27 October

Week in the life Monday Photos and Words

The story of Today included Rushing out the door on Monday Morning to make the bus on time at the end of the road.  Time management is something we're continually (frustratingly) working on.  He's still wearing shorts as he will every day until it snows.  

the story of today includes thinking about how big they all are now.

The Story of today includes Trash Day.  Every Monday.

the Story of today includes three large pumpkins, waiting to be carved.

The story of today includes cheerios, organic milk and a cheese stick for breakfast.  We alternate with eggs (she likes them "runny" and she has to tell you that every day).  She would have eggs every day if we let her.

The story of today includes cuddles in my bed.  He usually will have a short melt down if he doesn't get to run into my room for cuddles in the morning.

The story of today includes leaving some chores undone even though I prefer to make all the beds first thing.

The story of today includes sitting down with them fpr just a few minutes.  To some funny conversation about something he has just discovered and the fact that he decided to name his stuffed bear "Charles"

The story of today includes Orange juice.  They all love it, we had to start buying the big pack at Sam's Club.

The story of today includes brushing our teeth.

And getting her hair done, which she hates.  She always cries when her hair is brushed.  Every Day.

the story of today includes going to the bus stop for our older siblings in our jammies.  And playing on our Ipods.

And deciding to wear our winter coat.

 And begging to be fed.

The story of today includes going to work for just the Hours of the school day.

 Special Project days include flexible Hours.

The Story of Today includes a team meeting with B's teachers at the new school.  All fantastic reports about how awesome she's doing and how hard she is working.  Inclusion for the win.  I'm so proud of my girl.

 The story of today includes a quick check of the e-mail when I get home, just before the bus comes.

The story of today includes trying to get started on our homework right away after school.  So there is plenty of time to play after.

 The Story of Today includes helping with spelling to write our own word problems using bar models.

 The story of today includes having to leave our best friends behind while we go to swimming lessons with L.

The story of today includes snack time.  And fooling around with brother time.

 The story of today includes making Spahgetti squash for diner.

 And Working toward our cub scout badges

 And reading on the Couch.

 And a little snooze once dinner is in the oven.

 The story of today includes playing "Moonlight Sonata".  I get teary eyed every time he plays it for some reason.  Can't explain it.

 The story of today includes trying to put healthy things on their plates.  It is so, so hard.

And a little roller blading in the garage.

 The Story of today includes big brother helping little brother with his uniform for the cub scout meeting tonight (I'm the only Mom who goes to the meetings due to a Dad that travels.) I only got one call from T's cell phone during the meeting for a toilet overflow issue.

 The story of today includes hugs, and the realization that these days where I get them freely from the oldest boy will be over too soon.

there were bedtime stories and loving on one special doggie.

 And playing with our animals at bedtime, acting out everything that happened today.

The story of today includes helping with Math, studying for a test.  Overcoming a few "trick" questions"

 The story of today includes sleep.

 The Story of today includes a few deep breaths and a little house hunters and Pinterest before bed.

24 October

{This Moment.}

21 October

 The weekend lens.....

Charlie brown and orange lights....it's the simple things that make me happy.

 At the end of last week, B had her "friend" birthday party.  She invited her two best friends to an afternoon of getting nails done, getting her ears pierced, then back home for make their own pizza and cupcakes.  One of the girls was a new friends so naturally I was nervous.  It was amazing.  The girls laughed and talked and whispered secrets in the back of the van.  There was nothing different about her.  Mamas, don't ever take the sound of laughter and sweet girl giggles and whispers from the back seat for granted.  Ever. I know I won't.

 Went grocery shopping with my boy on Sunday, which looked a little like this.  He didn't make a peep even though he was totally covered by the end.  He said he loved it.  We picked up lots of stuff to send our soldier overseas.  I can't wait till he opens it.

Saturday was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new school. We missed it cause we had to get those fence posts in the ground, but we have So much gratitude to all the parents and people who did the work to make this finally happen for our kids.  It's an amazing place to learn.

More orange lights....

 Saturday night J and I went out to a local adults only fundraiser event for the school.  A really fun time, talking with neighbors and friends.    T has been babysitting some when we go out close by and for just a few hours.  He is doing an awesome job and it's really doing wonders for us to be able to get out a bit more.

Fall is amazing.  So grateful we live here.

17 October

{this moment.}

15 October

The long weekend lens......the last soccer game, trophies and a slideshow.  Two evenings out for Birthday celebrations.  Friday night....an evening with Uncle Kevin and cousins at our favorite go to pizza and brownie sundae place...Flatbread.  Love sitting at the couches, so relaxing.  Saturday night, J surprised me with a babysitter and three different restaurants/bars that he had picked for us to try. We tried UBER.  So, So fun!   Of course there was the amazing fall weather, making some squash/apple/leek soup and Guiness stew, our traditional fall family photo session, and playing in a giant leaf pile.  October is my favorite!

10 October

{This Moment.}

10 October

40 is....  (some text inspired by this post)

The morning started off early, the 6 am alarm and getting kids a healthy breakfast and off to school.  Of course there were cards and gifts and hugs.  L hiding a secret project up in his room for later on after school.  So sweet.  A run with a best friend, spending the day at home, quiet, making myself a salad for lunch.  Dishes and Laundry. Calls and texts and facebook.   Tonight, a dinner at a favorite pizza place, with my brother and kids.  Relaxing on the couch with a favorite TV show to wrap up the day after the kids are tucked in.  Yes, Just a perfect reflection of what my life is right now.

"These are the in-between years, the thick, hot heart of life's grand pageant, busy and rich and exhausting, overflowing with demands, responsibilities and love."  

Never in my life again will I be so loved and so needed.  

• Forty is being glad that my kids still want to be tucked in at night and want to spend time with me
• Forty is helping with homework, doing laundry and dishes, spending lots of time in the car. teaching the hard lessons
• Forty is coveting the little time I have (and my friends have) to spend with my friends, cherishing those that have been with me all the way.
• Forty is helping friends and family through divorce, illness, deployments, surgeries and the other instead of  trying on wedding dresses and comparing diaper brands.  
• Forty is recognizing that more years lie behind us as a family all living together than lie ahead, and existing every day in the shadow of the goodbyes and departures that loom. Forty is thinking parenting just keeps getting better, but also knowing that one day -- sooner than I would like -- this season will come to an abrupt end.  That my oldest is closer to being a freshman at college that I am.
• Forty is stress and hard work, realizing that this life that we have right now is finite.  
• Forty is feeling grateful that I can still exercise and enjoy time with my family and friends
• Forty is feeling grateful for the color of the fall leaves and beautiful sky
• Forty is feeling grateful for a cup of tea, and a walk with a friend.
• Forty is forgetting what you did just a second ago, but remembering what you had for breakfast on your 6th birthday.
• Forty is knowing all the words to the old songs, and liking the new ones just the same
• Forty is loving what our kids are into and doing it ourselves.
• Forty is being fine with realizing I missed the boat on some things.
• Forty is recognizing other people's imperfections and my own imperfections and letting go and loving them and myself anyway.  
• Forty is being friends with our  kids friends' parents
• Forty is when the soccer game sideline is the most social scene I will see all week
• Forty is finally donating the bin of clothes that will never fit or look good again.
• Forty is realizing that a special dinner out with my people followed by a quiet night at home instead of a blow out party and trip was everything I ever wanted. 

Down syndrome awareness Month Links.

Down Syndrome and Sibling Relationships
10 Things teachers should know
20 things Parents Should hear
Today More than Ever You need Our kids.

9 October

the big tenth Birthday was awesome.  I made her a shirt for school for all her friends to sign.  We had a traditional birthday breakfast muffin and the balloons in the colors that she had requested.  The Cake was chocolate with "Bre is 10".  All of her gifts and cards were so incredibly thoughtful.  Hugs all around.  A quiet night at home with her favorite dinner and all her favorite people...small friend party to follow.  What a Great Day.

The boy is starting cub scouts, just one patch change out and the hand me down uniform was complete.  He is over the moon, finally something just for him.  Being the third child is tough!

Ten.

"We are all Human beings FIRST. We are not cancer, schizophrenia.  We are not a divorcee.  WE are not Autism or Down Syndrome.  We are not a lost cause or less than anything that is slapped on a chart or across our face.  We are vast and profound and ritual and ordinary.  A pure and precious soul that was born and is loved and grew and failed and tried and succeeded and made it all the way to HERE.  This very day. " -Life with Greyson and Parker

Some days it still seems so huge, someday we do circle back to that very first day.  I promise you, the advocacy that a Mom does for a child.....any child, never ends.  You love horses and stuffies, you hate having to talk about your school day when you get home.  You love singing and dancing and just being with me.  You want to play lacrosse, get your ears pierced, have your friends over, have a chocolate cake and three balloons (pink red and purple) when you turn ten (you have been talking about it for 6 months!) You forgive in a heartbeat, you never hold a grudge, you love with all your heart. You are more alike than different.   Happy 10th Birthday Pretty Girl, Here's to watching a once in a lifetime sunrise and solar blood moon eclipse this morning.  Here's to inclusion and acceptance and forgiveness.  Here's to another year of watching you grow.  If ever there was a question, Love Wins. We Love you Girl.  

7 October

 The weekend lens.....

It was the big Maine Half marathon this weekend.  The last 2 miles was the longest two miles running EVER!  BUT, I finished with a PR and with friends, on a beautiful course, on a beautiful October day.  There is SO much to be grateful for.

Like a whole wall dedicated to I love you Mom pictures.

And two boys and a girl who are doing great in school, reading up a storm and just overall super people to be around.  Best birthday present ever.