So I got the link to this article on our friend, Eric's blog... and I thought I'd share.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373
12.30.2008
12.23.2008
12.21.2008
Andrea's letter
So my friend, Andrea, did a letter too. (If you don't know what I am talking about, read the previous blog!)
And she said I could share it with you. :)
Dear Mother,
I think back to the day I became a mother...August 24, 2006. I got the call in the afternoon from a Child Protective Services Investigator. We didn't receive much information...a 9 month-old baby girl who needed us. We didn't even know what size of diapers or clothes she would need, what foods she was used to eating, her routine, or most importantly what she would need to comfort her after experiencing the removal from her family. The next few days were rocky...she cried herself to sleep in this stranger's arms. But in a few days or a week, after the shock wore off, we were no longer strangers and she began smiling and engaging in life. What I am glad I didn't know then (that I do know now), is how much I would fall in love with that little girl and how much it would hurt and break my heart to let her go. She stayed so long...almost 2 years of her life; 2 birthdays, 2 Christmases, etc. We are still adjusting to life without her now.
As a mom, I had to learn to give this little one hope and strength where I felt I had none. When we talked of her leaving to return to her bio-parents, we did so in positive terms, even if we had fears. We prayed with her telling her that we had complete faith in God to heal her family and help her through her losses of this family when she returned, though we looked at God and wondered if we really believed what we were praying for. But I was able to tell her complete truths that I will never waiver on...'we will always love you', 'we will always pray for you and your family', 'we will always be here if you need us'. And I learned to be vulnerable thanks to our first little girl. I admitted when I was wrong, I cried when I was sad, I let the grief and loss hit me and make me softer and more nurturing. And I believe these were good lessons for her to carry home with her. She returned to her bio-parents on May 8, 2008.
We had arrived at this kind of parenthood because of our infertility. God blessed us with a forever child, Ellie, on April 14, 2007. I got to see her ultrasound with her birth mother two days prior to her birth. We were at her delivery and got to see her beautiful entry into this world. We held her, fed her, and stayed with her in the hospital. Ellie taught me how to bond to her as she looked to me to be her mommy...I had become fearful during the foster care process of raising our first little girl. It took my husband pointing out how much Ellie responded to me, looked for me, etc. for me to decide I better get on board with bonding and become her mommy. Today, I can't imagine having more fun as a mom than I do day to day with Ellie. I can't imagine being any closer to a child if I had birthed her myself; adoption taught me that motherhood is more than the biological aspects of conceiving and birthing a child.
Motherhood has also taught me to be thankful for my infertility. Without it, I would never have had the chance to be a mommy to two beautiful little girls. Two daughters, who needed us, specifically us, for what we could teach them. And we needed them for what they had to teach us. Recently I had abdomen surgery to repair some issues that were causing pain. Following that surgery, the doctor told my husband that he didn't see any reason why we shouldn't be able to get pregnant. Now, we are in the waiting stage to see if God really, truly has pregnancy as part of the plan for our lives. I look forward to experiencing motherhood in that way too.
Motherhood is a tough job. It is joyful but also breaks our hearts as we sacrifice for them. We must bond and attach to our babies, but let go too quickly so that they can learn how to conquer the world in their way. I have worked many exciting jobs from a CPS investigator, adoption specialist, reuniting those in closed adoptions, etc., but I would never trade this job of being a mommy for anything.
With Love,
Mommy Andrea
And she said I could share it with you. :)
Dear Mother,
I think back to the day I became a mother...August 24, 2006. I got the call in the afternoon from a Child Protective Services Investigator. We didn't receive much information...a 9 month-old baby girl who needed us. We didn't even know what size of diapers or clothes she would need, what foods she was used to eating, her routine, or most importantly what she would need to comfort her after experiencing the removal from her family. The next few days were rocky...she cried herself to sleep in this stranger's arms. But in a few days or a week, after the shock wore off, we were no longer strangers and she began smiling and engaging in life. What I am glad I didn't know then (that I do know now), is how much I would fall in love with that little girl and how much it would hurt and break my heart to let her go. She stayed so long...almost 2 years of her life; 2 birthdays, 2 Christmases, etc. We are still adjusting to life without her now.
As a mom, I had to learn to give this little one hope and strength where I felt I had none. When we talked of her leaving to return to her bio-parents, we did so in positive terms, even if we had fears. We prayed with her telling her that we had complete faith in God to heal her family and help her through her losses of this family when she returned, though we looked at God and wondered if we really believed what we were praying for. But I was able to tell her complete truths that I will never waiver on...'we will always love you', 'we will always pray for you and your family', 'we will always be here if you need us'. And I learned to be vulnerable thanks to our first little girl. I admitted when I was wrong, I cried when I was sad, I let the grief and loss hit me and make me softer and more nurturing. And I believe these were good lessons for her to carry home with her. She returned to her bio-parents on May 8, 2008.
We had arrived at this kind of parenthood because of our infertility. God blessed us with a forever child, Ellie, on April 14, 2007. I got to see her ultrasound with her birth mother two days prior to her birth. We were at her delivery and got to see her beautiful entry into this world. We held her, fed her, and stayed with her in the hospital. Ellie taught me how to bond to her as she looked to me to be her mommy...I had become fearful during the foster care process of raising our first little girl. It took my husband pointing out how much Ellie responded to me, looked for me, etc. for me to decide I better get on board with bonding and become her mommy. Today, I can't imagine having more fun as a mom than I do day to day with Ellie. I can't imagine being any closer to a child if I had birthed her myself; adoption taught me that motherhood is more than the biological aspects of conceiving and birthing a child.
Motherhood has also taught me to be thankful for my infertility. Without it, I would never have had the chance to be a mommy to two beautiful little girls. Two daughters, who needed us, specifically us, for what we could teach them. And we needed them for what they had to teach us. Recently I had abdomen surgery to repair some issues that were causing pain. Following that surgery, the doctor told my husband that he didn't see any reason why we shouldn't be able to get pregnant. Now, we are in the waiting stage to see if God really, truly has pregnancy as part of the plan for our lives. I look forward to experiencing motherhood in that way too.
Motherhood is a tough job. It is joyful but also breaks our hearts as we sacrifice for them. We must bond and attach to our babies, but let go too quickly so that they can learn how to conquer the world in their way. I have worked many exciting jobs from a CPS investigator, adoption specialist, reuniting those in closed adoptions, etc., but I would never trade this job of being a mommy for anything.
With Love,
Mommy Andrea
12.20.2008
for the mothers out there...
So I have been reading the blog from that family with the trisomy 18 baby...the 99 balloons video I posted awhile ago...and I just came across this on their blog. You have to get your letter out like SOON so if you're gona do it...now's your chance!!!
To get more instructions go to the link at the bottom of this post. :)
A shout out to the mothers…
I want to make you aware of something that I think is pretty cool. A husband (who will remain anonymous) is doing something really cool for his wife for Christmas. You can read all the details here.
Basically, out of an agreed conviction from his family that they will not spend money on Christmas this year, rather, they plan to set the amount of money they would have spent aside and give it away. Thus, this means that gifts are required to not cost him money.
He is asking for mothers to write a letter to another mother. He is gathering all of these letters and giving them as a gift to his wife (if you participate, he will give you the end product as well).
Here’s the thing. What will make this project special is mothers who are willing to be gut-level honest in their assessment of motherhood as they know it. The more honest, the better. I don’t do this often…OK, never. But I am asking you to do a couple of things:
1.) Spread the word…Tell the moms in your world to participate (e-mails, blogs, etc.) This really only works if the word is spread.
2.) Write a letter….I think the process of doing this for mothers is the appeal. Anything that forces you to think back and reflect on what you have gathered along the way, is a good thing. And we have been witness to the fact that your own story- when told- can allow others to believe that their world is not as lonely as they once thought.
OK, enough car salesman, go do it.
http://www.motherletter.blogspot.com/
Oh and here's my letter:
(I didn't have a lot of time...this is what I could think of in an hour...)
December 2008
Dear Mother,
I feel quite inadequate to write a letter to you because I am young and inexperienced. However, my selfish desire to receive the letters and read the wisdom and encouraging words that will accompany them, trumps my feelings of inadequacy. I am honored to be part of this project and am truly anticipating the Mother Letters.
My son, Bentley John was born August 14, 2008. His arrival was the greatest joy I have experienced. After a natural childbirth the doctor announced, “It’s a boy!” and placed his small body on my chest. He was quite blue and struggling to breathe, so they whisked him off to NICU to give him oxygen. My husband went with our small defenseless son and I stayed alone in the large, sterile room in silence. An hour passed and the neonatologist arrived, my husband at her side. “We think your son has Down syndrome,” she announced. I looked at my husband, who was smiling and nodding his head as if to say, “He’s fine, you’re fine, we’re fine.” I smiled. “Do you have any questions?” she asked. “When can I have my son?” An hour later he was wrapped up in my arms. I examined his perfect body… and thought to myself, “He does have Down syndrome, doesn’t he…”
Needless to say the beginning was quite difficult. Not in accepting his diagnosis, but in the tests…
His left ear failed the hearing test.
He has two heart defects.
He will need to be tested for hypothyroidism.
He may need a feeding tube.
He will need to start therapy right away.
My body ached for him to be healthy. For them to stop poking him, prodding him, and waking him. The never before “mother instinct” kicked in and I became his voice, his strength, his shield… Thankfully, I can now say he has a clean bill of health. That’s right, two working ears, a whole heart, a working thyroid, a large breastfeeding baby who is right on track with every other 4 month old!
I feel a connection to all mothers… mothers with children who have disabilities and mothers whose children are typical. I want the same things for my son that you do. I want to look out the window and see him running around the yard laughing and imagining a world that is fun and playful. I want to see him with slimy frogs and slithering snakes in his hands. I want to raise him to be honest, loyal, and above all, loving. I want him to love Jesus and love people…to be a voice for the voiceless and strong for the weak.
I am learning the great value of being in relationship with other mothers. I enjoy watching them interact with their children as they teach them values, boundaries, and love. I crave to be part of their joys and their pains. I think the greatest thing about motherhood is the internal connection. I have cried with mothers who have lost their babies to SIDS, foster mothers who let go of their “temporary” children, mothers who have miscarried, or felt like they were failing, and mothers whose only instinct is to cry in great awe of the life they have been given. I am honored to be part of the “Givers of Life” club…. The club we all signed up for when we either birthed our children or took in an orphan or foster child.
Just like you, Mother, I am overwhelmed with joy for my son. I am so thankful to be his mother, but I also have fears…fears that I won’t be good enough. I won’t love enough, be patient enough, or encourage enough. I fear that I will say hurtful things and have unnecessary anger. I fear I will deflate his spirit and damage his soul. I fear I will fail at being the one thing I want more than anything. The only reassurance I have is that I will raise a child who can forgive. Forgive me, forgive his father, and forgive a very painful, hurtful world.
I am so encouraged by your husband’s desire to unite Mothers with their stories of love, joy, pain, and sacrifice. I am grateful for his appreciation of all mothers and his recognition of the great connection we have with one another. I think this is a very heartfelt project that is inspiring women from around the country. I wait, with great anticipation, for the other letters… for the opportunity to read them, and save them in a drawer, to pull them out when I need words of encouragement, and strength.
Yes, dearest Mother, this is a special gift for you…a gift that can’t be bought or sold. It’s a gift from the heart. The gift of experience and truth. The gift of joy and pain. It’s a gift you’ll never forget, I am sure. And so on this special day of Christ’s birth, we are reminded of his life that gives us peace, joy, and the opportunity to love. May we be reminded of our blessings…remembering the privilege it is to have them, the opportunity to laugh and enjoy them, and the responsibility to raise and love them.
With great love and humility,
Adrienne Crawford
Detroit, MI
To get more instructions go to the link at the bottom of this post. :)
A shout out to the mothers…
I want to make you aware of something that I think is pretty cool. A husband (who will remain anonymous) is doing something really cool for his wife for Christmas. You can read all the details here.
Basically, out of an agreed conviction from his family that they will not spend money on Christmas this year, rather, they plan to set the amount of money they would have spent aside and give it away. Thus, this means that gifts are required to not cost him money.
He is asking for mothers to write a letter to another mother. He is gathering all of these letters and giving them as a gift to his wife (if you participate, he will give you the end product as well).
Here’s the thing. What will make this project special is mothers who are willing to be gut-level honest in their assessment of motherhood as they know it. The more honest, the better. I don’t do this often…OK, never. But I am asking you to do a couple of things:
1.) Spread the word…Tell the moms in your world to participate (e-mails, blogs, etc.) This really only works if the word is spread.
2.) Write a letter….I think the process of doing this for mothers is the appeal. Anything that forces you to think back and reflect on what you have gathered along the way, is a good thing. And we have been witness to the fact that your own story- when told- can allow others to believe that their world is not as lonely as they once thought.
OK, enough car salesman, go do it.
http://www.motherletter.blogspot.com/
Oh and here's my letter:
(I didn't have a lot of time...this is what I could think of in an hour...)
December 2008
Dear Mother,
I feel quite inadequate to write a letter to you because I am young and inexperienced. However, my selfish desire to receive the letters and read the wisdom and encouraging words that will accompany them, trumps my feelings of inadequacy. I am honored to be part of this project and am truly anticipating the Mother Letters.
My son, Bentley John was born August 14, 2008. His arrival was the greatest joy I have experienced. After a natural childbirth the doctor announced, “It’s a boy!” and placed his small body on my chest. He was quite blue and struggling to breathe, so they whisked him off to NICU to give him oxygen. My husband went with our small defenseless son and I stayed alone in the large, sterile room in silence. An hour passed and the neonatologist arrived, my husband at her side. “We think your son has Down syndrome,” she announced. I looked at my husband, who was smiling and nodding his head as if to say, “He’s fine, you’re fine, we’re fine.” I smiled. “Do you have any questions?” she asked. “When can I have my son?” An hour later he was wrapped up in my arms. I examined his perfect body… and thought to myself, “He does have Down syndrome, doesn’t he…”
Needless to say the beginning was quite difficult. Not in accepting his diagnosis, but in the tests…
His left ear failed the hearing test.
He has two heart defects.
He will need to be tested for hypothyroidism.
He may need a feeding tube.
He will need to start therapy right away.
My body ached for him to be healthy. For them to stop poking him, prodding him, and waking him. The never before “mother instinct” kicked in and I became his voice, his strength, his shield… Thankfully, I can now say he has a clean bill of health. That’s right, two working ears, a whole heart, a working thyroid, a large breastfeeding baby who is right on track with every other 4 month old!
I feel a connection to all mothers… mothers with children who have disabilities and mothers whose children are typical. I want the same things for my son that you do. I want to look out the window and see him running around the yard laughing and imagining a world that is fun and playful. I want to see him with slimy frogs and slithering snakes in his hands. I want to raise him to be honest, loyal, and above all, loving. I want him to love Jesus and love people…to be a voice for the voiceless and strong for the weak.
I am learning the great value of being in relationship with other mothers. I enjoy watching them interact with their children as they teach them values, boundaries, and love. I crave to be part of their joys and their pains. I think the greatest thing about motherhood is the internal connection. I have cried with mothers who have lost their babies to SIDS, foster mothers who let go of their “temporary” children, mothers who have miscarried, or felt like they were failing, and mothers whose only instinct is to cry in great awe of the life they have been given. I am honored to be part of the “Givers of Life” club…. The club we all signed up for when we either birthed our children or took in an orphan or foster child.
Just like you, Mother, I am overwhelmed with joy for my son. I am so thankful to be his mother, but I also have fears…fears that I won’t be good enough. I won’t love enough, be patient enough, or encourage enough. I fear that I will say hurtful things and have unnecessary anger. I fear I will deflate his spirit and damage his soul. I fear I will fail at being the one thing I want more than anything. The only reassurance I have is that I will raise a child who can forgive. Forgive me, forgive his father, and forgive a very painful, hurtful world.
I am so encouraged by your husband’s desire to unite Mothers with their stories of love, joy, pain, and sacrifice. I am grateful for his appreciation of all mothers and his recognition of the great connection we have with one another. I think this is a very heartfelt project that is inspiring women from around the country. I wait, with great anticipation, for the other letters… for the opportunity to read them, and save them in a drawer, to pull them out when I need words of encouragement, and strength.
Yes, dearest Mother, this is a special gift for you…a gift that can’t be bought or sold. It’s a gift from the heart. The gift of experience and truth. The gift of joy and pain. It’s a gift you’ll never forget, I am sure. And so on this special day of Christ’s birth, we are reminded of his life that gives us peace, joy, and the opportunity to love. May we be reminded of our blessings…remembering the privilege it is to have them, the opportunity to laugh and enjoy them, and the responsibility to raise and love them.
With great love and humility,
Adrienne Crawford
Detroit, MI
12.17.2008
Hope for Children
So if you click the title it will take you to an article in the NY Times about Obama's pledge for money for early education. (After you click the title, it takes you to an advertisement. In the upper right hand corner it says in tiny white letters, Skip Advertisement...click that and you will see the article). I am optimistic about this program. I totally agree with the benefits of starting earlier. I don't think children should have to pay for the mistakes their parents are making... so hopefully education will give all children the opportunity to end the cycles of poverty, addictions, abuse, etc...
What are your thoughts on this program?
So I guess I should add some background as to why I agree with publicly funding early childhood education. First, is my experience with Halie. All of you who knew her and loved her knew that she was a child in desperate need of lots of things...but definitely education was at the top of the list. It was so frustrating trying to find her a school that not only would DHS pay for, but that was even worth sending her to. The school we ended up sending her to did a lot of great things with her... but it was in definite need of better teachers and resources. I know when I was applying for a job here in A2 for a preschool they were offering me $7/hour. We needed more money. I think our children deserve more qualified teachers...people who are making more than $7/hour. I know there was an amazing preschool in Tucson the other foster moms raved about...but there was a 2 year waiting list... So guess who ends up there? Tell me, what poor and/or uneducated or single mom/dad is going to start looking for a preschool when the child is 1 or 2 years old?
My second experience with early childhood education has been with Bentley. What he receives here in Ann Arbor is nothing less than wonderful. They come to the house, they work with him, they train me, and we are all reaping the benefits. We are living in a very wealthy and intellectually stimulated community where education is a HIGH priority. It will be interesting what kinds of services Ben receives in Detroit. Maybe that is part of the reason God is leading us there....maybe I will get to help raise a voice of awareness for our children. (And I do feel some responsibility for all children... I guess that's why I have such a heart for foster children... )
I just think all children deserve a chance because they are children. They deserve our efforts and money to help build them a future. God has totally put this on my heart. First, with the child who burst through our doors with a bright smile and a desperate need for love and now with our amazing son child with Down syndrome.
What are your thoughts on this program?
So I guess I should add some background as to why I agree with publicly funding early childhood education. First, is my experience with Halie. All of you who knew her and loved her knew that she was a child in desperate need of lots of things...but definitely education was at the top of the list. It was so frustrating trying to find her a school that not only would DHS pay for, but that was even worth sending her to. The school we ended up sending her to did a lot of great things with her... but it was in definite need of better teachers and resources. I know when I was applying for a job here in A2 for a preschool they were offering me $7/hour. We needed more money. I think our children deserve more qualified teachers...people who are making more than $7/hour. I know there was an amazing preschool in Tucson the other foster moms raved about...but there was a 2 year waiting list... So guess who ends up there? Tell me, what poor and/or uneducated or single mom/dad is going to start looking for a preschool when the child is 1 or 2 years old?
My second experience with early childhood education has been with Bentley. What he receives here in Ann Arbor is nothing less than wonderful. They come to the house, they work with him, they train me, and we are all reaping the benefits. We are living in a very wealthy and intellectually stimulated community where education is a HIGH priority. It will be interesting what kinds of services Ben receives in Detroit. Maybe that is part of the reason God is leading us there....maybe I will get to help raise a voice of awareness for our children. (And I do feel some responsibility for all children... I guess that's why I have such a heart for foster children... )
I just think all children deserve a chance because they are children. They deserve our efforts and money to help build them a future. God has totally put this on my heart. First, with the child who burst through our doors with a bright smile and a desperate need for love and now with our amazing son child with Down syndrome.
12.12.2008
Real quick update
I realized after I posted the pictures of our new apartment in Detroit, I failed to tell you all our new plans! Most of you know this, I think.
So we are moving in with our friend Scott. He has this place downtown and his roommate moved out. So we are subletting from him. So basically we are just taking our beds, clothes, and things for Bentley....we'll be here for 6 months and then we are going to figure out what we'll do next. A lot of depends on where David is placed for his 3rd year rotations. He is hoping for Detroit Medical Center or for Henry Ford Hospital as they would offer him the most diverse experiences. We'll see what God has for us. :) So after the 6 months we'll have some decisions to make...sell the condo? Rent the condo? Live with people in a house? Get an apartment? As you know, Detroit isn't exactly the safest city...in fact it has been rated the most dangerous...and if GM and Chrysler go under before the end of the year it may become much more impoverished and dangerous. (Pray for a miracle). So we do need to be wise about our decision on where to live downtown.
I am getting excited to move down there. I'm actually not scared and I am looking forward to the change...plus having David so close will be soooo great.
So yeah, enjoy the pics!
So we are moving in with our friend Scott. He has this place downtown and his roommate moved out. So we are subletting from him. So basically we are just taking our beds, clothes, and things for Bentley....we'll be here for 6 months and then we are going to figure out what we'll do next. A lot of depends on where David is placed for his 3rd year rotations. He is hoping for Detroit Medical Center or for Henry Ford Hospital as they would offer him the most diverse experiences. We'll see what God has for us. :) So after the 6 months we'll have some decisions to make...sell the condo? Rent the condo? Live with people in a house? Get an apartment? As you know, Detroit isn't exactly the safest city...in fact it has been rated the most dangerous...and if GM and Chrysler go under before the end of the year it may become much more impoverished and dangerous. (Pray for a miracle). So we do need to be wise about our decision on where to live downtown.
I am getting excited to move down there. I'm actually not scared and I am looking forward to the change...plus having David so close will be soooo great.
So yeah, enjoy the pics!
our new place part 2
So that building you see straight down is the grocery store! Not bad, eh!?! I will do most shopping at the Eastern Market...but for canned goods I can go there.
Here are our bedroom windows.
So next time I will take more pictures of the building and the apartment.... I just LOVE these AMAZING windows...they bring in soooooooooooo much light!
Our new apartment!
This is a view of the living room...the windows on the left look out the eastside of Detroit and the ones straight ahead look out over the River.
href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2H-6y1lclbHYk7cedPFwelmMRU5D0iwrIGYB7FDWYC015gyUqLtuazr8PRk3kGMrSp0NPOfPEbyt5IIXd95IoD4AyveKA2jhxH-Vh9ON_4wSLvyBdcg8Vb3HhWDgAffQ5o2q/s1600-h/IMG_0012.JPG'>
Here you can sort of see downtown Detroit.
11.25.2008
11.24.2008
2 amazing videos
I usually like to spread out cool things to watch...but I am going to post 2 amazing youtube videos. :) Obviously I get more alerts to these types of videos now... but I really enjoy watching them. These two cases are totally different than ours...One is a trisomy 18 baby...if they make it to birth, they don't live past a year. And the other is a combination. Anyway, I just think that the kids are amazing.
11.23.2008
Christmas list
So I better not break tradition. :)
http://www.rei.com/product/767663?storeId=8001&catalogId=40000008001
It's been hard for me to make a list this year. I have all I ever wanted....Bentley!
But I always like scarves, mittens, hats, etc...
And here is a website for a backpack I could really use. (I want to use it as a diaper bag because when we move to Detroit we'll be on the 12th floor and so I need something that is easy to carry whenever I leave the house.)
http://www.rei.com/product/767663?storeId=8001&catalogId=40000008001
(Just copy and paste the link to see it).
I gave Mom and Dad a list too...so you can ask Mom what I emailed her.
Mark and Jane, post your lists too!
11.18.2008
So I hope to update more on the daily life here in Ann Arbor. I've found the biggest struggle is keeping in touch with friends far away. It is hard being 2-3 hours off from everyone, and our evenings are quite full, leaving the days....when everyone is working... and then on top of it I have Bentley. So anyway, I feel quite bad that I have been so out of touch with so many friends. So if you're reading this...know I do love and think of you often. (You know who you are!)
It's a beautiful day here in Ann Arbor. The sky is quite blue and it's about 25 degrees right now. It isn't the cold that I hate about Michigan...it's the grey. We have had grey skies for like a week...so the bright beautiful sun makes everything so much better! Ben and I took an hour walk this morning after spending time with Marcheta. I love taking him to her house. She loves holding him and just sits there talking to him. He enjoys all of the attention! Last night we brought dinner to Dale and Julie again. It has been so great. She has been on bed rest for 5 weeks so our Bible Study has been providing food on Monday nights. There's usually around 10 of us all huddled around their table. I love enjoying food with friends. She gets off bed rest on Thursday because she'll be 38 weeks (full term)...but we hope to continue the meals with them.
Ben is really growing. He's able to find his left thumb...usually after several tries! He rolls over when he's motivated enough to get off his belly. The therapists are quite impressed with his progress. They think he's ahead of even the normal babies. I know with him it will go up and down...so I will continually celebrate when he's up! I think having the therapists is such a God send. I have learned so much about the development of babies. I feel so well equipped for his brothers and sisters that we hope to have. He is such a good natured baby. He's happy to play by himself or have someone play with him. There are only a few things that makes him mad...
1. His hat- he hates having to get bundled up to go outside!
2. Being hungry....what can I say...the kid likes to eat! I understand. :)
3. Being wet...cloth diapers are the best because he lets us know when he's wet. I hope this helps the potty training process someday.
Other than that he's very happy doing whatever.
I've been catching up on movies because it's about all I can when I feed him...hey I am not complaining. I love movies! Yesterday I watched Atonement. It's quite sad...but I liked it. I thought the cinematography was quite well done.
Well, I better sign off for now....more later!
11.03.2008
So I went with the down syndrome support group a few weeks ago to the pumpkin patch and I forgot my camera! Thankfully, one of the mom's just forwarded me the picture of all the kids! The boy holding Ben doesn't have DS, but he is the big brother to the adorable blondy with glasses. :)
We had a great time and it was a special way for me to meet other moms and hear their stories.
11.02.2008
Ben the bean!
So it's been awhile since I have put on some pics. :) David and I have been very very busy. My aunt and cousin were in town this week...I am still waiting for cousin to send me the pics and then I'll post those. :) My dad was here too. And we had a birthing class reunion yesterday to meet the babies!
So here is the pic of us in late June.
And here we are with our instructor, and 4 beautiful babies: Logan, James, Bentley, and Lillian. (In order of birth not in the picture).
Ben is so loved!
The reunion of our birthing class...look at all those beautiful Mamas! And Isabelle (our instructor) holding Heather's son, Logan.
GRANDPA Johnny!!!!
Ben was a pea pod!
We love our sweet pea. :) Or you can call him the green ghost!
Thank you Aunt Jane and Uncle Mark for my hip outfit. I love it!
GO BLUE!
So here is the pic of us in late June.
And here we are with our instructor, and 4 beautiful babies: Logan, James, Bentley, and Lillian. (In order of birth not in the picture).
Ben is so loved!
The reunion of our birthing class...look at all those beautiful Mamas! And Isabelle (our instructor) holding Heather's son, Logan.
GRANDPA Johnny!!!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Ben was a pea pod!
We love our sweet pea. :) Or you can call him the green ghost!
Thank you Aunt Jane and Uncle Mark for my hip outfit. I love it!
GO BLUE!
10.26.2008
So I have been thinking a lot lately about copyrights. And I really wanted to post about this issue, but I didn't know what to say. And I guess I still don't. But I did run across something that has encouraged me to write.
So my friend Eric posted about this pastor Mark Driscoll who is a pastor of this church called Mars Hill in Seattle, WA. And this guy, Mark, wrote a book to help guys deal with their struggles. (Sort of like the book, Every Man's Battle, but much more forthright... and shorter). So he posted his entire book on the web so all you have to do is go to the site and download it and there it is!
And I think this is a really cool thing because he really wants to help guys with their struggles, and he isn't make them pay for it. He isn't earning anything for it. A lot of churches have their sermons available for free downloads which is cool too. And our church in Tucson puts all their music online and they have done some audio books of the Bible which they give out for free too.
I have a hard time when people write books and then charge for the study guides (so everyone has to buy a study guide, you can't just make copies of it for your group). I just think the study guide should be something that you can make copies of for your group. I know lots of people just make the copies anyway.
Poor Rob Bell has been picked on a lot lately (although I don't actually feel bad), but I am going to pick on him again. :) So he does this Nooma videos. I don't even know Nooma means, but they are these like 10 minute videos which end up being like short sermons. And they are like videos...so the settings and actors are a "cool" way to make the sermon, well, "cooler". So I watched this video for a Bible Study I helped with. And at the end of the video there was this whole thing about not copying the video, blah blah blah. And I just thought, how sad. Not that I want to make copies of his cool videos...but I think you should be able to. Like if your goal is really to help people... A lot of people who need help can't afford to buy the "cool stuff".
I don't know.
I just think wisdom comes from God and He uses us to help communicate his awesomeness. So why are charging each other for it?
10.24.2008
In response to Steven's posts (www.geezwhathello.blogspot.com)....
The issue of abortion has become something close to home lately....mostly because not only did I give birth to a son, but a son who has down's syndrome. And I have learned a lot by this experience, including the fact that about 90% of women who find out during their pregnancy that they are probably (because the test has a high false positive) going to have a DS baby, abort. (And about 5,500 children are born with DS each year...so you do the math because I can't!) And I think a huge reason this happens is fear. Satan has gripped parents with an immense amount of fear about what the life of their unborn child will look like. Will my child walk? talk? learn? Will he be in a regular classroom? Hold a job? Move out? Will he be teased? Will he be loved? I learned a couple weeks ago of a woman who did the prenatal testing and when the doctor's came in to give her the positive results they told her of a room next door where they could "take care of it" right away.
Obviously DS accounts for a small number of abortions. So who else is aborting? Obviously other physical and mental defects account for abortions. Then there are the single moms, the young moms, and the scared moms and the moms who are having lots of sex with no one special. What do they all have in common? Fear. Fear is paralyzing. Maybe that's why we go to wars too. (but I am not going to get into that debate right now).
Abortions are the result of broken, hurting people. And the abortions don't fix their brokenness. I wonder the number of moms who go through an abortion and end up in therapy or experience severe depression or end up suicidal?
And so my question is, where is the church? Well, we're standing on street corners with signs saying PRO LIFE and condemning women for aborting. We have bumper stickers on our cars. We are on TV spouting verses and preaching.
But I think we are called to a very different ministry. Women aren't going to stop getting abortions (legal or not) because of words spoken, or read. Women are going to stop getting abortions when we band together and help her. When we show the family other beautiful children who enjoy life...children who happen to have Down's Syndrome, when we help the single mom into a home and offer her childcare and help her with meals, when we help heal the broken women who are seeking sex to fill a void that can only be filled with Jesus' love and grace. I think the church has done enough preaching about their belief system, and it's time to start loving...really loving and offering ourselves to wounded people. To really show ourselves supportive.
I know women who have had abortions. And I know they regret it and it's painful. And I know they felt alone, scared, and full of fear. And the abortions have had serious consequences for their lives.
And so when it comes to voting I will be bold (although I could change my mind on this statement) and say it's not an election about abortions. No election is. I think politics are crappy and I don't get them and I haven't seen many good things happen because of them. And although I am prolife, I don't see how this election is going to save lives.
This election is not going to stop the severe pain that causes someone to walk into a clinic and give up their baby. This election is not going to heal the women who have already made that choice and pay for it everyday.
May we begin praying for ways to reach the broken. May we start sharing in one another's pains.
I don't really know how I can help these women. I don't know where they are...although with the high number of abortions accounted each year, I can assume they are my next door neighbors, and friends. And so I guess I just need for God to continue to help me find these lonely, broken women, and love on them with all I have.
And maybe if they held my beautiful beautiful son they might see what they are missing out on.
I want to add I understand that it is painful for those of us who are prolife to imagine the number of innocent children aborted each year. I find the numbers overwhelming. But I just see the need to respond in a different way. I guess it's kind of like the time when Jesus confronted the group of people stoning the adulterous woman and he said something like, "Will he who is without sin throw the first stone." Of course later Jesus confronted the sin, but first he pointed out their lack of love. So I don't know what that means for the issue of abortion, but it must mean something.
Anyway, I should say I have never been into politics... and so if I sound like I don't know what I am talking about politically, it's because I don't. I just know that we need to be loving people more than we are.
9.24.2008
GAME!
Ben pre game
In front of the stadium
Ben cheers during the song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game!"
Fits in a baseball mit!
9.16.2008
June, July, August babies!
Our friends Frank and Jen visited from Canada bringing their new son, Luke. So we had to get a picture of the adorable babies!
Cassidi Raine (6/24), Luke Frederick (7/10) Bentley John (8/14)
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