31 for 21: A Post From One Of Brigita's "Mama's"

As most of you know I have a special place in my heart for Miss Brigita. Sophia my daughter found her on Reese's Rainbow about a year ago and became her prayer warrior. Shortly after that I started to find other "mamas" who also had a special place in their hearts for Miss B. One of them Robin E, recently wrote a post about Brigita that just put it all so beautifully and perfectly. She could be speaking for all of us when she writes about Brigita. Please read her post below. Please keep Brigita in your hearts and in your prayers. This little one needs to go home. she has been waiting far too long. She is dazzling in my eyes. And I know others will see her amazing beauty too. Please read Robin's post below and fall in love with Miss Brigita, see what we see.

Big, Beautiful Smile

From the moment I saw Brigita's profile on Reece's Rainbow, I was captivated. The brightness in her eyes, along with that big, beautiful smile told me that this was a very special little girl who would add a lot of joy to some lucky family with what was surely a sparkling personality. I have thought about her night and day since then, praying constantly for her health and comfort, and for that lucky family to discover her. That was last December, two months before she turned six.

One thing that troubled me then was the possibility that the big, beautiful smile in the picture had faded away as the years went by. I am not sure when the picture was taken, but I found out at one point that Brigita had been listed with RR since at least 2009 without a profile pic. So, does that mean she was about four in the pic? Or was it taken earlier for her file, and only released to RR later? She looks so tiny, like a toddler, in the photo. I really thought she looked two or three. It just might be that when people see pictures of the older children that had obviously been taken much earlier, they might just think, "cute," and move on. They might think that the available picture may bear little resemblance to the child as he or she is now - either physically or mentally. I always wonder if that disconnect is one of the things holding Brigita back from attracting the interest she should attract.

Fast forward a bit to after I had the immense good fortune to correspond with a wonderful lady who had met Brigita in the spring of 2010, when Brigita was five. She told me that Brigita was still very small, about a 2-3T, and probably under 30 lbs. In other words, about the size of my 2 1/2 year old, but a LOT skinnier! However, she walked very well and loved to play with noisy toys, despite her hearing problem. So, that news was both a relief and a worry. Brigita was ok as of last year, but she needed to gain weight and grow. She was sturdy. She was responsive. She smiled and she laughed. (Yes! Thank God! She laughed when taken - with help - on a playground slide!) But for how long would that remain to be the case? What if she got sick? What if she continued to lose weight? What if she just gave up? That's why I pray for her everyday. Because we just don't know these things.

I have great hope for her, though, and here's why:



A smile like that isn't going to fade easily. Brigita may not have that much to smile about on a daily basis (pray with me that's not the case!), but that smile that just lights up her whole face shows something deeper and more durable in her personality. Maybe in her soul. A joie de vivre that even a short visit and a turn on a slide could bring out in all its glory. I cried big tears of relief and gratitude when I saw the spring 2010 version of that smile. The smile that prompted her good and devoted warrior, Helle, to dub her "The Cheshire Charmer." She is still there, waiting for the day that purity of spirit can be shared with a family of her very own, and she'll get all the hugs and holding she so deserves and so appreciates. Family, are you out there? There's a little prayer team out there praying for you, and for your sweet girl. We haven't given up in all this time, and we won't. We are waiting to see that big, beautiful smile again. Please God, let it be this side of heaven.

Note: I had to double check the date on this picture, because if you notice, it says 2009/05/02 in yellow on the front. Those dates are just a camera error. The owner of the picture has assured me that it was indeed taken in April of 2010, just a little over a year ago. She also told me something I had never heard before - something so beautiful I just had to quote her here:

"This picture was taken at the orphanage when we first met Little Miss. She was so happy to be getting attention and she loved the warm sun coming through the window just like a little cat. I bet she would love to just sit in the sun!"

Hoping those memories give her hope to hold on in the long days of waiting for someone to come and hold her again, and let her know she's so very loved.


Thank you Robin E for this post.

* Please if you are thinking about adoption, especially from the older girls please, pray and consider Miss B. Please keep her in your prayers, she needs to be home .

31 for 21: Summers Sweet Return

Fall in New England means crunching leaves under your feet, cool days and even cooler nights. The smell in the air is a mixture of everything that has blossomed over the summer and left it's scent lingering, then add to that the smells of apples and pumpkins, grasses, and leaves.  If you've ever been out in these neck of the woods you know what I'm trying to explain. It's an intoxicating battle of the seasons where sweetness and spiciness battle for the crown.

So to have a day at the beach in October is a rare and delightful treat.  Yesterday we took full advantage of Summers brief return and got to enjoy a day by the ocean. We were even able to swim in the water. 

Emilia ran and ran, her giggles bouncing of the waves and filling the beach. 

Playing tag with the waves

Run Emmie

*btw, You probably noticed that I have no header picture. I tried to change it and now blogger won't let me upload anymore photos. Says I have reached my limit...again! But it obviously is allowing me to upload in to my post. I've switched editors back and forth and that's not working this time. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to lend some advice.

31 for 21 : We Weep... Again

Yesterday we went apple picking. It was warm and sunny and we were together as a family. Despite the moans and groans from a couple of my older children, we were together and had a good time.


When I got home I thought I'd go through the pictures get a post ready for today , change my summer background and catch up on everyone's Sunday. 

I saw that my friend Polly had posted for prayers. I immediately thought "now what's happened" thinking they were for her.  


Nothing in my wildest nightmares could have braced me for what she had written in her post. 

 I was at the dining room table , the kids were coming in slowly and getting settled, as I was reading, and obviously the tears were coming down , I just kept saying "no not again this can't be happening again". By now Peter was inside and as everyone came around ,I told them what had happened. Shock just took over their faces. Disbelief from even my little ones. They remember Carly and even their young minds new this was something horrific. Something no one should have to deal with.

Another unthinkable tragedy has struck The George Family. Most of you are familiar with Joany and Paul. Most of you remember that just a year and a half ago they were left heart broken by the loss of their beautiful Carly. Suddenly and unexpectedly she was gone. 

I cannot even  believe the words as I type them here, but they again have been engulfed in the unbelievable. Their son Brad is now gone too. Gone to be with Carly . All I know is that it was a house fire. Their house. I believe he was home alone. 

I cannot wrap my head around this news. Maybe that's why I'm up early, unable to sleep. I cannot clear my thoughts of this tragedy. I cannot pray!! The words will not come. 


WHY!!! is all I can muster when I try to pray. I'm mad that God allowed this to happen...again! This family was crippled when Carly died. The posts that Joany has written over the last 18 months express her pain in such a way that you feel it too.  Both Joany and Paul have been trying so hard to go on. To live ....somehow without Carly. To find the strength to continue.  Her last post , written just a few days ago was entitled ,One Day at a Time. She wrote how difficult it still was ,how hard it was going and leaving the cemetery . I get chills thinking about that post.


What are they supposed to do now? 

I don't even know why I'm writing this post. I guess to reach anyone who did not hear already. Hopefully to reach people who can pray right now.   Maybe just to express my feelings.


I know we will come together has a community to embrace The George Family, someone will organize something for them I'm sure. It's probably already in the works. That's just how we are out here. We come together no matter what, no matter how you know the person, whether you were close friends or just acquaintances on FB, it doesn't matter. When one of us is down the others lift them up. No words needed. When one has fallen,we all weep.
I just can't fathom how they will find the strength , again. I can't fathom the amount of pain they are in right now. My head hurts from trying to figure this out. And a friend on FB posted something that made sense in all this mess. She was paraphrasing , St Augustan ...

With my finite mind I can no more comprehend the ways of the Lord than I can contain the waters of the ocean with a bucket

31 for 21:Sharing Sunday

Well I know I usually write a Thankful Sunday post on Sunday's but I've been slacking on those the last few weeks. Maybe a little change is in order. And Miss Jane at Flight Platform Living is on a roll! Actually the girl is on Fire!!! She has started the Forget Me Not Friday blog hop, advocating for orphans, and now she has started her Sharing Sunday Posts.

Anyone can link up and share whatever they want to. A fundraiser , a special event in their lives , their children , orphans... you name it. 




Today I'm sharing about a gal named Faith. What an appropriate name. I met her on FB , when she was hinting around at "possibly" adopting a little one from Reese's Rainbow in very dire straights.  There was a true giddiness in her posts. 


And I decided right there and then that I liked this chick and would follow her journey . At the time of her hinting, there was a little fellow named Josiah in  need of some immediate rescuing and we were all hoping that he is who Faith was talking about. 

Josiah

Faith moved quickly and yes, she swooped in and has committed to Josiah.


Faith has a blog set up for Josiah, called Ransoming An Angel, there you can read the whole story . Faith is one amazing person. Just read her "about me" and you will see what I mean. But read the blog too. lol!!! 


And here is the link to her fundraisers going on now. And I need to mention the urgency in Josiah's  rescue. He has run out of time. He has already been transferred. Faith just needs to raise the money and get him home as fast as possible.   


Thanks:)


And Happy Sunday. We will be enjoying summer like weather today!! What a treat!

31 for 21: Stairs... Check

Well Miss Em has been at it again. She has decided to learn how to go down the stairs ALONE! She has been going up and down for a while now, but holding my hand. Up she has been doing alone for the most part, but I never let her go down by herself. Our PT advised us to take the gate down... WHAT!!! And watch my baby girl fall head over heels down the stairs! I just couldn't do it.


Then the gate broke:( It was on it's way out to begin with. It's had a few mishaps in the last couple of years. But the other day I just had to throw it out. We were going to replace it, but then we saw this.

see ya!

Thanks Em you just saved us 40 bucks , no new gate needed! 


Now the problem of having her roaming around downstairs, lots of trouble she can get into down there. Miss Em is a master slinker.  Before you even realize it, she has quietly slinked away to  investigate/destroy something.
And lets all hope my other lovies who occasionally have "tails" don't leave the front door open.
Guess we better hide the car keys too :)




Yesterday she walked down the stairs, pointed to the front door and said "that"!!! She told me she wanted to go outside!! It's coming!!!  That little head of hers is working overtime, and those words are coming!

31 for 21: Forget Me Not Friday

It's Friday again! Time for Forget Me Not Friday. My lovely friend Jane, from Flight Platform Living, who has a heart overflowing with love for the orphan has started a beautiful tribute to them on Fridays.  She welcomes bloggers to link up their posts and has also started a gallery of gorgeous little ones all waiting for their forever families.

read more posts here

So let us not forget.


Let us never have the thought far from mind, that there are children suffering every day. The sweetest of the sweet clinging to life in institutions. Withering away because they are deemed unworthy. Unworthy of love? Who gets to decide that? I thought it was God, and I thought love was for all... I guess I was mistaken...


I guess this face didn't make the cut

Brigita

 
I guess this dumpling is better off unloved and unwanted

Alexander

I guess that certain societies think out of sight out of mind. It's easier not to think about them. It's easier to just hid them away. 

But you see, they have a light that cannot be squelched.

Artem

* Patty at A Perfect Lilly is advocating for Atrem. Well worth the trip over to her blog to check it out.


They cling to hope. I guess they have no other choice but to believe there is something better than what they have.

Nadine

But everyone has a limit, to what they can endure. The loneliness, the lack of love, the lack of everything. The self comforting techniques that are a poor substitute for a mama's arms. The lack of interaction with others, the lack of adequate medical attention. 




 Please  read some of the other stories and posts. Get familiar with the little faces, know them by name. Care to know them by name. Be a voice for them. They are completely dependent on strangers half way around the world to be there warriors.   


They can't run to mommy to make things better.  We need to run to them.

31 for 21: Siblings and Therapies

Some people will think that having a child with Down syndrome will take away attention from the other children in the family. Parents my think they will not have time to deal with a child with a disability and their typical children. And to a certain extent that is true. A medically fragile child (whether that child have Down syndrome or any other medical condition) will demand more attention, but, if anything the typical siblings will feel more needed. They will more than likely have to help out, and that is great! They will and should be included in caring for their new sibling.  


  Emilia was blessed to be born very healthy, she has no major medical concerns. What she does have is a very busy schedule of therapies. For the past three years our Early Intervention team have been literally part of our family. On almost every day of the week she was either being visited or attending a group session.


Schedules have been arranged around Miss Em's therapies. During the summer we did things after PT. We went to the beach after Speech. Grocery shopping was done after OT. 


And it's ok! It works. You just make it work. It becomes second nature.


I can speak for my kids and say that since Em has taken her place in our family, they have almost never had a gripe about her therapies interfering with their lives.  Sophia did ask that we reschedule Miss Em's speech when it fell on her birthday, but other than that it's been pretty smooth. It's actually been a learning experience for them. When they are home , they partake in the therapies, they learn new techniques to use with Emmie. They play with her in a way that she will learn more and be more interested. They know how to walk with her up and down the stairs, they know to sit facing her when playing or reading as it's more beneficial.  They work on the things that her OT is working on.  Without even realizing it they have incorporated her therapies into our /their every day routines.


Here is a great video of Andrew playing soccer with Emmie. Without even thinking he has adapted the soccer game so Em can play with him. He's having fun , she's having fun and she kicked the ball! 

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

31 for 21: Enter With Your Heart Only

Two and a half years ago when I started this blog it was a place to talk about Emmie ... period. She had come into our lives and overtaken us. She crept into every nook and crannie of our hearts. I wanted to share her with everyone. I wanted everyone to see and feel the joy that we all did because of Em,


About six months or so into blogging  I somehow stumbled onto Reese's Rainbow and then to Lera. And things changed. I still wanted to share Emmie, I wanted to ease any fears people had about Down syndrome, but now there was something else I felt I had to do.


Not only was I an advocate for my own Dumpling but I strongly felt God telling me to be a voice for the orphan. The lest of His people. The meekest and smallest. The one no one cares about or even knows exists. The orphan hidden away in orphanages in Eastern European countries. The ones that will die if not rescued. The ones just like Emmie.


I really wasn't sure how to go about doing this. I'm a small time blogger, with a small following. I don't reach many people. I'm not really a prime candidate for this.


But the tugging was there, and it was getting stronger.


So in obedience to God I started advocating , writing posts, trying to support as many families as possible.


Sometimes people listen but for the most part I think my ramblings just drift off and swirl around like the wind. But that's okay. I don't expect to do great things.

I love the life of St Therese and find great comfort and inspiration in reading about her life, she was just an ordinary girl, she did nothing extraordinary during her life.She even referred to herself as "a little grain of sand" But she is one of the greatest Saints of all time, because of her simple life. She just did what God called her to do.


"Jesus does not ask for great achievements: only surrender and gratitude".

St. Therese of Lisieux

A friend of mine, April who blogs at The Narretto Family feels the same way I do about our special orphans.  There is one in particular that has stolen her heart, and in obedience she has become his voice. She is having her first give away for Bogdan.

We all know the importance of having a good account on Reese's Rainbow. April is putting herself out there to help. She has put aside the fears, and the "what ifs" and she is doing what God is leading her to do... For Him.


Please today, right now, GO. Support a child who needs a home. Support April's giveaway. This is her heart here. She loves this little boy so much. Please act now, think later! And in the case of an orphan always follow your heart, leave your head out of it!!! 


 There is no place for logic when advocating for these sweets. Their situation is not logical. It's desperate. This is a job for the heart. I do truly believe that some jobs are just for the heart. If you think about how enormous the job of advocating is, the amount of money needed, and then the chances of finding parents for a child on the other side of the country, it will knock the wind out of you. Your brain will immediately tell you this is impossible to achieve. But your heart will whisper... it can be done:)


This is my small part to help. If we all do a small part , it will grow in to something huge. We are a community, we are friends, we support each other. Please do your small part today. Visit the giveaway, write a quick post,  put Bogdan's picture up on your blog or FB. His mama may see him!!  All these things just take a minute, and can quite possibly save a life.


"Jesus does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them."
St. Therese of Lisieux


today let your heart take the lead... 

31 for 21: A Possible TMI

Here's proof that kids with Down syndrome can be just as goofy as their typical siblings. Miss Em is developing quite a sense of humor... or quite possibly these goggles were doubling as a gas mask to reduce the risk of passing out. You see at the time of this picture taking Miss Em had a little "something" brewing in her diaper. Her little "somethings" have the capability of peeling the paint right off the walls. No one, not even she, can stand it for long.


Either way it shows comedic relief, (as I was laughing myself sick watching her antics), and MacGyver ingenuity on how to survive a malodorous situation.


We love our stinky, silly, Little Dumpling.

31 for 21: Shine

As I sit here this morning thinking about  all the fun we had at the Buddy Walk yesterday, and all the people I've met these last three years since Emmie burst on to the scene, I really cannot imagine my life any other way. Down syndrome is and always will be part of my life. I am grateful for that. My life is better because of that.


I'm not afraid of Down syndrome anymore. I don't buy into the stereotypes that society has made up. The myths about Down syndrome are almost laughable to me... now.


Why then, in this day and age , are so many people still living in caves when it comes to Down syndrome. And forgive me, but too many of those people are in the medical profession. There are of course some very good and supportive doctors out there, the ones that encourage and congratulate you on the blessing of Down syndrome, but they are few and far between.

Why is it that the words Down syndrome can still set a fear in people that send them into a tailspin. A fear so strong that most think their only way out, their only salvation, is to end the life of their poor cursed baby before it ever has a chance to see the light of day.   


Why can't people listen to others and believe that Down syndrome is a gift? That people with Down syndrome are simply magical? 


I'll tell you why. Because for most people, myself included, it is unbelievable. It's inconceivable that a child born with any disability would be a good thing. I mean we pray as mothers for healthy children.  Why would you be happy to have a child who will always have to work harder to do everything?  It just doesn't make sense... 


...until, you live it. Until you hold it in your arms and inhale every miraculous fiber of it. Then and only then are your eyes fully opened to the blessing of Down syndrome. 

So what are we to do? We can't give every person a child with Down syndrome. We can't force people to believe what we are saying.How do we reach people who don't understand. People like the person I used to be.


We keep on keeping on. We "fight the good fight" We persevere. We celebrate our kids loud and often for all to see! 


There's a song by the Newsboys that speaks about glorifying the Lord but there is a line in there that makes me think of us, advocating for our kids and what we need to do, continually to open eyes and hearts.

Shine
Make 'em wonder what you've got
Make 'em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored 
 So SHINE! Just as our kids do we need to SHINE. Til people realize what we've got!

31 for 21: Buddy Walk! And Fried Green Tomatoes

Ok our Buddy walk was flippin awesome!!!! The PC Friars ROCK!!!!!! They were so polite and involved! They stayed and walked and took as many pictures as we wanted them too. They called Em the ballerina... she wore her yellow tutu.  I think she came up to their knee caps, hehe!

It was just coming down buckets during the walk, and one of the Friars graciously shared his umbrella with Bella, who was about up to his waist...hehe. 




The Alex and Ani bangle Bar was super fun! Talk about flies on ... you know what :)  20% of the proceeds were donated to the DSSRI!!! Thank you Alex and Ani!!!

The Reese's Rainbow table looked great! Just have to take my word for that, no pic:(   We were in a bad spot with the light behind the table, it didn't come out. We spoke to a lot of people and tons of brochures were distributed. Andrew and Bella were workin the crowd too.   Start them young!!


I'll let the pics tell the rest as one of my faaaavorit movies is on... Fried Green Tomatoes!!!  

Emmie giving her "nannies" some standing instructions

woo hoo doughnuts!!

Let's walk!

Cousin Paula :)

Rockin out

All decked out in the Buddy Walk Blue and Yellow

Bella the ballerina and the Friars... Good lookin group of guys , eh?

October 1, 2011 Be Aware!

Well here we go again! Another 31 days of spreading awareness in any way I can think of. And another 31 days of praying that the people who  really need to see it somehow find their way to my blog. To ease the heart of a new mom or  parents that were just told Down syndrome is in their future is my ultimate goal. To give someone hope, when they think they have none. 

My goal is to tear down the curtain that says our kids are different, that they will never fit in, that they can't do what others can.


To dispel the myth that it's better to not be born than to be born with Down syndrome. The myth that Down syndrome will ruin your life. The myth that you can't handle a child with Down syndrome. The myth that your child with Down syndrome will never amount to anything. The myth that the rest of your children will suffer because all of your attention will go to the child with Ds.


I've got a month of posts brewing in my mind.... scary place! I hope to reach at least one person and change their heart. I do believe in the ripple effect. I can't take on the world but I can take on one at a time. 


So good luck to all who are attempting this challenge. And good luck to those who know damn well they're not going to post every day, but will post this month. It could change someones world :)

We are all in this together, we share a common bond that will never be broken. We live in a world that others don't understand. We see colors others can't imagine. And we know love that cannot be described.


If you would like to link up, Tricia over at Unringing the Bell is welcoming bloggers, and has a button up for grabs :)))

B is for Bogdan, G is for Giveaway!

This is Bogdan,

What a dumpling! My friend April over at The Narretto Family has been his advocate for like... ever! 
Well, she has taken the plunge and is hosting a great giveaway in his honor!

Many ways to enter and all of them painless! So please take a look and support her efforts.


This little man needs his family to find him! I honestly can't believe he is still waiting! 


What better way to kick of Down syndrome Awareness Month than by helping Mr. B home! 

Who Is In This Year?

I just realized the date! Saturday is October 1st ! October is Down syndrome Awareness Month! Whose in for 31 for 21 this year?   

And on that note I probably should save this video for a day around mid October, but knowing Em there, will be plenty more where this came from. Here she is showing off some of her unique dance moves. I seriously don't know how she comes up with them but we sure do enjoy the show.  

Red Lipstick

The only things missing are a pair of stilettos and a little black dress.

Why do I have the feeling they're not so far behind...

Are You Walkin???

Well, Miss Em is walking! Our Buddy Walk is October 2nd! Locals come out and join us!  Or support The DSSRI by visiting Emilia's First Giving Page. 


This year we will have an Alex and Ani bangle bar! 20% of all proceeds will go to the DSSRI!!  And... a Reese's Rainbow table!


So call all your friends and save the date, we'd love you to join us!

 Em's making a few calls... watch your caller ID!!!

Eligibility Meeting...

Well yesterday was Emmie's eligibility meeting at her new school with all the troops. It went amazingly well and Miss Em already has everyone wrapped nice and tight around her adorable little pinkie. She has already been dubbed Queen of the school and she hasn't even had her first day yet. 


All of this positive energy from the folks at school is doing wonders for my nerves. I'm actually getting excited about her first day. I think the timing is just right for Em and this is just what she needs right now in order to just keep progressing forward. She wants to be there , she enjoys the other children, and just loves all the attention. 


I think we may have just one little problem. I told them that Emmie could eat with a fork. She will occasionally switch to using her hands, but she is doing really well with utensils. I told them that I'm really proud at how neatly she has been eating during meals.

Hopefully snack time will consist of finger foods only.
Oh Miss Em...

The Older Girls

Brigita

Miss Brigita is on of the older girls on Reese's Rainbow. She will be seven in February.  She still looks like a baby to me. I saw an updated photo of her and she is still just as beautiful, but still reminds me of a baby. To me and the "mamas"(there are a few of us around this planet who love her to pieces, and God saw fit to let us all find each other) that love her, she is precious, perfect and any one of us would run through fire to take her home. 
Of Course running through fire would be the easy part. Each one of us for a variety of reasons do not qualify to adopt her. So instead we advocate for our Sweet Miss B.


A wonderful bloggy friend of mine, Jane,blogs at Flight Platform Living, has a super way of advocating for these precious ones. it's called Forget Me Not Fridays. Here you can view her gallery of Delights, all looking for their forever homes.


Miss Brigita has her account back on Reese's Rainbow. I was so, so happy that the older girls now have their own individual accounts. Now we just have to fill it, find her mama, and get her home!

Another Life...

Another heartache, another child in the long line of children in need has caught not only my attention but most of bloglands and FB's. I'm talking about Josiah. He's beautiful and perfect, and he has been transferred. If you haven't met Josiah yet here he is

Josiah

The word from someone who was there was that he was crying and trying to get back in to the car as he was dropped off at the institution. He has lost all that he knows. He's a little boy lost and alone, even more so than before. There is nothing to think about in situations like this. He just needs to come home... period!


As we have done so many times in the past we MUST band together again and use our "powers"... prayer and the Internet to spread the word about Josiah!!! 


As I have been reading blogs over the months I have found that so many people have found a child( and mostly when they weren't really looking for a child) through other blogs, on FB, someones post, a comment... word of mouth! A face on a blog leads them to Reese's Rainbow, or a word about a child in need opens their hearts.


Please don't be silent. Speak for Josiah who can only cry!! His pleas fall on deaf ears but we, together, can be a loud voice for him!!! Please do your part, whatever that may be. But please act in some way towards the rescue of this child. And it is a rescue! He is in an institution and needs to be rescued!


There is a Scentsy Fundraiser going on here
Here is his account on Reese's Rainbow.

Blogging and FB are excellent ways to reach a lot of people and only take a minute! 

Please be a voice today for Josiah!!!   It very well could be your simple act that finds his mama!

Happy Birthday Liv!!

When I wrote the post Changes, this is the little girl I was thinking about. This little girl is fourteen today.  

This is my absolute all time favorite picture of Liv. It captures everything good and beautiful about her.


Happy Birthday Livie!!


I love you more, 


Mommy




* Thank you to all who donated to The Cole Family to help bring Nellie home and grant my birthday wish!! Tomorrow is my day! Please consider donating and making my wish come true.

A Sleepover, A Cold And A Wish

Tonight on the eve of her fourteenth birthday , Olivia will be having  a sleepover. I reluctantly gave in to her whimpers and said yes. I don't know the actual  count of teens that will be over taking my small home tonight and I don't want to know.  I will instead clean like an idiot all day so in two seconds they (the teens) can completely undo and erase all signs of cleanliness. I will get  a "to die for" chocolate cake and pizza , chips and drinks. And when they start arriving I will gather my children and husband (who are not invited to this Soiree) and hide out downstairs.  I will also do all this heavily medicated as I was blessed with a whopper of a cold for the birthday weekend.


So I've covered the sleepover and the cold , now the wish. Sunday is the eve of my 43rd birthday. If you know me you know I'm not a fan of getting older. I truly wish I were. I have friends that are proud of their age, show it off like a badge of honor. Alas, I DO Not! Instead I cringe at the thought, I look in the mirror and wonder when did all this happen??  Where did my 30's go?? I was just getting used to them and they left, so abruptly, replaced by these forty's! YUK!


And anyone who knows me also knows I don't go around screaming my age. So for me to be posting about it is a big deal. Really laying it on the line here. Not even kidding or being funny, it's tough for me to talk about age. So being on the heels of 43, I have a wish. First I should regress and say that I have not had a birthday party since I was a kid.  I didn't have a sweet sixteen party, I think I worked on my 21st birthday, no big turning thirty bash. When I was turning forty I was as big as a house with Emilia and was in no mood for a party.  So I'm due for a celebration!!! Now, if I could, I would have big old party with all my friends and cake and music and dancing til dawn, but that's not going to happen this year(maybe for Olivia but not for me)

So in lieu of of a party, I'm asking for one thing this year. Please donate to Nellie's FSP. Please make turning 43 sweet this year. If just 43 people donate five dollars I think I'd would just flip for joy!! 




The Cole Family has fallen in love with Nellie and are bringing her home. I say the quicker the better. She has waited almost five years to know love. Now it's just around the corner. Oh if she only new what was waiting for her :)    Please help Nellie get home and me be a happy 43 year old!!

Parent's Guide to Email Security For Kids

The Internet is increasingly more dangerous to us and our children. Explicit materials are in many cases slipped through the “Back Door” past our computer systems' trusty email security. Predation and violence are just some of the dangers that a kid might be pulled in if they were left wandering the Internet with out the parents' guidance. Spam emails pose a serious threat to our kids, who are are quite vulnerable and curiosity will win, whenever a picture of a pop starlet or cartoons are a part of the message.

It is easier to entice Children today with an email message that is attractive with flashy font characters or graphics. The mere fact that the sophistication level of a cyber criminal is at all time high, kids today can easily be enticed to open spam emails. In order to address this problem, parents should have a better grasp on email security for kids.

What Email Virus and HTML Code Have In Common?

To make Email messages enticing, attractive and easy to read with its colored letters, fancy text and attractive graphic images, HTML codes are widely used. However, email messages wrapped in HTML have a downside that parents should be aware of, it may contain an email virus. As much as security is a concern, simple emails without any HTML wrappings is a way better and safe. Emails with all text content is safer to read and provide better family security than email messages with awesome graphics and colored letter.

The best thing that parents should do in order to detect if these HTML wrapped email messages are safe to open and read is to use anti virus email software, which should have the virus definitions updated regularly. If you ever encounter an attractive and flashy animations with popular cartoons or celebrity found on the website, but then you’ve got a feeling that it is a spam email due to its unprofessional look, then you better not download anything from this place.

Here Are Guides To Parents On Email Security For Kids, To Help Avoid Spam Email And Email Viruses

• Never open or read any attachments to the email if you are unsure of the sender or to whom the letter was from. Sometimes these emails may appear harmless but beware since it may be a spam email containing email viruses. It is advised that you confirm it first from the sender.
• Delete junk and chain emails immediately. Never make any reply or forward anything to them since it is considered spamming.
• Avoid downloading anything from a stranger or from a site that you are not familiar with.
• Always be cautious when downloading any types of files from the Internet. It’s always advisable to check the legitimacy and reputation of a particular site. Use a anti virus program to check the downloaded files.
• To stop every email virus, email worm and other malware from infecting your computer, use an email security software.
• Always back up your files in a regular basis. This practice is considered very important in securing your files if ever there will be a virus spread out that could damage or destroy your files. Your back up files should bed separated from you computer or you can use other storage devices.

Credits
Andrew Thomas has been a frequent guest at parenting blogs offering advise to moms and dads on how to have enjoyable, useful and trouble free use of the cyber world resources. If you would like his expert opinion expressed on your blog, You can find him at webbaster.com

Emmie Meets A Princess

Before the show, with Princess Tiana

 During the show  Wish it wasn't so dark. But she was dancing up a storm.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

 

After the show

All in all a great night with The Princesses!

Where Were You?

I know like most of us, you can remember exactly where and what you were doing ten years ago today. I wasn't going to post about 911 today. I haven't turned on the TV, I haven't listened to any shows or looked at any pictures. In a way I guess I really just want this day to be over. I want it to quietly pass over us and be gone. I want our country to stay still and undetected today. I want the the unnerving feeling of being watched to go away. I feel like the world both good and evil have their eyes on The States today. All wondering if anything is going to happen.


On September 11,2001 it was a beautiful sunny day, just like today. It was Olivia's first day of school... her very first day. She was a proud preschooler. 
Shortly after 9:00am our phone rang. It was my neighbor( her daughter was starting school with Olivia) telling me to turn on the TV, the Pentagon had been attacked. As we sat in complete horror watching the events unfold, I felt a terror and uncertainty I have never felt before. 

What is happening? Is this the end of all of us. Is it coming our way. We are so close to New York.Who is it? Why?
And do I send Olivia to school? Her very first day?What if something happens and I can't get to her.


I walked down to my neighbors house and we decided to send the girls to school. 
I remember I needed shoes for Olivia. How could I go to the store and do something so "normal" when something so horrific was happening? 
I felt like I was in another world as I went to Wal- Mart to buy a pair of shoes for Olivia. Weeping through the isles as all the TV's were on. Standing and watching in complete disbelief.  


Dropping her off at school I tried to smile and take pictures, but my mind was obviously elsewhere. It was so hard to drive away that day.


Then back at home as the planes were immediately grounded, we heard them  coming in. One by one they landed. We are just a couple of miles from the airport and the planes fly right over us when they land. The days that followed we so eerily silent without the familiar sounds of the planes.
I remember when the no fly ban was lifted, and the familiar sounds were back.  You know each plane has a different sound. After a while you can tell without looking which one is flying overhead. 
As i type this the planes are flying above. I wonder what 's going through their heads today. I wonder how the pilots feel. Can't be easy for them today.
The following days were spent in tears in front of the TV, praying for a miracle. Praying for more survivors, Praying we would be safe.


Today as I go to church I will again be praying.  Praying for the survivors, praying for the families who lost their loved ones, praying for the ones never found, and praying that we are all safe.

Friend Request??

I turn my back for a second and she's trying to set up her own FB page! I wonder how many friend requests she sent out? Little Stinker!

And it begins!

She'll be playing tennis with the others in no time!

Over Forty Years Later...

my little girl

is loving

my

first baby doll, Noelle.

And two favors, could you please click here and vote for Kayla from Big blueberry eyes! Her mama entered those gorgeous eyes of hers in , Prevent Blindness America's Most Beautiful Eyes contest. Just takes a second to vote and well... she should win, just saying :)))


And Miss Em has her own thing going on right now. Em has her very first, First Giving page! Our buddy Walk is coming up in October and she is raising funds! It was all her idea! ;)   If you have a chance please check it out.

Labor Day Blues

We are running to the beach today. I refuse to say for the last time. I'm still hopeful that we will get there again this year. School starts Tuesday after a week delay(Irene) and Emmie and I will have a month left together before she runs off to preschool :( 

I don't know why this summer is so hard for me to let go of. I think the older I get the more emotional or sentimental I get. I know I have a limited amount of time before all of my children are not under one roof. Olivia is starting high school and in a few years will be off to college.  It's out of my control. Time is moving forward. 

The other day Peter said "That's why God gave us Emilia, so she would always be with us"  I was never one who longed for an empty nest. A quiet house is impossible to live in.  It's kind of funny because when Emmie was born one of my first thoughts were, "Thank God I'll never have an empty nest now". 

Watch, she'll be the first one out! lol


Even now my two oldest "darlings" are begging to spend the day with their friends instead of coming to the beach with "us".  Already friends are the first choice...   

I  remember being the same way. When you're young you think there is always tomorrow. Family will always be there. Time is on your side when you are young.  


As you age you realize that somehow the clock ticks differently, for you. Much, much faster. It is so important to hold on to every moment for as long as you can. To treasure the time you have with family. To create memories to carry with you through life, for those inevitable times when family is not there. 

So today we will be a smaller family at the beach, we will create new memories to carry with us, and a melancholy mother will think back to older memories that I carry safely in my heart . 


I will try to accept the ending of summer, embrace all the new beginnings that are upon us, and keep up with the rapid ticking of the clock.