Update

Sorry, I don't know why but my blogging mood has been challenged lately. For some reason, I have had alot to blog about, but no zeal to tell them.

Funny quotes:
We were over at Gran's house, and Sadie backed up to Gran. She said "you want me to poot on you?" We all died laughing. I guess she has been listening to her father!

I was trying to get the kids out of the car earlier this week and it was raining. I had just ran inside with Rowan, and dropped him off on the couch. I ran out to get Sadie and Carpenter. I had Sadie on my right hip, waiting for Carpenter to come get on the other, to get them in the house. We'll Carpenter didn't want to come to me. I was getting pretty upset. Sadie and I were getting soaked. So I did the counting to three game. And Carpenter did not come on three. So I said in my not so happy voice "Come here NOW, Carpenter, we are getting soaked!" Carpenter just looked at me and said, clear as day, "Mean Momma!" So I laughed. He has never said "mean" before! And I was proud of him for putting it together. Any of the other kids would have been lectured. But I was proud he put that describing word on there, as unpleasant as it was.

Last weekend, some of the kids had a stomach bug. Plus on top of that, my dryer broke, the heating element went out! So I want to say a special thank you to Pop-Pop for fixing it! Stomach bug and broken dryer is not a good combination! We missed Carpenter's Christmas party at the MC, the Down Syndrome Christmas Party, and church!

Marley had her Christmas concert on Monday night! It went really well!

Carpenter had his Christmas program at FIFBC on Friday! It went really well! I got in the middle of the row to film. He saw me. "Hi Momma," then gave me the figure up to the lip, to tell me to be quiet! When he saw Gran, he got really excited. He repeated "Bran" an million times. Still working on those G's! Carpenter was dressed like a cute snowman!


Carpenter and his "Bran"

Rowan dancing

Sadie had her Christmas program on Friday also. I couldn't figure out why she wasn't singing! She know all the songs. My favorite is "Feliz Navidad!" Children's pronunciations on that song are hilarious. Anyway, back to the concert, I quickly found out why she wasn't singing when she stood up. She had an accident! I felt terrible for her. There were so many kids and parents cramped into a small room. I bet she felt overwhelmed to tell someone she needed to go to the bathroom. She has not had an accident in forever.

not so happy face
Last night, I got to go see the Nutcracker with Marley, Milli, and Traci. We went out to eat dinner at Trios and then onto the Peace Center. It was great to go out to dinner and not have to share my food or take someone to the restroom! We all had a memorable night thanks to Milli! I was impressed that Anne took her whole family! I should have taken a family pic!

Marley and Milli

Milli and Mrs. Traci

Myself and Marley

Marley and Milli

Dad's Night October 18, 2004

Marley was looking a couple of weeks ago at her K-4 notebook. It contained alot of stuff she did through out the year. This was a what she filled out in the questionnaire.

My Dad's favorite food is "Hamburgers"
His favorite color is "Blue"
His favorite sport is "Olympics"
We need Daddy at our house because "He has to build the rest of the house!"
When Daddy's at home, he likes to "Sit in his favorite chair"
My favorite thing to do with Daddy is "Play with him"
My Dad's favorite TV show is "Fighting and wrestling"
My Dad is "14" years old.

Marley read this sheet out loud, and we laughed at her funny answers. Jon asked when was that, and Marley said when she was four.

As soon as that enjoyable moment of remembering Marley at 4. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Carpenter is 4. Marley was writing, beginning reading at 4. She could have a conversation with you. A "Genuine" conversation about life, what she liked, who got into trouble at school. It was almost like I had to physically shut my mind off, not to get sad about Carpenter. I think it was good, that Marley and Carpenter are 4 years apart. Because I don't compare them. But on this day I did. I longed for the day when he could have a "real" conversation with me. Carpenter can speak, tell me what he wants. But if I ask him how his day was, or what did you do at school today, there is no real conversation. It totally bums me. I want to share in his world, know what he thinks.

I had to stop comparing them. They are two unique and wonderful children.

But I know the day will come when we will sit together and talk all day, after the other kids have left my house and started families of their own. He will be there. My constant companion.

Chrismtas Wishes!

Christmas is such a special time of year! I love it! I think the candle lit service on Christmas Eve is my favorite because everyone comes. And it is just the pure worshipping of the Lord. I love spending time with my family during this time!

Soldiers:

We all know that there are thousands of soldiers who are not going to be home for Christmas.

You can adopt a soldier online and send cards/care packages to:
Any Solider Inc.

Or you can send cards through the American Red Cross:
This will send the cards to the troops at Walter Reed Army Hospital

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

Really, how hard could it be to send out a few extra Christmas cards this year to wonderful servicemen and servicewomen.

Also, I am not a big mall shopper during the Christmas season. I try to avoid it at all cost. But if you do shop at the mall or online please buy from Sears. Click on the Sears link above, for their program called Heroes at Home where they help fix up the houses of heroes!

Sears also pays the difference in salaries and maintains the benefits and bonus programs for their called up military reservist employees!

This is huge! Families live on tight incomes and Sears pays for the difference and keeps their benefits! How amazing is that!

So if you do buy from Sears, let them know why you are shopping there also!

Also for my family:

I really don't need anything this Christmas, neither do the kids really. But I would love for you to buy me two ducks for $12. Anything would help! We have an African child, we sponsor through World Vision, going on about 5 years now. We get updates on how she is doing! So, in your giving this year please remember those who have so little when we have so much! God is good!

Santa pics

We used to take Marley to see Santa. But since we have had the three little ones back to back to back. That has not been an area of focus. Plus, I love Jesus more than I like Santa.

Here are some pics of me from childhood:



I was terrified of Santa! So my mom had to sit in his lap also! This is the first pic that I saw that Sadie May looked a little like me. Something in my mouth and hers! I was so excited she looked like me in one picture. All the kids look like Jon, so I get excited about the littlest stuff. I mean you(fellow mom's) are the one's that carry the child for 10 months and they look like their father! JK! My children are adorable!

Plus when I showed this picture to Sadie, she said it was "me, Sadie and Santa Claus!"

It's That Time of Year Again~Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Fountain Inn Tree Lighting

We had a wonderful night in Fountain Inn. At FIES the students had to write a story about what lighting the FI Christmas Tree meant to them. Marley wrote the story and was really excited about it. The teachers of each class had to choose the best story out of their class. Marley's story was chosen, and she was so excited! And she was pumped when she found out that she was the winner for the 3rd grade! We all were very excited and proud of her. She loves to read and write!

So tonight, Gran, Pop-Pop, Meme, and Papa joined us for the FI Christmas Tree Lighting Program! It was a great program. And Pop-Pop, was the emcee, because he is the mayor of this great town! So that made it extra special!

The rain stopped and Marley was able to read her story! She did an awesome job!
Here is a video:









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Fox Carolina was there and they are going to be on the 10 o'clock news if you can stay up and watch it!

They said they might put it up on their website later on.

No More Excuses, Be There

When I read this a while back on New Kind of Normal, it really struck me. I am sorry I haven't blogged anything original in a while. But this was so great I had to share. I have been wanting to blog a lot lately but have had sick kids which makes a tired mom.


Written by Jessica of New Kind of Normal:
Yes the holidays are coming up, yes we all have our traditions. Yes we are all busy.
While we are driving to choir practice, Christmas shopping, being annoyed at our healthy kids, someone is watching their child fight to live today, a mom is so tired she simply cant focus on the enormous task in caring for her child. Families are separated for endless days. Do you understand what I'm saying here? A mom is watching her baby die right now, a mom is watching her baby fight to take a breath. Where are you? Do you know someone in the hospital? Go to them. People can sit in church and talk about love, then go home and wrap themselves up in their own lives.
God didn't mean go to church, fake smile, and talk about love, He meant go out and love. Be burdened by those who are suffering, not by your to do list. Be burdened for the sick, not by your Christmas solo, be burdened for the weak, not by your next shopping trip or Christmas party.

Start a new tradition this year, and reach out to someone who is hurting. Who is dying. Who is helplessly watching their child suffer, and there is nothing they can do but watch.

Meet somebody at their rock bottom today. Take the sting out of this.

If you know someone who has a sick or special needs child don't tip toe around them. Reach out, make yourself available, even just to talk.
If you know someone who is in the hospital with their child don't avoid them, I guarantee you they would like a visit.
If you know someone who has a special needs child make it a point to love on their child (with clean hands of course).
If you know someone with a sick or special needs child don't just say I'm praying for you and never call, write or visit.
If you know someone with a special needs or sick child don't slip out of their lives because you weren't sure what to do or say.
If you know someone who has seen too much, watched one too many procedures, waited for one too many surgery's, waited on one too many results, heard one too many bad diagnosis, reach out, be there. Yes it will take sacrifice of your time, you will probably be uncomfortable, it will take work, but you will bring someone out of their rock bottom when they don't have the strength to do it themselves.
Im so tired of people turning a blind eye because they dont know what to do, they are uncomfortable, and they are too busy, the truth is there isnt anything for you to do, but to just be there. BE THERE.

My Heart Is Saddened

I came home from picking up the kids from school, and found policemen across the street. I knew that one of my neighbors were possible sick. Then to learn that he had passed away. I just feel terrible.

Here is a man, that his wife passed away in '79. Can you imagine living almost 30 years without your spouse? He has two sons as far as I know. I have only seen one of them come to see him. At the only yearly visit at Christmas time.

I knew this man. Jonathan would help find him someone if something went wrong in his house and we would talk out in the yard, but that was it. I never brought him any food. Never walked up to his door.

All of the fellow neighbors I know were worried about him. He had a pile of papers at the end of his driveway. He would always go out and get his newspaper. Then we thought he was okay because they papers were gone. And someone had rolled his trash can to the road. But fellow neighbors did both of those.

They think he has been dead for two days. I just feel awful.

I thought about doing something this year for the neighbors I knew on the street. I knew he was a diabetic and was looking up recipes for him to make for Christmas.

Our street, is just like that of any other small towns. Streets gridded off of the main streets. These homes are around 50 years old. Some people on this street have been here since their house was built. I like our street, it has old giant trees. Not a neighborhood that has been flatten, like they make now. It still has a charm even though the are not the richest houses in the world.

I have experienced 2 deaths of our neighbors. Our street is a mix of the old original families and new families that come in usually after someone has passed away. I like our mix of people.

There is lot to be said about a community that takes care of the young and old. I feel like I have failed my test. Ashamed that is is too late to form a real relationship.

I watched as the police and EMS were here. I watched as the coroner came. I watched as they took his body away. And hoped his family cared. I am sure they did. But you just feel bad that he was alone for two days.