The Perfect Storm

We had the most beautiful snow 'storm' today. It was "The Perfect Storm". Perfect, because we didn't HAVE to drive in it. Perfect, because the ground was so warm, it didn't stick around. Perfect, because the kids got to play and make a snowman. Who can ask for anything more?

Someone preferred eating snow to playing in snow.Making the snowman.
Sawyer stayed on solid ground for the most part.
Our Mardi Gras Snowman.
Someone needs a bath and a nail clipping!
P.S. To Kelly: Don't be grumpy just because you guys have 'white out' conditions from November to March! We like our 'once in a blue moon' snows. They are 'just right'.

It's Raining, It's Snowing!

We had our first snow in several years yesterday. It was predicted to turn to rain, so we HAD to go play in, if only for a few minutes. So, we bundled up. Sawyer would NOT keep his mittens on but it didn't matter. We were not out there for very long. They had a blast catching snow flakes on their tongue. Judson said it tasted like DIRT! Now, we need a BIG snow so we can make a snow man. Here's keeping our fingers crossed for that day to come soon!!!!!!

He's a Clown, That Charlie Brown

Every family has to have a comedian. It's a requisite. You have to have someone who is always trying to make you laugh. Judson and Ansley are funny but more in an unassuming kind of way. Now SAWYER, he's the comedian. He's the slap-stick, Moe-Larry-Curly kind of funny. He'll be watching JoJo's Circus (Disney children's show) and they'll be doing clown humor. Sawyer starts running around in circles yelling "Whoa" or he'll throw something up in the air and let it hit him in the head (something soft and lightweight) and then fall on the ground. Then he'll get up off the floor and run around again, yelling "Whoa". Then he'll come up to me and say "That's funny"!
He's always coming up to you saying "LOOK" and he'll have something on he shouldn't or be doing something he shouldn't. The key is NOT to laugh. Laughter is like a drug to a comic. The more you laugh, the more they do to try to get a laugh.

All I ask, PLEASE do NOT teach my son how to put french fries up his nose!

Ansley's Birthday

We celebrated Ansley's birthday today. (All week long she had said, she wanted to have a balloon tied to her tricycle and ride outside. She also wanted a Barney cake. That is what we did for Sawyer's birthday.) Judson was bound and determined to make it a 'surprise' party. So all day, he kept saying Happy New Year to Ansley. He never once acknowledged it was her birthday. Every so often, he'd come up to me (or his dad) and *WHISPER*, "I think it's working. She thinks we've forgotten her birthday"

So I took Judson to basketball practice. Then we all went out to eat. We came back and while the babies were napping, Judson and I made cookies and cream cupcakes. (Thanks to our handy dandy Cake Doctor cupcake cookbook) When Ansley woke up (Still very grumpy from just waking up), we brought her into the kitchen and yelled SURPRISE!. She didn't know what was going on. Then we asked her to blow out the candles. Again, she was confused. It wasn't until I brought out the ice cream and she saw PRESENTS that she snapped out of her fog and came alive!She did NOT have Barney, nor did she ride her trike. We wanted to do something different so that she would know she doesn't have to do everything like her brothers. It's very hard trying to figure out in this situation, did she want Barney because she likes Barney or because Sawyer had Barney. Anyway, she had Curious George and she enjoyed it very much. So I think the 'party' was a success. Happy Birthday, Pooh Bear!


House shoes brought by Santa!

Best Christmas Ever!

I cannot remember a better Christmas. We have had such a wonderful time. We traveled to visit with my family. The kids got to play with all of the their cousins and loved every minute of it. Judson wants to move to Tennessee (or Alabama) so he can be with his extended family. They received way too much (as usual) but it wasn't the gifts that took center stage. It truly was the chance to play with all the cousins.





Trying out Abbey's Easy Bake oven



The cousins!No Christmas is complete without a visit from Santa!


P.S. Last nite, while putting Judson to bed, I asked if he had a good Christmas. He said, YES. Then I asked what the best part was. His answer was, "Playing with Abbey." He also said, "I wish Abbey lived where Miss Barbara lives!" (Miss Barbara is one of our neighbors)

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Judson quote: After telling him I'm going to a wedding this Saturday, he says, "can I go?". I said no, just Mommy is going. He said, "Are you getting another ring?" I say, nope. Just watching someone else get a ring. He looked at me like I had horns growing out of my head. Like, why would you want to do that.

Ansley quote: While eating mexican yesterday. I give her one of my flour tortillas. I tell her it's a "Tortilla". She is eating it and says, "I LOVE MY TIARA". Ever the princess......

Sawyer quote: (He's beginning to speak a lot) He loves to go commando. If you turn your head, his pants and pullups are down. So you have to keep an eye on him. (I have a lovely picture but I don't want to get in trouble, so I won't post it) So I walk in his room where he is supposed to be down for a nap. Alas, he's tossing the pants over the rail of his bed and easing the pullups down his legs. He sees me and tries to pull the pullups back up. He looks at me and says, "Mommy MAAAADDDD". It's hard to be mad at him. Of course, I came real close last nite as he was easing everything off to hop in the tub. I look down and there he is pee'ing all over the floor (pullups and pants still around his ankles), with the potty 2 feet away.

TWO and OH

Judson's basketball team is 2-0. Their first game was a squeaker but their second was a blowout. The other team "forgot" about their game so very few players showed up. I felt sorry for them. This league is for 4, 5 and 6 year olds. I was shocked to find out they did not try to equally distribute kids by ages. It was more of the 'luck of the draw' kind of thing. So some teams have very few shooters. It can make for some lopsided scores. (Not that most of the kids even know what the score is)

Judson loves playing. He has a basic concept of what he has to do on defense. They have a pretty good system. Each team has 3 different colored wrist bands, red, black, and blue. *They play 3 on 3* Each player (While on the court) is wearing one of these wristbands. So if you are wearing a red band on your wrist, you guard the person on the other team wearing the red wrist band. Judson manages to stay with the person wearing the same colored wrist band as he is wearing. He does a descent job of hawking him so he cannot shoot. However, on offense, he really doesn't get it. He cannot shoot the ball, so he doesn't understand anything else you can do on offense if you cannot shoot. So he merrily follows his opponent (with the matching wrist band) where ever he might go. He skips and dances and has the best time on the court. He makes everyone smile because you can see it on his face, he is having a good time! (The picture quality isn't good (since I didn't have the camera on the correct setting but you can get the essence of his happiness) He's on offense in this picture.
On a different note for this wonderful little guy. He saw a tv show where they gave a surprise party for someone. Ever since then, he has wanted to give a surprise party. It seems like everyday, he'll come up with a reason to have a surprise party. Yesterday, he wanted to give one for Ansley. (I'm thinking for her birthday, since she is having one in the near future) So I say, maybe we can do it for her birthday. J: No mom, we need to do it now. When you are adopted, you are bounced around from place to place. That can hurt your heart. Ansley has a hurted heart and we need to do this to help her heart. She will know how much we love her and her heart won't be hurted anymore.

He's a very special little guy!

Whew, I'm Tired!

Boy, what a active weekend we've had. Friday, Randy spent 4 hours meeting with Sawyer's teachers and therapist and IEP coordinators. Finally, they came to an agreement. Sawyer will not be in school but rather have 3 hours of weekly therapy in the home. We were very happy with that solution. Then Friday night, Judson had basketball practice. They were testing the scoreboard and buzzer. Come to find out, the buzzer was very loud and scared our hypersensitive guy. We stressed about that as Saturday morning was his first game. We were very worried that he wouldn't be able to sit through the game with the buzzer going off. No worries. Saturday morning came and we kept going over that the buzzer would be loud and the people would be loud and if he didn't like it, just to look at us and we'd take him out to get away from the noise. We get there Saturday morning, the opposition shows up in their white shirts with their names on the back and matching shorts. They should have been intimidating. (the only thing provided by the league was a shirt with a number) However, 4-6 year olds do not know to be intimidated. In the end, Judson's team was victorious 28-26. A good time was had by everyone. (and Judson did not get upset about the noise at all)

Saturday afternoon, Randy's folks came up. We took the kids to the mall so they could ride the Santa train and Judson could bungee jump. Bungee jumping is Judson's new favorite thing!Now today, Judson and I are off to a birthday party. It's a busy time but a good time. Everyone is healthy and happy. (except perhaps the little princess. She doesn't quite understand that ALL the presents are not hers. And if she wants to play with brothers' toys, she needs to share her toys. I'm not sure if she'll ever get that concept as she thinks what's hers is hers and what's yours is hers.)

Fun at the Gardens

We met some friends of Judson's, Luyushu and Amelie, (and their parents) at the Botanical Gardens. The kids had a blast. Judson is hoping we can meet them there again tomorrow. (unfortunately, the girls are both in school and won't be able to do that) They rode the train MANY times and had fun each and every time. Then they played and played in the children's garden. What a great time! Yes, I painted them coordinating sweat shirts. I figure I don't have many years(months) left to 'dress' them the way I want to dress them, so I had better take advantage of the situation. (Not sure if you can double click on these pictures and get them larger or not. There seems to be a difference between these pictures and my other pictures, at least on my computer.)

Trip to Alabama

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday in LA. (That's Lower Alabama) We had a wonderful time and ate way too much. It was rainy and windy so we didn't get out very much, so I don't have a lot of pictures. Judson had the best time. He got to feed the cows and ride the 4-wheeler and the tractor with Pop Pop. He could not have asked for anything more. The babies didn't get outside much but they loved being spoiled by Nana. One day, Sawyer got very quiet. We went and looked and he was sitting in Nana's chair putting lotion all over himself and the chair. So in the picture, it's not a giant booger but lotion. Now we spend the next week or two trying to get back into our routine. (If there is such a thing this time of year)

What a difference 3 makes

You know, my mom always said if you can handle 3 kids, you can handle a dozen. It's the 3rd child that changes the dynamic. I do believe she was right. (Bet you thought I'd never say that) It really has rung true these last few days. Like, last week when Sawyer was in school and just Ansley and Judson were home. They played for 2 hours straight without an argument. 2 HOURS!! They put on their swimsuits (40 degrees outside) and pretended to be at the beach. Now today, Judson went with his dad to work. Ansley and Sawyer have been as quiet as church mice. They've had a lovely time playing, together and alone. Not one argument, or bump, or bruise either. Amazing. I have to say, though, today is too quiet. I miss the noise. I miss the laughter. I miss the funny things they say and do. (I don't miss the arguments)

Here the crew is checking out the Christmas tree. We put it up early so they could have more time to enjoy it. (Or tear it down, whichever!) I'm very "Thankful" this holiday season(and all throughout the year), I have 3 'perfect' children.

Adoption Awareness Month

November is Adoption Awareness Month. So, I have taken this month to share with you opportunities that exist to help those who do not have a family to call their own. Adoption touches our family very personally. We would not be the family we are without it. I cannot imagine my family minus our little pooh bear. If you have read much news over the past few weeks, you've seen a report out on the abuses of children in Serbia's orphanages. This is not a unique problem to Serbia. Children without a family to care for them, suffer. So I put the message out there for all to read and hopefully some will help. You may or may not be able to adopt. You may or may not have money to donate. Everyone can pray. Everyone can share with a friend, who may indeed be able to adopt or donate. I ask you to do what you can. Everyone deserves a family!

A video you might enjoy:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=43584ff9c987f96c0f0420&source=category&category_id=all

A Time For Giving

I love this time of year. It's a time for family and love and giving. I love my family and I so enjoy spending time with my brothers and sister and their families and my mom and dad and aunts, uncles and cousins and inlaws. I also love that it is a time for giving. Most of us have such a blessed and abundant life. It is this time of year that we seek out ways to help others who may not be as fortunate. I, as always, want to put in a plug for things that are near and dear to me. Orphans and Down Syndrome.

Not everyone feels 'called' to adopt. That is okay. For those who might have thought about it in the past, I would urge you to start checking out your options. It's hard to find numbers for 'orphans' within the United States. The best ones I could find, state that there are approximately 500,000 children in the foster care system within the US. Of those, about 1/5 are legally available for adoption. Each state has their own guidelines for adopting, but you could check with your state family services department and see what the guidelines are. Also, you could check with organizations such at the Dave Thomas Foundation. For those who are hesitant/leary/afraid (I was one of them) of domestic adoption, may I suggest International Adoption. So many countries offer adoption options. Each country has different rules and requirements but I'm pretty sure there is at least one country that will 'fit' your family. You might start by checking out www.rainbowkids.com to learn more. You need only check out the Unicef website, www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html, and see the number of orphans in these countries to know there is a definite need.

For those who do not feel called to adoption, may I suggest other ways to give. A friend of mine runs a program to bring awareness to orphans with Down Syndrome throughout the world. In the US, there is a waiting list of families wishing to adopt a child with DS. In many foreign countries, children with DS are put into institutions. They are looked upon as inferior and are not welcome in the everyday world. Harsh, yes. It is their reality. That is why my friend started Reece's Rainbow. On her website,www.reecesrainbow.com, she has posted a way for you to donate money in order to help those who are willing to adopt these children afford the expenses of adoption. (Adoption is not cheap) Also, a very respected adoption agency in the states has a way for you to sponsor an orphan overseas. This is such an awesome opportunity. The children get to stay in their home country with their families. (nothing could be better) Your sponsorship allows them to have food and attend school and have the basic necessities. The link is: orphan.childrenshope.net.

So, if you are looking for ways to help, please consider these. I have more but I'll stop with this for now. Thank you for reading my blog!

Work Release

Didn't you know, our kids are part of a work release program? (look for us on the side of the road picking up trash) Adorable, eh?

Life with a Drama Queen

It's so hard to tell with Ansley, which traits are ingrained personality traits, which are gender related traits, and which are adoption related traits. (And which are environmentally produced by living in this crazy house with her crazy parents) All I know is she is a Drama Queen of the highest order. A typical day goes something like this:

DQ: enter room(way earlier than she needs to for fear she might miss something) with eyes half open and glares
Mom: Hello Ansley. (Do not be perky. DQ's do not like perky in the morning. I understand this as I too do not like perky morning people either)
DQ: squints and glares some more, then just sits

Mom: Makes sure DQ has fresh water and something to snack on before going to the office to check emails, etc
DQ: in her most whiney voice "I don't want O's"
Mom: That's fine, don't eat them
DQ: in an even higher whiney voice "No, I want my O's"

Through out the day, we have several similar issues over what to wear, what games to play, what tv shows to watch, what's for lunch, which brother is driving her 'crazy',etc.

Time to clean up room (before bedtime)
Mom: Okay, Judson go clean up your room and Ansley clean up your room.
DQ: Sniffle, whine, cry "I need help"
Mom: No, Ansley can clean up her own room
DQ: Crying so much, she starts snorting. She refuses to clean up.
Mom: Clean your room or you go to bed right now
DQ: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mom: Good night, Ansley. (SHe is now in bed screaming because she suddenly wants to clean her room but it's too late. SHe is in bed.)

Now one might think a mom too hard on her little DQ. Why not let them both clean up together? Good point. However, DQ is also a Diva. Therefore, she will sit and talk to Judson while Judson cleans the whole room by himself. Should you want to divide the chores so they can both be in the same room at the same time, you have the same scenario, of crying, sniffling, snorting, as if she was being asked to do too much.

A glimpse into what the teen years will look like. I was at the gym one night. Randy found DQ in her room, crying. He asks her why she was crying. Her response, (all sniffly and snorty), I don't know. He was shocked by this. Not that girls don't need a reason to cry, he was shocked that they don't need a reason to cry at the age of 2!

Like I said, I don't understand whether is nurture or nature. All I know is it can drive a person crazy. Of course, one might say it was a short drive.

Halloween

Whew. Halloween is over. I don't remember ever celebrating Halloween as much as we have this year. Sawyer had a Halloween party. Then we had a party. Last nite, our neighborhood had a party, complete with pizza! So we got the kids all dressed up one more time. This time Ansley wore the puppy dog outfit as it was a bit chilly for the fairy outfit. We walked over to the party and had a wonderful time. We met some new neighbors and potential playmates for the kids. So it was all good. Of course, about midnight, Judson woke up sick. I think it's just a cold. Lots of stuffiness in his nose. Then about an hour later, Ansley woke up crying. She had a 101 degree temp and a sore throat. Sawyer has had sinus issues since Sunday night. "Share and Share alike" That's our motto. If one gets sick, they all get sick.

Update on school: Sawyer has been to school two days. He's doing better with the crying. I figure in another week, he'll be running the place. I go in and sign him out at 12:30 each day. So yesterday, when I go to pick him up, I am outside the principals office and all the staff is going in and out. Everyone of them passes by us and stops to say, "Hi Sawyer, how are you?" He, of course, waves and blows them a kiss. Ever the politician or rock star or actor.

The Weekend

OK. Following this post is a slide show of our trip to the Botanical Garden. I don't really like it because the pictures are so small, it's hard to see them all. If you double click on the slide show, you should be able to bring the pictures up one at a time and see them in a bit larger format.

That said, just wanted to say we had a great weekend. Friday we had Sawyer's birthday. (Previous post). Saturday we took the kids to the village for Trick-or-treat from store to store. We had a good time. Sawyer pooped out on us and we had to call it quits early but not before the kids had way too much candy. I'm not sure but I suspect that candy will mysteriously disappear in the next few days. Then Sunday we had some friends over, just because. The day was beautiful, so we went outside to visit and let the kids run around. Then a few of us headed to the Botanical Garden for the scare crow exhibit. I love that place. The weather could not have been more cooperative. Tomorrow, Sawyer starts his first day of Pre-K. I think he'll enjoy it. It's going to be lonesome without him, though. Yes, I know there are 2 more kids here but I'll still miss him bunches.

That's all for now. Hope you can check out the pictures.

Slide Show

Happy Birthday Saw-man!

Our little guy turned 3 today. Can you believe it? Three years ago, we were not given any hope that he would live to see his 1st birthday. Now he celebrates 3! To top that off, he'll be heading to pre-K on Monday. He knows his letters and can count to 10. (He might teach them a thing or two) He loves to sing and he LOVES Barney! (and The Wiggles) He knows just which buttons to push to make his sister run screaming out of the room. He thinks his brother is the best thing (besides Barney). He'll come up and bear hug you just because. He's the little boy every mother wishes for and I'm the mother who got him. How lucky I am!!!!!

Halloween Party

Sawyer's Down Syndrome playgroup had their Halloween Party today. It was a nice day and we had a very good time. I think Judson was a bit disappointed there were no older kids and Ansley was very restrained. She does good in small groups but when there are a lot of people all speaking English at the same time, she seems to retreat. I don't think she can understand and it scares her. Here are some pictures of the tooties.


Does this outfit make me look like Phil Fulmer?
Please tell me this is just a dream!
Elephant Boy

Win a Monkey, Save a Life

Check out this blog. You might be moved to help.
http://www.cornishadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/

Judsonisms

Life with a 5 year old boy is always interesting. Add to that, this 5 year old boy is a very literal boy. He does not understand the nuances of language. If you say "it's raining cats and dogs out there", he's going to look out the window to see how many cats and dogs are falling from the sky. So here are few of the funny things our little 5 year old says:

1) Mommy: (after many many MANY requests for Judson and Ansley to stop the "yes I am, no you're not" conversation) "Judson and Ansley please stop, you are acting like all you have is Stricklin blood in you because all you do is argue"
Judson: "Ansley has more Stricklin in her than I do" (he might be right)

2) Judson: (a dirtier boy, you've never seen) "Do I have hair growing on my back"
Mommy: What?
Judson: I've been playing with the doodles (our dogs) for a WHOLE hour. I want to become a dog. Do I have hair growing on my back like a doodle?


3. Judson: I have Up Syndrome
Mommy: What's Up Syndrome
Judson: That's when you are 5 but you look like you are 6.

4. Mommy: Where was Judson born?
Judson: Georgia
Mommy: Where was Sawyer Born?
Judson: Georgia
Mommy: Where were Mommy and Daddy born?
Judson: Tennessee and Florida
Mommy: Where was Ansley born?
Judson: Taiwan
Ansley: No, Ansley born in 'ennessee
Judson: No, you were born in Taiwan
Ansley: No, 'ennessee
Mommy: It's okay, Judson. She can say she was born in Tennessee
Judson: But Mom, she was born in Taiwan. Ansley, you were born in Taiwan.
And thus, another debate began between the two.


5. Mommy: Judson, what is 100-5?
Judson: Mom, I've been knowing that since I was 2. (eyes rolling and exasperated sigh) It's 95!

Thus goes the life of the mom of this 5 year old.

Buddy Walk, Great Time! (long)

Buddy Walk is history for 2007! What a beautiful day. We had such a great time. We couldn't have asked for more. There were so many people there and we all had something in common, which made talking with strangers very easy. The kids jumped in the moon walk thingy. They danced to the music and walked the 'buddy walk' and received their medals for doing so. There was also a folk band playing, which included Chris Burke. If you recall the Life Goes On television show many years back, Chris was the brother with Down Syndrome. It was interesting to hear his story. When he was born, the doctors told his parents he'd never learn to read or write or even speak. The doctors also told his parents to put him in an institution. (they of course did not do that) They had to put him in private school because he was not allowed in public schools. He proved the experts wrong as have many other people with Down Syndrome.

To date, DSAA has raised over $144K. Last years donations totaled over $170K. They are accepting donations through the end of October and I think they will probably beat last year once all is said and done. Our family raised $770! Thank you to all who donated. We really appreciate it.

The reason we do this! And the many other folks who joined in!

All 3 of our tooties!

We Got It, Tra La La La La!!!!!

The last piece of the puzzle for Ansley's adoption was her Certificate of Citizenship. We applied in late July (right before the price increase) for her CoC. We received word that they did get our application and it could take up to 1 year to process. I was told some folks actually had to go to their Homeland Security Department and appear in person to receive the certificate. Imagine my surprise when the mail person asked me to sign for a package today from USCIS (Division of Homeland Security). Inside this package was the most beautiful piece of paper stating our little girl was now (and forever more) a citizen of the United States of America!

So we are through. No more adoption paperwork. Although, they tell me we need to check with Social Security to make sure her status is listed as 'citizen' and not 'permanent resident'. In other words, maybe I'm not quite through after all. But, I'm close!!!!!!

Last Buddy Walk Update

Buddy Walk is in a couple of weeks. There's still time to donate if you wish. We're over $600 now! What an awesome group you are!!!!!!

By credit card, go to this site:

http://buddywalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=237018&supId=182868676

You may instead send a check made out to DSAA. Please put Sawyer Stricklin in the Memo/For section. You may either send the check to us or directly to:
Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta
Attn: Buddy Walk
4355 J Cobb Parkway, #213
Atlanta, GA 30339

If there is a Buddy Walk in your area, I encourage you check it out. You will meet a wonderful group of people. (not just people who have 1 extra chromosome but their families and friends, too).

In a day and age, where people are offered pre-natal testing (not for preparedness but for purposes of terminating pregnancies), it's good to see what 'real life' is for people of all abilities.

Check out some pics of the kids.

My little Fashion statement and her sidekick (See previous soapbox post)
Judson has been sick for a week. (Darn MMR shot! But yesterday he said he felt like he did before he got the "MRM" shot. Thank goodness. Men of all ages are just not good patients, don't you know)