It's official, we have TWO TEENS!!!!

Tristin Rose, today you turn 17.  As your mom I am seeing a beautiful transformation happening from my little girl to my beautiful young lady.  You are seeking your independance way to fast for me, yet I know you must spread your wings and learn to fly.  I love seeing the artistic passion you display when you do a drawing or pastel.  I love seeing you step up and do adult tasks like calling to make your own doctors appointment, deciding where to order dinner and then making order, working at Hanzely's Nursery and Garden Center and interacting with customers.  Your beautiful inside and out.  I am saddened that this is your last year as my "child" and I know your looking forward to turning 18 to "get out of here", but you will ALWAYS be my baby girl, my little pookey bear.  I love you more than words can say......as I tear up again (boy you make me do this alot lately).  Praying God blesses you with a fantastic year.

Camille Sage, today you turn 13... THIRTEEN...what??!!! another teeneager in the household, how will I survive it?  You have changed both in appearance and in maturity this past year.  What a difference a year makes at this age.  Your compassionate heart continues to grow with you and your amazing gift of being a caregiver to your younger brothers amazes me.  I can still envision you being four years old and lifting up your 4# little brother Caleb freshly home from the NICU and saying "I will take care of him mama".  You have never let me down with that.  I see confidence building in you that wasn't there before, I see a comedian side of you coming out that cracks me up, I see you will always give me a twist and turn where I thought I knew the road ahead already, I see myself being proud of you down whatever road you take.  Love you Girl!!

Each year on this day I still mourn for the families who lost everything in the 9-11 attacks, but I also praise God for blessing our family TWICE on this particular date.  We will always have reason to celebrate but still honor this day as one that will never be forgotten.  

Psalm 127:3-5New King James Version (NKJV)

3 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one’s youth.

5 

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

We just want a place to fit in.... MattyBRaps new Video True Colors

I sat and watched this video on a friends Facebook wall.  I knew it was going to be good because I like MattyBRaps and I have followed his journey since I found out he has a beautiful sister with an extra special chromosome like my identical twins Caleb and Isaac have.

When I saw the song was a remix of Cyndi Laupers song True Colors I was even more excited to watch the video.  I was able to see Cyndi Lauper a few years before the twins arrived and she was a great performer and still one of my favorite "oldies but goodies".


Watch the video and then play it again and read my commentary:

The following lyrics really stood out to me....I played this song over and over again and I'll be honest I had tears flowing.  We have had the twins on the playground and the same scene happened, kids looked at them and got up and very obviously moved to a different part of the playground.  We have had children rudely tell the twins to shut up and quit making those loud noises.  We also have had one incident where a child pushed one of the twins because "he was retarded and shouldn't be allowed to play there".  So YES these words really hit the spot for me as their parent, YES these words are heartfelt towards other parents raising children with special needs, YES these are words worth sharing to help advocate for children like mine.  Down Syndrome, Autism, ADHD.... not words I ever dreamed would consume my life and world and yet create a passion to learn about these words non-stop.  I happily state that I give all Glory to God for allowing me the opportunity to open my heart and mind to learn about these words; Down Syndrome, Autism, ADHD..  I know there are so many other disabilities and diseases out there that I do not understand or know inside and out like I do my own children's disabilities but I sure know one thing for sure, the children ALL WANT LOVE, the children ALL WANT RESPECT, the children all deserve acceptance that it wasn't them that determined they would be different or sick.  Read these words and T H I N K, reflect on how you can personally open your heart and mind a little more and help out a family in some small way, even just opening up a casual conversation at the playground while your children play together.  Show them your "True Colors and How Beautiful Like a Rainbow" they are!!

We get uncomfortable when someone else is DIFFERENT

and it presses us to be open to change

mistreated not because of fashions that you've taken on or a terrible mistake but Hated on Because of your DNA.

It's never doin harm until it feels unfair and then we speak up but wonder why no one else cares

If we're honest inside.. and really wanted to right.. judging other for something they have no control of might be comical at times, but that might make me less of a man, the biggest thing I think is standing as a leader instead.

Imagine life without the boundaries we create with our pride and opportunities we lose because we judge from inside

The truth is that we are all equal and the answer is LOVE!!!

I'll admit I am still a work in progress myself, I still lose my tongue sometimes around other families with children with special needs not knowing what to say, but I can tell you a never fail conversation opener... you ready for it??!!... "Your child is so beautiful" "Tell me about him/her".

Thank you MattyBRaps for advocating for your little sister and for other children like her.  For opening up hearts and minds to at least being able to understand why they are different and how they are the same.

You don't have to go far to read terrible comments that people with Down Syndrome hear all the time.  Read the comments under the YouTube video posted above, its got to stop and it has to start somewhere.  Please share this blog if its touched you and leave a comment, I want to hear from people reading my blog!!!

GO!!!

Morning Photo Routine Continues

Nothing like having my twins put a smile on my face each morning with their cute little routine that has just started with this new school year.  After taking tons of photos the first day of school they figure that is how each school day should start.  I just have to budget a few extra minutes each day before bus comes but other than that this is a great part of the day that I hope lasts for awhile.

So I started with the usual:

Isaac using his skills to try to open door
(Thankfully he can't YET)

Caleb posing like the ham he is

Today they both wanted the limelight and were pretty much fighting to get close to the phone camera, actually too close>  I have to admit I like their way of taking photos better.  Anyone know how to take the glare off their glasses so bad?  I know, I know, don't stand right next to a window...LOL  got that:

My Favorite

Once the pushing and shoving to get into mommy's camera had stopped Isaac hit the record button, I love what we got with that:

How can I say I have it rough with these two little chipper boys?  Somedays they are not so chipper and more active that I am, but its these moments that bring the most joy.  Now off to an emergency dentist appointment to fix a tooth that gave me a long painful weekend.  Good Day to ya!!