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

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein" (Ps. 24:1)

So, as we are sitting in the kitchen doing our school, Surfette comes running in, yelling, "Look outside!".  So, we looked.  And guess what we saw?

Yes, you see that correctly.  A Bald Eagle.  In my back yard.  Suburbia, PA.  A Bald Eagle.  We were so excited, and amazed at the size of this thing I didn't get my camera quick enough to get a picture of him on the ground.  But, I did get him flying.  At least I got a picture.  Because nobody is going to believe me.

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  -Isaiah  40:31

Happy World Down Syndrome Day 2014

It really isn't scary.  It's just one extra chromosome.  If it does scare you, don't feel bad. Just ask.               Knowledge is powerful.

My brown eyed girl!

Yes, they are sisters.  But they are also friends.

sorry, that ruffle butt is just too cute!

Beyond The Gold

The 2014 winter Olympic games have come and gone.  The USA came in a good second with the total metal race.  The host country came in first.  Americans brought home 9 gold metals, 7 silver metals, 12 bronze.  I have to admit I love a good olympic run.  The ice skating, snowboarding, and giant slalom.  This olympic run, as many others before, has not been void of controversy.  It has been reported that $51 billion was spent on the olympics, by Ru**ia.  An opposition to the Ru**ian President estimated two-thirds of that was lost to corruption.   Americans in all our of our pompous attitudes complained bitterly about how others do life.  We got upset over stray dogs,http://www.voanews.com/content/russians-and-americans-use-internet-to-save-sochis-stray-dogs/1851189.html., and used the internet to save them. We got our president involved over yogurt, http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2014/02/winter_olympics_2014_chobani_y.html.  We lost our patience, http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2014/bobsled/story/_/id/10423100/2014-sochi-olympics-us-bobsledder-gets-stuck-busts-bathroom-door, and then in almost a proud fashion, we tweeted about it.  But it is what is not shown in Ru**ia that bothers me.  It's what is behind closed doors that bothers me.  Behind the $51 billion that was spent on the olympics lies this...http://www.katebrooks.com/#/russia/russian-orphans/rorphans10 .  Through no fault of their own, children who have nothing, no one.  Do we just not know that this goes on?  Because knowledge can be powerful.  Or do we know and just look away?   Because action is paramount.