Miracle Marathon

Please go listen to WKLH



For the past 11 years, 96.5 WKLH morning show hosts Dave and Carole have teamed up with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to bring listeners miraculous and heartwarming stories from the lives of patients and their families treated at Children's Hospital through a 60-hour radiothon. To date, the Dave & Carole Miracle Marathon has raised more than $11 million to support various programs at Children's Hospital.

Happy Mother's Day

25 things our Mothers taught us

1. Our mothers taught us TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. Our mothers taught us RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. Our mothers taught us about TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle
of next week!"

4. Our mothers taught us LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. Our mothers taught us MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going
to the store with me.."

6. Our mothers taught us FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. Our mothers taught us IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. Our mothers taught us about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. Our mothers taught us about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. Our mothers taught us about STAMINA..
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. Our mothers taught us about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. Our mothers taught us about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. Our mothers taught us the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. Our mothers taught us about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. Our mothers taught us about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this
world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. Our mothers taught us about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. Our mothers taught us about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. Our mothers taught us MEDICAL SCIENCE..
"If you don't stop making a face, it's going to freeze that way."

19. Our mothers taught us ESP.
"Put your sweater on -- don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. Our mothers taught us HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. Our mothers taught us HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. Our mothers taught us GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. Our mothers taught us about our ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?

24. Our mothers taught us WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. Our mothers taught us about JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you."

Mitchell is 18 mos

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Kids Fest

The big moose (the boys loved all the mascots walking around)...

The choo-choo train (Mitchell cried when I took him off)...

Cameron is helping read the story and Mitchell is listening intently...


Cameron dancing with the bird.....


Mitchell and the bunnies...



Cameron and the goat....



Here you go, are you hungry?

Reassurance

I was contacted yesterday by my local Down Syndrome Support Group and asked if I would be willing to talk to a new mom whose son was just born on Thursday (April 16) with an extra chromosome. The mom is quite upset and would really like to talk with someone who has been there, and can offer her some reassurance.

With tears in my eyes, my reply was YES, OF COURSE, I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO HER!

Why the tears? Because this was me. One one hand it feels like yesterday, and on the other it seems like decades ago. I can so relate to how this new mom feels. Becoming a mother for the first time is an absolutely indescribable experience.

You are meeting this little one who has been blossoming and growing inside you for 9 months, you gaze into their eyes in wonder, what did I do so right to deserve this unbelievable gift?



You hold their tiny hand, thanking God for giving you this miracle.



The emotions and feelings you have are so overwhelming, nothing else on Earth matters except this child in your arms.

When you hear the words Down syndrome when referring to this miraculous little one you don't know how to react, what to feel, what to think, what that means. You feel so alone, helpless, clueless, lost, sad, angry and guilty all at the same time (at least I did).



I have a very strong desire to do everything I can to help new moms with their feelings, whatever they may be. I truly don't want anyone to feel as alone as I did in those first few months after Cameron was born.

Today, I am extremely blessed because I know what it means that your child has an extra chromosome. It means endless hugs, kisses, love, laughter, fun and joy. It means that I will learn, see, and feel things I would never had experienced in this lifetime without that extra chromosome. It means that I now have an extended family who is on this amazing journey in Holland right there with me, both locally and worldwide.

I can't wait to meet her and her beautiful baby boy. Please pray that I am able to give her a glimpse of hope as to how absolutely wonderful her future will be beause of this little miracle and his extra chromosome.

12 newborn babies with DS up for adoption

The Adoption Awareness Program in Down Syndrome Association of Cincinnati has contacted a friend of mine.

They have TWELVE birth families currently trying to make an adoption plan for their pre-born babies. They are hoping to have several potential adoptive families to present as possibilities.

Are you or anyone you know interested in adopting a baby boy or girl with Down syndrome????

I do have the contact information, please let me know if you would be interested.

Happy Easter!

Award

I received this from Cheryl, Ruby's Mom. Thank you so much Cheryl.

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find friends and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships will be propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly- written text into the body of their award.

I am sending this award on to:


Amy at The Fledge Farm
Kristen at Faulkner Family
Kim at Charlie & Calvin's Up To
Brigitte at Van Nice Family Journey
Julie at The Adventures of Cap'n Jack 'n Crew
Emma (CJ) at Little Miss E
Angela (Leah) at Its My Life Mom!
Braska (RK) at Braska Bear

I love reading your blogs, thanks for writing.

What's Barbie Been Up To?

Down Right Beautiful

It's Magic!

Wordless Wednesday

Today is the day!

Help Spread the Word to End the Word. I invite you to be a fan of respect and join me in a campaign to stop the use of the “R-word.” Today thousands of people across the country will pledge to end the use of the word “retard/ed.”

Visit www.r-word.org and take the pledge and pass this site along to all your friends. Help us get 100,000 pledges and spread the word.

Life Is Grand

I won my first bloggy award! Thank you to my friend Karyn at Quinn's Crusaders.

Karyn and I met when her daughter, Quinn, was still blossoming in the womb. Karyn received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and was brave enough to come to a Mom's Night Out dinner to meet other moms of children with a little somethin' extra. I offered for Karyn and her family to meet Cameron (I wanted them to see how much more typical he was than not). I'm pretty sure he charmed the pants off of them!


Thank you Karyn, this award means a lot to me.

For The Life is Grand Award I must give five reasons why I think life is grand and then tag five more people.

My Life Is Grand because of:

1. My children. I suffered for years before having my boys, trying one procedure, surgery, medication after another - all unsuccessful. The Lord finally answered our prayers and gave us not one miracle, but two. They mean the World to me and I know that I would be lost and miserable without them.

2. My husband. I am completely blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. I know that I don't tell him or show him often enough how much he means to me. I would be lost and miserable without him as well.

3. The Lord. I have always believed in and prayed to the Lord. It's been within the last few years that I have really seen what is possible when you put all your faith in Him.

4. My health. I have seen too many people suffer and die too early from cancer. I thank the Lord every day that my family and I are healthy. I will NEVER take this for granted.

5. My family & friends. They love, understand and support me regardless of my faults.

I am now awarding the following:

1. Sunflower Stories
2. Larkin's Place
3. Pocket Lint
4. The Baeten Family
5. Class of 2008

I really enjoy reading your blogs and because of you as well, my life is grand!

My Apologies

I’ve been sick for a week now. I have a sinus infection and bronchitis.

I truly believe I jinxed myself. I mentioned to a co-worker that I haven’t been sick in years. What the heck was I thinking saying something so stupid???

I am going to try to catch up now that my head doesn't feel like it's going to completely explode.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday Tim!

Today is my big brother's birthday. I have always looked up to and admired Tim. He left to go into the army when I was only 8 years old. Tim has always been the only rational, mature one in the family

He has taken the role of single dad and is raising his three daughters (two of which are hormonal, boy crazy teenagers) and he is doing a wonderful job keeping them in line raising them correctly.



Happy Birthday Big Brother - I love you.

Oh, and in celebration of St. Patrick's Day your birthday, I will be spending the entire day drinking green beer. No need to thank me, it's the least I can do.

Continue to Spread The Word

Wordless Wednesday

Always check your child's homework

(Here's the reply the teacher received the following day)

Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer.
I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.
From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith

Spread The Word

Wordless Wednesday

Win an iPod Touch

The retail value is $300.00. However, you can win it for FREE and help Bring Jacob Home all at the same time.

My friend, Brigitte, and her family are adopting an adorable little guy from Reeces Rainbow. Adoption is extremely expensive, but with our help we can help them raise enough money to bring Jacob home to his forever family.

So, for every $10 that is donated towards Jacob's adoption, your name is put in for the final drawing for the iPod Touch.

For everyone that donates AND posts about this on their blog, linking back to their fundraiser (please leave Brigitte a comment with the link that you have done so), will get an additional entry.

Or, if you donate AND send an email to 10 of your friends (Brigitte being the 11th) you can get an additional entry.

Brigitte's beautiful daughter, Josie, will be drawing a name on Friday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. CST so get your donations in before that!!

Wordless Wednesday

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house
3. To help us out when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to be cause dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom . You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you go to if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Mom s have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3 I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

GI Appt. Today

Cameron has been refusing to eat more and more foods including things that used to be his favorites (yogurt & PB&J sandwiches). So I took him to his GI dr. today. He was 24 lbs. on their scale (He is 2 years and 7 months old).

Although his refusing to eat certain foods is likely could be behavioral, I need to rule out anything medical and get some advice on how to get him to eat more of a variety of foods without the constant occasional struggle.

So the plan is to do a food diary writing down the date, the time he started refusing foods eating, the time time finished being sassy eating, the food/drink offered, how much consumed, etc.

We will do all the necessary blood work (CBC, celiac) the next time he gets his thyroid checked. [Note to self- schedule that appt.]

I was told We will be getting a call from the feeding clinic to make an appointment there as well. I do believe while there he will work with a feeding specialist to rule out the likelihood possibility of it being behavioral.

From there it will be determined if we need to do a swallow study and endoscopy.

I am feeling positive about the plan in place until dinner time.

Down syndrome is Contagious

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a triplication of the genetic material on the 21st chromosome. This trisomy occurs with the first division of the developing zygote, as a result there is extra genetic material present in every cell of the individual.

Recently, science has discovered that this cellular abnormality is highly contagious.

As a result, family members (and even friends) of individuals with Down syndrome often find themselves exhibiting dramatic changes due to this "something extra" permeating their bodies at the cellular level.

These changes manifest themselves in a number of ways. Something extra in the visual cortex results in parents who view the world differently.

In addition to seeing things in an entirely new light, these parents also report having an increased ability to focus on what is important.

Spontaneous appearance of tears of joy have also been confirmed. The section of the brain used in logical thought undergoes dramatic changes.

Parents suddenly find themselves able to comprehend and discuss complex medical procedures. The ability to decipher long strings of acronyms appears almost immediately and it is not uncommon for affected parents of newborns to be able to differentiate between ASD,VSD and PDA. Familiarity with G-tubes, Pic lines and the NICU is another side effect.

Over time, the entire nervous system is transformed, enabling parents to perform tasks previously thought impossible. These changes result in individuals finding the nerve to advocate before large crowds, speak to classrooms of medical students and educate the population at large about issues they are passionate about. These changes are closely tied in to dysfunctions in the verbal abilities, which makes it virtually impossible for parents to bite their tongue. Often, individuals who previously considered themselves reserved will find themselves outspoken and effective communicators.

The pulmonary system is altered to a dramatic extent. Parents report having their breath taken away at the slightest prompting. The cardiovascular system develops similar vulnerabilities and reports of hearts pounding loudly and swelling unexpectedly are not uncommon.

One mother reported that her heart skipped a beat when her son smiled at her for the first time.

The extremities are also altered. Arms reach out to strangers for support, and in turn, hands comfort and nurture those in need. Legs strengthen and balance improves, allowing parents to stand firm in their convictions and walk without faltering, even when shouldering a heavy load.

Scientists are baffled by the widespread scope of these symptoms. Equally perplexing is the response of those afflicted. Parents readily acknowledge fundamental changes in their being, however, almost universally declare a preference for their new, altered level of functioning. "I wouldn't change a thing" is a common refrain.

Apparently, the presence of a little "something extra" enhances the lives of individuals fortunate enough to be infected.


Originally written by Wendy Holden

T21 Traveling Afghan

Chandos (mom of Little Miss E) is making a T21 afghan to travel the world! The afghan travels from one family to another, along with a journal.

Each family, upon receiving the afghan, takes a picture of their family member (with Down syndrome) with the afghan and the picture will be posted on a "T21 Travelling Afghan" page. After having the afghan for bit, the family writes a note in the journal and sends it off to the next family.

Click the button below to find out all the specifics.



Please post about this on your blogs, FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. with a link back to this page. That way we can spread the the word out as far and wide as possible.

Please stay tuned if you would like to follow the journeys of the Traveling Afghan. I will follow-up with the links to the page so you can see all the adorable pics and read the journal entries - how fun!

Wordless Wednesday

First Born

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?

Hoped & Prayed for, but not expected.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?

Yes.

3. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

Complete shock, ecstatic, disbelief, grateful.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?

Never

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?

32

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?

Home test & then OB's office

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?

Hubby

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?

No way.

9. DUE DATE?

7/29/06

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?

Nope

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?

Burgers & Ice Cream

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?

The smell of cigarette smoke

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?

Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?

Nope

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?

Like 35!



16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?

Yes




17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?

I knew.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?

Nope.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?

Aurora Women's Pavilion, West Allis, WI

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?

12



21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?

Hubby

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?

Hubby, doctors and nurses

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?

Natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?

Epidural

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?

7 lbs.

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?

7/9/06



30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?

Cameron Allan

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?

2 years & 7 months

Wordless Wednesday

Bloggy Makeover

My blog finally has a new look.

I entered to win a bloggy makeover from RK, a/k/a Braska's mom and I WON!! Thank you RK, I really do appreciate it.

This is the second time I won something just by posting a comment on a friend's blog.

The first time I won a copy of Roadmap To Holland which is an absolutely awesome book written by my online, DownSyn, bloggy friend, Jennifer. This wonderful prize was given to me by Deborah - thanks again Deborah, I loved the book and quickly read it and borrowed it on to another mom and promised it to another mom after that.

My 10 Names

I just got this in an e-mail and thought it was too funny not to share. Let me know your 10 names (okay, it's actually 11, but I am just following the e-mail).

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Terri Hust

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: Terizzle
(first 3 letters of real na me plus -izzle)

3. YOUR SPY NAME: blue cat
(favorite color and favorite animal)

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: Ann Arthur
(your middle name and street you live on)

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: Huste
(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)

6. YOUR SUPERHERO/CRIMINAL NAME: Pink Miller Lite
(Your 2nd favorite color, and favorite drink)

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: Eshelty
(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, 1st letter of your last name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of your dads name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, and last letter of your moms first name)

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: Jean Allan
(parents' middle names)

9. YOUR GOTH NAME: Black Tampa or Black Junior
(black, and the name of one of your pets):

10. Your ghetto girl name: Teriqua
(first 3 letters of your first name and add -iqua)

11.Porn Star name: Tabby Peck
(Name of your first pet and your mother's maiden name):

25 Random Things

1. I had lasik eye surgery. Prior to that I was pretty close to being considered legally blind (I wore contacts)

2. I am a obsessed with coupons!

3. I currently read about 80 blogs, most of which are moms I "met" on DownSyn (which unfortunately, because I spend so much time reading blogs, I don't have time to go on anymore)

4. I was a cheerleader in Middle School

5. My celebrity crush is Wentworth Miller


6. In my younger, bar-hopping days I won runner up in the hot legs contest and bikini top contest.

7. I would like to have another baby (maybe a girl?)

8. I used to be a PartyLite consultant and earned a free trip to Hawaii

9. I occasionally shop at Goodwill.

10. I drink at LEAST a gallon of water a day (I also pee a lot).

11. I grew up very poor in the heart of the ghetto, thought I wanted to be a gang member, and have dated a few.

12. I have two older brothers, we are all five years apart.


13. I can’t resist baked goods (especially homemade).

14. I enjoy cooking and entertaining.

15. I take care of my elderly father.


16. In a fight or flight situation, I tend to fly.

17. I am a thrill seeker, I love roller coasters, have bungee jumped and want to skydive.

18. I eloped to Mexico and got married on the beach at sunset.

19. I haven't printed pictures from my camera in at least a year (the pics of the boys on my desk at work are VERY old).

20. I am easily overwhelmed.

21. I have had the windows on my car broken 7 times that I can remember.

22. I was previously engaged. Had the wedding planned, dress bought, hall/church booked, etc., we broke up less than 6 months before the wedding (it took me years to get completely over him - what a waste of time!)

23. I work full-time as a legal secretary (which is what I went to college to do) and have done it for 16 years. I do enjoy working. I would love to be able to spend more time at home with my boys, but I am NOT meant to be a stay at home mom (working part-time would be ideal for me).

24. Our house is currently for sale

and we have an offer in on this one

because we are hoping to move to an area with a better school district (not to mention we outgrew it awhile ago - it was supposed to be a starter home but we've lived their for 9 years).

25. I am easily influenced by others and tend to be a follower rather than a leader.