Hurtful Words....

I don't believe I will ever understand the draw for people to use the word 'retarded' to describe someone that they are meaning is 'stupid, strange, or odd'. Retarded is mostly used to describe something that is delayed or slow in development. People with Down Syndrome have varying forms of Mental Retardation. My daughter, Kallie, has Down Syndrome. So when I hear someone call a person retarded or refer to something they saw as retarded, and you know that they are using it to mean stupid, strange or odd, it's offensive to me!!! My daughter is not stupid. People, think before you use words that are offensive to other people.

If you were in a room full of people of color, or different religions, or any other thing that makes people different, would you use slang words to describe them? No you wouldn't. You would have respect for their differences, at least I do, and think about what you say before you say it. With all that said, have respect for people with delays, retardation if you must, and STOP using that word to mean stupid!!!!!

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes
•Frequent urination
•Unusual thirst
•Extreme hunger
•Unusual weight loss
•Extreme fatigue and Irritability
Type 2 Diabetes*
•Any of the type 1 symptoms
•Frequent infections
•Blurred vision
•Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
•Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
•Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
*Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms

If you have one or more of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor right away.

So excited!!!

Brittany has her first soccer practice Tuesday night! They are supposed to practice on Wednesday's as well but she is already committed to AWANA on that night, so we will just have to make sure to practice with her at home. Pictures to come soon!!!

Sisterly Love

Last night I went in to check on my girls and they are just too sweet! Look, Britty is even reaching out to touch her! The other day Kallie's site from her pump was pulled off rather painfully while we were playing outside and Brittany was so sweet to her...rubbed her back and even wanted to help her wash her hair in the bath. They may have their off days and bicker, but I don't think Kallie could have a better sister! ♥ my girls!!!

I love my girls!!

I was looking through some pictures recently and came across some pictures that I don't believe I shared from a trip we took this summer. I just love these girls! I have so much fun with them.

Creating a 'Rainforest'

We have been learning about life on Earth before the great flood and how there was a vapor cloud that kept the moisture perfect, because before the Great flood there was no rain. So an activity that was suggested was to make a mock rain forest. This was SO easy and really taught the girls about how a rain forest works and gave them an idea of how it used to be on Earth...

We took a spaghetti jar and cleaned it out and then we went outside and gathered a few rocks, some dirt, weeds and grass. Then we poured in a 1/4 cup of water and put the lid on tightly. Within 20 minutes you could see the condensation on the jar and they better understood the lesson! Here are some pictures from our experiment!

I want a do over!

I got this from an inspirational mailing I get every now and then and I wanted to share it! SO refreshing to know I am not the only one :-) I hope your blessed by it like I am!

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I Want a Do-Over
Q: How often do you all feel like this? I'd love to re-start my homeschooling journey again. Four years later I feel like an expert, just in time to send my kiddies off to school next year.
— chrisnleanne

A: This is year 10 for us.

I would relax more. Play outside. Play games. Not worry about the late reader or horrid speller—help them, encourage them, but not worry over them.

If you need a do over, begin with today because that is all you have to work with anyhow. Today be the mom you want to be, teach the way you wish you always taught, interact with your children the way you wish you had always done. You can begin a new legacy of the mom they remember TODAY! The woman we want to be can only be a reality when each and every moment we CHOOSE to be her.

So today, I choose to be cheerful and pleasant. How freeing!
— Jessie in LA

Mr. Nicholas Parker

Yesterday we went to meet our friends John and Kathleen's new baby. OMG, he is SOOOOOOOO sweet! I got to snuggle with him for like two hours! One thought, thank God my tubes are tied or else I might get baby fever! LOL

Todd's thinking, "Don't get any ideas!"

Let the fun begin!

I can't believe we are already in November!!! This year has flown by! The girls and I have smoothed nicely back into our routine with homeschooling. We are trying different things this year and it seems to be really paying off! The girls had their first nursing home choir trip this past Friday. They did SO awesome! I am very proud of my girls and how loving they were towards the people at the home. My girls are far from perfect, but they have big hearts and I am proud to be their mother. I think sometimes, it's so easy to focus on all that needs to be worked on with our children, that we can forget their good characteristics too. Here are a few pictures from our Nursing home visit. Kallie was wearing sunglasses because her choir teacher told her that they could wear sunglasses during one of their songs and well, Kallie decided she was going to wear them the whole time! Our next event is the Thanksgiving feast!








This year was our first year not trick or treating and instead we participated in an alternative Trunk or Treat at our new church home. It was SO awesome! In fact, Todd decided that this will be our Halloween activity from now on! My girls were excited to see their friends from church and AWANA and it was nice hanging out and getting to know people in the cars around us, that just so happen to attend our church as well! While we do miss some of the things at our former church, I must admit that the small church feel is just what we need right now. I am looking forward to getting involved in the women's ministry and getting to know some more people :) Here are a few pictures from Trunk or Treat night.

I need some ideas! And fast!

So last week at AWANA our church told us that they had a shortage of trunks for the annual 'Trunk or Treat'. Originally we had planned to just attend this event because it would be our first year and thought we'd like to just attend this year and decorate our trunk next year. But God tugged on our hearts and we are going to decorate this year! What I would like is some ideas! It has to be relatively cheap but we would like to do something fun that the kids would really be impressed with when they come to get their candy. Now, with your ideas keep in mind that we have a Red Ford F150, so instead of decorating our trunk we will be decorating our truck bed! Please please please help me with ideas!!! No scary things!!!