Hat Hater

Since Emmie was born she hated hats! She came home from the NICU with a bag full of little hats that somehow made it to the floor. She would not keep them on her head. 


But these she will wear all day long. 

A bald cap

An infant cap

And this...well, I'd better not say anything...

With winter right on our heels I'm really having a hard time deciding which on of these lovely head covers to choose for Miss Em . I've got a ton of pretty little hats and not one will she keep on her head. Maybe I can hot glue flowers all over the bald cap:)

Forget Me Not Friday: Ipad 2???

I have met some real lovies out her in blogland and most I have to say live far away.  Like Kansas ugh, California, Canada,Washington State... seriously? But there is a chance we could meet. Traveling wouldn't be impossible.  Driving could be an option. Not a fun one, but still an option.  But what about The UK. Double ugh! There's that stinkin' pond in between  us.  Well,one of my favorite lovies, Jane, lives across that pond. I know we would be the best of friends. Just through emails I know I can be myself with her. I know if we met in person there would be no getting to know you time. We'd just cozy up and start laughing and chatting.  Oh and I would just drink in her accent.


But again that pond is a problem. 


Anyhoo, Miss Jane the founder of Forget Me Not Fridays is also a mad Reece's Rainbow advocate. She is also completely nuts about Francine. You can see why. Isn't she just gorgeous???

Now don't let me lose you here. I know I've been going on and on lately about fund raisers, even  my hubby has been giving me the eye when he reads my blog. Thinks I'm going to get you guys in a tither if I don't write more about Em. Well, he just doesn't know you all the way I know you.


Back to Jane and Francine. Jane has a giveaway going on, but it's almost over. Now if I were selfish I wouldn't be telling you all about it.Why??? you may be thinking... Because, Jane has an ipad2 up for grabs. I have been trying to get my hands on one of those little buggers for Em for months. You see my sweetie is just about to talk. Literally the words are on the tip of her tongue. I've heard so many super things about the apps for the Ipads helping   kids with delayed speech that I've been a little OCD lately trying to get on for Em. 

But, I'm not selfish, lots of other things, but not selfish. I'm sharing this fabulous giveaway with you all,hehe!


The other thing about Jane is that she is an artist. A REAL artist!!! Like people pay for her work. Like she has showings in REAL galleries. She won't brag but I will. People pay big bucks for her work.

This is just ONE of my favorites.if you can't see the words, they say..And I hope I hope  I hope amid the shadows. How long will it take us to get to where we're going? We asked.I don't know she whispered But don't give up.


There are a ton of other things in Jane's giveaway too. Just in case you have no need for priceless original artwork or and Ipad.... yeah right.

So please take a quick jump across the pond to Jane's blog, Flight Platform Living and see whats happening. 


Promise a little Em tomorrow. Ok Peter????,

A Definite Carnivore

No doubt about it, Em is a meat eater. Like a little tiger, she is. We just toss it, run and stay clear til she's done. 

One Ends and Another Begins

October is gone, November is moving in. One month closer to the Holidays and right at the beginning of Reece's Rainbow Christmas Warrior Project.


Reece's Rainbow, for any that don't know is a non profit organization started by Andrea Roberts and inspired by her son Reece. Their mission statement :

The mission of Reece's Rainbow is to rescue orphans with Down syndrome through the gift of adoption, to raise awareness for all of the children who are waiting in 25 countries around the world, and to raise funds as adoption grants that help adoptive families afford the high cost of adopting these beautiful children

In the last five years over 500 orphans have found their forever families!

 As stated by Andrea"  I can say with great confidence that if we had a full grant for every child on our website, there would BE no children on our website.  There are hundreds of families in the US and Canada who would give their left arm to bring one or more of these children home.  The money is the ONLY thing standing in their way."

The Christmas Warrior Project is one of the most successful ways to support an orphan still waiting for their family. Each child on RR has their own account. You can view the children and donate to whichever child you choose. I am advocating for Carina this Christmas. I think she is beautiful. And I would love to see her smile. But most of all I'd love to see her with her family. 

Carina

 

For anyone new to my blog who may not be familiar with RR, you may be wondering why go to other countries to adopt. Why not help children here in the states. And that is a very good question. There are many children here waiting for families, so true!  And thankfully God chooses people to advocate for them too. However advocating for these particular children on RR is where I feel God has chosen  to put me. Another reason is that children in other countries born with a disability like Down syndrome are almost always given up for adoption. There just is not the support in other countries that there is here in the States.Children born with Down syndrome are given only  a few short years to be adopted , if by the age of four they haven't been placed in a home they then start the proceedings to place them in an adult mental institution. There the life expectancy is very dim, with 85% dying within the first year. 

I am very passionate about this. children born here are very lucky. There is a waiting list here in the States to adopt a child with Down syndrome. We here, are finally realizing their amazing beauty, and that they are a gift to be treasured. 

But in other countries this is the fate of a child born with Down syndrome or another disability. This is why I am passionate about saving these children. This is why Carina is on my mind and in my prayers daily. Please watch the video. And please consider a donation to Carina. Her donation box is in my sidebar. That will take you directly to her account on RR . This is her fate if she is not adopted. There are no exceptions to the rule. She will end up in an institution much like this one. I wish i were exaggerating. But unfortunately in the year 2011, this is how children are being treated. I really don't think it matters which side of the ocean they are on. This particular video highlights Serbia but it is the same in many Eastern European countries.

31 for 21: Emmie's Day

Today is not just Halloween in our house. It's the day Emmie came home. After a brief nine day stay in the NICU Miss Em came home just in time for her first Halloween. Seeing how she enjoys dressing up and devouring sweets, there's no doubt in my mind that even at the young age of nine days, the Chick smelled the Halloween chocolate and that was her motivation to get discharged and home.
Today, three years later, she will be going to school dressed has a cupcake fairy. Three years ago I couldn't imagine her ever getting any bigger than the six and a half pound little bundle that she was. And now she's an independent, sassy little dumpling. We have been abundantly blessed in the past three years. Emilia has changed us more than I can find words to explain, and in more ways than I can count. I am not even remotely the same person I was three years ago. Halloween will never be just Halloween in our house. It's Emmie's Day.  Of course she already thinks every day is Emmie day...



 The Cupcake Fairy after her party. All cupcaked out

Rest up Dumpling, tonight's another wild night:)

And today Down syndrome Awareness month comes to an end... but not really. It's our lives now. We never stop advocating for our loves. It was a great month here in blogland. So many wonderful posts, new people, and information. 


We really are a special group.  It's an honor to know each and every one of you.

The Scallywag and The Cupcake

Scallywag

Cupcake Fairy

Oh Halloween brings with it so many decisions.

31 for 21: She's Going Home

Thanks for getting the job done!

31 for 21: I Swear This Is The Last Time....

..I am going to ask you to do anything.But I have just recently learned that there are three families in need of help, ASAP. Please hang on for one second before you run screaming from my blog!! I know I've been like a broken record lately. Sorry I'm just passionate about orphans and doing my part to help. And unfortunately God has not blessed me with wealth so I could just hand out what is needed (dang it) But He did bless me with persistence and also the ability to put my pride aside and ask, yet again for help. Not really what I would have grabbed for myself, but there's nothing I can do about that but use it

Anyhoo,we all know the Abell's are almost ready to submit their paper work and get their first travel date to see Olga. Well here's some new and great news! A very generous person has stepped forward and for the next few days will match any donation up to 500.00 !! There's a quick way to make a thousand!!! Here is where to donate!


The next family is,  The Dirkes, they are adopting Charlotte! You might remember her as Marie from Reese's Rainbow. Listen to this!!! They are traveling this MONDAY!!! And are short 2500.00  They cannot travel without that money!! Monday!! The day after tomorrow!!! Here is where you can scatter like little mice to quickly donate! PLEASE!!!


And the third family The Plummer's who are bringing home Matthew and Barbara are still short and will be traveling in just days to take their Dumplings HOME!!!!! This has been a long haul for them. They need about 2000.00 before they travel! See a pattern forming here with these families? Think Satan might be getting his jollies or something! Read their amazing story here and also please support them !!!

Three families all adopting special little dumplings, all traveling soon, all in need of around the same amount to make it happen. I do believe Satan is challenging us. Shall we step up to the plate and show him he is messing with the wrong group of people! This is no problem for us. We will not let these sweet little ones lose there families for a couple of thousand dollars! Seriously?? let's kick some satan butt, and show him he's just a slight annoyance and no challlenge for us!


And if you made it this far God bless you!!!  I promise some Emmie time this weekend! Her party and some Halloween costumes are coming! Love you all!!And remember donating is not the only way to help! Sharing and spreading these families stories is a great way to help!!

31 for 21: What Else Could I Possiby Say???

 
As I sit here in the dark early morning, there is no pretty sunrise, it's raining... still, and it's cold. I am seriously going to have the audacity, the gall, the nerve, the ka-knockas, call it what you will to ask you to think about Olga right now. As good as things are going, they need to go a little quicker. Her birthday is in January and The Abell's paper work is going to expire soon. For anyone who doesn't know, because I just recently found out, all that paper work you must submit expires. It's not good for however long the adoption takes. If it expires you have to start all over. That's not an option. We need to get this family fully funded so they can submit their papers and get a travel date. They must submit now!!! Their papers expire in NOVEMBER! IT'S' OCTOBER 28th! ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS IS STILL NEEDED . Now is the time to share, share and did I say share!!!! I know you have donated , but if you could drop a few dollars into that chip in it will make a world of difference. And pray!!!! Who knows maybe there's someone out there with a thousand extra ones they are being called to donate:)
One day without a coffee, a lunch. Eating out tonight? Don't buy a drink. Going shopping? Buy one shirt instead of two. Small little sacrifices... No, correction,  these not sacrifices because we are not suffering if we give up a drink or a shirt . They are just  kind and generous gestures to a family who needs to wrap this up and get their daughter home.  

I'm absolutely positive there are people willing to donate , but maybe they just haven't heard about The Abell's yet.  Maybe they heard about them last year and don't know their situation right now. Please share their story. One person at a time will make this happen. One person sharing this story on their blog or FB or wherever can make a difference. 


Olga's time is running out too. Just as The Abell's paper work expires her time in the orphanage does too. This is very difficult for me to think about and I have to admit that I do try to push it out of my mind. But Olga's next move depending on how fast The Abell's get to her could be the institution. It's going to be close. I'm not being dramatic and I'm not exaggerating.  I wish I was. 


Please, I'm not asking you to  do what you can, you have already done that. Thank you! 
Today I'm asking you to go beyond what you can do and raise that last $1000.00 for this little one to come home.

31 for 21:What Have They Done To Emmie????

Em has been in school for four days and I have a gripe! In a matter of just four days my "baby" girl is looking and acting like a "little" girl! Is this a  legitimate gripe?  Probably not..

Okay so forget the gripe. And replace it with praises for her team at school.
I already see a major difference in her expressive language. No she's not speaking , but she is signing more and verbalizing , and answering questions... in her way, but with a deliberate attempt to answer. She shook her head "no" when I asked her , while she was sitting on the potty, if she did pee pee. She's never done that before. I know in her head she is saying "no", but she has never answered without being prompted.  She is understanding the morning routine, already. And when we get home she gets out of the car and walks to the front door. She has NEVER done that before. She usually just makes a mad run for it, in any direction.  Do you know how nice it is to put her down in the driveway and be able to grab my handbag and not worry about her running into the street. When she leaves school she says bye bye to her teacher... unprompted!!!!! And says Hi to me!!!!


She is happy and adjusting beautifully, and progressing at lightning speed. I guess my only gripe is that my heart cannot keep up.  
 But I am so proud of my little preschooler. But thank God she's only gone two and a half hours a day! 

This is Miss Em's spider!  A brilliant masterpiece...lol




I know a lot of you out there have little ones that just started school this year. Tell me, did you notice an immediate difference in your child? And it is subtle because I really don't think anyone else would notice these little things that Em is doing.  But to me they are really something to notice. Like walking from the car to the front door. No one else would get that... you know what I mean?? Please share because this fascinates me. I am so excited to see what changes there are over the next few months. 

 

31 for 21: Changing Your Paradigm

Paradigm, (definition)

Intellectual perception or view, accepted by an individual or a society as a clear example, model, or pattern of how things work in the world.
 

I have so many posts that I could write using this title, but this one was inspired by my husband Peter. He told me this story the other day.

It was the end of a work day and the subway train was filled with people on their way home from work. They were tired and most just sat in silence, probably anticipating getting home after a long day, having dinner and spending time with friends or family. They were all deep in to their own thoughts, when a man and his children boarded. He took a seat but the children proceeded to play and run around. As the ride went on the children  became more and more unruly. The father was apparently oblivious to the distractions his children were causing and people were starting to become annoyed. Looks were passed between passengers. Eyebrows raised and whispers of "what's wrong with him, can't he see what his kids are doing" "what kind of a parent lets his children run around like wild animals" and of course "tsk, tsk".  
Finally one man could take it no longer and approached the despondent father. "Sir" he said. " don't you think you should say something to your children"? The father looked up at the stranger, and with a sort of lost look on his face he said, " Yes I suppose I should , we were just coming back from the hospital... their mother died an hour ago". 
Upon hearing those tragic words the rest of the passengers immediately rose to action. A couple went to tend to the children, others went to comfort the father who was obviously not just a bad parent but a grieving husband. Everyone suddenly understood and wanted to help. No longer were tempers flaring and judgements being made. Their Paradigm was changed.



I do believe that in the last couple of days I have been seeing a change in the paradigm. In the not so distant past I wrote a post clearly explaining how I felt about supporting the Abell's. I will stand beside them to the end of their adoption  and I will stand with them as their lives begin after the adoption. (sorry Chris and Jenn you've got me for life) Not everyone felt that way. Things were a bit stressful for The Abell's for a while, and unfortunately some people were not so nice and decided to walk away. Their paradigm was set. 


But in the last two days, I have seen such an outpouring of support and help! People sharing and posting. People who have been absent for months, returning to help. People changing their paradigm because a child is in need. People realizing, this isn't a one person job, a family, even with a huge grant still needs help. And above all, a child needs to be rescued.  


My faith has been renewed. This community is one of a kind. And I'm so honored to be a part of it with you all. 


 But the best part of the last couple of days has been seeing The Abell's spirits rising again! There is a happiness in Jenn's post that hasn't been there for months. There is HOPE again, there is joy in her writing. She can feel and see the support that is back. The greatest gift you can give anyone is love! It will carry you through your darkest moments . It is extremely powerful. More powerful than any giveaway or fund raiser, more powerful than any post that can be written.  And The Abell's are feelin' the love! And because of that Miss Olga will be feelin' the love of a family ...soon! 

They now need about $1800.00 to wrap things up! Jenn's little fingers are working fast to keep up with the TNT orders that keep coming in. Please change your paradigm today, and go wild and donate. Every $5.00 donation gets a little TNT. 
And thank you from both me and Peter, who obviously are quite attached to Olga and The Abell's. When they stress we stress, when they rejoice we rejoice. And right now we are seriously getting ready for a big, big party! 
OK, go get your TNT!
 
 

31 for 21: Em's First Day of School

Sorrry to let you wait a day. So without further delay here is Em's very first day of school!

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

And as I slept, Jenn's chip in is at just about $500.00!!! The end is near and Olga's beginning is just around the corner! Let's keep it going !!

Jenn Says, $2265.00

I think $2265.00 is the updated amount needed to spring Olga! This spontaneous rally has been a blast. Probably more so for 
The Abell's, LOL
This has been a great day. An unexpected day!  A child's ransom is almost paid, her life about to begin.


I know Jenn has been popping in and out all day here and on facebook thanking everyone who has donated, but I just gotta say it again too. THANK YOU!!


This amount is so attainable. But I cannot call it done yet. Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. Not ransoms!!  We need to have the exact amount for Olga to be free. 


I'm going to bed now and I'm going to be praying that this momentum only grows during the night. Please pray too. Please continue to spread the word. Share wherever you can. Donate if you can. Donate what you can:)


Let's wipe out this ransom for Olga, because she is coming home, but we can make it quicker!
This village of ours needs to get one of our own home, where she belongs! 

OMG You're Listening!

Not much leaves me speechless, given my Italian heritage, I'm not usually at a loss for words.  But right now all I can come up with is THANK YOU!!! 


Jenn's chip in has gone up almost $300.00 TODAY
I can't even type , I am seriously flabbergasted!


I hadn't planned on this kind of post today, but when I read Jenn's post this morning my heart just sank. To think that $2700.00 could jeopardize Olga's homecoming made me sick. I knew we just could not let that happen.

And you know what? We are NOT going to let that happen! Right now The Abell's need us, OLGA needs us! Today is the day to help them!! 

Add caption

Please keep listening, please keep sharing, please donate. And like I said here, trust God. Whatever you give, He will give back to you one hundred fold.He has shown me that time and time again. So many times I seriously had like five dollars left to my name and I would hesitate to part with it. Only natural to want to hang on to it. But I would hear His voice whisper, "It's okay, I'll replace it . Don't be afraid to give it away" And I swear, there has never been a time when He didn't replace it in one way or another, and it was always with more than what I gave.  Please even Five dollars will make a huge difference.  They are so insanely close to bringing her home!


If you are just coming here for the first time today , please read this post from earlier today. Like I said this wasn't planned for today. I was planning on posting Em's first day of school (which went super) but that just has to wait. This is my priority today. This is my priority until Olga is home. I know we will make this happen. It's already happening! Please get on board!! Gosh my adrenalin is pumping I feel like I'm going to throw up! LOL, I'm such a goof!


 Please let's keep it going for Olga! DONATE HERE:)

31 for 21: I Really Need Your Attention

In a few minutes I'll be getting everyone up for school, and my day will be insane. This is one of those days that every time you check your calendar there is something else on it. I won't be done until,a round ten tonight so I really thought this could not wait .




$2700.00, Two thousand seven hundred dollars.  What is this number? This is what the Abell's need to bring Olga home.  After all of the months of fund raising and praying and praying and working to bring their girl home, this is all they need.
I am seriously begging and pleading to anyone who still reads this blog to please, please donate.

Please give whatever you can. This is such a small amount. This is when 5, 10, or 20 dollars really does make a difference. 


I know I have a couple of new faces here so I'll fill you in. 

This is Beautiful Olga, she sits in an orphanage in Eastern Europe waiting for her family.  $2700.00 is keeping her apart from her family.Olga is very special to me too. I fell in love with her last November and became her prayer warrior. I've also become good friends with the Mom and Dad. I cannot sit silent and let a mere $2700.00 keep them from bringing her home.


I went to a Gala the other night which was  raising  funds for the arts. It was beautiful and necessary and I hope successful. At one point during the night a very handsome dancer took the stage to talk about the importance of the arts, and how we should do everything in our power to keep it alive. He spoke for no more than 10 - 15 minutes and raised to my ruff calculations over 20,000. People were writing checks from $100.00 to $5000.00 on the spot. I was thrilled to see the support but you must know what I was thinking. 
I, of course was thinking that all that money collected in just minutes could fully fund so many families.  I wish I could take the stage, being my blog, say a few words and collect $20.000. Olga is very important too. And we need to do every thing we can to keep her alive!

I know times are tough, trust me I flippin know!! My husband has been out of work for over a year. I don't even know how we make it through each month. But I also know that whatever we are able to give, we get back. I donate what I can whenever I can. And God always replaces it.
Please, give to The Abells. Please this child needs to come home! THEY are her family!!


Please, just this once listen to me. Trust God. Donate and wait. I promise that money will come back to you somehow. It happens every time  with us.  God sees what's in your heart and He knows what you can do. And He will definitely see that and bless you efforts. 
This is a life, a child's life  and $2700.00 is standing in the way of her happiness and her safety. We need to help.


Please visit Jenn's blog read her post , they need us!!! Olga needs us!!

Please trust God and please donate whatever you can!!!











 

31 for 21: Getting Ready For the Big Day!!

What big day? Could it be Halloween?

Nope!

The big day is... Emmie's first day of school! Bright and early tomorrow morning! Oh my goodness...wish US luck .

31 for 21: She is Magical, She is 3!!!

Thank you Miss Em for coming to our family:) Guess you knew what you were getting in to three years ago. I suppose God gave you the lowdown on us before your arrival. He must have told you how desperately we needed you, how we longed for you , only we didn't know it . I'm sure He informed you that we were a big noisy clan and you'd almost never have a moments peace. That there would be constant bickering among your siblings, that your mama was scared and confused about you, and that your dad was too but didn't want your mama to know.


I'm sure He also told you that most of the constant bickering among your siblings would be them fighting over you! They adore you, Em!


And I'm sure you felt all of mama and daddy's love for you the second you were born. All of the fear and confusion went right out the window.


So today Miss Em I just wanted to say thank you, for being our own magical miracle. For loving us and accepting all of US the way WE are.

Happy Birthday Emilia Faith, there are no words to express how much we all love you.

31 for 21:Forget Me Not Friday; The Day Before

Today is the day before Emmie's third birthday. My "baby" will be three years old tomorrow. I just cannot believe it. Three years of joy and laughs and love that we wouldn't have had without her. 
Tomorrow, Emilia will be smothered in cake and kisses. She will be loved and played with. She will hear the song "Happy Birthday To You" and she will unwrap a present. Her day will be delightful and I imagine she will skip her nap and by  around seven at night be seriously delirious and welcome her bed , where she will have sweet dreams about her special day.

There is another beautiful October baby . A little girl equally as beautiful with a smile that just dazzles. But this little one isn't as lucky as Em. No one will smother her with cake and kisses. Her October birthday probably already came and went with absolutely no fanfare.

Celine

Celine is still waiting. Although I really cannot understand why. She will be transferred soon. As I said, she is an October baby. and well, we all know what kind of birthday present you get when you're an orphan with Down syndrome or other special needs in certain countries. I was thinking about getting Em some nesting blocks for her birthday, Celine may get a car ride to an institution. Bet she'd rather have the blocks...Bet she'd really like to have a mama, a family, and some love. Bet she'd really like to feel safe. 




Two little girls, worlds apart. Both sharing October as their birth month, both with Down syndrome. One, loved and adored. One, treated like a Princess. One with a family who cherishes her like a rare gem. 
The other, forgotten and lost, treated like an outcast,  with no one to elevate her to where she deserves to be. 
Celine is about to be taken to a place where many will die waiting. A place not fit for any human being. 


Please, think and pray about this. Could you be her mama? Could you be singing Happy Birthday Celine, next October?  This little one needs to be spared.





This is a Forget Me Not post. Forget Me Not Friday's were created by Jane At Flight Platform Living. 

31 for 21: The Gift

Last night Olivia along with the rest of the Junior Company performed at the Veterans Memorial Theater in downtown Providence at a Gala called Together We Dance. It was hosted by Festival Ballet Providence where Olivia dances. It was a  Gala to benefit the arts which are struggling in this economy. The Gala which was hosted by Festival brought dancers together from all over the country. Some of the most talented dancers from ABT, Houston Ballet, The Lithuanian Ballet, NY Ballet and Boston Ballet took the stage last night to show all there, that dance matters!! The arts need to be supported. We need the arts in our lives.

Right about now you may be wondering how this post is in any way contributing to Down syndrome Awareness. Please , keep reading.

 My kids all dance. Olivia has been walking on her toes since she started walking when she was one a year old. I even took her to the doctor when she was around two because she never put her heels down. She literally walked everywhere on her toes. I thought there was something wrong!  The doctor assured this first time parent that she was fine and was working up one heck of a calf muscle . When she was five we enrolled her in ballet and the rest is history.


Festival Ballet is  one of a kind in RI. They are not only a  top notch school, but they are the only school in RI to have a professional ballet company . The students are able to see right before their eyes some of the best dancers take class, rehears, perform. They are there with them. They see how hard they have to work. They see the sweat the injuries the determination, the beauty.   


Festival Ballet also offers something else, something very special. They have an Adapted Ballet Class for children with Down syndrome. It is amazing!  And hopefully Emmie will be there soon! The children love it! 
With the help of Boston Ballet, Festival has started it's own classes here for the kids.

Last night, the children from the adapted class opened the show with "The Gift". Eight of the most beautiful children in the world walked onto the stage dressed in red. The girls in beautiful ballet dresses. They took their spots and... they danced.  


They had been practicing long and hard for this very special moment. I held my breath, praying the audience would see the beauty, the talent, the determination.  As I was watching, one little girl caught my eye. She was the smallest one, had a blondish pony tail and seemed to "improvise " a little. She gently adjusted one child who apparently went off their mark. She strolled to another with a smile on her face and when the dance was over she was front and center stage for her bow. As I watched my eyes could no longer hold back the tears and they began to stream down my face. Once they started there was no stopping them. I was having a real shoulder shaking cry.  The little girl reminded me of Emmie, and I was overwhelmed with the possibilities that lay ahead for her.


Last night was one of the most important nights Festival Ballet has ever had, and they chose to open the show with eight very special children. How far we have come!!! A few years ago these children wouldn't be dancing. These are the children doctors told parents to institutionalize. They were thought incapable of learning and socially inadequate. Last night the spotlight was there's, they owned the stage and yes, the audience got it! The crowd went wild!!


Thank you Festival Ballet Providence for recognizing our children, for holding them in such high esteem, for treating them with respect. Thank you for The Gift!

31 for 21:My Heaven

I originally posted this in September 2010. I thought it was worth re-posting for Down syndrome awareness month.

 If Heaven is Perfect

When I look at Emilia my heart swells. She flutters around like a firefly, spreading a warmth over all she passes. She is a constant light. Her laughter is contagious. Her constant antics have us on our toes at all times. And that mischievous twinkle in her eye... well,I love it ! To me Emilia Faith is perfection.

When I was in school we were taught that heaven was a place of complete happiness. Obviously, being in the presence of God you have no choice but to be completely happy. In heaven there is no sickness, no sadness, no prejudices , no anger or jealousy. It is as Jesus said, "Paradise". It is home.

I love to think about heaven sometimes, especially when I'm missing someone who has left us. I think about how it will be when we are reunited. And of course I have a vision of what heaven looks like to me. There are beautiful gardens with flowers and colors we have never seen before. Things God saved only for heaven. Everyone is happy and full of love. Laughter, singing and praising fill the air, which is always at a comfortable 75degrees with a gentle warm breeze. I can see my loved ones happy and healthy again. They are all perfect. No more suffering with the pains they had here on earth. Any imperfections are gone. Legs work, eyes see , ears hear.

Then I think about Em. Some people look at her and see only imperfections. Where I see beauty they see ugliness. What does their heaven look like? When I think about Em being in heaven she doesn't look any different to me. She still has those fabulous blue eyes, and their perfect almond shape. She still has those adorable curved pinkies.

Some people would think I am crazy for even thinking my child go through an eternity looking like she has Down syndrome. Am I?

That's the face I love, that's the face that makes me cry with a joy I never new existed. That's the face that God molded in His hands just for her.

I'm sorry that everyone cannot see the beauty that we can in our children. I'm sorry that I didn't see it until God gave me Em.

I am overjoyed that my eyes we opened to this beauty while I was still here in this world. And my image of heaven could be made even better.

These are just my ramblings and in no way what to force my beliefs on anyone. I'm just thinking out loud here. I'm definitely not wishing Em or anyone else to go through an eternity with the difficulties that accompany Down syndrome, which God wouldn't allow anyway.
Who knows what heaven will actually be like. No one here can really answer that. Except to say that anything we, with our limited abilities can imagine , God will out do a million times over. We surely will not be disappointed.