Gardening

Gardening in the NW is so very different from southern coastal FL. Things just dawdle along for weeks, then months; they don't really grow but are certainly alive. Then.... in a day everything starts going crazy and you have big, beautiful plants and their bounty. The boys have been excited to garden.... planting, feeding, pruning, picking, cooking, eating. It is winding down now as Autumn is here and we are harvesting less each week. I have loved watching their enthusiasm and their own growth in this process. Look at those faces; no wonder everything tastes so very good.

Bon Jovi Yes we will, Have A Nice Day

The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame's 2011 ballot was announced this morning....... Cay you say Bon Jovi? Yippee, hooray, WTG!

I didn't buy these

but aunties know them well......

What's Bug up to?

Hmmmmmm, I'm not too sure about this homework deal.
But I love school.
I love my flip-flops no matter the weather.
I help my Mom.
One moment the tooth is there and
the next it's gone.
When I get to choose something to "read" on my own...
Ahhh, another Tony Hawk :)

Hook Em

The Big 12 ready to go.... the Longhorns go into Lubbock to avenge the 2008 loss, you remember, right? Michael Crabtree catching the game winning touchdown pass. BUT........ this is a different team.
Here we go.......................

Life's Rhythm

Each one of my sons is a constant reminder to stop and take a mindful moment because he needs mommy for something........ and often. A typical day includes non-stop picking up, cooking, cleaning, packing backpacks, loading and unloading the car, laundry (that just another blog altogether) and any other day-to-day agenda item. These days I'd like to keep closer to home and we do whenever we can; we just stop. And sit. And be.

When my kids are on a schedule, when we have routine, we are all easier to be around. Less chaos, fewer tantrums and circular insanity; we have more love, learning, thinking, growing. Summertime in the NW, the sun is still up way past the littles capacity to be awake; but as with all kids, they struggle on. Summer is full of non-routine. Fall brings a recognition of their weariness and they are happy for bedtime. In essence, bedtime routine starts when we wake up in the morning. The more rhythmic and routine the day, the smoother life is, the more we all, all 6 together, appreciate that final blessed hour.

Bedtime is an important process, one I love. Like the seasons and the diverging light, we adjust and change as evolution happens, bodies grow, books become memorized.

I realized, tonight, that bedtime routine is now an hour long, potty, jammies, teeth brushing and face washing, lovey gathering, book choosing, snuggling and a story. It is the most precious hour of the day, it is slow and peaceful, it always happens.

A dichotomy

It is wonderful that he can love both of these equally :))

My boys bring me so much joy. I owe so much to them. They are so happy and free. The world is so intriguing to them.
The littles are curious and carefree; they spend the day just taking it all in, exploring their new world. Alexi is so imaginative and he thinks so differently than I do. When we read books together and I ask him questions afterwards, he comes up with answers, by pointing usually, that are so simple and so correct, yet, I never come up with the same answers.
Jesse-Ray still makes me laugh and smile when he's retelling the story to me and he can't understand why. I see me; I remember what life was like at his age. I want to learn to think like that again.

With time they are teaching me to remember all the things I've forgotten from my childhood. I want to live thru their eyes, to remember how simple things were and how wonderful things are.

My kids have taught me patience and love. They've taught me joy and happiness. They've taught me what's important in life and what's not. I hope I can, in return, teach them a thing or two along the way.

Time is a thief and gives nothing back, so enjoy every moment you have, you'll never get it back.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36

Have you forgotten?

The world was forever changed.

Sad and Happy......

at the same time.
This week has seen, in just ONE orphanage alone, a precious little boy go home to Father, a little girl transferred from the Baby House to the institution (where children with Ds typically survive less than 18 mos), and a third reunited with his bio family (YIPPEE).
How can my heart rejoice for the little one home with his bio family and their bravery, then at the same time feel so broken for the loss of another............. not from illness or accident but because of neglect.
I sit here looking at my 5 and know this is soooooo right. I am so very blessed.

This little guy looked and looked for his brothers today..... aah.

1st Day of Kindergarten

The boys had a GREAT time and all was well. Yeah, but why would you expect anything different.

HE CAN SEE

It appears that pookie can see better with his glasses. This is what we were hoping for all along. You don't really know but behavior is a pretty good indicator. He leaves them on and has had some small squinting (with the good eye), as if his brain is trying to figure it all out.
And truly..... isn't he just darling in them?

It's Here, Kindergarten Eve

Here we are on 'Kindergarten Eve' and today Bug and Boobah got ready to head off (officially) for Kindergarten tomorrow. THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN tomorrow! Yes with lots of other little people in the neighborhood... "oh, they will have a great time," and "they are ready." I know, I know, people say this all the time but I'm having trouble digesting the realness.

After much confusion, on the part of the school and district, and this plan then that..... they are, as I said all along, going to their neighborhood school, in a general ed classroom, with typical peers. It is new for this teacher, the school and the district; but all will be OK. One step at a time everyone.

I am sure we have many struggles ahead but skipping the initial process and the useless bottom-level protocol puts us miles ahead. I have faith............ but also a very good knowledge of the law.............. and am rabidly tenacious about inclusion.

Grandma called and talked to the boys before "THE BIG DAY." They both seem to be excited. We met Miss V, their teacher, and saw their classroom today. We met lots of the other kindies and their parents. They talked and giggled and played with the others, while, as parents will, we chatted and mingled, asked questions and shared our fears.

This is a new journey. Hop on board.

Happy Birthday

Today, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mother Theresa.... we say a special prayer for all whom lives she touched and continues to do so. This is a woman I have so admired and see her picture daily to remind me of WHY. May we all remember her and emulate her.

Wild Wild West weekend

Waiting for the ferry.... an hour and a half, ugh :(

Loving the ferry....blowin in the wind.

Ahh, nothing like a cold one at Miss Kitty's.

Does this hat bring out my eyes?

Hurricane with a friend, Mr Scooter.

Gosh, I am cute.

Nothing but air.

AJ, doesn't he look like one of those cowboys from an old western?

Such a good big brother.

2 little ranch hands.

Boobah riding along

Hurricane,oldest of the "Block Gang".
The gracious folks at M-C ranch, on a local island, held an all day "western themed" party for kids with Down syndrome. The boys had a wonderful time. The last count I heard from "Miss Kitty," there were over 110 kids and another hundred in family members. What an unselfish act. The family holds this event, for no cost, to celebrate the joy their niece Megan (Ds) has brought to their family. There were horses to ride, fiddlers and pickers to sing to and dance, food to eat, an old-time western town to explore, hayrides, flagpole races and so much more.
We were blessed to be able to meet a family whom are currently in-progress adopting 2 Angels from EE. Having cyber talked with this family, we were hoping they would be there. That was a blessing of its own. My heart always sings when these Angels are adopted.

Busy summer times

bubbles in the pool

last soccer till fall

last karate

playing with friends