When Reality Starts in….

This last week I gave my first public address on KT Syndrome, it was to the local first responders/ambulance crew. It was surreal. I am around Adam everyday, I often tell people about him and his syndrome, but I never realized that I truly do gloss over the dangers of what he has. That scares me.

It scares me on many levels, the first and foremost is if something were to happen and I wasn’t around, do my friends, family and daycare providers really know what to do? I found out as I was presenting that I really believe they don’t understand. So, I decided to go back to square one. I am writing up directives for him and having them handy for everyone around him. That has put one part of my mind at ease.

The other type of scare is one that I don’t think I can ease, at least completely. That is what WOULD I do if and emergency did happen. I tell myself and everyone that I have come to terms with my son’s syndrome, but have I truly? If I had to fly to Seattle with him and explain his medical condition to doctors and stand firm for his rights and needs could I do it. Honestly I think I will keep saying yes and live with the power of positive thinking. Even if it is a struggle…..

Let the Season Begin…..

ever since last year, I have been trying to figure out the best way to celebrate Christmas. the gifts were out of control and ultimately the true meaning of the season was lost.

ODDLY ENOUGH I FOUND MY INSPIRATION FROM KATHY LEE GIFFORD! SHE WAS ON THE TODAY SHOW LAST YEAR, AND DISCUSSED HOW SHE BOUGHT HER KIDS 3 PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS. IF THAT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR BABY JESUS, THEN IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER FAMILY.

THAT GOT THE COGGS MOVING IN MY BRAIN. I MADE A COMMITMENT TO MYSELF AND TO MY FAMILY THAT THIS YEAR IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT. WE WOULD CELEBRATE, JESUS’ BIRTHDAY; NOT JUST RECEIVE PRESENTS, BUT FOCUS ON GIVING.

I STARTED OUT BY HELPING ADAM UNDERSTAND THAT CHRISTMAS WAS BABY JESUS’ BIRTHDAY. NEXT I FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE HE UNDERSTOOD THAT WE NEED TO GIVE THINGS TO PEOPLE AND TO SHARE.

ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS TALKING WITH DH ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE FOR CHRISTMAS. ADAM CHIMED IN.

OUR DISCUSSION WAS AS FOLLOWS:

A: mom I WANT TO GET PRESENTS FOR EVERYONE FOR CHRISTMAS.

M: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GET THEM? AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY?

a: I AM GOING TO GET THEM RACERS AND I AM GOING TO USE MY MONEY IN MY PIGGY BANK! also on Christmas morning I want a cake and balloons and have a party for baby Jesus!

let the season begin!

Summertime Fun

This summer has been going by way too fast. Izabella has made an abundance of friends, and we are making some wonderful, strong friendships. The kids are growing at remarkable speeds, and Olivia seems to be changing on a daily basis. New sounds, words, facial expressions. They all are adding up to one funny, independent little girl!

This was Miss Olivia playing today (Notice the fish lips)

Finding time....

I have been trying so hard to keep up with the blog, but alas, with 2 little ones, a house, friends, and school work, I haven't been a good blogger. I promise to try harder.

Life here has been crazy. Miss Olivia started crawling a week ago and so now the fun has begun! She is such an observant little bugger. She watches everything around her, and then she doesn't hesitate to copy, once she deems the scene ok. I believe I have an extremely bright one on my hands, but then again, what mother doesn't think so.

Spring is suppose to be here, but it has been raining so much that we haven't been outside much, but when the sun shines, the dogs, and all go down to the river and fetch, run and picnic. Or, we are outside finishing up projects before Jeremy goes off on his fire season.

I will sit down later, hopefully, and start to back blog about the silly, yet wonderful things going on in our world.

Messages from the kids.....

I am trying to think of inexpensive, meaningful ways to celebrate Mother's Day this year. What better the getting messages sent to you from your Grand kids (niece and nephew)?!? I hope all enjoy the messages and images of Goober and Tootsie...

Goober's Message

Olivia's Message

Tootsie 8 months!

Goober 3 years, 2 1/2 months

Goober and Olivia

Goober and Olivia

Reuben Hotdish

I have finally gotten back in the saddle again when it comes to cooking. I had a dear friend in town this weekend and she inspired me to make a Reuben Hotdish. I searched the web and found recipe and then I tweaked it. This is the results, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did....

Ingredients

• 1 loaf rye bread (cut into cubes)
• 1 (16 ounce) can sauerkraut
• 2cups swiss cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup thousand island dressing
• 2 cups corned beef, cut into small pieces

Directions

1. Put half of the rye bread cubes into a greased sheet cake pan.

2. Top with the sauerkraut.

3. Mix the sour cream and thousand island dressing together and spoon half on top the sauerkraut.

4. Top with 1 cup of the swiss cheese.

5. Top with the corned beef.

6. Top with the rest of the sour cream/dressing mix.

7. Lastly, top with the remainder of the bread cubes and the remainder of the swiss cheese.

8. Drizzle the melted butter over all.

9. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

10. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.

11. Serve hot.

God through Osmosis

As a family we have been attempting to get to church every Sunday. I came to the realization that if I was going to say I was a Christian, I better begin to walk the walk and talk the talk. Needless to say it is a daunting mission to walking into a church with a 7 month old, a 3 year old, and a husband who wants to go, but has no clue about what is going on.

There has been many weeks where I have thought, "Is this really worth it. Is Any one getting anything out of this?"

My answer came this past Sunday. While we were sitting in the pew waiting for the service begin, Adam yelled out, "There is a cross! That is where Jesus died, then he went into a hole!" It is working.

Later on during the service we were reflecting after communion, Adam was getting squirmy. I pulled him up on my lap and said, "This is a quiet time to listen to the music and remember that Jesus died for our sins." Adam snuggled into me and listened. It was working.

Today, we were talking with Auntie Kelly. I told Adam to tell Auntie about Baby Jesus. Adam's response, "He died on the cross, and the butterflies flew away." Butterflies were discussed during service a few weeks back, I never once brought it up.

It is working.