Christmas Past

Christmas time evokes a lot of emotion in me. And when I'm pregnant, that emotion is doubled, maybe even tripled. My intention for this post was to honor Christmas Past and those who touched my heart in Christmases past. Those who are no longer here with me. The pictures I wanted to include would not upload.

Christmas time is a time for family. And as a small child, my fondest memories were of our whole extended family meeting at my grandma's house for Christmas. We would eat dinner, and then open presents one by one with everyone watching to see what the other got. It wasn't the endless amounts of presents that made this time special, it was the gathering together of everyone you loved. My grandma died 7 years ago, in December of 2001 less than 2 months after I lost my dad. Since then, Christmas has not been the same. We no longer meet as a family to celebrate the holidays. There are no more groups of people bickering about who is gonna win the football game, or whether Ford or Chevy is better. There is no more teenagers sneaking the wine and getting so drunk that no one will ever forget. There is no more togetherness. Because, since the passing of my grandma, no one has been able to keep this family together.

It is this Christmas and every Christmas that I look back so fondly at those times that my Grandma created for us kids. We had the best time ever. And now that it is gone, I would give anything to get it back.

I love you, Grandma! You did great things and I hope that one day I will be able to make the holidays as special for my family as you did for us all of those years.

Holidays are hard when you have lost those who you love. My dad especially was taken away abruptly and I never had the chance to say things. I feel that life is precious and each moment should be spent wisely. You never know when it's your last. I miss you Dad. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. And you too Grandpa. We still laugh at the silly things you said. Until we meet again..........I love you all! Merry Christmas!

You've got to be kidding???

Okay, so Wendy already knows, and who else really follows this blog...? So it's time to vent. You would think with two kids already, I would notice when I was "late" and investigate. Nope, not me. Finally a few days ago I began to think something wasn't quite right. I was pretty sure I was menopausal at 28. Hot flashes, mood swings like a mother, and the crying. NOPE, NOT MENOPAUSE. I don't know that I want to really say what it is that is but I'm pretty sure it is obvious now. Not by the way I am constantly hungry or already crying over ridiculous things. Or the way I've had to abruptly stop taking my antidepressant which makes me beyond unbearable. So I'm in shock. How did this happen. Wait, I think I know that answer.

On a more serious note, after worrying over money and where this new addition will sleep in this tiny matchbox house, I can only hope and pray that this miracle is just as perfect as my last two. This may however take some time to fully sink in and while I continue withdrawl from Zoloft, it's probably best if you stay far far away!

I am so NOT a country girl

So for Thanksgiving the kids and I (Robert had to work) went to Pennsylvania, or as I call it Pennsyltuckey, to visit with my cousin. She lives in York, PA on a small horse farm with three horses, seven indoor birds, and a fat cat that resembles Garfield. It is a beautiful country area, lots of long winding roads, hills as far as you can see and absolutely nothing to do. Now I know I am always complaining that I don't get time for relaxing, however this is crazy. I was there just three days and I did absolutely nothing. There isn't particularly anywhere close to go, it is cold as crap on top of that hill, and I get lost just leaving the driveway.

I did enjoy visiting with my cousin Laura, and my other cousin Jenny from Baltimore. We had a great time together with lots of laughing. So while I am soooo not country, I will be going back......but it is gonna have to warm up a bit first.

Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving approaching rapidly I feel the need to put aside my bitterness and bad attitude and give thanks for the important things in my life. The things for which I am soooo grateful.

I am most grateful for my kids. I have been blessed with two beautiful children who can sometimes be a challenge, but have undoubtedly been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I am grateful for my husband...SOMETIMES. Just kidding. I think many times of what I may be faced with if I weren't married. Luckily I am fortunate enough to have someone who knows my quirks and my OCD behaviors and still stays. Of course he is nutty....but since this is a "grateful post" we will leave it at that.

I am grateful for my job and for the flexibility that has been given to me so that I might be able to take care of Cameron.

I am thankful for many helps we have been given in regards to Cameron. We have a huge support network and have some of the best therapists out there.

Lastly, I am grateful for my FRIENDS! I know that I am a nutter too. I have many issues but these friends stick by me regardless. They put up with it all and are always there to support whatever I need.

Therapy Dog. HA

About 9 months ago, I read an article in the local newspaper about a child with DS who had a therapy dog. The story highlighted how this child had learned to walk with the help of this "service dog". We have been lucky enough to have the priveledge of working with a great therapy dog at Cameron's therapy appointments on occasion, but thought that he may benefit from having more prolonged contact to a service dog. So the search began. I searched high and low with little result for quite a while. I finally found a company in Nevada that agreed to provide a dog for Cameron (with about a $2800 charge). The dog, Chance, whom I call Carl, arrived in September. He is a Rottweiler, as is the dog that Cameron plays with so willingly in therapy. The difference is that our dog is a small 80 pounds and the dog at therapy is a monster named tank weighing 150 pounds. The kicker.....Cameron hates Chance or Carl or whatever we call him. He wants nothing to do with him. I figured this would change after he got used to him, but still nothing. It is actually kind of amusing. We spent all this time and effort to get a service dog to help Cameron, and he hates him. HILARIOUS! So now we have a very expensive "pet". Good news is, Chance loves our family. He has adapted very well and fits in perfectly with his goofy personality.

Disney World

Okay! So I have been back from Disney World for a couple of weeks now. But it is still so fresh in my mind. And yes, I have been twice this year. So what. Is there any happier place on this earth? I think not. No, I know not. Forget the long lines, the millions of people, and the ridiculous amounts of money you spend when you are there, just go with it and enjoy the time you have there. I am in mourning. I just want to go back. I could move there and be a character. The evil step mother from Cinderella? What could be better than living in the happiest place on earth while being allowed to walk around with a smug attitude and never have to smile. That's it. I am moving!

Good Riddens Golf!

It's official. All of the scheduled events for DSAVP have been completed. And with great success might I add! We have made such progress this year while wearing our selves down completely. READ MY LIPS WENDY: It's time for a break! Now we can dedicate our time to things that will more directly apply to our children....maybe! I am so very proud of the accomplishments of this SMALL group of just a few.

I will add that golf makes no sense to me! It became quickly apparent to me yesterday that I have no idea what golf etiquette is. Funny enough, my best partner in crime does. I have never played golf, but have to say, what the heck is the point? It is a bunch of guys walking around in funny clothes hitting little balls with expensive sticks. And what is it with the high and mighty attitude of the club members? I did notice that they even have a special "toilet" to crap in! You get a lot of benefits for paying tons of money to join a club.

At this point, we can officially say that I will never be on the golf course. I would be more likely to play football!

Safehaven or Shirking Responsibility?

I just read an article about the safehaven law in Omaha. Apparently, Omaha's safehaven law allows anyone, not just parents to drop off children at a state licensed hospital without prosecution for abandonment. In this particular article, a mother from another state, dropped off her 13- year old son. The article did not list a reason for the mother's decision to leave her child, however it speculates that it was probably due to behavioral problems. I don't fault a new, teenage mother for leaving her child in a safe hospital because she feels she cannot take care of the infant, I do however have a real problem with a parent leaving a child simply because she or he is having some issues. Isn't it a parents responsibility to care for their child! If we all dumped our children off when they were making us crazy, the hospitals would be full of abandoned children. It is my feeling that this mother should be prosecuted. Of course I do not know the whole situation, maybe I am missing something. However, I have to be more concerned with this 13 year old boy who has been dumped by his parents in a hospital where he knows no one. There should be a license to have children. So many undeserving people have children whom they abuse, neglect, or simply give up after a period of time, when there are people out there who would do anything for a child yet they cannot have them. This is absurd at the very least. What is wrong with our society that gives parents the right to do this to their children?

Children are a blessing from God. We are given these gifts and we should cherish them. It breaks my heart that so many children are neglected or simply not wanted.

Privacy

So like I said, I am totally new to the blog scene. I have no idea what I am doing, nor do I wish to share my inexperience with anyone. So what does Wendy do??? She looks me up. She is going to be sorely disappointed in this. HA HA! I am never sure what to blog about, do I use it to complain about the rubbish that goes on or do I take the high road and use it to celebrate life and the blessings I have been given? Maybe a little of both. In any case, I hope that you expert "bloggers" are not overly disappointed. I am sure that some day, maybe, I will be as great as you vetern bloggers.

Thanks again Wender, for using your P.I. skills to find us! LOL

Buddy Walk A SUCCESS

Whose Idea was This?

So we did it. After many months and many long nights, our first ever Buddy Walk is complete. Buddy Walk is a wonderful, heart-warming event especially for people with Down Syndrome. So many times, people with DS are looked down upon or felt sorry for, and at events like these, you get to come together and see the potentials of everyone, while raising awareness in the community.

Our group is still very young, but thanks to the help of a few good friends and wonderful mothers to terrific kids with DS, we made it happen. I couldn't be more proud of our accomplishments and of the reason I have been introduced to this world.

Does it ever end?

Does the business of life ever stop? Or do you spend all of your life pushing forward in such a way that you long for the end? Who knows. We have been so busy lately planning our first ever Buddy Walk, and trying to keep up with family life as well. Sometimes I don't know if I am coming or going. My kids are the ones suffering the most from all of this. Sure, I am worn out, but they haven't been getting much mama time, and the old bag in my bed is getting irritated as well. Is it truly worth all of this to help the community learn about Down syndrome. Especially considering the parents of the children with DS in our area are less than eager to get involved, even when the say they will.

This little guy is why I do it. It is for him and all the other children with DS out there who are not understood and accepted. This, for me, is what makes all of the hard work worth it! (Even if those losers aren't helping out).

You never forget your first time....

Okay, so I admit it. I am a virgin blogger. This is not something I have done before and like other firsts in my life, I am not too sure why I am doing it. Just kidding.

I decided to join the world today and create a blog that would in some small way share my life and the many blessings I have been given. Please remember however that I am merely a rookie, but I will do the best I can to keep this thing afloat.

I call my blog Cirque' du Strickland, because in a way our family is much like a circus. You will see later as I describe the many mishaps that happen in our household. You will also notice that our time together is in every way just as much fun as a circus.