BUDDY WALK!!!!!!

It was wet. It was muddy. It was chilly. It was a blast!!!! And there are NO photos!!!! My camera, as previously mentioned, is missing the memory card, and Miss M -usually very reliable in the camera department - forgot hers, but we had a great time. And I need to check to Times Leader paper tomorrow, because a photographer got a shot of Sam and me (no makeup, undone, damp hair - me, not Sam!) and took our names and said to check the paper! We were Team Sam-I-Am, and are considering becoming Team Pork Chop for next year. (M's favorite name for Samuel) There were 6 of my children, a girlfriend, and four family friends with us, giggling in the wet. Sam led us on with cries of "ready, set, GOOOOOO", well, the "set, GOOOOOO" part at least, we're still working on the ready.

It's really....... I'm not sure what word I'm looking for...... maybe comforting? exciting? to be around so many other families who have been blessed with a loved one with DS. Guess what? I have to say that we all looked pretty normal! And fairly happy! I know that we in particular have been very blessed in the fact that Sam has been SO healthy thus far, and his development in many areas has been generally average (except for speech.......... still working very hard on that. But he has always been able to get his point across!!!!) But I saw so many smiling faces today, lots of loving, accepting. Maybe the diagnosis of down syndrome to new parents should be offered by families who are already walking that road. There's so much more to someone than a chromosomal (is that a word?!) diagnosis. Samuel is not a "down syndrome child." He is a mischievous three-year-old, with a FANTASTIC smile, a wicked chuckle, more determination than a lot of people I know, a curiosity that keeps me constantly on the watch, a sympathetic spirit who will pat your shoulder and snuggle with a downcast sibling, a book lover, an absolute charmer, a complete ham, he's already a Lego fan, a music lover (his favorite go-to-sleep tune is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing), and so much more than what little information we were given at his birth. I remember his pediatrician agreeing with our choice to circumcise Samuel and telling us that it was a good idea because he "would always be, you know, like a little baby," and would be able to take care of an uncircumcised little self. Fine motor skills have never been an issue with this little guy. We're working on the potty training, and it's ME not Samuel who's been dragging our feet. Sam usually has one speed: FULL speed!!! He excites me, he makes me laugh, he stuns me with some of what he comes up with..... very much like the other 10 children. And, very much like the other 10 children, he is his own person. With the extra cute chromosome! Fearfully and wonderfully made!! And, I WILL get some photos up..... hopefully tomorrow or so!!

And before I go, Sam knows a sweet little girl named Amber who had to cut short a visit with her grandparents because of health issues. She could use some prayers!! I'm so grateful for a God who hears!!

I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Psalm 116:1

31 to 21

It's October again......Down Syndrome Awareness Month.... so I'm committing to posting 31 times for Trisomy 21 (aka Down Syndrome). The 1st of October, and my first (admittedly VERY brief) post for the month. My memory card is missing from my camera, so I'm not posting any photos of my sweet Samuel; I have company coming over tomorrow and my house is still not ready; and we need to also get ready for the Buddy Walk in Wilkes-Barre tomorrow afternoon..... so..... I'm here and gone very quickly. Hopefully I will get my act together and post more impressively and informatively as the month goes on!

Have a good night all!!!!

Don't Blink

Tomorrow afternoon Samuel will have an evaluation by a new teacher. This is all a part of his transition from the "birth to three" group to the "three to five" age group. While I'm still trying to figure out how in the world he got to be almost three already, what really has me thinking about how quickly time flies is that the teacher who will be here tomorrow worked with Nathan starting when HE was three!!! almost 15 years ago! Now, how in the world did THAT happen?




Where did all these little ones go? And to think that there are five who are not even pictured here. I confess, I miss little girls and hair bows! But I am so thankful for the pile of boys we have. And that pile of boys has, I confess, wore me out today! So, this is short, but I am tired and off to bed, or something. So... goodnight.

PS to a certain married daughter - granddaughters would be real nice!!!!

Dusting off this old thing and starting again....

Okay, it's really been a while. But I'm still here, and I think it's time to get this thing going again!
I guess one of the things that have made me put off blogging again the question "do I catch up, or just start in the middle of where I am now?" I'm opting for a mixture of both, I guess - mainly life as it is now, with catching up mixed in now and then.
One of the things I'm in the middle of right now is attempting to rid my house (and my life, I guess) of the things that I don't really need. I'm admitting right from the start that the word "need" is not necessarily literal! But we just have soooooo much stuff! And since we are at that in between school year season, now seems to be a good time to dig in. It will be interesting to see what I'm actually willing to part with when push comes to shove! I know that clearing the excess from our home will go a long way to promoting a peaceful atmosphere.

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." William Morris "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo do Vinci


And finally,

So, whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

I guess I might say "whatever you have." If I'm not using it in a way that glorifies Him, I don't need it. And just letting things sit around doesn't usually glorify Him.

On the note of catching up, in the months since I've posted, my father passed away. I'm only beginning to process this. I will be writing about him more as time goes on. I guess for now I can say that his passing has me thinking about what is really important in this life. Maybe that's why I want to get rid of some of what's not so important, so I can focus on the good stuff.
I love you, Dad.

Thankful for...

The work He has given me to do, and the strength He has given me to do it.


The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Gen 2:15

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

Proverbs 31:17

It's right there in God's word - He has established that we all have some work to do.
My work for today? Cleaning up a dog mess (anybody want a cute little Poshie? that's a Pomeranian/Sheltie mix), working with Travis on the breakfast dishes, making laundry detergent (which is one of those noticed-when-you-haven't-done-it kind of things), getting supper ready now, since I'll be "wedding accoutrement" shopping with Lindsay later, school with the guys (spelling test, anybody?) and trying to get the family room a little more cleared out so that I can get the walls ready to paint. I need desperately to de-junk a good portion of my house. I did get at least two bags full of clothes ready to get out the door. Now to actually get them out of the door!Not an earth-shaking list of tasks, but they're mine. And they have to be done. What I personally need to pay attention to is my attitude about my work. Am I grumpy? (sometimes, definitely!) Can my children tell that I don't feel like doing some of the things I have to do? (sigh...yes.) So how am I supposed to teach them that we need to do cheerfully, even thankfully, the things that don't particularly appeal to us? I need to remember that "this is the day that the Lord has made; we WILL rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
He has created and ordained this day, and allowed or purposed the work therein. So I want my attitude today, while cleaning up the dog mess, disciplining the children (what, my perfect angels?!! Ha ha), tripping over the shoes left in front of not inside the closet and making a casserole that a certain 9-year old is probably not going to be thankful for, to glorify the One who will strengthen me, not only to do it, but to do it rejoicing and relying on His strength.

And whatever you do, do it heartily (read: enthusiastically, cheerfully, with all my heart) as for the Lord, rather than for men. Col 3:23
.......You are serving the Lord Christ. Col 3:24b

I'm off - smiling - to get that casserole ready!

Service

Today is Veterans Day. On this day in 1918, the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, the hostilities of the "Great War," now known as World War 1, ceased with the signing of the armistice earlier that morning. The official ending of the war would come in June of the next year with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

One year after the signing of the cease-fire, in 1919, President Wilson declared the day a holiday, Armistice Day. From his proclamation:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

In 1954, in order to recognize veterans of all wars, President Eisenhower declared the day Veterans Day. It was also a federal holiday. Later, observances were moved to fourth Monday of October. More recently, it has been moved back to its original date, November 11th, in order to respect and remember an important date in American history.

History......

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines it thus:
An account of facts, particularly of facts respecting nations or states; a narration of events in the order in which they happened,with their causes and effects.

Many people aren't all that interested in history anymore. Others are determined to change it to suit the personal agenda. It happens to be my favorite subject, although I confess this time period is not one I'm particularly familiar with. But here are some facts to remember:

Our country became an independent nation by the efforts of men willing to fight to make it so.

Our country has been preserved through over two centuries by the efforts of men and women willing to fight to keep it so.

Our country still has people who believe in this effort.


Today, we honor those who have served our country as our defenders, our protectors.
I find it significant that we use the word "serve" when we speak of our military men and women, not "work for" our country, or "in the employ of" our country. They SERVE our country. The word indicates a deeper commitment than general employment. There is a sacrifice implicit in that service. Sometimes it is the ultimate sacrifice of a life given. Often, it is the sacrifice of a life lived away from family, from home, of placing self in danger in order to protect others. The sacrifice of doing things they would never just choose to do, but know that it is necessary to do. Of then living with those memories for the rest of their lives.

My father is a veteran, so is my stepfather. Both served over two decades in the Navy. I remember my father being away for months at a time. No internet or web cam at the time. We recorded cassette tapes for him! He is now fighting a different battle, this time with cancer. And he's giving it his all. We pray for him daily. I am proud of him, and my stepfather, for the service to our country. They did it for my family, they did it for yours. My new son-in-law (how different that sounds!!!! But a good different!) is presently serving in the Army. He expects to be deployed to the middle-east sometime again next year. We pray for him, too.

So, in gratitude to those of you who have SERVED your country, and to those of you who continue to do so

God bless you and your families!
I'm thankful today for you.

I'm back

Did you miss me?! I recently found out that some people are reading this! Thanks!

We're into the month of November (I almost typed December - let's not make this year any more than it already is!). So, this being the month of November, I'm going to go with a "thankful" theme in my posts!

Psalm 100

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for giving thanks.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.
(English Standard Version)

I have to start out my month of thanksgiving by doing as this Psalm says - giving thanks to Him and blessing His Name! And I'm also thankful for His Word, which tells us about Him and the lives He wants us to live, and how to be closer to Him. In a practical application of my thankfulness to Him, I'm committing to being more faithful in my devotions. I had been reading through the New Testament at a concentrated pace, but got sidetracked by .... well, by nothing all that important, I guess. So I'm getting back to that.

Another thing I've been thinking about is much "stuff" I have and how it much time it takes to take care of it. I spent part of this evening going through clothes with a couple of the boys, having them try on different sizes of cooler weather clothes. We've just got way too much. (Alex has about 4 pairs of khaki pants - really?! ) So I'm going to be "de-junking" as much as possible before the holidays. Maybe I can bless others who need what I've got too much of!

It's time to get off this thing and get to sleep. I was talking to my stepmother and she mentioned posting some of my recipes. If anyone is looking for anything in particular, just leave a comment. Right now we're looking at different appetizer recipes for a certain daughter's wedding reception. Any suggestions?

Off to bed (after I switch laundry loads - my hamper overfloweth!)
It's really neat knowing that some people are actually reading this! So, I'll close with this:

The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen Romans 16:24