Friends

Remember the show Friends?  Every Thursday night we would sit watching a bunch of people, "Friends", live life.  They didn't always do stuff.  They either sat at home or in a coffee shop.  It was the sharing of life that was what was so appealing.  The togetherness, comraderie, encouraging.  I have friends like that.  We hail from all over the United States.  New York, Wisconsin, Alabama, Illinois, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania.  Did I mention we are from all over?  Unfortunately being from all over means we can't just meet at one's house or the local coffee shop.  We keep in touch through the internet, e-mail, text.  But once a year.  Once a year, we who are able, get together for a weekend.  A weekend of no sleep (literally), talking, praying, encouraging.  The only "out" we do is perhaps a walk, if the weather cooperates, or church on Sunday.  We need nothing but food (there always seems to be so much of that), shelter (we are so blessed that the husbands and kids move out to Grandma's for the weekend, while the other husbands, and older children - seriously - my oldest daughter ROCKS THE HOUSE!  She is just so awesome, stay home and play Mr. Mom, running our households), and fellowship (always the best part).  We have fun.  We laugh, we cry,  we pray, we eat.  Fun!  I always come home relaxed, and renewed, despite the fact that I almost ALWAYS fly through stormy weather.  I can tell them anything; they are the very few people in the world who know the true me and my sins.  And they love me.  And they pray for me.  And I them.  I absolutely love these women.  How blessed I am!  And to think our adoption brought us so much more than just two more awesome kids.  I stand in awe Lord, at your mercy.

                                          Beautiful friendships.  I can't wait until next year!

Four Years Ago....

Four years ago...I had a baby.  Not too unlike my other babies.  But, then again, very different.  You see, this baby was born in a hospital, just like my other babies I birthed.  But this hospital was a world renowned Children's Hospital.  This baby had a heart condition.  No left or right in this baby's heart...only a top and a bottom.  When I was pregnant with this baby, I prayed for this baby, not unlike my other babies.  But my prayers were different. I didn't really even pray for the heart condition. That I could handle.  I prayed that God would heal this baby, but not from the heart condition.  I prayed she would be born with 2 21st chromosomes.  You see, I was ignorant.  I knew what 3 21st chromosomes meant. But I only knew what it meant to me, in my very small, and selfish world.  I knew nothing about Down Syndrome.  In my ignorance I assigned it a value that didn't go past the name...special + needs.  Fast forward 4 years.  This is what I now know.
               I know that I am blessed because I was able to relish those little years a little bit longer.

But she will grow up...not unlike my other children

I know there will be good days

As well as bad...not too unlike my other children.

I know sometimes life will be hard.

But most days are filled with wonder and laughter...not too unlike my other children.

She likes pretty things...not unlike my other girls.

And tasty things...not unlike my other children.

And has her own dislikes...not unlike my other children.

I know that my life is more...with her in it.

I know that she really is not unlike my other children.  She is special...as are my other children.  She has needs...as do all my other children.  Down Syndrome isn't really that different.  It definitely isn't something to be afraid of.  Knowledge is power.  Knowledge is important.

I really wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!  Mommy loves you so very much.  

March madness

March certainly comes in like a lion.  It leaves the very same way.  Fast and furious.  Passing us from the hurried hectic way of winter to the next season of life.... Baseball.

  Trouble #3 celebrated in Duck Dynasty style in February, as he turned 6.

complete with beards...

...camouflage cake

and donut eating contests

Never one to pass up a good donut, even my dad got in on the action. #waytogograndpa

More snow.

And a new bike

We celebrate big time in March.  Trouble #1 and The Babe both have birthdays in the month of March.  The man of the house also celebrates a birthday this month, albeit celebrating only because his children make him.  That's the way it is when you reach a certain year, and then pass it.

Trouble #1 and the Babe usually have a joint party.

And then there is "Tom Branson Day".   Do you think it's a problem when my kids go into a market and state (loudly), "look mom...it's a Tom Branson Balloon, and Tom Branson cookies!"  Ok, so the rest of the world celebrates it as St Patty's Day.  Sue me.

Whaaat? I make all the Irish food to go along with it.

We are finally done with this!

And moving along to this.

sometimes it's about more than the game. :)

And sometimes...you just can't get the game in.

but hopefully,

that will bring in this

Welcome back spring. 

 "then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit."  -Leviticus 26:4