Road Trip

Road Trip with the entire family. I love road trips. I love seeing new places. I love looking at small towns, passing farmland, driving over bridges.

My kids think I'm crazy. They do not like road trips. We don't have a DVD player in our van. They have to resort to such old fashioned thing as books on CD, iPods, and silly car games.

At one town, we forgot to gas up the car. I was worried that we would get stuck in the middle of nowhere, with Mr. Wonderful hiking off to find a gas station.

Good thing we found civilization before that happened.

We traveled through gorgeous mountains.

We traveled through snow. Snow?! In March?!

Finally making it to a place of beautiful water and sky.

We met up with friends from The Flat Love Magnet Blog. Remember the Alice In Wonderland uberfan? We think she is uber cool.

And my BFF from BYU? Yeah, she is and always will be a kindred spirit, queen of all things trivia, supergeek of everything books, and forever known as The Pirate King aka The Laundry Faerie.

Along with Captain Midnight, we thoroughly enjoyed a massive feast, including the wearing of feast bibs. Except for Firstborn, who was too cool to wear a feast bib.

The Love Magnet took advantage of the good nature of The Laundry Faerie and stole from her plate.

After a long day of travel, and a very good dinner, the Love Magnet settled down in a strange bed and refused to sleep.

Firstborn and Secondborn gave visual proof that they could actually get along (when there was no one else to play with).

In a magical city with an odd homage to aliens..........

to be continued........

Make your life better

Tammy and Parker at Praying For Parker asked everyone to share a list of ways they make their life better. Find their list here.

Here's mine:

Teach your kids how to cook.

Read your kid's favorite book and have a book discussion.

Crochet or knit an afghan big enough for two.

Take a batch of Pepparkakor and Warm Cinnamon Milk Mix to your neighbors. I know it's a Christmas recipe, but I like it all the time.

Plant a garden. Let your kids choose a veggie seed packet they want to try.

Volunteer for Special Olympics local to you area.

Date night with your spouse every week. Even if it is just sending the kids to bed so the two of you can watch a movie or going for a walk.

Turn off the radio in your car and listen to the peace and quiet.

Set your table with cloth napkins and place mats.

Set aside one night a week for family night. Turn off the TV. Play games. Discuss matters important to your family. Do not answer your cell phone.



So......what is your list?

Evening at the Park

It's not often that The Love Magnet and I go to the park without her brothers. They were busy doing boy things with their friends and did not want TLM to join in. She felt frustrated and unloved. So off we went to the park for some girl time.

I love her her hair picks up static on the slides. When she's done her hair stands straight up.

Of course, she has to test out all of the slides. Multiple times.

A new skill this year - learning how to pump on the swings. Usually she likes to ride on her stomach like Supergirl, but I wanted her to try it this way. She thought it was just okay.

On the way home she stopped to smell the flowers. She wanted to smell the flowers in every single yard. I got her to settle on smelling the flowers in just a few yards.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

Down Syndrome isn't all of who she is. But it is a very big part of her. It has become an incredible part of our family.

She has taught us how to forgive others by her own example. She holds no grudges.

She hugs everyone.

She says thank you for everything - her gratitude is immense.

She constantly says "I Love You". Those words never grow meaningless.

She finds joy in the simplest thing on a daily basis.

When she is angry, she doesn't hold onto it for long.

She doesn't care what your ability or disability is.

God blessed us the day The Love Magnet came into our lives.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day. Celebrate by eliminating the 'R' word from your vocabulary. And hug a person with Down Syndrome this week.

Sweet Saturday

$240 worth of cereal. I paid $59. Love couponing on a Saturday morning. This will hopefully last us 6 months (remember I have 2 teen boys. Hmmmm, maybe three months.)

Discovering the bulbs I planted last fall are blooming. I love Saturdays when I have time to do something besides studystudystudy.

Discovering that someone has been messing with my camera. Makes me laugh on a Saturday.

Watching the inaugural launch of Thirdborn's go-kart. He made some great memories with his daddy this Saturday.




Why the salute. I have no idea. Just my kids being goofy on a Saturday evening.

Hair today, gone tomorrow.

Something you don't often hear about in connection with Down syndrome - alopecia.

The Love Magnet is losing her hair again. When she was 3, she looked like a little Japanese warrior with a top knot and not much else. The children's hospital had us start applying Men's Rogaine (the women's formula isn't strong enough, we were told.) They also showed us the research on alopecia. 1/3 of the population will have their hair grow back with no help, 1/3 will have it grow back with the help of treatments like Rogaine, and 1/3 will never have it grow back. Doctors do not know what causes it. Just tag it as one of the many side effects of having Down Syndrome.

The Love Magnet's hair grew back after many long agonizing months.

I can remember thinking "Good grief. She has Down Syndrome. Does she have to have another whammy on top of that?" (No, I was not saying this to God. Just to myself. Just a little pity-party. I don't think I would have thought much of it if she had been a boy. But girls.......well, you understand, right?)

A few months ago I started noticing that it is happening again. My daughter is losing her hair at the hairline. Rather odd, as alopecia usually starts with dime sized spots on different parts of the head. TLM's hairline just recedes. It makes it hard to use hair-pretties like barrettes. I wish I could keep hairbands on her head, but it is so odd shaped, and the ears are set so low, that I've never found headbands that stay on her head.

So I bought another supply of Men's Rogaine. She faithfully reminds me she needs her hair meds just like she remembers every morning to take her "neck" meds (for her thyroid, actually). I try to curl her hair, or do girly things with it. Can't braid it or pull it back - it makes the hair loss too obvious. It's bad enough on one side now that bangs don't hide at all.

At least she is healthy. Maybe I should try hats? I wonder if she would keep hats on for more than a few minutes.

Those Leprechauns will NOT get away this year!

Mr. Wonderful helped The Love Magnet build a leprechaun trap this year.

The only working leprechaun trap in the 1st grade. Follow this demonstration: the leprechaun wanders along........sees the gold.....gets excited.......runs to the gold......runs into the nearly-invisible trip wire....and.........

Down comes the trap!


After we patent this trap, we'll start selling it on Etsy so you, too, can trap pesky leprechauns.

More Randomness

The Love Magnet has drawn with a black marker all over Secondborn's calendar, yearbook, bed sheets, wall, shelves, and carpet. This was beyond Picasso moments. This was full out vandalism. I guess I should be proud that she wrote her first and last name over everything? The school psychologist told me that I should be thrilled that TLM was studying "cause and effect" - that the same marker would draw with the same consistency over all those different surfaces.

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During today's IEP eval, I found out that one of the goals for my daughter is to reduce the number of call out's to 4 per hour.

"What is a call-out?" I was clueless. I had to ask.

Apparently, every time someone comes into the classroom, The Love Magnet has to make a big deal, call out their name and welcome them to class. She also calls out to her classmates across the room. When she is told to whisper, she can't manage anything less than a stage whisper.

And this happens MORE than 4 times per hour?!

Yes. Apparently much more. The classmates take it in stride but it really is disruptive. My daughter, the social butterfly, refuses to let anyone go unnoticed.

God bless her teacher for her patience.

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Secondborn is getting very excited for his first JV basketball game. Unfortunately it starts while I am still in class. I wonder if I can sneak out of class? Just 15 minutes early? As a proud mom, I cannot miss the debut of my son's basketball greatness.

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I had to head to the high school last week to pay $187 for Firstborn's two upcoming AP tests. I also brought him a Subway Chicken and Bacon sub with Chipotle sauce. How does my child repay me for this kindness? He tried to leave with his lunch and no gratitude for me. So I held out my arms, quite obvious with my intention that he needed to hug his mom. He didn't hug me. He leaned. As in "I don't want to hug you, Mom, my friends might be watching".

Stinker.

Next time he had better hug me. Or no Subway.

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Thirdborn attended his first Monster Truck Rally. It's something we would never take him to. But a friend had a birthday party and Thirdborn was invited.

Thirdborn came home with a checkered flag signed by all of the drivers. He had trucks in his eyes, toy trucks in his hands, and nonstop narration of every single agonizing second of that truck rally.

What does he now want to be when he grows up?

A scientist who will invent personal hover cars that everyone can afford. Oh, and to cure Down Syndrome, Mom.

Whew! I was worried there for a moment.

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My parents left this morning for Uganda. Please keep them in your prayers.

Sunday Gratitudes

This past week, as I participated in clinic observations, I got to see a session involving voice/fluency problems. Patients needing this service usually have overworked, hoarse voices and need help with relaxing, healing, and learning how to use their voices more effectively. I was completely enamored. Other than the 20 minutes of a yoga relaxation exercise, the session included exercises I taught my voice students for 10 years: how to relax the vocal folds, throat, and jaw.

I came home incredibly excited about this new part of an SLP's practice that I had never considered before. Also, I felt pulled in two directions. For the past 6 years that I knew I wanted to be an SLP, I also knew that I wanted to work with people who have intellectual disabilities. Now I had found a desire to work with clients who have voice/fluency issues.

As I talked (and talked and talked....) to Mr. Wonderful about this incredible session I was so excited about, I also admitted my frustrations in the questions that kept buzzing around my head. Should I specialize? Which one? What about grad school, is there somewhere else I should go besides where I am currently studying? As usual, I really wanted Heavenly Father to tell me His plan for me and whether or not it included my studies towards SLP certification.

Mr. Wonderful listened patiently and waited for me to wind down (and that takes a lot of patience. He's done it for almost 19 years. I keep telling you, that man is incredible!) Then he pointed out, why not specialize in both? Decisions did not need to be made RIGHT NOW (obviously, I have no patience. It will take me a lifetime to learn.) I can still gather information and ask questions (a professor, whom I haven't met yet, just returned from a conference which subject was voice/fluency problems and corrections), and then get another blessing to help us (note that he didn't say me, but pointedly said us), before we make any decisions. And wasn't it wonderful that I had found a profession that I was so passionate about.

Then during datenight last night, he listened again, as I went on and on about the possibilities of what voice/fluency is and the knowledge I already had stored for that, while I tried to converse without being so rude as to point my chopsticks or flip sushi in his lap. (I wish I could be that attentive when he talks about engineering or physics. I try, I really do.)

So, gratitudes for such a wonderful, patient, and attentive husband. Gratitudes that I found a new part of my SLP program that I am so excited to learn more about. Gratitudes that we can afford tuition and books (and tuition will be going up next semester, ugh.) And gratitudes for decisions that do not have to be made right now.

A Letter To You

My sis-in-love asked for some information for a lesson she was giving to the Young Women in her Ward. I ended up writing a letter to them and to all of you. Please feel free to pass it along.

Dear Kimberly, Young Women, and Blog Readers,

I have an incredible 7 year old daughter. She is smart, funny, and a wicked Wii player. She loves to read, talk on the phone with her friends, and host parties. She loves to dance. Oh, how she loves to dance!

Does she sound like you?

She also has Down syndrome.

The week she was born was one of the most spiritual of my life. It was like have 7 days of temple experiences. I can't share all that happened - it's too sacred and close to my heart. But I can share this: through priesthood blessings given to my daughter and myself, we know that my daughter has been sent here on a mission. Her calling is to be a teacher to every person with whom she comes in contact. She teaches patience, understanding, how to slow down and find joy for simple things, and unconditional love. We also know that she was sent to our family, not because we are an amazing family (we definitely are not), but because we needed her.

The instant she was born, I lost my immunity to the 'R' word. I"m sure you've heard the 'R' word used as a substitute for the word 'stupid'. As in "Oh, that was so retarded! I can't believe you did that." "This class is so retarded" "Don't be such a retard". "I'm so retarded sometimes." It was a word I knew was wrong and was never in my vocabulary. But I didn't really hear when others used it. I was immune. Yet, when my daughter came into my family, the 'R' word became offensive and I heard it everywhere. the word retarded means slower, to delay, or impeded or delayed progression. Not stupid. Yet that word is used in place of stupid, and it is a an insult to my daughter and ever other child of God who has an intellectual or developmental disability. It has become so offensive that there is a grass-roots campaign to remove it even from medical texts. If you say the 'R' word in my presence I will ask you to change your vocabulary. Many times, the person saying it doesn't realize how offensive it is to many people. My daughter is not stupid, yet that word perpetuates the idea that retarded and stupidity are synonymous. They are not. If you say the 'R' word, please, please, PLEASE stop. Better yet, pledge to stop and spread the pledge to others. You can find the pledge here: http://www.r-word.org/.

People like my daughter are referred to as a person with a disability. She is not the Downs kid. She is a 'girl who has an intellectual disability'. Referring to the person first and disability second is called People First Language. My daughter's disability is only part of who she is.

I want for my daughter the same things you want for yourselves. I want her to associate with friends and have all the experiences typical girls have. But that is hard. She has only once been invited to a birthday party outside of family and our Down syndrome community (she loves birthday parties as much as she loves dancing). Rarely is she invited to hang out with other girls her age. People just don't think to include her. I worry about when she becomes a teenager. She'll want to go to the movies with friends. Will anyone think to embrace her in their group? She'll want to date and go to school dances. Will anyone ask her out? She already wants to do what she sees her friends do. Everyone sees her disability and not the person she truly is. Or they might be intimidated by her looks, the way she speaks, or her mannerisms. They are missing out on getting to know an incredible person. Her spirit will astound you, but you can't see it if you don't gather up your courage and get to know her.

Don't know what to do or say? not sure how to handle a situation with her ( or any other person who has a disability? Ask! Please ask your questions. If you are afraid of offending me with a questions, go ahead and tell me you worry about offending me and ask the question anyway. Most parents will agree with me here. We know some things will just sound awkward. It's okay. I want you to feel comfortable around people who have disabilities. All of your questions will help you to grow closer to my daughter.

My daughter's nickname is The Love Magnet. She will hug you. She will cheer when you win a Wii game, even if she has lost. She will notice when you are sad. She also has feelings of sadness, frustration, and inadequacy. She knows when she is being snubbed although she doesn't understand why. She knows when people are teasing her and she will tell them "That's not nice!"

The Love Magnet is the bravest person I know. She has been in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices. She has never cried over having a shot or bloodwork - she will hug the doctor or nurse and tell them not to feel bad. She has endured open heart surgery. She shows new doctors where to put the stethoscope and even warms it up for them before they use it. She knows what to do with blood-pressure cuffs, otoscopes, and oximeters. She endures therapies. She is on a first name basis with pediatricians, cardiologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, dermatologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and developmental therapists. She gets tired of all the "-ists" the way you get tired of homework overload. See? Yet another something-in-common you have with my daughter.

Someday my daughter might be......anything. I wouldn't dare put a limit on the potential of a daughter of God. Heavenly Father has constantly reminded me that his plan is the best plan. this plan involves putting teachers among us. People whom we normally wouldn't listen to because they don't look, act, or think like our expectations of what a teacher should be.

Teachers like my daughter.

God bless you all,

Scarehaircare

Mom to The Love Magnet

Sunday Gratitudes on a Monday

My family. This past weekend we were together for one last time before my parents head off to Uganda. Imagine all fo us singing a special musical number in Sacrament Meeting. In four-part harmony. Singing a song that was the theme song of my granddaddy. I found out this past weekend that my Granddaddy L used to sing "Have I Done Any Good" to wake up his children.

Big Sunday Gratitude to my family. Another gratitude to my parents for teaching us how to sing (and entering us in all those ward talent shows, even if we didn't want to).

It was really hard to drive home last night. I didn't want to leave.

Emails, letter,Down syndrome, and prayer request

Yesterday I received an email from my sis-in-love. She wanted information about disabilities, the 'R' word, and my hopes for my daughter. This information would be shared in a blog post and also to her Young Women.

I ended up pouring my heart into a letter addressed to her, her YW, and her blog readers. I'll post it here, too, but not until she has had the chance to post her blog and use what info she needs.

In the meantime, would you please keep me in your prayers? Going through a bit of a rough time right now. Nothing drastic. Prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Much love to you all.

Sunday Gratitudes

Thanks to The Pirate King (aka the Laundry Faerie), I am crocheting again.

I learned how to crochet from my mom. My last project was the bunch-o-baby hats I made and donated to Primary Children's Medical Center when The Love Magnet had open heart surgery. I hadn't picked up a hook since then.....until the Pirate King started an afghan and then waxed enthusiastic about the socks she was knitting.

I don't knit. But the bug bit again. I needed a Sabbath activity to keep me busy. So I bought some blue variegated yarn and black and started another afghan. I had forgotten how relaxing it is to create something.

When I get this done, I think I'll make one for each child for Christmas. Then I'll go back to the humanitarian projects and crochet baby hats and blankets to donate.

So, I am grateful to my mom for teaching me how to crochet. I'm thankful for The Pirate King for getting me back into it. And I am thankful for this supply of yarn. It just might be one of the things to help me keep my sanity.

Ultimate Praise in the Kitchen

Last night I was making a coffee cake from the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog. The Love Magnet was so proud to help (it was her week to make the treat for Family Home Evening). She enthusiastically dumped, poured, sprinkled, and turned on the Bosch mixer.

As I was thinly slicing apples for the top of the cake, my daughter's eyes lit up and she exclaimed

"Mom! Just like Ratatouille!"

Feels so good that my knife skills and baking prowess are appreciated.

Sunday Gratitudes

The generosity of the Love Magnet. She came home from her school's Valentine Day party and gave away every single one of her treats. Well, except the crayon heart (see previous post). What 7 year old is willing to give up a candy stash? TLM was so excited to wish everyone a Happy Fa-la-tyne Day.

I have to admit that I am grateful for the Olympics. It is the only time that I willingly watch sports on TV. It's fun to root for not just the USA, but every one who does really well. Especially the underdog countries who just have a few (or one) athlete. Surely I am not the only person disappointed that the Jamaican bobsled team didn't make the Olympic qualification round.

I'm grateful for parents who willingly volunteer their children. See, I'm starting a third choir. Yes, I am crazy, thanks so much for noticing. It's going to be a Primary age chorus that will sing around 3 special musical numbers during the year. The first will be with the Ward Choir and Youth Choir for Ward Conference next month. My first practice with the Primary chorus will be this weekend. I have 22 kids signed up. I hope I have 22 kids show up. I think there are over 185 kids in our Primary.

I am grateful for good professors. Mine are really good this semester. They are more than willing to discuss subjects near and dear to my heart (Down syndrome) when I havce questions or comments.

Warm blankets, a cup of Rooibos herbal tea, and Jasper Fforde books. Nice to have a non-textbook read. I love the Tuesday Next series and have them all. Brush up on your British history and Brit Lit. Makes the Fforde books all the funnier when you realize how skewed the Tuesday Next world really is. I think I've read these almost as much as Jane Eyre.

Evaporated milk. Yes, I am serious. The flavor reminds me of my Grandpa S who loved pouring it over home-canned peaches. I love pouring it into my cups of herbal tea (no, no caffeine in my tea. I know that my nieces and nephews read this. Must make perfectly clear that I am not drinking tea-with-a-kick). It's just one of those flavors that takes me back to my childhood. Dill, homemade pickles, and raspberry jam remind me of Grandma S. Italian Cream Cake, ambrosia salad, and the smell of fresh baked biscuits remind me of Grandma in Georgia. Cracked-wheat cereal and homemade cracked-wheat bread remind me of my southern Grandpa (my mom used to make it every time he visited).

Valentines - apparently not all are edible

The Love Magnet came home today with a huge bag full of valentines and treats. She shared all of her candy - she even remembered that mom likes Tootsie rolls and doesn't care for sour gummies. Each valentine had a treat of some sort........

except for one..........

One boy in her class melted down crayons and made hearts. Each 2" heart was stuck onto a homemade valentine using sticky craft foam buttons.

The buttons looked like mints.

The heart looked like candy.

After dinner, my daughter came up to me. "Mom, yuck." She held out the crayon heart with a bite out of it and did a perfect imitation of Tom Hanks in the movie Big where he tries caviar for the first time. I escorted her to the bathroom where we rinsed her mouth out.

Back to the couch where the valentine lay. The Love Magnet fingers the foam buttons that look like Altoid mints. The Love Magnet loves Altoids.

"Sweetie, why don't you throw that away."

"But, Moooom! It my fa-la-tine. 'M' gave me!"

i made her throw it away with the promise of popcorn and a movie tonight. I guess I need to check over her valentine goodie stash the way I need to check her Halloween candy. I really don't want to call Poison Control tonight.

I wonder if any of the other kids in her class will eat their valentines from 'M'?

The Flat Love Magnet - Traveler Extraordinaire

Last year The Flat Love Magnet went to Paris (yes I really should scan those pictures in. that was a fun adventure). This year, TFLM is going to Seattle. You can follow her at the brand new blog:

The Flat Love Magnet.

Follow along on her new adventures with The Pirate King, Captain Midnight, and the Divine Miss V. You never know where those Scalawags will take her.

When she comes back, she might just take off again. TFLM loves to travel.

Therapy Quandary

Today I had a meeting with a developmental therapy place. It was the usual determination for The Love Magnet to see if she qualified for services. They told me that she would need to do at least 10 hours a week of services.

Do you realize how hard it is to plan 10 hours a week for therapy? That doesn't include the Physical therapy, Occuptaional therapy and Speech therapy she gets outside of school.

I didnt' want her to miss school too much so we finally determined that she would leave school the last half hour and be working on DT at their facility until dinnertime. Her therapist will even pick her up as part of services.

This is all new to me. We never qualified for services in Utah, but the rules are different in Idaho. So all of these new therapies have been thrown at us since January.

I am not sure what to think.

On one hand, I want every single advantage I can get for my daughter. But I worry that I am scheduling too much. DT will specifically aim at safety issues (wandering, trusting strangers, personal space) as well as social issues (like the bad behavior at school, pushing limits, hitting friends to see what will happen) and the constant redirection she needs when she gets off task. If these problems weren't a big deal, I wouldn't worry about it. But they are a big deal. They are affecting her at school. I do believe we need some extra help.

Should I worry that someone I will have barely met be driving my daughter from school to therapy? They are licensed and registered, background checked and educated. Will that be enough to protect my daughter?, although I can pick her up (I am in school at the time and wont' be able to take her myself.) I don't want therapy to go beyond her normal dinner time. Dinner with the family is important to us.

I don't want her to miss too much of school. She also gets out early for PT and OT one day a week. She loves school. But the afternoons are hard for her because those are when the specials like music, P.E., art and library are scheduled. Because there is less structure in the afternoons, that is when most of he problems start. The therapy we've done for a month have made noticible improvements in The Love Magnet. She likes PT, but not OT (OT is too much like work to her. PT is just fun).

I need to talk to other mothers doing this. I need to talk to Mr. Wonderful. I might need to try it for a month to see if it is worth doing. Is it worth doing? I try to make sure we don't overschedule the children.

Is it worth it? I need to pray about this, too.........

Firstborn's Birthday Party

Need a cool party for a bunch of teens?

GO-KART RACING!

Then Hawaiian food........

.............and a 3-D movie.

Happy Birthday Firstborn. I think you had a good time.

Happy birthday Firstborn

He is a full head taller than me.

He has a crazy-fun sense of humor.

He wants to be a pilot.

He is so close to his Eagle (if he would just get his project approved so we can be DONE!)

He knows how to treat girls with respect (from following the great example his dad sets.)

He honors his priesthood.

He has memorized a lot of scriptures in prep for his mission. He has won scripture mastery competitions in Seminary.

He can identify nearly ever make and model of car.

He loves to read.

He is loved by the families whom he home-teaches and they look forward to his visits.

He can cook (his mission companions will be so grateful).

Happy Birthday to my incredible son. I hope you enjoyed your day.

Sunday Gratitudes

Things I'm grateful for today:

A peaceful night's sleep. Rare. Wonderful when it happens.

Snow. It was so pretty this morning.

New Knowledge. This week I became HIPAA certified and learned a lot about policy, autism, infectious disease prevention, articulation, decibel, and probably more than I ever want to know about math equations and audiology.

New t-shirts from Eddie Bauer. Love their clothes.

Spending an entire study day in my pjs. Oh, yes I did.

Knowledgeable people. Therapists. Doctors. Tutors. Professors.

People who go out of their way to tell me positive things about my kids. It so much nicer to hear than the negative stuff.

Be Still And Know That He Is God as sung by Alex Boye. That will calm your soul and strengthen your testimony. It's on my play list for my blog.

Mr. Wonderful. Okay, I am always grateful for him. He is my logic, my rock, my love, and my best friend. He heard me out a lot this past week and helped me direct my thoughts. He also reminded me that worry is wasteful, hence, the reason I have Jewel as my first song on the play list this week.

So Smart

The Love Magnet's teacher called. The state testing is done. The special implementations for testing were utilized: testing away from the other kids and the timer was kept out of TLM's sight
(she just wants to play with it which doesn't help with testing)

Top score being a 3 (at grade level), bottom score being a 1.....

The Love Magnet scored a 3.

The goal for all 1st graders is to read just over 52 words per minute by the end of the school year.

The Love Magnet read 50 words. The school year is half way done.

After celebrating with the teacher over the phone, I picked up The Love Magnet and whirled her across the kitchen, yelling "WAY TO GO! YOU ARE SO SMART!"

The Love Magnet laughed and cheered and answered "I KNOW! I SO SMART"

Doggie Girl jumped and barked. The boys all cheered along. Mr. Wonderful came home and was greeted by The Love Magnet yelling "DADDEEEEEEEE! I SO SMART! I SO SMART!"

Secondborn announced he received the top math score in his class and had a tshirt award to prove it. TLM yelled "YOU SO SMART! I SO SMART, TOO!" more dancing and celebrating ensued.

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Today, report cards came out. Thirdborn brought his to me. More smartness abounds as he shows tremendous reading improvement which also helped his math score. Dyslexia and Disgraphia will not conquer his spirit. He was so thrilled with his rising skills and so was I.

All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last.

How can I love a woman I have never met? How can I call her sister, friend, and kindred spirit?

Seven years ago I met dear, sweet Kimmie Texas on a website for swapping recipes. I lived vicariously through her children's proms, dates, and college. She lived the same through my kids first days of school, scouting awards, and heart surgery. Our lives had similar roads. We shared advice, empathy, and celebrations. Our exchanges went far beyond recipes.

Kim cared. I cared back.

Her life took a turn, a journey no one wants to take. She became very ill and didn't know why.

Breast cancer.

She fought bravely. She showed grace. She kept her sense of humor. She advocated for breast cancer awareness and research. Even though her body was ravaged and worn down, she did not cease being Kim.

Last night, Kim won her battle on earth. Right now she is in the middle of the best heavenly family reunion imaginable. She is whole and happy and pain free. Even in death she still advocated for breast cancer by donating her body to science.

I imagine right now she is at a kitchen table with Claudia and Fancy Nancy, two other Cookies who bravely fought cancer.

As a teen, Kim took dance lessons from Patrick Swayze's mother. Kim and her friends used to ogle Patrick when he came to the dance studio. I imagine now that she might get to dance with him - just once! - just to say she did it.

How can I love a woman I have never met in person?

My heart breaks, for I shall miss her!

We "talked" nearly every day for almost seven years. I shall miss her voice, her wit, her wisdom, and her undeniable faith in God.

Be still my soul: the hour is hast'ning on

When we shall be forever with The Lord,

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

sorrows forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul :when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

(Be Still My Soul, text by Katharina von Schlegel, music by Jean Sibelius

hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing it here.)

Good bye, dear, sweet Kimmie Texas. We will meet again.

Sunday Gratitudes (on a Monday)

Yesterday was hard. Bit of drama. Two choir practices. Worries about some of the youth I've worked with. I didn't think about gratitudes until lights were out.

Thought a lot last night.

The Young Women theme starts out with "Please stand for truth and righteousness"....(does it still? I haven't been in YW for so long I am not sure.) I had an opportunity to do just that this past week. I stood up for Integrity. It didn't go over well and resulted in the loss of one friend. I had Mr. Wonderful go over the entire conversation to see if I erred and just couldn't see it. No, he agreed with my stand. I will miss that friend. But I am grateful that I did make a stand for integrity. I never expected the outcome that happened.

I am grateful for safe food. Safe, clean water. A mattress. Medicines. Available doctors. Safe streets and neighborhoods. I pray that these things will return to Haiti. I keep up on the news every day about our brothers and sisters over there.

As I cuddled up to Mr. Wonderful last night, I thought about a blog friend who is finalizing her divorce. Her husband is addicted to prescription drugs. She has lost her home. But evidence of Heavenly Father's tender mercies, she has blogged about how her ward found her a small home to rent (so she wouldn't have to spend the time looking) near her kids schools (so they could have continuity in their lives), built a fence and fixed up the home (she has a child with special needs) and are helping clean and pack so she won't be overwhelmed. This has made me think of our ward who have taken such good care of us when we really needed it. the visiting and home teachers who check up on us. The teachers who help my kids. I'm grateful for our ward family.

I am grateful for the friends I've made at school. We're studying together and supporting each other. They are a great sounding board for ideas. We're all moms and totally understand how hard it can get to make time for 14 credit hours of school on top of everything else.

As always I am grateful for Mr. Wonderful, my own Mr. Darcy, a tremendous fount of knowledge, my best friend, and my own personal Michelangelo statue. I don't know what I'd do without him. He is also my logic in a very illogical world.

14 Days of Valentines 2010

Okay the list is done. I realize this is the latest I have ever put this out. My apologies. I will not apologize for stealing ideas. It's all about the sharing. Feel free to use mine. Post yours.

Feb. 1 - One and Only - an invitation to be my date for Valentine's dinner along with one bottle of Kristian Regale with the instructions to bring the bottle to dinner.

Feb. 2 - Two hands - my two hands giving his two feet a foot rub.

Feb. 3- The three of us: Mr. Wonderful, Myself, and God. I have a quote from General conference about this. I'll post it when I pull it out. Basically how the two of us and God make a team. (This is also Firstborn's bday so I try to keep the 14VOD low key).

Feb. 4 - Four Things for Date Night - 2 movie tickets, a package of Red Vines (faithful blog readers know my love for very stale Red Vines), and a box of Junior Mints. There will also be a note with strict instructions that he picks a movie he wants to see and not a movie that he thinks I want to see.

Feb. 5 - 4 Cute Kids and One Cute Wife -pictures of the kids and myself put together in a collage poster that you can make at the Costco photo booth. I plan on putting this up in his office that day.

Feb. 6 - Private. Can't tell you. He'll love it.

Feb. 7 - Seven Pieces of Coconut Cream Pie - yes, I copied this one from my sis-in-love. I also happen to have the cookbook containing the most fabulous Tom Douglas' Triple Coconut Cream Pie recipe. It is so incredibly amazing. Those lucky Seattle-ites.

Feb. 8 - Family Night featuring 8 Things We Love About our Dad. The kids will help me with this. I hope to make a video of the kids to be shown this night.

Feb. 9 - Candy Bar Poster with 9 kinds of treats. I'll leave this in his truck to find that morning.

Feb. 10 - Ten Things I Love About You - this list gets more creative every year, printed on card stock in a fancy calligraphy. Mr. Wonderful has saved them all.

Feb. 11 - 11 Ways To Say I love you. Trying to find more creative languages. Post it notes all over his windshield.

Feb. 12 - Homemade Pizza - with 12 Canadian bacon slices making a heart.

Feb. 13 - Valentine's Dinner.

Feb. 14 - Homemade Sunday crossword puzzle with breakfast. You can make your own here. He needs to solve it on his own without the kids.

Odds and Ends about The Love Magnet

For weeks The Love Magnet has been yelling "PIZZA!" to departing guests, friends leaving Primary, and her fellow students at school. I couldn't understand her motive. She wasn't talking about dinner (she requests mashed potatoes or orange chicken and rice). She wasn't calling her friends "pizza". I just chalked it up to an odd sense of humor.

Today I went to her class to pick her up early. She didn't want to leave until I suggested that if she wave goodbye to her classmates, they would wave goodbye to her. She waved enthusiastically and yelled "PIZZA!"

"PEACE OUT!" her class yelled back.


Oh. Huh. I get it now.


The Love Magnet is just too cool and hip for me.

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Today we went to the pediatric orthopedic surgeon to have The Love Magnet cleared for gymnastics. Dr. Orthopedic wasn't excited about TLM taking any kind of gymnastics, even if it was training for Special Olympics. You see, my daughter used to have Atlanto-Axial Instability which is not common in people who have Down syndrome, but can be one of the many things people with DS have to deal with. If you want to know more about it, click here. TLM was diagnosed around age 18 months. We were originally told that she would need her neck fused when she was 10 years old. She was x-rayed every year until she was 4, when they found that the AAI had resolved fairly well on it's own. The doctor at Shriner's hospital in SLC was amazed. I asked them to run a 2nd x-ray to be sure. She would be okay. But no gymnastics. The doctors were afraid the AAI fix would be temporary and suggested x-rays every three years.

Today's x-rays were like all the other x-rays my daughter has had taken. She did what she was told and held the odd neck poses with no problem. She has done it enough that she knows the drill. X-ray techs were amazed and impressed.

After waiting a bit longer, the surgeon came in. He did something that doctors rarely do: he sat down by me with printouts of the x-rays and proceeded to spend 15 minutes explaining the x-rays and AAI. Bottom line? My daughter doesn't have AAI. She doesn't even have the gap typical of people with Down syndrome due to low muscle tone and loose ligaments. She has the neck bones of a typical person. Yeah, glorious surprise! Oh Happy Day! Dr. Orthopedic was amazed at her muscle tone, her neck, and her high function. He also check out her spine, hips, legs, and feet.

He approved her whole-heartedly for adapted gymnastics provided it is associated with Special Olympics.

We will invite him to her first meet in a year or two.

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My daughter can spell 'middle', 'riddle', and 'fiddle'. She is going to ace her spelling test next week. She wanted to know if the average Joe on the street could spell "fiddle". She is asking everyone. Fair warning to brush up on your spelling should you run into her.

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The Love Magnet is finally understanding that she can not hug everyone. She is learning that a handshake, a high five, and a fist bump are completely acceptable forms of greeting. It makes me a little bit sad. At least she still hugs her mom.

Sunday Gratitudes

Last night, Mr. Wonderful took me to see a movie for date night. Just outside of the theater doors, a group of teens were surrounding a young man who was yelling at a girl across the parking lot. He let loose the most vile, crude, disrespecting-of-women diatribe for the whole world to hear. It was incredibly offensive to me. The young woman, surrounded by her own group, yelled crass, lowbrow commentary right back. I was floored that people would talk like that at all. Their words affected everyone around them, even those not associated with them. As I witnessed this scene, I became so incredibly grateful for my own children, the youth in my ward, and the teens on my street. They would never say these words. The difference between the teens at the theater and the teens in my ward was like comparing sewage of the worst kind to the most beautiful park. I know that sounds cheesy, but I was impressed with what an incredible difference there was in how they acted.

The movie we went to see was The Blind Side. I am always grateful when Hollywood makes a positive movie. It was one of those movies that made me laugh, cry, and think. What an incredible story about a family willing to push differences aside and help someone in need.

Mr. Wonderful and I were stopped by one of the sisters in our ward. She wanted to tell us about an event she witnessed. Firstborn had come upon one of the people he home teaches, a sweet sister who is the mother of an older couple in our ward. Firstborn put his arm around her and told her how much he missed her and was asking about how she was doing. The sister telling us this story said "How many teens would make a fuss over a woman in her eighties?" I was grateful for the further proof that Firstborn is a good son, and also grateful that someone would take the time to tell us something so positive about one of our children.

Whole Grain Waffles with Blackberry Sauce

Whole Grain Waffles with Blackberry Sauce
Breakfast
Adapted from Eating Well Magazine Feb. 2010
Servings: 6
Jan. 16, 2010

My notes: this was a big breakfast! I could easily be satisfied with half a serving. I served this as a Saturday brunch. EW used cherries in their sauce. Any fruit would certainly work. Very filling with the whole grains.

Blackberry sauce:
2 Cups fresh or frozen blackberries
¼ c water
¼ Cup honey
2 Teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon vanilla

Waffles:
2 Cups white whole-wheat flour
½ Cup fine cornmeal
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
¼ Cup packed light brown sugar
2 Cups lowfat buttermilk or sour milk (1 Tablespoon vinegar per 1 Cup milk, let sit for 5 minutes to sour)
1 Tablespoon olive oil or canola oil
1 Tablespoon vanilla

For sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a sauce pan over med heat and cook, stirring occassionally until thicked (about 1 minute)

For waffles: Whisk together flour, cornmeal, soda, baking powder, and salt. Beat eggs and brown sugar in separate bowl. Add buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to egg mixture and whisk. Pour egg mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined. Lightly coat hot waffle iron with cooking spray. Spread 2/3 Cups of batter over waffle iron and cook until golden (4-5 min.). Serve with ¼ Cup of sauce.
Cal 380; 5 g fat; 74 mg chol; 74 g carb; 12 g protein; 6 g fiber

Sunday Gratitudes (on a Thursday)

while I have a moment between all the tons of studying:

I am grateful I that I can read. Especially reading all of the literature I have to cover this semester. I'm also trying to collect scholarly articles and journals pertaining to Down syndrome and language development. I was thinking today about the love of reading instilled in me by my parents. It's a good thing. I'm certainly getting my fill this semester.

Tons of gratitude for this new laptop. It has been a good thing to type notes as I listen to lectures - I type much faster than I can write. Much of my education includes interactive software. It has been a good thing to have an updated computer with all the bells and whistles to make this easier.

I am thankful that the kids are back in school, too. They really needed the structure - especially The Love Magnet. As fun as vacation was for her , it was hard to be away from home and everything familiar. She loved being with her cousins. Her feelings were all too clear when we got home. That night, she went to bed without being asked, lay down in her favorite position, and let out a satisfied "ahhhhhhhhh".

Firstborn did something very nice - he snuck his Secondborn's new iPod and spent an entire evening downloading Secondborn's favorite songs on it. It was his Christmas gift to his brother. I am grateful that he found a way to give service rather than buying something.

Secondborn bought a chessboard with his birthday money and has been challenging Mr. Wonderful to games. He has also been teaching Thirdborn how to play. I love it when my family finds a way to entertain themselves without a TV. That is something for which to be grateful.

There is a graduate student at school who has been so kind to answer all of my questions and offer advice on subjects where I don't know what questions to ask. We've talked about graduate school, the GRE, choosing a specialty, NSSHLA, and volunteering for summer projects with the International Children's Surgical Foundation. She has been more than generous with her time and I am grateful that she has been come a mentor for me.

Searching for confidence

Day two of Spring Semester. Tons of reading. A new laptop to load up with all the required software. (I love my laptop and tell Mr. Wonderful how grateful I am every single day for it.) Starting study for the GRE. Talking to grad school students. Trying to decide where to go to grad school.

Mr. Wonderful is encouraging me to check out other schools besides my current one. Staying here would be much cheaper. I really want to focus on Language Development in People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (such as Down syndrome). Still trying to decide who would have the best program and if I would qualify to go. I am looking at University of Washington (ranked #5 in SLP programs according to US News and World Report), University of Iowa (ranked #1), Vanderbilt (also #5), Florida State (#15), University of Georgia (#46), University of Virginia (#53), and University of Utah also (#46).

Will it be worth uprooting the family again (and possibly leaving Firstborn behind as he starts college)? Mr. Wonderful wants to continue his education, too - will it postpone that further? What about having to pay nonresidential fees? Can I qualify for any aid or scholarships? What will I do with The Love Magnet when I have to do summer semesters?! Can she attend some kind of summer school or daycare on campus?

Then there is the slight nagging in the back of my head: you're not smart enough, it's too hard, change to something easier. I am pushing those thoughts down and obliterating that voice the best I can. I know I can accomplish this (although never in my life did I think I would do something in the health field and earn a masters degree).

I told one of the grad students today that the most frustrating thing about all this is that I don't know what kind of questions to ask. It's all a bit overwhelming. I plan on taking the GRE this summer at least twice. I don't apply for grad school until next fall. I am somewhat successfully juggling being a mom and student right now.........at least I hope I am.

Did I mention how this journey is taking me out of my comfort zone on a daily basis? That is a good thing........right?

I still need to plan my 14 Days of Valentines. I forgot to write my Sunday Gratitudes this week. I have piles of laundry to fold.

I think I had better start with a list of gratitudes. Sunday Gratitudes on a Thursday. Be back tomorrow with that.

14 Days of Valentines

Ladies and Gents! Step right up, don't be shy. That's right, gather round. It's that time of year again, that time where you are going to pour sweet love into your relationship and serve extra sugar to your hunny-bun. It's time to start planning for the 14 Days of Valentines!

For the introduction of what the 14 Day of Valentines is (including history) click here.

Just as important, review what the 14 Days of Valentines IS NOT click here.

Or you could just read the entire account of past 14 Days of Valentines since I've been blogging by clicking on that label. Scroll down a bit and your find it in the right hand column.

Mr. Wonderful knows to not read my blog from January till after Valentines Day. On that day I make him gourmet dinner and we lock the kids in their rooms. Just kidding! They are more than happy to retreat to their rooms with all the romance going on in the house. well, everyone except The Love Magnet. She wants to be involved in everything. Too bad, so sad, she is sent to bed, too.

Please check out the past ideas. I will share mine including menu ideas for this year. Share yours in the comment section or link up to the blog so we can see your ideas. Feel free to copy ideas with abandon.

Your hunny-bun is going to love this!

San Diego

Take one gorgeous husband (I call him my own personal Michelangelo statue)...

Add a happy (relaxed!) wife...

Some gorgeous views....

in San Diego.....

A very nice tour guide who happens to be the best friend of my darling Hit Cookie (tour guide in the middle and Hit Cookie in the purple coat. Notice that the weirdos from Idaho don't need coats in 60 degree weather. We thought it was much better than the 28 degree weather we came from) who graciously spent a day showing us the things tourists usually don't get to see......

Add really good fish tacos, pork and polenta, and crab cakes......

and one ocean......

and you get a much needed (oh so very much!) needed getaway sans kids. Many thanks to our families for helping with the kids while we were gone. I spent 5 days sleeping in, not cooking/cleaning/studying, and being spoiled rotten by Mr. Wonderful.

Christmas 2009

The traditional Nativity play. Thirdborn was Joseph. Secondborn was the donkey (for some reason he loves playing that part). The Love Magnet insisted on accompanying Joseph and Mary thru Bethlehem. I think she was standing guard.

Firstborn (middle in white headband) was a wise man. Or a shepherd? Wait, maybe he was Nephi, prophesying about the birth of the Savior. The cast keeps getting bigger every year. There are three grandkids missing from this pic and the rest of teh kids still fill the room.

We celebrated St. Lucia Day with the first and third grades. Many fond thoughts and hugs to Miss Morgan (my 2nd grade teacher back in the '70s) who started it all.

First in line to see Santa. TLM still wouldn't tell him what she wanted. She just wanted him to ho-ho-ho. Softly.


Singing with the primary kids at the ward Christmas party. Thirdborn is there, too, but hiding behind everyone else.

We were away for two weeks. Sorry about the lack of posting. And the lack of Christmas cards. But I am now rested and rejuvenated and ready for Spring Semester.