A Week of Family Fun

I have four brothers and a sister. Two of my brothers and my parents live close by and the other three siblings live in Utah or Colorado. This week my brother Tim, his wife Allison, and their four children made the trek down here to visit. Between us we had 16 children here and we had a great time.

Sunday and the following Saturday we celebrated Emily, Ethan, Tyson, Andrew and McKinsey's Birthday's

Tuesday there was a trip to the Stockyards and to the Watergardens.

Wednesday was a trip to Fossil Rim Wildlife Park




Thursday my mom, my sisters-in-law Allison and Katrina, and I went to Styles of India and had 40 minute herbal facials, eyebrow threading and henna tatoos. It was so relaxing and fun. The great part was it was mom's treat. Thank you mom!!!!





Friday was Six Flags Day.

Saturday Matt and Katrina had everyone over for a barbeque and water games for the kids.

We all had such a great week. The only thing that could have made it better is if my older brother and sister and their families were here.

Reflections on Motherhood

This Mother's Day I found myself reflecting on the many experiences I have had as a mother. I guess it started when I attended a mother daughter night of fun with Ashley and her youth group. We played a fun game and one of the questions we were each asked to answer was "Why is your mother/ daughter special to you?" Ashley's answer was "She is one of a kind and she is MY mother."

Each of my children are wonderfully unique and so they have each taught me different things. As I was thinking about the uniqueness of my children I thought of a few ways they each have taught me.

Nathan was twelve when I became his step-mom. When he was in the seventh grade he was in choir and the teacher wanted each of the boys to wear matching ties. The parents were expected to go to the fabric store and buy the certain fabric she had picked out and then sew the tie. The only thing I had ever sewn was a pillowcase and a bag in 7th grade home economics. I went over to my mother in laws house borrowed her sewing machine and got a few tips and made his tie. From this experience I learned to sew and have made many dresses, blankets and outfits for my children. Nathan also taught me to be more open in my views of the world and people.

Jenny, my daughter in law. The first time we were able to meet in person was the day of her wedding. It was her day and yet she took the time to hug and say hi to each of us before her wedding. She teaches me through her kindness. She loves Nathan so much and she has been a wonderful friend to my older girls. She always remembers us on special days. I am enjoying the chance to get to know her better.

Ashley, my first child to be pregnant and give birth to. I learned first hand the miracle of being a part and creating and giving life to a child. She has also helped me to see life from a different perspective than my own. She has taught me to be a friend to everyone and that every girl (no matter how old or young) is a princess and deserves to be treated special.

My 14 different babies we cared for as a family service project for a local adoption agency, taught me many lessons. The first was that each of us comes to this earth with our own personalities and we are unique. By caring for each of these little ones I was able to meet courageous birthmothers and wonderful adoptive parents. Little did I know that this was preparing me for the adoptions of my future children.

Katy, my miracle baby. It took us 36 months of fertility meds and doctors visits to get pregnant with her. She has always been a wise little soul. Her personality is very close to mine so in her teenage years I am learning patience.lol Some times it is like looking at my personality in the mirror and I can see the positive attributes as well as the negative attributes. I have been able to work on some of the negative personality traits I have, we both have learned how stubborn and hardheaded we can be.

Sarah, my answer to prayers. Nine months after having an allergic reaction to fertility meds we met Sarah's birthmother and four days later Sarah was born. I held her when she was five hours old. Her birthmother and I shared the deepest form of gratitude that one woman can have for another. She wanted her child to be raised in a family with a mother and father and I wanted another child but could not without her selfless act. Sarah has also caused me to grow in many other ways. Sarah was not supposed to have any special needs but as she got older many special needs have surfaced and I have had to learn acceptance, patience and tolerance due to these special needs.

Noah, teaches me that love and being a part of a family can heal the most horrific abuse. I have learned first hand to never say never. Noah came to our home a little shell from the trauma and abuse he had known in his life. Even though he had endured more than any one should have too he still had a glow of life and love in his eyes. I have been able to witness first hand the power that love has to heal.

Jacob, my first baby boy. Jacob has taught me the over whelming JOY that can be felt when you are serving another. There are many things he can't do for himself and it has been an honor to be able to do these things for him. By caring for him I have felt so many emotions on such a deep level. I guess this is why it tore my heart out and I was in the most agony I have ever experienced in my life when he was so sick in the hospital last year and I was told he probably would not make it through the night. Caring for him has made me so much of who I am today.

Hannah, my little caboose. She has taught me that a strong will to live and be a part of this life can get help you overcome the BIGGEST obstacles placed before you. Hannah literally has something wrong with every organ and system in her little body. She spent most of her first year of life fighting to stay alive. She taught me the power of faith, fasting and prayers can bring about miracles. She has proved every doctor wrong and they smile when they admit it or when they see her reaching milestones she was not supposed to be able to do.

Each mother has there own story of there journey and each of these journeys are unique and beautiful. I am grateful for all the mothers who teach me by sharing their journey. I am so grateful for my journey through motherhood and I am glad it is a journey that will last forever!

What is CDLS?

May 9th is National Cornelia DeLange Syndrome or CDLS Awareness Day. A group of moms are dedicating a post to raise awareness of the genetic syndrome that touches our lives daily.
Our son Jacob was born with this rare genetic condition. When Mike and I first heard that Jacob had CDLS we turned to the Internet to see if we could find any information. I felt blessed that my search led me straight to the CDLS official website and that this site had a wealth of information.
As I tried to digest the information I felt so overwhelmed at the many health problems, surgeries and challenges that lay ahead for our family, but was comforted by my faith and the stories of other families affected by this rare genetic syndrome. One of the main reasons we need to raise awareness is that there are hundreds of children that go undiagnosed and this can mean the difference between life and an early death.

Jacob birthweight 3.11 pounds length 16 inches

CDLS FACTS

How is CdLS recognized?
CdLS is a congenital syndrome, meaning it is present from birth. Most of the signs and symptoms may be recognized at birth or shortly thereafter. A child need not demonstrate each and every sign or symptom for the diagnosis to be made.

As with other syndromes, individuals with CdLS strongly resemble one another. Common characteristics include: low birthweight (often under five pounds), slow growth and small stature, and small head size (microcephaly). Typical facial features include thin eyebrows which frequently meet at midline (synophrys), long eyelashes, short upturned nose and thin, downturned lips.

Other frequent findings include excessive body hair (hirsutism), small hands and feet, partial joining of the second and third toes, incurved fifth fingers, gastroesophageal reflux, seizures, heart defects, cleft palate, bowel abnormalities, feeding difficulties, and developmental delay. Limb differences, including missing limbs or portions of limbs, usually fingers, hands or forearms, are also found in some individuals

How is a diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of CdLS is primarily a clinical one based on signs and symptoms observed through an evaluation by a physician, including a medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. This is best accomplished through a referral to a genetics specialist or clinic.

How many people have CdLS?
The exact incidence is unclear, but it is thought to be approximately 1:10,000 live births.

What causes CdLS?
Researchers have identified genes that, when altered, cause CdLS.

Please take the chance to visit the official CDLS website at http://www.cdlsusa.org/

To learn more about other children with this syndrome you can find their Blogs on the right side of my page under the heading CDLS Bloggin Buddies.

Rub~A~Dub~Dub Baby in the tub

 

Hannah has never liked bath time and until recently I used a baby tub that fits in the sink to give Hannah her bath. She started to sit up during her bath so she is now taking bubble baths in sink. Today Hannah decided she actually likes baths. She played in the sink for 10 minutes! This is BIG for my sensory sensitive little angel. Another seemingly simple milestones, yet such an accomplishment.

A fun date with my Honeybear

 

In our house we are Chicago Cubs fans. This started mainly because Mike loves the team and the rest of us have joined him along the way. We started a family tradition that surrounds the Cubs opening game. We have hot dogs and ice cream sundaes. Mike and Noah wear their cubs hats and we watch the game. The older girls usually loose interest in actually watching the game after a few innings, but then they ask who won in the end.
Since the Cubs don't play in our town Mike and I went to see the Rangers play the White Sox last night. After the game on Friday nights they have firework display to music it was great! It was fun to be at a major league game and even more fun to be on a date with Mike. Ashley and Katy watched the little kids so we could go and we had alot of fun. They are the best :)