"Theres no place like home"

I was really busy today while G was napping.
I am making a costume.
Ive made this same costume once before
but in a larger version....
Once upon a time.....
for oldest daughter.
the outfit called for...
new shoes......
You shouldve seen her when we put the shoes on her feet....
Squeals of delight.
dancing dancing.....
hopping.....
those were happy feet.
And she kept saying
and signing "happy happy."
Over the top cuteness....
A girl after my own heart....
Hats, purses and shoes....
they dont make me feel overweight....

I dont want to keep you in too much suspense....
leave you hanging.
Heres a picture of the shoes.....
can you guess what costume I was sewing????

Sensory Processing Disorders? Playdough and Gak anyone???

I just found this site while looking for play-dough and Gak recipes.
I cant wait to sort through the information to see what is here.
I hope something about Sensory Processing Disorders and PT/OT will help someone out in Blogland.

Grace and I have been playing with Playdough.... to develop fine motor skills. I found this Octopus playset.
The reason I chose it was for the game. You can make a fish or whatever(I had G just rolling little balls) then the child hits one arm to launch it into the hole in the middle. Of course she squealed with delight when it went flying across the room. Yes, I knew that would be a thrill. But it encouraged her to make more balls and keep playing. She gets tired of co-operating..... ha ha! Typical toddler behavior. I wouldnt have it any other way. It also came with stampers and cool cutting tools. I looked at all the sets and thought this would be the best bang for the buck.

Oh, I havent updated you about the contacts lately. I think we are off and running. G lets me put them in with no complaint. I just set her in front of the TV with signing time on and youd never know I was sticking my fingers in her eyes. We are working on getting Occupational Therapy to see what they think about her vision with the contacts. RIght now the provider that works with our Dr isnt covered by our insurance. Not sure where we will go from there.

thanks for checking in....

Only a few more days of 31 for 21 left....

I remain,
Under His wings

The picture link is up!

Pictures of our Little G can be found here. If you got the e-mail and saw the facebook link..... sorry for the repeat. Youd think I was excited or something.......

Homecoming King and Queen

I was sent this link from a dear friend. You see the picture on the header? When I put the word out that we were looking for a little one with Down Syndrome in Ecuador that is the picture she sent me..... and then a few others. This family held our hand as we navigated through the murky waters that are what makes adopting from Ecuador so much fun.

This family was one of the first to actually meet Miss G stateside. I am so glad that they had an extra bed or two for us to take a nap that morning..... after flying all night/ P and the rest of the family driving all night.We awoke to good Southern hospitality and a divine lunch..... beautiful memories.

Well, my dear friend was at a high school football game and "accidentally" sent me a text about this.

I also wanted to add,
We just got a note from Focus on the Family. Did 'Yall know that November 7th is Orphan Sunday? They have a video that can be shown with Show hope, Francis Chan.....Maybe this would help you or your pastor?

Have a blessed day as you serve Him.....

I remain,
Under His wings,
Anna

A new website

Did anyone else get this for the new Down Syndrome research and treatment foundation?

FYI.... met up with a friend to get pics taken of Miss G yesterday.
cant wait to share. She sent a sneak peak.....

Friday Saturday, Sunday and Mondays posts

Hey, Im not sure this is allowed in 31 for 21. But Im good at making up my own rules when things arent like I want them..... ask my husband! ha ha!

I just want to post and I dont know where to start except by talking about the WOmens Conference that I was blessed with a ticket to. P went to get his hair cut and our friend Mel ended up offering a ticket she had extra for me to go. He said he'd keep G so it was a plan. If you get a chance to go to "Fresh Gounded faith" let me tell you its a great way to get refreshed in small doses. Ive been to several Womens conferences and some are so deep that You stagger away almost numb for weeks afterward. This was light and refreshing. I loved the speakers and tools for real life....... The main thing I left with was what Jennifer Rothschild had to say about cleaning out your thought closet. This was not a new idea but something that I really have to strive at doing. She said "Dont let the enemy of your soul know you better than you know yourself."
Matthew 26:41
2 Corinthians 10:5 Hold every thought captive! While we were waiting on our adoption paperwork to be processed in Ecuador this is one of the few verses that I clung to. Her main point was if those thoughts dont line up with Gods word, Gods thoughts about you, then throw them out. And also ladies..... NOT ALL FEELINGS ARE FACT! how many times have I taken a look cast my way, a thought that was said or unsaid and let the runaway brain train get away from me. If Id let all of Satans words that ran through my head sit and stew there is NO WAY Id have made it through the two year journey to bring Miss G home......What did I do... I sat in my conmfy chair with my bible always close at hand, a few Bible promises verse books, Great praise music- so that I could praise Him even when my heart wasnt in it. Before long my heart would join in.

I dont know what is going on in your life right now,
or whats right around the bend.
But I thought these great words might be of encouragement to someone.

you have to read this......

I really dont like posting links.
But if we are wanting to be informed.
And, well, this guy has a daughter that is over 21 with Down Syndrome.
The things he has to say....
the way he says it....
I have so much to learn....
I think G is going to be teaching me
not the other way around.

I remain,
Under His wings,
Anna

A GREAT post

I just read the greatest post.
I am sure I will have to re-read it many times.
I know many of you with little ones that have Down Syndrome have seen/read it.
But since we are advocating this month I wanted to post a link here for those of you that dont......

My camera battery is dead.
As soon as its rechaged I will have a few more photos of Miss G for ya!

I remain,
Under His wings,
Anna

a little prayer or two......

Ive been working on something hard this week. Well i suppose two hard things. One is rather personal. It shouldnt be hard. But it is.

The second is Miss G and the contact issue.
Yesterday one or the other had fallen out three times before lunch. I took them both out before nap time and just put the glasses on afternaptime until bedtime. Being the mommy person is already hard work. Ive barely been getting food cooked, housework up to par, little knitting or reading time..... much less all the extras. For some reason there are things out of place in the laundry room causing much confusion and making it very cramped in there. But I just cant seem to "get it done". Anyhoo.... back to the contacts. She has lost one this morning, thankfully it was on her kitty piano, yes that is where the first lost contact was. Put it in the solution, washed hands and plopped it back in..... so far so good. I am so so thankful that she is going incredible with it. I just tell her in spanish to have quiet hands and she sits there sweetly waiiting on me to tell her all done. We clap and cheer together. So far no completely lost contacts......

just another day in the neighborhood.......

I remain,
Under His wings,
Anna

reflection

These are all pictures from day one in Ecuador.

Refelecting on what was......
now seeing what is.
the dreams of yesterday....
I believe that we each have a "calling", talents and ablities.
Each one of us.....
knit together in our mothers womb for a unique purpose.
Today I praise God for the fulfillment of the dreams that we had.....


even in the waiting
God was there.....
Looking forward
The hopes for tomorrow......

I remain,
Under His wings,
Anna

"Happy is he who makes daily progress and who considers not what he did yesterday but what advance he can make today." -Jerome (taken from Soul Retreats for Moms)

Need some Grace?

So we ended up being at the opthamologist office two days in a row. Yesterday lil G got her new contacts, she had already lost one by bedtime. (P found it on her favorite toy, we put it in the solution and good as new. whew!) Then today out running errands with my middle son and when I checked her eyes... yup you guessed it. BOTH contacts were gone! I found one in her car seat and put it in the case and called the eye Dr. They asked us to come in to see if the other was still in her eye and if there were scratches on her cornea. So off we went to the Dr. ( we were right around the corner) on the way there I called P and he went to look out in his truck to see if the other one might be in the car seat in his vehicle.( can you believe it WAS!)Tradgedy averted....
We arrived at the eye Dr to warm greetings. The receptionist mentioned how sad she was that she wasnt in the office yesterday to get to see Lil G..... then the tech that worked with us yesterday was glad to see G again. She went on and on about how cute she was how blessed she was to have us.( we feel its the other way around.)

I am touched at how this child can brighten someone's day,
can see a stranger and see that person as a new possible friend......
I think of the sign for her name. it symbolizes "from God coming down to man"........

We all need some extra Grace in our lives dont we..........

Can I make a difference?

Im sure youve read this poem Im sharing today.
I was lying in bed sobbing.
P and I were discussing a child we had to leave behind.
I have to know we are making a difference
even if its just one.

A man was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up. Left on the sand by the receding tide the starfish were certain to die as the sun dried them out. The man also saw a boy picking up starfish and flinging them back into the sea. Planning to teach the boy a little lesson in common sense, the man walked up to the boy and said, "I have been watching what you are doing, son. You have a good heart, and I know you mean well, but do you realize how many beaches there are around here and how many starfish are dying on every beach every day? Surely such an industrious and kind hearted boy such as yourself could find something better to do with your time.
Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?"
The boy looked up at the man, and then he looked down at a starfish by his feet.
He picked up the starfish,
and as he gently tossed it back into the ocean,
he said, "It makes a difference to that one."
~author unknown

Family & fun

Today is Sunday and Ive mentioned that weve been having our young adults over for supper. With everyone working and doing their own thing I just needed to set a time and ask everyone to put it on their calendar. Sunday evenings with Mom and Dad. Tonight Im cooking new potatoes, Green beans and Honey Mustard pork roast with bacon . This is the second time Ive cooked this and let me tell you its super easy, very flavorful...... just an incredible meal.

Grace loves football. I am sure before long she will have her favorite teams picked. Its funny, the TV goes onto football and she comes out of the woodwork squealing and yelling.(cheering for whoever is playing at that given moment.)


Tomorrow afternoon we have a long awaited Opthamologist appointment.
They special ordered contacts for Lil G.They will be worn for 30 days at a time. Everyone asks how we will get them in her eyes but I tell you she really trusts us and is so so easy. We will be fine. I will be so so sad to not see her wearing those cute pink glasses. But the Dr said she would give this a try if it was her child. It will open Gs range of vision from right in the middle of the lens. I want this for her.

Together

Yesteday
Lil G I went to have coffee with a friend
and her daughter showed up....
extra blessings for me.
This was a great adventure.(I know I used to take things SOOOO for granted. Going for coffee a treat!? giggle) Ive been staying home and "cocooning" with lil G so much that these outings are such a treat. I have to remind myself tho that G was raised in an orphanage and she gets over stimulated very very easily. She hasnt been out alot since weve been home so these adventures are starting from day one since she was adopted. We took her to school, shopping you know, the odd stuff while we were in Ecuador.But let me tell you...... she gets wound up tighter than an 8 day clock. The noise the people... its alot for a little person. I just found it so enjoyable to sit back and enjoy my coffee (heavenly coffee BTW) while G engaged with these two trusted people. I had to be the interpreter but you know Im really okay with that.(makes me feel needed, important.) She played the little hand game that we grew to dread in Ecuador. The first few days that was all she could do/ or say to us two claps(are you watching me and copying me?) two pats on the tummy(now its your turn, do I need to show you how to play?) a little wiggle of the hips, hands behind your back.... as the days progressed she might add a few things in here and there all the while waiting for you to repeat each movement like Simon says. But as we taught her signs she started playing her little game less and less and instead started going through the signs one at a time.
Makes me think.....
How much we all want someone to engage with us,
make eye contact with me,
tell me what I have to say matters to you,
really pay attention to me......
its kinda sweet...
Her new sign
to repeat over
and over...
"together"
come play with me,
come sit with me,
come watch signing time with me,
eat with me...
together.

(see, having down syndrome doesnt make her any different than the rest of us. She has things to say, she wants to matter.....were more alike than different)
I remain,
Under His wings,
Anna

I like it!

Lil G LOVES ice cream and lots of intense flavor. I made spagetti with sausage tonight and she said "Mmmm co-co" (meaning "Mmmm ces rico"-yummy or good)Yesterday she also started saying "Me gusta and no me gusta" alot with the signs...... "I like it, I dont like it." it sounds like this" OOOhhh-gah"! Too cute! Thot' youd enjoy.....

Tell me more.... show me a sign

(Grace signing bird holding her knit bird)

How are you doing little one?
My little one,
my little one
I'd like to know what's on your mind
Our days together,
time together
You and me,
our one on one
These are the times that make me smile
You make me smile

Tell me that you love me
Tell me that you're thinking of me
Tell me all about the things you're thinking
Day and night, both day and night
Tell me that you're happy
And you love it when we're laughing
Tell me more,
oh
tell me more,
show me a sign
Show me a sign


I dont know if youve heard these words in your house lately but this song just takes my breath away.
This song is heard at LEAST once a day in my house the past two months if not more.... I mentioned that G is now asking to watch "signing time". I know that I keep blogging about her new words. But to a gal that has the "gift of gab". This is HUGE!
There arent many days that go by that I dont thank God in heaven for Rachel Coleman and the gift she has given Ms G. There are those with Down Syndrome that never develop speech.
This part isnt so scary anymore.....
G has words...
shes just like Mommy...
the little chatterbox! wink wink.
Today she squealed with delight and signed "boy" when she saw E for the first time of the day......
and can I share something just so precious???
Grace prays with me each night.
I know the Tias prayed with her in the orphanage because you put her in the bed and BAM! Those chubby hands are clasped and head is bowed ready to pray. She mumbles like my others did when they were little.... but when I say thank you Jesus in Spanish she will sign something and I say the word for her. She thanks Jesus for so many things that I in my spoiled-self-centered-way forget to be thankful for.
Of course she goes through the list of family members
and Apples,
and THREE dogs,
and her bed,
for books,
baby dolls,
and water....
even signing time.......
thats my girl!!!!

Oops!

Grab This Button

I just wanted to let anyone "following " or reading my blog that Ive mostly been posting on http://147million-one.blogspot.com. Yesterday when I signed on I was on here and forgot...... and posted...... so I drug the post over to share with everyone.

Just in case you didnt know.....

Sorry for the confusion.

Under His wings,
Anna

new words anyone????

I know...... Ive been holding out on you.
It wasnt Intentional.....
Lil G has some new words!!!
The exciting part is that the words are actually spoken to go with the signs she knows. I think a few posts ago I mentioned she knew pretty much all the signs on the first three signing time videos. it hasnt slowed her down.... she is now moving on to actual words. Please understand the only words that are very very clear are Mama, Dada, nite nite, two new ones "cup" and "up", and Apple.......oh yes lets not forget NO! wink wink...
If you know the signs and hear the bits and pieces it will just blow your mind as it does mine each day...... we have come so far! I think thats why the triycle incident yesterday upset me so badly. The days of helping her navigate like a blind/ mute child are over and its almost like I have PTSD. The time we spent in Ecuador, its so hard to find it in my memory. She is now running and jumping!I just forget....

I posted a picture yesterday of her playing with her leap frog letter sounds toy that goes on the fridge. Yesterday we worked on the letter "B" again. Its funny she is now saying the sound for "B" but isnt adding it into the words that begin with the sound......I still want to have pictures of her with her B words printed and laminated, put on a ring for her to carry around. "Grace with her BALL" "Grace with her Book" etc.

The only new sign we have is "signing time".....
let me tell you this is the most popular sign right now, she begs to watch her videos all day until I put them on for her. (thats what she is doing right now)

Verbalizes:
-stop sounds like "top-i" (stop it??)
-cold "cooooah"
-car "caaaah"
-happy "aaahpeh"
-told Ashley yeah in reply to a question..... that only happened once, lets see if its real or not.....
-yesterday she said bath for the first time. Its weird, instead of the B sound we are learning(with your lips together) she sticks her tongue WAAAAAY out and its like she is saying bleck (yucky)but she is doing it while signing bath..... fuuuuuuunnnnnyyy!!!!!!

Have a blessed day.....

Under His wings,
Anna

what day is this? Day two or five???

Well I wasnt sure where to begin.
Today is my second post in 31 for 21 but its the fifth.
I wish I could do a re-do....
I am also coming around the circle from a different direction....
just like me.

Parenting a child with Down Syndrome.....
Im so new at this.....
Ive only been at it a few months.
But lil G is going to be five soon.
I keep reading that a parenting a child with Down Syndrome is just like parenting a typical child. "Parent her just like you did your other three children."
Okay.
Can-do.
But, wait a minute......
what do I do with this "stuff" that was nowhere in sight when I was parenting my other children? By that I mean, how can I parent her when I dont know her past? How did we get here..... HOW can an almost five year old be so far behind? I wasnt trying to teach an almost five year old how to pedal a little tricycle?! No!! We were taking training wheels off of bicycles... they were reading for heavens sake. I read the other blogs and the families that have children with Down syndrome look so normal. Can I just say that I worry? Can I be real enough to say that this doesnt look like what I thought it would? I hope thats okay. Because no matter how hard I try there is pure terror deep inside that I might screw it all up. THIS my friend is what goes on in my head when no one is looking.

I have no history,
the pages in the baby book are blank.....what has happened in her past for us to end up here in THIS place. How far has she come? (I do know little snippets and sometime this month we will get Graces baby book. The orphanage director will actually give it to us in person.)But as I was outside playing with her and trying to show her how to push the pedals. I felt like sitting down in the driveway , kicking and screaming like a 2 year old. THIS IS HARD!Is she even trying? Does she understand what I am telling her? Im scared.... I dont know if Im doing this right?! It wasnt so hard with my other little people. They could talk with me. I wish there was someone to say, "Anna dont forget, Grace was only doing this or that three months ago, dont you remember. Look at how strong she is now....." Moments like that are so upsetting for me.

Then....

I bring G inside
take her potty
feed her lunch
put her down for a nap.
Lets sit here quietly.
This is the time of day I look forward to. The refeshing quiet time that refuels me. Lets get things back in perspective. G was not one of my biological children. I can parent her like I did the others but she was raised in an orphanage, they were not, She has down syndrome and was born with congenital cataracts- which were surgically removed leaving her blind without glasses, they did not.
This is different
It will look and feel different.
These are the facts.
G is smart.
she CAN do things and WILL do things because she has a whole family and community of people loving her and cheering her on! This may look very different than what I expected
but God knew all along.
He wasnt surprised.

I need to relax,
take a deep breath,
and enjoy today.
Tomorrow has enough worries of its own.
The sun is out
the weather is beautiful......
I have a wonderful husband.
We have been blessed with four children and we can do this!

What day is this, Day two or day five???

Well I wasnt sure where to begin.
Today is my second post in 31 for 21 but its the fifth.
I wish I could do a re-do....
I am also coming around the circle from a different direction....
just like me.

Parenting a child with Down Syndrome.....
Im so new at this.....
Ive only been at it a few months.
But lil G is going to be five soon.
I keep reading that a parenting a child with Down Syndrome is just like parenting a typical child. "Parent her just like you did your other three children."
Okay.
Can-do.
But, wait a minute......
what do I do with this "stuff" that was nowhere in sight when I was parenting my other children? By that I mean, how can I parent her when I dont know her past? How did we get here..... HOW can an almost five year old be so far behind? I wasnt trying to teach an almost five year old how to pedal a little tricycle?! No!! We were taking training wheels off of bicycles... they were reading for heavens sake. I read the other blogs and the families that have children with Down syndrome look so normal. Can I just say that I worry? Can I be real enough to say that this doesnt look like what I thought it would? I hope thats okay. Because no matter how hard I try there is pure terror deep inside that I might screw it all up. THIS my friend is what goes on in my head when no one is looking.

I have no history,
the pages in the baby book are blank.....what has happened in her past for us to end up here in THIS place. How far has she come? (I do know little snippets and sometime this month we will get Graces baby book. The orphanage director will actually give it to us in person.)But as I was outside playing with her and trying to show her how to push the pedals. I felt like sitting down in the driveway , kicking and screaming like a 2 year old. THIS IS HARD!Is she even trying? Does she understand what I am telling her? Im scared.... I dont know if Im doing this right?! It wasnt so hard with my other little people. They could talk with me. I wish there was someone to say, "Anna dont forget, Grace was only doing this or that three months ago, dont you remember. Look at how strong she is now....." Moments like that are so upsetting for me.

Then....

I bring G inside
take her potty
feed her lunch
put her down for a nap.
Lets sit here quietly.
This is the time of day I look forward to. The refeshing quiet time that refuels me. Lets get things back in perspective. G was not one of my biological children. I can parent her like I did the others but she was raised in an orphanage, they were not, She has down syndrome and was born with congenital cataracts- which were surgically removed leaving her blind without glasses, they did not.
This is different
It will look and feel different.
These are the facts.
G is smart.
she CAN do things and WILL do things because she has a whole family and community of people loving her and cheering her on! This may look very different than what I expected
but God knew all along.
He wasnt surprised.

I need to relax,
take a deep breath,
and enjoy today.
Tomorrow has enough worries of its own.
The sun is out
the weather is beautiful......
I have a wonderful husband.
We have been blessed with four children and we can do this!