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)