THE CHOSEN MOTHERS
by Erma Bombeck
Most women become a mother by accident, some by choice and a few by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses and disabilities are chosen? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger..."Armstrong, Beth, son, patron Matthew." Forrest, Margorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia." "Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."
Finally he passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with Down syndrome." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She is so happy." "Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a child with Down syndrome to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel." "But does she have patience?" Asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it. I watched her today." said God. " She has that feeling of self independence that is so rare and necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that is not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she believes in you." said the angel. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes here is a woman I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them."
"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air. God smiles and says..."A mirror will suffice."
Baseball Season starts next week!
(This little girl's brother plays on the team w/Judson)
Luyushu
The Twins
.jpg)
Sawyer would not go outside to play in the snow. This is right after he got off the bus. It had just started snowing.
I did NOT go out but rather took the picture through the window. 
I know what you're thinking. Paint the door already. (yeah, whatever)
Ansley and BFF Olivia (or as T says, "Wee-wa")
Just read an article on what has changed about American spending during this recession. Don't know if it's the recession or the fact we have 4 children but I'm always looking for good deals. Let's face it, the better the deal the more we are able to do.
Remember to click on the pic and use your left/right and up/down bars to see the whole picture.
FINALLY...we made it out to Kimmy's new house. Love it! The kids had a blast. So much room to roam. They all had to try out Olivia's new Christmas toy. Sawyer kept trying to drive it in reverse. Ansley wanted to drive it FAST. At one point, it looked like we were having a parade around the drive way. FuN, fUn, FUN! Thanks Kimmy for having us.
Yes, that's a TELEPHONE in the Museum.
So we didn't have white-out conditions. Hey, it's not like we live in Michigan, right Kelly? We just had cold (dripping the pipes kind of cold. In fact, maybe in the morning, I'll try to remember to take a stalagmite picture of our outside faucet)
The sparkler was a hit with the boys and a miss with the birthday girl.
Yes, T's shirt is on backwards. He dressed himself.
One of the new dresses. See how fabulously it coordinates with the new ball!
