These seedlings are about 3 weeks old. All 5 dozen of them!!! Yes, I plan ahead. Between Logan, Chelsea, and the dog there are bound to be a number of casualties. Hopefully we'll get 20-30 plants producing in the garden when it's all said and done.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Ninety-Nine
My tomatoes were ready to graduate from egg cartons to pots this week. I've often wondered why gardening is so therapeutic. I finally figured it out. The kids stay far away from the garden ... for fear they may be asked to HELP! Well whatever works! It was a perfect evening for transplanting.
These seedlings are about 3 weeks old. All 5 dozen of them!!! Yes, I plan ahead. Between Logan, Chelsea, and the dog there are bound to be a number of casualties. Hopefully we'll get 20-30 plants producing in the garden when it's all said and done.
These seedlings are about 3 weeks old. All 5 dozen of them!!! Yes, I plan ahead. Between Logan, Chelsea, and the dog there are bound to be a number of casualties. Hopefully we'll get 20-30 plants producing in the garden when it's all said and done.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Seventy-Two
So sweet and innocent huh? Well little miss cutie pants is on a mission. She is bound and determined to make our little puppy the smartest & sneakiest dog ever.
She gets her kicks out of piling all of his toys and bones on the kitchen table. She hands him her hearing aids. And just last week while he was in his kennel, she hopped down from the couch and set her glasses smack dab in front of his face just outside his kennel door where he couldn't reach them. I just don't understand her. Maybe she's enjoying having someone small to tease since she's had to endure such tormenting from Logan over the years.
Well today I went to reach for a calculator from my top desk drawer, and look what I found. Poor dog. Really. Poor, poor dog. I sure hope he doesn't end up with psychiatric issues when he grows up.
She gets her kicks out of piling all of his toys and bones on the kitchen table. She hands him her hearing aids. And just last week while he was in his kennel, she hopped down from the couch and set her glasses smack dab in front of his face just outside his kennel door where he couldn't reach them. I just don't understand her. Maybe she's enjoying having someone small to tease since she's had to endure such tormenting from Logan over the years.
Well today I went to reach for a calculator from my top desk drawer, and look what I found. Poor dog. Really. Poor, poor dog. I sure hope he doesn't end up with psychiatric issues when he grows up.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Seventy-One
I know, I've got some major catching up to do. I will. I've got pictures for every day, trust me!
But for now, I thought I'd share a letter I wrote tonight.
This week is the Buddy Walk in Washington. It's actually not a Buddy Walk in the way most of you would assume, it's more of a march. Advocates march in Washington and meet with members of congress to discuss issues surrounding individuals with Down syndrome.
Currently, we are trying to get the ABLE Act passed. It's been a long time coming and it would make a huge difference in the lives of our children. You see, if we save money for Chelsea's future, like we would for any other child, she will be penalized the day she turns 18. More than $2,000 in your account - well shame, no Medicaid for you. You see, we just don't know what the future holds for her.
No doubt she'll do great things and hold a job someday, but it is a real possibility that her job will not include benefits. There's just this tricky area where many individuals with disabilities fall. They work, they make money, but can't support themselves or pay their medical bills. Why? They make too much to receive disability benefits, or else they have to be dirt poor in order to receive said benefits.
It's terrible. and terrifying. I know, we have 11 years to worry about it. But wait, ... really? Only 11 years?!!! Where has time gone? Anyways, while I didn't attend the Buddy Walk in Washington this year, I did write a letter for a fellow DSG member to drop off at Representative Jenkins office while she is there. Hopefully this will be a big week for our kids and many, many others with disabilities!
Dear Representative Jenkins,
I am writing on behalf of my daughter and all individuals with Down syndrome. I regret that I was unable to attend the Buddy Walk in Washington this year, but I wanted to be sure to pass my message on to you.
My daughter, Chelsea, has Down syndrome. In her short seven years she has endured more than most people will in a lifetime. She has proven to us time and time again that she is capable of anything. She attends a local public school here in Lawrence, KS, where she is fully included with her peers. She is reading, writing, adding and subtracting right alongside the other first graders. As a teacher myself, watching her succeed in the classroom is a dream come true.
Chelsea is unique though. Not only does she have Down syndrome, but she is also a cancer survivor. You would never know it by looking at her. She is one tough kid. Her chemotherapy left her with hearing loss in one ear, but she hasn’t let that slow her down. So you see, this pint-sized child has fought and SURVIVED cancer, has an intellectual disability, is hearing and visually impaired, but yet NOTHING stops her. One would think all of these barriers would be too much to overcome, but for Chelsea, they’re not. She remains mostly on grade level academically, she plays softball and gymnastics with her typical peers, she participates in Kung Fu classes with her brother every Friday night, and she attends birthday parties and sleep-over’s as any other seven year old would.
My question is, why wouldn’t we do everything we can to help her realize her dreams? She has already proven to us she will far exceed our expectations. Yet as it is, the law states that we will limit her earning potential as an adult and furthermore punish her success by taking away her benefits if she earns too much money.
I am asking you to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (H.R. It is 3423/S. 1872). We must pass the ABLE Act. This legislation also means that our family, and many other families like ours, can save for the future of our children with disabilities just as we do for their siblings. We need your help, Chelsea needs your help, please give us this opportunity.
Information on this bill and others can be found in the NDSS packet we are leaving with your office. There is information about priorities for individuals with Down syndrome, our concerns and whom you can contact to learn more.
I have stopped guessing what I think Chelsea will or will not be able to do as an adult. Her future is wide open and the possibilities are endless. We cannot put limits on her capabilities or her dreams. Please consider co-sponsoring the ABLE Act so that Chelsea, and others like her, can soar.
Thank you.
At the end I included a few pictures of Chelsea. One of her swimming, one of her playing ball, the super cute picture of her in pink and gray with long wavy hair, and finally a picture of her and Logan. Under the last picture the caption reads: Chelsea and her brother Logan, who has a college savings account. haha!
This week is the Buddy Walk in Washington. It's actually not a Buddy Walk in the way most of you would assume, it's more of a march. Advocates march in Washington and meet with members of congress to discuss issues surrounding individuals with Down syndrome.
Currently, we are trying to get the ABLE Act passed. It's been a long time coming and it would make a huge difference in the lives of our children. You see, if we save money for Chelsea's future, like we would for any other child, she will be penalized the day she turns 18. More than $2,000 in your account - well shame, no Medicaid for you. You see, we just don't know what the future holds for her.
No doubt she'll do great things and hold a job someday, but it is a real possibility that her job will not include benefits. There's just this tricky area where many individuals with disabilities fall. They work, they make money, but can't support themselves or pay their medical bills. Why? They make too much to receive disability benefits, or else they have to be dirt poor in order to receive said benefits.
It's terrible. and terrifying. I know, we have 11 years to worry about it. But wait, ... really? Only 11 years?!!! Where has time gone? Anyways, while I didn't attend the Buddy Walk in Washington this year, I did write a letter for a fellow DSG member to drop off at Representative Jenkins office while she is there. Hopefully this will be a big week for our kids and many, many others with disabilities!
Dear Representative Jenkins,
I am writing on behalf of my daughter and all individuals with Down syndrome. I regret that I was unable to attend the Buddy Walk in Washington this year, but I wanted to be sure to pass my message on to you.
My daughter, Chelsea, has Down syndrome. In her short seven years she has endured more than most people will in a lifetime. She has proven to us time and time again that she is capable of anything. She attends a local public school here in Lawrence, KS, where she is fully included with her peers. She is reading, writing, adding and subtracting right alongside the other first graders. As a teacher myself, watching her succeed in the classroom is a dream come true.
Chelsea is unique though. Not only does she have Down syndrome, but she is also a cancer survivor. You would never know it by looking at her. She is one tough kid. Her chemotherapy left her with hearing loss in one ear, but she hasn’t let that slow her down. So you see, this pint-sized child has fought and SURVIVED cancer, has an intellectual disability, is hearing and visually impaired, but yet NOTHING stops her. One would think all of these barriers would be too much to overcome, but for Chelsea, they’re not. She remains mostly on grade level academically, she plays softball and gymnastics with her typical peers, she participates in Kung Fu classes with her brother every Friday night, and she attends birthday parties and sleep-over’s as any other seven year old would.
My question is, why wouldn’t we do everything we can to help her realize her dreams? She has already proven to us she will far exceed our expectations. Yet as it is, the law states that we will limit her earning potential as an adult and furthermore punish her success by taking away her benefits if she earns too much money.
I am asking you to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (H.R. It is 3423/S. 1872). We must pass the ABLE Act. This legislation also means that our family, and many other families like ours, can save for the future of our children with disabilities just as we do for their siblings. We need your help, Chelsea needs your help, please give us this opportunity.
Information on this bill and others can be found in the NDSS packet we are leaving with your office. There is information about priorities for individuals with Down syndrome, our concerns and whom you can contact to learn more.
I have stopped guessing what I think Chelsea will or will not be able to do as an adult. Her future is wide open and the possibilities are endless. We cannot put limits on her capabilities or her dreams. Please consider co-sponsoring the ABLE Act so that Chelsea, and others like her, can soar.
Thank you.
At the end I included a few pictures of Chelsea. One of her swimming, one of her playing ball, the super cute picture of her in pink and gray with long wavy hair, and finally a picture of her and Logan. Under the last picture the caption reads: Chelsea and her brother Logan, who has a college savings account. haha!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Fifty-Six
Another foot of snow possible today and tomorrow! This is definitely not typical for the end of February! I'm usually ordering my heirloom seeds, itching to get them in the ground. Now all I'm thinking about is that mucky mushy mess we have to work with :-0.
It's funny how we're seeing all kinds of crazy predictions. I would prefer the 10" range than the 20" range!
It's funny how we're seeing all kinds of crazy predictions. I would prefer the 10" range than the 20" range!
Fifty-Five
We made it to a KU women's basketball game today. Wasn't a real close game until the last 5 minutes. The were 16 behind at the half, but managed to tie the score with 1 minute remaining. Chelsea was so into it. She could definitely be a cheerleader! Logan said the game was "epic". Haha ... Okay.
Fifty-Three
Well I suppose if my 4x4 explorer actually had 4WD that worked, the snow wouldn't have been a problem. But getting out of the driveway was quite a chore. We HAD to get out though. For my sanity. Not to mention it was Kung Fu & Gymnastics night!
Fifty-Two
They weren't kidding, a major snow storm came right at us! We got 7.5" of our 9" in just 2 hours! It was a beautiful snow for sure!
Walking the vacant streets was fun, especially watching all the people who thought the could ignore the warnings, get stuck in the middle of the streets!
Walking the vacant streets was fun, especially watching all the people who thought the could ignore the warnings, get stuck in the middle of the streets!
Fifty-One
Just for kicks we were reminiscing of those good old 2nd grade days. At least he finds the humor in the old picture now. Poor kid, he felt just about how he looks on this picture, all year long. I've got some major mama guilt for not doing more to protect him that year. Looking ahead now, looking ahead!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Fifty
As we're walking out the door for school a meltdown begins. "I can't find my backpack!!! I know I put it on my hook but its not there."
For a second I really thought the bag may have gotten up and walked off on its own. Not.
For a second I really thought the bag may have gotten up and walked off on its own. Not.
Forty-Nine
My singing superstar. Makes me sad that she only listens with her left ear. When I tell her to put the iPod to her right ear, she does it for a second, then says, "can't see mom!"
Hearing loss sucks.
Hearing loss sucks.
Forty-Six
After two late nights of conferences, we got a day off together!
This girl loves Friday night gymnastics!
This girl loves Friday night gymnastics!
Forty-Five
It's no secret, homemade is better. I used to think my mom just told us that to make us feel better about the crummy construction paper cards we made her, but she was right. Logan was so excited about his Valentine creations this year. They turned out super cute!
I found a Valentine in his bag made by a clever classmate, just for Logan. It says this is Dark Side .... Then you flip it over & it says, this is the bright side. Hahaha!!! I loved it!
I found a Valentine in his bag made by a clever classmate, just for Logan. It says this is Dark Side .... Then you flip it over & it says, this is the bright side. Hahaha!!! I loved it!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Forty-Four
It's assembly day. I've come to avoid assemblies when I can these days. There's no getting out of morning assemblies though, and I'm glad I was there!
Last trimester I didn't come back to school in the afternoon, and wouldn't you know it- Chelsea won an award. That afternoon brought up some deep sadness from this little guy because he had never won an award. As always, we talked in depth about what it takes to earn a HAWK award.
So when I got wind that he would be getting an award this time, I was tickled! I stood up near the front with my camera ready & waited. And waited. No award for Honor. Okay. Achievement? Nope. Hmmm, that would have been my guess since he's a pretty smart little guy. Work Ethic ... Uh, no. Kindness? I had my fingers crossed, but no. There was only one letter left in HAWKS, S, for safety. I was really nervous at this point, actually, I figured it was a mistake & his award got lost in the shuffle. But wait, they said it! He won an award for safety! Talk about surprised! The child that is notorious for stopping both directions of traffic on our busy street? Wow, I was truly impressed. Still not sure what stuck out & made the teacher recognize him in the area of safety, but I'm not complaining!
Last trimester I didn't come back to school in the afternoon, and wouldn't you know it- Chelsea won an award. That afternoon brought up some deep sadness from this little guy because he had never won an award. As always, we talked in depth about what it takes to earn a HAWK award.
So when I got wind that he would be getting an award this time, I was tickled! I stood up near the front with my camera ready & waited. And waited. No award for Honor. Okay. Achievement? Nope. Hmmm, that would have been my guess since he's a pretty smart little guy. Work Ethic ... Uh, no. Kindness? I had my fingers crossed, but no. There was only one letter left in HAWKS, S, for safety. I was really nervous at this point, actually, I figured it was a mistake & his award got lost in the shuffle. But wait, they said it! He won an award for safety! Talk about surprised! The child that is notorious for stopping both directions of traffic on our busy street? Wow, I was truly impressed. Still not sure what stuck out & made the teacher recognize him in the area of safety, but I'm not complaining!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Forty-One
Dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's. Best fried chicken anywhere, hands down!!! Bonus- we got to meet the newest member of the family! We'll call her Brick's little cousin. Although if she tops out at 6 lbs., I'm not sure they'll ever get to meet.
Forty
Taking some time to mind our marriage! Dinner & cheesecake - going all out after the KCDSG marriage retreat!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thirty-Eight
Stressful ENT appointment today! Silly girl. Apparently she was excited to get the wax cleaned out of her ears ;)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Thirty-Seven
I'm lovin' my 'new to me' claw foot oak table! I've eaten many meals from this table but since my mom passed it down to us a couple of years ago its been sitting in the garage waiting to be refinished. It was at the top of Ryan's honey-do list once he finished school.
Tonight it was dry and for the first time we all sat down together and ate at the newly refinished table. Oh how I've missed family meals!
Tonight it was dry and for the first time we all sat down together and ate at the newly refinished table. Oh how I've missed family meals!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thirty-Six
"We need to get your hair cut soon."
"No, I like it like this. Don't I look strangely mature?"
"No, I like it like this. Don't I look strangely mature?"
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