Photo Session

Ethan and I are up in Virginia visiting our friends, The Balsis Family. Bethany took us out this morning to a trail to take some pictures of Ethan walking. She captured some great shots- the one on top up above is my favorite. The more I look at it, the more I love it. Doesn't it look like he is getting to cross the finish line of a race? Bethany also revamped my blog layout, so if you are on reader, you will have to check out the new look! I have one more picture coming that Carmen is editing. Ethan is so darn cute! Thanks Bethany for braving the FREEZING cold to take some pics of Boogs.

We are enjoying our time with the kids. Ethan is getting into more things today, so I think that he is getting more comfortable. Both Nika and Payton want to play with him, but he is cautiously keeping his distance, LOL! These girls are WILD! :) Mason is such an awesome big brother. He is so good about reminding Ethan to chew on his chewy versus his toys.

Tonight, we will meet up with another Downsyn mom- Vonda. I can't wait to meet her and her son, Noah! I am hoping to get some pictures. Oddly, I haven't taken any pictures yet. What's wrong with me!!??!

Another child saved...

Our friends, Renee & Frank are going to be adopting a little girl with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe! I have known for a little while, but swore to secrecy. I am so jealous elated for the Garcia family!

Renee has answered some great FAQ's in her announcement post here.

Congratulations Renee & Frank! We can't wait to meet her! Oh, and what will her middle name be? :-)

Disciple

This is Scott's favorite band. He has been going to their shows since we were in California. Then, when we moved here, Scott found that Disciple played the east much more- probably because they are from Knoxville, Tennessee. Whenever Disciple comes around within a 3-hour driving distance, Scott is usually there.

So, as it turns out, Scott has become friends with the band- specifically Kevin, the lead singer. Ethan, Scott, and I all had the privilege to have lunch with Kevin one day. He is such an easy-going guy with a heart for God. Yes, Disciple is a Christian rock- ok, hard rock, band.

Scott was able to get me to go to a show last year and they really were awesome. They read from the bible during their shows, their music is a reflection of their love for God, they are just overall a great band to see. I really think that Kevin doesn't have to do as much screaming as he does because he really does have a great voice, but all the die hard fans love it, so who am I to tell him not to? LOL!

They have a new CD out called Southern Hospitality. Kevin actually thanks Scott in his thanks on the inside CD leaflet. How cool is that? Scott and Kevin text every once in a while, we know how busy he is, but I know that Scott appreciates the time that Kevin gives to their friendship considering he is on tour.

I have added the Disciple banner to the bottom of my blog, but you can also go to Disciple's website to check them out!

Kevin- if you read this...THANK YOU. Many times lately, your friendship and your music is what gets Scott through a rough time, so I thank you. We will see you January 2nd in Wilkesboro, which just happens to be my birthday. :-)

Rest in Peace Caylee

How anyone could harm you, is beyond me. May justice be brought to the person who is responsible for harming you in the worst possible way. You will forever be an angel.

This is all so heartbreaking. It seems as though this precious little life had a sociopath for a mother. Just like Laci Peterson had a sociopath for a husband. She will never admit to killing Caylee, just like Scott will never admit to killing Laci. They get off on the attention. Zero remorse. I just don't get people. Those grandparents would have taken care of her. There was no reason to kill her.

SO exciting!

I kept Ethan home another day today since he started getting another fever last night. Then, I started not feeling well last night! Grrr...after a very long nap today, I feel much better!

Anywho, the exciting part! I was letting Ethan play with the broom (one of his favorite things EVER), and he stood up from the floor only holding the broom!!! Do you realize how unsteady of an object a broom is?!?! It was beautiful, I tell you! He took his time, put one hand on the floor, one hand on the broom, bent his knees slowly, and stood up!!! THEN, he took two steps!!!

Oh my gosh, I cried.

Baby Andrew update

I spoke with Mark last night. He is sounding much more rested, which is great! Chere is getting discharged from the hospital today, but Andrew will be in the NICU for a minimum of two more weeks. Minimum.

The great news is that Drew is off of the ventilator. Apparently, he needed some help over the past couple of days, but he is off now. Pray that he can stay off of the vent.

Chere's mom is able to stay to help out with big brother David, which is a HUGE blessing since Chere can't lift him for six weeks.

Thank you for all who have been praying for Mark, Chere, David, and Baby Andrew. Mark has asked me to thank you all- it means so much to them!

Dr. update

Well, the doctor is fairly certain that it is NOT mono. He feels strongly that it was a false positive. It has something to do with what Ethan went through when he was on chemo. It was all too scientific for me to remember. But, it had to do with IgG and IgM levels. The only way to tell for sure is a full blood workup and he didn't want to put Ethan through it since he doesn't have any other symptoms, ie. swollen lymph nodes, swollen spleen, sore throat...Plus, he says that Ethan's fatigue would be chronic, not just tired at the end of the school day type tired.

The true culprit? Likely...wait for it...wait for it....VIRUS.

As long as the fever stays away today, he can go back to school tomorrow.

Sick day!

Yesterday, Mary called to tell me that something was wrong with Ethan. He was curled up on her sleeping (something that he never does unless he's really sick!). He was hot with shivers. He was trying to swallow and making odd sounds while trying. I was about 10 minutes away, so I immediately headed over to school. Sure enough- something is very wrong.

I am not sure if the fear of relapse ever goes away. I had major flashbacks while sitting in that exam room with a sick little boy curled up in my arms. Same symptoms, same office. I sat there and then burst out in tears just thinking about it. Thankfully, my fears were put to rest after we got the CBC back.

I was able to get him into the doctor right away. They took his temp with the tempural thermometer. I am a firm believer that those things SUCK. Here's why...they took it and got 99. He is ON FIRE. There was no way he was only 99. Sure enough, we took it under the arm and it was closer to 105!!! That's a HUGE difference.

He was given tylenol and the fever broke to around 101. Now remember- Ethan's 99 is his 101, so this was all very high for him. After getting home, I just laid out on the couch where he could snuggle tight. His fever finally broke below 100 around 8pm.

The only thing that came back slightly elevated yesterday from tests was the mono test. After reading THIS, it's possible that's what it is. I had it this time last year. I got it from my sister. I guess mono has this insanely long incubation period. I just can't imagine that I could still pass it on after a year. I have to take Ethan back in this morning for follow-up, so we'll discuss that further.

No fever yet this morning, so that's good.

Prayer Request

My friends, Mark & Chere, had their baby today almost 8 weeks early after an emergency c-section. Baby Andrew was breech- hence the c-section. Andrew was 4 pounds 5 ounces and is currently in the NICU, but he is on room air which is great! (Edited: I just spoke to Mark a little while ago- bless his heart, he is so exhausted! Andrew is on oxygen, but not a breathing tube or anything. Still GOOD news!)

Mark, Chere, and David just moved into their new home in Florida yesterday! Chere is also doing ok. Please say a prayer for this wonderful family, that Andrew will continue to thrive and come home soon! Also, that Chere heals quickly with minimal pain or discomfort. Thank you SO much for your thoughts and prayers for them!

I just want Andrew to be able to get home and be with his Mommy, Daddy, and big brother David!!!

(I wish that I had a family picture of them all together!)

Lunch for Life in honor of Morgan

My friend, Allison, sent out the following e-mail. I am not going to even try and summarize. We met the Barnes Family by way of cancer and now we are part of the same church family. Morgan has overcome such a major obstacle! Please, if you feel led, donate to such a great cause!!!

Hello Friends,

It is once again time for Lunch for Life. As you may remember, this
is a grass roots effort by the neuroblastoma parents to raise research
funds for this terrible form of childhood cancer. My daughter,
Morgan, was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma in July 2002. God
has blessed our family by allowing her to call herself a survivor.
However, there is no cure for this disease and I personally will not
be satisfied until the cure rate is 100%. Carter, Sophia, Jessica,
Carl, Jake, Harrison, Lillie, Christy, Shawn, and James are just a few
of the children I know who are now angels because of Neuroblastoma.

I am asking each of you to donate $5.00 to this cause. Then, forward
this to at least 10 friends and ask them to do the same.
Unfortunately, Neuroblastoma is rare enough that it does not get a lot
of research funding from organizations like the American Cancer
Society.

To donate, go to www.lunchforlife.org. Click on the link that says
"Donate Now". You can donate in Morgan's honor by finding her name in
the pull down menu. Her giving code is 31833. For every $5.00 in
donations she receives, she has ornaments added to her Giving Tree.
Morgan really enjoys see her ornaments increase on her tree.

Thanks so much for your help.

Allison Barnes

Why I love John C. McGinley

http://www.eparent.com/main_channels_family_community/His_Best_Role_Yet_John_C_McGinley.asp


His Best Role Yet – John C. McGinley on Being a Dad
By Laura Apel
Dec 1, 2008 - 12:15:32 PM


Exceptional Parent (EP): Do you enjoy working on Scrub's and does you’re your schedule and commitment to it allow for a lot of time with Max?

John C. McGinley (JCM): I love doing Scrubs because it keeps me close to Max. When you go do a film, you’ve got to pick everything up and go wherever you’re going to shoot—Buenos Aires, the Philippines—for four months. And the chances are, when you do go and relocate, that unfortunately whatever you’re shooting just isn’t going to be that great. Just because of the number of quality movies that you and I want to see… there’s not that many. And so when you get on a winner, you want to stay on it. And Scrubs is just something you can tell people you’re on and be proud of it. Or I can. And it’s in LA and with the new baby and with Max coming into puberty—which is a whole other thing—I want to be around. And Scrubs has facilitated that.

EP: So it allows for a lot of time to be home?

JCM: Absolutely. Look, when we’re shooting, we work five days a week, and we shoot 14 hours a day. So when Max gets there I’m tired, but who cares? We’re going outdoors, we’re playing baseball, we’re playing golf, we’re getting in the ocean, we’re running the dogs. I’m kind of the camp counselor dad.

EP: What is Max like? What are his hobbies, and what do you do together?

JCM: Max loves pinball. It started out as a way to address some of the fine motor skills challenges we were dealing with. The reason that pinball addressed the fine motor is because I make him pay. So you have to put 50 cents in, and to put 50 cents in, I wanted him to have two quarters in one hand and take it and put it in. Also, tracking that ball down to where it’s going to go and triangulating that ball with the flippers has been fantastic. So we have a big, old pinball machine. And I tested out as many as the guy had, and I found the one with the most spoken language, because Max does well with repetition. So we play a lot of pinball.

Also, Max loves dogs. He has three dogs and one at his mom’s house so he has four dogs. We play with the dogs nonstop down at the beach. And during the writer’s strike, last October until March, I built a baseball field. So we play a lot of baseball, go to the driving range, and he loves bowling; he likes the chaos, noise, and all the visual stimulation at bowling alleys. And he likes that Wii… loves that Wii.

Actor, John C. McGinley with his son Max, 11, his wife, Nichole and daughter, Billie Grace. Photo credit: Leigha Hodnet.

EP: What was your first reaction when you learned that your son had Down syndrome?

JCM: My first reaction was that I wanted to know what I did wrong. Why I deserved this. It had nothing to do with the child. It was all completely caught up in what I had done. And I just kind of beat myself up for a while. And because Max had microscopic holes in his heart and wasn’t introducing enough oxygen into the blood as it came to his lungs and heart, we had to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit for three weeks. But as a result of going to the NICU every morning you see this kid who doesn’t really care about you and your issues—the kid needs help. And so that came around; it takes the focus off of one’s self and onto this miracle. And so that’s what I did. But you start to transfer to the kid all your light and all your energy and the kid comes home and then before you know it you’re injecting your kid with needles and then he has sleep apnea. So it was challenging. It always struck me that parents of kids with special needs—now I can see this but I couldn’t at the time—that you’re thrust into a situation where you have an opportunity to be a great parent. Because you’re going to have to be. There’s that great lyric in the Paul Simon song that goes “breakdowns come and breakdowns go so what are you going to do about it, that's what I'd like to know.” And it’s a declaration of do. You’re going to have to do something here. Because the kid, on a lot of different levels, is not going to be able to. So what are you going to do? What are you going to bring? And it better be a lot. And so that’s what it felt like with Max.

EP: What has raising him brought to your career and the characters that you play?

JCM: In every script I have, the first thing I do is get a black and white composition notebook, and about ten pages in, I write out all the text in my own handwriting. It’s the quickest way I can memorize things and it’s also my favorite way to take the words away from the screenwriter or the playwright and make them my own. And on the first page are declarations about the things that I want the character or me to DO in this finite period of time that we have to shoot. For Cox over the last eight years, which was about three years into Max being born, the declarations of “do’s” that I wanted Cox to be able to execute, or find room for in every script, were to: a) show up, b) speak his piece, c) give compassion, d) give love, and finally get out. And the "give love," for Cox, seemed like a little bit of a contradiction since he is kind of a jackhammer with some of these kids. But in every episode, whether it’s a beat or a huge passage, there’s somewhere where John McGinley—through Cox—is channeling love towards these kids. Does it manifest itself in me mollycoddling them? No, not all the time. But Cox is channeling love through me and Max. And that’s how Max has affected what I do. And I can’t imagine it not being that in the margins of every composition book that I transfer now.

EP: As someone with years of experience and great success in the entertainment industry, how do you feel about the portrayal of individuals with disabilities in television and film?

JCM: Well, I have a pretty strong feeling about that. Mostly as it pertains to kids with Down syndrome because kids with Down syndrome have the physical markers of a person with challenges. I mean, you see some kids with autism, and you wouldn’t know until you saw either their behavior – or something. Well, kids with Down syndrome have markers and so when you see cowards like the “Ben Stillers of the world” producing profoundly mediocre films like Tropic Thunder and dropping the word “retard” 17 times in five minutes… well, I'll tell you something, when I see Ben, that just makes me want to pick on HIM now. Because there’s no militant arm of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) that’s going to respond to a transgression—like there is in the Jewish community with the Anti Defamation League. Or, God forbid, you go and say something against African Americans; you’re going to have the NAACP in your kitchen. We don’t have the militant arm at NDSS. We have kids who when THEY go to a protest, it looks funny because they ARE so nice, and you know damn well they would rather have a hug than hold a placard. So it really cuts me to the core. And it feels to me like the perfect storm of cowardice when you pick on people who can’t return serve. So for Ben Stiller—who directed Tropic Thunder—he is just such a punk coward.

EP: So Ben Stiller is not a friend of yours?

JCM: He couldn’t possibly be a friend of mine. Because he worked with the Farrelly brothers—doing Something About Mary—and the Farrelly brothers have championed a lot of special needs causes. So there is no way that you’re not—if you’re Ben stiller—aware that you’re perpetuating a negative stigma and that you’re doing something hurtful. And so while I don’t want to be another actor who’s going to tell somebody how to talk and what’s politically correct and what’s not, if you are aware that you’re hurting either caregivers or the people with Down syndrome, what’s the upside?

I don’t like any exclusionary language. I hate it. Because all it does it perpetuate negative stigmas about different groups. And where’s the upside? The upside, I assume, is when people use language like that is that someone is trying to elevate themselves by denigrating whoever the subject is. And it doesn’t work that way. It just makes you a jackass. And I loathe it. I hate bullies and that, to me, is like bully language.

I loathe it.

EP: What are your goals for Max’s future, as he transitions into his teenage years and adulthood?

JCM: Well, that seems to be the big question because, while kids with Down syndrome are young and cuddly and cute as a button, they skate along a little bit. And then the big question is: What happens with post secondary education? What do you do? Where are they going to go? Where are they going to be? We’re demolishing the house right now and part of the rebuild will be an adult suite for Max so that as he gets older, he’s not going to be in a little boy room; he’s going to be in a room that can accommodate anything he wants to do. A big room that if he wants to, hypothetically, paint over there then we’ll turn it into a painting room, if he wants to compose music over there, we’ll make that a music area. Or if he doesn’t want to do any of that—fine. But I guess tangibly right now, one thing we’re doing is trying to stay ahead of the physical space curve that will accommodate whatever Max wants to do. But I don’t know what Max is going to do 10 years from now.

EP: What advice would you give to new parents who learn that their child has Down syndrome?

JCM: Number one: you didn’t do anything wrong. First and foremost this is not reciprocity for any transgressions that you may have done when you were younger. You didn’t do anything. The kid has an extra 21st chromosome. That’s it. That’s number one. Number two: breathe. Get some air, because it’s going to be a while. Number three: start discovering stores of patience that you didn’t know existed within yourself. Because some things—reading, writing, walking, holding your hand, having a catch—are going to take a little longer. So if you can find a container with patience and sprinkle it generously over your Wheaties in the morning, do it.

EP: What is it you want people to know about people with Down syndrome?

JCM: Give kids with Down syndrome a fair shake—that’s all. That’d be great, for starters. And I would like people to stop referring to kids with disabilities as “retards”—it’s like a spear in our sternum because it so diminishes that kid’s capacity to do anything because he’s a “retard” – what is that? So that kid with Down syndrome is in the corner staring at the wall. Well guess what? Maybe that kid is doing his best—leave him alone. Or go give him a hug! How about that?

EP: You have mentioned that you were a jock in high school. Is Max involved in any sports and/or do you see him taking part in athletics in the future?

Well Max learned how to play baseball, and the rules of it, on the Wii game, which is fascinating. As a result, we’ve gone to a bunch of baseball games. He loves baseball. Right now he plays soccer more than baseball. He’s in a league where every kid has an assistant so they’re not spirally off onto other things. He does it on Saturday mornings in the fall and it’s fantastic. It’s hard to get him to surf because the water is too cold in California and I didn’t have enough money when Max was born to buy a pool so we got a hot tub. So Max’s perception of water is warm-to-hot. Not cold. And so when Max gets around cold water, the look and the question is: “Are you kidding? I’m not going in that. There’s a mistake – because I’m not going in that. You can turn the thermometer up and then I’ll go in.” Because he’ll go in the Atlantic in the middle of the summer – when it’s like bath water - but the Pacific is not Max’s friend, which is fine. He runs the dogs and it’s fine - he doesn’t really care about the ocean anyway. He cares about sending the dogs into the ocean. But he’s a very good swimmer. Also, Max is fast – really fast – chasing the dogs. It would be fascinating if he could ever channel that onto a track.

EP: Would you ever be open to him competing in the Special Olympics?

JCM: I dream about him participating in some track event. But I don’t want to set him up for failure or set him up to disappoint his father because his father had one aspiration in mind and Max had a distinctly other. So those are the kind of things where I don’t want to rely on serendipity, but I would like to support a serendipitous arrival at the Special Olympics.

EP: So he is very active in all different kids of sports and activities?

JCM: Max is instructed every minute of every day, so I try to introduce enormous amounts of play into his time. I mean - I want us playing. I want us going to bed at 7:30 freaking exhausted because we were on the beach playing with the dogs, because we were down playing baseball, on the trampoline, at the batting cages. Because we were playing soccer, pinball - I want him exhausted. Then I want do it all over again tomorrow morning.

EP: How did your involvement with The National Down Syndrome Society come about?

JCM: A bunch of groups contacted me after Max was born and we were just kind of circling the wagons trying to figure out what just happened. And then dealing with the different curve balls that Max was chasing, from sleep apnea to spasms – it always seemed like they were endless. And when his health kind of stabilized – from our perception of stabilized – at about two or three years in, I thought that what the NDSS was doing was pretty good and I liked the Buddy Walk. A lot of different groups are – I found – affiliated with different religions and stuff and I wanted to just be affiliated with the kids. I respect and love organized religions but I didn’t want to be exclusionary. So I didn’t want to just work with Roman Catholic kids with Down syndrome or just work with Buddhist kids with Down syndrome – I wanted to get the families. And so when I spoke to them and I liked this day, where I could really focus on this Buddy Walk and go to as many as I could – with the schedule and with Scrubs having some success – it felt like that’s where I could contribute and be an advocate who could gain access to the media. And I thought that would be helpful.

- Additional reporting by Michael Valenzano.

***I, especially, love what he has to say about the "Ben Stiller's" of the world***

Special Olympics Bowling

Ethan had his SO Bowling tournament today. He placed FIRST!!! His score was 108!!! That's better than me on any given day! His last frame he came SO close to a spare, but at the last minute, the ball went in the gutter and missed that last pin. I forgot my camera at home, so I have to get the pictures from Mary. The only thing is that because he is under 8 years old, he still only gets a participant ribbon. I want the blue one dang it! LOL! Still, he did a great job!!!

He's doing fine today, just extra tired. I am trying to figure out if it is still from his bit of fun yesterday, if he's trying to get sick, if it was the rainy day, or if he's going through a growth spurt now that his spinal cord is free. Maybe it was a combination of things, but he slept for an hour and a half at school (which he NEVER does), and then came home and slept another couple hours! AND, he is already in bed tonight. I think that maybe I will follow his lead- oh wait, is Grey's on tonight? I know 30 Rock is. Shucks. No early bedtime for me!

Oh, and Scott is getting sick. Bleh.

WTFT Photobucket?!?!

Thanks Michelle for pointing out that Ethan's beautiful butterfly picture is coming up as a violation of Photobucket terms. Whatever. Let me get to the bottom of this!

Aw, Mariposa!

Apparently, Ethan has Mariposa on his mind...

Today, I had a busy day planned. I was taking Ethan down to the Children's Museum to meet his class, then I would take him back to school and then head over to watch some friends from church's children. Welllllll...I got the first task accomplished!

It was 11am and Mary was working on one last craft project with Ethan before it was time to leave. They were making Christmas trees with pieces of confetti glued to the tree. Ethan was beginning to get grumpy when he decided to be mad for having to complete a task and therefore decided to put a couple of the pieces of confetti in his mouth. Mary was able to get one piece, but Ethan tried to swallow the second. Well, good grief Boog's...

We tried to get it out and couldn't, so I took Ethan to the ER. All I had to do was tell triage was that he was choking on a foreign object and we were seen by a doctor within five minutes! BUT, since Ethan was still crying and, um, breathing, x-rays were ordered.

Long story short, and lots of crying and pinching later- Ethan was taken to the OR to have the confetti surgically removed. Sure enough- there was a beautiful silver butterfly confetti lodged in the back of his throat.


(The ENT gave these pics to me. Vocal cords are fine. Esophagus is fine. All is good.)

The ENT said that it wasn't going anywhere, but likely cut up the tissue back in his throat some. He is happy to be home, but obviously has a sore throat. He's going to be just fine. I know that Mary feels bad, but I was right there too. Ethan is FAST! Plus, Ethan typically pulls anything that is not food OUT of his mouth, so for him to actually try and swallow that piece was really out of the ordinary. And, accidents happen. It's ok. He's fine, therefore I am fine.

Truly though- if Ethan ever has Mariposa on his mind again, I would rather he want to call Gramma instead.

Challenge Farm Sponsorships

I would like to ask you to pray about sponsorships for the children on Challenge Farm. As the children gain sponsorships, Cheri can accept more children in off of the street. All it takes is $35 a month to fund one child. That is one lunch-out a week! I know so many people who eat out multiple times a week- if only one of those days was sacrificed so Mama Cheri can take in more street kids to Challenge Farm, where they will be fed, housed, and educated.

I have committed to sponsoring Martha Lowa. Martha was one of the first kids to come up to me on our first day at CF. She is quiet, yet protective. Martha wants to be a doctor someday and with sponsorship, she will be able to work her way toward that goal!



Jackson Wafula. Oh, my sweet Jackson. If I could have brought him home with me, I would have! Jackson is a charmer! He has only been on the farm since March 2008 and is already doing well. His English is superb and he has to be the best dancer that I have ever seen! Jackson was also one of the first kids to greet me and attach to me. He is polite and listens well. I let him take a ton of pictures from his perspective. Out of the 886 pictures I came home with, 300 were probably taken by Jackson! Jackson wants to be a pilot one day and with sponsorship, I know that he will achieve that goal!!! Won't you sponsor Jackson today?



Maria Napeyok Erumu. Maria is such a sweet young lady. Maria has been on the farm since 2003. She is a very bright girl who wants to be a doctor someday, just like Martha. Maria is a phenomenal dancer and has wonderful English skills. Will you help Maria by sponsoring her today?




Joseph Ekitela Ejore. Sweet Joseph. He has been on the farm since 2005. His mother died and he used to sniff glue. Now, rehabilitated and getting an education, Joseph is a gentle and kind young man. He would drop what he was doing just to pray for you. Will you pray for Joseph that he will get a sponsor? Maybe even you?




Veronica Naro Nakwawi. Veronica has been on CF since 2003 just like Maria. Veronica is a beautiful young lady who used to live in the slums prior to coming to CF. Veronica has overcome substance abuse, thanks to the rehabilitation on Challenge Farm. Veronica's smile is infectious and she always takes care of the younger girls. Would you like to make Veronica smile big by sponsoring her?


I wanted to put pictures that I took with these children next to their "portfolio" shots because I think that it makes it more personal. I have met these kids. I have prayed with these kids. I have sung and danced with these kids. I have seen where they sleep and eat and go to school. I have been blessed by these kids, and believe me, if I could afford to sponsor all of them, I would in a heartbeat. Truth is that Cheri needs YOUR help to keep helping the children in Kenya become more than a statistic. YOU will be blessed, I promise.

Please, repost this on your blog/Myspace/Facebook/website if you feel called to do so.

If you feel led to sponsor a child at Challenge Farm, whether it be Jackson, Maria, Joseph, Veronica, or any of the other children available for sponsorship, you simply need to go to Challenge Farm's website at www.challenge-kenya.org and click on the SPONSOR A CHILD link at the top. You will then click the sponsor HERE button which will then route you to Globe International (the missionary network in charge of CF donations). It is $35 per child to Cheri Thompson. In the notes field you will put in the name of the child you wish to sponsor. Feel free to sponsor more than one if you are able! OH, and did I mention that sponsorship is TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!??! And, be sure to let me know if you link this post and/or sponsor one of the kids.

Asante Sana! (Thank you so much!)
Mungu Akubariki (God Bless You)

Poppies Blooming Giveaway!

Lu, over at Poppies Blooming is holding her first giveaway! Click on her link to enter!

Check out some of the artist's renditions in the Poppy Gallery, HERE. I have seen the "real" pictures to these renditions and I am blown away! I am currently looking for the perfect picture of Ethan to send to her!

Lu has started her business because she wanted to give back to something very close to her heart- Down syndrome. She will donate 10% of her proceeds back to charities for Down syndrome.

Check her out, have her create a precious piece of artwork for you. I am sure you won't be disappointed!

For those who tell me I am just too sensitive- here ya go!

Commentary: The word 'retarded' is hurtful and needs to be cut from our vocabulary

By Becky Pings / Teen Press Corps
http://www.fresnobee.com/lifestyle/teens/v-printerfriendly/story/1014430.html

'Once upon a time ... there was a retard."

You think that's funny?

I don't.

Neither do the millions of Americans who are joining the growing movement to eradicate the word "retarded" from the modern vocabulary.

Simply defined, "retarded" means "delayed." While it was once a clinical term used to describe individuals with developmental disabilities, it is now an archaic term, a part of modern slang which equates to anything substandard or "stupid."

The word in its modern sense dates back to the 1950s, an insult thrown on school campuses and in sandlots across the nation. It was never as widely used as it is today, however, where one can hardly walk down a street without hearing it or seeing its impact.

I would know.

My brother has autism and Down syndrome. He loves the simple things: baseball, swimming, books and music. And just like every other person, he has feelings. When he hears the word "retard," even if it's not meant as a direct insult, it's not only a slap in the face to him, but to all disabled persons everywhere.

The fact remains that the word "retard" and all its derivatives is a hate word which, even in the most benign context, belittles and segregates the disabled. It promotes bigotry and intolerance in a society that claims "all men are created equal."

The argument to this has been heard time and time again: "But you know I didn't mean it like that. Stop being so sensitive." It is not the intent of a word, but rather its effect and connotation, that has the greatest effect.

Ben Stiller's blockbuster "Tropic Thunder" is a poignant example of the effects of the "R" word versus intention: Moviemakers claimed the liberal use of "retard" jokes was satire, while critics called the humor tasteless and offensive. Because the "satirical" humor didn't stay in context, the word found new popularity, thereby perpetuating discrimination.

Innocent humor. Satire. Whatever you call it, the word "retarded" is a hate word and should be regarded as such.

Just ask my brother, the retard.

Doesn't quite have the same ring that it did in the movie, does it?
Becky Pings attends Edison High School.

***This could very well be Ethan in 10 years or less. I am so sick of people, who should love Ethan the most, putting up the most fight to this issue. This is an issue! This is a very important issue. And, YOU, as someone who loves Ethan should be standing right behind me in this fight.***

Ethan does NOT like...

Shrimp & Scallop Scampi over Linguini

In his defense, it was only OK. I will leave the scallop making to the Japanese steakhouses- mine were a tad rubbery.

Useless information to you. LOL!

Stolen from Shari. Things I have done are in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band/orchestra
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland - WORLD
8. Climbed a mountain mind you, a small mtn.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (Dinner cruise, but still)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies/Camp Fire Candy
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma YES, YES, and YES again!!!
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Seen the Lincoln Memorial in person
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92.Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post

Go WF Men's Soccer!

This is an image that Scott would like to see again...IN PERSON. The Wake Forest soccer team are the current NCAA champions. This picture was taken after that winning match last year in Cary, NC. Scott and I were there.

Remember this? (click on photo for larger view)

Well, tonight Wake Forest went up against South Florida tonight in the NCAA quarterfinal. WF took the game with a 5-0 win. Now, the boys are on their way to Frisco, Texas. Scott would love nothing more than to be able to attend this game. Unfortunately, airline prices are CRAZY. If anyone has any magic answers, let me know!