Happy New Year

With love from,
Jimmy and family

Precious Moments

Tonight it was just Caleb and me. Jimmy spent the night with a friend, Ben is out with friends, and Elijah konked out after riding around for an hour looking at Christmas lights. And tonight has been fun and special. We ate popcorn and watched Rudolph's Shiny New Year. We shared many hugs and giggles. I love this child of mine more than words can say.

While driving around earlier tonight looking at lights, the thought came to mind... What would I be doing at this moment if I hadn't adopted Caleb or Elijah? I can't imagine it. No matter what I would have been doing, it couldn't compare to the pure joy I received from hearing my little 8 year old Russian born son, calling from the back seat, "Go that way Mom!"

The sound of his laughter over the sight of Christmas lights felt like a kiss from Heaven.

Some of my favorites

These are not jeans, they are actually pajama pants. Cool huh?





Here are some of my favorite photos from Christmas this year. They are also included in the montage below but I wanted to post them separately too, because at the end of each year I have my blog made into a book but it does not display the montages. And of course, I want to include my Christmas memories.:)

Merry Christmas!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Frosting Cookies

Caleb and Elijah did such a good job frosting cookies today. Elijah was very careful frosting his cookies while Caleb was busy pouring sprinkles all over his.:) Jimmy didn't want to frost but he did come in when they were done to have a taste.:)

2 in 1 week

Caleb lost two teeth this week.:) The funny thing is, he really doesn't care about the money that the tooth fairy brings. He does however, want his tooth back. The next morning, he eagerly opens the envelope hoping to find his tooth. I try and explain it to him (however you explain the tooth fairy) and the good news is, he does not get upset over it when he finds money instead of his tooth. But it made me start to think about if there may be a creative idea on how I can save Caleb's teeth so that he can see them later on. He really does think they are cool and it's almost sad that that darn tooth fairy takes his tooth every time.:) So, any ideas? Another funny thing is, that when he pulled the second one out this week, I have no idea where he put it and he doesn't either! So the next morning when the tooth fairy came (yes, she still brings money when she doesn't get a tooth), Caleb thought she had found his tooth and gave it back to him!

Gifts and Smiles

Caleb lost a tooth the other day and he has another one that is super loose. I love those toothless smiles.

Made by Jimmy and Caleb with Love.....Jimmy made the frame and put his new Christmas picture in it (he goes every year with his class to Penneys to have their pics taken) and gave it to me early. He couldn't wait until Christmas. I love it! And Caleb made this adorable little gingerbread house at school. Isn't it cute?:)

Elijah being smiley. He won't smile when I tell him to "Say Cheese" but he will if I tell him "Say Boo!":)

Elijah lookin' CUTE

Today Elijah's class had their Christmas sing-along at school. I couldn't go because my district scheduled an all day IEP training and I had to attend.:( But I wanted to share how cute Elijah looked in his outfit this morning. Actually Caleb wore this outfit when he was just 3.

Silly Boy

Every night when Elijah finishes his dinner, he flips his bib up over his head like this.:)

Our Busy Weekend

We had a very busy weekend! Friday night began with the School of Rock performance by students and staff from our school district. Jimmy’s Young Adult Program danced to “Beat It”. They did such a great job!:) I didn't get a good picture though because of the lighting.:( Then on Saturday, Saline had their annual Christmas parade. Jimmy was chosen to ride in one of the city trucks and toss out candy. The truck was all decked out in Christmas lights. He was so excited all week for this parade. Even though we froze our butts off watching the parade, it was so worth it to see Jimmy having such a good time! On Sunday, we went to get our Christmas tree. This was the first time we have had a real tree since Caleb has come home. When the guys were putting the tree into the netting, Caleb asked where the box was. LOL! Our artificial tree always comes up from the basement every year packed in a box, and he wanted to see the box. It was very funny! After getting the tree home and into some water, we went to our local Down syndrome Christmas party, complete with a chocolate fountain which Jimmy thought was so cool, decorating Christmas ornaments,(Jimmy made me a very cute penguin), pasta bar and Santa! There are no pictures with Santa and Elijah because even though Elijah was very comfortable climbing all over the couch behind Santa, he was no way going to sit on his lap!!:)
Have a great week, everyone!

The City truck that Jimmy rode in during the parade.

Jimmy waiting for the parade to start

Caleb at the parade

Caleb with Santa

Jimmy with Santa

Thank you Jimmy!

Bedtime

My boys are all different with the things that they have brought to bed when they were small. For years when Jimmy was small, he would sleep with Elmo and Jiminy Cricket and then it changed to Batman and Woody. Ben slept with Clifford when he was little, nothing but Clifford. Caleb is my only one who will not sleep with anything at all. He has said prayers with George at bedtime but after that, George is out. Elijah is funny. A lot of times, he chooses a book to take to bed. He has also has brought a comb, a block, a plastic egg.... But he never takes a stuffed animal to bed. Once, I put Elmo in with him and he threw Elmo out before I left the room. Tonight look what he brought to bed, two little containers from his kitchen, a can of soup and chili.:):)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jimmy requested a cherry pie for Thanksgiving this year, so I asked him if he would help me make it. He was more than happy to. Looks like it's going to be delicious huh?:)


I have so many things to be thankful for in my life. And I am so THANKFUL for my children, they are such a JOY to me! Praise God for He is Good!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Elijah's school picture:)

Happy Birthday Jimmy

Twenty four years ago, the most amazing little person entered my life. And I am such a better person because of him. When Jimmy was born, it was suspected that he had Down syndrome but it wasn't suggested to me until the next morning (before any of my family had arrived) as I sat alone in my hospital room. Here I was, 21 years old and just told that my son may have Down syndrome. Of course, I was in tears and afraid. But not because of the reason you may think. I did not cry over the perfect child that I lost. I didn't cry over the child I dreamed he was going to be. None of my hopes and dreams were crushed. Because I did not have dreams of a perfect child. I just didn't. I prayed for a healthy child that would grow up to be a good person. And that's just what I got (I don't consider Ds as unhealthy) and so much more. So why were there tears and why was I afraid? Because I did then, what I still do today, I worried about the future. I worried that he might die. I worried that no one would be his friend. I worried that other kids would make fun of him. I envisioned him being made fun of and feeling sad that no one would play with him. All I wanted to do was take him home and love on him...protect him from the cruel world that I felt surely would be mean to him...........If I only knew how WASTED those tears were. This kid of mine had friends from the moment he first walked through the school door. Kids gravitated around Jimmy with his outgoing personality and hilarious sense of humor. They still do! He had a blast in highschool and was far more popular then I ever dreamed of being. He even was elected to the Homecoming court his senior year! Yes, my friends, those tears many years ago were so wasted. And now 24 years later, on the anniversary of Jimmy's birth, I am reminded of how God gave me the child I had always hoped for but with a little something extra.:) Happy Birthday Jimmy, I love you, I admire you and truly wish I could be more like you. You are my hero....a precious gift that I don't deserve but am so, so THANKFUL for!



A trip down memory lane....





Our beautiful Jimmy

born November 9, 1986



3 months old



2 years old (my favorite picture of Jimmy)



2 years old



Jimmy 6, Ben 2



Jimmy 7 Ben 3



Jimmy 8



Jimmy 24

This is Catherine

Isn't she precious?
I had the pleasure of meeting Catherine when I was at Elijah's orphanage. The director of the orphanage brought me into a room to show me Catherine. I knelt down and spoke to her. Although she did not understand what I was saying to her, she smiled at me. Her smile is engrained on my heart forever. The director asked her if she was a good girl. Catherine looked up at her and said with a big smile "DA (yes)!" Then the director's face got serious and also turned sad. She told me that this was Catherine's last day at the orphanage. She urged me to try and find a family for Catherine because the following day Catherine would be transferred to an institution. And there she would spend the rest of her life, unloved, unwanted, and hidden away from a society that has no use for children like her. I am in tears as I write these words because I have been touched by this child, and not just because I met her but because she is a child of God. And oh, how He LOVES her....and I know His heart breaks every time a child like Catherine is sent away, never to know the love of a Mommy or Daddy. Catherine has never had a birthday celebrated in her honor. Can you imagine not one person has celebrated this precious child's life? And there are so many like her every day that just sit and wait......and no one comes.
I have no doubt that it is God's will for Catherine to have a family. But who will listen to God's call and follow Him to bring her home?
If I could bring home a little girl, I would adopt Catherine myself. My heart aches for this little girl. But there is someone, a family out there that is able to take this leap of faith and bring Catherine out of this grim place that she has been sent to. Catherine will be 6 years old next month. She is still a little thing and cute as a button. I just know that she would bring such joy to a family. Could her family be yours?
Please visit www.reecesrainbow.org for more information

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amydl4@yahoo.com