tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41133686031062988532024-03-14T02:37:04.971-04:00My Unexpected Life"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-29641816639538339782014-10-03T23:26:00.001-04:002014-10-03T23:26:02.155-04:0031 for 21 Day 3These four love each other so much and are so happy to be spending fall break together! I'm so grateful that my kids are close to their cousins,on both sides of our family! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_YMq2Qdf06Q/VC9oxxkul7I/AAAAAAAAFs8/hvpx2SKQYD0/s640/blogger-image-120378412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_YMq2Qdf06Q/VC9oxxkul7I/AAAAAAAAFs8/hvpx2SKQYD0/s640/blogger-image-120378412.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-3118914107657643292014-10-03T00:15:00.001-04:002014-10-03T00:15:13.068-04:0031 for 21 Day 2I only have 15 minutes left in this day, but I am determined not to become a quitter on day 2 of 31. That would bring me to an all time low. But given that I am a solid 2 hours past my bedtime, I will make this quick. <div>I found this picture today in a box in the bottom of my closet.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cJkJtg4vvFA/VC4iz5m8OII/AAAAAAAAFss/8bm3WYNSkeA/s640/blogger-image-544757396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cJkJtg4vvFA/VC4iz5m8OII/AAAAAAAAFss/8bm3WYNSkeA/s640/blogger-image-544757396.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div> I was desperately searching for my camera battery charger and we were supposed to be heading out of town for fall break in a couple of hours. This picture took me back to the day this journey began.A day full of roller coaster emotions of joy that our baby was finally here, to terrifying fear of what the future would hold. I was paralyzed in another dimension, wondering how we had gotten here, how long I would feel this way, and what I had to do to return back to normal. Although I thought that I had prepared myself, I quickly realized that there was no preparation for this feeling. The only thing left to do was to trust God. </div><div><br></div><div>Those feelings slowly went away, and I started to feel comfortable in our new demension. The place where the tiniest achievement was greeted with cheers of elation and struggles were met with encouragement and determination. Through it all, one thing has never changed and that is an unwavering sense of God's hand in all of this, and the fact that he put Jack on this earth for a reason. Although I would like to go back and erase all of that pain and fear, I would not change the work that God has done on my heart and the love that he has given me for my family. </div><div><br></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-25738515234525179112014-10-01T11:02:00.004-04:002014-10-01T11:02:32.682-04:0031 for 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, apparently it has been a year since I last blogged. Something about the discovery of Instagram and the simplicity of taking 5 seconds to post a photo has discouraged me from keeping up with this blog. It also might be the ongoing barrage of activities: church, soccer, tumbling, violin, etc. that have put me spending more time in my car than at my computer. Needless to say our life is full at the moment. But as I sit here another October has rolled around and the first thing my husband asked me this morning was "Are you going to start back blogging?" I guess that was the encouragement I needed. <br />
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As I read back over this blog I can't believe how far we have come (and all of the events, trips, etc I have missed)! Jack is about to turn 7, he is in Kindergarten for the 2nd time around and doing fantastic, he is learning site words, his alphabet, and just figuring out how to be a part of this world. Eliza is in 4th grade, and is involved with more activities than my calendar can keep track of. As with every other year, our life is still filled with ups and downs, but I have noticed lately that we seem to have more ups than downs. I am celebrating the joys and the successes more than mourning the other stuff. So I'm raising a glass to October and this month that brought this special treasure into our life! Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-54723556080479229082013-10-17T21:34:00.001-04:002013-10-17T22:26:23.799-04:00Fall BreakWe had fall break last weekend and went to Stone Mountain one day and then to Athens for the Georgia game the next. Eliza and Jack loved Stone Mountain until they were two stories up on the ropes course and decided maybe this wasn't for them after all. They made a quick recovery when they saw the zip line and the climbing wall. All in all it was a great experience<div><br></div><div>Athens was fun despite the outcome of the game and the fact that it was about 2 billion degrees. We are READY for fall,(weather that is) big time.</div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OZf6sNUTxwI/UmCPv9Cc3uI/AAAAAAAAFmg/MA09nwGTW3M/s640/blogger-image-2050980810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OZf6sNUTxwI/UmCPv9Cc3uI/AAAAAAAAFmg/MA09nwGTW3M/s640/blogger-image-2050980810.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MNlRLuXGeVk/UmCQF7zDYFI/AAAAAAAAFnI/mxEkMFKBF78/s640/blogger-image--1638129974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MNlRLuXGeVk/UmCQF7zDYFI/AAAAAAAAFnI/mxEkMFKBF78/s640/blogger-image--1638129974.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v3IfgN0mzT0/UmCPzveeUYI/AAAAAAAAFmo/UF1leaS9RiY/s640/blogger-image-1500769279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v3IfgN0mzT0/UmCPzveeUYI/AAAAAAAAFmo/UF1leaS9RiY/s640/blogger-image-1500769279.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U7jR5cyDZPg/UmCP2-xwn0I/AAAAAAAAFmw/iS31DgQ8jr8/s640/blogger-image-997571979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U7jR5cyDZPg/UmCP2-xwn0I/AAAAAAAAFmw/iS31DgQ8jr8/s640/blogger-image-997571979.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8Wbfw-kGJQ/UmCPsuyQ6lI/AAAAAAAAFmY/RXWDzsbvpn0/s640/blogger-image--1997587493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8Wbfw-kGJQ/UmCPsuyQ6lI/AAAAAAAAFmY/RXWDzsbvpn0/s640/blogger-image--1997587493.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0t7JXbO5Bk8/UmCQKNeYxWI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/sx1P9DFIxs0/s640/blogger-image-128415521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0t7JXbO5Bk8/UmCQKNeYxWI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/sx1P9DFIxs0/s640/blogger-image-128415521.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g25qXIORpLQ/UmCP820WU_I/AAAAAAAAFm4/tocjv1V_Mlk/s640/blogger-image-2112892061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g25qXIORpLQ/UmCP820WU_I/AAAAAAAAFm4/tocjv1V_Mlk/s640/blogger-image-2112892061.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L64hYrMVaiI/UmCQAuNKbhI/AAAAAAAAFnA/UVSdyUGXHXY/s640/blogger-image-1416597044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L64hYrMVaiI/UmCQAuNKbhI/AAAAAAAAFnA/UVSdyUGXHXY/s640/blogger-image-1416597044.jpg"></a></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-2517006536673332812013-10-14T21:45:00.001-04:002013-10-14T21:45:11.661-04:00TherapyWe are still driving up to Atlanta every other Friday to see Jack's Myofunctional Therapist. While Jack also sees his school speech therapist twice a week, we feel like this commitment will pay off in the long run. I usually am able to swing by the Homegoods store or maybe even the mall if I am feeling really crazy and take advantage of being in Atlanta. Any extra stops I make usually end up being totally not worth the hassle but that doesn't mean that I don't convince myself every time to try. Atlanta traffic is a nightmare and we are both exhausted but we will continue to go as long as Jack is progressing. <div><br></div><div>Right now she is working on Jack holding his tongue up on the roof of his mouth so that he can make the Sh sound. Ironically I spend half the ride home stuck in traffic trying not to make the Sh-- sound myself. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The specific reasons of why and exactly what she is working on go way above my pay grade and I just do what she tells me and trust that we are doing everything we can to help Jack. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She has an observation room with a one way mirror so that I can see everything that she is doing but Jack doesn't see me. This gives me the chance to see what techniques she uses and I am able to work on some if the sane things at home.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>It really does take a village...</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZZy6U-e_ZOk/UlyeCrw14XI/AAAAAAAAFl4/bQRJZV4MXvM/s640/blogger-image--1726792784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZZy6U-e_ZOk/UlyeCrw14XI/AAAAAAAAFl4/bQRJZV4MXvM/s640/blogger-image--1726792784.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sl1gpSkl_kU/UlyeGi7VEjI/AAAAAAAAFmA/E97bEJX6bog/s640/blogger-image--1484897066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sl1gpSkl_kU/UlyeGi7VEjI/AAAAAAAAFmA/E97bEJX6bog/s640/blogger-image--1484897066.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And it also takes some animal crackers, m&ms, a little bribery and maybe even a few threats, but it is usually pretty productive and it is amazing to see how far his speech has come in the last couple of years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nGa9B7-okP0/UlyeJSpr0iI/AAAAAAAAFmI/7fyaruKhMbs/s640/blogger-image--1026520162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nGa9B7-okP0/UlyeJSpr0iI/AAAAAAAAFmI/7fyaruKhMbs/s640/blogger-image--1026520162.jpg"></a></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-67576410739580679712013-10-08T22:17:00.000-04:002013-10-09T10:46:52.627-04:00Walmart, Mickey and SantaIs a trip to Walmart ever fun? Of course not. At least not for us.<br />
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The lure of free cookies or a bag of goldfish will no longer keep Jack sitting in the cart. Now he insists (and I mean that in the kindest way) on pushing the cart himself. So I try to go at odd times of the day when plowing some old lady over is less of a possibility. Let's just say these trips are few and far between.</div>
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It usually goes like this:<br />
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"<i>Jack sit in the cart and I will get you a cookie!"</i></div>
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<i>"No, I push." </i></div>
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<i> "Jack sit in the cart and Mommy will get you an entire bag of Oreos to eat."</i></div>
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<i>"No, I push!"</i></div>
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<i>"Jack sit in the cart and Mommy will get you a new Woody doll"</i></div>
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<i>"No, I puuuussshhh!!!"</i></div>
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So, having exhausted my whole song and dance, I agree. Of course once I give in, he decides that maybe he wants to go sit in the mechanical cart that elderly people drive, after all we aren't in a hurry, right Mom?</div>
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I stand there for several minutes not wanting to cause a scene and realizing that my back can no longer take the "grab him and throw him in the cart" ordeal, so I wait. He says "one second Mommy, hold on Mommy, in a minute Mommy." Because he has learned that saying that will buy him some time.</div>
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<i>"OK Mommy I'm ready, I push.</i>"</div>
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As I reach back to grab a cart I glance over and notice that he is already pushing the race car. As in the race car that most kids <b><i>ride in. </i></b>The dreaded cart that no one wants to push. So I take off after him and grab the front bar with my pinky...because Heaven forbid I send a message that my child isn't capable of pushing an oversized race car by himself. So we walk.</div>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oFAYf_p-3Y4/UlSrJ6n25jI/AAAAAAAAFlo/9yKondi2H40/s640/blogger-image--90452165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oFAYf_p-3Y4/UlSrJ6n25jI/AAAAAAAAFlo/9yKondi2H40/s400/blogger-image--90452165.jpg" width="299" /></a>Until he sees this. A giant blow up Santa and a Christmas Mickey. Then In one quick second all of the frustration melts away as my 5 year old experiences one small moment of Walmart induced bliss. Pushing his own cart+Santa+ Christmas Mickey. The perfect afternoon. </div>
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I swear I almost bought both of them until I pictured myself in some corporate Walmart power point presentation showing the stages of the complete parent beat down- the initial struggle with the cart and the determined son, the cookie refusal, the complete haphazard shopping technique that can only be mastered by the parent of the unruly 5 year old. This presentation concludes with the "My son made this trip close to torture, but look at what an angel he is being over by the blow up Mickey!" purchase. In the end he really should be rewarded right? Bam. All of a sudden, you are going home with 2 giant blow up Christmas dolls. </div>
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Luckily I checked back into reality and realized that would not be the wisest purchase. After all, what will Jack have to look forward to the next time we go shopping? There is always some motivation, right? We just have to keep figuring out exactly what that is.<br />
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He kind of fits right in with his classy "Tow Mater" shirt. I am glad that I left my cart and purse unattended to snap this picture with my phone. Who could resist that smile?</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-37264118643427833502013-10-04T21:36:00.001-04:002013-10-04T21:37:44.868-04:00WoodyHere is Jack and his favorite toy, "soft" Woody. He loves to make Woody dance and act out whatever movie he happens to be watching on the I Pad at the time. Sometimes Woody is acting out scenes from the real Woody on the I pad and maybe even on the TV at the same time. He also loves to throw soft Woody up into the ceiling fan and watch him shoot across the room, which never turns out good. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Thc4wfdA10Y/Uk9tDO8PpXI/AAAAAAAAFkw/HBN7jhGHGqg/s640/blogger-image--512390526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Thc4wfdA10Y/Uk9tDO8PpXI/AAAAAAAAFkw/HBN7jhGHGqg/s640/blogger-image--512390526.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D9a9B0USyGw/Uk9tJR4NZzI/AAAAAAAAFlA/PO5aHpLr0Qw/s640/blogger-image-164430214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D9a9B0USyGw/Uk9tJR4NZzI/AAAAAAAAFlA/PO5aHpLr0Qw/s640/blogger-image-164430214.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gMsRsLiSAgE/Uk9tGAJrczI/AAAAAAAAFk4/7yk3B_KZ-cA/s640/blogger-image-1883291912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gMsRsLiSAgE/Uk9tGAJrczI/AAAAAAAAFk4/7yk3B_KZ-cA/s640/blogger-image-1883291912.jpg"></a></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-17351054471696529362013-10-02T21:28:00.001-04:002013-10-02T21:28:42.055-04:00Fall festivalWe went to our church fall festival tonight. It was a fun time as always even if it was 85 degrees. The Extreme praise team got to sing, Jack did the bounce houses and the slides about 30 times and Eliza waited in line for 2 hours to do the bungee jump.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y2YEexDVk3w/UkzILT06TaI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/92bzZjtNLB4/s640/blogger-image--2069991222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y2YEexDVk3w/UkzILT06TaI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/92bzZjtNLB4/s640/blogger-image--2069991222.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OSpzOHNuR10/UkzIO_mEJkI/AAAAAAAAFkY/ezkvir06nUU/s640/blogger-image-1898903116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OSpzOHNuR10/UkzIO_mEJkI/AAAAAAAAFkY/ezkvir06nUU/s640/blogger-image-1898903116.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uvpfur6_7Gk/UkzISDGOIbI/AAAAAAAAFkg/NO53v3ABFvo/s640/blogger-image--71271901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uvpfur6_7Gk/UkzISDGOIbI/AAAAAAAAFkg/NO53v3ABFvo/s640/blogger-image--71271901.jpg"></a></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-60305189903914404972013-10-01T18:53:00.001-04:002013-10-01T22:06:31.454-04:00Let's Do This<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0jEVInWVMwg/Ukt_SoncMQI/AAAAAAAAFkA/ABE9JWliTdM/s640/blogger-image-1258124462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0jEVInWVMwg/Ukt_SoncMQI/AAAAAAAAFkA/ABE9JWliTdM/s640/blogger-image-1258124462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br></div><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0jEVInWVMwg/Ukt_SoncMQI/AAAAAAAAFkA/ABE9JWliTdM/s640/blogger-image-1258124462.jpg"></div><br></div>This will be my 3rd time writing this. Every time I write it my blogger app crashes and it does not save what I have. Unfortunately it has gotten shorter and shorter each time. <div><br></div><div>Oct is here which means Down syndrome awareness month and 31 for 21. 31 days of blogging to bring awareness to Down syndrome. I don't know that I am up for the challenge but I am going to try. If I can encourage one person who happens upon my blog for some random reason then it is worth it. Maybe I can get some much needed encouragement also. </div><div><br></div><div>We bring awareness so that we can in turn bring acceptance. Once Jack has acceptance, then he will have opportunity. After that,the sky is the limit!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-31139464459590424762013-05-14T21:51:00.001-04:002013-10-16T22:30:14.035-04:0010/16/2013 Mother's Day PostLove this Mother's Day post written by a parent of a special needs child (www.lovethatmax.com). <div><br></div><div>This was circulating on Mothers Day but I came across it again yesterday. After the few weeks that I have had it was like a virtual hug reaching out from cyberspace reminding me that their are other moms who understand.<br>
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Dear You,<br><br>We are pleased to inform you that you have won the title of Mom of the Year. Congratulations! After carefully judging and evaluating all the moms in the entire universe, including but not limited to Gwyneth Paltrow, Snooki, Octomom and Tanning Bed Mom, we have selected you.<br><br>This award is given to you...<br><br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(61, 61, 61); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span>For tirelessly escorting your child to the doctor, therapist and specialist—sometimes all in one day.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For juggling the scheduling of these appointments and demonstrating super-human feats of memory, patience and sweet-talking receptionists into fitting you in.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For always knowing what your child wants to say, even when his speech isn't clear or he can only express himself through his eyes.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span>For surviving the sensory-induced meltdowns in public places, especially the airport security line.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For your mastery of medical terminology; heck, you deserve an honorary MD.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For the nonstop coaxing you do that other moms know nothing of: encouraging your child to pull to stand, grasp a spoon, push a button on a toy, climb a step, make eye contact, say "Hi."<br><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span>For the outstanding "WOO HOO! YOU DID IT!" enthusiasm.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For filling out more forms than you ever thought humanly possible.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For regularly doing the exercises the therapists recommend. Well, usually doing them. Well, OK, some days doing none of them but you happen to be human.<br><div style="margin: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For staying strong, so strong, when you've watched younger children doing stuff your child isn't yet up to and your heart felt like it could implode.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For all the hard, back-breaking labor: lifting your child in and out of the car, in and out of the bathtub, into the chair, up onto the changing table.<br><div style="margin: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For your uncanny ability to not look like a sleep-deprived stress mess.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For your open-mindedness to trying new tactics, strategies, gadgets, equipment—anything and everything that might help.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span>For the extreme hope and determination you have that, yes, your child <i>will </i>accomplish that.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For your nonstop efforts to get others to see the ability behind the disability.<br><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span>For keeping your cool (well, on the <i>outside</i>) when people stare.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For paving the way for your child at the playground, at the birthday party, at the bookstore or wherever kids aren't quite sure how to interact with him.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For valiantly doing battle with the insurance company to reimburse you for claims.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For not acting on your insurance company revenge fantasies.<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span>For powering on even when all you want to do is hide under your comforter, sleep, cry and/or generally lose it.<br><div style="margin: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For pushing for the services your child needs at the IEP, then pushing some more.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For always remembering to give the medicine/put on the braces/bring the headphones/pack the EpiPen/get the blood test/[fill in the responsibility].<br><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a> </span>For repeatedly and patiently explaining to family that he's not going to "grow out of it."</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://lovethatmax.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">☆</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span>For being your child's best champion every single day of the year.<br><br>Congratulations again on this honor! Nobody deserves it more than you.</div>
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</div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-27949691976790105952013-04-26T18:07:00.000-04:002013-04-26T18:07:04.548-04:00Spring Break 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We made the rounds all over the southeast this spring break. We spent the first weekend up in Charlotte with Trey's family at the Great Wolf Lodge. This was an early birthday celebration for Eliza and Berkley and the kids loved all of the water slides. </div>
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We came back home for a few days and my mom and I decided to try a photo shoot at Washington Park. Jack wasn't really into it but we did get some cute candid shots. </div>
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He loved the part about getting in the water, but just wasn't overly interested in smiling for the camera...<br />
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The last half of the week we spent down on St. George Island. It was so nice to getaway. Trey has had a lot going on at work lately and it was nice to have a break and fun to go somewhere we had not been in a couple of years. We love the solitude of St. George and since our spring break was later this year the beach was kind of deserted which was nice. Every time I leave the beach I am already planning our next trip. I love the smiles on everyone's faces and the fact that we can forget about everything for a few days and just soak up the salt air. I am so glad that we only live a few hours away. </div>
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The Trey Gavin school of how to properly wear a visor. </div>
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This is how they fell asleep one night - arms completely stretched out, completely exhausted. Mission Accomplished!</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-42166940217956511962013-03-21T22:10:00.001-04:002013-03-21T22:44:18.253-04:00World Down Syndrome DayTonight we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day. This is the second year that our group has gathered together on 3-21 to celebrate life and to tell the world that our kids are awesome, no matter how many chromosomes they have. <br />
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-69641742322197980732013-03-19T22:44:00.001-04:002013-03-20T21:48:32.643-04:00Go Diamondbacks!I have been feeling a void in my life and I am thinking this blog is what I have been missing. I have so much to write about, but just have not had the time or the patience. <br />
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Jack had his first baseball game last weekend with the Miracle League. It is a group of physically and mentally handicapped kids and teenagers who just want to have the experience of playing on a team. No pressure, just fun. It is also a group of parents who like the fact that no one is getting upset when their kid decides to throw the ball over the fence every time they touch it, or when they decide they are just going to sit down in the middle of the outfield because they are tired. Yes, that was petty much our experience but we found out the next day that Jack wasn't really himself for a reason- he had bronchitis and a double ear infection. But, in spite of all that it was inspiring and brought me back to where I need to be. <br />
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So we are looking forward to next Saturday knowing that it might take a while for Jack to understand the game, but whatever happens he will definitely be the cutest player out there!<br />
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-86116594775729917372012-10-20T20:40:00.001-04:002012-10-20T21:08:17.080-04:00Buddy WalkWe had the most beautiful, perfect day celebrating Jack, enjoying the buddy walk and an early birthday celebration. My heart is so filled with gratitude for all of the family and friends who came. To say we are blessed would not even do it justice. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OIdHDivWLC0/UINEUp2UuMI/AAAAAAAAFc0/4sRLLXOSA-A/s640/blogger-image--921092829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OIdHDivWLC0/UINEUp2UuMI/AAAAAAAAFc0/4sRLLXOSA-A/s640/blogger-image--921092829.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iF1Q4siqH6M/UINEftl-SGI/AAAAAAAAFc8/rehmAlA_I58/s640/blogger-image-1921000262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iF1Q4siqH6M/UINEftl-SGI/AAAAAAAAFc8/rehmAlA_I58/s640/blogger-image-1921000262.jpg" /></a></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-22999781800502051642012-10-19T19:29:00.001-04:002012-10-19T21:15:21.788-04:00It's about that timeGearing up for a big buddy walk tomorrow.....<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gb0t7xLtGD8/UIHiR_nfyNI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/GJz0L6ctBeI/s640/blogger-image-1917227584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gb0t7xLtGD8/UIHiR_nfyNI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/GJz0L6ctBeI/s640/blogger-image-1917227584.jpg" /></a></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-7609711785775352412012-10-17T07:51:00.000-04:002012-10-17T07:52:03.499-04:00Fall Break Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We stayed busy all weekend. </div>
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On Friday we took Jack to Atlanta for speech therapy. It was fun to take Eliza with us since we are on fall break, but we were all exhausted by the time we got home. We went out for a quick dinner and took the kids to a restaurant that Trey and I usually go to by ourselves. It is the same restaurant that some famous actors (Harrison Ford) frequented when they were in town several months ago filming. The booths and walls have all been written on and Eliza thought it was pretty cool to be able to write her name all over also. </div>
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We don't typically venture away from our favorite pizza place or chickfila too often, because it would just be too much for Jack. But, the kids loved going somewhere new and it makes me feel guilty that we always do the same thing. We literally have a routine down - We park, Trey and Eliza go in and order, and Jack and I come in a few minutes later so that we don't have to wait so long. We would have never dreamed of taking him somewhere different a year ago, but he has definitely grown up in the last year. </div>
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Like I have always said it is easy to see how far you have to go, and all of the hard things, but every once in a while it is nice to look back and realize how far we have come and how much Jack has grown up. While it may seem silly to even write about something like this, you really do celebrate the small victories!</div>
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On Saturday morning Eliza had her last soccer game. She played on the same team with her best friend Mary Michael and MM's older sister Caroline helped Trey coach. Jack adores Caroline. </div>
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After the game we left for a quick trip to visit some friends who live up in North Ga. Here is another example of how far Jack has come. He sat in the back seat and colored with his sister. He would have never been interested in doing that before and although it didn't last long, it was fun to see him get into it. I can remember 2 years ago every time we would go anywhere he would literally just sit in the back seat and scream b/c he was mad and did not want to be trapped in a car seat. </div>
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We got up to our friends house that afternoon and hung out in their backyard enjoying the fall weather. </div>
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These are friends that we have known forever and so it is fun to pick up where we last left off. They do not have children so Eliza liked being the center of attention of 4 adults. </div>
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She also liked riding in this truck that our friend has had for almost 20 years. </div>
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We stopped by to see Tallulah Gorge on our way out of town and it was beautiful and exciting to finally see some fall leaves. </div>
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We are gearing up for our Buddy Walk and Jack's birthday celebration this weekend. Unfortunately Jack is sick with some kind of upper respiratory infection. He has literally been sick for over a month. That is one of the things that goes along with Down Syndrome - it is nearly impossible for them to get well. But, we have lots of friends and family coming so I am praying that he will feel better!</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-63487103785579433552012-10-11T21:11:00.003-04:002012-10-11T21:12:34.433-04:00Day 11: My Day with Jackie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yesterday I spent the day with Jack. I got to go on his class field trip to the fair, we got some quality time together after school AND this morning, since Eliza was spending the night with her grandparents. We are on fall break right now, so we were happy to wake up this morning and take it easy.</div>
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Yesterday, I got to his class just in time to see them having book time. It is so great to see him sitting there participating and behaving just like he is supposed to!</div>
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Here we are hanging on the school bus. Jack was super happy I was there b/c that also meant my phone would be there. So, after a couple of pictures he quickly confiscated it.</div>
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This is how we roll. On the preschool rope. </div>
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After we got home we went by chickfila for dinner and ice cream. He seriously loves his ice cream.</div>
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This morning when we woke up we played a long game of "baby goes night night" and "baby wakes up." This also involves "baby wants milk" and a new one (no joke) "baby wants ipad." Jack definitely thought that the baby would not be able to go night night without a quick viewing of Chipwrecked. </div>
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In our world of nonstop, it was fun to be able to stay home and play. </div>
Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-1255056897492593372012-10-09T17:25:00.001-04:002012-10-09T17:27:08.365-04:00Day 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love this. It is a choice, and unfortunately I do have to remind myself quite often. Stop looking around. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop worrying about the future. Be happy right here.</div>
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<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-81033183495755958082012-10-07T22:22:00.000-04:002012-10-07T22:22:15.154-04:00The FairWe went to the fair today after church. It was 200 degrees, we spent what felt like $200, and we smelled like fried turkey legs, but the kids had fun as you can see from this pic of Eliza and her friend William. I mean have you ever seen such pure, unadulterated joy?<br />
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Jack also had fun and for the most part walked all over the fair with us like a big boy- HUGE improvement from this time last year.</div>
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Best of all we got to watch some 5 and 6 year olds give their best shot at riding a sheep - just like they were riding a bull. It was completely out of control.</div>
Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-26887716323885871672012-10-06T22:09:00.001-04:002012-10-06T22:09:43.569-04:00Randomness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have a good excuse for missing a few days. In the midst of having a terrible cold, I have also been planning a fall festival for our special needs kids at school. It turned out great but by 10:00 on Thursday night I was done. I was feeling a little bit better by tonight but it is half time in the Georgia game and strep throat is looking like a better prospect than the outcome of this game. </div>
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But, here are a few random pics from the past week.</div>
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Eliza at the fall festival</div>
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The horses were a big hit! Jack kept saying that he was riding Bullseye, Woody's horse in Toy Story. It really made me think we need to be in hippotherapy!</div>
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Jack meeting McGruff the Crime Dog</div>
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Eliza and Jack with friends Emily and Mary Michael at the Middle GA Down Syndrome Society Night at Calientes. Found these two pics on Trey's phone today.</div>
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Jack with Emily, his God Sister.</div>
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Love this. Saving these is so typical of me. I know that Trey thinks I am a hoarder. These are a bunch of lunch box notes that I wrote to Eliza last year at the beginning of the year. </div>
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She was having a hard time adjusting to 1st grade and I tried to send her encouraging notes in her lunchbox - I remember that she would leave them in there and so I would save them and hope that one day I could look back on them and think how far we have come</div>
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I thought I had lost them but came across them on Friday when I was looking for something else. I think the Lord WAS trying to remind me of how far we have come in one year. This time last year she cried every morning on the way to school. Now she loves school. </div>
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I actually wrote out on the one on the right "Remember, twist your fingers in your cheeks and a BIG smile will appear!" We were really desperate. I will never forget telling her how she could choose to be happy, and telling her about how Papa used to write out "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and give it to me to put in my back pocket or my shoe before my high schools softball and basketball games. She asked me to write it out for her and I will never forget her folding it up and putting it in her pocket as if it were a $100 bill. I will save these forever even if that makes me border line hoarder.</div>
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Melatonin......</div>
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where have you been all of Jack's life??? He needs you desperately. 2 nights this week he has refused to go to bed before 10:00. That is not really how we roll in our house.<br />
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It's Saturday, Saturday, Saturday. You know what that means.<br />
Picture before the GA/SC game.....<br />
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and 5 minutes into the Ga/SC game.....</div>
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Don't even ask me to post midway through the game, so I will end on something happy....</div>
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Love these two and their smiles. </div>
Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-33510843273667458902012-10-03T10:43:00.000-04:002012-10-03T10:43:35.942-04:0031 for 21 Day 3 Carpool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday was interesting. I had two friends ask me to help them with their kids after school so I got to pick up 5 kids in carpool. Well I picked up Jack in his room and then he rode through carpool with me so it was technically 4. I realized that I had no snack food at my house and didn't want to disappoint a bunch of elementary school aged kids so we went to DQ for ice cream. </div>
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I had so many kids that I couldn't even fit them all in the picture. This is what my life would look like if I had a 10 year old, a 7 year old, twin 6 year olds and a 4 year old. BUT, it is nice every once in a while, to justify why you drive a giant SUV that seats 7. </div>
Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-3974601406949092242012-10-02T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-02T13:21:27.261-04:0031 for 21 Day 2 Technomaster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How happy is this kid to have his iPad? </div>
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I mean seriously I can almost hear him singing "yes I love technology" in that Napoleon Dynamite voice. (something Trey likes to sing when he thinks I am in technology overload). Jack loves this Ipad (and my phone) so much that we call him the techno master. Sometimes we come in and he has doubled up on technology, he has the TV on The Fresh Beat Band while he is watching The Fresh Beat Band on the Ipad. It is ridiculous! He even figured out how to open Netflix on the Ipad by himself.<br />
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But, I don't know what we would do without that thing- it has gotten us through many a long waits at restaurants, car rides, 6am wake ups and even a few quiet times here and there. <br />
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The only bad thing about it is the "talking kitty" game that repeats everything you say in a really high voice while it unrolls a fake roll of toilet paper. It is so weird - jack always, always turns it on when I am getting on to him in the car- it isn't intentional, just lucky but perfect timing on his part. " JACK! Did you just throw your shoe at tour sister???!!!" then the kitty repeats it back to me in this awful, squeaky voice - and Jack thinks it is hilarious. Trust me it is not funny. <br />
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But we have found some really educational apps and it is amazing to see what Jack can do on it. That Ipad is almost as important as a third child. I do not go anywhere without it!<br />
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-88705843846728868312012-10-01T09:00:00.000-04:002012-10-01T09:00:02.242-04:0031 for 21It is that time of year. DS awareness month which means blogging all 31 days to raise awareness for Trisomy 21 (31 for 21). I had decided that due to our busy schedule and my lack of commitment to this blog, I would not try this again this October. But the more I thought about it the more I have realized how important it is to not only raise awareness for Down Syndrome, but also to blog about our life. <br />
I know how much it means to Trey and how much it means for me to go back and read about our day to day life. I know I wont remember half of the events that I write about on this site, so it helps to have it recorded. This is my scrap book. <br />
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This weekend we were busy. I am a broken record. But I have to say it because it is always true. Friday night we had dinner with some friends. They have a son who is a year younger than Eliza and they adore each other. They also have a sweet 7 month old baby. They call her Miss Baby and we think it is the greatest name ever. I was holding Miss Baby and Jack decided that he really wanted a turn. He kept patting his lap and saying "Mommy, hold it? Mommy, hold it?" He has never expressed that much interest in holding a baby and it was really sweet. No jealousy that his Mommy wasn't paying attention to him. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Unfortunately Miss Baby wasn't too interested in being held by anyone but her own Mommy, but we still loved seeing our friends and loved getting our baby fix with Miss Baby. </span></div>
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On Saturday after Eliza's soccer game we went to a birthday party at the skating rink. This was only the second time she has been skating but she loved it and woke up Sunday morning asking if she could go again. The mom gave mismatched socks as party favors and all of the girls looked like roller derby girls from the 70s. </div>
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Eliza and her friend Ellie from school at the party. I love to see these sweet little friendships. </div>
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Eliza and Trey working hard practicing their violin. They love to play together and I love capturing moments like this when they aren't expecting it. My own father was always so invested in everything that I did and I love to see the same thing in my own family. Eliza is one lucky girl.<br />
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Day one down, 30 more to go.....<br />
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-21393520307012076802012-09-27T20:56:00.001-04:002012-09-27T21:04:58.216-04:00August, September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have said farewell to summer.... </div>
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and have welcomed in what feels like the crazy season of life.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">School, work, soccer, violin, football and most of all Fall. I love the lazy days of summer, the beach, the pool, but I LOVE Fall. There is nothing that speaks to my soul quite like dropping temperatures, pumpkins, football and the changing colors of the leaves. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We spent the summer hanging out at the pool and enjoying, most of all, not having anything to do. </span><br />
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Eliza and Jack spent a lot of time with their cousins</div>
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Trey bought a Kayak and we spent a lot of time on the river and the lake with our kayak and paddle board. It was fun this year b/c Jack is finally able to sit on the end of the paddle board, which means that now I can go also! So one of us would be in the kayak with one kid, and one of us would be on the paddle board with the other, than we would switch up. Always an adventure..</div>
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Trey and I have been talking about wanting to learn how to sail for a while now. (Well, we have been talking about him learning to sail, while I enjoy the fruits of his labor ) Then we found out that kids with Down Syndrome love to sail and it is also a sport in the Special Olympics. So that made it seem like even more of a good idea.<br />
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We took a sailing lesson in Fernandina this summer and enjoyed hanging out on the boat with Lindsay, Charlie and Berkley. Trey was paying attention and learned a few things. I learned that I loved being on the boat, but that the boat was really, really big, and that this would probably never be a reality...</div>
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But when we got back Trey started talking to one of our friends about learning to sail and he offered to let Trey store his boat that he never uses. This would allow him to get comfortable on something small. No surprise he is hooked and since we have a small lake 5 minutes from our house, we have been able to go several times now. </div>
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After what I like to call a "sailing mishap" in Jamaica on our honeymoon, I was a little reluctant to go out. But, two kids later and Trey isn't quite as in to taking risks as he once was, and he knew he better figure out what he was doing pretty quickly or this dream was dead (at least for the other 3 members of our family). </div>
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Fortunately he took his Dad, his friends, our dog, just about everyone (other than our children) before I got on there. But I went and loved it and now we have even taken the kids out on it. Jack spent the whole time just tinkering with the ropes and moving things around and you could see how when he is older and can understand things, he really could enjoy doing it and feeling like he is contributing to something in a big way. </div>
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I wish so bad that I could take a picture of it in the water with the sails up, but it is always such a circus when we go - trying to manage a boat, two kids, you can imagine. </div>
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But now we are in the full swing of Fall. Eliza is in 2nd grade, loves her teacher and her class and is growing up way too fast. </div>
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We have traded the child's table and chairs that was in her room, passed it down to Jack (which replaced his baby glider), and bought Eliza a "real" desk. I have to admit it makes me sad. I have spent hours upon hours rocking both of my kids in that glider, and Eliza and I have spent hours doing art at her little table. It is just one more step towards growing up. </div>
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Eliza got to choose a reward for good behavior and she chose to go back to her 1st grade class and read. She was so proud and her teacher texted me this picture of her. </div>
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Jack spent the summer working with his teacher, making sure that he did not lose any gains that he had made last year. We are so fortunate that she even wanted to do this. So they spent a couple mornings a week in our basement singing songs and working on letters and numbers and all of the things that they did all year. It was worth every penny that we spent and honestly Jack loved it. You see how much he thrives on routine. </div>
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Jack is talking more every day and we can see such a change in him from this time last year. He still has his moments and his struggles but hopefully each year will get easier. Being able to communicate more has certainly helped. He still loves Toy Story and Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Fresh Beat Band. He has also started to enjoy me reading books to him. His favorites are The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon. <br />
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Jack is back in the same class with his 3 favorite teachers. We have already had almost 6 weeks of school, and every day is becoming a count down for me for when he will graduate from this pre k class and where he will go. He started with them 2 years ago this November, just after he turned 3. It is amazing to see how far he has come, but I have to be honest that I am terrified for him to move on from here. He spends about 30 minutes per day in a regular ed pre k class and spends the rest of his day in his class with other special needs kids. They hope to increase his time as he does better. Every day I hold my breath waiting to hear from his teacher how it went in the regular class. Every day I wonder what will he do next year, and the year after? I simply can not fathom the life of the mother who drops her children off at school with all the confidence in the world that other than maybe getting in trouble here or there, nothing to worry about. That will never be me. But I know that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Although we face challenges every day, we also have enormous blessings. Just the simple hug and "I love you" can send me into tears of joy. </div>
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He has finally moved into a big bed. Some nights are interesting, getting him to actually go to sleep can be a little bit of a challenge, and he doesn't always stay there, so his crib is still up and we still use it from time to time. But it is nice that little by little he is growing out of it and I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel. </div>
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He is also officially in big boy pajamas. When they say you celebrate the small stuff, you really can't imagine it until you find yourself celebrating the fact that you are no longer having to cut off the feet of your child' pajamas, no longer having to put them on backwards or duct tape the zipper! </div>
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Because Jack has low muscle tone, he is super flexible. He likes to hold his body in really odd positions like scratching his ear with his toe when he is in his car seat. I am not sure what he is doing here but this is how he fell asleep in his mismatched big boy pajamas. No longer sleeping in a full zip up sleeper also means that there are a lot of singles around and we are usually grabbing whatever we can find and making a desperate attempt to get him to sleep. He is FULL time when he is awake, so the sleep is kind of imperative to our sanity and his.</div>
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October is around the corner and that means 31 for 21 blogging every day. Considering I can't even blog once a month I am going to have to really think about this one! Life has just become so crazy. But as always I am trying to enjoy every minute. The older they get the more I realize how precious my time is with them!Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113368603106298853.post-40782033531503572842012-07-03T20:58:00.001-04:002012-07-03T20:58:49.952-04:00Weston Family Beach Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So yes I am still a month behind and having just returned from our second beach trip, I realized I never posted pictures of the first one. So here goes....We left for my beach trip with my parents the day after we got out for summer break. I love the beach. I love that my kids love the beach. My brothers family joined us for a couple of days this year which was a great surprise for Eliza and Jack to be able to hang out with their cousins. We had another visitor that came and stayed for 3 days and that was Tropical Storm Beryl. With 70 mph winds I would say Beryl was more of a hurricane, but we survived even with rain, wind and no power and it made for quite an adventure. We lit some candles and thank goodness for smart phones that helped light up the night. I spent most of it staring out the window at darkness and rain, scared that we were about to get swept away to Oz. But we survived and after a few days inside, we were able to get outside and enjoy the beach. Trey and I are so grateful to have parents who want to vacation with us and spend time with our kids. We know that those memories are priceless. </div>
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I decided to skip the portrait style beach pictures this year because really, how many of those can you have? Plus who really believes that your kids are wearing nice white clothes to go out on the beach. Instead I just decided we would go with eyes closed, squinting in the sun, natural beach pics. I know that I made probably everyone happy that I did not force this one. Maybe next year....</div>
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and some instagram love...</div>
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<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04989172315479987301noreply@blogger.com0