Down syndrome Awareness Month--- 31 for 21, LIFE is...

LIFE is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the number of moments that take our breath away.



I love that quote. My sister knows it is my favorite and a few years ago bought me a tile with that quote embedded on it. It sits on my fireplace mantel. I also have a HUGE canvas that reads "Life is Beautiful." That should come as no surprise if you read my blog. :)

I have many of those moments. They can be simple moments that force me to pause. And they can be just grand.

Like the other day at Naomi's soccer practice, these two were sitting together cheering for their sister ...that is a moment. I pause, I smile and I take it in.





They can be grand too! Like last Saturday. I am in the car heading, I have no idea where. I am with my husband, on a date, that he has planned. One of our "30 hour dates", which means we are sleeping in, because we are not returning home until the following day! We have a wonderful dinner and the next day he takes me to see-



How great is that?! THAT is a moment.


Or the other night, my girlfriend was over and she casually said, "come into the kitchen I want you to open something" and I pulled this out of the box...


J N B K --- I wanted to cry. I am not sure if I did.


Not that I center moments around dates or gifts, because really, they are the simple things that happen everyday in our lives. Like this evening when I got home from taking Jaden to practice. Naomi and Brynn had made me "scrolls". They had taken pieces of construction paper and rolled them into scrolls. They were magic scrolls, as they informed me. There was not a word written on them, but they each stood up and recited from their scrolls something like....

Mom, I love you. You are the greatest mom. Can we have a dog? Dinner was good. I had a great day. Do I have to take a bath? Is Halloween tomorrow? I love you. etc.

That took my breath away because I couldn't stop laughing. :)


For some reason I recognize the moments so much more than I did before. I know why, but to put into words, that may take me all night. There was a brief time, a whole year, I lived in fear of what the future moments would be like. Unfortunately that kept me from enjoying the day. I don't do that any more.

Today, was a beautiful day. With lots of moments!

Down syndrome Awareness Month--- 31 for 21, the Pumpkin Patch

I have decided not to feel guilty about missing several days of posting. As much as I wanted to post everyday (to support the 31 for 21-Down syndrome Awareness Month campaign) I have to cut myself some slack. I have accepted that I can't do it all (as much as I wish I could) and posting everyday is something I had to let go. Trust me - if I could, I would let work go! :)

Some wonderful moments have happened around here over the past few days! There is never a dull moment in this house! I plan to share during the next few posts...like my birthday surprise from Diondray. (Maybe I will write about that tomorrow).

Tonight it's all about the pumpkin patch. Every October we take a short drive out to this great pumpkin patch. It is a tradition. I love traditions! Driving home from our adventure Naomi said, "I am so glad we went to the pumpkin patch today. I had a great day!" That is all I need to break into a huge smile. Happy girls make for a mom that is happy!



The morning of


Posing for some pictures. Why do we do this?








This has become a major safety hazard!


Feeding the animals







Water break




We made it to the actual pumpkin patch!






My four pumpkins!



The most amazing husband and daddy!






It was another beautiful day...it even rained a little!

Down syndrome Awareness Month--- 31 for 21, SAFETY LOCKS!

4 Children and I have never used drawer or cabinet safety locks. I know some people may gasp, but I have never gated our stairs either.

Kamryn loves waffles and she knows where we keep them.....do they make safety locks for freezers?












She had waffles for breakfast. Every one else had the English muffins I had already made!

Down syndrome Awareness Month--- 31 for 21, First Trip to the Dentist!

I know there are "extra" concerns to consider regarding Kamryn's dental health. I have read that people with Down syndrome MAY have this or that...OK to be honest I don't really know anything specific. Diondray and I have decided we are not going to "prepare" or "plan" for all those things that might happen or could happen with regards to her dental health. In fact, we aren't going to plan or assume anything, just because Kamryn has Down syndrome. When the time presents itself and we need to make decisions about her heath, education or therapy we will. Just as we will for all our girls.

Today Kamryn went to the dentist for the first time. (As did all my girls when they turned 2!) I had this "bright" idea to take all 4 girls to the dentist at the same time. I'm all about being efficient and using my time wisely! I'm not sure I will do that again. It was so wonderful that my mom wanted to come with us!!! (She is wonderful).

I am happy to report no cavities! However, the dentist was gracious enough to inform me that FOR SURE 3 out of 4 girls would need braces....the 4th is to young to tell. This came as no surprise. I had one thumb sucker and two pacifier babies. Kamryn took neither, but only time will tell if she needs orthodontics. I had to giggle because Diondray and I know we have 4 to send to college, hopefully plan 4 weddings and now braces. Weddings in Vegas are looking better and better. :)

I was so disappointed because Kamryn fell asleep during the 30 minute ride to the appointment. She stayed asleep as I hauled her out of the car, carried her into the office, filled out her new patient paper work and didn't wake up until she HAD to. Had to meaning I woke her and then some stranger put their hand in her mouth. I felt kind of bad, but I wasn't rescheduling! :)

This is her just waking up...I love this face!




Here we go...pictures are courtesy of Jaden.





Done.


she was NOT HAPPY! Trust me - she is NOT blowing me kisses.


Outside she was still mad! Do you see that pout!


Grandma comforted her.....she wanted nothing to do with me! :(



Trying to get a picture of the cavity free team!





still MAD!



I figured a little shopping and ice cream would help





Shoes always cheer me up!








Even a trip to the dentist can be a beautiful day!

Down syndrome Awareness Month--- 31 for 21, a wonderful weekend

I don't have anything to say tonight. We have a wonderful weekend and it's not over!


Friday after school, stop at the park.





Then dinner with friends...I have no idea who the people are at the table, but check out the Congo line behind them....we had about 15 kids there! I was to busy visiting w/my friends to take good pictures...and I still only have my iPhone, no digital camera yet :(


This pub even has pool.....






Soccer Saturday.......














Saturday night, hockey in our friends cul-de-sac. Isn't it awesome to see kids playing in the street?!










What a beautiful life!