Happy Memorial Day 2011

I was out in the yard yesterday afternoon playing with the dogs.  I realized that we have lived in our new home now one year next week.  When we moved in, there was not much landscaping.  We planted trees in our yard.  They are growing big and beautiful in our garden.  My family has a warm and safe home.  We are free to tend our yards and families.  We are living in a society that welcomes all of us, even if we are different.  It is Memorial Weekend.  Where would we be if the folk in the military were not here to protect us?  Would our yard have these lovely trees to enjoy?  What would our lives be like if we hadn't been defended by the members of our military?  Take a moment to reflect and thank those that have served our country.  Be gentle.

Thanks you for serving.

Glee Facebook Campaign Becky Needs Some Friends

Click here to become Becky's friend  

Please click "Like" to get Becky some friends on Glee.

Having friends.  So important.  We are blessed that our kids have friends.  Davey and Will have friends that they share.  They also have friends that just their own friends.  This last year for their birthday, we had their first "separate" birthday parties.  Very tramatic for me and David.  LOL.  Two birthday parties in one weekend.  But the best part of the long weekend of slumber and bowling parties was seeing all of the boys friends.  And the happiness it brings to my heart.

Be gentle.

Going to Holland

I was going through some of my pictures this week of the kids.  As the school year comes to a close, it makes me remember how much they have grown and changed.  Also, how much we are blessed as a family.  I do remember that day SO long ago, while we were about 6 1/2 months pregnant with the boys, when we found out we were going to Holland.  It was a day of changed dreams.  I remember that day so long ago as if it were yesterday.  My hubby was and is my rock.  He reminded me time and again how we were going to love Holland.  We have been to the other places and were going there too again.  But our trip to Holland was going to be special, crazy, not always easy, but my hubby is always right there beside me.

We are the proud parents of four awesome kids, a house full of silly critters, and love!

Davey and William with Duncan

The crew

Extreme silliness

True love

Be gentle.

Paradise

"If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it."  Willie Wonka

Be gentle.  

Red Betty and the FJ

Our Red Betty, aka kid mobile, aka the Excursion had a slight accident this morning.  The boys were in the Toyota with our Au Pair, Carolina, (which I will tell our wonderful Au Pair experiences in another blog post) on their way to school this morning.  Carolina was backing out of the drive way and somehow backed the Toyota right into Red Betty.  Ouch!  Both cars had some bumper damage.  Luckily no one was hurt and the vehicles can be fixed.  It was just a small accident, no one's fault.  It got me thinking about how quick things can happen.   Love you family and appreciate every moment with them.  Appreciate every little thing.  Boo boos can be fixed.  Be gentle.

 Dad and William inspecting the damage to Red Betty

 William sure that it can't be fixed.

The guys thinking that Red Betty CAN be fixed.

Shades

My future is so bright I need to wear shades

Beach time

William loves to spend time at the beach.

Music man

New PSA airing after Glee tonight

R-Word PSA

"Not Acceptable" is a powerful and compelling 30 second television PSA which gives voice to a variety of diverse communities each of whom expresses that it is not acceptable to call them by what were once common words, but are now recognized as offensive slurs. It culminates in actress and self-advocate Lauren Potter from "Glee" stating that it is not acceptable to use the word 'retard' and she and "Glee" co-star Jane Lynch make a call to action to stop using the word and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to make their pledge online at http://r-word.org.

The PSA was launched by the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, an on-going initiative from Special Olympics and Best Buddies to eradicate the derogatory use of the word "retard(ed)" from everyday use and promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"Not Acceptable" was executive produced by Jim Serpico and Tom Sellitti of New York based Apostle, and shot, produced and edited by Spot On Productions from City Island, NY.

The PSA is supported by several national advocacy organization including the Anti-Defamation League, Special Olympics, Best Buddies, GLAAD, The National Action Network, The Hispanic Federation, National Puerto Rican Coalition, The Asian-American Foundation, AbilityPath.org and the NAACP.

Not the preferred word

Spread the word to End the Word.

You may not realize how damaging the r-word can be?  But when you use slang terms like "retard" or "retarded" you are marginalizing and insulting millions of people with Intellectual Disabilities, their family and friends.  So now you know.  And now you can do something about it.  Take the pledge and put and end to the R-word.

Check out this site to see how many times the r-word is used on the web.  It is amazing.

The R-word counter  Click here.

Lets put and end to the Word.

The preferred language

Preferred Language Guide

Below is the proper use of language for “Down syndrome”:     • Down vs. Down’s - NDSS uses the preferred spelling, Down syndrome, rather than Down’s syndrome. While Down syndrome is listed in many dictionaries with both popular spellings (with or without an apostrophe s), the preferred usage in the United States is Down syndrome. This is because an “apostrophe s” connotes ownership or possession. Down syndrome is named for the English physician John Langdon Down, who characterized the condition, but did not have it. The AP Stylebook recommends using “Down syndrome,” as well.   • People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first. Instead of “a Down syndrome child,” it should be “a child with Down syndrome.” Also avoid “Down’s child” and describing the condition as “Down’s,” as in, “He has Down’s.”   • Down syndrome is a condition or a syndrome, not a disease.   • People “have” Down syndrome, they do not “suffer from” it and are not “afflicted by” it.   • While it is unfortunately clinically acceptable to say “mental retardation,” you should use the more socially acceptable “intellectual disability”.  NDSS strongly condemns the use of the word "retarded" in any derogatory context.  Using this word is hurtful and suggests that people with disabilities are not competent.    from NDSS.org

Special Olympics NO CA Regional Track Meet

We had such a fun day. Davey did three events, shot put, 100m run, and 200m run. He got golds in shot put and 200m run, and a silver in the 100m run. I just love seeing all the athletes. We had super weather. Have you ever attended?  I am always amazed at all the volunteers and their enthusiasm.  Everyone is always smiling and laughing and cheering on the athletes.  Such a great day!

Davey and his friend Natylie.

One the medals stand waiting for the other athletes so he could get his medal. He was just a little excited!

Running the 100m race.

Always such a happy guy and a ham for the camera.

The Up Side of Down Syndrome

What do you see?

Fridays!

I love Fridays. I especially love Friday afternoons. I love spending time with the boys in the garden. I like watching baseball with the gang on Friday night. I know Saturday and Sunday is family time. Real family time.

And this Saturday, we have Special Olympics regional track meet. This is Davey's first year doing the track team. He will be throwing the shot put and running a 100m and 200m race. Can't wait. I will make sure to get the photos posted.

William asked me for a trip to Game Stop, so I guess that will be on the agenda this weekend too! Have you ever noticed how crazy crowded that place is? And so many parents with glazed over expressions on their faces. LOL, that is usually me.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekends as much as I do.

Have a great evening friends.

William

What a face!

David and David

Two of my most special guys.

Down Syndrome Creed

My face may be different

But my feelings the same

I laugh and I cry

And I take pride in my gains

I was sent here among you

To teach you to love

As God in the heavens

Looks down from above

To Him I'm no different

His love knows no bounds

It's those here among you

In cities and towns

That judge me by standards

That man has imparted

But this family I've chosen

Will help me get started

For I'm one of the children

So special and few

That came here to learn

The same lessons as you

That love is acceptance

It must come from the heart

We all have the same purpose

Though not the same start

The Lord gave me life

To live and embrace

And I'll do it as you do

But at my own pace

-author unknown

After a long day at work

What is better than walking in the door after a crazy day at work and seeing my family? I will tell you. NOTHING!

David is first out to help me carry in my stuff. A hug and a kiss from the hubby makes it all worth while.

William will run out the front door and ask "How was your day?" Davey will usually run out and grab his basketball. He will call for me to watch him. He will try and make one of his "trick" shots and tell me, "Mom, this one is for you."

And then the chaos of the dog greetings. Settling down for the evening. Homework, laundry, dinner, dishes. None of that matters.

It is all about family.......

Have a great evening friends.

Hurtful word

Can you take the pledge? Spread the word to end the r-word.

http://www.r-word.org/

Brothers

Kelsey and April

Here is a wonderful picture of Kelsey and Miss April.

The Crew

Amy is at such an exciting time in her life. She just graduated from college December 2010. We are so proud of her for making it this far. She is loving and kind. She is so concerned about others. She has such a great group of friends that we really enjoy. What a blessing to have her as our daughter.

Amy loves her dogs. She has two goofy dogs, Jack and Piper. Jack you met briefly in the previous post. He loves chasing balls and playing in water. Piper is a Smooth Fox Terrier. Piper is Jack's partner in crime. She is a snuggler too. And a bed hog.

Kelsey is so close to graduating college (December 2011). She is in the honors program and will graduate with a degree in anthropology. She is looking forward to grad school. Hopefully close to her family.......

Kelsey has been in love with horses for years. She spent her teens being a barn rat and riding her mare April. April is a Canadian Warmblood. April is one spoiled dressage pony.

Davey (or David as he likes to be called now) and Will (William) are twins. They are definitely two distinct individuals. We are so blessed to have both boys. One day I will get into the story of BT (before twins).

Davey is Baby A meaning he was the first twin born. So he is the big brother. And he never lets William forget that. LOL. Davey is funny and a flirt. He loves pretty girls. He is a musician. He LOVES basketball, participating in Special Olympics and all things wrestling.

William is such a serious young man. He loves computers, Lego's, history, birds, Xbox games. He does really well in school. He is sweet, smart and such a great kid.

I don't know how I got so blessed to have such wonderful kids?

Jack

Here is Jack. Amy's goofy Boxer. He is just so funny and entertaining. He never stops playing fetch. He loves balls and water.

Huh? Peak through the window.

Welcome to post #2. Who is this family? What is this silliness? What is Down Syndrome? What are those crazy dogs?

We live in a lovely little town in Northern California. My hubby David and I (Shannon) have been married for almost 15 years. We have four wonderful kids. Amy just graduated from college and is now deciding what she wants to do when she grows up. Kelsey is finishing up college and deciding where she wants to go to grad school. David Jr (Davey) and William are 11 year old twin boys. Davey just happened to be born with an extra chromosome. And yes, before you ask, the boys are fraternal. Davey has Down Syndrome and William is a typical kid brother.

We have many varied interests and crazy fun stuff that we do. I hope to hit on some of the topics that catch my attention. We have a love for nature and all things outdoors. We love critters. We love being involved in our kids lives. Now is your chance to peak through the window.

More to follow......

My first post

Welcome.

I am looking forward to starting this adventure of blogging. I hope reading this as much as I enjoy creating it.

Where to start?