Pinewood Derby Preparations

The Derby is next weekend!

This is All I'm going to say about it

We lost by 3. We should/could have won. I'm not happy. Life goes on.

BTW, the kids were confused by our loss but were not nearly as upset as I was.
There is a lesson in that for me.

The War

As reported by Judson on his blog....No editing by mom....

http://judsonstories.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-28th-war-reporting-by-judson.html

What does LOVE mean to you?

http://www.storinguptreasures.com/2010/01/love-is-action-word.html

The "C" Word

I don't know if you know it or not but cancer (specifically Leukemia) strikes people with Down Syndrome at a higher rate than it strikes the general population. Why? I don't know. Lately, it seems that many of 'our' Down Syndrome group have had their bouts with Cancer. It's a horrible word...It's a horrible disease. One friend, lost his son, Pierce, to leukemia over the Christmas holiday. (some holiday, huh?) Several others have had their kids diagnosed recently. I hope you will keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It's scary when your child is sick. How much more scary is it when you hear that 'C' word?

Jacob Moore http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/prayforjacobmoore/photos
Lois http://thedailylois.blogspot.com/
Kristen http://sheisourangel.blogspot.com/

No Need for Words

Borrowed from another blog

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."

No Shortage of Need

146 Million

That's how many orphans are in this world.
(even more since the earthquake in Haiti)
Many living in our own city/town.
Here's one way to help.
Click below

http://itspoppydipblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/shoesshirt-for-orphans-valentine-to.html

Yellow River Game Ranch

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.

Today we found a great deal. YRGR had $1 admission/person. So, I loaded up on food for the animals and put the kids in the car and headed over. We met our friends Janice, Alex and Makayla too.

We couldn't have asked for a better day. Temps climbed into the upper 50's and the sun was out. It really picks up your spirits when you can get out and get some sunshine and fresh air. The house can get very confining in the winter when it's too wet and messy to get outside. Everyone had a great time. (even Alex who does not like animals very much)Remember to click on the pic and use your left/right and up/down bars to see the whole picture.

Bottom right corner is a bunny following Ansley. She had fed the bunny an apple, thus becoming Ansley's BFF.

Almost....once again.

We lost, again. By 1 point. We were THIS CLOSE. The kids did great!

Parade at Kimmy's House

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, we got to be OUTSIDE. Sunny and 50's. We shed the coats quickly.

A Way to Help

Some ladies I know (adoptive moms) saw a need. They started something that is beginning to bloom and grow. Check it out!

Night at the Museum

Judson's scout troup spent Saturday night at Ft Discovery Science Museum in Augusta. Sounds like they had a glorious time. (aside from car trouble) Here are a few pics. I think they were too busy to get many pictures.Yes, that's a TELEPHONE in the Museum.

That's All?

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)

Sent Judson out to play and before I could get the camera to take a picture, he was back inside.

Basketball

What a great time we had today. It was our first game. I gotta say. I had a blast. We ended up losing 21-17 but I think the kids had a great time. No pics as I was coaching and Randy wasn't there. Next time.

It's Poppy Dip

Just got Ansley a new dress. LOVE IT! So well made. No raw seams. Super cute quality material. So if you have a little girl who is in need of a cute dress. Check it out.
On top of that, she's raising money for an adoption from Ethiopia. How can I resist?

Birthday No. 5

So our little girl is turning 5 this week. We had her 'party' today because the week is very busy.

For 5 days, she has been counting down to her celebration. She told me how many balloons she wanted. What kind of cupcakes, etc. She couldn't make up her mind what she wanted for her birthday though. So, I had to wing it. I found two princess dresses (shhh, on sale) at ToysRUs. As you can see by the dress she is wearing in the picture, it was time. Judson bought her the big Dora ball with his own money. They are tearing down the house playing with the ball right now.

The good thing about having 4 kids is you have a built in party group without having to invite anyone else. (Have I ever told you, I DON'T do birthday parties? Not my thing.)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!

Good Story (borrowed from another blog)

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2009/12/ducks_learn_life_lessons_and_a.html#postComment

WOW

Grab This Button

Happy New Year

Words from Judson after he saw me checking out Reece's Rainbow. "Mom, are we going to adopt again?". I respond, "Not planning to right now. Why, do you think we should". His response, "It'd be okay". I ask, " Don't you think Mom and Dad have their hands full right now?"

His response, " You do okay with me and Turner BUT Ansley and Sawyer are a handful!"

Truer words have not been spoken!!!