Personal Blogs
In the book Gifts mothers shared personal stories about how a child with Down syndrome enriches their lives. Because of the value of stories of families, here are some excerpts of recent posts to personal blogs.
We are not accepting additional blogs for our sampler at this time.
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Book Review: “Raising Resilient Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders”
I’ll be frank – I don’t trust psychologists. Maybe it was from my childhood session with a very inexperienced child psychologist. Seriously, I was about 8 and I used wonder if that woman was even out of college yet. Of course, sending you to a psychologist to straighten your posture was all the rage in 1973. True, I’ve met some ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » "My Plate"
The new nutrician guidlines are out... see HERE/ You will find there available for download and /or printing, the new "my plate" nutrition plate, as well as resources relating to the newer type of nutrition pyramid. Personally, for a full-day's recording and planning I prefer the OLD pyramid, simply because you can divide it up any way. HERE you can ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Review: SayHelloDiamonds.com Jewelry
Damn, I look nice today! Must be those earrings…
On that beautiful photo of yours truly, is a lovely pair of earrings by SayHelloDiamonds.com. The shine and sparkle stand out very nicely on my dark hair, and are perfect for semi-formal outings, work, and dinner dates. It’s also nice to have a great pair of earrings that you don’t have ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » The Social Pendulum
There was a time when I feared my daughter would not even catch it when someone was being mean to her. Because of her receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language delays she is ripe for the type of bullying where the true bully convinces an intermediary to do their dirty work for them. She doesn’t catch the ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Not so Romantic
Mr B is away on business in Paris. So you know it, it true Bretter-Molin fashion, the sickies strike again. Mr Bs flight had not even left when Kindergarten called and told me Vince was throwing up. By 5 pm the poor kid was still throwing up as soon as he tried to move. He finally went to sleep and I ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday – Can You See Him?
Somebody’s inside the “tent” that his behavioral consultant made for him:
Can you see him?
Share what you managed to capture this week. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Parenting and World War II Movies – The Big Realization
We’re in the trenches, people. We eat, sleep and breathe what our kids need at home. Advocate for them at school and in extracurricular activities. Read and pursue resources. Maybe even dream about them. I know I do. With two girls diagnosed with a slew of different special needs and their sisters who’s lives have acquired ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » Fun stuff
When the big kids are at school, Asher and I do some fun stuff, like work on his fine motor skills! Please ignore the construction mess in the background. I am counting down the d.a.y.s until this project is done!
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » #Giveaway: sneakpeeq Gift Certificates, 5 Winners!
So what is sneakpeeq? It’s a brand new deal site that has a great idea. You earn badges and points by “peeqing” at item prices, recommending, sharing with friends and more! Once you’ve peeqed at a price, you have 10 minutes to purchase. There are also exclusive deals for brands that you are a fan of, and the products are ...
Life According to Emma & Joe » Debate Tournament
Emma participated in her second debate tournament of AY 2001-12 (6th grade). Her Glencairn team did very well and she took home a couple of firsts! It was a LONG day but the kids had a great time. Emma is third person from the right. 
Prince Vince Meets the World » Swimmer
Vince takes swim classes once or twice a week. We have it scheduled for twice, but because of cuts, infections, sick times and or etc it averages out to once a week. He has always loved water, and he really enjoys the class. His coach sent me three little videos from the other week (each about 10s long). He jumps into ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Recycled Robot…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
~Pablo Picasso
Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back…
What I saw: A box needing to be ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » Beautiful
God's gift to us is the most beautiful little boy. A boy who was lost in a see of other lost children. When you hold him, you know you're holding an angel.
God brought to us this 7 year old infant. While he takes from us, he gives us back so much more. Every day we experience the joy God intended ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » It’s All About the Choices
I woke this morning at 5:00am to the old dog scratching to be let out. I complied, then laid down on the couch. Sadly, I couldn’t fall back to sleep; my mind awash with all the things I could, or should, be doing.
- Go to the gym? I’m out of shape and overweight and desperately ...
Beneath the Wings » Haveil Havalim 345- The Diversity and Tolerance Edition.
Today is my turn to host Haveil Havalim, a roundup of posts from the Jewish blogsphere, carnival style. I really received very few submissions so I added in one or two that I found as well….
Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs — a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » A word of advice
If your life is slightly on the complicated side, and your schedule very busy
I can 100% guarantee you 
that gutting your kitchen will not make it better. 
Next steps to be completed: the last of the wall removed, new beam installed, rewire kitchen, removal of last of counter/sink/stove/dishwasher (Lord help me!) and new sheetrock up. 
Beneath the Wings » Family Meetings and Riding Shotgun
Last night we had a family meeting. I think that I wrote, ages ago, about our family meetings, but was not able to conjure up the post via the search tab. So I will briefly recap: One of the biggest fears parents of special-needs children (and adults) deal with is the big question: “What will be with my child when ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Love'in Life!
Tonight Asher had a big pizza dinner. Ground up pizza, that is. When we were done he rubbed his tummy like he was stuffed, then walked over to the couch. Apparently he saw a spot that looked just perfect for a little boy with a full tummy. Our couch is squishy (and not always in a good way!) and it ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Book Review: “Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches”
I was fortunate to receive a copy of “Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches“
It’s not exactly a devotional, but solidly the audience for this book is ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » How Not to Talk Behind My Back…
When Jack was first diagnosed, I was horrified. Depressed. Had major anxiety attacks. Cried for hours.
Somewhere around Jack’s second year, I felt myself changing. I no longer longed for the green field across the fence–I was OK with the patchy grass holding one perfectly beautiful flower in my own yard.
So, I started writing my ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Time’s Up
Vince and I are flying back tomorrow. We have had a very productive and successful trip in many ways. I will get into the results of the school meeting and mainly the meeting with the new therapy centre that did not leave me very impressed at all.
I finally got a real run in this morning. The first of the week. ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » Therapy
In the next couple of weeks we will start assessments for private therapy services for Asher. We're going to hold off on speech/feeding until after his surgery, but PT and OT are a go! I'm anxious to get him started. He's so eager to try new things!
Today I brought him back to OT and ST with Axel, so he could ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Very concerning! Anyone with seizure experience please respond!
In a couple of posts I've commented that Asher does this funny little blinky/winky thing at us when we tell him no, or to do something he doesn't want to do. It just lasts for a second, and it took me many tries to be able to catch it on video.
And then today happened. Today something is wrong. The morning ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Too much cuteness!!!
I don't know if our house can stand any more cuteness! Look who got his new glasses!!!! 
And is it just me or does he look like "Squints" from the movie The Sandlot? 
Asher has been absolutely excellent about keeping his glasses on. The only time they've been off his face is when they've gotten bumped by something (like when he ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » It's Hairy
Our life. It's hairy at the moment.
Just a couple weeks before I left for Serbia, we decided to refinance the house and remodel the kitchen. (blog post about the kitchen designed for the kids is already in the drafts folder!) We have the best timing EVER! I knew I was going to dread becoming "basement people". The last time we ... [Link]
Praying For Parker » What I feed my g-tube enhanced kid.
My g-tube enhanced Brave Hero has done so well on the blenderized diet I prepare for him daily. He lost a significant amount of weight from being sick so many times this season, but we are back up 2 pounds…..two more to go before we are back to his baseline!
I use this for Parker’s recipe book. You can ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » Discrimination
A lot has been written lately about the frictions and diversity of different groups in Israel. But one group has truly been the victims of intolerance and blanket generalizations : those with intellectual disabilities. If a person with intellectual disabilities gets on a bus, chances are big that the seat next to him will remain unoccupied. People consistently stare at ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Meeting the needs of The Least of These
My friend Gretchen, adoptive mom to Stas from Ukraine (along with several other kids!) is working with Chalice of Mercy and Sisters Mission Outreach to gather medical and therapy equipment for an institution in Ukraine. She has been given the list of needs directly from the facility director. Please hop on over to Gretchen's blog. With only two weeks to ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » No title
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » School, Kids, Progress, and Self-Discovery
Tuesday we had a meeting at school. It was not an IEP – and I drove up in shock to realize we still haven’t actually had one for Zoe. It was a technology assessment, in which we met with an expert from the school district to discuss assisstive technology for Zoe to better communicate.
It was a really good session! We ...
[Link]Praying For Parker » Snow Painting
It happened. Finally. It snowed. Snow. Finally
Not so much as to be a hassle. Not too little to notice.
Just enough.
Snow used to be a sensory nightmare for a certain Brave Hero. It’s better now. Except that gloves aren’t tolerated. Even if hands are cold to the verge of frozen. Instead my littlest of Hodson boys will ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » Officer’s Bars
My son who is currently living in the US has come for a visit, and the army graciously allowed “Y” to come home for a few days to visit with him. (“D” is already home, as he is basically finished with his regular army service. Now he will only need to serve occaisionally, as a reserve soldier.) As he came ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » World Changer
Eight years ago today my world changed more than I even knew at the time with the birth of our daughter. I could never have known, then, exactly how much this little bundle of flesh would change my world. Everyone said she would turn our world upside-down, but even they didn’t know she would turn us ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » A New Baby Guide for Toronto Moms
I remember when I first had Amelia. It reminds me of that comedy routine by, I think, Chris Rock, where he jokes about how you get a 300 page manual with your VCR, but they hand you a baby and wish you on your merry way! I had so many questions for my pediatrician that I could here the sigh in ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Big Day
Vince and I are in Sweden this week to prepare a few things for the move.
Today is the biggest preparation day so far. We are meeting with day care,school and his new therapy team. We are choosing a typical class for Vincent, that means full inclusion.The place we will live is a smallish town just north of Gothenburg and there is ...
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday – Poor Woody
Poor Woody, he’s been relegated to the toy bin:
At least he has the dogs for company.
Share what you managed to capture this week. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.
Praying For Parker » Even if the rest never follows.
Sometimes the once upon a time me sneaks up and reminds the me in the present of goals set and dreams once dreamt. She reminds me that debt and doctors and pulmonary hypertension were never supposed to be part of our future, and that when my kids finally reached they age they have I would enter into the time that would ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » The Koolaid
I don't drink Koolaid that you hand to me in blog comments, begging me to visit your blog when all you do is trash talk the blogs of others. I don't drink beautifully photographed or rainbow colored Koolaid.
I don't drink anyone's Koolaid. I've learned the hard way that when 'everyone' is drinking the Koolaid there are often ingredients you don't ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Bowling
The bowling gang
Molly and Joe
Emma and Molly
These photos were taken by Stacy sometime in December. 
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Overwhelmed, Tired, and Drained from Being a Special Needs Mom? Help is Here!
This week’s post is from my friend and client, Stephani McGirr, who not only support special needs parents doing restrictive dieting, but is the mom to a special child herself! Stephani is promoting her new program, “Nourishing the Special Needs Mom, A 5 Week Transformation for Body, Mind & Spirit”, designed to help moms like you feel better about life and ...
[Link]Praying For Parker » The Red Thread and My Child with Special Needs
There is a Chinese folklore, which tells about the connection of family members. The Chinese say that there are invisible red threads that connect a newborn child’s spirit to all of the people that will be important in their life. As the child grows, the threads shorten to bring these people closer together.
Parker’s red threads came in ...
[Link]Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » Party Planner
One month ago, Ada's birthday party was easy: she'd have an exact replica of her older sister's fifth birthday party. Oops: our favorite clown is in Hawaii this week. But that's OK, she had another idea, anyway. "I want an Alton Brown party!" Oops: this TV celebrity doesn't know you as well as you know him. But two weeks ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Two Tough Cookies…
Ricki is on strike- or so it seems. Today was the fifth day in a row that she has refused to attend school. One reason is because it is cold outside, and she doesn’t enjoy the walk to school*. Secondly there is a new girl in her class that she has issues with.But this evening her brother came from abroad ... [Link]
Praying For Parker » Would it kill them to stop doing that? The R-word and it’s derivatives.
Is a lack of consideration the new black of today’s social culture?
When I’m really in the mood to raise my blood pressure I’ll find myself reading the comments section of our local Utah newspapers, namely the comments following articles on the topics of education or politics.
I don’t know why I do this to myself. If I were wise, I’d ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Giveaway: IncredibleScience.com Toys Gift Certificate
CONTEST IS NOW COMPLETED. WINNER ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!
Welcome to the return of Giveaway Mondays! This week, we have a special giveaway for all of you science geeks – or who have kids who love to experiment! IncredibleScience.com is giving one of my readers a $20 gift certificate. With science fair and invention festivals just around the corner, this is ...
[Link]Reflections and Musings » Snow and a suprise visit
So the past week has been snowy here! The kids went to school for only a half day on Monday (sent home at noon) and then have had the rest of the week off. Sadly, I still had to work Mon-Thurs but I took Friday off since Colin was in the middle of night shifts and needed to sleep ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » A little Blog redesign :)
I need to get a good graphics program installed on my computer again. I used to use Paint Shop Pro but it was painfully slow and I haven't bothered to buy their latest version because it's pretty pricey. Photoshop is even more expensive but you can usually get Photoshop Elements for cheap or free (with the purchase of a printer ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Not really ... well maybe a little ;)
Reflections and Musings » Cleaning & Organizing
Keeping my home clean and organized has never been something I've excelled at. As a child I had a messy messy room. As an adult I do my best, but I find I have a hard time letting go of some things - I figure I may need them again someday! As a result I end up having clutter. Not ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Volleyball
As I mentioned, Kristina is playing on the grade 5/6 Girls Volleyball team - at their first game I snapped a bunch of photos and here is one of them. Kristina and I had fun "doctoring" the photo on picnik.com! To see it closer up you can click on the photo. The girls are all new to Volleyball this year ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Getting back into the "groove"
School and work (for me) began again this past Tuesday after our Christmas break. The kids were excited to return to school to see their friends again. Owen, however is a mess ... really it's almost as though we're starting from scratch all over again - he is tired and miserable at the end of the school day! Hopefully this ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Reading the Bible online
I recently learned that http://www.youversion.com has Daily Bible reading plans that you can access on their website or on your mobile device for free. I signed up for 2 plans - the Joyce Meyer daily devotional and the 345 plus plan. I plan to read the Joyce Meyer devotional in the morning and the 345 plan in the afternoon/evenings. I ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Last day of vacation ....
Today is the last day of my 10 days off. I wish I could say that we were off doing all sorts of exciting things during this break, but due to sickness and limited finances we stuck pretty close to home. I got some cleaning done, decided to try my hand at knitting and crocheting, enjoyed time with family and ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Happy New Year!
From our family to yours, our wish for you is that 2012 is filled with blessings! The past year has been full of challenges, joys, and so so much to be thankful for. At church this morning we reflected on Genesis 3 - the fall into sin ... and the great promise of the coming of Jesus. The fall reminds ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Quote to share :)
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Canucks Superheroes!
For Kristina's GEMS girls club registration tonight we were told to dress up a superhero duo (moms and daughters). So we headed off to the thrift shop and found some blue, green, and white striped fabric that reminded us of our dear Canucks hockey team and set to work building our costumes over the next few days. With the help ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Scrapbook Software Giveaway Contest
Be sure to check out this great contest to win Digital Scrapbook Software from My Memories: http://tinyurl.com/3db87ul 
Reflections and Musings » Happy 8th Birthday, Brant!
Scrapbook personalized with Smilebox 
Reflections and Musings » Halfway through summer!
Wow, can't believe it's nearly August already! So far it's been a pretty laid back summer. We've had a few nice days here and there and the kiddos have enjoyed playing outside. Colin has started his new job at Stream (he hopes to work full time while finishing his last three courses and getting his diploma in Computer Information Systems). ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Week 5 of my back to work plan
So last week was week 4 and I was almost doing full tasks and working 3-10 from Tues-Fri and Saturday from 7-2. This week I am back to my normal shifts which are Tues-Fri from 3-11 and Saturday from 7-3.
I am finding these shifts are really hard for me now. The first 3 weeks of my GRTW were done during ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » May 18, 2011 - week 3 of back to work
So I'm in week 3 of my Graduated Return to Work plan. This week I'm up to 6.5 hours per day and I'm working from 9-3:30 Mon-Fri. I'm liking that they have me working days and I really hope that eventually I will be able to get a daytime position either at this job or in a similar field. The ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Busy, busy! - Tuesday May 10, 2011
Lots going on here :) I just finished my 5th day of work today. This week I am working Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri from 8am-1:30pm with a few more duties on my list than last week. Today at work I did some work with counting money for a social event and entering it in the ledgers and on the computer ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » 2nd Day
Today was day 2 of back to work. Everything went well except for a pretty nasty headache the whole shift. The shift flew by though which was nice - first I did some cleaning, then we went out with a few of the guys for a bowling outing, and when we came home we had lunch, cleaned up and it ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » First Day Back to Work
So today was my first day back at work. I am working 3 shifts this week - today, tomorrow and Friday from 9am-1pm. Work went really well. I'm on modified duties to start with so I was doing a lot of basic tasks like catching up on some forms that needed filling out, laundry, emptying and loading the dishwasher, helping ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » My Last Day! ~ Tuesday May 3, 2011
Today is my last day! Wow, I never thought that when I was hurt on February 12 that I would FINALLY be returning to work on May 4! This concussion has been a major setback for me and I hope I never have to go through this again. I'm on my way to being better but I'm not fully back ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Monday May 2, 2011
Happy Monday :) Hopefully everyone had a good weekend. I was watching the news last night and saw on the news that Osama Bin Laden has been shot and killed by the US government. Today is election day in Canada and I hope to vote later this afternoon or early evening.
Today started with the usual cognitive exercises at 8:30 and ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Friday April 29, 2011
Today I have another bad headache so it's been a challenge to complete all my exercises and concentrate today. But I've been doing my best.
The day started as usual with cognitive exercises, Tension Reduction and Education.
Today's education was about Mood Management. After a head injury our stress increases and our resources to deal with them decreases which often causes our ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Thursday April 28, 2011
Today started with the usual cognitive exercises, Tension Reduction, and then Education.
Education today was about "Return to Work Planning" with the Occupational Therapist. We spoke of the different return to work options including the Graduated Return to Work (GRTW) which I will be starting next week Wednesday. Basically the GRTW is a gradual increase in hours and/or duties and the ... [Link]
Reflections and Musings » Schedule Links
Just googling some possible links for schedule templates that I can possibly use to help me with organizing my time better and listing the links here so I don't forget them :)
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/daily-hourly-schedule-TC030002486.aspx
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CL102248350.aspx?tl=2#pg:2|ai:TC030002886|
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CL102248350.aspx?tl=2#ai:TC030000896|
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CL102248350.aspx?tl=2#ai:TC030008095|
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CL102248350.aspx?tl=2#ai:TC030007942| 
Reflections and Musings » Wed April 27, 2011 - The end is near :)
I got the news today that I will be returning to work on a GRTW plan (graduated return to work) starting next week Wednesday. If all goes as planned I will be starting with 4 hours per day and working my way up to 8 hours per day by the end of the fifth week. The first week will just ... [Link]
Juxtapositioning » Ghost
24 years ago a ghost roamed the rooms of a newly-purchased newly-built house, walking, walking, as there was something lost and the walking would help with the remembering. A ghost pacing miles of grey carpeting that stretched in every direction. A ghost that sat silently under white walls that loomed overhead. A ghost that looked out with blank eyes upon a ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Creating With Sims…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
~Pablo Picasso
Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back…
Both kiddos have been having fun lately — ...
[Link]Reflections and Musings » Snow and a suprise visit
So the past week has been snowy here! The kids went to school for only a half day on Monday (sent home at noon) and then have had the rest of the week off. Sadly, I still had to work Mon-Thurs but I took Friday off since Colin was in the middle of night shifts and needed to sleep ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Tremendous Video! Please watch!
By the way, there is an excellent English web site, Walker Tracker, which encourages walking. You can reach it by way of the "HERE" link under "Join Me On Walker Tracker" in the right column here. (Just above the "closed on Shabbas" logo). 
Praying For Parker » Making Medicaid More Transparent: A Question From A Utah Legislator
Notice: if you choose to use my blog as your venue for trolling, your comment will be deleted and your ISP blocked. There is a difference between asking an honest question and making poorly researched accusations.
I have spent much time working in behalf of ALL kids with special needs in this state. Not just mine, everyone’s. I’ve always seen it ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » He's onto me
Axel is really fun to watch when he's involved in pretend play, but like many kids he stops the really fun stuff when he knows you're watching. So I've come up with a new tactic: Turn my computer to "sleep" and use the monitor as a mirror to watch what's going on behind me.
Tonight Axel was having fun with a ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » This Face
Just 6 weeks ago, the day before he boarded a plane for a trip that would take him 1/2 way around the world to an entirely different kind of life. Sometimes I look at this picture and wonder what was going through his mind. The mysteries his eyes hold that we will never know the answers to.
5 Minutes for Special Needs » On Validation…
So, we are finally settling in and making life work.
Part of that means we had to get all Jack’s records and get them transferred to new physician’s here. That was a ton of fun. (rollllllls eyes)
However, the most interesting thing happened.
We took Jack to his new GI on Friday and she…
listened.
... [Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Review: “Special Diets for Special Kids, Vol. 1 & 2″
A few weeks ago, I was in my local library and found a copy of Jenny McCarthy’s “Louder Than Words” 
If your child is ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » Helping around the house
Asher loves to help with laundry!
My friend Tamara posted on Facebook about her son Shawen using a Flip Fold to fold all the shirts in the house, and how much he loves it. I had just taken all the clothes out of Angela's closet and needed to go through them, but SHE needed to help. Being a totally unwilling ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Laughing
Asher LOVES the intro to Sesame Street, and I love his laugh! If he hears the Sesame Street song he comes running. 
Garden of Eagan » Our Story: How we got to today.
I had Angela when I was 28 years old. She was my 3rd biological child, and the fact she had Down syndrome was completely unexpected. I was only 28. Why would that happen to me? The fact Angela survived the pregnancy was a miracle, one that I've never taken for granted. We were raising 4 boys under the age of ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Little Girls, BIG Deal!
I have some news to share about Zoe’s progress…well, really about both my girls. This is the kind of news that parents of special needs kids really relate to, that is, though it doesn’t sound like a whole lot of beans, I cried over it.
Amelia and Zoe both had their best days ever at school. Amelia actually did work and ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » For Kathy..
For Kathy, who is mom to a little boy with DS and curious about the urology issues: This is not information I would normally put out in public, but how are other parents of little boys supposed to know about stuff if nobody talks about it? So lets pretend this is someone else's little boy I'm talking about. Mmmm kay? ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » Vincent
Vincent is doing great. He just wrapped up his dance class which he enjoyed a lot. He is still doing swim classes and has private classes twice a week. He can swim a few meters alone and he jumps off the little jumps in the water, pushes off from the bottom and swims back to the side and climbs up and ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » Building with the Boys
I asked Dean to put together a couple sets of shelves for me. He had help.
This picture confirmed our suspicions about Asher's vision! 
Must stop the work for kisses from Daddy! 
Our other concern is Asher's hearing. He is constantly putting his face against things to feel the vibration. We have no idea ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » The Health-Fund Card – A Conflict Between “Rights” and Sanity
After having visited the specialist in the hospital on Tuesday, I needed to take the consultation and recommendations that she made to Ricki’s pediatrician on Wednesday. There was no need for Ricki to accompany me, so I left Ricki in care of her father while I popped next door (a 2 minute walk) to the doctor’s office. On arriving, I ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Question for fellow adoptive parents
What do you do when the "talking back" is non-verbal and not something you could make them stop? I'll have to see if I can get it on video (probably can since Asher does it 100 times a day.) In a way it's good because he's expressing his opinion, but I'm about done with his opinion! LOL 
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Getting a Grip
I probably should know better than to write a post late at night when I’m barely still awake and most of my thoughts are trending toward a rather negative vein. However, if I procrastinate (again) I’ll be posting late (again) and I’m tired of that trend, too. Just be aware there will be no sugar-coating.
... [Link]Garden of Eagan » Do you see what I see?
Besides the very cute boy with the most kissable cheeks ever, I also see a pointer finger.
Prince Vince Meets the World » Edgar
He is pretty funny 85% of the time, the other 15% he is a pure monster. Terrible twos are hitting us hard and he can do everything on his own. And God forbid that you try to help him along with something to speed things up. His newest thing is that he has to have two spoons when he eats his ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » NOTHING!
Asher saw the dentist today for the first time in his 7 years. He doesn't have a single cavity! He does have molars that are ground down to nothing, some new molars coming in along with some new lower front teeth erupting, but other than that, things look good! He sat SO WELL in my lap to have his teeth ... [Link]
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » How Embarrassing
Tonight's dinner: Cod en Papillote, Brussells sprouts with bacon.
Between last week's MASSIVE trip to Whole Foods and this week's trip, I took a cheater trip to our local chain grocery, Schnucks, for Diet Coke, cupcake decorating supplies, etc.
But Whole Paycheck drew me right back in this week with its promise of organic, sustainably, ethically farmed everything. Well, that ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday – He Passed The Test
Remember the self control test? Well, here he is opening presents on Christmas day:
Guess you can say he passed, 
Share what you managed to capture. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Down for SOPA Strike Tomorrow…
On Jan 24th, Congress will vote to pass internet censorship in the Senate, even though the vast majority of Americans are opposed. We need to kill the bill – PIPA in the Senate and SOPA in the House – to protect our rights to free speech, privacy, and prosperity. We need internet companies to follow Reddit’s lead and stand up for ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » The Cab Fare
Yesterday I took Ricki to a check-up at one of the local hospitals. I checked online the evening before to ascertain where and when I could catch the bus, but in the end we missed it due to extreme dawdling on Ricki’s part. She was “cold” (yes, it WAS a bit windy), and kept ducking into the entrance of buildings ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Rebuilding Life – An Interview With a Pro Who “Gets” Us
You know those stories we all tell about our kids’ care team professionals who don’t have a clue? The ones who clearly don’t know at all what life is like outside their 15-minute office visit with our child and her challenges? My guest today is NOT one of those professionals! Harriet Cabelly is a Life Coach ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » Kettlebell
Oh my god in heaven. I bought myself a kettlebell, complete with training DVD.
Do you know how they work? You kind of swing it back and forth and around and up and down and you get this fab, toning complete body workout. YouTube it and you can see for yourself.
The running I can do, fairly easy. Just close ...
Garden of Eagan » Bath Time
This is the face I got the first time I put bubbles in Asher's bath.
Who messed with my bath? 
To say he wasn't happy was an understatement. He wanted nothing to do with touching them, or them touching him. But then there is this mom who does the "you'll be fine" thing and throws them in anyway. The next day ... [Link]
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » 15 Years Ago Tonight...
Fifteen years is a long time, especially when you're still a "young adult," like me. (I wonder if I will ever begin to feel like a "real" grown-up? Perhaps when I learn to consistently do my dishes immediately instead of leaving them on the counter to cure for a while first. Surely that's a sign of adulthood.)
Heck, five years ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Last Week/This Week
Last week was busy busy busy! Let me recap for you:
Monday-I can't remember
Tuesday-therapies
Weds- International Adoption Clinic. 17 vials of blood drawn, referrals to additional specialists.
Weds-GI doctor. Agreed that Asher is suspicious for Hirschsprungs. Colon biopsy and endoscopy w/biopsy will be done when he has his T&A
Thurs - Eye doctor for the AAA's : Asher needs ... [Link]
EmmaSage » Conflicting Messages
Nightly News ran this segment this evening. Child Model with Down syndrome Inspires Thousands.
My heart sank during this piece.
The message…..the N ormalcy of Difference. That people with Down syndrome are included….amongst their peers [or at least in print on the pages of advertising] and one would hope in real life, and that it is no big deal…as they are ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Compliments
Sunday evening I think I received more compliments in the space of two hours than I have in any other two-hour period! I was at a function where several of my friends who HAVEN’T seen me for at least a year and a half where present. So comments on my weight loss came thick and fast. But what I really ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Snow
Asher has seen snow before, but he's never seen it actually falling from the sky. Today you get to witness an orphan "first". Its rare that I catch them on video!
We getting into the car after one of our doctor visits when I turned around to find Asher a little freaked out! When he's unsure of something he's afraid to ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » I Missed It!
Oh my gosh, I can't believe I almost missed it!
I know you're here, because there are usually 300+ hits a day on this blog, and yet only 1-3 commentors most of the time. That's ok, because I know not everyone has the time (or desire) to comment, but I'd love if you comment on this post and introduce yourself! ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Women's bball game
Today I spent the morning at my friend Alice's church talking with a group of adults about writing my "This I Believe" essay and parenting a child with special needs. That group is about to begin composing their own essays and have started thinking about what they will write. My suggestion for getting started was to fill in the ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Hoping for Snow…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
~Pablo Picasso
Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back…
The kiddos are a-wishin and a-hopin’ for snow ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » Update: Family
(this is one of the posts that was sitting in my drafts. LOL)
So I've updated about each of the kids, and about my teeth, but I haven't updated about how we were doing as a family.
When I met Asher on November 22nd, I was a bit surprised at how "young" he was. If I felt that way, I knew Dean ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » The View from the Fridge
Life According to Emma & Joe » Snow!
Chris and Joe heading out
Joe on the driveway
Mikey Mouse Hill: Amy & Joe on far left (orange sled)
Amy and Joe
Emma and Jonathan 
Praying For Parker » When one life is worth less than another…
Imagine you child needed a kidney transplant.
You have the donor.
You are at one of the best hospitals in the country.
You are ready to move on and get this life saving procedure behind you.
Except, the doctor doesn’t think your child is smart enough, will be able to offer enough to society.
The doctor’s exact words go something like ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Sign Petition to Fight Hospital Denying Transplant to Developmentally Disabled Child
They are denying it BECAUSE she is disabled…even though her parents want, and understand the risks and the post-treatment, CHOP will allow this little girl to die because she does not meet some boards image of a quality of life. Read the article here:
http://www.wolfhirschhorn.org/2012/01/amelia/brick-walls/
Learn more about Amelia’s condition at:
http://www.wolfhirschhorn.org/
Sign the petition for CHOP here:
... [Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » In Other News
I am feeling pretty convinced that I absolutely need these:
Asics Gel DS Trainer 17**
**I mean come on, it even has DS in its name. This shoe was made for me!
[Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » Twin Cousins
In September the kids got new twin cousins. For whatever reason we have not visited them before this past weekend. So we packed the kids in the car, loaded up with books and toys to keep them happy for as long as possible and headed through a snow storm in the Alps and ended up on the other side of the ...
[Link]Praying For Parker » Learning how to spell your name…
I should have named him Bill. Not only less letters, but easier to write too.
But we’re working on it.
Let me show you how.
I printed Parker’s name in watercolor chalks.
Then Parker took a watercolor brush and ‘painted’ over his name, making the colors much more brilliant. The brilliance of which I couldn’t capture ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » The “Guests”
I had a class I wanted to attend the other evening. Ricki’s Dad was home, so she was not alone, but she would need to entertain herself. So before I left I gave her a work booklet on the topic of “The Sabbath”, so that she would have something to do. On my return, Ricki showed me the work she ... [Link]
Juxtapositioning » Convergence
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for ...
Praying For Parker » Looking for a Nursing Company……Again.
Parker’s nurse called off today. Again.
Which in and of it’s self is no big deal, I guess.
Nurses get sick. That is why there are on call nurses. Ever heard of ‘em?
The rate that it happens at this agency has become a major issue in our lives. Four days in one week over the Christmas holidays. I very carefully ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Good year, bad year?
Well, it’s ALREADY been a helluva of a year…but I’m going to move away from that frame of mind. I’m going to CHOOSE that 2012 will be as good as or better than 2011. The reason I’m convinced that 2011 was a great year is because the last few months of it were wonderful. We were blessed abundantly on all angles, ...
[Link]Matthew Nicholas Vawter » Homeschooling Moments with Micah: Out in Public
I’ve heard it said, that for the first 10-12 years of parenting, your children embarrass you. But after that, you get to embarrass them!
A well-meaning lady in the store asked Micah if he was in school.
He enthusiastically answered, “Yes! I’m in Kindergarten! And, I’m Homeschooled!”
She sweetly replied, “That’s great!”
Micah’s response: “It IS great, because instead ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » I Brake for School Bells
It all started last week, and probably has some bearing on why I didn’t manage to post anything last week…just couldn’t make it happen. Somehow I had the mistaken impression that the child would be happy to return to school. We had a pretty good break (stomach flus aside) and she had asked when she would ...
[Link]Praying For Parker » She said yes…..
Save the date: May 5th, 2012 Mt. Timpanogos Temple
Two Down. Several more to go. (Bailey and my Mom)
[Link]
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » They're Just Lazy Gluttons!
I want to be sure I'm feeding my family healthful foods and not dosing them with massive quantities of pesticides, herbicides, hormones and antibiotics. So I went to Whole Foods.
I stuck carefully to my prepared shopping list, which corresponded to my menu for this week:
Monday Breakfast: old-fashioned oatmeal, cutieSnack: cheese stickLunch: Mediterranean Chicken SaladSnack: hard-boiled eggDinner: Spinach-stuffed Salmon Filet, ... [Link]
Praying For Parker » And the sick came back.
Pneumonia.
Adenovirus.
Aspiration Issues.
Finally healthy.
Then two week later, sick again.
Stomach flu sick.
Diaper change sick. Wide open windows sick. Contemplating gas mask sick.
Can we keep him hydrated at home sick.
Time to up the Probiotics sick.
Crashing where ever ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday – Sorry
Sorry, we’re still not back to par yet.
Hope you’re not in the same boat as us,
Share what you managed to capture this week. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.
DownBlogger » Another great contest!
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Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Suffering from “Super Mom” Syndrome? Here’s a solution.
Super Mom means a lot of things to a lot of women. For me, it usually means how I feel if I got through a day successfully…with homework! There are many days I fail. This year, I’m managing my time slightly better by focusing on the moment I’m in. That said, I’m always looking for information and advice that can help ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » A Homework Miracle At The Kitchen Table
She looked up at me, wrapped tight in the blanket that was holding her together. Thirty minutes she’d been yelling at math problems on crumpled paper in front of her. Pencils strewn around, nerves frazzled. Now she sat quiet. Smiling with those big brown tear-soaked eyes. Oh, she was so proud of her work! She finally ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Run Forrest, Run
Some time in later October I started having muscle pains in my thighs after running. Mainly on the back side of the thigh. I tried resting, both voluntarily and after surgery. I tried Voltaren gel and I tried anti-inflammatory pills. Nothing really helped. Finally, I made an appointment in late December with a private sports doctor. But before that appointment I ...
[Link]Life According to Emma & Joe » math
Joe's teacher, Mrs. Olance, sent a photo of this school work that Joe completed independently today. 
Reflections and Musings » A little Blog redesign :)
I need to get a good graphics program installed on my computer again. I used to use Paint Shop Pro but it was painfully slow and I haven't bothered to buy their latest version because it's pretty pricey. Photoshop is even more expensive but you can usually get Photoshop Elements for cheap or free (with the purchase of a printer ... [Link]
Praying For Parker » Just the way you are…..
[Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Needs Learning Resources from PCI Education
As parents, we spend years focused on our child’s education. We want to know what they’re learning, how they are progressing, how it will all fit into their future endeavors, not only with later grade levels but with life. We want to do the best we can to help them succeed.
Which is why when a ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Message For The Tooth Fairy…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
~Pablo Picasso
Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back…
The youngest just lost his first tooth…
... [Link]Praying For Parker » Connor Boyack and the life of my son.
Many times I’ve been tempted to write the Utah tourism association and explain that they should change their slogan from ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’ to ‘As long as it’s YOUR kid that has to die then it’s all good.’
Allow me to explain.
On Twitter I follow a few people I don’t totally see eye to eye with politically. For most ...
[Link]Reflections and Musings » Not really ... well maybe a little ;)
Life According to Emma & Joe » Art, Friends, and Shopping in Chicago
American Girl Doll Store with Ning and Cece
Creating art at the Art Institute
Art Institute of Chicago: Emma, Cece, Ning
The Lego Store (with Woody)
Museum of Contemporary Art
Swimming at the hotel with East Lansing pal Julia who moved to Chicago a few years ago. 
Reflections and Musings » Cleaning & Organizing
Keeping my home clean and organized has never been something I've excelled at. As a child I had a messy messy room. As an adult I do my best, but I find I have a hard time letting go of some things - I figure I may need them again someday! As a result I end up having clutter. Not ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » A New Era
We tried going to the movies today, Vince and I. He has not been before, and I figured it was worth a try. He liked it once the movie started, but was a bit afraid of the commercials in the beginning. And yeah, it took him A LOT of convincing and him biting my ear [hard enough for bad words to ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Reviewer’s Retreat: Contest and Discount
Hi everyone! I’m lucky enough to announce that I will be hosting a workshop on Search Engine Optimization at Reviewer’s Retreat, which will be held in Charlotte, NC on June 3-5, 2012 at the spectacular Great Wolf Lodge and sponsored by Pampers!
This year, they are running things a little differently – although I must tell you, these ladies REALLY know ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Spring Feeling on the Playground
We took advantage of the nice weather and Mr Bs day off (Austrian holiday today) and headed to our favorite gross motor park to play. The weather was great and the kids (our) were only half devils after a night of very little sleep for some reason. At 4.30 am Edgar announced the morning by screaming OH MY GOD MAMMA COME. ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Book Review: “How to Teach Life Skills to Kids with Autism or Asperger’s”
Have you ever found yourself looking at your child on the autism spectrum, wondering, “Why the heck did she do that?” Or maybe you work with a child with Asperger’s and you are struggling to break through to him. If you need help teaching a child with autism basic behaviors to successfully grow up, then “How to Teach Life Skills ...
[Link]Reflections and Musings » Volleyball
As I mentioned, Kristina is playing on the grade 5/6 Girls Volleyball team - at their first game I snapped a bunch of photos and here is one of them. Kristina and I had fun "doctoring" the photo on picnik.com! To see it closer up you can click on the photo. The girls are all new to Volleyball this year ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Chicago!
Emma tagged along with me to a conference in Chicago this weekend. We drove in with friends and after walking down the Magnificent Mile (and stopping in the American Girl Doll store) we are relaxing in our hotel. Tomorrow Emma sees an old friend who moved from East Lansing to Chicago while I give a talk. The rest ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » One more thing…
As I was writing the blog-eulogy in the last post, there was something I did not stop to consider. You see, I’ve always compartmentalized my parents: Mom was creative, sensitive, thoughtful; Dad was technical, practical, logical. I really did believe that all my creativity came from Mom, and Dad definitely blessed with things like a knack for math and a keen ...
[Link]Matthew Nicholas Vawter » Hawaii 2011
We spent the first two weeks of December on the beautiful island of Maui. It was a wonderful, busy-but-relaxing family get-away, and was a lot of fun!
The first week was colder, and the wind picked up in the afternoons, but the kids didn’t mind at all. You see, we bought a week’s pass to the Maui Ocean Center, and the ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Swedish Culture Part 1
Religion is really not that big in Sweden. The main religion is Christian Episcopal/Lutheran typish. However, there are also the religion of Kopimism. The info is straight from Wikipedia.
Missionary Church of KopimismThe Missionary Church of Kopimism, founded by Isak Gerson [1], is a congregation of file sharers which hold that copying information is a sacred virtue. [2] [3] [4] ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Insurance Advocate: Why You Need One and How To Get One
Remember that list of caseworkers I told you about? Well, in my haste to count on all my fingers the number of caseworkers in our life, I neglected one very, VERY important caseworker / liaison we’ll call “ Miss W, The Insurance Gal”.
I could tell you a lot about “ Miss W, The Insurance Gal”; ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Tribute to a Great Man
I'm glad Dad got to meet all his grandkids, even some of his great grandkids. Here he is with Amelia, 2003.
On Tuesday, my dad passed away. He had Parkinson’s and he was 91 but he looked great at Thanksgiving, and was feeling good the last few weeks. I’m glad I got to see him then, but it’s still something of ...
[Link]Life According to Emma & Joe » Let's Jam!
On the first Wednesday of each month CADSA sponsors a music therapy "Let's Jam" session. Joe loves to attend. Tonight he will go to the monthly drum circle hosted by the local Autism support group for the first time. Like CADSA, they open their activities to all people with special needs. 
Prince Vince Meets the World » Crap it is almost end of March!
The first two out of three moving companies came today to assess how much we have to move. We also sat down and looked at the calendar to figure out the best dates to do the physical move.
Mr. B starts working on April 10th, and I will start as soon as the kids are schooled-in in their new daycare.
The ...
Reflections and Musings » Getting back into the "groove"
School and work (for me) began again this past Tuesday after our Christmas break. The kids were excited to return to school to see their friends again. Owen, however is a mess ... really it's almost as though we're starting from scratch all over again - he is tired and miserable at the end of the school day! Hopefully this ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Special Exposure Wednesday
[image: Ricki along with craft work done over Hanukkah:] 
Here is Ricki proudly showing off her work....(By her right hand, by her head, and on the clear window also.)You can find more of "Special Exposure Wednesday HERE. 
Prince Vince Meets the World » Nail and Finger Biting SOS
I first wrote about our problem back in August here, and then in September over here. The September link also has a picture of a chewing tube which we got from the ST to try to reduce the apparent need to chew on something. The tube helped somewhat in the short-term. Now however, he refuses it, and throws it away ...
[Link]Reflections and Musings » Reading the Bible online
I recently learned that http://www.youversion.com has Daily Bible reading plans that you can access on their website or on your mobile device for free. I signed up for 2 plans - the Joyce Meyer daily devotional and the 345 plus plan. I plan to read the Joyce Meyer devotional in the morning and the 345 plan in the afternoon/evenings. I ... [Link]
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » Beowulf on the Beach: What to Love and What to Skip in Literature's 50 Greatest Hits by Jack Murnighan
It took me more than two years to read this book, but don't let that scare you away. I think you should read it, too!
I loved this book. I didn't agree with the author about everything, but I did agree with him about a lot of things and I loved his passion for literature alongside his irreverent take towards ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday – Out Of Order
The holidays and school’s winter break has put us out of whack.
Hopefully, we’re back to regular programming next week.
Share what you managed to capture this week. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.
Beneath the Wings » The Lesson and the Story
So, after what happened yesterday, I sat down with Ricki and had a long discussion with her. The topic is not a new one, but perhaps her willingness to listen was. First we talked about what people value in others, and how true worth comes from one’s actions. Then we talked about bullies, why they act as they do; how ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Shabby Apple New Year’s Sale
Yes, this IS an updated post…Shabby Apple is hosting yet another sale for ENTIRE the month of January! To get 20% off sitewide at Shabby Apple (excluding the Side Saddle Line), simply click the ad below to go to Shabby Apple, and enter “NEWYEAR” at check out to get your discount! Enjoy
Affiliate link used.
[Link]
Beneath the Wings » The Measure of Man (A Soap-box Post)
This morning as I was nearly sprinting down the street (it WAS downhill) on my aerobic walk, a couple obviously from out of town stopped me. “Where is the bus to Jerusalem?” I inwardly groaned; this stop was going to kill my aerobic count on my pedometer, as I had left Ricki’s school about 5 minutes before. But I squashed ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » The (Not So) Fine Art of Negotiating With My Tween’s Bipolar
We’re getting ready to go to the beach. It’s New Year’s Day. (Yes, I know I’m lucky. Truly grateful!) While I’m packing, my daughter with anxiety disorder and Bipolar is escalating. She follows me around the house as I collect towels, bathing suits, beach shoes.
“You threw out my old swim suit?!” She accuses, screaming at ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » On hiatus
I had a long vacation and was hoping to get back to blogging for you today, but something happened and I won’t be around probably most of this week. I do apologize – I wanted to start off on the right foot. I have LOADS of book reviews for you and some interesting takes on raising my special kids that I’d ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Bad Influence?
Last year these two were oh so innocent sticking to playing guitar and singing for whoever wanted to hear. This year they snuck of with a bottle of champagne:
Let me just add the bottle was empty when they found it.
[Link]
Matthew Nicholas Vawter » 20-week Ultrasound
Just before Christmas, we received a wonderful gift. Our 20-week ultrasound showed a healthy baby (as far as ultrasound technology can tell). I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to see a beautiful, healthy, perfect heart beating on that grainy black-and-white screen!
We are also thrilled to announce that #4 appears to be a GIRL! Boy, oh boy … our ...
[Link]Reflections and Musings » Last day of vacation ....
Today is the last day of my 10 days off. I wish I could say that we were off doing all sorts of exciting things during this break, but due to sickness and limited finances we stuck pretty close to home. I got some cleaning done, decided to try my hand at knitting and crocheting, enjoyed time with family and ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » The Old Picture
I was looking through some old photos and suddenly I SAW myself from exactly 3 years ago. I was agast! And pleased that today I am only 10 kilos more than half of what I once weighed.[image: Rickismom:left in January 2009, right in Late December 2011) 
But I kept the same smile.... 
Prince Vince Meets the World » Happy New Year!
2012 will mean a lot of new things for us! Vince will start school in the fall and we are moving to Sweden! Exciting, scary, nervous, fun, and sad all at the same time.
I ended the year with the Grazer Silvesterlauf. Considering I had surgery four weeks ago on the day, I was very satisfied to finish the 10k race ...
[Link]Reflections and Musings » Happy New Year!
From our family to yours, our wish for you is that 2012 is filled with blessings! The past year has been full of challenges, joys, and so so much to be thankful for. At church this morning we reflected on Genesis 3 - the fall into sin ... and the great promise of the coming of Jesus. The fall reminds ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Trying Out The New Art Set…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
~Pablo Picasso
Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back…
Someone got a new art set for Christmas ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » 2011 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 49,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 18 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
[Link]Beneath the Wings » The Disappearing Picture
The other night Ricki actually fell asleep with the CPAP machine on. It was so great to see her breathing deeply, even though she was prone… so I took a picture. (Although even THAT evening she tore the mask off when she was awakened by the machine going off, due to an electrical shortage). I remembered having transferred the photo ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » CARS
Yesterday we had a family get-together with some relatives who had arrived to visit from abroad. We were supposed to meet them at a place which is one or two short bus rides away (depending which buses you use, and /or how much you are willing to walk…). My step daughter and her children arrived by car, and my daughter ... [Link]
DownBlogger » No title
RIP dad. I know you loved me, even when life was horrible, and everything got in the way. I hope you are at peace now, with Gram and Gramp. Watch over my family, and please help me find peace myself. 
Reflections and Musings » Quote to share :)
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » Come Again Please?
We are lucky enough not to have to organize (and pay) for the move to Sweden. That is huge as it is expensive moving across a continent. So the way that it is being handled is that three companies are giving quotes to the payee about the actual cost of our stuff. To do so, these three local international moving companies ...
[Link]Life According to Emma & Joe » HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com 
Prince Vince Meets the World » Computer Less
A year ago almost exactly (Dec 29, 2010) I ordered a new fancy dancy little netbook for me. A pretty white, shark designed Samsung with a to me new child proof keyboard. I loved it and it worked great. Till a while ago when the shift button stopped working. Or it worked sporadically, annoying as hell. I finally got myself organized ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » PS to Previous Post “Silence Implies Consent”
This is a PS to my previous post. I noted that there has been a lot of anti religious reporting by the press. Here is an example. It is a small example, but if you multiply this example by the hours in a day, and the days of the week, and the years that this has been going on, ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » Silvester Lauf
I just picked up my start number and goody bag for tomorrow’s 10k, the Grazer Silvester Lauf. A bottle of bubbles, not bad:
10k run starting at Maria Hilferplatz tomorrow, New Years Eve at 14.30.
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Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Shabby Apple After-Christmas Dress Sale
Christine was the winner of our Shabby Apple contest, but you can get yourself a beautiful Shabby Apple Dress of your own on sale this week! Get 20% Off the Sale Section at Shabby Apple and Free Shipping with Code ‘WINTERSALE’. Yes, that is my affiliate link! I hope to be doing a review of my own Shabby Apple dress ...
[Link]DownBlogger » Sisters
sisters. <3 
DownBlogger » No title
Christmas 2011. Great friends. Family. Lots of laughter. Life is good. 
Beneath the Wings » No time...
I have a few ideas for posts, but no time to write! Maybe next week. Have a nice (and safe) weekend everyone..... 
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Christmas Chaos and Peer Advocacy
Family is visiting from out of town, it is the end of the fiscal year (lots of bookkeeping to do for clients), and to top it all off little girl is sick with some strange stomach bug that evidently is contagious since one of the cousins caught it, too. As I type I am also making ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Reflo Sippy Cup Alternative Sale
Just wanted to give you a heads up that we are offering another 10% off sale good on any purchase through 01-03-2012… use code fb10 when ordering online at Reflo.
Sippy cups have been associated with with dental and speech problems. If you’re looking for an alternative, Reflo cups are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and have no parts to trap germs. ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday – Happy New Year
Let me be one of the first to greet you: Happy New Year!
May the new year bring peace, joy, less tantrums and meltdowns and more goals met for us and our kiddos.
Share what you managed to capture this week. Please spread the comment love around. Thank you.
Beneath the Wings » Silence Implies Consent
As a Chareidi (strictly Orthodox) Jewish woman, I feel that I can no longer be quiet about the tumultuous events occurring in recent days in Israel. Let me preface my remarks with the observation that the blame for a lot of the anger seen on the part of the non-religious, often against ALL chareidim (ie, the strictly orthodox) can be ... [Link]
Garden of Eagan » Oh the face
This post is not about the face of adoption, but MY face.
Many years ago....15 to be exact... I had what the dentist thought was an abscessed tooth. When he went to do the root canal he didn't use novocaine because according to the X-rays that tooth was dead. Umm...no it wasn't. I had a root canal with NO anesthetic.
I didn't ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Down Syndrome and the Medical Community: Stop It Already
I want to talk a minute about Amelia and how we found out that she had Mosaic Down syndrome. Now, I didn’t see a post for a really long time or early on, so pardon me if any of this is redundant.
5 months pregnant and thrilled
Rewind back to 9 years ago. Christmas was over, New Year’s was something I ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » The Top 10 Best Things About the Holidays (For Me)!
Just coming around the mountain of holiday excitement that’s been building up for months (thanks to commercial advertising), I’d like to share my top 10 list of the best things about the holidays this year, for me. SO, the number 10 best thing about the holidays….
10. My Boys really got it this year! ...
[Link]Garden of Eagan » Angela Update
I think it's about time I do an update post for each of the kids. Don't you? Lets go oldest to youngest!
First, here are Homecoming pictures that I never got around to posting! Let me just say, Homecoming is an eye opener and Angela will probably never go to another Homecoming dance again! For those in our area who's ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Christmas Cookies…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
~Pablo Picasso
Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back…
I let the kiddos loose on Christmas cookie ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » At a Bris...
I attended the circumcision of my newest grandson today...and lots of the women from my DIL's family literally didn't recognize me! Looking at the photos, I almost don't recognize myself! LOL!!!! I AM getting weight-loss wrinkles (I COULD blame them on my age, but I didn't have them two years ago. However, I would rather LOOK old than FEEL old! ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Merry Christmas!
Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com 
Life According to Emma & Joe » Christmas Eve 2011
Garden of Eagan » Santa's Coming!
At 4:00 pm Angela stood up from the couch, stretched dramatically - complete with a yawn while patting her mouth - and announced, "Wow. I'm so tired. I think it's time for my pajamas."
I assured her it was a little early to head to bed, and that Santa would not be here for many hours yet! 
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Happy Holidays everyone!
I’ll be MIA for another 2 or 3 days, so may you all have a fantastic week, no matter what holiday you’re celebrating, or even if you’re not. To all my friends and readers celebrating Festivus, don’t hit each other too hard, k? Want you all healthy and reading Mom-Blog in 2012!
Some presents are too good to wait for Christmas ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Merry Christmas
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Garden of Eagan » Pictures: Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover
Disclaimer: this could be a long post.
When we were in the process of Asher's adoption and getting information on him, we were slightly frustrated about not having seen a picture of him, but only slightly. I think some of my blog readers might have been more frustrated than we were. ; -) This was, according to the Serbian ministry, the ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Holiday Carols Were Not Written for Us
I have to tell you, I am a huge sucker for holiday music. I love hearing it while I shop in the grocery and when I’m in the car. I dream of falling snow flakes and cozy fires. I actually know all the verses of many traditional hymns and get mad when artists don’t sing them! ...
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