Nathan needs a 4ever family

Nathan turned 6 in June. He was adopted from Eastern Europe and is in the U.S., His family adopted 3 children all very close in age (not biologically related), so they are unable to give Nathan the assistance he needs. Nathan has been diagnosed with a somewhat mild form of FASD, which causes him some memory problems and language delays but his IQ is in the normal range. His mother says he can be very loving and affectionate, and his teachers indicate that he tries hard and is not really very behind in school. Nathan needs a new home with a single parent, or a married couple, with children who are not younger than he is. He would do best in a home where any other children are older than he is, so he doesn''t feel like he has to compete. Preference will be given to families who have completed homestudies. Please email secondchance@wiaa.org to receive more information. We had a huge amount of records, dr. reports, school reports etc. Travel will be needed by one parent to his homestate. If you email the above address you will receive information faster than by clicking the fields below.

Oh what a morning.... I went to bed last night early so woke up at midnight and blogged my day yesterday..now when I went to go back to sleep at 2:44 I met a party going on.... yes, the party had just begun. Kaitlyn had rallied the ones who would wake up and Keirsten was at the communication controls having her cell phone in her one hand texting, the house phone in the other and working the lap top in between... ALl huddled in the darkness of THREE AM IN THE MORNING!!! and she looks at me and says "what's wrong" ??? As I shut down the house AGAIN, Kaitlyn is a bit miffed that I am awake.. she tries to take charge and demands I go to my room and go back to bed...LOL With a firm hand in keeping the lights off she changed her tune and went to bed.. Lucas and Steven quickly fell back to sleep... Tressa moved to the couch and I stayed awake to see what her plan was.. She checked the door to the kitchen, the deep freezer lid and seemed to slither around not finding anything and knowing I was just up she went back to sleep... after 2 hours she was up again as if maybe some how the door was opened or items moved from the freezer. She then proceeds to go into a conversation if I remembered what she had for dinner the last time we went to Gainesville ( JUNE 2009 ) no I have no idea what we had nor where we went actually. She recalls it all. I get her to lay down although she say some break of day. She goes out to the back porch with our friend for coffee and talks their ears off...LOL She has so much drama in her conversations recalling past events.

Ms Jill is here 10 am until about 3 pm for speech today, Mandie is here and I need to do the grocery run that did not happen yesterday.
The kids are up and active, I am trying to get some initial plans for our holidays and next years conferences... just getting to the disabilities conferences is a feat for our family. I found cruises at $169.00 from our port which is a week long so I would love to skip the gifts for Christmas and do a cruise..

WED. July 22st

Today started out a little off, Jordan slept in until about 10 which indicates possible he is coming down with something, Tressa was up in the wee hours of the morning doing what she does best... our home is so methodically run that if one slip up occurs she seems to just know it. In order to keep her out of the deep freezer I load the lid with anything heavy. Yes it might look like it has something on it that needs put away although it is actually my lock as the little lock and key to deep freezers is really not worth the time of installing it..(pops right open) So indeed someone so kindly put away the laundry that was in baskets loaded on top of the freezer...and she somehow knew her opportunity was there. Steven found the frozen food in the TV room behind the chair this morning with chew marks.

Once our day started since no therapy comes on Wed until after dinner we took today to scrub the TV room, amazing what one can find in the room the children hang out in the most. Really isn't it easier to walk that item to the trash than shove it up, in around or down something? At least equally easy? I tried hard to help them see the cleaning of the room would not take so long had they just put their things away each time they had them... Keirsten is the worst about this... and it trickles down from there. I scrubbed the back porch, took down some wasp nests and Steven collected items Ali has made her own and scattered about the back yard. When do dogs stop chewing up everything??? I can not wait. Those following my puppy drama, the fence was taken care of by Kory screwing the planks in, now Ali is digging holes to get under the fence so we have dug down 2 feet and buried shelf grates and filled it in... so she digs but there is underground fencing too.... like I needed more to do right.

I got signed up for the next MAPP classes in August and some other paperwork which I had been dragging my feet on completed.. a productive day.

A friends stop by to have some girl time later this afternoon and we went up to the local grill which opened about 3 weeks ago. LAZY DOGS and yes people had their Dogs up there as well.. very welcome for lazy dogs (dogs no longer chewing and digging holes) Most were small to tiny tea cup size dogs.

We had refreshments outside with these wonderful table top fans that doubled as air conditioners/coolers... I need to find out more about those. Would love it for my back room and back porch. After a bit we picked up sushi and headed home. Jordan was giving Mandie a had time, he has a tendency to really push her buttons.

My family is a gift to many; I am seeing thier love unfold

In my life I am often too busy to stop and realize how many lives we touch. Last night I got yet another contact on how a situation we are involved in currently is going, then her request to partake in the journey. I realized I have opened my family to so many as a gift in sorts. Not to any ones surprise I am sure, we are being considered with the possibility of adding to our family. The child is out of state and now I have three separate people requesting to take the journey as my mommy's helper to pick up this child, if we are approved.

I was half scared to ask a friend to travel two years ago to assist with the children while I went out of state to adopt Lucas. I knew this person would never understand my passion to go get him, he was a very needy child. I had reservations to weather asking her to come along would hinder or assist... it was trying to say the least... BUT with all the love and support this woman became a stronger support to our family and truly understood my heart as she weathered that journey by my side. Now she has volunteered actually strongly requested that she be the person to go again if I am to adopt. She has shared with me that since our trip two years ago her life has deepened immeasurably in watching the gains this little miracle boy has made.

The other person(s) is our new respite company. They have traveled for the second time with us this summer and are aware of the situation at hand. They have requested to be the support to travel out of state with us and have so many cute stories they are sharing with their immediate family about their weeks with my children. One close relative being an attorney ad Litem in Northern Florida who commented about the passion her nieces have shared by having my children a part of their lives.

Of course as anyone can imagine my close friend would love to be a part of the journey... she is actually starting MAPP classes to allow the option of her being an adoptive mom in the future open in her life.

FUNDING to conferences...how do I do it?

Many conferences we attend if not all we do seek funding for some if not all of the costs.

The local school system gets parent training dollars and those funds can be sought to help families gain knowledge on their child's disability. Contact in our area is the local FDLRS program although yours might be different. You can call your local ESE department and ask them who manages the IDEA parent training dollars. These funds are monitored so your area might have a parent board to help decide what these funds get spent on...call and start gaining knowledge on where your parent dollars are being channeled, THANK YOU!

Local boards you can sit on. I sit on the Family Care Council board which funds me to go to the DD awareness day each year in Tallahassee where I am provided gas for travel and hotel room for my family to stay in Tallahassee to advocate for disabilities, they help fund our stay at the annual Family CAFE so that I can continue to provide current accurate up to date information to local families. They can support and did this year support part of our travel to Orlando to the National Down syndrome conference. Join local boards and be active in advocating for your causes. THANK YOU!

This trip we did get a part of the conference registration fee paid through our local Early steps program that services baby's with special needs ages zero to three. This was a big surprise last minute and actually made the trip possible last minute. THANK YOU!

Advocate agency's such as FIN, FND, Family CAFE and many, many more offer or can help locate parts of funding to get families to conferences. ASK.... your local support groups can fund raise so get active and be a part of planning.... this past conference when Kaitlyn was chosen to be a young advocate she was provided funding by LEAD which was wonderful THANK YOU! although other avenues can be found these are the ones we used. We have been active in the local support group and a couple years ago did hot dog sales for months to gain funds to travel to that annual National Down syndrome conference.

Conferences also provide some waived fees and funding so please ask, NDSC waived many self advocates I referred and some parents who are active in sharing knowledge.. the local Florida PWSA funds most of our hotel stays so we can go learn as much as we can for PWS as it is a huge part of our day to day need to know. THANK YOU!

I use my respite provider in place and use waiver dollars, also end of the year general revenue dollars can be used for conferences that occur before June 30th.. "Family CAFE" so if you wish info on that please email and I will help you. It does make a world of difference if you have quality respite during a conference so you can focus on learning and have no worries about your child/ren.

If you have specific questions feel free to email me.

Our miracle boy.....he has come so far in 2 years time

Back home, back into the grind!!!!

I woke up to a few of the kids quietly moving about the house. Tressa back into her pattern of getting up and into things... My purse taken apart in pieces as she tries to take custody of all the pennies... but everything else everywhere in her room. She has dumped out the last of a few black conference bags and located some hard candy. I had a time getting about two dozen small hard candies unstuck from her thick hair. I guess better in her hair than eaten right... urg.. she can make such a mess and she is the one child no matter what will not pick up after herself. I am telling you that with the best behavioral specialist and all the bag of tricks this girl is STUBBORN! and you will buckle before she will pick up her own mess by herself. So that was my wake up...I could smell the coffee although a quick reminder I am back on duty. I have heard word that help is on the way...Tressa's PCA person should be in place soon. They have come to our home to evaluate the times we need someone here and this we need to get through all the red tape. She has gained 10 lbs since school is out due to her ability to out wit the other children and get into places she is not aloud. She has this sense about her that I can not explain but she can focus on an item to retrieve in second at the right time and you will never know it is happening until you find the aftermath... PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME.... amazing genetic make up.

The kids were getting back in step with the 8 am rule (do not leave your room until 8 am) Breakfast is at 8 and then once their rooms are clean they are in free play. Steven is already in the pool, Keirsten preparing for her therapy and the others finding things to do.... no TV. WOW! Being Tuesday we have the normal household items, laundry... speech today for 5 hours, noon meeting with our respite provider for final signatures and payment, OT for two, clarinet lessons, Mandie comes and FCC8 tonight, with the final activity picking up the bread for the pantry. I need to call WIC to reschedule Emma's appointment from yesterday, pick up Kaitlyn's glasses that are in and do a little grocery shopping. Now, I want to finish a nice quiet cup of coffee before tackling the kitchen.

NDSC 2010 conference, Orlando, Florida

It seems so long ago that we started our drive to Orlando. The morning of Wednesday July 14th went well; no rush, just pack the van, everyone get their items collected and then into Ft Myers to pick up a funding check for covering some of the conference fees. We were funded to attend this conference which along with our volunteer free day from the GIVE A DAY, GET A DAY program we were going to be in one of the parks this trip. I could not locate the children's good swim goggles which are a must in large public pools due to the massive amounts of chlorine and they all swim with their eyes open. WE stopped at Ross where I picked up actual training goggles 2 pair for $8 which is a great deal. We cashed the check after a couple more hours than anticipated wait which now I am so thankful we did. The drive up I captured on my phone through facebook as it was raining so hard we were traveling at points 5 miles per hour... NO DANGER TO TEXT AND DRIVE at walking pace. So the time up even extended later than we figured.

Once at the hotel it was not as pleasant as when we go for Family CAFE....KUDDOS to whomever arranges the Family CAFE hostesses because not much of check in was friendly..and we are not the only ones to express this. I cut our stay back a day and paid cash for the stay. They stated I had to pay the entire bill cash up front.. (good thing I cashed that check) then they said no way can I cut off a day.. well thank goodness I had called last week to explain we might not be able to stay all the days due to many commitment's.. and the almighty dollar of staying on DISNEY grounds.. well a demand to talk to a manager and sure enough they log all phone calls to folios so I was covered..It showed my call and my reply that I was told I had up to 24 hours prior to the night to cancel no penalty... I am days not hours early to cancel. Now this pain in the rump customer complains about the location they put us..MY OH MY I am a pain. See they assumed we would want near the convention center because it is a large laid out complex. BUT the pool with the slide is in the back 40 so I asked for a connecting room in the area near the pool (actually gave ideas of room numbers) This person said they do not have connecting rooms in that build..Hhhmmm I stayed in them a couple years ago.. so I ask next set of buildings and she says well she would have to call a manager back... I am not getting a bit upset.. here is their line of thinking. I am getting conference rate at $131.00 a night per soon (x2) and they want the higher paying customers to have rooms near the big pool... so I explain that 2 weeks ago I stayed in Rancorous rooms connecting for $119.00 per room (x2) and have a problem why everything is so much more difficult this week... I then get the room I had 2 weeks ago... Daaa don't say you don't have connecting rooms in building previous customers have already stayed in... so much for their Thank you for staying with us, you are welcome to return we enjoyed having you materials we get after every stay.... so back to our room and on to more pleasurable times...we have this hotel down to a science. I can unload, unpack and the kids know where everything goes so it all works out well. We are pool side, within the hour and the kids are getting in tons of slides.. I explain we must make it an early night 9 pm because we are going to the Disney park in the morning.. We can get, Keirsten and Kailtyn went for a late night swim until about 11pm.


Thursday, July 15th we set thealarm, up at 7am we can be in the parks at 8 am but not happening... we got to the bus by 8:30 and at Hollywood Studios a tad before nine but we were not the only ones there...mobs of people and I am hot and the day isn't even beginning... It is me and the seven kids..and we learn after one line we need to go to the will call line.. then in that line we learn that we can upgrade..UPGRADE to a three day pass for $50.00 HAD I KNOWN.... oh my goodness I wanted to back off and say..lets not enter today, come back in the fall and stay three days.. THREE DAYS would be so worth it...THREE DAYS>.. but in my attempt to explain the reason of my idea..MELTDOWNS occurred... and that is a totally capital M on the meltdown. SO we entered the park, had no problem getting the move to the front of the line pass and of course my mind is going a million miles an hour on how I can magically find $400.00 extra, within the stay. I know I had to shake it off.

WE entered the park and had a mission. Off to the smaller children's area, Emma and Lucas are being picked up at noon by the child care provider so we can ride roller coasters as a family this afternoon. We go to Little Mermaid first. The lines to get photos with characters are long and waiting is taking too much time. We need to move on.. The show went well so we headed for a ride, the ride Toy Story..they all loved that even Emma. We tried again to get photos with the kids and characters but it wasn't happening. We went to the High School Musical 3 show on the main street. We went into a few shops and had fun looking at all the things we would love to buy although have no NEED for. The weather has turned so we are trying to avoid rain. It is so very hot out.

We get the kids into care and back in the park about 1pm. Straight to the roller coaster.. I am excited. This is where the whole experience turns inside out and upside down for me literally. As we enter the short line to Rockin Roller Coaster, the little ones start to cry and say they do not want on the ride. Keirsten says this is how they do every ride. I am not sure how I feel about this. Jordan is freakin out. But he keeps moving toward the front of the line?? He says no but is moving forward... He wants to sit with me. I get into the seat with him, I am holding his soda on my back and have my good camera tightly fit into the seat. I know this ride goes fast quick and the force is strong so with my glasses on I position my head to the back of the headrest and straight forward asking Jordan to put his head back so it doesn't slam as it takes off. Jordan pretty much screams and cries the entire ride.. I try to console him but it wasn't working. Then upon getting off the ride I see the other are tear filled eyed and look scared to death...BUT THIS IS WHERE I JUST DO NOT GET IT.... as we go through the gift shop exit they ask can we do it again" I ask DO WHAT? They point back and I am shocked. We exit and head to the tower of terror. In the line the crying starts again and they walk to the front of the line crying...PH I FORGOT... as Jordan gets upset he starts passing gas..not a little peep but full on gas mask fogged gas.. making many people push back. So once we get to the elevator of tower of terror Keirsten says she doesn't want to do this ride.. She has done nothing but talk about this ride and she wants me to take her photo but she is starting to tear up. I am totally blown away. My kids ride all the rides at all the fun parks.. so we are met with Disney staff who talk them into getting on the ride. Front row is Tressa. Keirsten and Steven. Behind that is Jordan myself and Kaitlyn. The ride starts and they are somber and then it starts. full out screaming help me, crying terrified cries of help me...shacking and it all... I am shocked, why do my children wish to do this and why do they cry and then YEP, when we got off ask to do it again... Well Tressa and Keirsten who were totally crying after the ride ended said they did not want to do it again.... But clearly Jordan was terrified and he clearly wanted to do it again. Keirsten wanted me to buy the photo which clearly showed the children all crying in horror...$18.00 seemed odd to spend on such miserable looking photos at both places. Am I crazy, this was odd to me... I can only equate that because at Bush Gardens the theater piece is not there, it is like carnival rides open and lit. I asked them to stop and lets get some lunch and drinks. We seek something lite, cold and wet. Jordan only wants pizza, Keirsten wants to eat in a restaurant although it is so hot that much food would put us to sleep. We decide to move to Ice Cream, and drinks drinks drinks. The kids go on the back into movies ride while Jordan cries to call Ms Nelson. he wants to talk to his little girl friend from school. He has been asking for Lilly since school ended and I can not find her phone number. We make it through and move to the back 1/2 of the park. Playground, streets from movies and there it was CARS, none other than Lightening McQueen and Madder the tow truck. In the heat of the mid afternoon sun we stood to almost passing out. Kaitlyn looked like she was going to pass out. I was at my wits end and at the same time I grabbed what I thought was Jordan hand and headed quickly to the ice cream cart .. I get a ways and realize I am pulling Tressa and Kaitlyn. I race back to get Jordan and we find a woman cut in the line....in front of my children.. OK, I was rude.... not at first but when she ignored my children I did make a comment not really necessary.... once hydrated things kicked back into normal. we finished out the park doing all the rides and skipping the Muppet movie because we just didn't have any more umpf in us to go back. I had a class at 6 pm until 9 pm and I am hot, tired and needing a shower. We go into one last show ..4 pm American Idol... What a great experience. We then face pouring rain to race for the Disney bus back to the hotel. Once we get to the hotel we change, I take a shower and get dressed for my first meeting. It felt nice without the baby's trying to get everyone ready to get back out to the hotel

When I got to my session Thursday night, it was with other support group leaders from the south eastern states. We met and made decisions for the upcoming year. This group of people got me motivated to get back in the drivers seat. I have a full day training Friday July 16th for support group leaders around the country.

When I returned back to the room the kids were asleep, the child care folks took my van to their camp site in Ft Wilderness so they could be back early in the morning since my class started at 8 am. They have a full day scheduled with the kids. Nancy is coming in to town and bringing another little girl with her mom. Friday morning the child care provider took three of the kids for hair cuts and over to the store for some times we were lacking to make for a easier week.

Friday 8am till 2:30, I enjoyed the day training for support groups which continued to fuel my need to move forward with the local support group. At the end of this event the actual conference kicked off. We had so many classes, speakers and activities to get to. Kaitlyn and Keirsten started their conference activities Friday at 3:30 and then after they have a dance 6 pm until 9 pm. This kick off called JUST DANCE is something they encouraged everyone to bring back to their communities. I plan to have several here. At the end of the night it was crash into bed...Up the next morning 8:15am classes begin and I have to have the girls into their groups. The child care company comes and we are out the door on track to more trainings.

Saturday morning up and out of the room I am in training for inclusion and then to genetic counseling. All so important so many I couldn't get to so a little of this and a little of that..

...more to come...


Sunday the session I wanted started at 10 am although Kaitlyn is playing in the talent show at 10:37 so this is where I must me. I take her stand and have her put together her clarinet along with a run through her piece. She made me so proud. I then ran to the Single parent group for sharing. I found that there are several single moms doing fine, some having similar issues and some fresh in their new role. The more amazing thing I learn EVERYWHERE is the lack of information families have on services and supports. I gave out my email to many young moms so I can help guide them to support. It was a new group so we will see who returns next year, and how everyone is doing. A short break and then into the peer group meeting on how to make a teen and young adult support group which I could see if we had a bigger newer home. Many families take turns doing BBQ's and other in home activities...If only we had that new home... so we will see how that can all unfolds, I then went into a session on how to write a book, the information on how to's.

M>I>C>K>E>Y> MOUSE..... here comes the clan

We are 90% packed, ready to head to Orlando tomorrow. I am in need of the respite... My brain is fried. I woke up today to get back on track, OT therapy all day and speech therapy all day crammed mental health therapy in a surprise interview this afternoon which took hours and then clarinet and the Adoption support group meeting and bread run.................... WHEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may be too tired for a vacation. LOL Not, you didn't really believe that did you?

I am in need of getting myself on a schedule..too many late nights and my need to get news keeps me from sleeping. Emma is stating to follow so it need nipped. I will not take medications for sleeping so it is a matter of balancing my diet and exercercize.

I have all the kids packed and the suitcase on the couch with bag of pool toys, bag of sand toys, bag of beach toys, micro, blender, cooker etc... I have their goodie bags ready and the cooler ready to fill and load. I wanted to load the van tonight but I simply ran out of steam.. Ms Emma has had a rough day, screaming during her therapy and refusing to stand in her other therapy... Tressa and Lucas are playing around with low grade fevers, Jordan was up at 3 am today so tonight keeping him awake until 8 pm was tough. Ok, Emma is giving me fits I need to close.

Last day of prep ... off to DISNEY

We are going to Orlando for a National Down Syndrome conference. I have secured funding to help cover the costs which is wonderful. Many families are not able to attend because of the costs of conferences which is unfortunate. I feel very fortunate to be attending along with taking all my children. The National Down syndrome conference brings families together from around the country. All the families have a person with Down syndrome in their lives. This conference also exposes us to all the adults making new strides in life, showing our children all that they can be. This will be the first time we have attended where Kaitlyn or any of my children can actually participate in the actual conference. Kaitlyn is in the young adult program and Keirsten will attend the sibling group. They will be busy with their conference programs the entire weekend. I have hired respite to provide the care for the other children so that they can attend to experience the pool filled with peers like them, they can attend the dances to be among peers like them. It is an amazing experience.

Our family did the GIVE A DAY, GET A DAY, for Disney in the spring so we have our passes ready to redeem on Thursday. I believe the children have chosen Hollywood as our park to play in. Jordan keeps saying Disney ship although that is not an option. I am sure he will be happy with the park play day.

I have put together the food as we use home cooking even in hotel life. I see no reason to spend hundreds of dollars to feed us when the experience is more important than eating. I buy fun foods as well but the focus of us traveling or vacationing is not food related. New goggles is the preferred item for swimming. I do allow a treat, I am not anti food just not our focus.

Tomorrow we load the van, Jordan and I vacuumed it out today. A couple kids haircuts and shoes for Kaitlyn's dress. We have therapy again tomorrow. Oh I can not forget it is my day to pick up bread for the pantry...I had a week off and my mind went to mush..I had to think and then ask about what day we take our garbage to the road...Give me a break from responsibility and my mind wipes everything clear..LOL

3 days to DISNEY...... POOL SIDE SOUNDS PERFECT

Today has been one of those crash and burn days. Burning the midnight oil the past few days caught up to me. I wanted to watch a couple Netflix since I got home which kept me up until after 1 am. Last night I actually watched Extraordinary measures for the second time along with watching Baccalaureate from Monday night that I missed .. watching two movies at the same time is fun..ADHD helps; LOL The Netflix on the TV and the ABC show on the laptop. laying on my bed with nothing but me to focus on. Tonight is My Life in Ruins- how appropriate.. LOL

Today yet another story. Up early to have coffee on the porch which was surprisingly cool. The wind blew and the overcast kept the heat at bay so actually enjoyed a large cup of coffee outside this morning alone before the little ones were active.. well too active to enjoy coffee. Laundry has been running non stop since we got in Thursday night. All the travel items clean, their bedrooms which had been neglected all clean and all sheets, curtains and rugs with everything unstuffed washed clean and put away.

Ms Jan came today for their Sunday O.T. therapy which is a five hour process to get through the children. Tomorrow is Sewing classes. IN HOME. Yes, creative summer therapy; fine motor. measuring, cutting and actually using a real sewing machine along with many hand stitches. The four older kids in therapy; Kaitlyn, Steven, Tressa and Jordan start SEWING tomorrow. We have chosen a patchwork item which will be a bag for each to have of their own. Jordan chose a car pattern for his matchbox cars to travel in, Tressa chose a rose and solid fabric with 4" squares and a drawstring to carry her trinkets in, Steven is making one with baseball theme for hats he says, and Kaitlyn is making a makeup bag.


My day has been putting out fires with kids getting back into step with one another, Jordan is on a roll trying to catch up on time outs... Emma seems to feel she is an only child.. LOL Catching up with those I was not able to fit into this trip has not been pleasant.. I had not planned on the ones who would not come out the parties for me to see friends. I had limited time in places so I thought being at the class reunion even though not my class would help see as many as possible. The family party was AWESOME seeing so many family... but yes there was several friends and family I did not get to see. I would love to have friends and or family come to Florida so I can have quality time not stressing to get to know everyone again... BUT equally know this is not easy for others to get to Florida...

Today was a crock pot day. Left overs for lunch and dinner in a pot for easy serving yet healthy which has helped to have us on schedule for our bedtime routine just about ready to start. I am almost there... LOL My goal is to blog from beginning to end of our upcoming trip to Orlando. SO to date I have the boys shorts and tops placed on the kitchen counter (door locks) all folded and ready to go into the suitcase. I have our refillable cups from the resort clean and set aside for packing. All the travel items replenished into the travel bags which I did when we returned from camp. The bags are sitting ready to be filled with each of the kids clothes. Tomorrow I will food shop and Tuesday I will load the van. We leave about noon on Wed to Orlando.

Afternoon of Florida pool play

The kids really liked having me to themselves without distractions. We had lap races, practiced floating and some tips to do their front stroke more effecient. Steven is becoming a very good swimmer. Kaitlyn a little slower but today she focused on floating on her back. Tressa had a little girl she came friends with at the pool Julia. They are both 8 years old.

Walk this way, talk this way....... song on the brain

Many times when I return from "time away" it takes me a day or so to get back in step. As the children get older I ASSUMED (yes made and a** out of myself)that things would get more cooperative and smoother transitions.. NOT! I realized they too have the same transition of being away to coming home to our routine. Last night I just had to laugh. Kaitlyn obviously had some real REAL independent time as she thought she was 21 and my roommate... then Steven slithered around trying his best to get out to the pool which I had treatment in and he could not swim in until today but he was on a mission to get in...Jordan was clingy and not on schedule, Emma was having a difficult time no longer being the only child and Tressa was simply out of control with food seeking.... she took my purse apart and went through the diaper bag, she was up many times throughout the night searching. I pray after a full day today they are all tired and we eat, do bedtime routine on schedule and all falls back into place..

I plan to blog our next trip starting this Wed to help others understand how I travel solo with the children. Many asked me why I had not been blogging lately, they said they learn a lot from my writing. I actually was not aware many even read my blog it was more therapy for me than I thought helping others... Welcome and Thank you.

I have in home help today which is allowing me to take the children who were in camp out to the pool and a picnic lunch for one on one time with them. They have not had time to tell me all about their experiences away at camp. The camp provided a slide show which gave me visions of their week of fun and now I want to hear it from them. This camp has been a part of our lives for years now which gives me a strong sense of comfort leaving them. The staff truly care for my children as if they were related. We look forward to next year as Lucas will be 7 and of age to attend. Off to get on my swimsuit.

back in time...Preschool and EARLY years Lacon, Illinois

Stroll down 6th grade memory lane.....Chillicothe, IL

Illinois River... only boating memories this trip

post by: Keirsten

in progress

Keirsten gets one with nature...she will give the dirty details

I LOVED THIS CAR... a week full of driving $16.00 in gas

My week back home......

Reflecting back over the past week I have so much to be thankful for. so many people who have been a part of my life journey not knowing their role, not even realizing their part in who and why I am who I am and do what I do now. So much of my past was validated this past week which brought the start of some closure about my childhood. No big bad secret lurking to come out, just so many why's... and was I the only one this happened to...am I solo in my feelings..

You see growing up as the oldest granddaughter of so many grandchildren, I can not even tell you how many I am the oldest of..I do know that if we all get together by law a permit must be pulled and the gathering is officially called an event..yes just blood related grandchildren born from two adults leaders: Grandpa Joe and Grandma Betty. Now, us grandchildren, have reproduced and/or adopted, many many of my relatives have adopted so we have grown to mass amounts of related humans. It all started with me being born to the oldest girl of twelve children, my mom Betty Jane. I am Mary Beth and boy did hearing that from every ones mouth bringing it's own flood of memories.. the first day many asked if I still go by Mary Beth, the sound was so sweet filling I went with hearing this beautiful, MY NAME and it felt so wonderful. Now my Uncle Bob, he has been that Uncle who a smile forms the minute your eyes meet and the minute our eyes met he gave me that wonderful Uncle Bob smile. He doubles as my God-Father; a part of our Catholic religion but more about his passion for life I follow his vision to reach for whatever you wish for. He is married to my Aunt Jan, she is the one who brought out the artistic side in me. She bought me many art supplies as a young girl and allowed me to create from within, praised anything I created. She captured a part of my curiosity to explore parts of me inside to allow the flow outward into life.... the two of them have three children all married with families. I had the honor of spending quality time with one who has opened the door for me to return with comfort to this huge sometimes overwhelming family. She somehow makes being away 20 years seem moments, she has three children who where shining moments of our trip, such aspirations. Her adult daughters AMAZING women, a son such a joy to be near and he says Mary Beth in such a way I wanted him to just say it over and over and over.... The other two siblings are equally as sweet which gives me so much warmth to be a part of. Rob, driven as is his entire family. I met his wife and spent time with his children..great personalities. Gail although the youngest in the family leads in building a family with number five on the way. She is beautiful, he face not moment aged from her sixth birthday.. her eyes glistened with her tummy filled with baby. The next in line of Aunts and Uncles would actually be my Mother second in line born after Uncle Bob in the siblings of twelve. We did get to spend time with my parents in the rural resort community..the funniest moment had to be seeing what appeared to be a fast evacuation plan in motion although I was quickly informed it was a "poker run" hundreds of gulf carts, 4 wheelers and such heading from one resort lot to the next with what appeared to be shots of mylanta plenty. LOL Very cool place to retire in nature. I just needed more city this trip, a plan to see as many people and remember as many past events in my life as possible. I did attend church in my home town church not to see my childhood priest who is now passed but the congregation. The fact that an old school/playmate sat in front of us and parents to childhood gal pals where in church made me smile from beginning to end.. I tried hard to remember the passage Father said in his sermon IT IS SOMETHING LIKE THIS... God never delivers to the accomplished... The accomplished is delivered the opportunity. I am not giving it justice I so much wanted to write it down and didn't.
The next in line I think..is my Aunt Jan who is married to my Uncle Ed. Their son passed away this past year where I followed the journey of his brain tumor through his wife's blog. She is an amazing writer which allowed me to be a part of the experience from a far. Brian (cousin who passed) wife Angie and I met and I spent time with her two boys. The boys were so cute, we went to cartville go carting. Both boys are adopted which for me makes it all the more special. They had no idea who I was, actually had asked if I was from the newspaper because I was taking photos. LOL The other cousins were not available during my trip to visit this time. Sean. uncle John and his wife Diane came with much surprise and pleasure. I have a spot in my heart for Uncle John who gave me some amazing get away summers as a teen. I would babysit his children; Jeff who was adopted then beautiful red headed Aimee the sparkle of Uncle John's eye... Their kids are all grown up, his first wife My Aunt Peggy now deceased and the kids grown into families of their own.. I did get to see Josh the youngest who is amazingly handsome. Aunt Jeanette, she is so warm and fuzzy, she is a rock. She has paved the path in inclusion of special needs children long before I had any idea what a child with special needs was or where that definition would fall in my life. Her husband nor son were available to visit as they were out of state. Aunt JoAnn and uncle Bob, an amazing couple showing grace as always. Aunt JoAnn is my God-Mother who always tapped into the girly side of my growing up. I was always a bigger girl and to make my girly side come out she had the right words in such a voice that you just want to "be like her" as an economic teacher I sure wish I would have taken more time to get to understand her talents... she has one daughter who was out of state although I really want to catch up with her next trip. Uncle Jerome and Aunt Meg. the model couple for me. They dated as being just a few years older I watched their high school friendship grow to a mature young adult then adult to marriage to children.. so much love they share. Great role models. Aunt Meg and I got time to sit and chat on the couch to allow her time to get a snippet of our life here in Florida. I didn't get much time with Uncle Jerome although their daughter's husband was a huge hit with Emma. He and Emma snuggles as he was the ONLY one she went to and took a firm liking to. She watched men a lot, but actually cuddling was reserved to a select few. As we move down the Uncle/Aunts it is bring those who I got to visit closer to my age. Uncle Sam and his wife Deb. Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam.... Not just a smile but a giggle comes when thinking of Sam.. he was a riot growing up. He took risks where no others did, not always healthy minded risks but as a young girl watching it was exciting to watch him, he now has a full family with adoption in their role as parents. Actually orphan adoption which has them more experienced than I for what is to come with raising children from orphanages. I am so very happy Uncle Sam (Jerry) and I got to see each other and he looks good. Aunt Julie and her husband Nick I got to see along with a childhood friend of Julie's who brought many musical memories rushing to the front of my mind. Sherry sitting on the couch next to Julie...the piano missing in memory of the two of them playing duo; some great fun memories. Those I missed this trip from the orig twelve are; Aunt Joyce and family overseas, Uncle Jim and family out of state, and Jill.... so hard to call and do not even recall calling her Aunt Jill except in poking at her. I am actually slightly older than my "Aunt" Jill who did drive up from St Louis with her wonderful daughter to visit me. I am sure only woman who have Aunts their same age can understand the significance in a relationship such as ours. I can not wait to get more time with Jill, it is in my heart and soul to be closer to her for the flow of emotion is so strong and solid when I am near her I can not put into words how important she has been in who I am today. SO that is my relatives from the one side of my family in a short tale of a book series of stories that take on mini movie reels in my mind just pulling thoughts of my past to the forefront. A wonderful life I have had with amazing people.

The next is my birth family; the five of us kids again I am the oldest girl... My only sibling older than I is my brother Joe, I can not begin to tell you how I looked up to him and yet would not allow him nor anyone to know I looked up to him. SO many skills he had I wished I did while growing up although my teen years pulled us a part to never re-connect. I got a conversation via phone with my big brother where his voice doesn't sound a day older than our last conversation but his heart seems broken. I pray for our connection to grow into a viable relationship in the future as he is strong and driven much like me. My next brother is Tim, I did get to spend a short amount but quality time with Tim.. it was easy to talk to Tim, he is just one of those guys (over 6 feet tall) you want to crawl up into his lap and tell all your problems and have him make them all go away.. He is earthy, we went for a long walk pushing baby strollers through a little town which is part of my past and now his home. The streets were vacant autos as we took to them to feel the birds and wind through town for a bite of ice cream talking about life. It was short yet wonderful. My sister Diane is out of state, time with her daughter as always was active and fun. We hit the carnival together although running into my niece Aimee and her beautiful family brought me to my knees. As I sat in my little town little park I see this little firecracker Blondie run and I knew in that split second it was my great niece Emily... I had been following her life story since she was born. Emily was born with Turner syndrome, I learned the strength my niece has from her growth as a human, a mom, a wife and a nurse in taking little Emily home as an infant with special needs and the way she embraced each hurdle as Emily"s advocate. I loved just watching them play at the park.

My son Kory. He rolled into town late one night from a trip to WI with my baby brother (whom I talked to but didn't see) I did get some quality time with Kory but time with your kids never seems to be enough.

My friends. I have so many friends back home, so many I can not even believe I missed seeing so many of them. I do need to make trips back to my home town more frequent. I thought I would have time to see everyone although time flew, once I had a day with relatives and more relatives it seemed the time to board for Florida was here. I have so many funny memories with so many friends... Peggy, and her daughter Melissa put us up and caught me for moments during the trip I needed a friend. The two of them are planning a trip to Florida which is what I would love all my friends and family to do.. to get to know each other it takes a minimum of four days and my family is not me and two children... so getting to know my family is important to me.


Class non reunion with my high school peers....... to be continued

Where my roots started to sprout

I miss you blog life...

To wrap my mind around all that has been going on in our lives is unimaginable. All good, exciting. School ended with many many activities and our home filled with therapy items and life moving into the summer came alive.

The fact that I am not blogging is somewhat refreshing. Means I am busy, and the level of fun here is high. I will board a plane to see long time family and friends... I am more than excited almost feel 12 years old all over again. and I know my children will be safe away at the favorite camp. This was a much needed respite and I ask myself why have I not been doing this the past few years...

I expect I will need a vacation from my vacation as I have my calendar so packed to try and fit all the visiting in I can..Poor Keirsten will be bored out of her mind..NOT It isn't a sight seeing trip to take the kids to see the parks, rivers and stomping ground mama grew up in, this is a much over due I how the heck are you all..and where have I been and what have I been doing... I have to heal from a painful departure as a young woman and grow with mature me... now which one of you bought that last part... Any way it is final laundry, packing and final items on so many lists. It is all good busy! And when we return we unpack, laundry and pack to be in Orlando for NDSC where Ms Kaite P will play her clarinet. Another place to share time with friends which feel like family. FUN FUN FUN

Pringle kids with Mickey Mouse 6/2010

Tressa and Chloe at Family CAFE "BFF"