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.
If you know of a blog you believe would fit into this listing, you may submit it here.
Mauzy's Musings » On my 50th Birthday ... Thank you for giving me life Mom
As mom lies in bed, battling end stage cancer, she is some days able to converse, others not so much. Some days able to remember, others she lacks this ability. But she always recognizes us, loves our visits, and occaisionally will still have her wine. But one thing she cannot do this year is buy a birthday card for me ... [Link]
MY COOL FAMILY » 6 of 6
She is my 500th post. Here's what I love about her.
SHe LOVES water. If you put her in a tub, she will stand throw herself down and flip over to her back, or put her whole face in and blow bubbles. She's a fish.
She will eat anything. Good most of the time, not so good others.
She has by far, been ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » The Dishes and the Soldier
Several years ago I purchased a new set of dishes, having been assured by the saleswoman that the pattern I had chosen was “standard” and could always be added on to later.
Fast forward to this week:.
With the Jewish holidays quickly approaching, and in anticipation of having guests, I realized that my by-now-only-three-table-settings-le~ dinner set just would not do. Having ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » The "Haul" of Pottery, and the Aftermath
This morning I had my ceramics class instead of the usual Monday class. It just so happened that several items I had made were ready (they had been fired), as well as all the items Ricki had made during the two sessions that she had joined me during the summer break. Knowing that the ceramics teacher was planning last week ... [Link]
Deep Fried Pickles and Ice Cream » Finally!
I got it.
I got my driver’s license.
My kids rejoice.
I will also be a part-time “nanny”.Who’da thunk it?
Wonder what is next for me…
[Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Helluva Week…
Way to go summer! It’s only Wednesday night and thus far this week:
- Zoe taught her 4 year old self to swim in the 8 foot section
- Amelia forgot she was potty trained. On multiple occasions.
- A colleague flayed me alive for no good reason
- Some neat, new alliances were made
- Pre-planning for the start of school (9/7) and preschool (9/13) ...
MY COOL FAMILY » One
No, not the most awesome U2 song ever, it's my baby.
I almost did an entire week long celebration. Sorry, but you'll have to settle for the 3 days leading up to it. And yes, she deserves a week, no month long celebration.
You notice one of her presents in the back ground?
Tomorrow I'll tell you about the things ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Advising New Parents
It’s that time of year again – time to buy school supplies, Fall clothes, and healthy snacks for the school lunch box. It’s time to pay the exorbitant school fees for our children’s FREE education. And it’s time for parents of children with disabilities to see if they will face more battles with their school districts while trying to ensure their ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » Welcome to the Family!
The Cornish Family has grown by one more!!
Please join us in welcoming James Hunter Cornish to the family!
[Link]
Not That You Asked » Well, Alright,I'll Spill A Little More
Yesterday at Cyclefit class at the Y, a woman I recognize from school, but don't really know, was sitting on the bike next to mine. Between pants, she asked me how school was going for the boys. I said that Simon is acclimating beautifully, but that it's going to be a little bit more of a struggle for Jude.
She asked ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Ice Cream Social
Joe and Leah
Emma and Elisabeth
Last night we went to the Red Cedar ice cream social. We found out that Joe will be in Mrs. Willliams' first grade class with his friends Tri and Leah. They three will spend much of the day in Mrs. Olance's class but will go to the first grade class for part of each day. ... [Link]
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
This week for Barrie Summy's Book Review Club I've chosen The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
"Sarahlynn - See what you think? Carol"
Perhaps every other book club in America has read this novel sometime in the past two years, but neither of mine did. I'd never heard the title ... [Link]
Not That You Asked » More Thoughts about School
Things aren't going well. I'm not going to write about all of it. I think I'm scaring some of you. Be assured that we won't rest until the situation improves dramatically.
In the meantime, I know we've already been labeled as difficult parents. I know that people must talk about us having our heads buried in the sand, trying to make ... [Link]
Praying For Parker » Christmas……..in September.
Yeah, I know. It’s September and here I am thinking about Christmas. About re-evaluating it. I thought now would be a good time to begin thinking about entering into the holiday season with a new mindset this year.
Let’s face it. Times are tough. Jobs are being lost. Savings spent.
I’m trying to look at this re-evaluation thing as an ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » Keep looking...
I posted about our vacation give-away last week and said it will be posted this week. I haven't forgotten! I will post the vacation give-away details on THURSDAY! Last Wednesday we were provided our court date for this week and we're going to spend tomorrow celebrating JAMES! :)
Check back tomorrow for the 'unveiling' of photos of our little man (which ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Special Exposure Wednesday- The "Musician"
[image: Ricki "playing" recorder]
I caught this shot of Ricki, lying down, and "toting" away on an old recorder.
You will find more of "Special Exposure Wednesday" HERE. 
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday.
She loves the outside.
It is her favourite place to be.
Got something to share?
Why don’t you join in this Special Exposure Wednesday.
Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.
Also posting at Three Ring Circus.
Cornish Adoption Journey » Did I say 3 weeks?
In that laughing post, I believe I said "I need it in my hands in 3 weeks" but in reality, my mind is a week behind. I actually would like to have my completed dossier in TWO WEEKS! YIKES!! We will be leaving for Ukraine two weeks from Friday!!
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D 
RYLIE » Some Updated Pictures of my Girls
RYLIE » Bethenny Frankel
One day this summer I stood in a line of 1600 people to meet Bethenny Frankel. I was about number 50 in line so it wasn't bad. I only waited about 2 hours. My guilty pleasure is watching the Real Housewives! Ha Ha! 
RYLIE » Herr's Factory
Matthew Nicholas Vawter » Happy Birthday, Jesse!
Today, my baby Jesse is 1 year old!
Because Matthew’s birthday is in 2 short weeks, we celebrated both boys’ birthdays with family and friends over the weekend.
We were able to catch 16 of the 20 children in one photograph – missing from this picture are Lily, Caeley, Connor, and baby Livi. You would think ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » Laughing?
Oh yes, I'm laughing, because it's better to laugh than alternatives :)
We got our invitations for fingerprinting today! This is a biometric appointment at the US Citizenship and Immigration office in Central Florida and you have to have an appointment to go. This is for the approval that we are praying to have by the time I travel in just ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Taking after Aunt Joy
Emma had her appointment with the music teacher this morning to choose an instrument for fifth grade. She knew that she wanted to be in the orchestra but wasn't sure which instrument she wanted to play. After trying every single instrument (including viola and trombone) she chose the cello! Just like Aunt Joy she will have to carry her cello ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Joe
Joe at Camp Pa-Wa-Pi for Emma's award ceremony. 
Life According to Emma & Joe » Last day of camp
Emma's last day of Camp Pa-Wa-Pi was Friday. The final week was called "Be Your Own Boss" and the 10-13 year-olds worked with a 4-H group to learn how to do a business project for part of each day. On Friday business owners from the area came and heard their pitches and voted on the best business ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » My “Schizophrenic” Teen
Yesterday morning, Ricki was in a great mood. She was ready to leave for school on time, and was looking forward to her day. As she was leaving the house, she asked me to “come here”. When I did, she gave me a big kiss and a hug.
But like any teen, her moods change, and by the evening she ... [Link]
MY COOL FAMILY » For All You Desert Dwellers
Today was 4 of 6's first day of school. She was so excited. So excited in fact, I woke up to her in my bed, because she was up before the crack of dawn. Wide awake. Looking at me. Waiting for me to wake up, so she could "go to school now mom?" (you see, last night at about midnight, ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » A kid who can’t stand crowds
Max is a pretty social kid—but crowds? They freak him out.
This weekend, we were at an event and we had to take an outdoor group photo. It was a very, very large group. Max started wailing at the sight of everyone standing there. My husband was holding him, and even though he was talking to him soothingly and ...
[Link]Not That You Asked » School... (Said Followed by a Deep Sigh)
Our understanding of inclusion is that a student with a disability is to be included in the general education setting with his or her typical peers as much as is possible and beneficial, with supports and modifications so that the student can be successful.
All of this should also ideally happen in the student's own neighborhood school.
Jude has grown up with ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Product Review: Good Humor Ice Cream & Sweepstakes
When I think of Good Humor ice cream, I have pleasant memories of my childhood and stopping by the local bodega on a hot back-to-school day to grab a Chocolate Eclair while waiting for the bus. Or maybe a Strawberry Shortcake. So I was excited to get a chance to review this product.
Made with Oreos, MMMM....
I went to ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » CLEAN!
The kids are clean, the garage is clean, the porch is clean, the kids' bedrooms are clean, the family room is clean, the kitchen is clean, it's good to have things CLEAN! :)
That's what I spent the day doing today.
And now, I'm tired :).
If all goes as 'planned', ALL FIVE kids will be going to school in the morning. As ... [Link]
EmmaSage » No title
I think it annoys God if you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice.
- ~Alice Walker From "The Color Purple 
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Winning and Losing…
“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…
My 7-year-old recently decided she wanted to enter a couple of pictures in the youth ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » The Perfect Match?
The “perfect match” is Ricki as a (supervised) babysitter for her nine-month old nephew. Today I had to babysit my grandson, and all I had to do was supervise Ricki. She latterly gave him a “song and dance”, as well as hours and hours of play. She wore him out. I became tired just listening……. 
EmmaSage » No title
Today has been such a beautiful day [and it is only half over]......the glorious feeling I had from the moment I awoke to a delicious summer morning.....cool, sunny, breezy and just utterly perfect, was echoed again at church. Emma Sage radiates such joy at church, she truly feels the spirit. Today was a baptism, so this Momma's heart always swells ... [Link]
Not That You Asked » Sunday: A Cursory Report
Church today. Arrived late, left early. Blech. Know I should have felt moved by some of the things pastor said. Wasn't. Completely numb.
Realized today for no real reason that I am kind of a crappy friend. Inattentive. Approach/withdraw tactic (my fav!) has proven unsuccessful.
Vowed privately to do better. Relationships are all we've got.
Taking the boys swimming. 
EmmaSage » the ebb and flow of life......
~~~life has been very rich and full of late, and at times confusing and overwhelming. I find when I am being swept into the raging currents of the river, it is best for me to just hold on and enjoy the ride, keeping sight in the distance for smoother waters.......whereas that time I can relax a moment and sit and ... [Link]
Snippets » week 36: melon
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week 36: melon, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.
For the sixty-four colors challenge...
www.flickr.com/groups/1354234@N22/
[Link]
Snippets » week 35: brown
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week 35: brown, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.
For the sixty-four colors challenge...
www.flickr.com/groups/1354234@N22/
[Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » A Button for Monroe!
Hi there!
For some reason I haven’t gotten around to making a button for Monroe yet… NO idea why… ;)
Anyway, I would be honored if you would put this blog button on your blog in either a post or on the sidebar. It links directly to our FSP with Reece’s Rainbow, which also contains a link to our blog. I ...
[Link]MY COOL FAMILY » Manners
Old picture, nothing to do with post.
So, I walked to Smith's this evening to rent a movie from Red Box. Trent is out camping with the scouts (something, that once upon a time, I dreaded. I really disliked putting kids to bed a lone, and going to bed myself, alone. Now, I kind of look forward to the alone time.) ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » "Shadow Shot Sunday"
[image: palm tree shadow]
Cornish Adoption Journey » My Son
Last night Kristopher didn't sleep well. He kept waking in the night, crying. First I took him down from his bed and brought him to the bathroom. He looked at me through slitted eyes and asked me to carry him down from his bunkbed. Yes, I said, at midnight and barely awake myself.
A few minutes later he cried out again. ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » Girl's night out :)
Tonight my little spunky (not sick) 4 yr old girl and I went and had a girl's night out! Typically Michael gets the 'date nights' since I have a lot of individual time with the kids here at the house, but we wanted to make a point of each of us every week or two taking one kid and just ... [Link]
Ralph and the Crew » Hiccup!
The crewchief has been called away on urgent business.
More here: http://psalmsixtyeight.blogspot.com~ 
Life According to Emma & Joe » New Pal at School
Joe's friend Leah has gotten in to Joe's school through the school of choice program. We are so excited that she will be in class with Joe. This morning Joe brought Leah to Red Cedar school and showed her around. They had a great time playing together on the playground. It looks like it is going to be a great ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » F-word series: Feeling Fabulous, an “Operation Beautiful” Book Review
I’ll be honest, I am so NOT feeling fabulous today, and it’s not just my broken toe. One of those weeks, particularly at work, which is usually easy-going (aka boring), but I don’t want to dwell on bad incidents only on the fact that I Handled Them.
Maybe it’s the end-of-summer “I feel yucky, bring on the cool weather” ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » Swimming!
My mind is just swimming these days!
I've got several things all going on at the same time and it's hard to focus on one before the next is calling. Of course the forefront is the kids that are sick. James went back to the ped this morning and is CLEARED to return to school! I have a note and everything ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » The World Doesn’t Get It…
Recently, my husband applied for a new job. This job would have taken us out of our current situation (No family, no help, no children’s hospital unless we drive 3 hours…one way) to another state. This state currently holds all of our family, and most of our friends. Convenient, eh?
So, he interviewed. It went well. All signs were pointing to ...
[Link]MY COOL FAMILY » YAHOO!
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=co~
Have you ever done a yahoo search of your blog name. Weird. I guess it has been keeping track of my activities. Like who's blog I have commented on. It's a good thing I'm not looking up things like 'How to Take Over the World'. Although.....
And in other news. I feel bad for Elin. You know Tiger Woods' wife. A ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Comic relief, autism style
It was one of those weeks when the phone rang constantly, and each was a “crises” call. My 24 year old son Matthew, who has autism, was on a bad roll.
“Matthew lost his wallet, Matthew is calling a girl obsessively, Matthew called 911 because a girl hung up on him, Matthew needs this, Matthew needs that….”
... [Link]Beneath the Wings » Elul, a Shofer, and the Air Conditioning
I live in a building that is attached to a shul (synagogue). This has some disadvantages (mostly due to bored boys who exit the building without supervision), but there are several advantages as well.
For years, I especially enjoyed living over the shul during the Jewish month of “Elul”. During Elul, in preparation for the days of repentance, there is ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » Pictures!
These are all a few weeks old, the first few are the week before school started!
Everyone’s backpacks full of their school supplies (and overflowing! hence the bags below)
Just too cute, and so big with her sippy cup! Lynae is now fully weaned (thanks to my 5 days away from home…) and is ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » For our mission trip to UA
I've had a few inquiries asking if we need additional things purchased or if there is a 'wishlist'. We are waiting to purchase anything of "substantial cost or size" until we hear exactly what they need. The things we purchased last night were all dollar items and we were able to get plenty in one trip :). For instance we ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » Shopping and planning for the next adventure...
Yesterday while Kristopher was at children's church, I went to Target to pick up a few essentials for our household (namely: gloves and probiotics!). While I was there I couldn't help but notice the LARGE amount of $1 items that are educational and therapy based! I called up Shelley and together we shopped for our trip to Ukraine!
We have all ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » “This Sucks”, and the Bad Mommy Blues..
Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
It was “one of those days”. The sun refused to shine, and maybe I had not had enough sleep or allergies kicked in or whatever, but I woke up down and out. I rarely do depression anymore, so it was hard to sit at work so off-kilter. We still have more than a week for school ...
[Link]Not That You Asked » Ouch
This special needs parenting business is not for the faint of heart or the thin of skin, let me just tell ya. I have had my dander up (and my feelings hurt) at least three times just in the last 24 hours!
Wanna hear about it? I knew you did.
We'll proceed in chronological order. Last night I received an email for ... [Link]
The Road Not Chosen » Merrily We Roll Along
It’s interesting how life keeps happening to us. It doesn’t stop or even slow down, just slides on and on and on. I’m sure we can all think of times where it seemed to pause for us. A wedding, a birth, a death. All of these can give us the illusion that time has stopped. When I was 3 months ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Three Topics: The Conversation / The Picnic Lunch/ Update on "Frustrating"
A friend of mine who is blind comes regularly to my library of English books; she reads them using an electronic “reading machine”. Recently when she was here, Ricki came into the living room as we were talking. Ricki knows that my friend is blind; we have talked about it before. But this time Ricki started talking to my friend. ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Flu Shot, Anyone?
****WARNING – HIGH YUCK FACTOR****
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » Good News!
SO glad to have good news :). It's been a week (or... two...) that we have NEEDED good news!
James' adoption will be finalized on SEPTEMBER 1st!! :) YAY! (Then I can unblur his photo LOL!)
And... I got notification from USCIS that they have our file and that we will receive fingerprint appointments soon!
And... I got our mortgage letter back today ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » We will be right back
Still living la vida loca in Sweden 
[Link]
Praying For Parker » Busy
We’re still here.
Just busy.
Getting ready for another year of homeschool.
I’ve been turning lots of stuff like this
and this:
into this:
lots and lots of bottles of dehydrated fruits and veggies!
Today I’ll be picking tomatoes to make pizza sauce with. We are HUGE homemade pizza lovers here.
... [Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday.
There are no big bad wolves living here.
The PICC line is out and the port is in and after days of pain
Little Red felt up to an impromptu photo shoot.
Good for the both of us.
Got something to share?
Why don’t you join in this Special Exposure Wednesday.
Please remember your comment love at each ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » A new look :)
If you're following along on an RSS feed or other 'reader', and don't generally come visit the blog itself, come take a peek at the new background featuring our little "7 in 7" (years). 
Matthew Nicholas Vawter » Matthew update
As is often the case, I have a songs from Rachel Coleman’s “Signing Time” series running through my head. Even Micah can be caught humming a line here or there throughout his day. How can we be anything but grateful, though, as these videos have given Matthew the ability to communicate. He now has about 100 signs that he uses regularly ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Split / Focus
Image: br3akthru / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
This is an issue I come to over and over. I’ve always had something of a split focus, figuring out where I live professionally, and how to balance that as a writer.
However, 7.75 years in, I realize now that I have another split: parenting. Today, for example, was filled with taking the girls to their ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » special exposure Wednesday
more pictures from the park:
You will find more of "Special Exposure QWednesday HERE. 
Cornish Adoption Journey » We’re giving away a vacation!
I'm excited to share a give-away that I will start a chip-in for next week. This is for a vacation package which includes 7 nights at an RCI timeshare available in the US and abroad! Here's just a few examples:
Wyndham Durango, Durango, Colorado
Wyndham Sea Gardens, Pompano Beach, Florida
Wyndham Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee ...
[Link]Ralph and the Crew » We're Baaaaack!
Hello dear readers! Not sure if I have any readers left, but oh well.
Boy did I miss this face while I was in Eastern Europe! Ralph decided that he would get huge while I was gone. He decided to start talking (more anyway) while I was gone. He has just grown up a lot.
Some very exciting things ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » Frustrating....
I have recently (over the last two weeks) increased my step count from 10000 steps daily to, at least temporarily, 15000 steps daily. This has not been easy; it is hot and humid here. I have continued my diet,checking portion sizes, yet I find that I am still losing the same 1/2 to 2/3 kilos weekly. I had hoped for ... [Link]
Deep Fried Pickles and Ice Cream » Put my thing down,flip and reverse it.
Make stale cereal into delicious bread!
I have 8 boxes of cereal I bought awhile back, on sale, for about a buck a box.My kids,being kids,opened every single last box and never closed them back up.So now what I have are 8 boxes of completely stale cereal.What to do,what to do?
While looking around on the internet for ...
[Link]All 4 My Gals » Jesus Answers Prayers
We are struggling financially right now as Joe's pay continue to be cut. Darrah and I were stopping at the end of the drive last week to pick up the mail. I said, "You know I hate getting the mail anymore because it's always just bills." Then I added, "You know Darrah let's pray for a check. Let's pray for ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » On not looking too hard into the future, when I’ll be gone
An old college friend called last week; she was coming to town, she had an extra ticket to see Billy Elliot on Saturday, and would I like to come? Y-E-S! My sweet husband watched the kids and I headed into New York. I’d seen the movie, I love dance performances, I figured the Broadway show would be completely enjoyable. ...
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Sand Candles…
“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…
Another fun beach craft we finally decided to try out — sand candles!
The kiddos ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » Motivation: an Interesting (I think) but bit more time-consuming post....)
What will be time-comsuming about this post is the ten minutes needed to watch this video clip. But please do, and then read on below.....
If, as what this video asserts, pure monetary/ prize-type rewards don’t work in cases involving higher cognitive tasks, maybe we should be paying more attention to what DOES work. Even in our intellectually-impaired children. True, ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » Not reflux...
In my tired state I guess I used his reflux as an example of his slow emptying (how long the milk was still 'good' and undigested in the stomach). But issue we're having with James is not reflux, but the TUBE LEAKING. All around it, all the time.
Also, he is not on milk based formula, just straight Pediasure.
THANK YOU for ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » Advice?
Got any advice on this? I'll take it, ideas, whatever you've got (but be nice :) ).
James has always processed food VERY slowly. For instance one day he ate breakfast at 7am, 10 oz. Then he spit up, say, 3 oz. Then he started on lunch, got an ounce or two in at 11:30, and spit up 5 or 6 ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » Yay!
YAY because we are HOME!
YAY because no one has a FEVER!
YAY because Lynae's stool, though soft and frequent, I would not categorize as "loose"!
YAY because everyone went to bed NICELY!
YAY because Brianna got out of bed... and went to the bathroom, peed, and went back to bed!!!
I won't share any of the not so yay things. I'm tired of them ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Again…..
Ricki has lost her glasses again. Yes, AGAIN. She claims that they fell off when she looked downstairs from the railed-in window, and the glasses fell three stories and broke.
I found no glasses below (whole or broken), so I don’t know WHAT to think. Now she is pestering me for a replacement (she DOES need them), but in the ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » We're going home!
Whew :) 
Cornish Adoption Journey » Maybe... maybe....
We are hoping to be discharged today! Since James is doing so well as far as no fevers or vomiting and the diarrhea is probably not going away for quite some time... there's no reason to hang out here! The g-tube is a long Mic-Key (not a button) and is still leaking, but they really don't have a lot of ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » And Lynae
Please pray for Lynae. She's had a few loose stools and now a 101 temp. She was home with me when James was sick and at home... Praying she has something simple like an ear infection or tummy bug and we're not starting this again! :(
Her temp is down with Tylenol, and Mike will check her through the night. 
ever forward, Maya » whispering hope ranch
a few weekends ago we went to a wonderful retreat with maya. thanks to an anonymous donor and the local down syndrome network we were able to enjoy this amazing ranch. whispering hope ranch provides a place for special needs children and their families to enjoy the outdoors and the opportunity to interact with various animals.
this was our first experience ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » James
The plan from here... Salmonella apparently messes the GI tract up REALLY good :( . A typical person that's not immuno-compromised might take 3-6 weeks to get over the effects of Salmonella, and a person with the medical issues that James has... may take months.
As far as his actual physical illness part of this... we don't know how long that ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » The Neurologist
Every 6 weeks or so, we spend part of our morning with The Neurologist.
He notices Jack’s new hat.
I notice that he’s lost weight.
He asks how J is doing with school.
I ask how his girls are doing in high school.
We dance the dance.
He tells me things I don’t want to hear–when he grabs Jack’s hand and ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » A Few F-Words: Foundational things
A few days ago, I snagged your attention by letting fly a few “F” words: Fearless, Foxy, Fabulous. Since then, I’ve decided that every Friday, I’m going to blog about an “F” word that has changed my life…and can, maybe, change yours.
Before I get started though, I thought I’d take this First Friday to review some foundational things, like ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Autism: Living with the looks
I was at Barnes and Noble the other day and believe that I witnessed an autistic meltdown.
A father was in line with his teenage son when the woman in front of them sneezed loudly. The noise took the teenager by surprise, and he covered his ears and yelled “too loud, must leave, too loud” over and over again.
... [Link]Grace Between the Lines » The View From Here
This is the view from my front window for the last 13 days.... is there anything lovelier?
We are enjoying the north, the sun, the sand, friends and family.... 
Beneath the Wings » Link:
HERE is an excellent post on the "facebook" pictures of Eden Abergil. 
Beneath the Wings » "Sparkle" Special-Needs Cheerleading
Find more videos like this on Get Ur Good On
hat tip: Mikimi 
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » First Days of School
First Grade (Dolly stayed home, but sparkly skirt definitely got to go.)
Preschool
And blowing off steam afterward.
Cornish Adoption Journey » Salmonella!
:( :(
Wintertree Design : Liita Forsyth » Blog » our great escape
For years my friend Karen has been inviting us to come up to her cabin in the U.P. and we finally took her up on the offer. After we arrived it took Miika about 48 hours to stop whining about boredom and the fear of bears and wolves. The remedy? A bag of peanuts and a fishing pole. The ...
[Link]Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » Whining
I've been ill, more or less, since we got back from vacation early this month. It's getting annoying. I've had an abdominal thing, an abysmal cold, and strep throat. Here's hoping for a nice, clear, healthy fall to come!
My wonderful husband is finally starting to fight a cold himself. Yesterday he said that while he's glad to pitch in ... [Link]
Matthew Nicholas Vawter » Our Week of Vacation, in Pictures
New camera = lots of pictures!
Enjoy!
[Link]
Beneath the Wings » Acceptance???? I’m Not Sure
Recently I read a post about acceptance of our children and their intellectual disability. A commenter mentioned that his parents truly “accepted” his sister (who has Down syndrome), and the example he gave was their non-chalance about her “belting” out a song in a restaurant.
Quite frankly, I was upset by the assumption that acceptance means letting your child act ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » Things to ponder from the hospital room
- Who came up with naming the new "smaller Mic-key" button, Mini (Mickey and Minnie?)
- It is either hot or cold in the hospital rooms.
- This is not the way I planned to wean (nor the most comfortable way)
- Showers must be overrated.
- A pack of 24 diapers CAN be used in just over a day.
- Green slime can come out of ...
MY COOL FAMILY » I'M BUSY!
Do you ever have those days, where you know that you have the most awesome kids in the world?
A lot of the time I beat myself up for weird/naughty/irritating/odd things my kids do. The question 'what can I do better' is a constant in my head. Today I went to a get together with some families who also have kids ... [Link]
The Road Not Chosen » The First Day
Today is the first day of school so of course that means torturing high school students with endless picture taking! I’m teaching 2 Language Arts classes this year, instead of one, which is what I’ve always done. We combine some of our grades in high school classes so I have the 9th/10th graders in one and the 11th/12th graders in ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Insensitive
As many of you know, I have a 19 year old daughter named Jessica. I adopted Jessica when she was 9 years old. She had spent most of her life in foster care, and along the way was both physically and sexually abused. In addition, she was diagnosed as an infant with brain cancer. She had a tumor removed and two ...
[Link]Not That You Asked » First Day of School
The day seemed to go well. Drop off at the elementary was a disaster, prompting me to make a couple of phone calls to the principal and the director of special needs services in our county before even leaving the parking lot (no support for Jude showed up) but everything got worked out, and the rest of the ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » #Giveaway: Faith Hope and Love Ring
faith hope love
Thank you to everyone who shared! I personally want you to know that your stories encouraged and uplifted me, moved me and made me cry. It’s amazing how much God has done in our lives, and thank YOU all for the courage to share here.
The winner is Leanne. Leanne, you’ve gotten an email from me about ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » Special Exposure Wednesday- The Photographer (Number 2)
[images: Ricki taking photos]
You will find more of "Special Exposure Wednesday HERE. 
Life According to Emma & Joe » Visit from Heather and Peter
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday.
A rare moment: Mal posing for the camera!
Love this photo of our little leprechaun.
Got something to share?
Why don’t you join in this Special Exposure Wednesday.
Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.
Also posting at Three Ring Circus.
Cornish Adoption Journey » James is in the hospital
Can't keep hydrated... he's ok just a sick little boy. More later. 
Beneath the Wings » Update: Walking
[images: the walking path in Park HaYarkon]
In this morning's post I mentioned a local park and its walking path. This afternoon I took Ricki to the same park by way of two buses, and later we walked along the walking path to a station where we could take one bus to reach home. Although it was already ... [Link]
Three's a Charm » A Down Syndrome Disney
We just returned from a quick celebration trip to Disneyland. We LOVE it there!
We have had the pleasure of going a couple times the last few years but about a little more than a year ago we took the boys (Joaquin's first trip to Disney) and we were so surprised not to see even one baby, child, ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Potty Training Tips for the Hard-to-Train
Well, it happened. 10 days ago we packed our gear and Amelia’s gear for Dutch Springs, and I realized she did not need a swimmer.
I repeat: SHE DID NOT NEED A SWIMMER!!
It was then that I realized Amelia is potty trained. Well, mostly. She still sneaks on pullups when she needs to poop, or saves it up for ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » Two Short Vignettes
This morning in order to get in a good 2 hour walk I headed towards the opposite direction than my usual one. I walked to the nearest shopping center, a half-hour walk that I already do occasionally, and from there across the Maccabbiah bridge over the Yarkon River. The area around the bridge has been fixed up, and on the ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Preschool Decision
My husband and I are pretty conservative–I’m not talking about politics (I almost never am)–but just our general life decisions. We prefer things cooked from scratch–we don’t even own a microwave. I stay at home and my husband goes out and earns the money.
Even before Charlie was born, we thought that I might end up homeschooling our children. Not because ...
[Link]Kwisteena's Kwaziness » Horse Therapy
We have been taking Kallie to a horse grooming program for the past 2 weeks. I have to tell you, the interaction that Kallie has with this one horse named Devon is AMAZING! The girl Molly who is in charge of the horses was telling me that he doesn't respond that way to everyone and the things he was doing ... [Link]
MY COOL FAMILY » Ready... GO!
I love the first day of school. My kids love the first day of school. They were very excited this morning.
The only disappointing part was finding out 3 of 6 wasn't in the same class as his BF. He would have been, but I switched teachers. So it was my fault.
I have 4 of them in school, 3 ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » On the adoption front...
I realize that I haven't posted much about our adoption of Monroe on here since we announced our intent to bring him home. I could say it was unintentional and that "life" got in the way of it, but that wouldn't be completely true.
In reality, I have been avoiding the subject here. As you know from my post shortly after ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » That “You think YOUR life is so hard?” feeling
This weekend, I visited a relative who may or may not be my sister, and I pretty much felt like I could smack her. She started it! She started it! (To quote an oft-repeated refrain from childhood.)
She kept stressing out. First, she got irritated at her husband because he was in the kitchen preparing food for lunch instead ...
[Link]MY COOL FAMILY » Anticipation
It is the night before the kids go back to school. Outfits picked, bags packed kids in bed sle... um, no. Kids in bed wide awake.
I think it was a semi-productive summer. We practiced hand writing. But not enough. We practiced piano, but not enough. We didn't go out to a lot of activities because we did a co-op instead. ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Beach Prints…
“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…
For simply ages now, I’ve been meaning to try making plaster cast sand footprints and ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » The “Tzedukka” Lady
[Note: “ Tzeddaka” means charity.]
There are several people who collect charity in our neighborhood, on street corners, or by going dor-to-door. Many are “regulars”. But one is special.
This “ tzedukka lady" sits under a sunshade outside the house of an important Rabbi who lives about a five minute walk from my house, near the shopping district. She has ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Haveil Havalim #280
Haveil Havalim #280 (jewish Blogshpere Carnival) is up HERE. This posting does not imply endorsement of any of the views expressed. 
Beneath the Wings » The Missed Picture
Yesterday morning as I was taking my early morning shabbas stroll, I saw a cat sitting in the middle of the street. (He was able to sit there patiently and fearlessly as the streets in our town are closed to vehicular traffic on shabbas, except for emergencies and medical necessities.) Scattered around him, eating crumbs from the street, were about ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday James!!
You're four years old today, and though we only met you 5 months ago, you have certainly blessed us and melded into our family quickly!!
On the day you were born I don't know where we were or what we were doing... I know that we were just about 2 months post-op from Brianna's open heart surgery and finally ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » Joe and Calvin
Beneath the Wings » SOOC (Straight out of Camera) Saturday: Search for the Sun
[Image: flower seen from sidewalk level]
I found this flower growing sideways in a search for the life-giving sun...... 
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Baptism, Christening, Kids, & Faith
No wonder we women can't wait for our wedding day!
On August, 22nd at my awesome church we are having “baby dedication Sunday”, which is for kids age 12 and under. We did a dedication of my two girls at my former (and also beloved) church. It’s essentially a brief ritual by which you and the church as whole agree ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » Prayers
Day 2 of this bug, and we thought we were doing good this morning! James is sitting around 102 now but was as high as 104.8/105 just an hour ago. Please pray that his fever continues to go down and he can fight through this quickly (and AT HOME!). He's resting now. He's had diarrhea and was throwing up. Fever, ... [Link]
MY COOL FAMILY » Goals
I notice a lot of people put their weight loss goals on their blog. I don't, because I don't want to say it, when I'm going in the wrong direction. I had been feeling really crummy, out of shape, like my clothe weren't fitting anymore so I hadn't stepped on a scale for about 2 weeks because I didn't want ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Torn
I have two children.
My eldest is nearly 11 (although, she’s really 10-going-on-70, and I’m totally not kidding). My youngest is nearly 4. They have birthdays a day apart. They have been virtually inseparable since we adopted Jack. Sure, they have their random hissy fits, but for the most part, you’ve never seen sibling love so beautiful.
For example, Monday, Big ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » A couple of F words and my quest for a better life
In case you didn’t catch it, I mentioned “fearlessness” in my last post. I have decided that Mom-Blog needs to go somewhere new. In fact, God is heavily leading me somewhere new on a daily basis. I am clearly on a road less traveled, but there is more to do.
Image: Now & Zen Photography / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Frankly, what I’m ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » Privileged Class?
I have noticed something strange. When ever my married sons come to visit for the weekend, I invariably cook nicer and fancier foods for shabbas (the Sabbath). The question is “why?”. I mean, aren’t the children living at home and my husband equally deserving of the same things?
I suspect that part of it has to do with the fact ... [Link]
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » Ever Been Sprayed by a Fire Hose?
(Note: not all of these kids are mine.)
Well, they're clean puddles, right? Right?!
Next Friday should include pictures from the first day(s) of school. Wow. 
Cornish Adoption Journey » ups and downs
His fever went up to 103.5 an hour after the Tylenol, so he's gotten some Motrin now too and it's back to 101.5. No birthday party for our big 4 yr old's first birthday at home (at least not this weekend)... And no opthalmology appointments for anyone tomorrow either. Poor kiddo! He's happy, though... just randomly throwing up and running ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Serial Killer
For all of you reading about the "Israeli" serial killer, I would just like to note that he is NOT Jewish. 
Cornish Adoption Journey » Dear Cornish Family
It's me, your old friend school! Four of your children were at this school last year and used to the routine, but I certainly gave you a welcome last year when I sent you this letter: TO: The Cornish Family, FROM: School. This year I have something a little different planned for you! In fact, I think I'll start it ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Being Schooled
So, I’m new here. I really appreciate you having me, listening to me wax poetic about raising a child with special needs. I have a beautiful baby boy that we affectionately call “The Great Potato,” who graces our lives everyday with his beauty and wisdom.
Having a special needs child can sometimes make me feel like a bad mother…as if everything ...
[Link]Not That You Asked » Panic
I sounded so calm about kindergarten coming up just a few days ago, didn't I? But today we will go to the open house for kindergarten and classes begin on Tuesday and I am beginning to second guess our decision to send Jude to our own neighborhood school.
Last night I watched the trailer on youtube for a documentary called "Deedah" ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Birds of a Feather: The Special Needs Lunch & More BlogHer highlights
I left my 2yo medically fragile son for five days…count ‘em five days AND nights, to attend BlogHer’10 in New York City. It was business, it was pleasure, it was exhausting…you name it – I felt it.
Mostly I felt terribly guilty about going, but given the awesome opportunity I just felt I could not pass it up. I was really ...
[Link]Three's a Charm » From A Sister
This is from one of my "sisters" and I think she makes a beautiful statement about parenting a child... special needs or not. Here it is. Thank you Susan for explaining this so beautifully!
When a parent hears the news or finds out their child has a difficulty, there is always a grieving period of the loss of what they thought ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Envy/ Happiness
[image: a mountain spring]
Usually I write my blogs in the evening, and time them to be posted at the crack of dawn (Israeli time) Originally this was because I didn’t want my dear mother to see the absolutely unearthly hours I was staying up to on the computer….. But lately I have been getting more sleep (though still ... [Link]
Cornish Adoption Journey » I currently have..
SIX types of milk in my refrigerator!
Almond milk (because it was on sale) for Micah.
Rice milk (also on sale but a little more $ than the almond but I don't want to give Lynae almond) for Lynae
Soy milk (because I bought it after the other two at Sam's!) for Lynae and Micah both
Whole milk for Brianna
2% milk for Emma, Kristopher, ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Where Did You Go?
If you leave me now
You’ll take away the biggest part of me
Ooo oh, no, baby please don’t go
And if you leave me now
You’ll take away the very heart of me
Ooo oh, no, baby please don’t go.
Ooo, oh, girl, I just want you to stay
(Peter Cetera, 1976)
When Ashley was in the sixth grade, ...
[Link]Not That You Asked » How Phillip Yancy Stopped Me in my Tracks Last Night
So, some of you are aware of my little faith struggles. It's nothing new, but it's ramped up a smidge over the last couple of years for some reason. Anyway, for every book or two that I read about why faith is dumb and how all people of faith are dangerous nutjobs, I try to counter it with a book ... [Link]
Not That You Asked » My Affliction: A Wee Bit of Whining
I am covered in poison ivy. All summer, I've avoided it, and now I've got a raging case of it on my whole lower half that is making me consider chopping off my legs just to stop itching. It's a maddening itch like no other, and once you scratch it, it only itches more. I keep waking up in the ... [Link]
Deep Fried Pickles and Ice Cream » fb statuses,new babies and your significant other
Whenever a friend of mine,or in this case,my niece, has a baby,an issue always arises from the depths of pain and hilarity.
Today I posted this fb status:men of the world,childbirth is nonsensical,there is no way to talk some sense into any human that is in that much pain.Childbirth is primal,grunt at us and we might understand you.
I admit,it is ...
[Link]Not That You Asked » The End of an Era
I go tomorrow to register the littles for kindergarten. All day kindergarten. Sometimes I feel as though the last five years have flown by and other times I am sure I have felt each and every day of them.
It is time, to be sure. I think we are all ready to move on to this next phase, but it's bittersweet. ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » Soon!
Three more days of work and then we are off for a family vacation! The hooligans are excited!
[Link]
Beneath the Wings » Special Exposure Wednesday- Sewing
[Image: Ricki sewing a "teddy bear" together.]
One of the things Ricki has definately learned this year in school is sewing skills. She used to not enjoy sewing very much, and it was the only class she disliked at school.
But by year's end, she had come to enjoy sewing lessons, and her sewing skills have improved remarkably.
Here ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Special Exposure Wednesday.
Humble apologies for no post last week, we were, unfortunately, back in the hospital with the girl
and after becoming septic for the second time in a month, the port was removed and a PICC line placed.
On the 19th, it will be a reversal, where the PICC will be removed and a new port put in.
... [Link]Beneath the Wings » Update
This morning (Tuesday), I didn't take Ricki to the suppermarket with me, explaining that only really big girls (ie., clean) can go.
Well, when I returned I discovered that she had folded all the laundry (a lot), and did a pretty good job of it as well! 
Kwisteena's Kwaziness » End of my Biggest Loser Challenge
Well, tomorrow actually marks the day of the 40 day challenge I gave myself to loose weight. The way I did it was to cut calories drastically and light to moderate exercise. While I am not where I want to be yet with my weight or size(still have 14 more lbs I would like to get off) I am super ... [Link]
Praying For Parker » From the files of WTH?
I’m over at 5 Minutes for Special Needs today.
If you have a kid with Down syndrome, or ANY other disability, you NEED to read this.
Seriously.
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » From The Files of WTH?!?
Imagine this:
You are the mother of a son with special needs. In this case Down syndrome, but it could have been anything really.
Your son has become enraged, cut his hand and is stomping around the house.
You need help. So you call 911 and ask for help.
But, you tell the 911 operator, DO NOT use a Taser on ...
[Link]Cornish Adoption Journey » First Day of School!
Today was the first day of school for FIVE of the Cornish crew!
It was Emma's first day as a first grader with her kindergarten-3rd grade assisted level classroom! She had a good day with the two aides from last year and a substitute teacher (who happens to be Micah's aide from last year!). I DID meet the teacher that they've ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » One of the Not-So-Pollyanna Days
Yesterday was one of those days when I ALMOST wondered why in the world did I bring Ricki home from the hospital 15 years ago…... Note that I wrote “almost”.
In the morning I had ceramics class, and since we were the only ones there, I brought Ricki along. I had talked to her about how we were going to ... [Link]
Deep Fried Pickles and Ice Cream » Emotional upheaval
If you are a facebook friend of mine,then maybe you already knew this, *grin*, but I have been going through some emotional changes,and I cant explain them.
I dont really know what to do with myself right now.Things that were never an issue for me before, have become issues.Or maybe I ignored them,so I wasn’t aware of them to become an ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Giveaway & Review: Dutch Springs Water Park
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. The winner is Idriys – congratulations!
Thanks to everyone who played. Please come back for more giveaways!
Thanks to rambling around on Twitter, I was fortunate enough in the last few weeks to score some tickets to Dutch Spring Aqua Park in Bethlehem, PA. Dutch Springs is truly one of a kind. It was ...
5 Minutes for Special Needs » When’s the last time you were away from the kids?
I got to attend BlogHer this weekend, and it was absolutely amazing. I got to hang with women I’ve only known online, including fellow 5 Minutes for Special Needs blogger Janis, Jean from Stimeyland and Julia Roberts from Support Special Needs. I went to great sessions. I met a hot New York City fireman, who flashed his six-pack abs, ...
[Link]Praying For Parker » Go Ahead. Make My day.
Mom’s of kids with special needs are worth getting to know. We’re tough. We’re supportive. We love our kids.
We know that we are often unique.
Sometimes we find ourselves lacing up our combat boots as we take on the system.
And we’ll never understand why even those in our own family can’t accept and love our kids the ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » WTF #39576556
Remember the as*hat doctor we went to in late May? Well, we still had no answer from his ‘evaluation’. So B called to see what the deal was. We got approved for private speech (which we still pay a large chunk of). A total of 28 units till 2012. I am SO mad. That is ridiculous. They do not understand why he ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Making the Tough Calls
When does the risk outweigh the benefit? How do you decide if medical treatments for your child are more harm than good?
Making the tough calls has never been easy, and apparently the weight of this burden never goes away.
I remember my son, 4 months old, critcially ill and crying incessantly. Crying because he was in pain. Crying while ...
[Link]Life in the Slow Lane » Postcard from Madison County
The squash emerges [Link]
Life in the Slow Lane » Postcard from Madison County
Squash blossom [Link]
Big Dawg Tales » It's Back to School week for Nash
Oh how I can hardly wait. New teacher, new class room, new experience in 4th grade. Our top heavy school corporation is now in a feud with the teachers and teachers union. So we get 32 to 33 kids in a class room this year. I new special education teacher that still believes special education is a place down the ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » The Way to Education: Shortcuts Don’t Do It
A) When Ricki was younger, I used to study with her almost on a daily basis. We would review school work, as well as progress in study areas I had set as goals. This year I took pretty much a vacation from teaching Ricki. Instead, I have been doing more housework, as well as taking the time to care for ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » Magic Marker Monday — Boats Afloat…
“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…
One pack of foam pirate ship parts…
One pack of dollar store permanent ink pens… ...
[Link]MY COOL FAMILY » Sunday
Today is Sunday. I got up at 6, feed 6 of 6, got dinner for 30 put in a crock pot, and was ready to walk out the door at 9. Too bad things don't run that smoothly when we have church at 9. Our block isn't until 11. But, it was a good day. 
Praying For Parker » And we have a WiNNeR!
Debbie from Northwest Florida Family’s of Down syndrome come on down!
Random.org has chosen YOU as the winner of our Discount School Supply giveaway!
Parker and I have NO doubt that you will love Discount School Supply every bit as much as we do!
[Link]Snippets » week 34: sky blue
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week 34: sky blue, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.
For the sixty-four colors challenge...
www.flickr.com/groups/1354234@N22/
Cliche, I know, but it was a really pretty sky today.
Emily Power Photology overlay added to the photo.
[Link]
Beneath the Wings » A Lovely Weekend
[image: a not-so-good picture (she hadn't combed her hair yet] of Ricki dressed for Shabbas.]
Except for the heat, we had a lovely weekend. One of my married sons came with his family, and we all enjoyed the visit. My son mentioned to me: “Not only are you thinner, but you get out of the chair faster!”
I ate ... [Link]
Life According to Emma & Joe » pals
pals 
I peaked in Joe's room and saw them playing this game.
Joe is becoming good friends with a girl named Leah. He has known her for a couple of years. They have taken swimming together at MSU and they have played on the same T-ball team for two years. This summer we have made an effort to get the ... [Link]
Snippets » 6th Grade Graduation
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6th Grade Graduation, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.
Songbird Avenue's August kit - "Write Stuff"
6th Grade Graduation
Journaling reads: Wow! What a week you have had! Your last week of elementary school. At your 6th Grade Graduation, you were ...
Beneath the Wings » SOOC -Tiberias
[image:flowers by stone wall]
A street scene in Tiberias
You wilkl find more of SOOC (Straight out of Camera) HERE. 
5 Minutes for Special Needs » NEWS FLASH: Raising a child with special needs causes marital strain
According to a study by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center, parents of grown children with autism are more likely to divorce than couples with typically developing children, according to new data from a large longitudinal study of families of adolescents and adults with autism.
Uh, oh.
The study, published in the August issue of the Journal of ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Advocacy for Special Needs
Sometimes, I have completely random thoughts that I just have to get out of my brain before it explodes.
Lucky you–heh.
We (as in special needs parents) advocate. Hard. Passionately. We push administrator’s buttons in the schools. We give the stink eye to people who stare at our kids. We complain (sometimes incessantly) about doctors, nurses, therapists…
Advocacy: The act of ...
[Link]Prince Vince Meets the World » Screw that Tooth Fairy
I can’t remember who it was I told yesterday that the kids sleep pretty good at the moment. Whoever it was I told, I take it back. There is an evil tooth fairy playing tricks and doing kicks in Edgars mouth as far as I can understand. Edgar is going to be 10 months in a week, and he has 10 ...
[Link]Three's a Charm » I'm BAAAAACK! Aaarrrgggghh!
Here's our little pirate again! At least we are having fun with all the cool patch designs! 
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » Family Photo
Little One wouldn't smile at the camera for anything; this was the best take - of 10 - and it looks like I'm biting her head. 
Deep Fried Pickles and Ice Cream » one day
One day,many years down the road…am I gonna remember the way “bubbles” aka,Kwynne,eats?
When she chews she puckers her lips out,and its the sweetest thing ever.
I am gonna miss these moments one day,but for now,let me revel.
[Link]
Beneath the Wings » Insomniac/Guests
Wednesday evening, when I went swimming, Ricki refused to go to sleep until I returned. Ricki has lately been more and more dependent on me being at home, and on the computer (which is next to her bed) in order to fall asleep.
And while she was waiting, she had a long phone conversation with one of her sister-in-laws, who ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Exercise is Not a Dirty Word
HERE is the main news of the day.....
This morning I was out walking and I met a friend of mine. She told me "I saw you from a distance, and I was thinking: 'Is that Rickismom or isn't it....?'" And yesterday I went shopping for a few more articles of clothing, and again, it was so fun having a ... [Link]
Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » FEAR
Several years ago, my dentist had a heart attack. He was still young at the time, and many people asked questions of his wife. Does he have a family history of heart disease? Does he eat a lot of red meat? Does he exercise? Is he under a lot of stress?
No, no, yes, and no. My dentist is an ... [Link]
5 Minutes for Special Needs » The Best Job in the World
This is the 9th day of a very difficult hospitalization and surgery for my newest son, Ronnie. I have been spending every waking moment at the hospital, and fortunately, the end is in sight. I believe Ronnie may be able to come home tomorrow.
I hope you don’t mind that I pulled a post out of my archives for you today. ...
[Link]All 4 My Gals » Tarenne's Web Show
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Hi, my name is Tarenne Aubrey ********, I have Down syndrome and I am on Mom's computer. My Mom is not playing on her computer anymore.... because.... SHE'S COMING RIGHT NOW! (gasp)Everybody's nice to our house, I can eat here. This is my house, this is my family. I'm so excited, now I'm ... [Link]
Prince Vince Meets the World » Guitar Guy
Vince is a lot better at music than Bookie and I combined. He grabs his guitar, sits down, and plays a little. Always with his one foot stomping along in the right tempo. If I ever get my act together, I should look into music therapy around here.
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Yeah, but Houdini didn't have these hips. » Poking My Head In
We're back from vacation and all is well. I've been conscripted to co-lead the pre-school cabin at Camp Kirkapresqua, an indoor, mornings-only ecology-themed vacation Bible camp. "RENEW. Grow in faith. Have fun. Change the world." I was initially reluctant but am now having a great time.
Anyway, I was trying to put a name on why I haven't been blogging ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Special Exposure Wednesday- Ricki at Ceramics Class
[image: Ricki rolling out clay]
Ricki went with me to ceramics class this week and joined in. She did pretty well, except that she wanted to do MANY types of decorations to each item, and paint it many colors, leading to a visually overload clutter of colors. SIGH. I was good and kept my mouth SHUT! 
MY COOL FAMILY » Blah
We are now at the beginning of August. Which makes me happy. July is so.... blah. I have been feeling that exact way, too. And apparently I looked that way, because I got an email from a friend asking if I was okay. Yes, I'm okay, sometimes I let the blah catch up, and I wallow in it for a ... [Link]
Deep Fried Pickles and Ice Cream » not the mommy blogger
I took 2 of my kiddos shopping about 2 hours south of us,this past weekend.It was an experience,to say the least.I decided that at 9 and 10 years old,respectively,that they were old enough to have some say in what they wear.
With boys,that concept is so easy.You know,ahead of time,that its gonna be jeans,tshirts,polo shirts and button downs.No surprises. ...
Not That You Asked » Poops are in my playhouse.
When I was a teenager, my friend Stacey and I were visiting at our youth minister's house. His daughter, then three or four years old, came in from playing outside and announced that poops were in her playhouse. "Poops?" we asked in disbelief. "Yes, poops."
Turns out that Meghan was having so much fun playing in her playhouse that she didn't ... [Link]
Beneath the Wings » Walking, Memories, and Regular Life
Today I am not giving you any big messages, just a few verbal “snapshots” from my day.
Although it is still sweltering hot and humid here, this morning there was a bit of a breeze, and I felt like walking. And the main reason is because I had a place I wanted to see. On Sunday, I had walked ... [Link]
Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » Giveaway: Power Rangers Backpack
Win a Power Rangers Backpack!
WE HAVE A WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS TO LIBBY. I WILL BE CONTACTING YOU SHORTLY.Thanks to everyone who participated. I’ll be running another giveaway this week -stay tuned!
I’m pleased today to offer a Back to School giveaway! KimmyShop.com has offered my readers a chance to win a Power Rangers backpack. Jump into action with ...
5 Minutes for Special Needs » A Very Special T-Shirt
Have I mentioned before that T-shirts talk to me? Well, one T-shirt does. It’s a shame really because other than this little quirk, I’m a mostly normal person.
So the talking T-shirt? It belongs to Charlie (of course)My brother gave it to him years ago and it’s fro a company called Threadless. The T-shirt features a rhinoceros running on a treadmill ...
[Link]Mom-Blog: Parenting, life, growth, and sanity » True Love
NOT to be outdone by my buddy Katrina’s post on True Love, I’m sharing my own. Today, hubby forgot to set the alarm. I needed a shower, but with 5 minutes before I had to logon for work, I didn’t have time for coffee. My non-coffee tendency is to grumble, but it DID feel good to sleep late. I let him ...
[Link]Praying For Parker » The Down syndrome is the easy part.
We took Parker to a new doctor in Provo yesterday.
The doctor asked me to tell him about Parker, so I ran down the list…..tethered spinal cord, trach, g-tube….terms not to foreign to a student studying in medical coding schools…. I listed all the regular stuff.
The doctor listened, taking a few notes here and there.
When I got to ...
[Link]Reimer Reason » Kiev
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Prince Vince Meets the World » Vitamins?
Do you do them for your kids? And if so, for 46ers and 47ers?
We started Vince on Eskimo Kids in June. I bought one (horrendously expensive) bottle, to see if he would take it at all. He did. He even likes it. It is a ’ An omega-3, 6 +9, Vitamin D+E fish oil supplement formulated specially for children’, with tutti-frutti ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Oopsie! Forgot to have a life
Last night, at 10:10 p.m., I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and plucked my brows. There were a lot of scraggly hairs, as I haven’t gotten around to doing this for a while, and I found it kind of zen to tweeze away. But as I stood there peering at my reflection, it suddenly occurred to me ...
[Link]5 Minutes for Special Needs » Out Sick
Just wanted to make a quick post to account for my absence this week! Mama is sick. Traveling from Texas to Ohio and back again in three days has wreaked havoc on my allergies, leaving me with a sinus cold 
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I’m on the mend though and will back in full force soon! Y’all know as well as I do…when you ...
[Link]Beneath the Wings » The Dire Threat
A few days ago, Ricki saw her older sister cooking two fried eggs for herself, and decided that “If she can, I can.” Explanations that her married sister’s repast was unhealthy fell on deaf ears, as did our insistence that Ricki limit herself to a single portion of egg.
Yesterday morning she again consumed two eggs, and I sat her ... [Link]
