1600-h/IMG_0043%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0043" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wonLLvvv-R8/Tq4d5L2jp_I/AAAAAAAAAgA/ju4iJJ4mn9M/IMG_0043_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0043" width="318" /></a></div><div align="center">These hangs in the kitchen.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RfHm0vdChK8/Tq4d513y6KI/AAAAAAAAAgI/gzQXH8TUOIU/s1600-h/IMG_0050%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0050" border="0" height="477" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nl7SJoFciNw/Tq4d6S1OVKI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ZIcdavydU5A/IMG_0050_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0050" width="367" /></a></div><div align="center">This hangs in Kaitlyn’s room. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fmcV6aEnlpY/Tq4d7Dv_z3I/AAAAAAAAAgY/QO_IIJN0GJ0/s1600-h/IMG_0047%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0047" border="0" height="393" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b8EymIH-ACQ/Tq4d7nmZkVI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Sa27J9UKRZM/IMG_0047_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0047" width="376" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Otao6eEEzlc/Tq4d8avJagI/AAAAAAAAAgs/ZbfD2UJ6IuQ/s1600-h/IMG_0046%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0046" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ptOwR-Btnjc/Tq4d8_w1MbI/AAAAAAAAAg0/gXkRfBwTm_g/IMG_0046_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0046" width="284" /></a></div><div align="center">These are on Katie’s hutch. Please note that yes there is that much dust on her curio! Embarrassing, but this is real life here. Good thing Katie doesn’t sleep in her room—she would have some serious allergies!</div><br />
<div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9wCX24Vjy8A/Tq4d92XDZ8I/AAAAAAAAAg8/JD9If-utQN4/s1600-h/IMG_0048%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0048" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BIOOs4ciIjE/Tq4d-cgCAzI/AAAAAAAAAhE/SgzpmOW_kbU/IMG_0048_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0048" width="422" /></a></div><div align="center">This is a quote I painted on her wall after we came home from the NICU. I put the vinyl words up, taped off the the rectangle shape, painted inside the square and when the paint was dry, pulled off the vinyl words. Her wooden letters came from eBay. They were painted to match her bedding set. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a-9x5xMSkjM/Tq4d_sqpsRI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Y0fMjxEspFA/s1600-h/IMG_0051%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0051" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5bSTdbcTlps/Tq4d_x4yqeI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Onj5LuNon9o/IMG_0051_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0051" width="423" /></a></div><div align="center">Another plaque in Katie’s room.</div><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aOdfdAwdvkw/Tq4eA5imDLI/AAAAAAAAAhc/2eA0Bsg_IMQ/s1600-h/IMG_0054%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0054" border="0" height="451" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f5mfuqNsVuQ/Tq4eBZPw35I/AAAAAAAAAhk/_Qg0WP_8pcI/IMG_0054_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0054" width="338" /></a></div><div align="center">I keep this in the kitchen where I drop all my junk when I come home. I like to look at it everyday to be reminded that life is a miracle and a gift. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">I do have many more items such as these around the house, in my journals, and bookmarked on my computer. I guess I like to be uplifted by encouraging words and sayings. I love captions with pictures too. I recently found this one on Facebook and I had to share it.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N6l6ByIIEd8/Tq4eBks0NuI/AAAAAAAAAhs/IyL4pPLfgGY/s1600-h/310435_212283292173241_112060242195547_508591_1213472170_n%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="310435_212283292173241_112060242195547_508591_1213472170_n[1]" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h3R-Ak-S2-M/Tq4eCEZ-KBI/AAAAAAAAAh0/TaIPmhtyjE0/310435_212283292173241_112060242195547_508591_1213472170_n%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="310435_212283292173241_112060242195547_508591_1213472170_n[1]" width="370" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And inspirational Bible verses such as this one.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2d3-wLpk74w/Tq4eCRIe3jI/AAAAAAAAAh8/xEWtvTJWCLE/s1600-h/320702_10150331307321961_99550061960_8368197_1348505560_n%25255B2%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="320702_10150331307321961_99550061960_8368197_1348505560_n[2]" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VHHmc1p-tvB4nK2WmkI8L2Jl0-PbJrgMY3iq0-xGYSjv_FDfJUlMTDwwijkjD0CupFq_uTTtI8Y6LmdWG-Yyg1kpCwG8ya-VYxpjqfyW_zoTdg2BAuchO2fOca-HSYB1wJ-GftkWY9ge/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="320702_10150331307321961_99550061960_8368197_1348505560_n[2]" width="404" /></a></div><div align="left">I believe in these words. I believe in the power of words and the meaning behind the words. Just wanted to share some of what lifts me up. What inspires you?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">Tomorrow completes the blogging challenge! I have almost made it! Whew! Katie is going to be a special little bug tomorrow. Will share tomorrow night what she dressed up as. Have to share these two pictures tonight. Love the Peanuts gang and Snoopy is the coolest dog of all time. Period. And this is a nice big tub of candy I will put on the front porch tomorrow night for the trick or treaters. I know, some of you are saying that someone will come by and dump the whole tub in their bag. So be it. I feel better having it out there whether we are here or not. Kiley bought a ton of candy today. You can’t really see how big the tub is, but it is a nice big stash! Happy Halloween and for those who don’t participate—Happy October 31st! </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IBS7FrnQyzY/Tq4eDrkA4DI/AAAAAAAAAiM/V3-d5UQ8WZE/s1600-h/IMG_0039%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0039" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UYg9NPVZvsk/Tq4eD5spoOI/AAAAAAAAAiU/qodYSwWbFDY/IMG_0039_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0039" width="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0NipVL8nJUk/Tq4eFPd-j4I/AAAAAAAAAic/lcHcjD5e2TA/s1600-h/IMG_0036%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0036" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iGobefb2W9Q/Tq4eFcp4W-I/AAAAAAAAAik/fh-76aprE4g/IMG_0036_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0036" width="184" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-72260651632409768192011-10-29T22:32:00.001-04:002011-10-30T23:51:49.864-04:0031 for 21: Day 29 Q is for QuietToday has been a really nice quiet day for this old girl. Weekend plans had changed by the middle of this week for us as we had an opportunity to get some tickets for the big Florida/Georgia game today in Jacksonville. Thanks again Erin! 4 tickets were perfect for the family, but I really don’t think Katie is ready for 85,000 fanatics of football. So, I elected not to go along with Katie. Sent the boys off with my dad and my uncle to the big game today. Kiley even went out and bought him a Georgia Bulldogs shirt and when he put it on this morning, he said it pained him to wear it. He should have just worn his LSU or Kentucky gear. The fans would have taken pity on him (Kentucky) or been in awe (LSU). One thing I can say about that boy—he is a die hard fan, never wavers regardless of what his teams do and has been that way since the day I met him. Of course Blake is a die hard Gator fan. I don’t remember when he really started liking the Gators, but he wore his colors proudly today. For the record—Georgia won 24-20. Blake sent this message out earlier---“At the Georgia/Florida game, surrounded by red, and probably some drunks. Like seriously there’s this dude in no shirt, his body is painted red and he has some messed up shoulder pads on with a Viking helmet.” Gotta love your kids! So before they left this morning I snapped a few pictures. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EG7EVTlrs9o/Tqy3Jixar_I/AAAAAAAAAd4/ESw2z---cd4/s1600-h/302229_2587095559385_1314441907_33014110_813749084_n%25255B1%25255D%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="302229_2587095559385_1314441907_33014110_813749084_n[1]" border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I6dqMzue8GCCcF4XmB5PRARkV4Qilxg2hMOMFUs2xsJrsMV1e8IcVWbjyVQKUME-U8zHDdZrFdc8HgsD6mrb2D_NYKsIhdfKM-8_lsjZ3qTzQiH_K3pdVMERgLW5RPfcUu82ZdomforL/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="302229_2587095559385_1314441907_33014110_813749084_n[1]" width="341" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qYuvJriIgII/Tqy3KhcsAUI/AAAAAAAAAeI/6A-Wmz6ogAE/s1600-h/301460_2587096599411_1314441907_33014113_149815324_n%25255B1%25255D%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="301460_2587096599411_1314441907_33014113_149815324_n[1]" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kCKos-HvUEo/Tqy3LKMlHPI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/dXxg5MWK6v4/301460_2587096599411_1314441907_33014113_149815324_n%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="301460_2587096599411_1314441907_33014113_149815324_n[1]" width="382" /></a></div>
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Kiley wearing a Bulldog shirt—probably first and last time that is happening! Blake in his Gator shirt and Katie in her Kentucky cheerleading outfit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7skiZMNKtTvZFxahDVExxFBEOZUsdE_9JDR0lxuj9-G_z0f_40FLtDnUJD0wMTtSPypibtl8K1FtQSmDLx6PBz9we0Ok3xTI5957dZo-KKibL_zSzaWHevuCabDJE7jyTspAbmwRqORVN/s1600-h/298320_2587099399481_1314441907_33014119_845442378_n%25255B1%25255D%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="298320_2587099399481_1314441907_33014119_845442378_n[1]" border="0" height="395" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rx-1XNPRHPE/Tqy3MaMYPcI/AAAAAAAAAeg/B76fpOcvgUU/298320_2587099399481_1314441907_33014119_845442378_n%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="298320_2587099399481_1314441907_33014119_845442378_n[1]" width="289" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dpMMZceanSM/Tqy3NEiJDFI/AAAAAAAAAeo/tdVaFANfCt0/s1600-h/298100_2587099039472_1314441907_33014117_852248769_n%25255B1%25255D%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="298100_2587099039472_1314441907_33014117_852248769_n[1]" border="0" height="394" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yVQmm4y0hH0/Tqy3NsrbDYI/AAAAAAAAAew/ntY27BthERE/298100_2587099039472_1314441907_33014117_852248769_n%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="298100_2587099039472_1314441907_33014117_852248769_n[1]" width="280" /></a></div>
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Daddy, do I have to wear this outfit? You know this isn’t my team!</div>
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Katie and I just stayed home and relaxed. Katie is not feeling well actually and stayed in bed all day today. She has had a nasty cough and it just seems to keep hanging on. She wouldn’t eat until tonight, so I am hoping that this doesn’t get any worse. She has been eating and drinking fine until today, so I am thinking that she just needed a day for her body to rest. Praying that this doesn’t turn into anything worse!</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-71980594829996884802011-10-28T23:31:00.001-04:002011-10-28T23:31:42.408-04:0031 for 21: Day 28 The Very Hungry Caterpillar<p>Today was character day at Katie’s school.  Katie’s class dressed up as part of <em>The Very Hungry Caterpillar.</em></p> <p> <img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UGwoXWEcL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" height="300" />Ok, I took this image from <a href="http://amazon.com">Amazon.com</a> if you couldn’t tell!  Thanks Amazon!  I love Amazon too. </p> <p> </p> <p>I have to admit, I have never read this book.  I knew it was a classic, but it had not been a book that I had ever picked up before to even glance at it.  I was at the store the other day and I did read the book once I knew that was what we were going to do as a class project.  Very cute book and I will have to get it for Katie as a Christmas gift.  I will write in it and tell her a story about her class and this day on the inside cover.  </p> <p>So, I am not at all a crafty person.  I love crafts, but they are always bought.  The only thing that I have ever really gotten into is scrapbooking.  Now I keep pinning all these pins over on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> with the great hopes that I will do some of these crafts!  It doesn’t matter if I don’t.  I like looking at them all regardless.  Now I have made a few food items from there and I can’t wait to try some more of the recipes I have gathered.  Anyway,  back to this story….</p> <p>The paper came home with a list of possible suggestions on what Katie could be out of the book.  A leaf, a strawberry, a watermelon, an ice cream cone, a cake, an apple and the cupcake which she was,  along with a few other things I can’t remember.  I told Kiley we had to do the ice cream cone or the cupcake.  I googled images of homemade costumes thinking how am I going to come up with an outfit!  Not this un-crafty girl.  But….the debacle over my son many years back in kindergarten not dressing up for the Fairy Tale ball or  something like that still lingers with this momma.  I  will have to you the story about this someday, along with a few others….like the time I forgot to pick up Blake on the last day of school that same year as the fairy tale ball and the school calls me.  As soon as I hear my name on the overhead hospital paging system, I jumped up from my cafeteria chair and ran out of the hospital!  I knew what I had done right at that moment.  Needless to say, he was the last child there.  How embarrassing!  Oh well….stories of a failed momma another night.  Back to this story…..</p> <p>I went to work and told a few people what I was going to try to do this past weekend (make a costume) because I was looking for some suggestions on how to do the costume.  Well, I am saved that night.  My friend sends me a message that they have cupcake costumes on sale at Old Navy for the grand total of $12.50!  I knew what I was going to do first thing in the morning!  And VIOLA!  The cupcake she was, courtesy of Old Navy.  Now, I would have loved to have made some of the outfits I saw such as these, but I happily took the easy way out.  </p> <p align="center"><img alt="" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6Z010vDinyzOCjQtpZQOYROuHM9Y-yycE-UAO0mzBwoSzRRemqw" width="175" height="218" /><img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQteKpfCcHeINIPE1Huj90_7sfQRiWsCNB6I4dmRQZXzsbkZFt-" width="156" height="218" /><img src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyoYxW4B40X27_sTUCGIWrePwd_IDQ_81HluMXXqtYsWqM-Qp_jw" width="171" height="218" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">I got home this evening and I see that Katie’s teacher has posted a video.  I copied all of these images from her video, so thank you Mrs. Amy.  I can’t tell you how much I love her teachers and their para pros.  I can tell they genuinely love our kids.  </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Eik_J_KdTxw/TqtzFQvluqI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/oREPJjK0Iew/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_BtAMAN4igA/TqtzGirBiLI/AAAAAAAAAaA/lNxW2gVYhpU/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="256" height="305" /></a></p> <p align="center">Katie looking so cute sitting with the scarecrow earlier in the week.</p> <p align="justify"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTN0d_xttJuKfO_nmobuAgR_r9HbYt6FbxultJqXUjJIJDHnTsM8FSeA53XIRkvguV44WBvExp9QS8d2HC95r8PlW9E5YdEKFhdNvsmL9UT8RR00WRniPjHRuLmNMnSr6t08jJmfXIlra/s1600-h/image%25255B12%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Qx8Nr11B-U/TqtzH4bs3ZI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/gOGFGgcmc0Q/image_thumb%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="143" height="240" /></a> Watching with a little skepticism in her eyes as another child is getting his hands dirty.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5aXgKUH6JxX59BJf9Zx1FdGFlWcNYyS_gybCNy24LjHJZY9l33l1QhdrgP4jAcUP8rXA9EWorHtAlkSts-lRSNOPdsnauNN4AP7dx3nBrI12coGZTMCoKDFpnvzfgxsfgFB029kyT2RD/s1600-h/image%25255B29%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c3rQdoklBQM/TqtzKkww2dI/AAAAAAAAAag/tJX3xdp5Q2A/image_thumb%25255B17%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cqn0LgIPIcM/TqtzLliCXlI/AAAAAAAAAao/780kLNoLTXA/s1600-h/image%25255B32%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Se1y7UYp35c/TqtzMv0-5sI/AAAAAAAAAaw/YmrxDfkRXN8/image_thumb%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NKVnsESujnc/TqtzNnmLNfI/AAAAAAAAAa4/K6Wzpvz37gk/s1600-h/image%25255B34%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HuATN4j5Aak/TqtzOglNzLI/AAAAAAAAAbA/9_6KCrIZ16g/image_thumb%25255B22%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>Katie looks like she didn’t really like this. Her faces is saying yuck!  Good sensory stimulation Katie—I love your hands in this!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9b_bliLBxCHY-0LGPgwarvJmFEY-ZTboNvdTvkVIYpxL3B57Kvq6vx1wGgSt55H5_NoWGAcNqteHkzyKkOnudEzsYGR5f1cWEi-UHYgAVh_t-a5k_L-zb5ew5yicUcN4IrKY0O_4nSlF/s1600-h/image%25255B37%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAGIB167kRUe2v33vtSgsBiDHMnMeGRhgRHquL45vnNgUOWwFlhwyJ2bD4BNY0jwRpL1X-0s7QQw3i4hTw-u5Hgw9sqaAsrlYLtEthUXWxZfwYQjjM_gLJeoN4XchPnflb8HUu0CqFyh0/?imgmax=800" width="316" height="243" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sAfj8oWb2gU/TqtzRDxBJUI/AAAAAAAAAbY/1P9imEvWDx8/s1600-h/image%25255B54%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TfNSzKC_u5A/TqtzSs_iGBI/AAAAAAAAAbg/FL6M_WcW9b0/image_thumb%25255B36%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="287" height="344" /></a>Mrs. Marge is the apple, Mrs. Amy is the caterpillar, and Mrs. Cathy is the watermelon.  Now they are crafty!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OQmJfdoncSE/TqtzTqWYtBI/AAAAAAAAAbo/nLqBy7YbfZs/s1600-h/image%25255B56%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EBbbnUhTMwFnY3ejetPp4RwCtvtvkqAKKjbcWfEUYJ71bJrWKEBFyulyQAkON1T4GFS4OXkG5JU9Ziy9aytOi0N4L_qisLaskXIg3Z5Cdb2R-485l-W_mpbMnkuyN76ie49elaxg6bbx/?imgmax=800" width="412" height="276" /></a></p> <p align="center">A picture of the class today.  Please excuse the red blurs, but I do not want these children’s faces posted without their parents permission.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BKTgzXySAFI/TqtzWKI0yJI/AAAAAAAAAb4/M7DRXrzLOxk/s1600-h/image%25255B63%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_39-CqojpRE/TqtzXVWATII/AAAAAAAAAcA/xWUrCKOFYX0/image_thumb%25255B43%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="324" height="227" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_-xy_Jb5Duk/TqtzYVFjv8I/AAAAAAAAAcI/nAc2DMdl5EY/s1600-h/image%25255B72%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GZEQpEEK69s/TqtzZbJhJlI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/QONyc3EddAw/image_thumb%25255B50%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="266" height="226" /></a></p> <p align="center">Going for a class walk.  Not sure where to, but of course they needed to parade themselves around.  They are too cute not to let everyone see their handiwork.   </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xTBU1S-4Z2c/TqtzaZ9KRuI/AAAAAAAAAcY/xBvE0zbkRts/s1600-h/image%25255B80%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ldota_smyC_iIIjybdIdOvIXvIfn6rNYn68YV7GZ1sW_GAeNayMcWooRgm_4746M1MeEejFWQNzRWquXGPE-D2_S9QaB-gNygkOqqmn5Rnh3smPM2FYA7otHhcdtxVKHURlsM9i8xIOf/?imgmax=800" width="302" height="235" /></a></p> <p align="center">I just met this little boy on the left a few weeks ago.  Very sweet.  The one in the middle is wonderful with Katie.  He loves her and I love when he says her name.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eQ4TDyo6nlk/TqtzciV5YvI/AAAAAAAAAco/8j0eV8vDR4w/s1600-h/image%25255B98%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FMU5AGLfu-I/TqtzdZYaJuI/AAAAAAAAAcw/3HIH0tFt41g/image_thumb%25255B64%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L46XBSRV_C0/TqtzemRb1ZI/AAAAAAAAAc4/9LLxPjGYCBs/s1600-h/image%25255B100%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s439nvhSUYo/TqtzfWJcUJI/AAAAAAAAAdA/2KvJ46ydsbI/image_thumb%25255B66%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hciijUv4VHE/TqtzgjYNffI/AAAAAAAAAdI/4KDWB8LfTKs/s1600-h/image%25255B102%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rDuaP3Y_K2A/TqtzhT53NOI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/uSdP56_tvKY/image_thumb%25255B68%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M7uUgx6z7JA/TqtzkeLSI9I/AAAAAAAAAdY/iuPCZ-Ugn4M/s1600-h/image%25255B105%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LZiaw1ixABo/Tqtzk5Va6iI/AAAAAAAAAdg/xv_xzy2xks8/image_thumb%25255B71%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="202" height="240" /></a></p> <p align="center">It looks like they played some great games too!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fCdnKsafALk/Tqtzlqer2GI/AAAAAAAAAdo/LBf4IwJ3Bww/s1600-h/image%25255B112%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1e6_XCjyb9E/TqtznEzvqYI/AAAAAAAAAdw/i5-RROZDiKA/image_thumb%25255B76%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="328" height="357" /></a></p> <p align="center">I would say my bug had a wonderful time these last few days!  What a wonderful story that came to life today for <em>The Very Hungry Caterpillar!</em></p> <p align="left">Note to self, why did you get the 2t-3t costume when you know she wears 4t and it was available for purchase!? Duh! The cupcake liner kept riding up on Katie---momma thinks you were adorable regardless.</p> <p align="left">Gearing up for a nice, relaxing weekend as we go into the final days of October.  Other things were planned, but a great offer came up, so plans were changed and we are relaxing.  I’ll share those details later.</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-57499084117199825912011-10-27T23:12:00.001-04:002011-10-27T23:12:10.441-04:0031 for 21: Day 27—Fun after therapy today<p>A diagnosis of Down syndrome usually means some form of therapy for our children at some point during their lives.  For some it starts shortly after birth, some a half year into the journey and for some even later.  Of course there are probably exceptions to this as there are with all things in life and they take therapy for a short time or never.  For Katie, we were in contact with Early Intervention services as soon as we got home from our NICU stay.  We didn’t actually start any therapy until she was 6 months old and then it was a monthly thing, then bimonthly, then weekly and now we are even doing triweekly services with speech.  (just to clarify—2 days of speech are private and the other day is public with the school)  She has never had an actual session with a physical therapist, but occupational therapy did the job of both.  People ask me all the time how come we didn’t have a physical therapist.  At the time we were getting evaluations, there was a waiting list to get a consult with the therapist and I didn’t push for the services like I should have.  I didn’t even ask to be put on the PT list for a consult.  My OT, Missy, did a great job with Katie.  She would show me what to work on with Katie PT wise and she did just fine.  Therapy won’t work if you don’t apply what they are teaching your child.  You can’t expect your child to work an hour in therapy and that is it until the next week.  You have to apply everything they are teaching BOTH of you.  Learning never stops for any of us.  So, as we continue to move forward with therapy, we are steadily working on old and new skills and I don’t feel that therapy services will be stopping for us anytime in the near future.</p> <p>For the first three years of Katie’s life, the therapists came to our home.  (It was lovely too!)  Now we go to them.  She loves therapy.  Those first initial visits were rough.  Katie has to grow into things I’ve noticed.  She screams and cries like her whole world has gone to pieces (and for her it has)  until she adapts after a few days or weeks in the new routine.  Just like school was at the beginning of the year.  Everyone at the therapy clinic can tell a big difference in how she was when she first started.  We started with new therapists last year when she turned 3 and moved out of Early Intervention.  My girl loves her therapists!  I have been lucky in that Katie has loved them all past and present.  Today they had a bounce house, hay rides, games and treats for the kiddos at the clinic.</p> <p>Katie woke up at 1 am last night, stayed up for about 15 minutes, back to bed until 3 am.  Then she proceeded to stay up the rest of the night.  So, come therapy time today, she was exhausted.  She still had a great time, but was ready to go after she had an allergic reaction to the bubbles solution.  Here is some snapshots from today’s event. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Q7DcpEp0XM/TqobIB-7gqI/AAAAAAAAAUY/e49jS9dPpmE/s1600-h/IMG_1903%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1903[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1903[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kO9BFuW4ArY/TqobJWwO2jI/AAAAAAAAAUg/2FoADL9DL_I/IMG_1903%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Puw5KlpRkI/TqobTrOmqiI/AAAAAAAAAUo/7qxVe2I6UDs/s1600-h/IMG_1900%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1900[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1900[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l7TYjshXa2c/TqobUvbF82I/AAAAAAAAAUw/awCqpksANBI/IMG_1900%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="183" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CrUMHudz3N4/TqobaROiD0I/AAAAAAAAAU4/D4nJe3lKDt0/s1600-h/IMG_1904%25255B1%25255D%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1904[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1904[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2G7AHgrDoNM/TqobbQCuRKI/AAAAAAAAAVA/dnSjBZXYSyk/IMG_1904%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center">We have to be appropriately dressed for these type of fall festivals!  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wbPSm4Dzemc/TqobhVCN7dI/AAAAAAAAAVI/8JpcRsjdpxs/s1600-h/IMG_1876%25255B1%25255D%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1876[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1876[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-08ryvufZ9To/TqobjZDFLPI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/DgtjXowlnKw/IMG_1876%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="284" height="397" /></a></p> <p align="center">Katie and her speech therapist Mandy.  We love Mandy!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lm5i9dfGf5I/Tqobp5KoFGI/AAAAAAAAAVY/UmtaPOVqAqM/s1600-h/IMG_1891%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1891[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1891[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8FsBW4D3rxY/Tqobq7ihhFI/AAAAAAAAAVg/TDX8UdM6b94/IMG_1891%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2mtwuvGFOBQ/TqobwCc5BTI/AAAAAAAAAVo/b5yM4OvWLfw/s1600-h/IMG_1889%25255B1%25255D%25255B7%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1889[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1889[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nTFilebVx8o/TqobywpyxUI/AAAAAAAAAVw/GDyrfQL6eVg/IMG_1889%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="455" height="433" /></a></p> <p align="left">Fun things like the bounce house and the pumpkin ring toss!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KWT23IBcDNw/Tqob5EaiQrI/AAAAAAAAAV4/LYgc3dgqg4c/s1600-h/IMG_1868%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1868[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1868[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TXtnP2HDucA/Tqob6bHPEPI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Ru--g8HKeYg/IMG_1868%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nTLtjxkprUg/TqocAT8aJ0I/AAAAAAAAAWI/aZcCQpVDHNU/s1600-h/IMG_1873%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1873[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1873[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CKAX9EZbq34/TqocDJFRVNI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/bVXQoLFFelA/IMG_1873%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="430" height="382" /></a>   </p> <p align="center">Going for a hayride with Mandy.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2BmR6Vn_oCM/TqocJbrt5yI/AAAAAAAAAWY/Ydsa5H13AN0/s1600-h/IMG_1896%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1896[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1896[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ufag9fe5F3E/TqocKYgdvVI/AAAAAAAAAWg/sziOhYWqFMk/IMG_1896%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YPgNGT5fECA/TqocQLJ_nHI/AAAAAAAAAWo/tfvBm8rCGw4/s1600-h/IMG_1874%25255B1%25255D%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1874[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1874[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9Eh5cmCEDJo/TqocRMEAvFI/AAAAAAAAAWw/ua6Fx3745Fc/IMG_1874%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C8xsUrIOMYA/TqocXcXdDOI/AAAAAAAAAW4/uyxvZ4X_QxA/s1600-h/IMG_1881%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1881[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1881[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yrygPCkKFrk/TqocZxHyn0I/AAAAAAAAAXA/_7V8tJObgKc/IMG_1881%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="387" height="440" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jJEPQHB1Lgw/TqocfwePeXI/AAAAAAAAAXI/BsHgIkU9Lws/s1600-h/IMG_1878%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1878[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1878[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WYnVzvYILGA/TqocgwTz0MI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/9ZX6ilhOJzk/IMG_1878%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center">Katie doing her favorite thing ever—bubbles!! This girl loves bubbles. Pop, pop, pop,pop, pop!  That’s what Katie says.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--ugJbBDaWRI/Tqocm0fPXvI/AAAAAAAAAXY/vvHKxT5pJpc/s1600-h/IMG_1888%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1888[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1888[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tic-SKgG11o/Tqocnz9oH1I/AAAAAAAAAXg/sR6qHeQP-eI/IMG_1888%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n4UHg75wMiM/TqocuW4tiTI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Dvvv3dzTiOk/s1600-h/IMG_1882%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1882[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1882[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b4hmSxcUqDY/TqocvsmUxrI/AAAAAAAAAXw/p66FUf9YeXc/IMG_1882%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L7qCwpLCSWE/Tqoc2IMhLBI/AAAAAAAAAX4/KZb2m1z0nxs/s1600-h/IMG_1887%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1887[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1887[1]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4d61xYL2RouTkOgw_SjRl3b9DwP6QDGZdw8SkkbG08zzEbXEKHvudSeLHpxlXS-SptPT5picCnjbIJJ942sGczrGousZ6GIeigzyX5AjIBfPmw6nte43fJKLTqT3NVmuelgzCWhdqkCW/?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center">Note that Katie is wet and that she has her hand (both at different times) in the soap dishes.  She had soap all over her.  You can’t see it, but her hair is slicked down with soap on her right side.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YmWb4lUxiZU/Tqoc9XVWhjI/AAAAAAAAAYI/f4ifPlO_jp4/s1600-h/IMG_1886%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1886[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1886[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-luYb5KkNENg/Tqoc-YpNRjI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/to-ool3c-sk/IMG_1886%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DPlH-9k46Dk/TqodE_wAVSI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Io94TDi0w7M/s1600-h/IMG_1892%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1892[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1892[1]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EI7UVY9P4No/TqodFm3CKgI/AAAAAAAAAYg/PYKcJn0LLls/IMG_1892%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zrpW-sF_S48/TqodJfZkPAI/AAAAAAAAAYo/FEkKORY6LBs/s1600-h/IMG_1879%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1879[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1879[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BbAZGIGf00U/TqodKOXCSVI/AAAAAAAAAYw/HB1IyDauvGk/IMG_1879%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zaw64Arv40M/TqodOAzfPiI/AAAAAAAAAY4/PjVJXGjEyNY/s1600-h/IMG_1880%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1880[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1880[1]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NbDV52JslUA/TqodOvh5brI/AAAAAAAAAZA/XhOmG6PTFwU/IMG_1880%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8DiSgQwiukFTDO0x-ex2LUU9idd5gbiV9AN0EqxVqZtbzIUh63FZbrZDkAza99RQN5IZgai2mVf1wxXN2YMEOCT2cQILligK9_dzfq41UVJA1vPJkr76fAF8o-lLTO32YTtKm5yryR2P/s1600-h/IMG_1898%25255B1%25255D%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1898[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1898[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u7oZScCvdlk/TqodUopEqVI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/7wMomJoTxRw/IMG_1898%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="left">Love this game!  Pin the “stache” on Mr. Frank, who also sees Katie as her OT.  We love Mr. Frank too!  Katie is like what the heck on the middle photo.  Mr. Frank is hanging sideways.  Kiley found it amusing and of course pinned it perfectly.  Great game for those who are looking for a twist on pin the donkey!</p> <p>Okay, so remember Katie got her hands in the bubbles several times.  She ended up with bubbles in her right eye.  You can’t see it here, but her eye is really red and she had a rash pop up on her right cheek.  She was miserable by this time.  It was time to go.  She fell asleep about a minute after we got in the car, took a nap for a few hours (remember she had been up since 3 am), and when she woke up, the picture on the right tells how she was still feeling!  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-24zhRltGJrU/TqodZ37dViI/AAAAAAAAAZY/tK806YMJ6Gc/s1600-h/IMG_1897%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1897[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1897[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WzifMHQptjk/Tqoda3ZyXkI/AAAAAAAAAZg/oejZQOAPz-w/IMG_1897%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QOkMeagNmu8/Tqodgr-wH_I/AAAAAAAAAZo/qGNcLjxAV44/s1600-h/IMG_1908%25255B1%25255D%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1908[1]" border="0" alt="IMG_1908[1]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-huMn7cKE4qk/TqodicPkafI/AAAAAAAAAZw/XQBquywgYkI/IMG_1908%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="267" height="361" /></a></p> <p>My sweetheart did ok after an hour or so once she fully woke back up.  Her eye is no longer red and the rash is gone.  She is ready for more fun tomorrow!  It’s character day at school tomorrow.  She will be a character from the book <em>The Very Hungry Caterpillar, </em>along with the rest of her classmates<em>.  </em>Stay tuned…..</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-31015935908467840382011-10-27T00:58:00.001-04:002011-10-27T20:05:43.952-04:00P is for Patience and Perspective 31 for 21: Day 26My mother has early stage dementia. To know my mother is to know one of the sweetest ladies possible. I don’t think you would find anyone who would say differently. This has been a fact my entire life. Our family is continually learning how to cope with this diagnosis. The reality of what we are facing hits me at different moments. Tonight I was again reminded of the road we are traveling. It scares me and saddens me to think that quite possibly my mother may not know me someday. Maybe a few years. Maybe more. Who knows? It has been about a year since we really started noticing that she was forgetting things. The constant asking of the same questions when the answer was already given 10 times. Not remembering how to cook a recipe from scratch. Not knowing the date. The small things started adding up to the conclusion that she was slowing forgetting all that she knows. All of your life you are being taught something. From the first second you were born. You never stop learning. But what do you do when your brain stops trying? <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4qFgE8BLzU4/Tqjk0hMjsvI/AAAAAAAAATo/LRTp0HPyBLA/s1600-h/IMG_1863%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1863" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IaI3wv0pmeQ/Tqjk1qIQW6I/AAAAAAAAATw/C_ifG_BS2oQ/IMG_1863_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1863" width="290" /></a></div>
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My mom pregnant with me in 1970. </div>
I try to remember to be patient when the same questions are asked 5 minutes apart. I try to remember when she is short tempered and yelling that she is frustrated and it isn’t really me that she is angry with. I have depended on my mother my entire life. Still do. She has been amazing to me. She was the mom who at the last minute would take me to go see Nightmare on Elm Street at 14 because all of my friends were too scared to go. (Of course I was a big baby and I had to sleep with her that night and with the light on for weeks after!) She was the mom who would make her famous eggrolls for my friends just because she wanted to thank them for being so good to me. She was the mom who always took care of me when I was sick. She was the mom who would go on a trip with me just because I asked. She was the mom who would come to my house and plant flowers every year. On and on I could go. Neither Kiley or I have any siblings here. Katie and Blake’s other grandparents do not live here. Blake and Katie have been so lucky to have my parents here with us. They have taken such good care of them. It has never been a burden for her to watch the kids. Heck, they could live with her and she would be so happy. I remember when Katie was born. When we were out of town in the hospital with Katie and Kiley needed to get back to work, she stayed with me. She took care of me. She would sit some days at Katie’s bedside and silent tears would fall. She never said what she was thinking and I never asked. I just remembered trying to comfort her, to let her know that we would be ok. It was truly one of the first times that I remember feeling like I was taking care of her then by comforting her because it has always been her comforting me all my life. She has been Katie’s biggest supporter. Up until this school year, she has taken care of Katie full time for us while we work. My dad and I were talking this summer about how she will need to go to daycare after this year and I know this will sadden my mom (he is great too—he watches my mom watching Katie). I know Katie will be ok, but I don’t know about my mom. Since Katie is in school until lunch, she is with them for about 4-5 hours every afternoon. The doctor feels that Katie is helping to keep my mother focused, to give her some purpose in remembering and to help her live a stronger life. She is incredible with Katie and it will be so hard on her, but I know it is what is best for everyone. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d2dNRISZlGY/Tqjk2xvk9JI/AAAAAAAAAT4/ORVOvoOQgss/s1600-h/IMG_1563%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1563" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MefVWi7p8uE/Tqjk3P3s_II/AAAAAAAAAUA/dURp-L1JhWc/IMG_1563_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1563" width="183" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1OM8gqOvWSY/Tqjk4VY8gfI/AAAAAAAAAUI/ucddAw4oB9c/s1600-h/IMG_1517%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1517" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTuBfgNuNz1VRaNx83L2RCqbTsDMQGmNNaK8OjThAb2JcQQSo62Z20qPLaqFmol7B0LNYX3qZPEqQc8UAt0NHw2UoVaZHQZH9_oudfIUBMTFZLi5br6rSg9bCXUg6CsTySag5PTFwUVsm/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1517" width="183" /></a></div>
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My mom with Katie on her field trip earlier this month.</div>
My mom possibly not remembering me will be terrible, but for her not to know my babies will be devastating. I am blessed that I have had her by my side for the last 40 years. (Thank you to my husband for loving me enough to stay when we were both so young and for allowing me to live here to be near her. He has given up so much too. I know how much it hurts for him not to be near his family.) I did not know my grandparents on my mother’s side. My mom is from Thailand and her mom died when she was 16 and her father passed when I was 6 or 7. My dad’s dad passed when I was almost 10 and my dad’s mom when I was 19. I have some wonderful memories of my grandparents on my dad’s side and I want those same memories for my kids. I want Kaitlyn to remember her grandmother. I want her grandmother to be here when she is 10, 15, 20. I know we aren’t guaranteed not one single moment, but if it were to be that we all lived another 20 years, how wonderful for us. <br />
I have had 24 years more than my mom had with her mom. They have been good years. Wonderful years. I don’t take a day for granted. I am blessed. Thank you mom for being the best ever. I know I will never compare with you, but I hope that I have made you proud to have me as a daughter. I love you so much. Please remember her in your prayers. <br />
Tonight made me remember my perspectives on life. How I want to live it—fully and honorable to God and to my friends and family. The road is not easy for any of us, but how we view our life in comparison with others is a big reality check for me despite some obstacles I am faced with. I am in a very good and blessed place. It reminds me that all it has ever taken to move forward is to put one foot in front of the other and to walk in faith. And when we have trouble walking down the path placed in front of us, that we can ask for help in being carried. I haven’t walked in anyone’s shoes but my own. Sharing Katie’s story is important to me. If sharing my perspective of parenting a child with special needs helps one person make a decision not to abort or not to give up on their child, it will have been worth the effort. I think of how people look at my daughter and how they instantly perceive how she is or how we live and how we can be so wrong with our perceptions without knowing the full story. My life is a series of events, all happening in God’s timing. I am profoundly aware of life being fragile and that we should be grateful to be a part of it. My perspectives became clearer again today on several things, one of which is how this blogging 31 for 21 challenge makes me feel. I have been thinking for the last few days that I just can’t do another night due to fatigue. Then I am reminded that maybe someone who has never given Down syndrome a second thought may be inspired by this month of awareness. It reminds me that we still have so much work to do on educating those who really have no idea about Down syndrome and the life our family member lives and the ones we live with them. So our work must continue and we push forward even on those days when weariness creeps in and decides to stay for an extended visit. My perspective is that life is a gift and one not to be wasted. Wouldn’t you agree?Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-88594481644248028582011-10-25T22:29:00.001-04:002011-10-25T23:51:00.399-04:00P is for Possibilities 31 for 21: Day 25I am having a hard time tonight writing this post. I can’t find the words to say what I feel. P has been for passion, pessimism, prayers, pictures, patience and now possibilities. I guess I have so much I am thinking and feeling, but unable to articulate what it is I want to say. Is that how my Katie feels at times? You know she wants to say what she is thinking, but it doesn’t always come out when she wants it to. I look at her and in my eyes I am pleading, talk to me, say what you are thinking, only to be met with those beautiful soulful eyes and silence. This isn’t to be misunderstood with her actually talking. Her teachers tell me that she is quite talkative in class. She babbles and says words and she knows what is going on, but if I ask Katie a question, it is very rare that she will just answer me back. How was your day Katie? Silence. I love you. Silence. Sleep ok? Silence. Some days the silence overwhelms me. Other times it is just what it is. I wouldn’t trade my daughter for anything. She is full of possibility and I believe there will be a day when she is asking the questions instead of me. The Lord showed me how full of those possibilities she was those first few months of her life. When I think of those things she struggled with and things she still struggles with, it hurts me, but I know she doesn’t see it as a struggle. She knows no different at this age. She just keeps trying over and over. She is my inspiration through and through. <br />
I think of how people write our children off because they hear the word Down syndrome and they automatically label her. They haven’t allowed her the possibility to shine, to show what she is capable of. I get so tired of people writing you off at first glance. I hate when people look and the instant label is put on them. To be fair, I have done it many times too, so please don’t think I am exempting myself from this statement. Their clothes are secondhand—oh they must be poor. Their house is a mess—oh they are slobs. They talk funny—they are uneducated. I use to think people were so rude when you would speak to them and they wouldn’t speak back. Now in my wisdom I know it is probably because they didn’t hear me or their minds were occupied on something else. My mother is so hard of hearing. I have to go around and tell everyone, if she doesn’t respond to you, she isn’t ignoring you, she can’t hear you, talk louder. Yet people who don’t know her have already labeled her in that one instance. How many times has someone looked at my Katie and then looked at her again and instantly made up their minds about her? Far too many I am sure, but I am going to try my hardest to stop labeling someone just from my first image of them. You know the old saying about first impressions…they count the most, blah, blah, blah….Well, I am going to go for second and third impressions too! Extend the same courtesy to my daughter too if you don’t mind. You’ll be a better person for it. <br />
Think of what the world would be like if we allowed ourselves to be open to the possibility of always finding the good in others. To those who have accepted my daughter just as she is, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for seeing my daughter exactly as she is. Thank you for not judging and for allowing the possibility of her beautiful soul with her extra chromosome to shine through her into you. <br />
<strong>Passionately believe in what you are doing, let nothing hold you up in your work, and one day at a time the impossible can become possible. </strong>I am passionately believing in the possibility that our children will be given all the same chances as everyone else. Change always starts with one person. There are moments in life that change you forever and my Katie’s birth is one of them for me. I leave you with a quote….<br />
<strong>Never judge a book by its cover because the story inside could be the one that changes your life. You need to take time to look inside and give it a chance.</strong><br />
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<strong><img height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4ws1D4w5m5CrrKPNRgd7StHd2P2X0miBMY7OD8-8OCRYJuDEz5nAleLukOIZRTFvNelWHDmwJtcv9g9rrij15KrarV9tUJR1gUGf5njcf0oXBxepQ53Ss34bUL02NKD7h6_bpBd3Iik/s1600/books460.jpg" width="460" /></strong>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-61695090766492227812011-10-24T23:41:00.001-04:002011-10-25T22:47:27.954-04:00Mostly muted Monday 31 for 21: Day 24I continue to find myself here at the end of the day (for me anyway) trying to get a post together. Every.stinking.day. I see the Wordless Wednesday posts, the Silent Sundays, and the Talk less Tuesdays, so I figured why not try Monday. I wanted to label it Making it through Monday post, but I am really grateful to be here every day and I wanted to have a post where I didn't have to write too much. So mostly muted Monday it is. I am a terrible picture taker and I haven't even used my simple point and shoot in months. I just use my phone to take pictures nowadays. I haven't posted very much here period, but I really haven't posted enough pictures at all. I love photos. Never get tired of taking them or looking at them. So, to finish this day I am going to just post some random shots I have taken recently. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bb_sF3G3eKo/TqYv26Z3lvI/AAAAAAAAASY/RJ2wkYOrjAQ/s1600-h/IMG_1847%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1847" border="0" height="369" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RVdlM_HsA1U/TqYv3fjc_NI/AAAAAAAAASg/hTR-tyHSOL4/IMG_1847_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1847" width="253" /></a>Her hair is so long! She really needs it cut, but I don’t know if she is going to sit still. I guess we won’t know until we try, but I am so scared!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yq-xwre-esE/TqYv32HEaoI/AAAAAAAAASo/ybKsJtZ7RaQ/s1600-h/IMG_1771%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1771" border="0" height="345" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hkR_QIzBCAI/TqYv4Z_ftyI/AAAAAAAAASw/oQaTZfF2JXk/IMG_1771_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1771" width="285" /></a></div>
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Ok, so I go in the bedroom and Katie and Kiley are napping one afternoon. They are both knocked out cold. He’s snoring away with her foot firmly pressed against his head! Of course our kiddos are flexible, so the leg you see is at a 90 degree angle here!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpWNKCnOdmTyQwmp7mJ35trst64aQlfzfD2gnacoobJ4hwxULGpq_vsUBi6Y_BqYv_wx230Luy2uQG6tVgwrw3iz400kuqLRFuyOj7vQ0IxCRmDK2BxSd732_Gq7kScQBc-_aPqCKVtwG/s1600-h/IMG_1710%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1710" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxXPcWZ2PhOaBbVWRhuJ9UdMuWKOjTkM61CBFhtuPHvqPJAhPg_FifgkyFcnymlr-g-ddHo1Uwb7f7bFWqtKZFwhTPI06OBSTHm0UFT4gHLnttNJMjF3Yx5f3rVpeOO_Q5muJoweUOiwb/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1710" width="280" /></a></div>
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Katie over at nana’s climbing on the table! This girl is into everything!</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bIXg4T6qAtE/TqYv55K_efI/AAAAAAAAATI/W4G0MXP_k4I/s1600-h/IMG_1800%252520%2525282%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1800 (2)" border="0" height="328" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SGrvp_4bSaw/TqYv6ESs26I/AAAAAAAAATQ/Qi_1o4aWR2U/IMG_1800%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1800 (2)" width="268" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qvpfegz5i5k/TqYv6prnh8I/AAAAAAAAATY/8TzQPPgEJ30/s1600-h/IMG_1799%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1799" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hEt9c_W-fGg/TqYv7IQx-2I/AAAAAAAAATg/5Yf9iN5WcPI/IMG_1799_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1799" width="331" /></a></div>
Katie and I were messing around in front of the camera, she loves looking at herself! If I looked as good as she did, I would like looking at myself all the time too!<br />
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Happy Monday! Now to go and get ready for Tuesday if I am blessed enough to see it!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-1747715277341939352011-10-23T23:11:00.000-04:002011-10-23T23:13:05.733-04:00O is for Orphans 31 for 21: Day 23This was my original O post. I have been working through the alphabet, but not worrying whether or not I make it to Z, as long as I get 31 post in 31 days in. (so far, so good!) I am so lucky to be in such wonderful company as the families who have and are adopting children. At any given time over the last 2 years, I have followed several stories with those who have decided to answer the call to bring home a family member through the means of adoption. My friend <a href="http://taylorvillethree21.blogspot.com/">Christie, over at Welcome to Taylorville, has</a> just gotten home about a week ago with her new son Jadon. Praise the Lord! And my Facebook friend <a href="http://thenewfaceofdowns.org/adoption/">Ashley, over at The New face of Downs,</a> just brought her daughter home this weekend! Welcome home Juliana! I have some Facebook friends such as <a href="http://bringinghomeourchinesebutterfly.blogspot.com/">Suzanne, over at Our Chinese Butterfly</a> and <a href="http://anangelsransom.blogspot.com/">Faith, at An Angels Ransom</a> to name a couple of ladies who are in the midst of adoption. There are more beautiful mommas and families to share and it is my hope that I will get to do that here as I continue to be more productive in writing on the blog. <br />
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Last night I woke up around 2 am (and I had just gone to bed after 12!), but I always say it is because God has placed something on my mind that I need to pray about. Well, I got on the Internet, maybe Facebook, I can't really remember how I found out the news, but the first thing I see is that Katerina's (or Katie bug as we will get to know her) adoption has gone through! Praise God! I have been praying for this family and their story as soon as I started reading it. Katie's mom had gone over to see her daughter in Europe and she was warned that it might be hard to see her. You see, her daughter is 9 years old and weighs 10 pounds! It is so hard to believe that. Yet she has survived all these years waiting for her family to come and get her and the true blessing of God will rain down on her in just a few short weeks as she makes her way home to be directly admitted to Children's Hospital in Philadelphia and to start her new journey with her family at her side. She has 10 loving brothers and sisters to come home to. What an honor it has been to read this story and see it come to this point. Please go and visit Susanna's blog at <a href="http://theblessingofverity.com/">The Blessing of Verity.</a> I promise you will be moved to tears of joy and heartache as you read this story. I can't wait to continue to read this story and to witness the Lord at work through this family and this child. <br />
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The heartache is because as Susanna shares, there are so many more children waiting for someone to rescue them. Some of these children have minimal interaction with any humans and this goes on for years and years. How do you survive that? How do we as human beings allow this to happen? The problem is, we hear of these stories and yet there are hundreds, thousands more that we will never of. I know people all over this world are starving, being abused and tortured, growing up homeless and parent less and just living a life that has to seem so unforgiving to them. It is happening all over the United States. People will tell me that we shouldn't worry about what goes on in other parts of the world when we have our own troubles here. I don't believe God would want us to differentiate between one child or another. They are all valuable and they all matter. My heart and my cause is to these orphans particularly because I could see how the circumstances would have been if my Katie was born there. How blessed am I am to live here in the States, to know that I have rights for her future and help for her future. It is so hard to imagine how people could work in a place and not love on these children. How they could not hear the children crying and not comfort them? Would it just be too overwhelming for them? Do they feel that there isn't enough of them to go around? I have read stories of some being very cold towards the children and it is so heartbreaking. The society there in Eastern Europe do not value these children. I have no doubt that there are parents who want to keep their children but probably feel there is no good option from them at this point due to circumstances they have no control over. Many of my friends who have adopted have said that they are asked why they would want to adopt a child with Ds. If we continue to bring these children home, maybe we are helping to spread the message that these children will do just fine at home given the chance and that they can thrive when loved!<br />
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I just know that my heart hurts when I think of how there is no one to soothe their tears at night. How quickly I run to my daughter when she starts crying to comfort her. No one to read them a bedtime story and to tuck them in with snuggles and kisses as Katie bug gets every night. No one to give them the time to just sit back and enjoy their meal like my Katie did tonight. No one to praise them and encourage them when they need it. I think of things like how my Katie loves to get a bath and how she loves for me to brush her teeth after and will sit and thoroughly enjoy having her hair blow dried. These children have no idea what a bathtub is. I have heard that some of them have never had their teeth brushed. And this is just touching the surface of what they don't know because they haven't been given the chance to live. How can that be? No matter how many times I think about it, I still cannot fathom how we as human beings can treat others this way. <br />
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I love this website, <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/">Reece's Rainbow.</a> You can see and read about the children who are ready to come home to a family, perhaps you? If you are not considering adoption, please consider donating monetarily and sharing this site with your friends and family, pray for the families who are adopting, pray for the children who are waiting, waiting for a future that you can play a part in. I always say this, but it is so true, you are helping to forever change someones future. These children are like investing in an investment that yields high returns, only better, the return you receive in this investment can never have a price put on them. It is a life that deserves to be lived outside of a crib, outside of a mental institution and inside the loving arms of a family who have love, comfort, kindness, patience and hope to share with them. Please be a blessing to these children. They are waiting....Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-84306961275603394422011-10-22T23:57:00.001-04:002011-10-23T23:13:18.985-04:00O is for Organizing--31 for 21:Day 22I was hoping to do my original O post tonight, but again, I am pressed for time as I have been busy today cleaning and organizing. While I was busy working at house cleaning, my son was enjoying the day in Tallahassee at the FSU football game with his football team. What is wrong with this picture? <br />
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I am going to have to download the pictures of the organizing project I started today. You literally could not walk in our spare room. The floor was completely covered in boxes of every sort. Boxes on top of boxes! My good intentions a few years back were to make a spare guest room again. Of course that didn't happen. My mom had given me her mattresses that she had when she upgraded beds a few years back and they have been sitting against the wall since she gave them to me! The problem is this is not the first time we have had to do major reorganization in this room. It is a catchall!<br />
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We simply have way too much clutter and I am a hoarder! I hate letting go of stuff. Need a pen? I have a couple hundred? Pictures? A few thousand. Cards? A huge box of them. I have letters back from when I was a child! Now to give myself some credit, I have done some major purging through the years. I did go through and throw away all my old receipts from 5 years ago and every statement I have kept from the phone company,the electric company, etc. I have saved magazines before for years and decided to just put them out at a yard sale for free to get them gone. Good ones that don't go out of style like cooking magazines. I have sold several hundred books (hardback) for a dollar apiece at yard sales and about 3 years ago did my last final purge of all the hardbacks that were my absolute favorites (400 books) and I donated them all to the local library. I simply don't have the room for all this stuff. Now my dream home would have this awesome library with a huge window reading nook, but that story is for a another post. Not to mention that I have gone digital with the Kindle for the last year and frankly, I don't miss holding a book for a wonderful reading experience. Ok, back to the clutter....<br />
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I have some ideas about what I want to do with the room (on a tight budget of course) and I will share the before and afters with you all. One thing I am going to do is leave the bed leaning up against the wall for now and only put it up if we have any overnight guests. I went to Sam's today and bought 2 of those 6 shelves storage rack thingys. Kiley put them together for me and I am going to use them to hold all sorts of bins and boxes. This gets everything off the floor and I can see everything I need. I think I will ask my mom to sew some panels to place over them to cover everything up until I can buy all the bins I want. I am already liking how it is looking as I have everything off the floor now and on the shelves. (that's what i have been doing all evening--tackling all the junk!) Now for the hardest part. My biggest project to tackle from this room is two huge boxes filled to the brim with all sorts of papers in them. Down syndrome stuff, medical bills, recipes, photos, journaling notes, old bills, brochures, work junk, school stuff from the kids, etc. You name it I have it!<br />
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So, I am calling it a night and I hope to get a few hours of free time tomorrow to catch up on some more blogs from the blog hop yesterday and to share my original O post.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-20769200202496618702011-10-21T22:53:00.001-04:002011-10-23T23:13:34.914-04:00N is for New Friends--Blog Hopping tonight for Ds awareness 31 for 21: Day 21So I am getting started a little late tonight on the blog hop, and this would be par for the course as I can't seem to get any post out at a reasonable time of the evening. My sweet friend Erin, over @ <a href="http://crazy%20beautiful%20love/">Crazy Beautiful Love</a>, had a great idea at the beginning of the month to host a blog hop. We are IRL friends and her Eslea bug is the most beautiful girl ever! Those blue eyes are piercing and she always lets me hold her so willingly, and she always gives me the greatest smile when I whip out my camera and point it at her! (momma bug Erin has taught her well!) Anyway, Erin, this is a really neat idea to have others come and visit our blogs and spread the Down syndrome love! Thanks so much! There is still time to join in. If you get to this too late, you can still click on all the links to the right and visit those who did participate. I love reading about everyone's life and the things that make their lives so special. Happy Blog Hopping Everyone!!! Can't wait to meet you guys!<br />
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Edited to add @ midnight: I only made it through 10 blogs tonight. I will finish visiting everyone through the weekend. I love reading everyone's story!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076852815832991284.post-3098368435347515752011-10-20T21:57:00.001-04:002011-10-23T23:13:58.281-04:00M is for mixed emotions regarding the new blood test that detects Ds 31 for 21: Day 20The test that we have been hearing so much about for the last few years is here. Starting Monday in 20 major markets the test, which can detect Ds noninvasively, will be an option for mothers. The success rate of determining if the child will have Ds is almost 100%. It is done by collecting a blood sample which is less of a risk then what is currently offered. The only ways to get near accurate positive results is by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Both of these tests are invasive techniques which carry a slight risk of complications including a miscarriage. Women can be tested as early as 10 weeks, but most will be tested in the second trimester. <br />
Will an entire race be eliminated? I think the answer to that would be no because you will always have parents who are fiercely opposed to abortion for different reasons. Will the number of babies with Down syndrome be lowered? It would seem that way. We have already seen an 11% drop of babies born with Ds from 1989 through 2006. Women who choose to terminate children who have a diagnosis of Down syndrome is over 90%. That number is numbing to me. I have to look at the amount of abortions overall and I don’t even think it is just a diagnosis of Down syndrome that has these numbers so high, it just that there are so many unwanted pregnancies period. Much less a pregnancy with special needs involved. I keep thinking of what would happen if we had a screening tool for Autism, Cerebral Palsy, or any number of diagnoses out there. Would the parents abort then? We have become a society that is all about me, me, me. We want the latest, greatest, biggest and best of everything. If we could genetically alter our children to have them just the way we want, would we not pick the best of everything for them to have? They would be the smartest (Mensa smart), most popular, best sense of humor, best looking, best personality, etc., etc., etc. You get the intent here. I think of how the Jewish people must of felt when Hitler was in power. 6 million Jewish lives lost because one person persuaded others that his idea of a perfect race was to be carried out. He also had million of others killed because they were people with disabilities, different religions such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, Polish civilians. Whatever he deemed beneath him, he had them eliminated. Are we eradicating a population of the world simply because people see our children as less than? What will the numbers show 10 years from now because of this test? Is my daughter part of the last generation of children living with Down syndrome? Again, I don’t think so, because I do feel that you will have a small population of parents who will raise their child no matter what is in store for them. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we would see a rise in the number of children born with Ds? A rise because we had parents saying I can instead of I can’t. <br />
<strong> <em>I couldn’t handle having a child with special needs, better you than me. I don’t know how you do it.</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>It takes special people to raise a child with disabilities</em>.</strong> <br />
Really? No, I don’t think so. Now are there parents who have no business with special needs children? Absolutely, but they probably have no business pro-creating anything, including plants! I think more than ever with the advent of so many ways of socializing via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc, we can continue to share our message with everyone---having a Down syndrome child is some of the best parenting you can do. You become a better person through the experience. You will find that our children eat and poop the same way everyone else does. You will find that their smile lights up your world. You will have a voice you never knew possible. You will celebrate all of the small things in life. <br />
The test is not going away. Doctors will order it. Parents want to know. Parents will react—it is human nature to have emotions. We need to be ready to advise if given the chance and to tell our stories. Will this test change the dynamics of how many children are born with Ds? Yes, I am sure of it. Let’s continue to advocate and share our perspectives of what it is like to give parents an option after they get a positive result if they choose to continue the pregnancy. What I will continue to do is hope that physicians will allow parents to be educated on the positives of Ds, instead of telling them so many negative things. That parents to be would find our stories and find hope. We can’t change what is happening right now, but we can continue to share our children with all of mankind. And as Martha Stewart would say----it’s a good thing!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02396027877128197231noreply@blogger.com9