Maddie Sue

Today is Maddie's 7th birthday. I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I can remember the day she was born just like it was yesterday. I am so glad that she is a part of our family. I love that little stinker so much.

My mother in law took Maddie and I to lunch today for her birthday and Maddie kept giving me kisses because she was so happy to be out with us. She is so happy! I can truly say that she is a joy. She can be a pain in the back side, but so can any kid.

I was so nervous when she was born and I didn't know what to expect of her. She has come so far and is so smart. Her teachers love her and so does everyone she meets. She is so infectious and you can't help but love her. I am truly blessed to have her as my own. I thank my Heavenly Father every night for her and the joy that she brings to my life. I just wanted to tell my Maddie how much I love her and hope she has a happy birthday today!

p.s. Thanks for taking this fabulous picture, Kristen!!

Esme

Just took a female character Twilight quiz and thought that I would share it with all of you. Nothing of any importance, really.


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Adoration of the Christ Child

A good friend of mine, and a fellow mom of a child with Down Syndrome, showed me this picture today. It came with a story that talks about one of the Angels that has Down Syndrome, but the artist never makes mention of the fact that some of them are different. This painting was made way before the man "discovered" Down Syndrome or named it that. The best part of the painting is that she is doing just the exact same things as the others. They are just a capable of participating in Jesus' birth as other people.

I wanted to share this picture with all of you say how grateful I am for my Maddie. I am so glad that she is apart of our home. Sometimes I don't even think of her as being any different as other children. She does the same things that my other 2 kids do, and is every bit as loud and vocal about it. She is truly a joy to have in our home. I am also so thankful for Makenna and Seth. I love them all. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and wonderful holiday this week.

"Twilight" the movie

My sister in law Cyndi really wanted to go and see Twilight on opening night. She asked me if wanted to go with her and Anna about 3 weeks before it opened, and of course I said I would. I was a little skeptical ( I have to admit ) and didn't know what in the world I was doing going to a movie at 12:30 at night, or morning. It was a little bit crazy with all the wild fans and such, but we had a great time. The movie was awesome. I really liked it a lot. I am not one of the die hard fans and wasn't counting down until the movie came out, but it sure was fun. The characters were great and I just had a fabulous time. So glad that I went.

My Crazy Dad

This is what my dad "normally" looks like.

Halloween

I have a pretty straight-laced dad, type A personality and a right to the point kind of guy. He is a get it done yesterday and don't waste time doing it kind of guy too. Needless to say he was never all that wild and crazy growing up, but when we would go on vacation or somewhere fun he would make up silly songs and be a little bit silly. When I saw that he wore this costume to work on Halloween, I just about had a heart attack. My dad! What a nut. I guess you would need to know him a little better to know what I mean. I just had to share this picture.

Halloween 2008

Snow White

Super Girl

Batman

Maddie was Snow White, and the night before Halloween I decided that I should spray her hair to be black. I went to all the stores in the area and couldn't find any hair spray stuff anywhere. I was gone to Walmart and then Walgreens and even Albertsons trying to find some. I have to let you know that it was after 9 when I went looking. If I had been better prepared then I would have had it. I never found any, but the next morning I called my sister in law and she had some. She always has everything. I decided to put it on her and let me be the first to tell you it was a mess!! A nightmare! She had black on her from heck to breakfast. It was awful. If you haven't ever tried it, don't. So after we used almost an entire bottle of black spray, we got her in her dress and off to school. By the time we got to the school later for the parade, she was covered in black. It was all over the back of her dress, on her hands and who knows where else. As soon as we got her home from school, we put her right in the tub. By the time we went trick or treating she was back to her beautiful red hair. It was actually way cuter that way, but I was trying to be cute etc... No more. We will stick to the red hair from now on. Makenna was super girl and so cute. We went to her school for the parade and waited forever for the school to make around the parade route. It was fun, but we were sure ready to go home after. Seth was batman and so funny. He told me for the past two months that he was going to be a dragon, but needless to say I couldn't find one. I didn't want to spend a fortune, so we settled with Batman. He loved it and looked so cute. We had a great time trunk- or- treating with Anna's ward and then went to visit Grandma Max for some yummy stew and to see the other cousins. It was fun and we only got a little bit wet.

RadKids

Maddie's group

In her full pads etc

Getting away from the Bad guy

How cute is she?

Makenna's group

Fighting the big red bad guy (oh how comfortable can he be in that get up?)

About a month ago Makenna and her cousins took a course at her school called Radkids. Its a course that teaches the kids how to defend themselves if someone is trying to hurt them. No one has the right to hurt me!! It was a great program that I enrolled her in after school for a week. At the end of the course they have a little program/simulation where everyone comes to watch them and cheer them on as they take on the "bad" guy. Well Makenna did great with the program and I was so glad that Meadow PTA offered it. A few weeks ago I got a letter in Maddie's backpack saying that they were doing Radkids in her special ed class and the lady from Meadow PTA was coming over to teach it. I didn't even have to pay for Maddie to take the course (I would have) but it is so neat that they are teaching these kids how to protect and to defend themselves in a situation. SO many kids are preyed upon and especially kids that are a little bit behind. I was so proud of both of my girls as they did the simulation. These are a few pics of the events. Way to go girls for completing RADKIDS!!