Its' been a Simple Blackberry Jam Kinda Day

I have been gone from blogging for quite some time now.  My days have been so busy, heck my life has been so busy.  About a month ago I really felt that God has put something so strongly on my heart that I could not deny it any longer.  He led me to a decision that I had been putting of for a few years but could not bring myself to do.  I resigned from a job that I truly loved working as the Executive Director of our local Arc chapter.  I enjoyed getting to know so many people and gaining a better understanding of the needs in our community for people with disabilities.

What I came to realize was that I had a very important need in my own household.  Raising five children and trying to keep it all together is not something that one can do lightly, I WAS NEEDED!!  I was needed to stay home and be the best mom and wife that I could possibly be.  And thus I begin the stay at home mom routine again.  The income loss will hurt but I have faith that God has a better plan for us and He will see us through.  Already I have had more time to tend to my garden and keep the weeds from overtaking everything like it usually does by this time of year.  Already I am working hard with the kiddos to simplify things in our home.  I have said several times, I don't know if I'm losing my mind or if I'm getting smarter, but we currently have NO FURNITURE in our living room... thats right!! We have a rickety ole glider rocker that I bought when I got pregnant with Tristin (16 years ago) and an Amish wooden rocker that is not the most comfortable to sit in for a long period of time.  So a rocker for mama and a rocker for dada.  The kids can sit on the floor....and they do!!  The kids had spilled things on the furniture, jumped on it until fabric was torn, the twins had pee'd on it a few times and the odor would not fade, the dog used it more than I did and I just plum got tired of having something like that in my house... so I paid someone to come and haul it away to burn.  Honestly, felt great!!!

We are downsizing the bazillion pieces of clothing that my children have, and don't take care of.  I will wash laundry only to have them throw it on their floor and declare it dirty again and end up back in the wash before its even worn... no more!  What does not end up in the dresser goes away in some fashion or another.

Yesterday my darling husband informed me that the blackberries were ripe and huge.  He spent about an hour or so pickin for me last night.

 I didn't want to see that beautiful harvest end up as just a snack so today I took some time and made some blackberry jam.  I have made strawberry jam, I have made blueberry jam, I have made peach jam, I have even made tomato jam, but never have I had a chance to make blackberry jam... I have to boast and let you know it turned out delicious!!! Can't wait to spread it out on pancakes or eat it ontop of ice cream and enjoy it for breakfast ontop of my toast.. YUM!!

So as I start my new journey of being a stay at home mom again, I see wonderful things in my future.  I see canning, I see baking, I see crafting, I see home improvements, I see landscaping.... BOY oh BOY I guess I really was needed right here ;)

Recipe for blackberry jam:

9 cups of fresh blackberries
5 cups of sugar
1 1/2 cups of apple juice
1 box pectin

mash blackberries, add apple juice and bring to a boil adding sugar slowly.  When boiling add package of pectin and boil until thickened.  HELPFUL HINT: I always take a spoonful out and set it on some ice cubes for a minute to see if its the thickness I desire when finished.  Ladle into jelly jars, top with sterilized lid and hot pack for 10 minutes.  This recipe makes about 9 jelly jars full, with a little extra to enjoy ASAP!!

Texting Twins

Christmas 2010 has come and gone.  The twins enjoyed things more this year than before.  They still do not really comprehend that there is something fun waiting for them behind the wrapping paper and have no interest in opening their gifts.  This year I wrapped a few things, but the majority of things I just put into a gift bag for them.  Due to the fact that the older three children were so very excited about Christmas this year and woke us up by 5am, the twins were totally not in the mood to even participate in the gift opening with us at that time.

I have so many fun photos to share, but the twins and their $2 Buzz Lightyear Phones really gave me a kick.  They always see everyone texting on their phones and it was like they were sitting there sending each other messages.  One would push buttons and laugh, then the other would push buttons and laugh..  they sure know how to make a mama laugh.

Isaac loved his sock monkey:

Caleb loved to Dance with Just Dance on the Wii with his siblings and cousins:

Camille was adorable in her new hat and scarf:

Elijah was super excited and very animated about getting his Beyblades Wii game:

And mom and dad finally buckled and got Tristin her first phone:

hummmmmmm......wonder how the twins figured out to text?????

31 for 21: An Interview with Tristin

5 years ago Tristin was 8 years old.  She was old enough to know and see the craziness that occurred when the boys were born 8 1/2 weeks prematurely,  receiving a Down Syndrome diagnosis within a week and then having one twin develop a life threatening disease rather uncommon in premature babies called Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and taken 2 1/2 hours away to Pittsburgh Childrens Hospital where he would stay for 12 weeks.

It was a very stressful and unsure beginning.  Here is what she remembers and some answers to other questions I wanted to ask her.

Mom:  What do you remember most about when the twins were born??
Tristin:  I remember seeing them under the purple lights.  They were so tiny.  Seeing them like this made me both happy and scared.

Mom: When we told you they both had Down Syndrome what did you want to know the most?
Tristin: I guess I wondered if they will be able to do all the stuff we do.  And I wondered if it was contagious.


Mom: 5 years later, now what do you know about Down Syndrome?
Tristin:  They are not that much different.  They are still really cute and loveable.  They shouldn't be judged by their disability because they are really smart.  


Mom:  Did you like to learn sign language and do you use it with them much?
Tristin:  Yes and Yes.  Its weird talking to other little kids younger than my brothers because I end up signing to them too.  Like my one cousin Tyler who is 2, I will go up to him and ask him if he wants to eat and I'll sign eat and he looks at me funny.  I think its funny!

Mom:  Do you get upset with them about anything?
Tristin:  Most definitely like any other little brothers.  They throw things all the time and make a mess, that makes me mad.  Sometimes their humming gets a tad annoying when I'm trying to watch a movie or when we're out in public.

Mom:  How does it make you feel when they take up so much of my time?
Tristin:   A little jealous.

Mom:  When they go to school next year, how do you think they will do?
Tristin:  Pretty good.  I mean they can't talk yet but they know the alphabet and they are starting to read.  They are smart.

Tristin:  How do you feel about having twins with Down Syndrome?
Mom:  I feel like we were chosen by God to raise these special needs boys.  I don't know why?   I find it a challenge somedays and a complete blessing others.  I also think that by you having brothers with Down Syndrome you are understanding how to have compassion for people and acceptance towards those that are a little different.  So not only do I feel blessed to have the twins with Down Syndrome, but I feel blessed to have you learn through everyday life that some people have harder challenges than we do, yet all they want is  to be treated the same way we want to be treated.  With love and respect.. and you don't know it yet, but your developing a beautiful heart that will get you wonderful things in your lifetime.

Thank you Tristin for you time.  I pray that life with the boys blesses you one day and you'll appreciate all the extra work the boys go through to be more like you.  They love and admire you...  Keep up the great work of being a great big sister :)

31st Annual Run/Walk for Someone Special

When I was a little girl in elementary school I remember getting all excited to walk a walk in Sykesville with my family. We usually raised a little bit of money and had a fun family time together walking for a good cause. Then I moved onto middle school, high school, college, and then life. I honestly can say I didn't realize that the walk was still going strong each and every year. I had the privilege of becoming the Executive Director of The Arc of Jefferson County last year and had a hand in the end of planning for last years Run/Walk.

This year I have a new fire to again make this the biggest and best event yet. Last year we were so excited to have had over 300 participants show up. The Run/Walk for Someone Special is our biggest fund raiser and all monies raised stay completely local. The donations go towards funding a summer camp program we host called Camp Friendship, an autism camp that just started 2 years ago, a sign language workshop we began last year, a lending library available to our members, a parent support group that meets monthly, and the Saturday Adult recreation program we put on. There are so many people who benefit from the funds raised at this event. I have set up a FirstGiving page and would ask you to consider making a contribution towards my little guys future here at The Arc of Jefferson County.

Please visit my firstgiving page HERE or if you would like to read up on more about our organization you can visit http://www.jcarc.org

31 for 21 Day 24.... First Bowling Trip

Today was my nephew Daniels Birthday. Happy Birthday Buddy!! He held his birthday party at a bowling alley and I was very anxious to see how the twins would respond to all the people and noise at a place like this. They did WONDERFUL!!!

At first Caleb buried his face in my shoulder and refused to look at anyone or even eat pizza for awhile. After about 30 to 45 minutes he knew we were staying there if he wanted us to or not, so he decided to join the party. Once he was up and around he really started enjoying watching the people bowl and the reactions they gave after a ball was thrown. He was still pretty withdrawn and to himself, but we did get him to bowl about three times. It was so great to see this. They just turned four and doing something like this with them was something I don't think I really thought about even trying. But hey, birthday party = FREE bowling, and that's the kind of price I like to try something out :)

Here is a video of Caleb sitting and watching everyone. The light from Tom's phone bothered him a bit so he makes funny squinting faces, but its pretty darned cute:


Isaac on the other hand. As soon as we got to the bowling alley he was completely engaged in everything. The bowling alley was using a blacklight and they colors were very vibrant and he was loving that, he was so very interested in what the people were doing and he watched the ball from the time the people released it until it hit the pins. While we ate he sat backwards in his chair just to watch the bowlers. He was very happy when I asked him if he wanted to try and bowl with a ball. He ran as fast as his little feet would carry him, it was so cute. In this video the noise level must have been a little higher, this is the only time he acted like this the whole 2 1/2 hours we were there, but again, its CUTE!

(Oh and I dropped a piece of pizza on my lap while I was feeding the boys, its always me coming out messy and not them...hump!)

I thought this was a great experience and I'm so happy the day turned out as it did. My nephew had a nice turn out for his party, he seemed to have a great time, we had a great time and we made a memory today!!!