25 Random Things

1. Life Source calls me daily... several times a day actually, asking me to donate.

2. I am a wealth of useless knowledge... the mommies at play group don't care that I can recite the periodic table or all the presidents in order.

3. Death by Algebra is a real fear.

4. My children are amazing and they make me a better person.

5. I was the Homecoming Queen in high school (seriously).

6. I have cookies and milk nearly every night before going to bed.

7. Before I had children my husband and I watched our nephew and nieces for the evening. It was baptism by fire... snot, vomit, bed wetting, poop. I cried all the way home and told Patrick that I could never have children. LOL. I now have 3 boys, one with special needs, and at this point there is not much that would phase me.

8. eight, eight, I forget what eight was for.... I loved the Violent Femmes in concert.

9. I don't like chocolate.

10. Other careers I considered... psychology, architecture, medical illustration. Reason for not pursuing those careers and focusing on fine art ... see #3. 

11. I have one tattoo and am seriously considering getting another.

12. I am fascinated by Curling (the sport of). Don't ask me why. I have never seen it in real life but I found my self up at 3:00am watching it on the Olympics.

13. My right leg about 2 inches longer than my left.

14. I am ambidextrous. Yes, really.

15. I married the brother of my best friend from high school (luv ya Tam).

16. I have been asked more than once if I was a doctor, nurse or in the medical field... that's what happens when you have a medically fragile child and out of necessity you must earn an "honorary" medical degree to take care of their basic daily needs. 

17. I am really good at assessing spacial relationships and therefore I am a really good packer ... it's a gift really. 

18. I am tongue-tied.

19. People tell me that they actually enjoy reading my yearly Christmas letter and anxiously await its delivery. I get several request from people wanting me to confirm that they are on "the list" to receive a holiday greeting. A little known fact... writing scares the hell out of me! I take a big gulp and write. I am glad people find it entertaining but the process requires me to re-live painful memories of creative writing 101.

20. I am an optimist, who married a pessimistic-skeptic. Where I am a "glass half full" sort of person, he is a "who the hell touched my glass" sort of person. I guess we even each other out!

21. I had a track scholarship in college (soccer scholarship too but that was a joke) but volleyball was always my favorite sport. 

22. We are members of the 2% Club. I know first hand the contraception is NOT 100% effective.

23. I am actually wondering how interesting anyone will find my 25 Random things list... but I have been tagged enough times that I felt obligated to share.

24. My children can hit octaves that only dogs can hear. Impressive to say the least. They also have a knack for finding the acoustic sweet spot in Church, the van or other places where they can make the most of their transmissions really count!

25. Euchre and Chess are two of my favorite games.

PInewood Derby

The Sub-Tank

Andrew participated in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.  Each Tiger Scout's car raced in 3 races throughout the day.  Andrew's car, a half submarine half tank creation won a trophy for Most Original Design. He came up with the design himself and helped with most of the sanding and such.  He placed 3rd in 2 races and 2nd in the third race.  

That's my plan and I'm stickin' to it!

Well my project is now off and running.  I have 5 ponchos underway and just a few knots away from being finished.  I have several more yards of fleece...therefore more ponchos to cut out.  I will be donating the ponchos to the Children's Hospital at Lutheran General...in hopes that they find their way to a little girl undergoing long term treatment.  The ponchos go easily over their heads and won't interfere with IV's, monitors or other tubes.  I have been inspired by the all the children I know who are battling cancer and everyday I thank God that Sam has not had to fight this battle. I guess he thought Sam had enough on his plate for now, but the realization is that we will always be watchful and grateful for every cancer free day.  Leukemia is very common in kids with Down syndrome.  My hopes are that these ponchos will not only be warm but stylish and perhaps bring a smile to a child's face... and at very least cover up what those awful hospital gowns do not.  

Sam has follow ups with his pulmonologist every 2 months (not to mention all the other specialty follow ups) so we will be going to the hospital anyway.  I plan to deliver some at each trip.  Andrew has Religious Ed. on Wednesday nights and it since it is too far to come all the way home, unload the crew only to load them back up again 20 minutes later to go pick Andrew back up... I sit in the parking lot, pop a DVD into the player in the van and I tie knots.  If I make a minimum of 1 per week that will give me at least 8 ponchos each trip.  Maybe more, maybe less but that is my basic goal.

 

Obama must have had the faster car...

This morning I got up and turned on the TV to take in some of the news on this historic day.  As I was getting the boys ready and I mentioned to Andrew that today was a very important day... the day that Barack Obama becomes President.  And our conversation when like this...

Andrew:  Well, I guess Obama won.

me:  Of course he won honey... today is the day he is sworn in as President of the United States.

Andrew: I'm glad that he beat McCain... Obama must have had the faster car.

me: Faster car?

Andrew: Ya MOM!  The Presidential RACE! (duh) Obama beat McCain to the White House so he gets to be President today!  

OMG I about wet my pants.  Out of the mouths of babes.

Sean's First Haircut

Today Sean is 17 months (on the 17th too!) and today he also got his first haircut.  The pictures are in reverse order... the first pic was taken right after his bath tonight and I think that it is pretty obvious that his hair is going to be curly.  I thought for sure all the curls would be cut out never to be seen again.  Well... it looks like they are here to stay!  Sean was really good and sat very still... while driving his police car of course.  

Sean's new haircut!

all done!

the new little man dooo

a quick pose before the big curls get cut off

the first cut (I got to keep this lock)

Uppercase Living

Well, I took a leap and entered the world of direct sales.  I recently became an Independent Demonstrator for Uppercase Living.  Uppercase Living offers decorative vinyl lettering to transform your home, office or where ever.  The pics are a few "crafts" that I made using UL lettering... it is easy, simple and affordable.  I still have lots to learn but I am kind of excited.  

Interested??? Check out my website for more information.  View the catalog, create your own custom text creations and get some great ideas about how you an express yourself with Uppercase Living.  

Want to host a party and get lots of FREE stuff, 1/2 off stuff and a fabulous hostess gift made by me??? See something that you just can't live without???  Want to become an independent demonstrator yourself???  Want to know about monthly incentives and other special offers???? contact me today!... you know where to find me.  

a bit of a wake up call...

I have come to a realization... I indeed am getting older.  This is not a sad or "oh woe is me" moment but a moment to ponder all the same.  We got a Wii for Christmas and a Wii Fit.  I am very excited.  However I recently did the Wii Fit diagnostic only to realize that I am actually 39!!! My actual 36 self was not as excited after finding that out!  Anyway I have been slowly realizing that my child, my child with special needs, my child who requires lifting and assistance with almost everything, my child who is a new walker and who now weighs about 50 pounds... (50 pounds of dead weight) is becoming a physical challenge for me at an alarming rate.  Now I would like to think of my self as fairly fit and strong but I can see that in a very near future I may not be as strong and as fit as my physically challenged child may need me to be.  I mentioned to my husband that I need to kick up my workout routine.  Not that I intend on going crazy and entering a Ms. Universe body building competition anytime soon but I need to get my body stronger in order to keep myself and my child safe.  God forbid I rupture a disk in my back lifting Sam, or I slip while lifting his wheelchair out of the van, or fall while carrying him because I am so off balance ... or even worse yet... I drop him.  I realize now that as my child begins to "out grow" me that it is my responsibility to stay one step ahead of him.  So bring it on Wii Fit!!! And if I am lucky... not only will I have fabulous arm and abs come summer but I will have an easier time managing Sam until he is able to do more for himself.  Once again Sam has risen to the occasion and has forced me to take a good long look at myself and has encouraged me and given me the strength to become a better person.  And then Andrew (my honest Abe) will keep me on track as he points out all the diet commercials and all the ways that I can get into better shape and with the very best intentions he will brutally point out all my flaws (Pat is not spared from his "observations" either). So with the help of my boys... how can I fail?