6 April

Since Both of our husbands were away (hers way more often than mine)......we took the opportunity on Saturday night to have sleepover and a little girl time.  We took all the kids to Friendly's (I think the waitress took one look at our crew of six kids with only two adults in charge and left to go an a really long "break").  We talked, we laughed, we high fived. We compared notes and the battle stories of Motherhood and family life.   The kids watched movies while we devoured a stack of US Weeklies and watched a chick flick of our own.  There's a reason why women share the child rearing task in some cultures.  Really, it takes a village.  I left recharged, ready to live deeper, tackle some of those problems I've been putting off, and just plain be more "fun".  Thanks for that....friend. Remember that Best Friends Forever song that we made up when we were seven, you know the one where we kicked our legs high in the air?  Yeah, that.  :)

5 April

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

4 April

(Pictures above-First Day of kindergarten and February of This year)

Today, Our last IEP in elementary school.  Not that these meetings are fun......But it was really bittersweet.  Today's meeting was so easy, I learned my lesson and do A LOT of the legwork ahead of time.  I shared photos of how far she has come.  Her plan looks pretty darn perfect (If there is a perfect).  So, So , Thankful for the MANY people and countless hours of work that it takes to educate her.  I read somewhere that you truly have not lived until you do something for someone who can never repay you.   Really, so many people willing to go above and beyond with their hearts in the right places.  And,  for the humor and laughing and friendships formed that get us through the rough spots. They all are so genuinely interested in B and our life.  I'm nervous about starting over next year with a whole new "crew".  I am going to miss them all so much, but I've never been more optimistic about the future as I am today. Best.Day.Ever.

3 April

The end of the season PPSC swim banquet (and when I say the end of the season I mean the Summer Season practices start up again in two weeks.) My Boy.....He was as dressed up as he gets (notice the pants....hole free!) and for the boy that doesn't even dance in his own living room, he was cutting up the dance floor (getting chased around by some girls!) to "I'm sexy and I know it"  Oh Boy! He LOVES this sport, and I'm so glad.  He's already asking when he's getting back in that pool and he's sad that he has to wait two whole weeks.  Really, it's good to take a little time off.  This sport, these coaches, teach so much more than how to get to your best freestyle.  They teach you what hard work, goal setting, success and failure are all about.  They teach that ATTITUDE means everything.  SO happy for my Boy and so grateful for this team and this sport and the things that he will take with him for his whole life.

2 April

Today, overheard......
Mom, how do you spell Precipitation?
Mom, what if I ate eight apples a day?  Ate and Eight in the Same sentence, THAT'S confusing!
Mom, Today is the Way Life Should Be
But, WHY?
The toothbrush needs to lie down in the Cabinet so it can sleep
Cat wants to do a dance party in Bed
What Boy is afraid of an ant?!?!?
B singing, "This Girl is on Fire...."
Can you help me, because it's hard.  Things are easier to do when you like them, like swimming vs. laundry.

honestly, my jaw drops to the floor at least once a day with these three :)  Life is good.

1 April

Cousins....this photo, It's just so them.  they Love Being together, they fight, they get hurt, they have fun.  These kids are crazy (and I love them).....

31 March

Our Easter 2013:
The Egg hunt and a few small gifts.  Dressing Up for Church (and another egg hunt!).  Trevor saying that he won't tuck in his shirt b/c the tie already makes him feel like he's in a "full body cast"  It's part of being a man, my boy.   Talking with Family by phone.  Kevin coming over with the kids.  The kids acting crazy and playing family vs. Family basketball games outside (with shorts and t-shirts....I think they thought it was June) and borrowing clothes.  Playing Legos in and running out for more basketball.  Making Ham and cheesy potatoes and beans.  Splitting up some yummy gifted chocolate desserts.  The Jiffy Pop.  the fun, the memories of home and family.  Everything an Easter should be.

30 March

Third annual Race to the Point........

the Race that the Primary PTA puts on every year to make money for our little elementary schools. It's Our biggest and Best fundraiser of the year.   The kids ran with their friends for the fun run. Trevor beat me in the HILL THAT GOES ON FOREVER 5K.    Bre's two Bffs from her class held her hand the whole way not caring if they won or not.  You should have seen her happy face, a Moment that I'll honestly remember forever.  THIS my friends is why we include her, as hard as it is.    I can not say thank you enough to the wonderful teachers and therapists who have given her support a long the way, and because of them, she will leave this school with some wonderful friends.  The classroom of kids who are nice and support each other was created b/c she was in it.  Really, I'm at a loss for words. What a feeling.  I cried.  Best.Day.Ever.

29 March

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Saw this

Good Stuff.

28 March

Today.....
spent most of the day here, meeting, taking to teachers (and bringing one feeling under the weather a little care package), making copies, helping with Math, and retrieving some lost snow pants.  Figuring out Lunch choices.  Celebrating little victories in being more independent in making our own choices (on the bus, YAY!)  I love our little school so much, really I feel like these people are my family.  So Much going on at school this week. Good Stuff.  

totally Random.

Hoping to get caught up and get some more posts up soon. As soon as I have time to sit down (or breathe.)  Busy week.

27 March

This week..... two teacher conferences with amazing reports, the March Birthday Lunch with the principal, the Art Walk and the book fair.  Your First Kiwi Crate (Birthday gift) came in the mail and You LOVED it. So Much going on at school.....Good Stuff.

26 March

Oh, and by the way, we got surprisingly tons more sap to boil and accidentally boiled it all away b/c we weren't paying attention (UGH!), and its just super crazy week but we still managed to get our indoor seeds planted.  Peppers and tomatoes.  And just 'cause one little boy is really so into it, We will still grow from seeds (and buys some plants later...)

25 March

this weekend we colored eggs(I think it's over rated, but the kids still love it) and attended a really fun Easter egg hunt (over 1,000 eggs!) at one of Trevor's new swimming buddies houses.  Yay for Easter, it just sneaks up on you!

24 March

These Days....

We're watching all the basketball we can (to keep up with our brackets).  We're playing outside with just our sport sweatshirts (no coats) and our backwards hats b/c we are Bada$$.  'Sup.  Two boys and a spring with snow still on the ground.  Love this.

23 March

Thursday and Friday......You spent a couple of "sick" days at home.   Little cold,  fever and crackly cough.   It didn't slow you down really so we had a grand old time.  We played games, we did a little school work, we even went for a walk.  You never complain, argue, or care about being "first".  You are happy with whatever we do. Just so low maintenance    Even though they were sick days, I was so grateful to have this time at home with you.  The middle child always seems to get jipped on that one on one time, don't they.  All the things I love about you.

Inspiration for Today.

Read  Dear Mom an the iPhone, I get it.  .  Awesome.

22 March

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

21 March

3-21  World Down Syndrome Day.  (3 copies of chromosome 21), I figure I should honor it with a really good piece of writing.  I'm sure, though, that nothing can really do justice to the gift that I have been given.  There has been so much I've wanted to write about lately yet mere facts have been the only things gracing this here blog for a little while now.  So much,  like parenting struggles, Never feeling like you are doing it right.  Losing my patience way too much.  Trying to eat healthier then not having time for lunch until 2 in the afternoon.  Wishing for more peace.  Feeling Tired.  Wanting to write down the conversations and the funny things they say, but forgetting a minute later.  Navigating Changes, new jobs, new sports, new schedules, new schools next year.  Trying to figure out what's best and still not knowing.  Being overwhelmed and grateful all at the same time.  Loving and laughing at this post.   Reading this book.  Listening to this song. Grateful that success and opportunity are the same reasons for feeling overwhelmed at times..

The other Day I was on a run with a friend and she asked me what I thought Breanna's future (you know grown up life) would be like....like where should would live, if she would work etc....  I didn't take offense to it one bit, but funny how no one asked me what I thought Trevor would be doing 10 years from now.  Who knows, there are no guarantees people!  She is not suffering.  Her life is full of the normal amount of ups and downs, same as my other kids.  The Truth is that right now, every day we celebrate all he little successes and abilities that continue surprise us.  Her future is bright.  She may have more or even less obstacles than other people to get there.   There is always talk about what makes us different as a family and what values we need to portray because of it.  I think if she never came into our lives, we wouldn't be as good, our family wouldn't.  We would be too wrapped up in ourselves, sweating the small stuff.  Now have the aweome responsiblity to be out there changing the world.  I am so honored to be a Mom to a child who gives me that perspective and that vulnerability even.  SHE makes us look outside of ourselves every day.  SHE is pure joy who loves with every fiber of her being, and to to answer the question, she will live a wonderful, amazing and fulfilling life.    That is what this Day means to me...