31 for 21: Halloween

Sorry about posting this so late.  I fell asleep last night while writing!

We went to a Harvest Festival at a church close to our house. 

 Dave dressed up with the kiddos.

 My little guy looked so cute in his Tigger outfit.

 They had a little ferris wheel.

 Both girls really enjoyed it.

31 for 21: Emma's Birthday Party

 Emma LOVES the VeggieTales movie Sweetpea Beauty.  So, we had a Sweetpea birthday party for her.  We got her and Abby Sweetpea t-shirts.

 She got a Sweetpea doll.

 After the kids open a present they have to go tell the person thank you and give them a hug before they can open the next gift.  She gave her little friend Bruin a hug after she opened her gift from him. I think this picture is so cute.

I made gluten-free cupcakes for everyone.  Her party was completely gluten-free, which is so nice to not have to worry about her getting sick.  At most birthday parties I spend my time watching her and making sure there is no food lying around that she can pick up and eat.  It's not very relaxing, but this time it was.

 She thought they were yummy.

 My uncle made this picnic table for his grandkids and once they out grew it he gave it go my parents.  They brought it up for the kids since they don't get to use it very often at their house.  It came in handy today!

It was a good day.  I think Emma had a great time.  She got spoiled by family and friends.  Thanks everyone for lovin' on my girl!

31 for 21: Please Forgive Me

Today we went to Pump it Up with some friends.  I took some pictures, but I am too tired to transfer them to my computer.  Tomorrow is Emma's party so I've been doing last minute stuff....So, please forgive me for not blogging today. 

31 for 21: God Doesn't Make Mistakes

Today was a busy day.  We slept in, a great start to the day.  Dropped the kiddos off with Grandma.  Went to lunch with the hubby at a pita place I've been wanting to try.  Dave went to work early because they had a rehearsal.  I did some deep cleaning around the house.  (When Dave got home from work he said the kitchen was 'sparkling'.  The best compliment ever!)  Went to pick up the kiddos.  Ate dinner with the in-laws.  Came home.  Put the kids to bed.  Hanging out with the hubby.  Watching 'Psych' and trying to blog, but to no avail.  I found this video on YouTube.  I loved the title of this video.

31 for 21: Looking Back

I was looking at pictures of the girls when they were  6 months old.  I though I'd post a picture of each kid at 6 months.  They are so cute.  I love looking back at old pictures and seeing how much they have changed. 

Abigail

 Emma

Josiah

31 for 21: Tuesday

I love Tuesdays.  First, Bible study.  Next, met Dave and the kids for lunch at Raising Canes.  They have some yummy chicken fingers.  Then we went to the park.  Today little Josiah turned 6 months. 

31 for 21: Crazy month

This month has just been so crazy.  Dave usually works evenings, but for the past month or so he's been working days also.  It started out as 2 days a week, but life happens and he ended up working a little more than that.  He's been busy working on Episode 2 of 'The God Effect'.  Have you watched it yet?  You should.  The kids keep me busy cleaning up, feeding them, going to play with friends, grocery shopping...(you get the picture)! 

I've been taking an online photography class for the past 6 weeks to learn how to use my camera.  There are so many buttons and numbers, that I just couldn't figure it out on my own.  The class was amazing.  I can now use my camera in manual mode and the pictures aren't blurry!  Thank you, Candice Stringham.  (She's my teacher.)

I've been trying to keep up with this blog and I've been researching all kinds of things about Down Syndrome and nutrition.  It's a tab bit over whelming.  Right now my brain is on overload with everything.  I'll give you the scoop on the nurtitution stuff, but it's a lot so I'll need to figure out how to condense it down and do it when I'm not so tired.

My brain is also preoccupied with Emma going to school.  I can't believe she's only 3 and going to school!  I keep thinking about what she'll learn, what her teacher will be like, if she'll like riding the bus, my brain just won't stop.  I'm also so overwhelmed by God's goodness and His grace.  Emma has been doing so well, compared to 'typical' kids she's way behind, but I think she is doing amazing.  During her IEP meeting they have to determine if she's eligible for special education.  They make that judgement by seeing if she qualifies because she has a development delay or if she has mental retardation (MR) (ah, that word I despise)  Anyway, she basically is delayed in all the areas they tested her in, but at this point she isn't eligible for other services through the state because she isn't considered MR.  I have to be honest, I was surprised because I expected her to be MR because it's pretty typical in the DS population.  This could change over time.  (I'll explain this a little more when I post about nutrition.) 

I'm so overwhelmed with joy right now and pretty much speechless before the Lord.  So many continue to pray for her and her development, so if you are one of those prayer warriors, thank you for your faithfulness.  This month has been a lot about rejoicing in the things I'm seeing all around about DS:  like other people who adopt several children through Reece's Rainbow, people who devote their lives to providing therapy and teaching kids with DS.  I really had no idea how much doing the '31 for 21 Challenge' would affect me.  I was trying to show other people how our life with DS is, but God ended up blessing me through it.  Who knew?  Well, I guess He did!!!