HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY PRINCESS WHO IS 9 YEARS OLD TODAY!
It doesn't feel like it has been that long ago. It actually only feels like she should be 5 years old. Ashlyn I love you so much and feel so honored and blessed to have you as my daughter.
I had to work today and didn't get home until after 9pm. There were cupcakes waiting on her at Memaws today, after lunch that aunt Karen made for her. There will be more cupcakes tomorrow, cupcakes on Wednesday at school and a big ol' birthday bash next Sunday. She's one lucky girl!
I will post more tomorrow, along with some pictures. But for now I am going to go and snuggle up with Princess A and watch Disney channel with her before she falls off to sleepy land!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Difference is an Artist's game
Awesome video by 13 year old Clara Sigmon as she describes how our differences are an artist's game. PLEASE take 4 minutes to watch this video!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Let's hear it for Maria Shriver
Awesome, awesome article by Maria Shriver!! Thank the Lord that somebody out there gets it! FINALLY!
The 'R-word' is no joke
For the intellectually disabled and their families, it's just as bad as the "N"-word.
By Maria Shriver August 22, 2008
» Discuss Article (68 Comments)
This has been a year filled with teachable political moments. Racism, sexism, ageism and "change" have been debated at kitchen tables and water coolers across America. But this last week, those gathered around my kitchen table have been consumed with another discussion, one that is not Democratic or Republican -- it's the "R-word" debate.The "R-word" stands for "retard." For the 6 million to 8 million Americans with intellectual disabilities and their families, this word and its hurtful use is equal to the impact of the "N-word" on an African American.
The reason it's kitchen-table fodder is because of the Dreamworks film "Tropic Thunder," which topped the box-office charts when it opened last weekend and which will attract many more moviegoers this weekend. In the R-rated film, which I've seen, a character named Simple Jack is a caricature of a person with a developmental disability. In one of the scenes, the character played by Robert Downey Jr. chastises Ben Stiller's character for "going full retard," and the "R-word" is repeated many times.As a journalist, I respect the right to freedom of speech, and my kids will tell you I laugh the loudest when we see a comedy. But as the niece of someone who had a developmental disability, and as a member of the board of directors of Special Olympics International, I know how hurtful the "R-word" is to someone with a disability. I know why "Tropic Thunder's" opening was met by protests on behalf of the intellectually disabled.Listen to actor Eddie Barbanell, who serves on the Special Olympics board with me, and he will tell you in very emotional terms how the use of that word has made him feel rejected, stupid, demeaned.
Or you can talk to Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne, who speaks on behalf of millions when she describes how the "R-word" has been used to mock and degrade her. She asks all of us to stop using this word without regard to its effect on the hearts and minds of people with disabilities.There is an old saying: "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me." Even when I chanted it as a child, I never believed it. Words do hurt -- they break people's spirits, they break people's dreams, they break people's hearts.Kids will see "Tropic Thunder," no matter the rating, and when they leave the theater and go out to their schools, their homes and their communities, they'll call each other the "R-word" because they think it's funny. They'll do it without any idea or regard to how it makes a person with a disability feel.Too many in the intellectually disabled movement cannot speak out for themselves. It is up to their families and those of us who advocate on their behalf to explain that calling someone by the "R-word" is no longer acceptable and is anything but funny.It's not acceptable in a movie theater; it's not acceptable on a playground. It's not acceptable that college coaches use it to chastise athletes. It's not OK to use it in a classroom or a boardroom."Tropic Thunder" is giving Claiborne, Barbanell and many other individuals and organizations that serve those with special needs -- the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, the Arc, the American Assn. of People with Disabilities, Parent to Parent-USA -- a teachable moment. They are ready to join with the entertainment industry to change minds. Dreamworks' decision to include a public service announcement with DVDs of "Tropic Thunder" is an important first step, but far more needs to be done.Just as important, parents must talk to kids at our kitchen tables about how we have felt when someone called us stupid, idiotic or lame. Because once we put ourselves in someone else's shoes, certain names just aren't that funny any more.I often quote the Hopi prayer that tells us not to look outside ourselves for a leader. It tells us that we are the ones we have been waiting for. We can exchange one "R-word" for another: respect. We can teach our children that name-calling hurts.Let's makes the "R-word" as unacceptable as the "N-word." Think of all we can accomplish if we work together.It's one thing in this political season that shouldn't require a water-cooler debate.Maria Shriver is the first lady of California.
The 'R-word' is no joke
For the intellectually disabled and their families, it's just as bad as the "N"-word.
By Maria Shriver August 22, 2008
» Discuss Article (68 Comments)
This has been a year filled with teachable political moments. Racism, sexism, ageism and "change" have been debated at kitchen tables and water coolers across America. But this last week, those gathered around my kitchen table have been consumed with another discussion, one that is not Democratic or Republican -- it's the "R-word" debate.The "R-word" stands for "retard." For the 6 million to 8 million Americans with intellectual disabilities and their families, this word and its hurtful use is equal to the impact of the "N-word" on an African American.
The reason it's kitchen-table fodder is because of the Dreamworks film "Tropic Thunder," which topped the box-office charts when it opened last weekend and which will attract many more moviegoers this weekend. In the R-rated film, which I've seen, a character named Simple Jack is a caricature of a person with a developmental disability. In one of the scenes, the character played by Robert Downey Jr. chastises Ben Stiller's character for "going full retard," and the "R-word" is repeated many times.As a journalist, I respect the right to freedom of speech, and my kids will tell you I laugh the loudest when we see a comedy. But as the niece of someone who had a developmental disability, and as a member of the board of directors of Special Olympics International, I know how hurtful the "R-word" is to someone with a disability. I know why "Tropic Thunder's" opening was met by protests on behalf of the intellectually disabled.Listen to actor Eddie Barbanell, who serves on the Special Olympics board with me, and he will tell you in very emotional terms how the use of that word has made him feel rejected, stupid, demeaned.
Or you can talk to Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne, who speaks on behalf of millions when she describes how the "R-word" has been used to mock and degrade her. She asks all of us to stop using this word without regard to its effect on the hearts and minds of people with disabilities.There is an old saying: "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me." Even when I chanted it as a child, I never believed it. Words do hurt -- they break people's spirits, they break people's dreams, they break people's hearts.Kids will see "Tropic Thunder," no matter the rating, and when they leave the theater and go out to their schools, their homes and their communities, they'll call each other the "R-word" because they think it's funny. They'll do it without any idea or regard to how it makes a person with a disability feel.Too many in the intellectually disabled movement cannot speak out for themselves. It is up to their families and those of us who advocate on their behalf to explain that calling someone by the "R-word" is no longer acceptable and is anything but funny.It's not acceptable in a movie theater; it's not acceptable on a playground. It's not acceptable that college coaches use it to chastise athletes. It's not OK to use it in a classroom or a boardroom."Tropic Thunder" is giving Claiborne, Barbanell and many other individuals and organizations that serve those with special needs -- the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, the Arc, the American Assn. of People with Disabilities, Parent to Parent-USA -- a teachable moment. They are ready to join with the entertainment industry to change minds. Dreamworks' decision to include a public service announcement with DVDs of "Tropic Thunder" is an important first step, but far more needs to be done.Just as important, parents must talk to kids at our kitchen tables about how we have felt when someone called us stupid, idiotic or lame. Because once we put ourselves in someone else's shoes, certain names just aren't that funny any more.I often quote the Hopi prayer that tells us not to look outside ourselves for a leader. It tells us that we are the ones we have been waiting for. We can exchange one "R-word" for another: respect. We can teach our children that name-calling hurts.Let's makes the "R-word" as unacceptable as the "N-word." Think of all we can accomplish if we work together.It's one thing in this political season that shouldn't require a water-cooler debate.Maria Shriver is the first lady of California.
Monday, August 25, 2008
My poor girly is sick. She slept with me and Mike last night and in the middle of the night she let out *the* cry. I sat straight up in the bed and yelled to Mike – she’s gonna puke!! It’s funny when a mom knows a distinct cry isn’t it? Anytime she ever wakes up at night sick on her stomach she lets out a very distinct cry. So Mike grabs her and runs for the bathroom. She didn’t vomit but she was gagging and then went back to sleep. Well I was right. I called home from work this morning at 11 am and she was still asleep!! Sure enough she woke up vomiting and has slept for most of the day. Mike said she would wake up, get sick and fall right back to sleep… poor girl. Honestly she has been so healthy this summer - wouldn’t ya know she gets a stomach virus the day before school starts back. Oh well, she can hang out with mommy all day tomorrow while her brothers head back to school.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Thank you Lord
Ever had cold chills in 90 degree weather? I did yesterday! Remember the baby boy Austin that I had asked for prayer for? The doctors said that he was completely blind in both eyes from being on oxygen so long as a preemie, but the right eye was in worse shape than the left. He had surgery yesterday on his left eye and the doctor said that he is now seeing light in his left eye. They were going to see how his left eye did with this surgery and hopefully they will be able to repair his right eye to some degree. I hope I am remembering this right when saying that he had a cornea transplant on the left eye and they were going to try and re-attach the retina. I talked with his mom yesterday as I called to check on him after his surgery. When she told me that he was seeing light in his eye after surgery, I just melted. I had cold chills up and down my arms standing outside in 90 'ish weather for several minutes!! It was freaky but awesome! Thank you dear Lord for giving him sight and we pray that you continue to heal his eyes!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Seriously folks
What is wrong with me? My friend Karen constantly tells me and the other ladies at our bible study to stop saying that… but I can’t. I keep hoping that someone will answer me one day when I ask this. My memory ceases to exist. I am 36 years old and I swear I have googled early Alzheimer’s symptoms many, many times. Just this past week I could have sworn that it was still July and heck, August is half way over now. On Friday my mom mentioned my nephews wedding this Sunday (today) and it just blew me away. What ??? He is getting married this weekend?? I thought I had at least 2 – 3 more weeks to get ready for this… but nope! So I was out shopping last night until 10 pm trying to throw together some appropriate outfits for my family. I do not even have a wedding gift…I feel so awful!! Why didn’t I remember this? I can remember stupid stuff that has no meaning but can’t remember a wedding?? I can have conversations with people and don’t even remember talking to them the next day… this cannot be normal. I can see a doctor’s appointment in the morning on my calendar and by noon I have forgotten that I even had a doctors appointment. So.... if you are reading this and I have totally forgotten something really really important, please do not hold it against me, but you can remind me!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
This child o' mine is girl crazy and has been that way since he was a little tot (he really makes me nervous)
Conversation between Mason and Mommy
Wednesday 8/06 ~
Mason – “ mommy, if Arnold schwarzenager is 60 years old now, how old was he in 1997?
Me – (me scrambling for the answer) “he would have been 49 years old”
Later on that day
Mason – “ mommy, if Carmen Electra is 36 years old now, how old will she be when I am 20?”
Me – “she will be 49 when you are 20”
Mason (very excited) – “all right!!! Maybe when I am 20 I can take her out on a date right??”
Me – “sure Mason, ugh huh”
Conversation between Mason and Mommy
Wednesday 8/06 ~
Mason – “ mommy, if Arnold schwarzenager is 60 years old now, how old was he in 1997?
Me – (me scrambling for the answer) “he would have been 49 years old”
Later on that day
Mason – “ mommy, if Carmen Electra is 36 years old now, how old will she be when I am 20?”
Me – “she will be 49 when you are 20”
Mason (very excited) – “all right!!! Maybe when I am 20 I can take her out on a date right??”
Me – “sure Mason, ugh huh”
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
I'm breaking a sweat and she is laughing at me.....
What did you want me to do with this thing?
You're not serious are you??
Stop pretending to be Madonna and get up here and give me a smile
My work is done for the day.......
Well at least somebody would pose for me.....
Little turd, I never did get the picture I wanted of her...maybe next time
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