tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55761688387209765182024-03-12T23:49:15.012-07:00My Life in WonderlandKarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-8770025144553747012012-09-28T12:32:00.001-07:002012-09-29T18:27:06.679-07:00Mama vs School... Is it time??When do you think it is time to blow the whistle on the school when they are not following an IEP? I understand that it is illegal not to follow the IEP; but at what point do you really pull the 'you're not in compliance with this legal document' card? Advice, opinions, and thoughts are greatly appreciated.<br />
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I found out yesterday, through casual conversation with Sadie's aide, that there are a few issues with this year's schedule. First, I have to say that Sadie has the BEST aide on the planet. She is wonderful, kind, works hard, and takes the extra steps to help Sadie with inclusion. Her aide is going to school to become a teacher and you can tell that she loves to teach and really cares about the kids: especially Sadie. Also, the reason Sadie has an aide is because she is a runner. The school is an open campus and there have been two different times she ran into the parking lot (and once more she was released by a teacher and she wandered around trying to find me in the parking lot). This parking lot is located next to a very busy street. <br />
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So here's the scoop:<br />
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1) Her aide does not stay with her during lunch (because this is her break time) and there have been two 4th graders assigned to walk Sadie from the lunch area to the playground. Nobody is assigned to making sure she stays on the playground and doesn't run off.<br />
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2) Her aide drops her off for resource then goes back into the general ed. classroom to help the teacher out. (My thought is this would be a great time for her aide to see how to modify her work and follow through with what she is learning on her level)<br />
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3) Her teacher does not modify her work- the aide does. <br />
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4) Because of the mix of children in the school this year, Sadie does not go to Math 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day as stated in her IEP. She only goes 3 times a week- which means she is shorted 60 mins a week or 36 hours a year. Considering the fact that she is already behind and it takes her longer to learn, this seems like a huge disservice. <br />
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I was able to briefly talk to the resource teacher to ask her what was best for Sadie, but she seemed worried about making sure the IEP was honored and said that she may have to put Sadie in class with older kids when higher math is being taught. Sadie is really enjoying and thriving in school this year and I would hate to enforce the IEP just to put her in a class where it stresses her out because the material is beyond her level and the kids are too old.<br />
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Please... any thoughts? I am not a complainer; but I feel like 36 hours less of math is huge!Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-63098403343991879752012-09-27T13:43:00.000-07:002012-09-27T15:25:56.111-07:00A Harsh Reality.. In My Opinion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKK1EDrUK1nyv-3pVKE8M4G3yu2foq0QyL7muNMSwOLnOZtprIKo6bVdYNXB75JuZJ4DF0BiiGYVZru6XuQPcWUyoZL2mbebWFnK0DANTE03yAmKfWwzqqNvCrXbYhAIMbSz07dNRxN0/s1600/sadie+cartoons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKK1EDrUK1nyv-3pVKE8M4G3yu2foq0QyL7muNMSwOLnOZtprIKo6bVdYNXB75JuZJ4DF0BiiGYVZru6XuQPcWUyoZL2mbebWFnK0DANTE03yAmKfWwzqqNvCrXbYhAIMbSz07dNRxN0/s320/sadie+cartoons.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I've been letting this next post kinda marinate for a week now. I know I have strong feelings about the topic... I just hope I am able to express my thoughts keeping the big picture in mind and that those reading will not get caught up in being politically correct. Maybe, just let what you read sit with you for awhile before becoming offended or angry :) If you feel differently, I would love to hear your thoughts too.<br />
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I've always had this thing about trying to make sure Sadie looked 'cute'. I have three older girls, so pretty dresses, cute hair styles, fashionable outfits is no new thing around the Teague home. But, with Sadie... I have found myself a bit more controlling about it. That doesn't mean I always succeed- especially those days I am literally sitting on Sadie's back and brushing her hair like a bad round of WWF. There has been the not so cute bangs, the very short bangs, the too short and tight shirts that caressed her Buddha belly, and the jeans that either a) are too short or b) are too big causing her to have a bad case of 'plumber butt'; but overall she leaves looking clean and cute.<br />
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I'm no fool! I know this is a case of pride and in the grand scheme of things is very worldly and her outfit will make her no better of a person. I've tried to loosen up- really I have. I know exactly why Sadie looking 'cute' is important to me. You know why too... Chances are you probably won't say it out loud. That would be awful and shallow.<br />
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Now, let's go back a week. I'm sitting in the first class of the school year at the Learning Program through our local Down Syndrome Association. The topic (not word for word) was basically 'How to have a successful relationship with your child's school'. To say I was overwhelmed with all the information being pelted in our direction would be an understatement. I made a few notes under the 'if I ever get super powers' category. Great ideas, support, and action plans for being that approachable and easy to work with mama. Then, like it was an after thought, the presenter says something like 'You always want your kids to look good. Don't think you can always shop at target. Go buy the nice surf shirt- Heck, I spend more money on his clothes than I do mine. If you think people want to work with someone who is not nicely groomed... think again. Sometimes I see a child and think- that would look dorky on a kid without Down Syndrome. Please don't wear that!'<br />
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Your probably thinking... wow, lady- harsh! Because that is the PC thing to do. The 'everyone is a child of God and we are all beautiful in the inside' thing to do. I wish that was what I was thinking; but it wasn't. I was like, "Amen sister! I am a believer." Yeah, I'm embarrassed. I like to think 'I don't judge a book by it's cover'. I like to think I look in the inside and embrace a person's soul. Why then, do I feel so strongly about my Sadie 'looking cute'?<br />
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BECAUSE.... that's why. Because, people do like working with nice looking people. Because, kids like to have friends that look cool. Because, I don't want shallow people to only see DS when they see my Sadie... BECAUSE she is so much more! Because, no matter what I believe about everyone being a child of God and everyone being equal in His eyes... THE WORLD DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!<br />
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Just yesterday, I was picking up Sadie from a church activity. A friend I have known all of Sadie's life was sharing some observations she had while teaching the girls how to exercise. Basically she said Sadie is so cute (over and over) and then shared with me that her son and daughter-in-law (in her late 30's) have not had a child yet. Because of her age she has a higher risk for having a child with DS. She then said after watching Sadie (and other Down's kids- her words don't slam me) she sees how easy going and loving they are (haha, easy going- what?). Then she said, "it wouldn't be so bad. It would be nice. Not that I would ever wish for it; but it would be good if it happened". Before you get all DS advocate on her- she was honest, loving, and she has not made the journey we have... so I took it as a compliment; because I truly believe that is where it was coming from. Anyway, until yesterday because she had never worked directly with her... all she knew of Sadie was how cute she was dressed on Sunday, how cute she looked singing infront of the congregation, and how much we adored her.<br />
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I think my daughter shared a good example of what I am trying to say. She had a friend in school who had a deformed hand. My daughter is no stranger to accepting others and how the differences in others do not define who they are. However, a couple of weeks ago she said, 'Mom, she is so cool. For the longest time all I could think about was her hand. Now that I know her... I hardly remember her hand.' <br />
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I wish everyone knew my Sadie for who she really is. She is funny, smart, stubborn, kind, loving, crazy, and compassionate. Unfortunately, that is not who a majority of the world sees when they first meet her. Too many see Down Syndrome. Until they can peel the layers and get to know the real Sadie... I'm going to play the game and dress her cute!<br />
<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-56717142034238001712012-06-12T11:09:00.000-07:002012-06-12T11:12:37.545-07:00A Wetsuit, a runway, and a camera<br />
Tis' the season for backyard fun! Black Widows have been sprayed, dirt has been swept, and new fun toys fill the backyard in effort to distract dear Sadie from scaling the pool fence. Unfortunately, this smart little first grader has figured out how to unlock the poolgate... so, outside fun is closely monitored. <br />
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When Sadie was little I heard/or read once that children with DS do not 'do creative/imagination play'. I'm not sure why (and honestly have not seen that to be the case); but it has always bothered me. I think it goes back to my homeschooling days when I heard 85% of kids are creative at the age of 5 and by 20 only 5% of the population is creative. Sadie's creative play is always heavily influence by Disney Channel, DVD's, Nick Jr., and the endless youtube music videos she watches... so I'm not sure how much of that is imagination? Anyway, here's a funny scene - influence by her one of her sister's, and her friends, favorite pastime's (I'm almost too embarrassed to say it)- <u>Rupaul's Drag Race</u>!<br />
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<strong><em>FASHIONISTA</em></strong></div>
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Daddy's wetsuit makes for a perfect runway curtain..</div>
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Work it Girl!</div>
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The ever popular 'Hairflip'</div>
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And again...</div>
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She walked that Catwalk at least a dozen times</div>
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</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-42663903308256317172012-06-11T09:56:00.000-07:002012-06-11T15:34:08.992-07:00A 17 yr. old, 900 miles, a roomate, and a new life....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What do you see when you look at this picture?</div>
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I see someone who has found her <strong><em>wings</em></strong>. </div>
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Someone who has discovered her <strong><em>divine potential </em></strong></div>
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and has found <strong><em>courage</em></strong> and <strong><em>confidence</em></strong>...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hCNKWTNU9r91oHdLnWNboHRcyCqFc1AXUk7YhsxRkW1Ytuj_aP-62vdbLBTJd_-WHncvgEoaqn3Oieac0rto05WU9du7WhKWN6i0Pd8k4JYubJFmigR1bRYyKQgfc4NxGBcPkcI-LXc/s1600/kiersten4-12.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hCNKWTNU9r91oHdLnWNboHRcyCqFc1AXUk7YhsxRkW1Ytuj_aP-62vdbLBTJd_-WHncvgEoaqn3Oieac0rto05WU9du7WhKWN6i0Pd8k4JYubJFmigR1bRYyKQgfc4NxGBcPkcI-LXc/s320/kiersten4-12.4.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
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I see someone who is <strong><em>happy, validated, and hopeful</em></strong>....</div>
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and I am <strong><u>GRATEFUL</u></strong>!</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com196tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-29770481965606900672012-06-10T17:55:00.000-07:002012-06-11T15:35:05.257-07:00Who's up for a little Country Boogie??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's starting to happen more and more... you know, when you have a smorgasbord of feelings bubbling inside of you and you don't know whether to cry, laugh, smile, or shout from the rooftops how proud you are of your kids. Yeah, that's me... the crazy lady in the corner who you ask why she is crying and she burst out in laughter that she isn't quite sure. Today, I picked my very sore and hurt body up and drove through our California Mountains (otherwise known as little hills or bumps in the road) to take Hannieo to perform for families and children who lives have been struck with Childhood Cancer. Of course Sadie is always up for watching a 'show' so she hopped in the car, hair still wet and not brush, and joined us for an afternoon of some country music. </div>
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I was curious to see the show because this is the same show they are taking to the opening of CarsLand at California Adventure Disneyland this summer and I will not be able to see her because I do not have a pass. A whole different story of how Disneyland decided to raise their prices for season passes ridiculously high!!! Anywho (new word from Sadie)... the show was stellar, as always, but the best part? That came after when the big kids (yes Hannah is a big kid measuring at 5' 8" at 13 years old) were asked to grab someone and teach them a dance. <em>fun, fun, fun!!</em> I was touched at Hannah's enthusiasm, kindness, patience, and easy going nature as these youngings had a very crash course in the ever popular wedding dance- The Electric Slide. I like to think my kids are naturally nurturing and kind; but I'm sure having Sadie in our family hasn't hurt. Well, take a look for yourself. Introducing.....</div>
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Hannah and her new friend from the </div>
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Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation</div>
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Company Kids taking a break from Performing to teach the kids <strong>The Electric Slide</strong></div>
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She did it!!</div>
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Gotta give you one with Sadie and 'Hawk' - </div>
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first time she ever touched a horse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqF_zSMEt_2sjxWj2-GuNRlIVQ4iL98z1wJcQR99TG6AAUPA39zlaGFXYt-SlBkmNcCyCBo24DJDr4JSCS5d-Q3YhpJi9NXwlfmQDqV14GS6_uO7C8CKWeZN3Ks7M6hKhWO7FVr5hjtg/s1600/June2012fun+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqF_zSMEt_2sjxWj2-GuNRlIVQ4iL98z1wJcQR99TG6AAUPA39zlaGFXYt-SlBkmNcCyCBo24DJDr4JSCS5d-Q3YhpJi9NXwlfmQDqV14GS6_uO7C8CKWeZN3Ks7M6hKhWO7FVr5hjtg/s320/June2012fun+092.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sisters!! Sadie loves to watch them perform!!Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-88282133326276482522012-06-09T09:37:00.002-07:002012-06-11T15:36:13.869-07:00Blogging vs. Pinterest and Super Moms<br />
Blogging vs. Pinterest - that my friends has been my delima. It all started last semester when I went from taking Madison to school 3-4 days a week to driving in her math assignment and the occasional testing. It's like I was fired (gladly) from a part time job that kept me going from early morning until school pickup and afterschool activities. So, naturally the question would be... "What ever would I do with all my new found time?" <br />
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Honestly, the first month was spent recovering and watching TV if I am to be completely honest. Then I spent the following month with Dance, dance, dance - costumes, shows, tryouts, etc. Lastly, I spent a lot of time doing little home improvements. So... here I sit with lots of thoughts and creative energy ready to be let go and my next fork in the road found me looking to one side- my blog. I've missed being able to spill my thoughts; but I haven't missed the emotions it brings up- which of course leads to sleepless nights and grumpy mom in the morning. And down the other road? This road I see all my friends having a blast on Pinterest turning all their creative energy into yummy meals, cute decorating projects, and of course 'the never to be topped' teacher gifts. Oh, the delima which I faced...<br />
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My blog won! I know the days of browsing and reading blogs has passed; but frankly, <strong>I find it cheaper than therapy and I don't have to do my hair and makeup! </strong>So, my journey begins.... AGAIN. So much has happened in the past 6 months I can't even imagine where to start. I will leave you with an article I was featured in for OC FAMILY about Super Moms. DISCLAIMER: I have never claimed to be a Supermom; infact I am very honest that most days I wake up hoping for the best and going to sleep wishing for a 'do-over'. And in the past 7 years I have spent more hours in 'timeout' or crying in my room than all four of my children combined. The article was taken from 4 1/2 pages of typed responses- so, it is a very abbrevated short version of all the things we talked about. I will most likely post the whole interview (in pieces) because while answering the questions I did a lot of soul searching and learned a lot about myself.<br />
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Here's the article:<br />
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<a href="http://digital.ocfamily.com/gallery/view.asp?seq=183642&path=120503171155">http://digital.ocfamily.com/gallery/view.asp?seq=183642&path=120503171155</a> (PAGE 72)<br />
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<a href="http://www.ocfamily.com/t-Cover-Story-Supermoms-in-Orange-County-z4-Kari-Teague.aspx">http://www.ocfamily.com/t-Cover-Story-Supermoms-in-Orange-County-z4-Kari-Teague.aspx</a><br />
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-17748232633921193352012-01-09T20:16:00.000-08:002012-06-11T17:49:57.349-07:00It's a bird... It's a plane...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a CARPET ANGEL!!</div>
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Sadie was so excited about her 'clean room'. She lead Scott and I, with closed eyes, into her masterpiece and then proceeded to flop on the floor waving her arms and legs. We won't talk about all the things stacked on her bed or the numerous items she threw into other rooms. For now we rejoice because Sadie has enough room on her bedroom floor for... Carpet Angels!</div>
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P.S. she cleans the greatroom with equal amounts of talent and enthusiasm. Just don't plan on sitting on any of the couch cushions!</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-21162661838409614122011-09-06T14:51:00.000-07:002011-09-06T14:52:23.762-07:00I'm back... REALLY I am!Ok, ok... I know I say it every year BUT, now that summer is about over I am back to blogging. This time I mean it. NO really! See, my older kids do most of their schooling online and sometimes it is hard for me to get to the computer (and really if I'm on I'm at facebook or webkinz); but now they both have laptops and that leaves the home computer to me :) I promise I won't let you down... I know there is someone out there becaue my blog status said it was already viewed 41 times today. So, unless I have a seriously sick stalker I think someone wants to hear about our family :) <br />
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Just a few things I will blog later about. I guess you can call it a teaser... <br />
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Kiersten graduated (a year early) <br />
She got accepted to the 3 schools (and you'll be surprised which one she chose)<br />
We are on a hunt for Warm clothes (hint, hint)<br />
Her boy got his mission call <br />
She is attending the young adult ward <br />
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Madison finished her first year of HS <br />
She is attending PCHS again <br />
She had to make up 47 seminary lessons to pass <br />
She promises to go to seminary this year <br />
She needs to earn some $ to pay for FASKTRACK.... <br />
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Hannah is ready for her last year in JR high <br />
She has grown about 6 inches an 3 sizes in 6 months <br />
She might get her braces off before Madison (heaven help us) <br />
Her solo is ready and AWESOME <br />
She might get to go on point in December <br />
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Sadie has lots of POOP issues (yes I said poop!) <br />
She is starting to read <br />
She has been working hard on counting by 10's <br />
She performed in her 4th dance recital <br />
Watch out Christmas show... she's ready!!! <br />
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We'll be back...I PROMISE!!!! <br />
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-32986738014740628882011-01-18T18:42:00.001-08:002011-01-18T20:08:15.096-08:00A Family Like No Other<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUdOIq5F0LrxhWrZH6y46Q05MJnVq3-BpchJILfonOBCiz12lbQSJfk3aZ593DgEtHBGDnVbrnjWvvDEvHvJqQh2cNYE9u9wAvHDSyoabp9ImEUlwrHVirPrpfw59LPQn_O4R-mEHk0s/s1600/girlsgoofing1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563722261014357394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUdOIq5F0LrxhWrZH6y46Q05MJnVq3-BpchJILfonOBCiz12lbQSJfk3aZ593DgEtHBGDnVbrnjWvvDEvHvJqQh2cNYE9u9wAvHDSyoabp9ImEUlwrHVirPrpfw59LPQn_O4R-mEHk0s/s400/girlsgoofing1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span xmlns=""><br /><p>The ds community (or family) is made up of every religion, life style, economic status, political view, educational background, race, age, and geographical location. You might find a few similarities; but the common thread is <span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><strong>a loved one with ds</strong></span>. We are bound together to fight for our child's quality of life and our desire to break down stereotypes and hatred towards our child.<br /><p>Three times since Sadie has joined our family I have seen this community go CRAZY and trust me… these women can fight! I mean, we have been trained to be our children's advocates and if we feel our child is in danger… WATCH OUT!! Everytime it starts with an outsider, someone who is posing as a member of the community, who tugs on our hearts. We believe their stories, until their stories get too big, and someone does a little digging.<br /><p>Who could blame us? Our hearts have doubled in size since our family joined this journey and we feel an instant bond with complete strangers who also landed in "Holland". But, something I have noticed, is when the 'wrong doer' is outed it doesn't stop. People start turning on each other . I think this is where our differences are most obvious. Some of us always want to root for the underdog, many are more seasoned and have put up walls, and others just like to watch the drama. Oh, and don't forget the complications technology has put on our relationships (we can't hear tone of voice or see body language on facebook or a forum). Many statements are misunderstood or blown out of proportion.<br /><p>I'm not going to get into details; but I have one warning for 'our community'. We need to be cautious but not closed off. We need to keep ourselves open and willing to accept new members. We need to still be supportive and loving to those who are new on their journey. We will probably get duped again and we will rightfully be pissed off. But, maybe next time we can take a quick time out and remember why we are tied together, and respect our differences??<br /><p>Just sayin'!<br /><p>Oh, and BTW…. Our differences are what make our family a place where everyone can find someone who understands! Hopefully we didn't scare off any new mama's who need love, support, and guidance.<br /></p></span></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-53351900748455124752010-11-08T08:27:00.000-08:002010-11-08T09:34:43.526-08:00Blast from the past... Sadie 1 year<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Sadie Reese Teague 1 year old</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqg8IzRZ80ZrK7-BjLmYg0S6p2bxyDMraFzxPelEoV4Dy5-K3oKG7TbRw7ING1sczA6tDIobPykwQ2dH-Z6kKv1SBJOHy1DZNlRxSlRYkTaMOBki509UyBLd9l_wtx23WEBsqbVv1QAM/s1600/sadie+001.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537216498997819794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqg8IzRZ80ZrK7-BjLmYg0S6p2bxyDMraFzxPelEoV4Dy5-K3oKG7TbRw7ING1sczA6tDIobPykwQ2dH-Z6kKv1SBJOHy1DZNlRxSlRYkTaMOBki509UyBLd9l_wtx23WEBsqbVv1QAM/s400/sadie+001.jpg" /> <p align="center"></span></a>Sadie at one year just before her first major surgery. She actually wasn't sitting on her own yet... we had to do the 'mom let go, quick take the picture, grab her again' trick. Sadie was very sick here. She had just spent 4 months fighting aspiration pneumonia and was almost healthy enough to have her surgery. She only weighed 11 pounds here and those are newborn soft shoes she is wearing :) Sadie has always been a very happy baby and never complains- even when she is super sick!<br /></p><p align="center">Thanks to Madison for scanning this picture. Looking forward to sharing pictures of all my girls now that we know how to scan :)</p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-40464856072733208352010-11-07T19:06:00.000-08:002010-11-07T19:59:33.895-08:00Owie!!!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Can You Guess What </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">This Little Monkey...</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV0TrWzvwIt13_hqkWkHZfMkmMoVaACTVwXGU_h5JtowBoKPJ7ts5sYzX488yCc4LJgAWrm6MqBSyeo8frq0vfmgQEW8Ttghwkm1NfmaWCON88zw-xMu-1tGNlDblah14Yu9oYbzqD6c/s1600/sadiebars.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537011815850664738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV0TrWzvwIt13_hqkWkHZfMkmMoVaACTVwXGU_h5JtowBoKPJ7ts5sYzX488yCc4LJgAWrm6MqBSyeo8frq0vfmgQEW8Ttghwkm1NfmaWCON88zw-xMu-1tGNlDblah14Yu9oYbzqD6c/s400/sadiebars.jpg" /> <p align="center"></span></a><span style="font-size:180%;">WON'T</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIohf-Y0vUZ1JKyclll_pgeAh1K_J85Wnpg909PHiY2ZKnCaevljkYCbHUDlwawczzGE6CZgcLgj96MpwNX5cZ0e6uF8d-MpToKgQ4V-kCOtkHSdSVEbPDmmCxm5nPjyHmhi7b14IvACw/s1600/sadiebars2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537011546399639938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIohf-Y0vUZ1JKyclll_pgeAh1K_J85Wnpg909PHiY2ZKnCaevljkYCbHUDlwawczzGE6CZgcLgj96MpwNX5cZ0e6uF8d-MpToKgQ4V-kCOtkHSdSVEbPDmmCxm5nPjyHmhi7b14IvACw/s400/sadiebars2.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Be Doing<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksDJwCQsMA_oID9rPY0jNb617T-3kkqxqFLJ31Q6r6vQC34ny-KzsO4kDVs_Nq8RslD2M95hEeKzXyHIPZQwIm8AMKHKDPxNDhUGMckLaSnvbGwkZuabKOX3NqPfZln70cPX2z50qssU/s1600/sadiebars3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537011542099741458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksDJwCQsMA_oID9rPY0jNb617T-3kkqxqFLJ31Q6r6vQC34ny-KzsO4kDVs_Nq8RslD2M95hEeKzXyHIPZQwIm8AMKHKDPxNDhUGMckLaSnvbGwkZuabKOX3NqPfZln70cPX2z50qssU/s400/sadiebars3.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;">For A Long Time???</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtF3osXsF29mtsyGlsH6OxgDHRwI3KDvIIsJaJDZizfteBO0febRxfJArMQovIuBZxqnF8l_Q-nJvw7ULnX19fHV3kS-iSQTOyOwInMCaJ30vBoNmd8z4cc3PIMdGCdGY5-u_2uFWToc/s1600/sadiebars4.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537011542642607202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtF3osXsF29mtsyGlsH6OxgDHRwI3KDvIIsJaJDZizfteBO0febRxfJArMQovIuBZxqnF8l_Q-nJvw7ULnX19fHV3kS-iSQTOyOwInMCaJ30vBoNmd8z4cc3PIMdGCdGY5-u_2uFWToc/s400/sadiebars4.jpg" /></span></a> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Rainbow Bars... Owie!!!</span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBF58UC-gC0V3qxvRah38Y9wb-osm2tpCDVbfiydXNyRo253I6JB39VPFijruP88CyRnpoNbQZrABnv0sRlz6pRsfaz1-rub_lyh01pJ2X6fKkXBQKyiTpgOLHfkN6cSBPBcIq_ZHU38/s1600/hands+001.JPG"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537010540894414338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBF58UC-gC0V3qxvRah38Y9wb-osm2tpCDVbfiydXNyRo253I6JB39VPFijruP88CyRnpoNbQZrABnv0sRlz6pRsfaz1-rub_lyh01pJ2X6fKkXBQKyiTpgOLHfkN6cSBPBcIq_ZHU38/s400/hands+001.JPG" /></span></a> </p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-38388882381731224052010-11-02T13:30:00.001-07:002010-11-02T13:39:00.365-07:00Guess What Sadie Came Home With?Today Sadie came home with her first....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL12Y23yH0hCTXkiAO6dCZX3F7h0oL8TAa0PJ4cVX19u2rlPyEdjHKNiBbp2u6u_TlScdiLzTWlx-nm4W32DnnULQrMxHlBCoMEH5s3JtANSzBrbbGorFbyc_fTyMBUh9lL59aIMozNm0/s1600/sadiethinking.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL12Y23yH0hCTXkiAO6dCZX3F7h0oL8TAa0PJ4cVX19u2rlPyEdjHKNiBbp2u6u_TlScdiLzTWlx-nm4W32DnnULQrMxHlBCoMEH5s3JtANSzBrbbGorFbyc_fTyMBUh9lL59aIMozNm0/s400/sadiethinking.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535054321083812002" /></a><br /><br />invitation to a typical classmate's birthday party! Mixed reactions from mama. First, I smiled and thought... how awesome. Then I thought, how many of these will she be invited to? I know- how lame. I quickly pushed aside that thought and enjoyed this moment with Sadie. She was so excited that I barely got it away from her long enough to write it on the calendar. Which is also the exact moment I realized the party is on Sunday :( We don't let our kids go to parties on Sunday because that is the Sabbath. But, lately we haven't been the best Sabbath observers (really since my kids started to perform on Sundays- heck they even went trick or treating). So, the hypocrite that I am... I'm really thinking of letting her go. Late... because it starts during church... but still letting her go.Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-17836234718089385662010-10-31T16:08:00.000-07:002010-10-31T16:43:13.737-07:00Last Day of 31 for 21: Halloween with a little blast to the past<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Sadie- Minnie Mouse 2010</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUKUL0RNh5gBUODbvbB-erqyp3G8EPOwwoJITb6SgyIz05d9GF67M8GtDOGds_N3I6yyEFIctJUOUDf1eyH-4x8qAO3dnNECGXToYm0AhBntZT3kCRmixuDAcUVXFT-RVwym5BKx4CrA/s1600/060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351933951680930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUKUL0RNh5gBUODbvbB-erqyp3G8EPOwwoJITb6SgyIz05d9GF67M8GtDOGds_N3I6yyEFIctJUOUDf1eyH-4x8qAO3dnNECGXToYm0AhBntZT3kCRmixuDAcUVXFT-RVwym5BKx4CrA/s400/060.JPG" /> <p align="center"> </a>Early Intervention 2004 Sadie's first Halloween! She is the fourth one on the top of the couch (a black kitty) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwcbdLzr5TTBXqxPusfotsf7yoFubzsK7RHWypRj0CzDxf9789S7mL_NngCVy6_xsNuufQbQzSS_xxE2oXS5Ggya58uzWHr-EeShyemar0qiVMazgG8gOcvgdM4ebg0saYsFezSx4-G8/s1600/sadie's+first+halloween.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351568585149010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwcbdLzr5TTBXqxPusfotsf7yoFubzsK7RHWypRj0CzDxf9789S7mL_NngCVy6_xsNuufQbQzSS_xxE2oXS5Ggya58uzWHr-EeShyemar0qiVMazgG8gOcvgdM4ebg0saYsFezSx4-G8/s400/sadie's+first+halloween.jpg" /></p><p align="center"></a></p><p align="center">Right Before School<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopkvebKWoUqexrIJGAtNBGnGA_I0fLpWcv8pe0s7f5ULU-Gr_towVViqci0NLqrWsxs0EMP0Ai4yIEAe0mJ2arFNTypv3FKmMayeVSBJuXUqVHvcsN2dSMKfODZnSxXkMrD8POPxONLQ/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351571696364818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopkvebKWoUqexrIJGAtNBGnGA_I0fLpWcv8pe0s7f5ULU-Gr_towVViqci0NLqrWsxs0EMP0Ai4yIEAe0mJ2arFNTypv3FKmMayeVSBJuXUqVHvcsN2dSMKfODZnSxXkMrD8POPxONLQ/s400/004.JPG" /> <p align="center"> </a>Sadie and her friend Kyle. He is so sweet! He even touches her back and makes sure she gets into the door of the class. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW5KrCBpHWngyC3uan6Gy8cctRDv0kYAHWWeL5VIGTTNLa-aFkL73ffpwXhVZ0yPtVNeKtzgkQd_vn3MTJRGWEas53679bI6JuuDgI3Ez9MnAA9Ny3IgeJugt3sIJ-bz4eaK1-29E0B4/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351577181888754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW5KrCBpHWngyC3uan6Gy8cctRDv0kYAHWWeL5VIGTTNLa-aFkL73ffpwXhVZ0yPtVNeKtzgkQd_vn3MTJRGWEas53679bI6JuuDgI3Ez9MnAA9Ny3IgeJugt3sIJ-bz4eaK1-29E0B4/s400/014.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">Sadie with her class signing a Halloween Song.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDxMQuvzPLb3kDmZqj4OF1nweO64In9lo65DHkSkR24p9WdkHBIUFsPbMGutpLHCkMzZMMn_hBz7gB8niw5SfOQ2ZZxJqadYzFrxEEqdiAQ0tqn8WgE12Vv2IZmbC0GjYy3RcHzeK0W4/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534358273823432194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDxMQuvzPLb3kDmZqj4OF1nweO64In9lo65DHkSkR24p9WdkHBIUFsPbMGutpLHCkMzZMMn_hBz7gB8niw5SfOQ2ZZxJqadYzFrxEEqdiAQ0tqn8WgE12Vv2IZmbC0GjYy3RcHzeK0W4/s400/016.JPG" /></a><br />The Halloween Parade. This is the only time she wasn't waving and kissing the audience. She thought it was her parade.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH4XOFgcOIe6HrbXkJA7ezajNZ4Rm9hJrLXA7pK9d2kuI17XN4u5MtyYVbkcTte8Q-NXN7kGjY87ZFHg-GtbIhgPfCQUBjieCR2aGsfLF5BkhQfbc2CstXmHNjysmW12QWwlZtXM5WtI/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351935839505906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH4XOFgcOIe6HrbXkJA7ezajNZ4Rm9hJrLXA7pK9d2kuI17XN4u5MtyYVbkcTte8Q-NXN7kGjY87ZFHg-GtbIhgPfCQUBjieCR2aGsfLF5BkhQfbc2CstXmHNjysmW12QWwlZtXM5WtI/s400/026.JPG" /></a><br />Her Kindergarten Class<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE-mM8bz1AirWK65dlTMwRHiQN2VVjFLcKr0bYbeqHbgiK0dA2K1JnVF0afTiiyyXBVvXy4wyTK-4IgUtf1LhT3sDw7qFosC99Vh5orLuKN9Y445sbD7R_lFynrmp__OXaPQIIaRW27Y/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351938617240114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE-mM8bz1AirWK65dlTMwRHiQN2VVjFLcKr0bYbeqHbgiK0dA2K1JnVF0afTiiyyXBVvXy4wyTK-4IgUtf1LhT3sDw7qFosC99Vh5orLuKN9Y445sbD7R_lFynrmp__OXaPQIIaRW27Y/s400/031.JPG" /></a> Gavin and Sadie before the Halloween Party. Just minutes before she hid from us for 10 or 15 of the most scary minutes of my life. Gavin has been home with his forever family from Russia for 2 years.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFCpO4aGoAhHFFwDnIztcRjHBiSkiKUeSVk4TLNOn2KadqOqv7quh0UbbSdl5Bg1GnZ7eIVrBPRRJHIK8MlhY_jZDyAYClPdXV4E5wwJSeadL8-iwDBkkVWiCmGiUvxGMvhLaYqeL7SA/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351582541903506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFCpO4aGoAhHFFwDnIztcRjHBiSkiKUeSVk4TLNOn2KadqOqv7quh0UbbSdl5Bg1GnZ7eIVrBPRRJHIK8MlhY_jZDyAYClPdXV4E5wwJSeadL8-iwDBkkVWiCmGiUvxGMvhLaYqeL7SA/s400/047.JPG" /></a> Sadie and Dad (Kip) being interviewed during the Halloween Parade at Church. When the microphone was put in her face she said, "My name is Sadie and I Minnie Mouse for the Halloween time." Awesome, clear, and greatly appreciated by many!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5PwT6iFw-ujTT4VTLDKaKEE3ubwGuoKe67KyvnOIMHF20sGuznc6fCZVNMUKpEc8MEmgdcyoGRTkXxkdodW4rT0Zfr8QenropPGNP4nOdluG9ylMlAngFyvAol2-tIQUJECUpk9dsnU/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534354643937617362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5PwT6iFw-ujTT4VTLDKaKEE3ubwGuoKe67KyvnOIMHF20sGuznc6fCZVNMUKpEc8MEmgdcyoGRTkXxkdodW4rT0Zfr8QenropPGNP4nOdluG9ylMlAngFyvAol2-tIQUJECUpk9dsnU/s400/057.JPG" /></a> Sadie after giving me a high five and yelling, "I did it!" She was proud of herself.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZM21uEAkpg1CaQqF-jLaHPacgvcDuqdy-fU6NHlmO5WIOoC5TGyizIyY9Y1ulezq4gUdtSMVownf9Cn2YlNVHqESD78wsqb2UfqVeor28EzQl1KXdJvNgLZvGTxLwVGoCeSskFD74FqU/s1600/058.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534351589819056962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZM21uEAkpg1CaQqF-jLaHPacgvcDuqdy-fU6NHlmO5WIOoC5TGyizIyY9Y1ulezq4gUdtSMVownf9Cn2YlNVHqESD78wsqb2UfqVeor28EzQl1KXdJvNgLZvGTxLwVGoCeSskFD74FqU/s400/058.JPG" /></a> Minnie Mouse (Sadie), Tweedle Dee (Hannah), and Tweedle Dum (Selina)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOSFpe6A_7oQ8DIk8Ekq9MD5ssqZSC4r_-zU6DxFyIq_C5-a3oWmjpL3D-F9vd8ThH7dvIy3eoogh5wiC2tOzWcyfbwuhypTkvAIkli0Agw7tPqWk_DUGWLYCDfdDognsoMvhJqrG5Gc/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534358023267127570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOSFpe6A_7oQ8DIk8Ekq9MD5ssqZSC4r_-zU6DxFyIq_C5-a3oWmjpL3D-F9vd8ThH7dvIy3eoogh5wiC2tOzWcyfbwuhypTkvAIkli0Agw7tPqWk_DUGWLYCDfdDognsoMvhJqrG5Gc/s400/002.JPG" /></a> </p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-38727791070271575082010-10-30T15:47:00.000-07:002010-10-30T16:00:34.506-07:00"It's gonna bite me!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiUBvIy7FEwffSKx349XYtw5XOIj1iConMJLYO8mfhWrdIOXae2wXQg-acWahzPzxygPRDIeRMhXtawYRaeJzW4zHx3YORkoZVzr9agNHbDErxrtM_DnlB98QVOLTsjfyJM_lauksIaA/s1600/sadierainumbrella.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533977543223120562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiUBvIy7FEwffSKx349XYtw5XOIj1iConMJLYO8mfhWrdIOXae2wXQg-acWahzPzxygPRDIeRMhXtawYRaeJzW4zHx3YORkoZVzr9agNHbDErxrtM_DnlB98QVOLTsjfyJM_lauksIaA/s400/sadierainumbrella.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I just found Sadie in the backyard belting the words to "Get'cha Head in the Game" and almost stepped on a rainy day treat.<br /><br />Me: "Hey Sadie, look at this long worm."<br /><br />Sadie: "Ughhhhhh! A snail... it's gonna to bite me" (running and hiding behind the swing)<br /><br />Me: "It's not a snail it's a worm. Worms eat dirt not little girls. They don't bite Sadie's"<br /><br />Sadie, "Oh, cool!"<br /><br />Then she proceeded with an reenactment of High School Musical with the worm as her audience :) </div><div> </div><div>The worm said, "The show warmed it's HEART<strong>S</strong>!" sorry... I'm super tired and goofy! :)</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-28710384877323096862010-10-27T21:03:00.000-07:002010-10-29T06:11:55.809-07:00Girls Goofing Around With The Webcam<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Hannah, Madison, and Sadie</strong> </span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn_WQ2h4SK8H3kctp7m7xyHy_EaibpDp3A-L7pp2NAmgQR6zxzYyJfmdEDx_4SniP3LloQAYFseWsB0V-CmghmMTtUMM1hbAfQB8_fU6sstZ7WQzkSjxlUskKssM51CRV6VWWP4VZphI/s1600/girlsgoofing1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532942889273237122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn_WQ2h4SK8H3kctp7m7xyHy_EaibpDp3A-L7pp2NAmgQR6zxzYyJfmdEDx_4SniP3LloQAYFseWsB0V-CmghmMTtUMM1hbAfQB8_fU6sstZ7WQzkSjxlUskKssM51CRV6VWWP4VZphI/s400/girlsgoofing1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRitZGKyK_Br-4KbTYfQRuOm3vjyVWkuCr6yfGzeFTXdPsyc3G3ALI_gUVP4IjQvF0B01Z5Q9OTLX8x45263Yf4zeNT92W9EzXYVgyKPYtQgBg59111Xvk0hg0jzaus4La9-z9FeMETHQ/s1600/girlsgoofing4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532942897803948706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRitZGKyK_Br-4KbTYfQRuOm3vjyVWkuCr6yfGzeFTXdPsyc3G3ALI_gUVP4IjQvF0B01Z5Q9OTLX8x45263Yf4zeNT92W9EzXYVgyKPYtQgBg59111Xvk0hg0jzaus4La9-z9FeMETHQ/s400/girlsgoofing4.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir68rJXrvbVhUiOGMqdowRJQSu_oV_Yk7QwE5_j4j3mmysl6HxsvqP8zfDo3O_I0Ooz-0aJxccUv0ilrwIVUg148NcOEkHGsC_G52S2GSvB5Eh2hsx-UerN5oyK0T2hQCxS39R4k8ze1c/s1600/girlsgoofing3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532942893298814482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir68rJXrvbVhUiOGMqdowRJQSu_oV_Yk7QwE5_j4j3mmysl6HxsvqP8zfDo3O_I0Ooz-0aJxccUv0ilrwIVUg148NcOEkHGsC_G52S2GSvB5Eh2hsx-UerN5oyK0T2hQCxS39R4k8ze1c/s400/girlsgoofing3.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7wOYee9LRFIfTZy1cB22y2DeOIz-Tta9ur_dJVg8nmWzgV8dkrR4GfhPhNaGsGGgwgK-YPvE0UUiBiCsvLhqia_5wMJmvnClR1Sju_2AG049_BtOR4WXTDTGHnI0Lwm8OwzmqF4OFgI/s1600/girlsgoofing2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532942891545156562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7wOYee9LRFIfTZy1cB22y2DeOIz-Tta9ur_dJVg8nmWzgV8dkrR4GfhPhNaGsGGgwgK-YPvE0UUiBiCsvLhqia_5wMJmvnClR1Sju_2AG049_BtOR4WXTDTGHnI0Lwm8OwzmqF4OFgI/s400/girlsgoofing2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-53041651320647464272010-10-27T20:54:00.000-07:002010-10-28T10:22:48.609-07:00I Want To Share This With You Again...<strong>Originally posted in August of 2008. I'm sorry but I have to share this every year :)<br /><br /></strong>I've been thinking a lot of an experience I had just after the birth of Sadie. Three of my friends came to visit me in the hospital. They all sat at the end of my bed admiring Sadie and looking forward to the births of two of their children in the following few weeks. I felt the time was right and I just blurted out, "She has Down Syndrome". What happened next has been one of the best lessons I have ever experienced.<br /><br />My friend Kay, who had 3 children and was expecting her 4 in the next two weeks and who grew up with two deaf parents, exclaimed, "Oh, she's so cute... doesn't she have the cutest toes? It looks like she is giving us a peace sign, " (because of the big gap). She just kept talking and talking about everything... I wondered if she had even heard the news I had just given her.<br /><br />My friend Alison, who was expecting her first child the next month, sat there with a with a deer caught in headlights look. I don't think she said another word and I was sure she was lost in thoughts of, "if Kari didn't know she was going to have a kid with ds... what about ME?"<br /><br />And then there was my sweet little friend Ayumi she sat there with tears in her eyes, got up and hugged me and started asking questions about what was next and about her health.<br /><br />Everyone had a different reaction. I believe those reactions were all born from different experiences they had in life. Each had different upbringings and and different personalities. All three were there in the room with me at the same time hearing the same things; but, each of them heard it differently. Kay lived around disabled people all her life. She knew that things would be just fine. She was there to celebrate a new life. Alison was newly married, expecting her first child. They were perfect and nothing seriously life altering had ever happened to her. Ayumi, she grew up in Japan. She grew up in a society where people with disabilities are hidden, killed or shipped away.<br /><br />I learned that day that I could never control how others reacted. I needed to look beyond their reaction and wonder... why do they think that way? Now today, when we are out and about, I often see how people react to Sadie. Sometimes they turn their heads. Sometimes they look at me with pity. But most of the time, they smile. They see how happy we are. They see the joy and love Sadie brings to our family.<br /><br />I can't control how others feel. The only thing I can control is my own thoughts and emotions. I can however, hope that maybe as we fully accept and rejoice in our little ones others will see their beauty and worth. And if not- it won't change how I feel one bit!!!Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-68804000919892349482010-10-27T19:29:00.000-07:002010-10-27T19:32:15.937-07:00Worldless Wednesday<div align="center">Sadie and Jake- Don't let this fool you, </div><div align="center">Sadie is always up for a hug and kiss!<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bUkOzZ9XS7TN19d2gIHok7BnazjC-wPEk8clb4qPBP3xKt0Sd6W2j56xF1dP7YqGZKuKCk3LxC-ofOGcWHPLi2AGyzNwiG6rJOiu4rhM9WWiVOgmg1O4Vem_pGx9p9tSA6PlURhgACA/s1600/sadie+%26+jake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532918621581006322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bUkOzZ9XS7TN19d2gIHok7BnazjC-wPEk8clb4qPBP3xKt0Sd6W2j56xF1dP7YqGZKuKCk3LxC-ofOGcWHPLi2AGyzNwiG6rJOiu4rhM9WWiVOgmg1O4Vem_pGx9p9tSA6PlURhgACA/s400/sadie+%26+jake.jpg" /></a>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-54524448053155434602010-10-25T20:19:00.000-07:002010-10-26T16:53:16.365-07:00Crazy Swimmer!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQMuHEmuf8z2RsPkGmOjM_BDhZHJBN7pfPaar_7lkZQRXrJD2F3sophrXDWvxlH0fODJ4J5wffvVMeujP8LtYJBMspWQyBm-euQDj-wou4lpya1pkcLTIBTTzmQ6ETCpWsH1oNUkRoII/s1600/sadieinpool.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532189424389929218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQMuHEmuf8z2RsPkGmOjM_BDhZHJBN7pfPaar_7lkZQRXrJD2F3sophrXDWvxlH0fODJ4J5wffvVMeujP8LtYJBMspWQyBm-euQDj-wou4lpya1pkcLTIBTTzmQ6ETCpWsH1oNUkRoII/s400/sadieinpool.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">Sadie loves the pool. Actually, she is quite a crazy swimmer and enjoys spending lots of time in the deep end... which drives me nuts!! She has graduated from floaties and boobies to just "boobies" (what she calls the floatation vest). I love this picture because you can see all her freckles :) </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-71Roj0FCXdkpHZHzs8GtmxOX_642rXLryEd-3Jc69QaQLkUK3ZnBLnv05kSEs0XxRxpd3ltE2PDLCfxKexlIEauUTq4HPsRHgA8Xzro_XiXrmGpqrty4O-58m8vDglVuoBax3Mkbgs/s1600/swimming+with+jojo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-71Roj0FCXdkpHZHzs8GtmxOX_642rXLryEd-3Jc69QaQLkUK3ZnBLnv05kSEs0XxRxpd3ltE2PDLCfxKexlIEauUTq4HPsRHgA8Xzro_XiXrmGpqrty4O-58m8vDglVuoBax3Mkbgs/s400/swimming+with+jojo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532191887944653378" /></a>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-53215554998888797912010-10-25T19:06:00.001-07:002010-10-25T19:32:11.450-07:0021 Things I Love About Sadie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12pm34QjhXZaIjw75Ts2zaoAJP3eyaLXTsAPxTPOvw3fw155t8OLogwrvIXgf2oIB8Q2MF5gFi1QV9zz2_zy46RRfGfOVXNTiD93TnURHEGJDeH1p0kIN4OXvycCCcbrtSE9X17ASnV8/s1600/sadie.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532170722471008226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12pm34QjhXZaIjw75Ts2zaoAJP3eyaLXTsAPxTPOvw3fw155t8OLogwrvIXgf2oIB8Q2MF5gFi1QV9zz2_zy46RRfGfOVXNTiD93TnURHEGJDeH1p0kIN4OXvycCCcbrtSE9X17ASnV8/s400/sadie.bmp" /></a><br /><div></div><br />I LOVE...<br /><br />1. listening to her "sing" about her day on the way home from school.<br /><br />2. her dance moves and how she remembers every dance she has ever seen her sisters perform.<br /><br />3. how she knows almost every radio Disney song and is able to identify it within the first few seconds.<br /><br />4. that her response to why? is "BECAUSE I love it!"<br /><br />5. that even though she has some serious ninja skills, she will crawl up in bed with me.<br /><br />6. she is very compassionate and will hug and kiss someone when they are crying.<br /><br />7. that she hangs out with most of the boys at school because she thinks they are "funny".<br /><br />8. that she loves to read books.<br /><br />9. how sassy she is! Even when that means she tells me "whatever woman" or uses all the signs on her forehead to call me a "Major Loser". <br /><br />10. that she thinks Nick Jonas, Chad Dillon Cooper, and "boy" are her boyfriends.<br /><br />11. she plays "teacher" and "school" with her imaginary friends and asks them "what is your name?", tells them "good job", and to "shut it".<br /><br />12. her freckles on her nose, cheeks, and eyelid.<br /><br />13. how she walks through the "kindergarten pickup traffic" and never notices everyone staring at her. (mostly cause she soooo cute)<br /><br />14. she loves to pray!<br /><br />15. she tells me "this is the best dinner ever" almost every night.<br /><br />16. she thinks she is a teenager and that all her sisters friends are actually her friends.<br /><br />17. her soft skin, extra skin on her neck, and the wide gap between her toes.<br /><br />18. that she has wanted to be Tinkerbell or the purple fairy for the last three Halloweens.<br /><br />19. her giggle... how it sounds like snoopy and comes from her gut.<br /><br />20. how her pants fall just below her butt crack.<br /><br />21. the twinkle in her eyes and how she dives into my arms to hug me and tell me she loves me.<br /><br />Oh there are soooo many more! And I am sure the list would be different if I did it in a week. I love my Sadie sooo much! Leave a comment and let me know some of the things you love about your little one. You can also tell me what you love about Sadie!Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-55938165118698628322010-10-24T17:43:00.000-07:002010-10-24T17:52:02.951-07:00Sadie, Some Dolls, and Lady Gaga!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF0jA3KK3qq0Tt9lVW8St88n64mynKDZVjfhTyEewt0Hn2KuprN3yobUYliH4a-1LMS-OmPxPGDi4uWpnbNCTSahg0zv6rGq0iTN6ISZI_3k4f1eH_wf7HQkNuxczy6p0Zqi1faqZ_8o/s1600/sadiedolls.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531777909632662242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF0jA3KK3qq0Tt9lVW8St88n64mynKDZVjfhTyEewt0Hn2KuprN3yobUYliH4a-1LMS-OmPxPGDi4uWpnbNCTSahg0zv6rGq0iTN6ISZI_3k4f1eH_wf7HQkNuxczy6p0Zqi1faqZ_8o/s400/sadiedolls.jpg" /></a> Who do you see when you look at this picture? Sadie sees Lady Gaga, Annie (Madison & Hannah's friend), a Boy, and Thea (Madison's friend). I'm really scared my 6 year old knows who Lady Gaga is and can sing you several of her songs. But, I can't blame her.... that doll really does look like Lady Gaga.</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-43283204289417233632010-10-23T12:29:00.000-07:002010-10-23T13:39:42.225-07:00A glimpse in Sadie's imaginary worldI've been trying to work on a post about "the 21 things I love most about Sadie". The strange thing is the longer she is with our family the harder this gets. I may have to change it to the "100 things I love most about Sadie".<br /><br />So, until I can shorten my list I thought I would share how I got Sadie to school the other day. I remember when Sadie was first born I <strong><em>heard </em></strong>that kids with ds don't have a good imagination. I must have heard wrong; because most kids I know have a great imagination. Infact, lately Sadie spends most of her time outside of school in her "imgaination". A lot of her play is based on things she has seen or heard; but whose isn't? So, I will take you back a few days and demonstrate why Disney Channel will be closely monitored from this point forward.<br /><br />Me: "Sadie, time to go to school"<br /><br />Sadie: "Zack, Cody, London I told you not now"<br /><br />Me: "Sadie, don't you want to play on the monkey bars? You are going to be too late to play."<br /><br />Sadie: "I have to find my hat and talk to London"<br /><br />Me: "huh?"<br /><br />Sadie: "Cody, I don't want to"<br /><br />Me: "Who are you?"<br /><br />Sadie: "I Bailey... I TOLD you that!"<br /><br />Me: "Oh," I finally realized we are playing <em>Suite Life with Zack and Cody</em>, "so, Bailey- Mr. Moseby needs you to get to the boat before he leaves. He wants you to hurry."<br /><br />Sadie: "Ok... let me get my hat, pants, and panties" This is where she puts these imaginary items on- in that order.<br /><br />Sadie: "Ready, let's go. We be late for Mosbey, Zack."<br /><br />Later that day she spent the whole afternoon yelling "Sienna" which I hear is Hannah Montana's brother, Jackson's, girlfriend he misses sooo much. Oh, and there is the "Father, Father" said in an English accent that Tinkerbell's friend yells before we must hoist Sadie in the air to fly like the fairy. So many more... I'll save them for facebook, or if your lucky, maybe I will share with you!Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-79242270935819624622010-10-21T09:49:00.000-07:002010-10-21T10:01:01.758-07:00D is for Down Syndrome<div align="center">This video was made a couple of years ago by an online friend Renee Garcia at "Life with My Special K's". Sadie is in the video twice... can you guess where? I had so much fun looking at this video again and rememebering how little all our friends were and enjoying how much they have grown. </div><div align="center">Enjoy! Thanks Renee :)<br /><br />Looks like I need to find a new format for the video. If you can't see it all on my blog please visit Renee's blog. It's worth the extra click! </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.myspecialks.com/2010/10/d-is-for-down-syndrome.html">http://www.myspecialks.com/2010/10/d-is-for-down-syndrome.html</a><br /><br /></div><embed height="526" name="FLVPlayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="600" src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=92b007767e44d89c93756&skin_id=601&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com"></embed><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15px; MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 600px; FONT: 12px/20px verdana, arial, sans-serif"><a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt2" target="_blank">Photo and video editing at <span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-72671673650029478722010-10-20T18:59:00.000-07:002010-10-20T19:07:50.294-07:00Kinda Wordless Wednesday...<div align="center">Who am I kidding? Of course I will write something :)<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYtgwHbZXm83ixJZBoonh3fRNIdd0OHWcdwzci2Fca1oCyrHnZJyyBPw5O-BjeFig1rhfOVw-HDZBYkDH-XKbOqIa6zn-gePATxX7mQ6PTK1tvTVJsxR8C19qT5JDKrXOjx4kh_aqOeg/s1600/Sadiebuzzlightyear.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530313561156723970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYtgwHbZXm83ixJZBoonh3fRNIdd0OHWcdwzci2Fca1oCyrHnZJyyBPw5O-BjeFig1rhfOVw-HDZBYkDH-XKbOqIa6zn-gePATxX7mQ6PTK1tvTVJsxR8C19qT5JDKrXOjx4kh_aqOeg/s400/Sadiebuzzlightyear.bmp" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Sorry this is a bad picture; but most pictures are from a mobile phone nowadays. This picture was taken by my friend's daughter after riding Buzz Lightyear with Sadie. They thought is was sooo cute that she stopped and asked for them to take a picture of her in front of the scoreboard.</p><p align="center"> <strong>Yeah, it's cute the first dozen times... just sayin'!! </strong></p>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-74484861038859230802010-10-19T15:22:00.000-07:002010-10-19T15:51:41.963-07:00Parent/Student/Teacher ConferenceWe had our first conference since Sadie has been fully included. Last year her mainstreaming teacher, who is now her full time teacher, was less than excited or positive about Sadie being in her class. She only allowed her in class during "playtime" and would ask me to pick her up early if the scheduled changed and it interfered with that "playtime". I learned very quickly that her teacher did not understand mainstreaming or inclusion and was not on board. Some of her comments made me think she believed kids with Down Syndrome were unable to learn. Sadie is super verbal and has a huge vocabulary; but she is an observer. I love our ride home because she tells me everything that happened that day. Mrs. H hadn't heard her talk much and told me one time, "She was turning the pages to the book and she said apple!" Wow... seriously???<br /><br />Anyway, I was worried when she showed up to Sadie's IEP believing that Sadie would be placed in her class this year. I know that ignorance needs to be educated and that by positive examples in our community negative stereotypes of people with down syndrome will be shattered. But, did I want to put my kid in a place where she would be responsible for changing the minds of so many that didn't believe in inclusion?<br /><br />I remember during one of our Learning Program sessions Dana Halle said, "The most important thing to me when including my child is making sure the teacher wants my kid in her class. The best way to find out is to ask." So, that's what I did. I looked Mrs. H in the eyes and said, "all these plans are great; but, are YOU going to be HAPPY to see Sadie EVERYDAY? All I want to know is that she is wanted in your class." She didn't look offended and responded positively. I had my doubts.<br /><br />I was worried for nothing. Mrs. H and Ms. A (her aide) are happy everyday to see her. They are genuine and kind and positive. Infact, while leaving the conference the resource teacher said, "I am really excited about this year. Sadie is doing terrific and you made the right choice to have her repeat kindergarten. Everyone is so proud of her. Inclusion works when everyone is on board. A world of difference from last year!" That about sums it up. <br /><br />During the conference (and throughout the year when picking her up) her teacher gushed about how well Sadie is doing. Infact, there were times when I felt bad because I wasn't as excited as she was about Sadie. I think it is because I know what Sadie can do.... but, I will let Mrs. H think it is the inclusion that is working so well. Anyway, Sadie read us a book and showed us all her sounds and letters. Mostly they were excited for her endurance, focus, and ability to stay on task and do the work. There is some modifying happening (mostly fine motor). I'm cool with that. I want her to learn and be successful. Even if she wasn't doing the same work as her peers- she is happy to be with all the kids! <br /><br />Sadie rocks and I'm happy with her placement this year. The only thing I don't like... all the crazy "tricks" she has learned on the monkey bars. Glad I don't have to see that everyday :)Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576168838720976518.post-20030764185480918252010-10-16T06:25:00.001-07:002012-09-29T11:09:51.469-07:00Educational OptionsBecause of the miscarriage I haven't been able to <strong><em>blog 31 for 21 </em></strong>like I promised. The rest of the month will be spent trying to make up for that! <br />
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Twenty years ago educational options for kids with down syndrome were slim. Special schools or Special Education Classes were pretty much your only placement choices. Today, research shows that mainstreaming (partial day in a typical class) or inclusion (majority of the day in a typical class with some support) can be beneficial for some of our kids. I will try to find a link of a previous post all about the research done in the UK about inclusion. Briefly, it says that if a child is fully included they test 2 to 3 years higher than a child in SDC. In the UK 70% of all kids are included. In the US less than 10% are included. Educational plans are very personal and there is some pressure in the down syndrome community. Some over eager parents want everyone of our kids included to "prove" to the world our kids are capable. Considering I have homeschooled all of my kids at different times and for different reasons, I feel confident you will believe me when I say each kid has different strengths and weaknesses. They have different needs and different comfort levels. So, placement should be the environment that helps your child thrive and NO ONE should judge a child's potential or a parent's dedication because of their choice. <br />
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I have seen high functioning kids, who are academically strong, placed in SDC (special day classes) because of sensory issues. They thrive! I have seen moderate functioning kids placed in typical classrooms thrive because of social interaction. Sadie's first year of school we placed her in SDC Kindergarten because she was young, sick and we felt like typical kindergarten was a stretch but she was beyond preschool. This year, more mature and healthier, she is fully included with 25 mins a day pull out in a resource class to help modify her curriculum. Next year??? Depends on what is best for Sadie. Get the point?<br />
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Another important point is that every child with down syndrome is mentally retarded or developmentally delayed. Most kids with ds are tested within mild to moderate delays. <strong>A lot of parents don't like the "R" word... I don't like it to much if it is used as a word to describe what my child can not do.</strong> Medically and academically, it is true. This was a hard concept for me- probably the hardest in our journey with Sadie. It doesn't mean she can not learn--- just means she learns differently and at a different pace. I notice this most when she is mastering something new. It seems like she learns in steps and each step is obvious- unlike my older children that seemed to learn something over night. It actually helps you savor her accomplishments and gives us an understanding of how hard she works.<br />
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Even though Sadie is developmentally delayed (or MR) she has been tested within a normal IQ range. Reality is, she needs help. She learns differently, things are processed differently, her rate of learning is different; BUT, she learns! She is one smart cookie :) Next post will be about our first parent/child/teacher conference as a fully included student...Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02482118088564106208noreply@blogger.com2