Characters Wanted

I have a professor during the summer term who fits the profile for USA channel's Characters Wanted media campaign. He's quirky. He's geeky. This teacher is at least 6'4", bald on top, beard on his jawline, and has a rather high voice for being so tall. He is also incredibly thin. He looks like a character. He acts like a character.

Have you ever noticed how those characters on the USA Network channel usually have or had life experiences that make them more human and explain quite a bit why they are "characters"? Those experiences that leave the audience shocked, surprised, and sometimes empathetic when they are revealed?

My professor was healthy until ten years ago when he suffered a stroke that occured in his brain stem. I understand that most people don't survive this kind of stroke. Professor had to relearn how to walk and talk. His swallowing muscles were permanently paralyzed so he has had no solid food or drink for the past ten years. All nutrition is in the form of a liquid dripped through a stomach port.

On the first day of class, in came a very tall, emaciated man, odd shuffling gait, somewhat hunched over, who has what looks like glaucoma in one eye. There was a handkerchief in his back pocket with which he continually wiped his mouth. His voice was breathy and oddly pitched. I hoped no one would judge this man by first impressions.

And then he started to talk. And talk. And talk.

1 hour and 40 minutes of lecturing with no notes. Four days a week. No notes.

Here is a man who loves teaching and is passionate about his subject. His enthusiasm is contagious. He has a great sense of humor. He's committed to making sure we understand the curriculum.

Here is a man who had to relearn all of those basic activities we take for granted - and is now teaching logic on the university level. He is thrilled to be in class every single day and that attitude is spreading through the class.

I'm grateful that this man was put into my path this summer. Besides teaching me logic, he is also strengthening my belief in the power of positive attitude. In the time we live in, we all need that example of positive attitude.

More characters wanted.

Sunday Gratitudes

Yesterday, Mr. Wonderful brought me the most perfect apricot-colored rose from our rose garden. The petals had drops of rain that sparkled and the leaves were the most perfect green. He even took the thorns off of the stem before presenting it to me. I believe it came from our Peace rose bush, but I am not sure how it bloomed in that gorgeous hue. It was a sweet welcome home for me. I carried it by it's long stem around everywhere with me for the rest of the evening. I am grateful that Mr. Wonderful planted four rose bushes for me, one color for each of the children: red, yellow, peace rose, and white.

The Love Magnet lost another tooth on the bottom. She immediately wanted to call her teacher Mrs. P and both of her aides. She misses them terribly. Every morning, my daughter asks me if she can go back to school. I'm grateful that she is able to experience these milestones. She was so thrilled that her tooth fell out at my parent's house so she could show Grandma and Grandpa right away.

I'm grateful that I could spend the entire day last Saturday with my mom and twin sis. Not for the retail therapy (although I was thrilled to get some items to decorate my home), and not for the lunch (although I loved the Japanese noodle bowl at Noodles & Company. You have got to try it!) It was just great to be together and talk. I rediscovered just how much alike Firstborn is to my twin sis' secondborn. Everyone understood my dry sense of humor so I didn't have to explain my jokes (Mr. Wonderful gets them, too. It's just the rest of the world.....) My mom kept hugging me. I've really missed my family the past few weeks.

While I was in Utah, I headed to my favorite music store, Day Murray Music. This is the place to find fabulous choir music. I asked the staff what was new and they showed me some great pieces. I was the kid in the proverbial candy store. I wish they would open a store near me. There is a gorgeous Christmas piece that is my music gratitude today. It's called He Left The Music Of Heaven by Michael Sharp. If you are in choir, have your director check it out. It is absolutely beautiful. Dr. Sharp, I am looking forward to exploring your other choral works.

Adventures in shopping

We had a laundry mishap with a green crayon. It hit the load containing my summer capris and shorts. So I had to go shopping.

With my kids in tow.

What was I thinking?

Does anyone in their right mind go shopping with children?

I dragged them into the women's section so I could find pants. The Love Magnet immediately had a yelling fit (with her brothers who were teasing her). *sigh* I mentally apologized to the store for my children's behavior, grabbed TLM and the capris I wanted to try on, and ducked into a dressing room. The Love Magnet insisted on locking the door. Door doesn't lock. I put my flipflops under the door so everyone could see it was occupied and started trying on clothes. TLM tried to open the door in the middle of my undressed state. It turned into an aerobic workout: pull on pants, dodge to shut the door, check mirror, shut the door, trip against the door trying to shut it while taking off pants......The Love Magnet thought it was great fun.

I finally found what I wanted, grabbed my daughter and escaped the dressing room, hoping no one saw that it was me.

Now to shop for boys. That is easier than shopping for me.

This was the first time I let Secondborn loose in the teen section. I told him to look for two pairs of shorts that fit. He must have thought I said 6 pairs of shorts and 4 shirts. That's what he gave me to purchase. I told him he had to put most of it back. My mild mannered 2nd born started arguing with his mom in the middle of the store. Shocking. And a big no-no in our family. Discussions are supposed to be conducted quietly. Instead it became a Shakespearean soliloquy. Passers-by must have thought it was an advertisement to the local Shakespeare festival.

When on earth did my sweet twelve year old become a dramatic, argumentative teen?!

Thidborn immediately piped up that if Secondborn got new clothes, that he should get new clothes,too. He proceeded to grab shorts much too large for him. I guided him to the right size.

"Those aren't cool, Mom."

I explained to him that he could not wear shorts that would hang low and expose his underwear. We finally agreed on shorts that fit and passed his coolness test.

When we got up to the sales counter, we discovered an extra $100 worth of shorts and shirts in our pile of purchases. The Love Magnet had decided to not be left out of the fun, and had pulled clothing indiscriminately from the racks. The sales help graciously helped me to pare down my purchases (the sooner to get me out of the store, I am sure) and ran through her 'use our credit card to save an extra 20%' spiel. We escaped with little dignity left.

Everyone is now taking naps so Mom can have some alone time. Mom needs alone time.

In Hawaii.

I'll let Mr. Wonderful come along. He prefers to shop for himself.

Sunday Gratitudes

Rain and really loud thunder - although The Love Magnet doesn't like it. She runs to hide in our arms. The noise reminds her of fireworks. "Too loud, Mom!" But Mr. Wonderful and I love the rain. We've even based date nights on a platter of gourmet cheeses, crackers, olives, marinated 'shrooms, non-alcoholic sparkling fruit juice, and watching the lightning from the upstairs playroom.

Choir music - we're working on Petrie's Choose The Right which will be sung next week. My choir is really pulling together. They blend well and work hard. They also put up with me.

While we're on the subject of good music, I really like Vocal Point. This is music the whole family can really enjoy (I've been on a crusade to find clean music to last us through the drives to see family). It cracks me up to hear my kids sing along. We have the Nonstop CD. I plan on buying more.

Everyone around the dinner table - Firstborn left right after dinner for a week-long EFY. I know he was excited to go. I will miss him. Of course, the dinner table might be a little more quiet without him to tease his siblings.

Yesterday we went on our first family bike ride.....in the rain. The Love Magnet made it down the street on her first bike w/ training wheels. She has low muscle tone and tires quickly. After a ways she declared herself tired and was ready to quit. I knew she wasn't faking as she really wanted to go on with her brothers....she just wanted me to push her bike. Still, I am proud that she did it. We have a family goal to help her get strong enough to bike around the block by the end of the month. Did I also mention how grateful I am the Mr. Wonderful bought me a very cute bike?

My garden growing. The tomatoes and peppers are doing great. My new-to-try-growing this year is okra. I hope it works. I also have Japanese eggplant, beans, and herbs. Forgot to plant the zukes. Might have to try and see how fast they can grow. In the meantime, my darling neighbor has graciously offered to let us come over whenever we want to pick strawberries. The best part of summer is garden fresh fruits and veggies.

Being asked to sing solo in Relief Society. I'm worried....I haven't sung solo without crying for the past 20 years (long story). I used to sing with confidence. I was praying that Heavenly Father would help me get my confidence back.....and was immediately presented with this request from one of the ward sisters. I certainly was not expecting to have my prayers answered in this manner nor so fast. I have two weeks to practice. Please pray for me that I will have courage, sing on key, and have a peaceful heart. Especially, please pray for a peaceful heart. I really appreciate it. This probably should say that I am grateful that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.

Accomplishments of The Love Magnet

One of the many reason we love The Love Magnet's teacher and aides:

This year The Love Magnet learned how to draw faces. Apparently she has also learned how to draw bunny rabbits. When she presented this artwork to me today, she made sure to point out that the bunny rabbit has long ears. (I labeled everything so I would be sure to explain it right to Mr. Wonderful.)

She has also learned to think about the story. In this drawing she showed be that Spiderman is caught in a spider's web. Notice that Spiderman is wrapped up like a cocoon and he is yelling and scared. Also, the bug on the left is telling him to stay. The Love Magnet wrote that herself without any help. I didn't know she could spell the word "stay".

A year ago, The Love Magnet didn't draw faces, let alone expressions on faces. Her artistry was limited to scribbles. In this pictures she drew herself dancing with another spider. I was impressed that her figure showed motion and emotion.

I'd show you picture #4 that she listed herself but she also wrote her name on it. Her whole name.

For typical kids, this is not out of the ordinary. Yet I know that every single one of my T-21 Buddy bloggers will be cheering along with me. Along with art, understanding expressions, storylines (and what comes next), The Love Magnet has learned how to walk in the lunch line without help, balance her heavy lunch tray, retrieve her silverware, milk, and condiments, and make her way to the lunch table. She has learned to sit quietly and raise her hand. She knows how to navigate on a computer. She claps to a beat. She learned about the weather, days of the week, months of the year, and seasons. She learned in Health class how to always wash her hands (lots of soap and between the fingers!), to cover her nose and mouth when she coughs (and why that is so important.) She improved her vocabulary and speech. She has learned routines to practice for occupational therapy.

Thanks Mrs. P. Thanks Miss M and Miss M. Thank you Computer Teacher and Music Teacher. Thanks to "Grandma P" who taught the writing workshops. Thank you to all of the therapists.

My daughter has grown this past school year.

A very big thanks.....

to two incredible women. The Love Magnet loved her aides this year. These women hold a very special spot in our hearts and prayers.

Mama's In The Kitchen

Chilean Bean Stew
Stews – Vegetarian
From Moosewood Restaurant New Classics cookbook
Click here for their website to purchase cookbooks and check out other recipes
Serves: 6
Posted by Scarehaircare
June 1, 2009

Moosewood Notes: The traditional name for the dish is Porotos Granados. It’s a very popular stew in Chile where it’s made with fresh corn and fresh ivory or red beans from the farmers’ markets. Serve topped with cheddar cheese, accompanied with a green salad and freshly baked cornbread.

My notes: I didn’t think a stew could taste summery – this one does. Good with frozen corn, fabulous with fresh. I served this with Maple Cornbread from Cooking Light. I pureed some of the butternut squash with the corn which I think made for wonderful flavors and texture.

2 Tablespoons Vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 to ¼ teaspoon cayenne
3 cups water
4 cups peeled, seeded, and cubed butternut squash (about 3 pounds)
3 Cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
3 Cups cooked red pinto beans
½ cup chopped fresh basil

Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onions, garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne and sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the water and the squash, cover, bring to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in 1 Cup of the corn and all of the beans and basil. Cover and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes until the squash is soft.

Ladle 2 cups of broth from the stew into a blender. Add the remaining 2 cups of corn and puree until smooth. Stir the pureed corn back into the stew.

Gently reheat before serving, if necessary.

Per 16 oz serving: 330 calories, 12.1 g protein, 6.4 g fat, 65.5 g carbs, 0 mg cholesterol, 618.1 mg sodium, 10.4 g fiber


Maple Corn Bread
Bread
from Cooking Light
serves 12
posted by Scarehaircare
June 1, 2009

My notes: I loved this maple flavor with the Chilean Bean Stew. I subbed regular cornmeal for the masa harina and left out the jalapeno. The kids scarfed this warm from the oven and pronounced it a definite 'do-again'.

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup masa harina
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup maple syrup
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350°.

Coat a 9-inch cast-iron skillet with oil. Place in oven for 10 minutes.

Lightly spoon flour and masa harina into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, masa harina, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
Combine water and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add water mixture to flour mixture, stirring until moist. Spoon batter into preheated pan.

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove corn bread from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.

Yield: 12 servings

CALORIES 184 (27% from fat); FAT 5.6g (sat 3.1g,mono 1.6g,poly 0.6g); IRON 1.4mg; CHOLESTEROL 13mg; CALCIUM 62mg; CARBOHYDRATE 31.5g; SODIUM 342mg; PROTEIN 3g; FIBER 1.2g

Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2002

Sunday Gratitudes

Today is dedicated to one incredible gratitude. Something that you, dear reader, might just take for granted. One simple gratitude that has had me teary all afternoon.

Today in church, as soon as Sacrament Meeting was over, a girl in The Love Magnet's class came over and announced that she would take TLM to Primary. My daughter has never gone to Primary without adult supervision. We just can't trust that she will get there without wandering off. I was surprised at first when the request was made. I asked the girl "Do you understand that you can't leave her alone and have to stay with her until her teacher comes to sit by her?" Sweet Miss R looked at me and replied "She's in my class. I'm not going to leave her alone!"

My daughter was so excited to go. Her mantra for over a year now has been "I do it myself!" Off they went, holding hands. I let them get a distance away and started to follow. (I'm a mom. Of course I'm going to follow.)

They made it down the hallway, still holding hands, The Love Magnet grinning from ear to ear.

In the Primary room The Love Magnet was greeted by another girl who took her other hand. Sweet Miss R and Sweet Miss L sat down on either side of her and the three were talking animatedly about the Primary activity the day before. (FYI: We learned by accident at the activity yesterday that fog machines will set off the church smoke alarms which brings the fire department. We also learned how to herd over 100 children out of the building without a mishap. It made for a very memorable Primary Activity Day.) Two of the boys seated in front of the three girls turned around in their seats and joined in the conversation. The Love Magnet took part in all off it, asking and answering questions and laughing at descriptions of the fire truck.

I was trying to peek unobtrusively through the back door of the Primary room, tears in my eyes.

My daughter was a part of the group. Not a project. She was just another child having a great time with her friends. These children saw my daughter, not her disability.

I can't even write this without dissolving in tears!

To watch my daughter participate in a typical, simple interaction is such a milestone to me. I am so grateful to these families who teach their children kindness. I'm thankful that I would witness such an event and understand it as one of our Heavenly Father's tender mercies. It was a blessing, a simple assurance in my heart that our Heavenly Father is very aware of each of us and watches over us. Nothing is too small for Him. He was very aware of of my emotions and knew how thrilled and thankful I was. He understood. I truly felt His love.

Next week when sweet Miss R comes to walk with The Love Magnet to Primary, I won't follow. I do, however, reserve the right to peek through the window of the Primary room. I want to see it happen again.



And again.




And again.

She takes after her mom

The Love Magnet just singing her heart out. Made her mom so proud! Reminds me of another 1st grader making her mom so proud while singing her heart out to the tune of Dixie 33 years ago. Remember, Mom?

Mama's In The Kitchen

Dressed Up Salmon Cakes Over Field Greens
Main Dish – Fish
Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics cookbook
Servings: 6
Posted by Scarehaircare
May 30, 2009

Notes: Very tasty. It made more than six servings but I didn’t adjust the nutritionals to reflect that. Mr. Wonderful suggested to add horseradish to the herbed mayo to give it a bit of kick. I would also sub plain fat free yogurt for half of the mayo next time. Original recipe called for twice the amount of ingredients I listed for the herbed mayo. It didn't take much to top each cake so I cut that ingredient list by half. Be sure to pass around wedges of fresh lemon or lime to squeeze over the salmon cakes.

2 1/2 Cups red potatoes, chopped
1 Cup onion, finely chopped
1 Cup baby carrots, chopped
1 1/2 pounds salmon, skinned and cut into 1" pieces
1 whole egg
1 Tablespoon light mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, tarragon, or majoram
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 Cup bread crumbs
12 cups lettuce or spring greens mix
olive oil spray

Herbed Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or dill
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1/2 Cup light mayonnaise
1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice

1. Place potatoes, carrots, and onions in a large covered saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil; then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until veggies are tender. Place salmon on top of veggies, return to a simmer, and cook for about 7 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Drain in a colander.

2. In a large bowl, mash the drained veggies and fish with a potato masher until thoroughly mixed. Add the egg, mayo, mustard, and fresh lemon juice, zest, herbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and 1/4 Cup of bread crumbs. Mix thoroughly.

3. Spray grill pan with olive oil spray. Heat pan oven medium heat. Shapes fish mixture in to 6 cakes. As you finish each one, sprinkle with bread crumbs on both sides and carefully place in pan.

4. Fry the cakes about 4 minutes on first side until golden and crisp. Flip the cakes and cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, mix together the ½ Cup mayo, chopped herbs, and lemon juice. Set aside for topping salmon cakes when they are done.

5. Dress salad greens with a couple of sprays of your favorite salad dressing. Top with salmon cake and a spoonful of herbed mayo. Serve immediately

Cal: 346, Fat 10g, Sodium 760 mg, Fiber 3g, Protein 28 g,

So many things to think about...

My mind has been running full steam lately which tends to make me forgetful of other things. I apologize for forgetting my Sunday Gratitudes list. I spent the weekend wishing I was in Utah so I could help my mom decorate family graves. Memorial Day was spent planting a garden (and wishing I had inherited Grandma's green thumb) followed by a barbecue with some wonderful friends we've made here.

As for what is occupying my mind (beyond housework and homework) has been my kids. I've been jumping through the hoops require to get The Love Magnet registered for Medicaid so we can get extra therapies this summer. Since it won't be ready by the end of school, I had to ask for her to be included in the school's summer program. Last year's experience with the school summer program was not a good experience. She ran away multiple times a day and they never read her file to know that she is a wanderer. Not once did she come home with papers proving she did something constructive that day. And she lost a lot of her skills. Once Medicaid is approved, I hope she'll be attending a local learning center for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It just seems like a better fit for the summer.

(Oh for the days of innocence when I never gave a thought to Medicaid applications, insurance, my homework, the kid's homework, getting dinner on the table, keeping the laundry somewhat in check, when I had no more responsibility than to keep my room clean and be sure to come home when my mom told me to. .................. Never mind. Mr. Wonderful is too wonderful to miss the days before him. And my kids warm my heart.)

I've also been gathering paperwork and filling out forms for a learning center to help with Thirdborn's learning disability. He has done so well this past school year and I really want him to build on that rather than losing skills overs the summer. The center for him is insanely expensive. The tuition will be paid out of our family vacation fund so this year's vacay will be somewhere within driving distance or else canceled. The learning center will be worth every single penny and more if it helps my child.

On a much brighter note, everyone is healthy here. We still have a job in this economy. Food on our table. Clothes on our backs. Clean water. Dependable electricity. Good neighbors. One mortgage. Learning programs available for my children. The opportunity to go back to school.

So many things for which to be grateful.

Field Trip

Hey Love Magnet, wake up! It's field trip day. Time to get dressed, brush teeth, comb hair, eat breakfast and....

Ummm, Love Magnet....?

We made it just in time for the bus. Off to the Botanical Gardens. What a gorgeous, sun-shiney day! Apparently too bright to open your eyes....


The Love Magnet tried to listen to the science lecture about roots and stems and leaves and fruit and flowers. Then her attention wandered off....


...at the mention of flowers. These purple ones were right over her head.

Back to the science lecture. It was getting too long for her when they started talking about seeds. Good thing they brought out exploded seeds to eat (popcorn).

Everyone was getting wiggly by then.

Some of the garden tour was about flowers and native plants.

Then we were given the chance to look for toads.

Found the eggs! It looks like a necklace.

Found the toad! Can you see it?

After the toads it was time for the science hunt. The Love Magnet loved having her very own magnifying glass.

Looking for seeds, flowers, bugs, rocks.....

....and sticks.

Holding worms was fun....until it started to squirm around. That was just too much. To her credit, the Love Magnet did not scream and throw her worm the way other kids did.

She just let her other friends hold the worm for her so she could keep looking.

Riding home, The Love Magnet did not want to sit by her mom or her aide. She is much too cool for that. It was hard to get her to stay in one seat as everyone wanted her to sit by them.

Products I Love -

Children who have Down syndrome often have a hard time understanding social behavior. They do not do well in reading body cues and often need extra practice is basic social skills. Elizabeth Verdick has a wonderful series of books called Best Behavior Series that we checked out of the library. Among the series are the books: Words Are Not For Hurting and Feet Are Not For Kicking. The books have a section at the end for parents, caregivers, and teachers to help them approach the subjects in a fun manner.

Theses books are not meant solely for kids with disabilities but as a help for all kids who are learning the ropes of proper behavior. The drawings are simple and it is easy to judge the feelings of the children in the book by their facial expressions.

My daughter has had problems this past year with saying bad words to teachers and classmates, kicking, pushing, and otherwise doing things that first graders are supposed to know are not acceptable. It has been hard to know if she understands that the behavior is wrong and why there are consequences. I was really worried that we weren't getting through to her until we found Ms. Verdeck's series and started to read them every night before bed. It made a difference. The Love Magnet has had great success with these book and now often tells her own friends "Words are not for hurting!" when she hears them yell words that are not appropriate. That shows her progress right there. We're taking the books back to the library and purchasing our own copies.

DID YOU JUST HEAR ME SCREAM? TWICE?!!!

WOOO-HOOO!

Just had word that our Utah house sale has finally funded and we are no longer land barons. No more paying for two mortgages. We are now the proud owners of one house!


WOOO-HOOO!

Grades are out and I earned an A- in Stats. That puts my GPA at a 3.8. Does an A- still count for straight A's? The person with the highest grades in the family gets to pick/plan the family vacay. Secondborn won last year with straight A's. I told him to watch out this semester. Excuse me while I do a happy dance......

Thirdborn - future pilot soon to be flying your plane.

Sunday Gratitudes (on a Monday)

I'm grateful for airplanes that save me from a 16 hour car ride with 4 impatient children. I can handle 4 impatient children for three hours in a plane. My apologies for those who had to ride with us.

I'm thankful that my nephew was married in the San Diego Temple. That place is absolutely beautiful. The sealer who presided over the ordinance was a joy to listen to. He sounded (and looked) like a Hawaiian version of Colonel Sanders from KFC. He also knew many of the same people Mr. Wonderful knew in Hawaii.

I arranged to meet one of my Cookies while at the temple. Barbara took time out of her busy schedule to meet me on the grounds while the picture-taking was going on. It was so fun to see her. I'm grateful that Mr. Wonderful and the kids were able to meet her, too. I wish we had the entire day to talk rather than the half hour or so.

My kids had a great time in San Diego. There wasn't any time to do Disneyland, Sea World, or even Legoland. But they did get to play with friends, swim in pools and the ocean, see seals at the ocean,and collect shells. I'm grateful that they were able to spend the time doing this with Mr. Wonderful and his parents.

According to Thirdborn, the best part of the trip was the very last second. He wants to be a pilot. When this was discovered by the airplane crew, they escorted him into the cockpit at the end of the trip to show him all the gadgets and gizmos and let him be the one to switch the plane off. Thirdborn was beside himself with joy. I'm grateful that this crew would take the time to do all of this. Thirdborn refuses to take his wings off that he was given by the copilot.

I'm grateful to come home to my own kitchen. Get ready to cook. Tonight I'm making a southern banana pudding for a belated Family Home Evening.

Documentary: UP SYNDROME

These are two parts of the same documentary called Up Syndrome. You can find it on You Tube or at Trisomy Films. Please take a look. You will love Rene. One of these days I would love to meet Duane Graves and Rene Moreno and thank them for such a positive piece of work. Oh, and please make more. I want the world to see the Up in Down syndrome.

Before you watch the excerpts, please be sure to turn off the soundtrack I have. Just scroll to near the bottom. You'll find it.

Sunday Gratitudes

Thanks, Mom, for loving me even though I was a blue-and-hairy-rhesus-monkey-looking-baby. I'm sorry for the grief I caused for being three months premature. It wasn't entirely my fault, though. My twin sis is partly to blame.

Thanks, Mom, for being so proud during my first and completely unintentional solo in 1st grade (Tommy was supposed to sing with me but got stage fright and stood there with his mouth hanging open and no sound coming out). I can remember you being proud of me and making me believe that I could do anything.

Thanks, Mom, for being enthusiastic when I wanted to make Stone Soup, start a St. Lucia tradition in our family, learn the art of dancing with poi balls, and all the other fun things I brought home from Miss Morgan's 2nd grade class. You encouraged my enthusiasm every time I learned something new.

Thanks, Mom, for helping out with election posters when I ran for class officer in 8th grade. You had great ideas and I felt like I had the best posters.

Thanks, Mom, for getting after me about bad grades and bad boyfriends. You were right. Enough said about that.

Thanks, Mom, for attending every single performance of my senior musical, all of my choir concerts, and my senior plays. While I'm at it, thanks for the help on the very best hats and costumes. Thanks for making sure I didn't get sick before performances.

Thanks, Mom, for giving me a should to cry on through frustrations, disappointments, confusion and the toughest time of my life. I know you didn't understand. That is okay, I didn't understand either. But I made it through.

Thanks, Mom, for making my wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, helping to pick out cake and refreshments, stringing who-knows-how-many white Christmas lights on trees, and making my wedding wonderful. I hope you can forget any attitude I gave.

Thanks, Mom, for being there when I needed help doing laundry, scrubbing floors, and catching up on the dishes. Thanks for not judging me when you saw that my bedroom was full of laundry waiting to be folded, the kitchen floor hadn't been mopped in weeks, and that my kitchen table had oatmeal cemented on it from who-knows-when. You did not say one word of "I taught you better than that."

Thanks, Mom for helping me to figure out how to mother a of a baby/toddler/child/preteen. You were very wise. Of course you were, you practiced with 7 kids.

Thanks, Mom, for being there when I had to go through an emergency C-section. I know that Heavenly Father sent you to my hospital room the next morning to be there when the pediatrician announced that The Love Magnet had Down syndrome. Thank you for asking the questions I didn't know to ask. I'm so very grateful that you were there and that I didn't have to face that information alone.

Thanks, Mom, for being willing to serve a mission in a place you never expected to serve. I lived vicariously through you as you experienced Africa. I have since learned a new a deep gratitude for the simple things: clean water, a warm home, public schools, decent medical care, honest police, and a steady income.

Thanks, Mom for always being there for me. I hope I do just as well with my own children.

It happened! It really happened!

Remember this?

The Love Magnet has been hoping to lose a tooth. Begging people to pull a tooth out so she could be like all the other kids in her class.
You can read about it here.

Last night when I came home from school, my daughter told me she had a loose tooth. I had heard it so many times before that I didn't believe her. Finally I reached in her mouth to show her that there were no loose teeth.......and there is was. On the bottom front, a very wiggly tooth. I was afraid that she would swallow it when it fell out. What if it fell out at school and she didn't know it? She would be so disappointed. I never thought this would happen so soon. Kids with Down syndrome get their teeth in late and out of order. I thought she would be in 3rd grade before she ever lost a tooth.

Fast forward to this morning. I was helping her brush her teeth (Be careful, Mom, it's a sore loose tooth. Be soft, Mom!") when......

it

fell

out.




The Love Magnet had a shocked look on her face. She didn't know what to think about the blood and the empty feeling in her teeth. (Hence the "I'm not sure about this" look.) I got her cleaned up and had her look in the mirror. Thirdborn came into the bathroom to see what the excitement was about. We started cheering for her. We danced around. We high-fived. We tried to call Mr. Wonderful, but he wasn't answering his phone (he was in a meeting). So we called Uncle Teeth (who was our dentist in Utah) and he made all the appropriate "That's great!" and "Way to go!" The Love Magnet started to get excited.

The Love Magnet was so excited to go to school and tell everyone about losing a tooth. She told her aide, all of the other aides, the lunch lady,the music teacher, her teacher, and her classmates. They all nodded and smiled polite smiles. No one believed her. After all, she had been telling her classmates and teachers about this all school year. Finally one girl looked in her mouth...

"Hey!" This time she really did lose a tooth!"

All the kids were excited and had to look. The Love Magnet loved the attention. Everyone gathered around after the bell rang to sing the Tooth song to my daughter while I took pictures. She had waited all year for this big moment.

For some reason, she was shy.

Sunday Gratitudes

I am grateful for the rain and all the spring flowers. These are growing in my front yard. I have no idea what they are but I think they are beautiful. I am grateful for simple beauty in my own yard.

Aaron Barker Photography you can see his work here

18 years ago today I entered the Salt Lake Temple for the first time to receive my own endowments. I made promises to my Heavenly Father to be the best person I could be. That day was such a beautiful day. My twin sis helped me all through the endowment along with my mom and Grandma S. Afterwards, Mr. Wonderful took me on a quiet drive to talk about the covenants I made and what our future would be. (Our wedding date was set for the following week.) Now, whenever I go to the temple, I renew those covenants. I feel incredibly blessed and thankful for that opportunity.

On May 1, 2008, The Love Magnet had open heart surgery to repair her mitral valve. Last Friday we celebrated Happy Heart Day. I didn't make it a very big celebration, but is was big in my own heart. I am so grateful that she is healthy and that the surgery was successful. I'm grateful for that scar she has on her chest. I'm thankful that her doctors had the knowledge to perform the surgery successfully. Most of all, I am grateful for the strength that Heavenly Father gave my family, and for the love and kindness and prayers from our extended families, our ward families, our friends, our T-21 buddies and their families, my Cookies, and my Internet kindred spirits whom I haven't yet met. I felt all your prayers.

On a less serious note: Firstborn had his first date this past weekend. All of his friends canceled on him, including the guy who was going to drive. Poor Firstborn, he had to endure his mom driving him and his date to the movie theater. He didn't talk the entire drive. When I asked them if they were being so silent because I was there, he remarked "yeah, and this is the most awkward drive in my life." But he survived the humiliation and even had fun. And his date was darling. My gratitude here? He was chivalrous and remembered everything I taught him about treating girls.