Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday Verse
It is not the work,but the worry
That makes the world grow old,
That shortens the years of many
Before half their life is told.
It is not the work,but the worry
That places on life a band,
The cares and fears that crowd the years
That break the heart of man.
-Unknown
Casting all your care upon Him;for he careth for you. (1Peter 5:7)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Pampered Chef Giveaway
Lora Leigh at Life with the Browns is celebrating her 100th blog post with a Pampered Chef giveaway.I love Pampered Chef! Go take a look!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Large Family of Special Needs Children
I just saw a special on t.v. this past week about the Murphy family who have a large family of adopted special needs children.This family amazes me,that they would take on that many children who need special care and do such a wonderful job with all of them.I searched on You Tube and found a video about them to share with you.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thankful Thursday
1. I'm thankful that we can celebrate our freedom.
2.I'm thankful that I have such wonderful family to celebrate with.
My daughter and her Uncle3.I'm thankful Ruby has such a super Aunt and Uncle.
4.I'm thankful for a sweet and thoughtful Father-in-law who bought this pillow for Ruby,that says "God Made You Special", at a silent auction at the church he attends.
5.I'm thankful for my little girl who turned six this week.
6.I'm thankful for a son who gladly decorated t-shirts for his brother and sister for camp this week. 
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Jaxson's Fight Fundraiser
Mama Monkmee is having a fundraiser for this terrific little boy,Jaxson from Jaxson's Fight.Go on over and look at the great prizes she is giving away and help this awesome little boy.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Repost-Always Reaching
Sunflowermom posted this awhile back and then I posted it, it's so beautiful that I wanted to go ahead and post it again for those who haven't seen it.
"Always Reaching"
written by a father of a child with Down Syndrome: From the STL DS Newsletterby Matthew’s Dad
Every time I see my son, I reach for him. It doesn’t matter if he rounds the corner 4 seconds after I have seen him last, or if I am picking him up from school and have not seen him for hours…I reach for him. I can be 1 foot away or 100 feet away…I reach for him just the same. I reach for him with my arms, with my eyes, with my heart. I wonder sometimes what I am reaching for. I have seen this in other people when they see my son.My family, my friends and perfect strangers. They all reach for him. I see the same movements, the same gestures, the same need to hold out their hands for him. They want him to come to them, some know him and some don’t. Some call his name and others just motion for him. But they all seem to want him to come.For a moment, you can see his spirit reflected in their faces. I watch the smiles grow across their faces with a fullness that is unavoidable.When he falls into their arms (which is what he does to everyone), I see a momentary peace envelop them, and their eyes close, they pull him in and they experience what I call “The Joy of Matthew”.He gives it to you. He wraps you in it. He wriggles and squirms and mashes the love into you. If you did not know what to expect, you may be surprised and find yourself amazed at the feeling, overwhelmed at the emotion he carries with him. I am lucky. I get to hold him all the time.And I have been able to think about that feeling and where it comes from and what it may mean. I think Matthew is a window through which we see a pureness of emotion… pure happiness, pure sorrow, pure joy and pure love.Despite what some may think, our special children are closer to God than we are. We see so much in them that we lack. We wish quietly in so many ways that we could be more like them. And when we hold them, if just for a moment, we feel closer to God.That must be why I am always reaching for my son. That must be why they all reach for him
"Always Reaching"
written by a father of a child with Down Syndrome: From the STL DS Newsletterby Matthew’s Dad
Every time I see my son, I reach for him. It doesn’t matter if he rounds the corner 4 seconds after I have seen him last, or if I am picking him up from school and have not seen him for hours…I reach for him. I can be 1 foot away or 100 feet away…I reach for him just the same. I reach for him with my arms, with my eyes, with my heart. I wonder sometimes what I am reaching for. I have seen this in other people when they see my son.My family, my friends and perfect strangers. They all reach for him. I see the same movements, the same gestures, the same need to hold out their hands for him. They want him to come to them, some know him and some don’t. Some call his name and others just motion for him. But they all seem to want him to come.For a moment, you can see his spirit reflected in their faces. I watch the smiles grow across their faces with a fullness that is unavoidable.When he falls into their arms (which is what he does to everyone), I see a momentary peace envelop them, and their eyes close, they pull him in and they experience what I call “The Joy of Matthew”.He gives it to you. He wraps you in it. He wriggles and squirms and mashes the love into you. If you did not know what to expect, you may be surprised and find yourself amazed at the feeling, overwhelmed at the emotion he carries with him. I am lucky. I get to hold him all the time.And I have been able to think about that feeling and where it comes from and what it may mean. I think Matthew is a window through which we see a pureness of emotion… pure happiness, pure sorrow, pure joy and pure love.Despite what some may think, our special children are closer to God than we are. We see so much in them that we lack. We wish quietly in so many ways that we could be more like them. And when we hold them, if just for a moment, we feel closer to God.That must be why I am always reaching for my son. That must be why they all reach for him
Giveaway Winners
The winners of my Nursing Cover giveaway are, Patti, at To Love Endlessly and ,Melanie, at Baeten Family . Ladies please e-mail me your address at cherylsfam-blogg@yahoo.com and I will get them sent to you.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
"Brand NewMan: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down syndrome".
I found this on the Ds group I belong to and thought it was a good idea so I'm passing it along here.
I thought maybe some of you would know a Dad that would want to share his story with Mr .Mike Burgess for his book.His contact onfo is at the end of this post.
Many of you who have children with Down syndrome may be familiar with the book"Gifts", edited by Mrs. Kathryn Soper. If you are like me, the stories from allof the mothers out there were inspirational, and more than one has brought me totears. Knowing that there are others who have walked down the same path beforeme has been a blessing, especially in the beginning. One day, I sent Mrs. Soperan email asking whether there were plans for a book that focused more on afather's perspective. Her response was relatively simple: "No.....I hope you'llconsider creating the book you'd like to read." After much thought, I've decidedto do just that. I am looking for vignettes from fathers, brothers, uncles,grandfathers and self-advocates for "my" book. The working title is "Brand NewMan: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down syndrome". Write about what moves you,what inspires you, what you wished you'd known. I want this book to bring asense of peace to new fathers who are faced with the unknown, who arequestioning God and his infinite wisdom, and I want to reassure them that Downsyndrome is just one more way we are all the same and we are all different.People are people first, and my hope is that when this is all said and done,more people embrace this philosphy.You are welcome to pass this on to anyone who may be interested. If you have astory to tell, please feel free to contact me. Even if you don't, send me anemail letting me know what's on your mind. I will endeavor to answer every emailpromptly, but remember, I am a father and husband first, so it may take a day ortwo.Thanks.
And I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Contact Info : Mike Burgess - mike.burgess@alumni.duke.edu or mike_burgess@comcast.net Phone# 864-314-3544
I thought maybe some of you would know a Dad that would want to share his story with Mr .Mike Burgess for his book.His contact onfo is at the end of this post.
Many of you who have children with Down syndrome may be familiar with the book"Gifts", edited by Mrs. Kathryn Soper. If you are like me, the stories from allof the mothers out there were inspirational, and more than one has brought me totears. Knowing that there are others who have walked down the same path beforeme has been a blessing, especially in the beginning. One day, I sent Mrs. Soperan email asking whether there were plans for a book that focused more on afather's perspective. Her response was relatively simple: "No.....I hope you'llconsider creating the book you'd like to read." After much thought, I've decidedto do just that. I am looking for vignettes from fathers, brothers, uncles,grandfathers and self-advocates for "my" book. The working title is "Brand NewMan: Reflections on Fatherhood and Down syndrome". Write about what moves you,what inspires you, what you wished you'd known. I want this book to bring asense of peace to new fathers who are faced with the unknown, who arequestioning God and his infinite wisdom, and I want to reassure them that Downsyndrome is just one more way we are all the same and we are all different.People are people first, and my hope is that when this is all said and done,more people embrace this philosphy.You are welcome to pass this on to anyone who may be interested. If you have astory to tell, please feel free to contact me. Even if you don't, send me anemail letting me know what's on your mind. I will endeavor to answer every emailpromptly, but remember, I am a father and husband first, so it may take a day ortwo.Thanks.
And I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Contact Info : Mike Burgess - mike.burgess@alumni.duke.edu or mike_burgess@comcast.net Phone# 864-314-3544
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Don't forget
My nursing cover-up giveaway ends on Tuesday, June 30th.So if your interested in winning and haven't left a comment yet then go ahead and leave one now.
Sunday Verse
This is one of my favorite Bible verses,it really helps me to remember this verse on those days when I feel like life is just too much.
Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Treadmill Therapy Video
Research has found that Treadmill therapy is supposed to help the child with Down syndrome walk about six months earlier than they would have without it and their quality of walking is better.Treadmill therapy can be started with a baby at eight to ten months of age.
I'm going to try and find some type of harness that I can hold Ruby up over the treadmill with. I may have found something at Target called Walking Wings that I think will work.Ruby's PT also suggested a harness called a Gait Trainer because it has straps that go between the legs as well as on the shoulders but then we decided this harness is probably too big for Ruby.Our goal right now is to be able to do this therapy once daily for eight minutes.
I'm going to try and find some type of harness that I can hold Ruby up over the treadmill with. I may have found something at Target called Walking Wings that I think will work.Ruby's PT also suggested a harness called a Gait Trainer because it has straps that go between the legs as well as on the shoulders but then we decided this harness is probably too big for Ruby.Our goal right now is to be able to do this therapy once daily for eight minutes.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Ruby
Ruby did so well with her vital stimulation therapy,she only had to have three sessions and now she is able to eat a whole jar of the 2nd foods three or 4 times a day.I'm so happy she is eating well,maybe now she will put on a little more weight.She will only have to go to speech therapy once every six weeks again instead of weekly.This is great because I just found out that her occupational therapist wants to start seeing her weekly.So at least I will only have PT and OT to go to instead of ST, OT and PT :) We will also be having her fitted for SureSteps as advised by her PT and she will be starting treadmill therapy soon.We just have all kinds of exciting things going on around here.
Nursing cover up Giveaway
I'm going to be giving away these two nursing mother cover ups.I made them with boning in the top so that the material will lay open so you can see your baby but no one else can.As you can see one is pink with large dark brown polka dots and the other is green seersucker with dark, light blue and yellow flower clusters.I'm going to be picking the winners on June 30Th using random.org.So let me know which one you want and let others know about my giveaway too :)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday Verse
Matthew 6:26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap , nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
lyrics by Civilla D. Martin ,music by Charles H. Gabriel
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,”
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said this about her inspiration to write the song ,
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.
-- Civilla Martin
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap , nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
lyrics by Civilla D. Martin ,music by Charles H. Gabriel
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,”
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics, said this about her inspiration to write the song ,
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.
-- Civilla Martin
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Therapy
I'm so excited that Ruby is doing well with her therapies but couldn't they just let you be happy about an achievement for a few days before you have to start thinking about what's next,what your child still is not doing.I know it's the therapist job to point out things your child needs to be doing but when your child makes an accomplishment can't they just give you a couple of days.I guess sometimes I just feel overwhelmed with everything that needs to be learned.
Well,off to therapy!
Well,off to therapy!
Ruby's thyroid
I took Ruby for her re-check on her thyroid yesterday and this morning I got a call saying her thyroid numbers were normal.Something less to worry about for now :)
Here are some pictures my husband took of Ruby getting around in our living room.
Here are some pictures my husband took of Ruby getting around in our living room.
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