Spencer's Space

2012-01-14T14:52:00.000-08:00

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2011-12-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

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Gooseberry Patch Recipes

2011-12-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

Gooseberry Patch recipes...YUMMY!

2011-12-03T05:28:00.000-08:00

Homecoming King "gnimocemoh"

2011-09-28T16:45:00.001-07:00

Summer Fun Slideshow

2011-09-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

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More Summer Pics 2011

2011-09-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

Finally settling into a routine for the 11-12 school year.....shewww...it's a job, but it's so much fun! Spencer is lovin' school, doing great and picking up new words and sounds. He is working on the Ipod for a speech device and he loves it. Speech teacher says he's doing great!! Ms. Sallie, his teacher sends great notes home and is so proud of the progress he's made.

During the summer, Spencer attended Camp Burnt Gin for his 3rd time and had a great time, he did summer school and had a birthday party in his class, had his 10 year annual pool party, went camping in WV, rode 4-wheelers, did the famous WV fire outside almost every night and the Spencer Family 2011 reunion.....we love going to WV, it's so us!!!

Hope you enjoy the summer pics, hopefully I'll have some fall ones soon.....

Summer 2011

2011-06-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

Well here we ago, embarking on another HOT summer vacation. Spencer had new tubes in his ears, again, last Monday and seems to be doing ok. His hearing is still good with some conductive loss because of the tubes. The ENT cut his hair for us while his was under, thank you Dr. Brown and they also did a EKG to get a updated read, which turned out GREAT. Thank you GOD for your blessings! Mommaw and Poppaw were down last week to stay with Spencer while I finished out my last week of school WHAT A YEAR! Busy as usual with paperwork and of course all the sickness with Spencer since January. We have started off hot here in SC...yesterday the official temp was 98, but my car said 102 at one point! My iron is low again, so not sure what we'll do about that, but seeing my gyn to discuss options to take care of it. Mike is still at Lockheed working in the heat, but with the loss of a BIG CONTRACT, everyone is on pins and needles. So, that's it in a nutshell....Next Wed Spencer leaves for Camp Burnt Gin, just hope it cools somewhat so he can enjoy it...he hates the heat. I plan on cleaning and doing some painting while he is gone and MAYBE a couple nights at the beach if we can arrange it! When he comes back he begins the summer camp at his school, which he loves and then to WV for a long awaited vacation in the mountains....complete with 4 wheeling up at the camp with Dad, Lewisburg with Mom, camping with the in-laws and finishing off the week with family reunions....so excited and hopefully will have lots of pics to post!!! As for all of you....HAPPY HOT SUMMER....enjoy because before you know it it'll be Christmas 2011?????

2011-02-13T06:09:00.001-08:00

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Christmas Eve night and Christmas Morning in West Virginia

2011-01-21T17:24:00.001-08:00

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Christmas Eve Breakfast at Papaw's and Mamaw's in West Virginia

2011-01-21T17:14:00.000-08:00

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2011-01-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

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Been 4ever!

2010-07-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

Picture slideshow to catch my followers up on the past 5 months! Sorry...life is crazy!

TGIF

2010-02-19T07:59:00.001-08:00

Not sure if you can see this imagine, but for me....it says it all for today! This is Spencer's t-shirt I put on him today, in reality I should have wore it!! He had a great morning and as far as I know he's having a great day at school. Me, however, is another story. It's funny how I can deal so much better with my special needs kids in my classroom than I can my adults. By the way, there are 4 adults in my classroom, and yes I do have to mirco-manage them!!! What's up with that, why are adults harder to get to follow rules and directions than kids. Ummmmm....anyway, this shirt "It's all fun & games until the flying monkeys attack" pretty much sums up today for me!! Guess I'll be the flying monkeys!!!! Watch out!!!

2010-02-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

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Snow?

2010-01-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

One thing I've learned living in SC is that when a storm is predicted to hit here, well, it may or may not hit and it may be ice, sleet, frozen rain or snow or all of those. I get my hopes so high when they call for snow because I do miss the snows of West Virginia, however, I don't miss their frequency to the mountains.

We were going to get hit BIG according to the weather people....well, we didn't but a few minutes north of us did get it pretty big, 3-5 inches...we got all of the above mentioned...approximately 1 inch on our deck. But it's enough to freeze again and make it absolutely horrible out there tonight. We needed some things and I thought for sure it'd clear, but it didn't. So my wonderful hubby ventured out to the local BiLo grocer and was stopped 2 times by police officers telling him he needed to get home. That happens here, you know it's bad. We aren't equipped to deal with this type of weather. They don't have salt for the roads and very few plows. They usually keep the main roads, mostly interstates, cleared. Of course we wouldn't have these things, since snow/ice/, etc. only happens 1-2 times a year. In the pic if you look closely, you see the corner of our table on the deck and the chair.....this is it for what we received.

So in summary, we're in, have been in since yesterday evening. Spencer's getting alittle cabin fever, the dog is lovin' she gets to stay in all the time and the cat is like whatever! The fish are at the bottom of the pond keeping warm and Mike and I are doing whatever. I love the laziness, but then by tomorrow, I'll be ready to do something worthwhile! Keep safe, enjoy the....well whatever you got from this storm and eat some good comfort food!!!

CHANGE

2010-01-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

REST IN PEACE
GLENN V. SPENCER
APRIL 21, 1917 - JANUARY 15, 2010

At Christmas when we were home Uncle Glenn was put in the hospital Dec. 24, 2009 with pneumonia. I told my Dad I didn't like the changes that were happening in my life....Uncle Glenn failing, Grandma in a nursing home, he and Mom getting older and unable to do what they used to. He told me that I "milz well get used to it, 'cause changes are going to happen whether we like them or not." Well, Friday a week ago he called my cell phone @ 8:10am and I was doing hall duty. When I seen it was their number, my heart dropped. My parents never call that early unless something is wrong. It was...Uncle Glenn had passed at approximately 6:30am that morning from what appeared to be a stroke. My Dad was crying, I started crying because it hurt me so bad that I was there to hug him and let him know how much he means to me and that I hurt for him and I hurt for myself and I hurt for Aunt Dot, Danny, Tim, Doug and all the family!!! It was a very short trip in, seen quite a few family members I haven't seen in awhile. A GREAT SERVICE for a GREAT MAN.....Thank you Uncle Glenn for the memories....of sitting on your lap when I was a baby, of allowing me to ask tons of questions when I was a kid and as a teenager, thank you for sharing your love of the woods, steam engines, stories, music, musical instructments and tons of other things. We will all miss you, but the memories you have left us with will forever by with us and we will share them with our kids. One of my best memories ever is every time you seen Spencer, you would lay your hands upon his head and say a prayer!! I always knew Spencer would be fine in everything because he had the blessing of Uncle Glenn! I will cherish the time you spent with Spencer and one day I hope when I show him his Uncle Glenn he will remember those hands upon his head, praying for him. I love you and will miss you always!!

Not likin' this!

2010-01-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

After a weird Christmas break..ie...fast trip to WV, back for ear surgery, tried to have a sleep study, cold, cold and cold....back to work for 3 days then home for 2 day with a sick little boy. Spencer woke up around 1 thurs morning coughing and gagging...well it wasn't long till the diarrehea hit and vomitting....THEN...Saturday morning I wake up to a sick hubby....ewww.....needless to say it really put him down!!! He's been in bed all day and now is on the couch. I did get him to eat a few bites of chicken noodle soup. Hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow. I don't like January...it's blah, no fun and this one is really, did I mention COLD!!!! Can't wait for the 50's to hit on Thurs!!! YEA!! HEATWAVE!!

He is a couple pics my bother sent me from WV.....what great memories I have of this road...sledding as a kid, just walking down the snow covered lane, riding the snowmobile on it....what fun we had!

2010-01-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

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2010-01-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

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2010-01-03T09:10:00.001-08:00

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2010-01-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

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November & December 2009

2010-01-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

At this beginning of a New Year, 2010....I do not feel like I am a very good parent! Spencer is having way to many strange behaviors and I often feel it is because of me. I should have the "star" child with Down Syndrome with all the training I have and my profession?? right?? Well, he is completely puzzling me daily with the defiance that he exhibits whenever I ask him to do simple tasks like "come eat Spencer". Instead he heads off in a totally different direction and it's a constant battle to get him to the table. Of course we have to have something at the table with us, whether it is Kasey the Robot, the dvd player, a sock, the computer, you name it. Of course that is our fault for not stopping that day one. I feel like such a failure and wonder how different my child would be if he had a mom that wasn't so high strung, anxious, nervous, constantly talking, constantly watching and constantly wondering what can go wrong?? Sounds like I'm having a pity party, well YES I AM!!! I need something...not sure what, but I need help in this...prayers, thoughts, advice, friends, family, etc....at this point I'll take anything!!!!

Fall 2009

2009-11-11T02:30:00.000-08:00

School started, Miracle League Baseball started, horse riding started and a busy season for us.

Spencer started back at the Middle Tyger YMCA afterschool program and is doing great. The kids there really enjoy him and he has fun with them. He however likes to manipulate the counselors....surprised...not really.

We had a great season of baseball and we are finishing up horse riding until the spring. He loves both of these activities. In Oct we had our Down Syndrome Buddy Walk and seen several old friends we hadn't seen in a long time. It was a fun day.

Here are some pics from some of the activities that have kept us busy! HAPPY FALL!

Where have all the summer days gone........

2009-08-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, summer for us is almost over. Only 8 days until teachers start back and 15 days until students begin. The next thing it'll be Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, snow days, Easter, flowers and wow summer again!!! Time is flying by!
Our summer has somewhat been different. Only a week after school was out a storm came throught destroyed our pool. There went that routine of pool time in am, lunch and pool time in pm. It took until July 25 to get through insurance, adjustors, new pool people, install, levels of chemicals balanced....now we've been in it non stop over the past week.

At the beginning of July, Spencer and I went to TN with my brother and his crew and my mom. We had a good time, but way to many people!! We did Dollywood and Dixie Stampede. He loved the horses at the Dixie Stampede.

After leaving TN we went to WV for the Spencer Family Reunion. My Dad, the youngest and Uncle Glenn, the oldest are the ones left of Grandpa Lloyd's children. We had a great time seeing all the fam and it is so fun to reflect on memories!

At the end of July, Spencer went to camp for 5 days....ALL BY HIMSELF!! He loved it and the counselors fell in love with him. While he was at camp, Mommie and Mamaw went to the beach for some relaxtion. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a good trip!

So here we are.....at the end of vacation. This week we will travel to WV one more time before school starts. Spencer will stay with Mamaw for 5 days and then return to SC for school. We will do the Cherry River Festival in my hometown, Mike's family reunion, my home church's reunion and who knows what else. This will be the quiet time we need to reflex on the upcoming school year and what goals we want to achieve!

Oh my...where did May go....

2009-06-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

Last post was about Spencer having his tonsils out...did great and went back to school on the 18th of May. On the 21st of May his Dad has his removed....totally different stories, alot of pain for him and was out of it for about 6 days....7th and 8th days were not good either. He is starting back to work tomorrow but still has some pain. This has been very hard on him and all of us. I'm not used to him being the one under the weather...he is my stong hold and I hope I was of help to him. We both need a break and a vacation. On the other hand only 3 days of school left and I'll have one....Mike however is a different story...no time for him to take off, so we'll hopefully do a long weekend soon!

Tonsils

2009-05-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

On May 6, Spencer had his tonsils out. Since it had been awhile doing the hospital thing, I was a nervous wreck. But things went great....He was very calm before taking him and I was crying, but he just pointed his little finger to my eye and I know he was wondering why is my moma crying. The surgery took about 30 min, but then they did a echo and ekg on his heart. As far as we know, everything is fine with those tests. For 10 days now, Spencer has been on pain meds and I'm beginning to wing him off this weekend; you see they've made him a little "rattlesnake", striking at anytime! I know he has experienced the pain, but I also know that he is sleeping much better. I don't hear on the monitor the tossing, turning, no breathing, catching his breath...you know the classic sleep apnea characteristics. What I do hear is nothing and I have to go in his room and check to make sure he's ok. He is, sleeping ever so quietly. Also he's sleeping longer in the mornings, which with summer coming will be very nice. Dr. Brown said his tonsils were the size of his thumbs. I imagine they were in the way of his breathing and another thing, last night when I checked on his he was breathing through his nose, not his mouth! How excited I was to know that this has also helped with the mouth breathing! We go back May 21 for a follow-up and guess what....that day Spencer's dad is having his tonsils out. Don't think he'll be as brave as Spencer was!

Spencer's First Special Olympics 2009

2009-04-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

What a milestone we have hit......Spencer's 1st Special Olympics Track and Field Event... the beginning of many years of competition! He ran the 50 m dash and did the softball throw. His class also toured Olympic village and played many games. He had a great time. I was able to be there as my students also participate in Track and Field. Spencer even got a new pair of New Balance tennis shoes to run in. In Olympic village, Spencer threw a nerf football as if he were a professional quarterback. My son has a arm.....

I love the Special Olympics Oath..."Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Everyone should live by this.

Boy what a slacker!

2009-03-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

I am!!! It's been almost a month since I've blogged and that makes me angry....angry that my time just flies by and I don't get done what I want to. This time of year is busy, Miracle League, IEP's to write, after school speech, staff meetings, softball, just playing outside, etc....The days are longer, but time still flies. Anyway, things have been good. Spencer has mild sleep apnea and will have his tonsils out in June, Mike needs his tonsils out and I have anemia again. We keep on pushing on as the song says. Spencer and I are heading to WV Saturday for a few days of much deserved R&R! I hope we don't have any snow, but beautiful spring time weather. He loves going to WV and playing with cousins and seeing Mamaw and Pappaw. My Grandmother entered a nursing home last Monday and as the nurse told my Moma...."she's a catbird"! TO funny...loved to be a fly on the wall watching that! Take care and have a great day!!!!

Grandma Benny

2009-02-23T18:22:00.002-08:00

That is what I called my Grandma when I was little. I remember asking Mom if we could go down to Grandma Benny's? Grandma and I had alot of fun together....camping on Cranberry, our trips to Williamsburg, VA to see Tim, hanging out together, taking her to the dr, fixing her hair, celebrating many of her birthdays, etc. Now after 96 1/2 years my Grandma Benny doesn't remember me......dementia has set in and she comes and goes, not sure what she talking about and the signs of old age. We had seen this over the past few years, but I always thought Grandma would outlive us all, she was to stubborn to do other wise. Now, her mind is gone...her body is the same, her face, her eyes, her hands, but when she talks, it's not Grandma. I called her the other night and she talked and I thought good she remembers me, then she asked...."who is this?" I cried, because at that point I knew I had lost my Grandma Benny. I had planned to take my Mom and SPencer to Florida for spring break, but now, I am led to the mountains of WV for a visit with my Grandma...she may not remember me, depending on the day. My heart breaks for my Mom, it is so hard to see her Mom, the one that she has had for 75 years, say horrible things to you, things that hurt you, have no recall of things and search for things that are long gone. It is hard to see someone you love act differently, I can't even begin to imagine. So in ending this post is a tribute to my Grandma Benny, remembering all the good times shared and a tribute to my Mom for being a strong lady! I love you both with all my heart!

2009-02-23T18:22:00.001-08:00

Sleep Study!

2009-02-12T08:43:00.000-08:00

As I sit here in the quiet of my classroom.....my assistances are helping out by giving me 30 minutes......I reflect back on last night.....I'll call it the "night from HELL!" Wish I had a copy of the pic they took of him, but I don't so use your imagination. First Mike and I are loudly discussing in the way to the hospital, then we hit a terrible storm on 85 where everyone thinks they can still drive 70 in rain that is blowing sideways, we pull into the hospital lot, Spencer starts with the "....um, um, um..." sound he makes when he knows we are entering the medical community, make our way to the 5th floor, he starts flopping like a wet dishrag, brush teeth, say prayers, sing song, read "Goodnight Moon", he's out! THEN......enter the sleep tech, who was very nice and patient with him I may add, but she started for get it, he's flipping, flopping, rubbing off wires, pulling off cords, working his toe to get the SAT monitor off, you name it. Dad and the tech gave up, I stayed out thinking it would be best. Then we let him get back into sleep again and here we go....3 of us now. The SAT monitor is attached, little toe working really hard to get it off....fighting us all the way, but we keep putting things on because at this point I know he'll wake up period if we touch him while he sleeps......2 hours of hooking up probes, wires, monitors, etc.....and finally everything is attached. For these 2 hours I'm laying on the bottom part of his body holding his legs, waist and left arm secure....Dad has the head and right side. OK....we're done, but now his is sticking his Gene Simmons tongue out trying to lick off the things attached to his face....let it never be said my son does not have problem solving skills, because he CAN figure his way out of things! The tech leaves so we can calm Spencer down and hopefully get him asleep. This takes much longer than it should, about 45 minutes. He still is fighting and by golly he's a strong little man, scares me when I think about him getting older, so finally he starts to fade out. In a last ditch effort, he raises his head in a swift jerk and POW!!! head butts Daddy....I heard the crackle in the nose. I sent Dad out so I could hopefully finish calming and putting to sleep. I did and for about 2 hours he slept, then started waking and pulling things off, removing everything. Around 3 the tech came in to where I was sleeping and asked for my help...he was in a tangled mess. As she was taking the leads off she asked if we could try and put them on again. I asked if she had any data when he was asleep and she said yes for about 2 hours. "Fine with me" I said! Dr. Gualt can live with that because I refuse to wrestle with him to attached all the hundreds of lines again....by that time it would have been 5 and there is no way he would have went to sleep. She agreed and said that was fine, so @ 3:00am we're headed up 85 home. HOME SWEET HOME!!!! We got in went to the potty, ate a cereal bar and drank some milk and then off to bed for the remaider of the night @ 4:30am. At 5am, my freakin' alarms go off.....so I'm up and off to work....no day off for me since I'm out of days and can never seem to catch up with the drs we see, but that's ok. Dad is home with Spencer, they are relaxing and enjoying the day and I'm here @ school fighting to keep my head above water, but.........Edward keeps me going!!!!!! Thank you fantasy world!!!

FB & Edward have a hold on me!

2009-02-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

I swore I wouldn't get into the Twilight series, but lo and behold the media specialists at my school hooked me hook, line and sinker.....already finished Twilight in a week and started on New Moon Thurs and over 1/2 through it....so hooked and Mike can't believe I'm reading them! Besides Edward, FB(facebook) has me hooked also. I can get on there for hours and read about my friends, updates, the groups, the quizzes, etc....then of course there is 24 on Fox that I absolutely love and I really think Jack Bauer could take care of all of our problems with terrorists!

OK, so much for my world of internet, Edward and tv....more importantly, Spencer goes in Wed night for a sleep study at G'ville Memorial. Hopefully this will give us and the dr insight as to why he is having sleep problems, waking through the night, sleepy during the day, some behaviors, anxiety, weight gain, sensory issues, etc. I really like this young sleep dr who talked alot about down syndrome in children and that sleep is a big concern especially when it effects the heart. He seems to truely understand Down Syndrome and doesn't link all children who have Down Syndrome in the same catergory like "these kids". I am anxious wondering how Spencer will handle being hooked up to all those wires, stickers and strapped down, but we'll see. He amazes me lately how cooperative he is with some people who are patient with him, not Mommie though 'cause the more he doesn't cooperate the more upset I get, thus, we'll let others handle hooking him up. Make sense?! Say a prayer or keep a good thought for us tomorrow night as we go through this sleep study. I'll hopefully post this weekend as to what they found out with the sleep study. Along with the study I have to keep a sleep log for 30 days and we see Dr. Gault on March 5 to see what route we will take.......

Meanwhile I hope you all have a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

Brother and Sister?

2009-01-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

OK, well it's no secret I'll probably never have any more children, but on this day it was amazing as I watched and snapped pics of Spencer and Bubbles(the dog) playing as if they were a brother and sister. It's amazing the connection Spencer makes with Bubbles and how loving Bubbles is to him. Spencer hits @ Bubbles and Bubbles takes it, never once getting mad or upset with him....that would be 1 difference between 2 "real" siblings. Bubbles licks, kisses, nips and gives Spencer all kind of attention. On this Saturday, I thought it was so cute how Spencer was trying to urge Bubbles into his bedroom to play. He would try and lure her by flinging a sock @ her then take off down the hall. Bubbles didn't follow. Finally Spencer got her in there and I left them alone for awhile and then went to check on them. I opened the door and there they were both on top of his bed "wrestlin'" around and Spencer laughing out loud. What a memory and what a thought.....even though Spencer will probably never have a sibling, he has one in his doggy, Bubbles, who loves him and us unconditionally always!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cupcake Makin'

2009-01-25T18:22:00.000-08:00

It always seem like I put off things.....and boy I did this time. I should have started cooking with Spencer years ago, but on the weekend time just seems to get away from me with the "have to do" things...you know, cleaning, washing, organizing, folding clothes, ironing clothes, cooking, groceries.....the list goes on. So by the time I have time to cook with Spencer I'm wore out! On our snow day I made a decision that yes this day was the day we were making something....no matter what. So I said @ 10am we'd start, I do better with a schedule. So we did and what fun we had. One of his classmates for Christmas bought all the students the cutest apron and chef hat with their names embordered on them....so we put that on and got busy. Check out our slideshow! It was fun and the beginning of many more days cooking I'm sure!

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SNOW?

2009-01-22T18:20:00.000-08:00

This was sight out my back door on Tuesday morning after getting up and starting to get ready for school.....then I find out there is no school in S'burg Co. Districts...WHAT????? I mean come on now.....I would rather go since I'm already up and not have to make it up. Well we have to make it up. It's all weird, but I'm hoping for some REAL SNOW between now and spring!!!! Some good snowman making snow, some good sleigh riding snow and some good snowball snow. I miss that!

MLK Day

2009-01-19T17:19:00.000-08:00

Martin Luther King Day.....I'm not really sure, but I think I understand, but then again I don't because I have not been through what some people have been through with racism. I'm just not talking about the Blacks, but the Jews, Indians, Hispanics, Asians, Middle Easterns, people with Down Syndrome, people who have disabilities, people with glasses or braces, people who are overweight, people who are skinny, people who are tall, people who are short and my list could go on and on. I truely believe that on that day when MLK gave his speech he was not talking only about people who are Black or White, but for all people with differences! Let's face it, aren't we all just a little different from each other? So on this day I think about all people who have ever experienced racism, not just one group! Thank you MLK for giving all people a dream to hold on to! Just my thoughts!

2008-12-31T07:47:00.001-08:00

2008-12-31T07:47:00.000-08:00

2008-12-31T07:18:00.000-08:00

It's Been Way To Long!

2008-12-30T12:59:00.000-08:00

Here it is a little over 24 hours of 2008 left and I have not posted since the 18th of Dec. We left town on Dec 20th and just returned last night. It was a great trip, somewhat tiring from all the running and visiting, but we enjoyed the visit. We attended Mike's extended family Christmas Party, went to the church I grew up in to their Christmas Program....brought back so many memories of when I was a kid, went shopping, had Christmas eve with my family, Christmas morn breakfast, watched Spencer and his toys, to the in laws for Christmas, went to see Marly and me(GREAT MOVIE!), Mike spend alot of time hunting with his brothers, loved my Mountaineers beating NC, attend my neice Tracy's 30th birthday celebration and the last day just relaxed before hitting the road....here are a few pics of the trip and all the activities. I can't believe this year is gone...where does time go? We all definitely need to slow down and enjoy the simply things in life more especially our family & friends and stop rushing. That is my New Year's resolution....to take things more lightly that I have no control over and enjoy just watching my son play and learn in his way and as the song goes ".....take time to smell the roses." I pray that you and yours have a Happy New Year and God richly blesses you in 2009!

Family Pictures

2008-12-18T12:15:00.001-08:00

12 1/2 years in SC....wow can't believe it......time sure does fly and Spencer is 7, Mike is 36 and I'm, well.........a real woman never tells her age! My friend took these pics of us on Sunday for our Christmas cards, which by the way are very late.........don't think we're mad if you don't get it until after Christmas!!!

By the way those are my brothers!!! Are they cute!!!! Any single ladies, let me know and I'll hook you up!!!!(JUST KIDDING) Can you tell I'm in the Christmas mood....1 day left before a glorious 2 week break from teaching!! Anyway enjoy our family pics and hope all of you have a WONDERFUL, GLORIOUS, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Terrific Kid

2008-12-17T03:01:00.000-08:00

On Monday I attended the Jaycee/Civitians Christmas Party @ Spencer's school. He was recognized as a "Terrific Kid" by them for Fall 2008. He is doing so great! He speech is coming along and alot of his frustration is because he can't communicate his thoughts/feelings. He went up like a big boy and got his reward. Now Mommie has a bumper sticker that says "My kid is a TERRIFIC KID", but then again, I didn't need a bumper sticker to tell me that. I've always known I have a terrific kid!!! Congratulations Spencer and what a great kid you are!!! Mommie and Daddy love you!

Spartanburg Christmas Parade 2008

2008-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

Spencer's school was in the parade in Spartanburg on Tuesday night. He was a littly iffy at first, but once the float started he loved the ride and waving to the people. Some friends of ours yelled his name, "Spencer, HI" and he immediately picked them out in the crowd and waved to them. They were so impressed that he heard them yelling at him. I love the fact the school, teachers and support staff were willing to do the parade after school and involved the students. I love his school and he is doing so well! Speech is coming along and recently he has starting saying mum, wt(want), ball, dada, oou(you), plze(please), I, ove(love). I'm so proud of the progress he has made over the last 14 weeks in speech. I am sure we will eventually get it! Enjoy the pics....he had alot of fun!

The Boyce Disco

2008-12-12T09:49:00.001-08:00

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Elf Me

2008-12-10T11:55:00.001-08:00

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Getting to the bottom of the situation!

2008-12-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

Today after conversing with numerous people and a process of elimation we have decided that Spencer's buddy on the way from school is pinching Spencer. Don't know the reason, but as I know from working with any kid, they sometimes don't need a reason. Perhaps Spencer dangled his sock or Elmo in front of his face and he didn't like it, maybe Spencer yelled in his dismay of something and the kid didn't like it. I don't blame the kid, but I don't want my son to have bruises either, so the remedy is to sit Spencer in his harness by himself on the bus and his assistant sit across the aisle from him. That way there should be no more bruises. I have noticed bruises for sometime, but we all know kids do things and fall, etc....but yesterday did it! The bruises always seem to be on Spencer's left side, which is what led the nurse to say this. She has been a great help! So has his teacher and the elementary ed person @ McCarthy. I knew if we all worked together we could get to the bottom of this and what happened. I am so glad I didn't blow my stack and go off ranting and raving, because communication is the tool to any outcome involving school and home!!!

Confused!

2008-12-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

OK, you guys all know that I try to do what is right, but right now I want to freakin' raise HELL with someone over the bruises I found up and down Spencer's left arm. What the hell........I really don't know what to do....do I go raise the roof off and demand that if he can't be safe that I want a one on one, or do I let the teacher handle it while I cool down. Ms. Patice is great and I know she will help us get to the bottom of the bruises he is coming home with. I am questioning the bus, Mike thinks another kid is pinching him. A couple of weeks ago the same thing...bruises on his hip and arm. I wondered if it was at the YMCA, but no one I talked to could tell me for sure. I want so bad for Spencer to answer me when I ask him "who did this to you." But he can't and I feel so responsible for it. I am at wits end and need you all to pray for me and how to approach this problem and how to deal with it. Spencer can be a handful but still I have never left any bruises like the ones I seen on his arm this evening. He can pull, jerk, squirm, etc and I tug and pull, but never like this has he ever had bruises. HELP....suggestions would be nice, but know I'm trying not to lose my cool but to approach it in a calm manner. I just want to know what happened!!!

Starting the Holiday Festivities!

2008-12-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

Well it's here, the hustling and bustling of the holidays! Mike said to me last night that the holiday party and outings always make us alittle irritable. Once he asked me if I was tired around 8pm after rushing home to get little man in bed and I said yes. I asked how he could tell and he said I was a little irritable. Tired and aggrevated......yesterday after we sat in our vehicle watching the Greer Parade, I tried to cut through some side streets to get out of town and cut the curb to close and busted my rear tire. He got upset, I got upset and so that was that....now on top of buying Christmas we need a new tire. I'm trying to take things in stride, but sometimes once again I am so overwhelmed that my anxiety is kicking in and sending me over the top. I am trying so hard not to "lose it" and keep my outbursts down. Please send good thoughts and prayers as we continue through this holiday season for my peace of mind and to enjoy the things that are really the reason for the season.....the birth of Jesus Christ! Thanks so much good friends for that! You are all loved and respected. I know we all have our different issues, but I thank God that I have friends and family to help me through!

By the way.....Spencer will be in the Spartanburg Christmas Parade on Tues., Dec 9 with his school. The parade starts @ 6:30pm if you'd like to attend....8 marching bands.....wow!!

WOW Where do I start!

2008-12-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I've blogged....the holidays, how stressful are they!! We traveled to WV for Thanksgiving...it was ok....stressful though. Mike and I have talked and in order for us to have a restful Christmas vacation, we are making a schedule of what is going on during our time in WV. This way we are not stressed and most of all Spencer is on a schedule. All of us who have children with Special Needs know that our children love structured routine, a place they can chill and do what they like...as for Spencer it is down time in Papaw's bedroom with his laptop and a number of movies and no one else in there with him! Mike and I think this works best for our family and in order for us not to be "at each other" we need to put us first! Spencer is the most important and in order for him to enjoy the holidays.....we need to do a schedule.

Here is a pic of some of the pics from WV! The family during the WV/Pitt game!

Unhappy Rudloph!

2008-11-24T07:14:00.001-08:00

While decorating the house for the holidays Saturday I ran across this antler headband that I wear at my school before Christmas. I put them on Spencer to take a pic and he was not happy! I told him just 1 pic and he looked at me with the look that said...."ok lady hurry up and get this over with because I do not like these things on my head!" What a pic....can you tell he doesn't like them but tolerated them for me long enough to get a picture. What pressure we put on our kids to get that picture that we think will be so cute? The things we put our kids through especially during the holidays......a trip to see Santa, which they hate and can't understand why we make them go sit on a stranger's lap that has a strange look and then they freak out and have a meltdown and we look like idiots trying to console them! I'm sure we all have stories to tell....share one with me so I can see how silly I am for asking my child to be tolerant of these experiences! I really don't do the Santa thing because after the 1st meltdown with him seeing Santa I decided right them and there it wasn't worth it! We pick and choose what we want to battle and a picture with Santa is at the bottom of my list! Happy Thanksgiving!

A Girl's Night Out!

2008-11-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

WOW is all I can say....what a great group of friends I have to be able to meet, talk about alot of different things, laugh, cry, agree to disagree and just have fun! It was awesome to know that we all share our love for our special children and we have their best interest at heart and that we would do anything for them. But also to share our deepest, darkest secrets(you guys know, but remember it's our secret) laugh have other things in common other than the special needs world, but we always tend to come back to that somewhere in whatever conversation we are in. I love you guys and since my family is not here, I rely on you guys for advice, laughter, tears and whatever I need to make it through. Thank you all for being a very special part of me and Spencer's life...Mike to!

Sunday afternoon

2008-11-16T19:14:00.001-08:00

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon then with family! Tammie and Syd were in Charlotte with Ronald and stopped by on their way back. Samantha came over from her Dad's house and we had a great, restful, enjoyable afternoon.....played with Spencer and Syd, watched movies with Sam, helped Tammie with her cookie business online, jumped on trampoline with Spencer, made lasagna for lunch, made homemade mac 'n cheese for Sam for dinner.....what a great day. I am so glad they came and spent the afternoon with us! Syd is growing so much, Sam is a typical teenager(which in a earlier blog she corrected me, she doesn't play a cello, she plays a viola) Spencer loves them both and Mike and I love spending time with all of them! Tammie is a good mommie and loves her girls with all her heart and does a good job of taking care of them! Thank you guys for spending time with us this afternoon...I enjoyed it alot and love you all very much!

Sleep

2008-11-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

The hardest part of having a child that is non-verbal is that you never know for sure what is happening with them or to them. This week Spencer has been up every night.....last night it was 3:30am and he stayed up the remainder of the morning. By the time we got home, he bathed, we ate dinner and was relaxing, he was gone! So sleepy he could barely hold his head up. We pottied, brushed our teeth, lotioned up, sprayed the nose, started the cool mist machine and went to sleep. This was just before 7am. Around 9pm I heard something in the kitchen, I was in our bedroom surfing the net. I went in and there he sat in the middle of the floor, half asleep and not wanting to get up. Mike was gone and I can not lift him anymore. So I finally convinced him to get up, took him to the potty and led him back to his bed. He layed down and within seconds he was asleep for the 2nd time.

It makes me wonder what the heck is happening.....bad dreams, is he hot, is he cold, does he have sleep apnea, does he have anxiety or hyperactivity.....all these thoughts invade my mind and I have no idea what is going on because he can't tell me. So here I sit typing my thoughts and praying that God will give Spencer the peace he needs to sleep all night and get his rest. I give Benadryl religiously during allergy season which usually helps him relax, but am also thinking maybe he is developing a reverse effect to it. I'm so confused, so if you have any thoughts I would appreciate you sharing them with me. Broken sleep is so hard and I haven't had to do that for many years and I don't want to start again. He needs his sleep so he can perform to his highest ability and I need my sleep to also perform on my job! The body needs a deep sleep so that our bodies can restore and recover for a new day!!

VOTE!

2008-11-04T17:12:00.001-08:00

Today we went to vote. What a privelege to have this right! As I stood there waiting for a booth to open, I told the lady not to forget my "I voted" sticker so I could get my free cup of coffee from Starbucks! Those of you that know me know that is my one bad habit!! So off to Starbucks we go after voting. We stopped and 1st I went in so Spencer wouldn't have to get out. What a line, there were more people in there getting their coffee free than were at the polling place! The lady in front of me said "don't we live in a great country?" I told her YES we do and I hope it stays great! I hope I didn't offend her, but this country is the best and we all need to continue praying for our country, our leaders(whoever they may be), our troops and our people! GOD BLESS THE USA!

Happy Halloween 2008

2008-10-31T17:43:00.000-07:00

We went to our friend's neighborhood Trick or Treating tonight with Spencer. She lives in a very nice subdivision in Duncan and she had wanted to see Spencer. He really doesn't care for Halloween, but this year he loved walking up to the houses and .........yes, you guessed it, walking right on in just like he knew them! It was so funny and all the people were very nice and understood. I'm not sure where this came from but I have a hunch it is from when we go around to new subs and go into houses and look around. He is so funny because what he is looking for is not something that most people are looking for. For a long while now he has had a facination with heating vents that are in the floor. The one thing is that ours are not, they are in the ceilings. At my friend's house he went from room to room flipping on lights, looking behind doors, under windows, etc looking for them. Then he would take his foot and slide it up to it to see if he could get it up out of the floor. This is very interesting to watch, but not really sure why he does it. We had fun Trick or Treating and each year he is liking it more!

The other pic is of Spencer's new trampoline compliments of his cousin Samantha who was tired of it. He loves it, but doesn't like it when Daddy is on there bouncing him everywhere. This will be a great activity for him and help build his balance and increase his brain activity like horse back riding did.

More Speech

2008-10-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

I have always been concerned with Spencer speech and if he'll ever talk. I still don't know 'cause even at 7 he still doesn't have any consistent words. So I began looking for someone to add more speech other than what he gets @ school. Today we did our 2nd session with her and I've heard so many more sounds from him in these last 2 weeks! Thank God for people who have a heart and want my child to succeed in his abilities! Hopefully this is what we need to push us over the top with our speech. Thank you for helping Spencer out!!

She's growing up!

2008-10-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

This post is about my great-neice Samantha. Last night she had her orchestra concert, she plays the cello. She had to have a black formal and I never thought she'd do it, being the athlete she is but wow....I'm so proud of her! She is growing into such a nice young lady and mature and stands up for what she believes! I am very happy for her and all of her accomplishments.....

Yesterday Mike went with Spencer's class to Niven's Apple Farm. They did a hay ride throught the orchards, picked out a pumpkin and got a small bag of apples. Ms. Neely took a great pic of Spencer and Daddy on the hay ride. He loves field trips!

Drained

2008-10-28T04:33:00.000-07:00

On Monday I did my prep for my colonoscopy so I went to sleep early without posting. No excuse just tired. So here I sit in the dr office getting ready to go back for the procedure UGH!!!!

Where has it went

2008-10-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

Can you believe this is the last week in October? I was driving to Hendersville today to visit my neices and wow how pretty the leaves are traveling up Hwy 25. I was thinking, my goodness, where has this month gone. Next Sat is Nov 1 and before you know it we'll be doing the Christmas Holidays, then end of 1st semester and then spring break and the cycle continues. It seems the older I get the more time seems to just FLY by! Went I was in my teens I never thought the end of school and graduation would ever get here. I long for the days when time seemed to be slower and a slower pace of life with it. Next weekend we change our clocks back and this seems to help because we slow ourselves down, or at least I do once the darkness falls outside......who knows, maybe my new bedtime will be 9pm!!! Yea right! Time with Spencer flies also. When he was born, I was a mess. Scared to death he was going to die, he wouldn't eat, his heart, etc. Now 7 years later I look back to those times and wish they hadn't went by so fast! Enjoy them when they are little, those days don't last forever!

The fall pic is in WV on a lake as a kid we used to camp on and fish.....awesome pic!

"Oh What a Night"

2008-10-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

That's what I'm sayin' right now! Tonight we went to the Dorman vs. Brynes football game. I'm a high school and college football junkie! I've been @ 2 high school teaching since coming to SC and both schools are big about their football. I was @ Spartanburg High School 6 years, then I'm starting my 4th year @ Dorman. Tonight the Cavaliers beat the Brynes Rebels 35-28. It was amazing! I'm so proud of the coaches and the jobs they have done with those young men and the example they set for them. Most all of them are good christain coaches that lead not only on the field but off the field also. Go Cavs!

Friday nights!

2008-10-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

I can remember a few years ago that staying home on a Friday night was a sin! Now, I love it! Can't wait for Friday when I get home and put the lounging pants on, a big t-shirt and lately my WV slippers that anytime I'm cold a few minutes with these on and I'm real cozy! Now, Friday night are about spending quality family time together, playing games, watching a kid friendly movie, letting Spencer stay up later or just sitting on the couch covered up with Spencer cuddling. That give me warm fuzzies deep in my tummy! I love when he sits with me and cuddles and then he'll turn around and give me a kiss and even though he can't verbalize, he says with his eyes, "I love you Mommie!" EWWWWWW.....cold chills just thinking about it, gotta go and get some more cuddle time!!!

Thursday

2008-10-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

Today has so far been a good day except I am so tired! Spencer was up last night for 3 hours wide awake. Mike was up with him and stayed but I couldn't sleep until I made sure he had went back to sleep. Then this morning I was so tired and felt so sick. I'm better now and Spencer slept till 9am. We're seeing his old speech pathologist from McCarthy. She wants to continue seeing Spencer to help get his speech on track.

Tonight is football night, West Virginia plays Auburn on ESPN. I hope WV shows up. They are playing in WV and I hope the fans will support the team! Go Mountaineers!!

Till tomorrow.......

So Sleepy

2008-10-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what is up, but I can't even sit down on the couch or chair at night anymore without going to sleep. Then I wake up and it's freaky 3:3o, I'm freezing and drag myself into bed to get warm after I've had a terrible time standing up and walking........don't know if I'm not resting or if something else is going on or I'm just plain tired! Anyway.....I like sleep.....good night!

TWO TIMES

2008-10-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, since I didn't blog yesterday and I tried to amend this am, I'm going to post tonight for today?! Today was a good day! Spencer is doing better in school, attending more, trying hard and all around cooperating unlike the first month of school. I guess he just needed to adjust to another school year. I picked him up from the YMCA and took him for his flu mist. He was such a big boy. Didn't want to go in because last time he and his daddy were there, they took blood and they had no idea how to take it on him....But once I convinced him we were just getting a squirt in our nose, he did great. He's used to being sprayed in the nose because I squirt Saline spray in at night and in the morning to help keep the allergy nasties out! So he just thought he was getting a spray of saline. I was proud of him! He is growing into quite the amazing little guy! I'm always proud of you Spencer and I love you!

OH NO!

2008-10-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

In my sleepiness last night, I didn't BLOG!! I feel so guilty, but ok now I'm doing it for yesterday. I went out last night to cover my Sago Palms to protect them from the frost that may have come, but didn't, and on my way back in I was thinking about what to blog about. I had nothing really to say except it was a good day, considering it was a Monday. Everyone had a good day with the exception of Mike. He started feeling weird in his stomach Sunday evening and yesterday came home from work and went to bed. He still felt bad. He got up and ate some soup and said it was still there, but thought soup may help. He seems down in the dumps lately, but again this time of year is hard. Sometimes it's way back in our mind and we're not even conscious of it. The grief comes out in ways that effect the way we feel. Keep us all in your thoughts, we will get through this, it just takes time!

Two Things

2008-10-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

Today was another busy day, not stressful, just busy. Spencer and I stayed home from church just because and it's hard to get out on a cool Sunday morning. Mike went because he plays the drums in the Praise Team. Mike cooked lunch while I was cleaning up the clothes, folding and putting them away. Since the washer has been fixed, I'm finally seeing the bottom of all the piles! When I walked through the hall I notice a sharpie pen laying in the floor with the cap gone. First I thought, how the heck did that get in here, I didn't have it in here?" Then it dawned on me, SPENCER! When I brought the pen in the kitchen I asked Spencer where the lid was and he just looked at me. Mike told me not to growl at him for doing that and believe me I WASN'T even thinking about scalding him in fact I was proud! My little guy got into my pens in a glass on my buffet and got a sharpie and took the lid off and proceeded to do what all little kids do....WRITE ON THINGS! Well I searched and could find nothing as to what he had wrote on. I was so happy but wanted to find where he had left his marks. Tonight after his shower, I always put him on his bed to lotion him up and put his jammies on. Low and behold there on his sheets were all kinds of SCRIBBLES!! I started to cry and yelled at Mike that I had found the marks. I was so excited, I didn't care about all the think blacks lines on the pillow case and flat sheet, no all I cared about was my son had taken the initiative to take a pen and make marks. This may sound absolutely crazy, but until you know what it's like to wait on accomplishments you'll never know how happy this made me. But for those of you that share the waiting on your child to hit that developmental milestone, you know what I'm talking about. I am a proud Mommie right now!

The second thing I want to share is the Walk to Remember that we attend every year at the Greenville Hospital off of Church Street. We have been attending this for 8 years now and it is important to us to take this one day to remember our daughter in a formal way. Madelyn would have been 9 years on Nov. 29 and 8 years ago we met a great group of people from the Resolve through Sharing Bereavement Program at the hospital. The lady, Danny, that held our support groups, became a close friend and she will always be close to our hearts. This year for some reason, it was harder to attend this service than it had been in the past. There is not a day that goes by that we don't think about Madelyn and how her short life has made me a better person. Losing our child is something that will never go out of our minds, we will experience it the rest of our life. Please don't feel sorry for us, but pray for us that God will give us strength to get through the rough times and faith that someday we will be with our little angel in heaven. The picture of hands is when the ribbons are tied on the Tree of Life in the Memorial Garden at the hospital.

Great Day!

2008-10-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

WOW, usually a busy day makes me crazy, but today was different. I don't know if it's because I was off yesterday from school and I got alot done and didn't have to rush around to get things done today, but I had a great day. Mike had to work so he was up and gone by 4:30am. I found Spencer asleep in the kitchen floor when Mike got up so he put him in bed with me. We slept until 7:30am and then watch Disney, ate breakfast and spent the morning washing clothes, picking up and general things. Along with those I decorated the cake for Archie and Ryan's birthday party. I wanted it to be perfect for those 2 special little guys whose families are like my own and I consider them to be like my family! Things went great with the cake and it turned out beautiful and everyone loved it! The party was so much fun and Spencer enjoyed it....I was scared he would get over stimulated, but he didn't. In fact he found a new friend and kinda followed her around, Archie's Nana. I think she reminds Spencer of his Mamaw who he misses alot. It's good to connect with people who remind you of loved ones who live far. The party was great and Spencer joined in just like circle time at school when the books were read. We left there and went to my friend's house for game night. It was a blast and we laughed alot. What a fun day and what great friends we have here in Greenville, SC. Thanks to all of you for letting us enjoy you, your families and your friends!

Structure

2008-10-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm the first to admit that I like structure in my life.....maybe I have adult ADHD?! It really isn't funny, but today was truly a messed up day.....got up @ 5am, got ready and Spencer was up by 6am. Got him on the bus @ 7:20 and I headed to Dorman. Getting into the car I heard my phone in the house ringing and I didn't answer it, thought who the heck is calling. Ended up being one of my assistance to tell me not to go to school, that we were canceled. On my way to Dorman I listen to WORD radio and just past Reidville Rd they said Dorman High was closed today because of a chemical leak at a nearby plant. I called one of the coaches I knew and he said yes we were closed and not to go to the school because they wouldn't let you on campus. By this time I'm @ 290/221 so I U turn back up 290 to the house really upset. I admit I love the thought of having the day off, but after I had got up, got ready and almost made it to school found out school was canceled and headed back up the road, I got this weird feeling like this isn't right, I'm suppose to be at school. It was really hard for my mind to make the switch, to change things that I had already started and I have to say I got scared, like maybe I hadn't heard right and I should be at school. It's strange that sometimes the mind can be so powerful that you have to really stop and think about things and make sure you go over and over what is happening and convince yourself it is the right thing to do and you did hear right.

Not sure any of this makes sense, but structure I need and not just me, but Spencer likes structure also. Not just him but my students, who I worried about, need structure and alot of their peers need structure and other teachers need structure and some of my friends need structure. I think structure makes us secure in our daily living and that is why we like it and hate to have things changed. So if I'm having a bad day, it is usually that something just isn't quite right with my routine and the same holds true for Spencer. Some structure is a good thing as long as it doesn't dominate your life!

Simple Life

2008-10-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why the older I get, the harder it seems to be simple. Something always seems to be throwing me into a turmoil where I lose my cool either at work or here at home. But when I'm with Spencer and we're home in the evening sitting on the couch watching Spongebob after supper and his bath, me massaging his hands and feet and just breathing him in, life seems so simple, so relaxed that I wish we could stay like this all day and night. Just enjoying him, not really pushing him to do something he doesn't want to, not trying to "fix" him, or, make him say sounds he can't or make him play something he doesn't want to. I enjoy this time, me and him. I get "warm fuzzies" deep down in my tummy because I know my little man will always help Mommie enjoy the simple life!

Forgot to add......

2008-10-15T13:05:00.001-07:00

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day

2008-10-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that is hard! It is a day of remembering and honoring our little ones that have passed. So tonight @ 7pm I will light a candle in memory of our sweet little girl, Madelyn Jane. She taught me so much in a short time and prepared me for Spencer's Down Syndrome. Thank you sweet baby girl, Rest In Peace!

Healthy Eating

2008-10-14T18:53:00.000-07:00

OK, since losing 140 lbs, I really try to eat healthy, thus pass it on to Spencer, let's face it Mike is a grown boy and does what he wants! But Spencer is a little chunky and has the potential of becoming overweight! I don't want that mainly because of his heart and health issues. I want him to love active time, running, playing, swimming....etc. He loves activities, but let's face it, he's a kid when it comes to eating. I remember saying I'd never take my kid through McD's drive thru, well guess what, I do.....every time we pass by a McD, Jack in the Box, Chick Fil A, or any other place Spencer has had chicken nuggets before, he breaks his neck watching it pass by and then whines this little whimper to let me know he's not happy. Well, today in my persuit of healthy eating, I packed Spencer some carrot sticks with ranch dressing to dip them in. The note from school read "Spencer is quite a smart little boy. Today at lunch he put his carrot sticks in his milk carton to make us think he had ate them all. He sure keeps us on our toes!" What a smart fellow, hide them and they will think I've ate them! He is to cute and amazing! Just like any little boy, hates his vegetables! Don't worry son, you'll grow to love them!

"He's the child............."

2008-10-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

WOW, just finished at lunch reading Roadmap to Holland. What a great way she has shared so many of the same feelings I had. This read was great therapy for me at a time when I needed some therapy! I remember that day when the genetic counselor confirmed that Spencer has Down Syndrome. I couldn't hardly breathe, it hurt so bad. Mostly it hurt because I was afraid he was going to die, just like Madelyn. Now 7 years and some odd months later, can't remember it. Not that I want that feeling back, but what it actually felt like. That hurt, not knowing, not understanding and not knowing what I was suppose to do! Now, what to do just happens. Just be Mommie and everything else will fall into place. I remember his teacher at the Meyer Center, Ms. "Didi" told me "don't worry, you do the Mommie things and let us teachers do the rest." She was such a great teacher for Spencer and me.

Today when I finished the book, the last 2 sentences said it all "He's the child I wanted, that I did not know I wanted. He is my son."

Relaxing Sunday Evening

2008-10-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

Today has been the best day in a while! Spencer and I actually went to early service this morning. We didn't stay for Sunday School as Spencer doesn't really fit in the 1st grade room. He's not a sit down, color, cut, paste or listen to a story kid. During worship though, he was awesome! He sat and didn't make to many noises. He loves the music and today they had the handbells that he really loves. Elmo went also and sat in a chair beside of Spencer. I could sit and watch him for hours at times when he is interacting with his stuffed toys. They sent home play and speech targets and really he is doing those already. Maybe not in a real structured setting but he knows these things like Elmo, bowl, spoon, cup, drink, eat, blanket, sleep.......and he does 2-step directions good. Sometimes it takes him a while to focus on what I am acting, he's usually "into" a movie or computer game. When I'm taking to him and he's ignoring me, I ask Mike do you think he can't hear me or is he ignoring me? Neither of us can answer that, but I know once I get his attention he goes and does what I ask.

Today, a day that was relaxing. Watching Spencer play with Bubbles, at church, eating and interacting with his toys. I love days like this!

Projects

2008-10-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

OK, I admit, it was a long, hard week. Today when I woke by the noise of Spencer on the laptop watching the Wiggles, I thought "oh no", already! So I got up and kissed him good morning, with little reaction from him. We went to the potty, I fixed his milk and then laid back down on the couch. That didn't last long as my mind raced with all the things that need done. The problem with this is I can't get one job finished before I begin another one. I have so many things that rush around in my head that I can't get organized. So today, I just did NOTHING!! Yes you read right, NOTHING! Oh I picked up a little, Spencer & I worked on his speech goals and play targets for the week with Elmo, filled the bird feeders, trimmed some bushes that were growing over our fence, killed some fireant mounds, tried to help Mike with the pool, washed a couple loads of clothes at our neighbor's house since ours is on the outs, cooked dinner, swept the kitchen, loaded the dishwaser, ok, ok, I did do something but much less than I normally do! But you know, it felt good to just kinda wonder around and leisurely do what I felt only needed done. I don't do this often, but once in a great while it's nice!

The projects that are still not completed? Well they will still be waiting on me when I get to them and hopefully I can organize in my mind my next day off! Happy Saturday to you!

Greenville Children's Hospital Radiothon

2008-10-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

I listen to WORD Radio on the way to school in the morning and today they were having a Radiothon for Greenville Memorial Hospital's Children Hospital. When I was listening to the couple of stories from parents who had experienced the Children's Hospital, I began thinking back to when we spent time there. In 1999 when Madelyn was born we spent 5 days in the old NICU. Now they have a great new NICU that we haven't seen, but hear it's great. When Spencer was born we spent 3 weeks in NICU, still the old one. Shortly after we came home, Spencer spiked a fever of 104 under the arm. I was such a nervous wreck I called 911 because I thought it was his heart. They refused to take us to GHS Children's Hospital, we live on the line of Spartanburg/Greenville, but are actually Spartanburg County. I asked the EMTs to leave so I could drive my son to the hospital that knows how to care for him. They did and we drove off to the hospital. We ended up having a UTI, he wasn't circumcised yet and this led to the UTI. We spent Labor weekend 2001 in the Children's Hospital. Since then we've been back for outpatient procedures.

What a great place, great doctors, great nurses, great staff and great support. They were so caring and understanding! Mike and I have the utmost respect for the Children's Hospital and GHS in general. Thank you for taking care of our little guy and supporting us and helping us in our stays at the hospital. We are lucky to have such a great resource here in the Upstate.

Reaction?!

2008-10-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

I often think back this time of year to a time that seems oh so long ago....the Fall of 1999 when Mike and I were expecting our first child. A little girl whom we named Madelyn Jane. At the end of June 1999, I went in for the "normal" 16-18 week ultrasound. Mike had just started a new job that was in Charlotte, but opening an office in Greenville by September. I was packed and ready to leave for WV with Samantha and our dog at that time, Willow. As I laid on the table of the ob/gyn and watched as the tech did her thing, I noticed it was taking a long time. I had to have ultrasounds before because of some abnormal bleeding and they didn't take this long. I told her "come on now, I'm on my way out of here to WV to visit...." She said I need to get the dr to let him look at a couple things. Well that automatically sent red flags up for me everywhere. When I questioned this, she said she thought she seem some signs of a possible chromosomal abnormalities. I said ok like what, I'm a special needs teacher and I want to know now. She made me wait for the dr and he said that they seen what looked like Madelyn had no diaphram and the thickening at the back of the neck and "white spots" on the stomach. I lost it, tried to get in touch with Mike. He was doing sales that day in Greenville. It seemed like forever I sat there by myself, no one to call, no one to talk to, nurses looking at me like I was from Mars, just a real "I'm all by myself feeling". Mike showed up finally and the dr took us in his office and offered up his thoughts abd suggestions. One of the things he told us was abortion and we could try again later. Now I look back and think "oh my God", is this what they tell all parents if their babies aren't perfect at that ultrasound. No wonder the % is so high for abortions with a prenatal dx of Down Syndrome. I thought Mike was going to punch the man's lights out. He gave him a few choice words and we left. They sent me to Maternal/Fetal for further ultrasounds. We went the next day, had a level 2 and they did see some markers of some sort of chomosomal abnormality. We seen the dr and he suggest I go to WV and have a good time and relax. We decided to do the amnio. DUMB MOVE! It hurt like hell!!! The only reason I wanted it done was to know exactly what sort of diability we would be dealing with, that's the special eduator coming out again! We did the amnio and when the results came back we went in to meet with a genetic counselor. I'll never forget her, she reminded me of Princess Di....very attractive and poised. She sat across from us and said, "the baby is a girl and she has Down Syndrome". Mike and I looked at each other and then back at her and I said "what type of Down Syndrome"? She got a funny look on her face and said "Trisomy 21". At that point we raised our hands in a high 5, started hugging, crying, laughing and thanking her for the news. She told us that never before in her career had she ever had a reaction quite like that one! I proceeded to tell her that we had talked and working with special needs children that have Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21 would be my disability of choice if ever I could choose. She laughed and said you guys are quite a pair and this little lady will have a great life! Unfortunately, Madelyn's life was short lived due to her unfixable heart defect. She survived 5 days in NICU. God however knew that our family could handle this dx so we got another chance 2 years later with Spencer. I remember my Dad saying the night the counselor told us Spencer had Down Syndrome, "God knows that this family is good with kids that have Down Syndrome. We have Tracy, we had Madelyn for a short time and now we get to have Spencer"! What a blessing for a family to be able to have 3 children with Down Syndrome, What a BLESSING and JOY!!

Enough!

2008-10-07T14:18:00.000-07:00

OK, the last posts all seem like I'm bitchin' and complaining. I want to post something positive today. YES, my child has a disability! Yes that is a positive thing! Where would I be today if I had not experienced the birth of not 1 but 2 children with T21 Down Syndrome. I definitely would not be as compassionate as I am about my career as a special educator, my students and how others treat them. I definitely would not have the attitude I have, be it good or bad, depending on the mood I'm in. I definitely would not appreciate the little things in life that so many take for granted. Little things like that sound that you know by golly is a word. Yesterday evening at dinner we were watching Sponge Bob, I know bad idea, but hey it distracts from the eating of foods normally Spencer would refuse. The song they sing comes on and its has in it "wooooooooo" lives in a ....... I be gosh dang if Spencer didn't do that part, the "wooooooooo"! I 'bout came unglued laughing, crying, screaming at Mike to listen and guess what. Spencer wouldn't do it again if his life depended on it, but by golly I heard it!!! Go Spence, I knew you could. He is so stubborn sometimes I could eat him up! Sometimes he does things I know to see my reaction. Push my button until I explode and I see it in him saying, oh boy there she goes! Just the simple life, that's all Spencer wants and I guess in a way he gets it. Don't know if you've ever read it, but it is well worth the time. The title "If People with Down Syndrome Ruled the World" http://www.nads.org/pages_new/news/ruletheworld.html Take time and check it out.....how great the world would be. That's what I think about when Spencer is being difficult, how simple my world would be if he ran it!!

Monday, Monday...by the Momas & Papas

2008-10-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

That is definitely what it has been, not quite as bad as Friday, but still Monday! We had a great weekend and Spencer enjoyed our fire in the pit on Saturday night. It was so much fun to sit and watch the stars, listen to the fire crackling and Spencer and Bubbles(the dog) side by side. It does make me homesick though. In WV we do this on a regular basis, have a fire outside, roasting weiners, making s'mores and just sittin' around talkin'. It's the simple life I miss by not living in WV. You see having a child with Down Syndrome is not new to my family. My brother has a daughter with Down Syndrome, Tracy, soon to be 30 years old on Jan 2, 2009! They are having her a BIG PARTY! She deserves it! I get homesick for family! I need family support! I need a simple life so my child can grow knowing his family loves and cares for him. It's hard for him to connect with them across the miles when he only sees them one every 3-4 months. We have lots of friends and people we love, but it's just not family. I know I can call my friends at any time and say "hey I need you". But it's not like calling Mom or Steve and saying "Hey I need you". I miss the fact that no matter how you feel, family is there and of course they always give their opinion on how you they which is hard to take sometimes!

It is good to know though, that I can always go back and they will welcome me with open arms. Someday maybe, but for now, Mike, Spencer and I make our home here in SC. It is a nice and good place, but it's not "home".

Failure!

2008-10-05T07:29:00.000-07:00

What can I say....I could give all kinds of excuses for not blogging Fri and Sat, but that's all they are. Everytime I thought about doing it something else came to mind that needed to be done. So here I sit feeling like a failure and that's been alot lately!! I feel I've failed my son by not doing enough to help him in his achievements. Maybe to many movies, to much time on the computer by him and me, to many video games and not enough quality time spend with him and playing with him to help him get where I feel he needs to be. Then I turn a complete 360 and say you know what, I can only do so much! I'm a working mom, trying to make sure Spencer has everything he needs to reach his highest potential and that's all I can do. Guess you could say I'm having a "hormonal" moment, which those are alot these days. Tears at every little thing, every little thought and everytime I read about Down Syndrome I feel I'm on overload. WOW you'd thought at this time in my life I would have come to grips with things, but you know I don't think we as parents of children with a disability every come fully to grips with that fact. We say we do, but we all have those moments where it hits hard! My child will probably never marry, my child since he is the only child, will never be a parent, therefore I'll never be a grandparent.....This hits hard. I don't blame Spencer, it's not his fault by no means, but these thoughts often consume me and I have to step back and look at things again. I do thank GOD for my child with special needs and that we never will have to deal with the peer pressures so called typical children have to go through, I'll never have to deal with drugs and alcohol problems, never have any severe behavior issues in school, he'll always love life to the fullest I'll always be able to play "Santa" at Christmas, Easter Bunny @ Easter and I'll always be able to watch cartoons with my child.....these things are great! I do consider myself very fortunate to have a child with Down Syndrome, because out of all the disabilities, Down Syndrome to me is the one I would have chosen if given a choice.

Well enough of my venting and I hope to be able to blog everyday even though I've missed 2 days, I think I more than made up for it here!

31 for 21

2008-10-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

OK, I missed yesterday blogging 'cause I just found out that this is the month for the blog. 31 days of blogging to raise awarness of Trisomy 21 Down Syndrome. /31for21button.jpg" alt="Get It Down; 31 for 21" style="width:125px;height:60
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I guess I just write what I want.....to start Down Syndrome has been a part of my life for 30 years!! Yes and Spencer is only 7. My brother, Steve, has a daughter who was born January 2, 1979 with Down Syndrome. I was 19 at that time and in college. I remember seeing her for the 1st time and thinking she looks alot like I did when I was a baby, chubby with a round head. I remember her ears being sunk in her head because of swelling, but not realizing it at the time. It was a small town hopital in WV. They had a young lady peditrician that came around and told my sister in law, Doris, that they were sending Tracy to Charleston WV to have some tests run. No one really ever said anything else. Years later after Spencer was born, Doris told me about the night they arrived at the hospital in Charleston and a nurse from the NICU told her that Tracy was a Mongoloid. She said is was if someone had taken a hot poker and stuck it in her stomach and began turning it back and forth! What a terrible thing to say, but of course times have changed, well at least we like to think they have! I remember her bringing Tracy to Beckley WV for therapies with an Early Interventionist and me going with her....I was amazed at how flexible Tracy was in her joints and how she could spread her legs and do a "chinese split". I never once realized that this was bad for her hip joints. I remember her going to school at a special school and loving it, her friends and teachers. I remember her older brother and older sister getting into physical fights with other kids. They made fun of Tracy alot and Jason and Tammie were very protective! I remember going places with Tracy and getting odd looks from others and getting very defensive, just like I do now with Spencer. Why can't people just look and give you a nice smile, one that lets you know they are seeing something different, but no, there are always those that look like you've falling out of sky from somewhere!!

I can see how things have changed from the time Steve and Doris had Tracy to now with Spencer. People have become more aware, but we have so far to go with awareness! My goal with awareness is for all people to accept people with Down Syndrome for who they are, not what they look like and what they can or can't do. Tracy and Spencer both are special people who love life and enjoy laughing, which is something we all should do more of!!!

Buddy Walk 2008

2008-10-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

What a great cause....walking for awarness of Down Syndrome! How many people I know that are so ignorant to what Down Syndrome is! They should have all been there at the walk to see that individuals with Down Syndrome are no different than they are, but yet of course they are different. They are happy, love to dance, sing, laugh, run, walk, play etc.....things that we "typical" people don't do enough of. This is one day I love, Buddy Walk, where I see all different people, some with Down Syndrome, others without it, but they all blend together. What a wonderful day and a huge THANK YOU to Anne and Marcy for organizing it and to the sponsors for sponsoring it and to all of those that attended in honor of someone or just because they wanted to. WHAT A GREAT DAY!

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Sam's 15th Birthday

2008-09-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

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Sam's 15th birthday was a bowling party. It was fun and Spencer bowled for the first time. He did really well since the bumpers were up. We all did. Samantha wanted a WV football field for her cake. It was good and she enjoyed it! Happy Birthday little girl, you are growing way to fast! Stay Strong to your beliefs!

Mike's B'day

2008-09-16T12:33:00.001-07:00

Spencer loves celebrating birthdays! Not sure if he knows this is Dad's b'day or not, but he has fun! He loves giving him cards and helping him blow out his candle. I made him a homemade red velvet cake with cooked icing. It was really good, so Mike and Spencer say. This has become a tradition, taking Spencer's pic with his Daddy on Daddy's b'day. I have one for every year since 2001! Happy Birthday Mike, Spencer and I love you with all of our hearts!

Camp Stargazer video made smaller

2008-09-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

Hopefully this made it smaller so all the pic shows up on the screen! Enjoy

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Camp Stargazers

2008-09-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

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Wow What a weekend retreat! This camp is provided by Camp Greenville YMCA and Greenville County Parks and Recreational District. What a hugh thank you to them for providing this opportunity to families who have children with Down Syndrome. It's a family camp, everyone in the family comes together to renew old friendships, make new ones and support! This is one place you don't have to make an excuse as to why you child does this or does that. The other family have been there, done that and have the t-shirt!!!

The activities are great. We did canoeing, hiked to Rainbow Falls, did a Parent Chat, Zip Lined, did campfire, marshmellows, singing, square dancing, and lastly a reflection service at Pretty Place Chapel. A great renewal weekend with lots of friends who because of Down Syndrome, many have become our closest friends. Thanks to the great volunteers @ the YMCA camp and also Camp Spearhead who give up their weekends to spend time with us and our children! They are outstanding young people!

Mike & I did the 2 mile hike down the mountain to Rainbow Falls. Spencer's counselor, Josh took Spencer to allow us to do this. Thanks Josh, you are a great person! This hike is one I would never had imagine me doing a year ago. WOW what an accomplishment for me personally! The hike was literally down across rock faces and curving along to reach this falls. Once there, tears filled my eyes at the beauty and wonder why some don't believe in God. When you see this there is no way that this beauty could be duplicated! Thank you God for a great weekend!

Great Statement!

2008-08-29T03:03:00.000-07:00

It continues to amaze me the youth of our beautiful country that have life already figured out! I often complain about the youth and that they are irresponsible, but some prove me wrong. My neice, Samantha, continues to amaze me with her maturity and this you tube video just blew me away. My dream is for one day ALL people to understand and accept ALL differences! I hope you watch and enjoy what this 8th grade student says and understand it. Amazing!!

Williams River Swimming

2008-08-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

WOW--Where did time go?

2008-08-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already Aug 17 and this is my first post. I was out of town from July 31 until August 11 so I had no fast speed internet to post with. When I returned I was wore smack out. Attended my hometown Cherry River Festival and my 30 year class reunion, Class of '78! Wow what a group of good friends....loved catching up, seeing old classmates, some I hadn't seen since Graduation. Everyone was great and doing well.....see the pics.

Spencer went swimming for the 1st time in the river in WV. He loves it, Mommie was very nervous. We did a picnic to the Cranberry Mt Visitor Center, then drove down the mt to the river, then back up the mt over it to the small towm I am from. What a beautiful place and how I miss it!! Someday we'll be back there to enjoy the simplier way of life, no rush, the mountains, rivers, streams, blue skies, and you can escape and hear nothing in those mountains! I love it! But, things are getting back in our routine. I started school Wed, Aug 13 and Spencer starts Tues Aug 19. We are ready for a routine to keep us on track. Today we did the haircut and oh how I hate it! I hate doing it 'cause he fights us so much and I cry everytime thinking why do I do this to him. I let it grow and everyone calls him a girl. I just hope as time goes on he'll get over the sensory thing with haircuts.

Enjoy the pics and hopefully I won't be so lack in doing my blog during the school year!

Vacuum, Vacuum, V V V!

2008-07-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

When I clean house Spencer is always following me and watching what I'm doing. I never really gave much thought to it, but there are times he would pick up the dust cloth, the window spray, the toliet brush and do a couple of swipes with the vacuum. On this day he took the vacuum from me and proceeded to sweep our kitchen floor. I'm not talking random swipes, I am talking working from the outside in, in the corner and all over. I 'bout dropped out! He amazes me the things he knows even if he can't speak. He picks up on things so quickly and understand basically everything we tell him. Sometimes though it is his choice as to whether he does it or not! These pics speak volume on parents being role models. If they watch us around the house and pick up what we do, can you imagine the things they pick up we don't want them to? Just food for thought! Enjoy the slide show!

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July 28, 2008

2008-07-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

Spencer and I went to Hendersville for the day to see Syd, Tammie & Grams....Samantha had volleyball camp. We had a great visit and I took some really good shots of her and a great one of Spencer loving on her! Spencer isn't really quite sure what to think of her, but he loves her you can see that! Thurs we are heading to WV for our final trip before school starts Aug 13. I'm ready for a routing again, but will miss my lazy days of summer, lay around till 10 or so in pjs, swimming in the pool, no schedule, but then again a schedule is nice at least for me and Spencer. While in WV I'll be attending my 30th, yes I said 30th high school class reunion! I am so excited to see everyone. We have had a 5-10-15-20-25 and now a 30th. I've been at them all and it is so cool that so many of us attend and catch up with each other! Brings a little youth back and a whole lot of memories. I'll post when I return!

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MISTAKE

2008-07-19T09:19:00.001-07:00

Oh my mispelled the name......Sydney Lauryn sorry guys!

Syndey Lauryn 7-15-08

2008-07-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

Today Tammie Rae, my neice brought a beautiful baby girl into the world. 5lbs 8 oz, 18 inches long. She came about 3 weeks early by emergency c-section, but all is fine with mom and baby! Here are some pics and as you can tell big sister adores her! Wait till she starts bugging her then we'll see! Spencer was not excited going to the hospital to see them....guess it brought back bad memories! He'll see her this afternoon outside the hospital so I know he'll want to kiss and love on her!

Summer Vacation 2008

2008-07-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

Since we did a big vacation last summer to the beach, this summer we decided to do a camping adventure in WV with my family. We arrived on Saturday June 28 and did Wesley's birthday party. He had a WV theme and we all wore our WV shirts, hats, etc. Then on Sunday we headed to "Spencer Campground". This is "on the farm" about 1 1/2 miles from my parents. My dad has cleared out this area and set up his camper and put a tin roof over it and it's really neat. Away from the road and in the woods, but yet close enough so that we could go to mom's and shower and you know the bathroom thing!! At first we thought we'd do the river and rough it, but with Spencer's routine and bathroom habits, plus mine!!! we decided against it. I'm glad we did because it freakin' rained cats and dogs Sunday night, Monday, Monday night, Tuesday and Tuesday night. Wed was nice and Thurs was semi nice and it rained again on the 4th! We got soaked the first night as we slept in a tent and the kids and Mammaw slept in the camper. The next night, just me and mike stayed.....that was very relaxing! We packed up camp on Thurs and stayed at my parents the remainder of the week. On the fourth we went to S'ville for fireworks, but it rained and on Sat the 5th we had our annual Spencer reunion. Alot of family showed up and it is always nice to catch up with those I only see once a year! Great time. Sunday we headed home and the first thing we did was get in our pool. The water was 82 degrees! You see in WV, my brother's pool never gets over 70-72 degrees all summer and it was COLD!!! No swimming there, but here we've been in everyday since getting back. It was nice but being home is good! Hope you enjoy the pics!

7th Birthday Party

2008-06-26T05:46:00.000-07:00

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WOW! What a weekend of parties! Saturday was your party for friends and the party continued into Sunday with Uncle Steve, Mamaw, Aunt Doris, Tracy, Wes, Macy, Brooke, Sam, Tammie, Mommie and Daddy! We had a great time celebrating you life and you did such a great job with all the festivities!! You are such an awesome kid, a great blessing to us all and a joy to all! We love you and Happy Birthday Big Guy!!! Life only gets better every year!

7 Year Pictures

2008-06-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we are getting ready to celebrate Spencer's 7th birthday on Sunday, June 22. His party is Saturday June 21 and we are doing a Spongebob theme. It's amazing how fast the years have flown by and seems like only yesterday we were spending our days feeding, changing, exercising, reading, singing and all the baby things you do. Time has went by very fast and I try to take time everyday to drink him in and remember him and the look he has on his face and how much of a blessing he is in my life. What a true Gift from God! He has taught me to never go to fast to slow down and enjoy who he is. He has taught me unconditional love for time when I have got upset he stills loves me no matter what. He has taught me patience that he will do it in his own good time(this one is hard!) Through him I see God and his unconditional love for us, his earthly children and how forgiving he is with us. Thank you Spencer for a wonderful 7 years of loving, learning and sharing! I love you my little baby boy and you will always be that to me! Happy Birthday!

Love Mommie

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R & R in West Virginia!

2008-06-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

What a great state, West Virginia! Ever need to just get away from it all, this is the place to do it. I had no cell phone signal which I learned I can do with out, no high speed internet, which wasn't worth waiting on the downloads and loads of nature and good ole fun! Spencer, Mom and I headed to the mountains on June 3, the day after I finished school. I couldn't wait to get back home! I miss it so much, the serenity of it all helps me to realize I need to relax and enjoy nature and the true meaning of life instead of the rat race I'm in everyday here! Wednesday we rested from our trip but then we started.....campfires, roasting weiners, marshmellow, water play, down on the farm at the camper just sitting talking, no rush to go anywhere, stay as long as you want or as short a while as you want, no pressure, no hurry to do this or that, just soaking nature in! The most stressed I was all week was a trip to the Wal Mart......can't handle Wal Mart most of the time! Other than that it was amazing! My brother took me to the river to get some rock for my borders on my beds around my house and it was so good to put my feet in the FREEZING cold waters. The ole swimming hole we went to as kids, the site of many a river baptizims I had been to when I lived there and just reminising! Went back home along a old railroad grade that has now been turned into camps along the river. It is absolutely amazing. I could keep on and on but by now I think you'll understand why I love it so. Here is a slideshow of some of the adventures we had! Great Time and looking forward to going back the week of the 4th of July for camping on the South Fork of Cherry, fishing, campfires, swimming, hiking, riding ATVs and all the fun of the mountains!

Before long, June 22, Spencer will celebrate his 7th birthday. I can't BELIEVE it! Seems just like yesterday we were in NICU, scared to death that something was going to happen to him and look at him now. A heathly little guy who is amazing! He is as stubborn as his Daddy and Mommie and as strong willed as his Papaw Saul! He is a great kid and I thank God every day that he gave me the opportunity to raise him. He has taught me so much. Patience, understanding, how to slow down, enjoy life and being a all around person that no matter what we can try! I love you little man with all my heart and soul. Thank you for coming to mine and Daddy's life, you are a special little guy!

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Great Finish to a Hectic Week

2008-06-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

What a week! I don't think I've seen the inside of my house for longer than 1 hour each night before heading off to bed. Then only to wake up and find I have to do it all over again. IEP meetings, teacher retirement dinners, district cookout, graduation, graduation parties, dr. appts, support group, church softball....the list goes on. But it is on the "down side". Tomorrow is a 1/2 day of school, finishing up paperwork, wrapping up end of year meetings, school luncheon, etc. Then on Tues it is off to Wild Wonderful West Virginia for a week of R&R, which both Spencer and I have earned!!! We are so excited. Mammaw has been here 2 weeks helping us out and we're taking her back home and staying for some time to rest! She has been great and could not have done what I had to do this past week without her. On Saturday we went to Hatcher Gardens in Spartanburg, the to a playdate with the Down Syndrome Group in Greenville, then out to GSP Airport to watch President Bush's plane take off after he spoke at Furman University's graduation. We missed the plane taking off because I was so set on arguing with the Secret Service man at the Fed Ex terminal. Go figure all I want is a picture I said to him and he said a picture of what? I said President Bush, he said "there's no one here." I said "yea right so why are you out here with the ear piece in your ear?" Mike yelled from the back "Denise you need to shut up or he'll put your ass in jail!" Well, I just couldn't resist, me and my dumb outspoken self spouting off my tax dollars pay your salary and I should be allowed a picture of the President, I'm not going to do anything, all I want is a pic for my son's scrapbook and on and on....... Needless to say, I made my point, but then a car started following us and I'm sure they were Secret Service making sure I wasn't up to anything. Well, anyway we missed the takeoff, but it was exciting chasing the President around GSP! So that was our Saturday, full of excitement. And by the way, it's no wonder Spencer has attitude with a Mommie that can't even keep her mouth shut around the Secret Service. Oh well, I feel the need to voice my opinion and it's great I live in the US where I can!!! Enjoy the pics!

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Young Man with Down Syndrome on So you Think You Can Dance

2008-05-30T04:25:00.001-07:00