Spell/Grammar check

Just wanted to let you guys know that most times I do not spell or grammar check my posts. I just write what I feel. I do reread them but I just realized I had multiple grammar/spelling errors in the last post...so if it's your pet peeve you might want to pass my blog by....

Thanks guys.

IEP's

Today was another IEP for Bubs. Many of you know how difficult these meetings are usually for me. Today was a fairly easy one. We made some changes to his current IEP and will discuss placement in June. It appears retention isn't really a concern for anyone. Just evaluating whether he is in the right program. It was so comforting to hear the Vice Principal's advice that she thinks he is in the right program. I suppose Bubs teacher is concerned he may becoming frustrated academically because of some of his behaviors and she was wondering how he would do in a different classroom program. I guess it's given me some food for thought.

So...we are going to do some grade level testing and see how it comes out. At this point I think putting him in a lower program would do him a disservice. I also have been praying about trying to get Bubs a program at our home school. I think God is really teaching me a lot about patience and trusting in that fact that He can work things out to His will. Knowing that He is in control Bub's life gives me a lot of comfort right now. I think I can thank Him for that peace.

On another note...went back to the DSAGR (down sydrome association of greater richmond) meeting this past Friday. I think it's a good thing to do for Bubs. I can't really I say we fit in with some of those folks but it's a place for Bubs to feel comfortable. It was a dance party. He seemed to be in his element there. It brought tears to my eyes to see just how happy he was there dancing with kids that were mostly a lot older than him. I think I may have come a long way too...seeing my future used to make me sad at times...this time... there was some peace in the acceptance of what we have been given and really savoring every difference in my Bubs as a true gift from God.

Here's some pictures of the dance party...

Chicken Dance...

Slow Dancing with Bubs...

Limbo Contest...

Last weekend

We celebrated my birthday this past weekend. We went on a little adventure. We started in Chalottesville with a trip to Mellow Mushroom. If you have never been it's one of our favorite places to eat. Brian and I spent a lot of dates at the MM in Atlanta. The kids love the pizza (except for Bubs who gets Wendys and takes it to the restaurant). Our plan was to go on a hike but unfortunately the wind did not cooperate. There were 30 mph winds and that made it difficult for us to walk very long. It was nice to get outside though and made me really long for Spring. We stopped to let the kids play outside on the way home.

Perhaps my best memory of the trip was the sweetness of my Samuel. When it is really windy it REALLY makes my ears hurt and usually leads to a migraine headache. Can I tell you what my sweet boy did...he offered me his coat because it had a hood. I know he was cold but he was insistent that I wear his coat. Now...that's a memory I can never forget.

Here's me and the baby girl...
Pure sweetness...
This was the start of our hike...
The love of my life...

It's a whirlwind...

around here starting at the end of January. Bubs birthday starts it followed by Samuel's. Two parties then it's Valentines and all that craziness. I do intend to post more often but the days start to run together. I would love to post some of my ideas here...mainly so that I won't forgot some of the crafty goodness I have put together at times. Brian says I should write a book with all my ideas, but if I can't seem to get to a blog how would I ever write a book...here's some things we have been up to. Some of the ideas are not original and some I will take credit for...
These are some princess wands Gracie made at a playdate with her good friend. We also made some more pretzel rods for teacher's Valentine's presents but I didn't get any pictures.
Bub's Toy Story Cupcakes...too bad he didn't eat them...they were good.
He did enjoy his chicken though...

We have a family tradition that the Birthday Kid gets to pick the place to eat on their "family" birthday (that's the day they were born!) Of course for Bub's day we hit Chick fil a. After the dinner we go to Toys R Us and they can pick a toy of their choice. Of course Bubs also likes the hat you get there too! :)
Samuel chose to have a football party this year. This idea for the cake was his...he's a pretty creative kid don't you think?
Here's some of the party guests waiting for the football throw contest. Brian came up with some football contests for the boys. I think he was pretty proud that his son picked a football party as his choice. It clearly was the easiest party for me!

Brian caught this picture at the party. Just makes you smile! They really were the cutest little bunch of wild Indians! :)
Samuel helped me make this Valentine Tree for a table decoration. Here's the kid's cards. They each got a card and a pair of new PJ's this morning for Valentines. I love those kids...and that one of their favorite gifts is a new pair of Pajamas.

This was my parent gift from preschool. Each child made a heart handprint and then made a heart out of clay and painted it. I made the clip for their artwork. It truly came from their heart! :)

Samuel Cooper Kaman

was born February9, 2004. Can't believe it's been seven years. He gave us all a scare seven years ago when he came six weeks too early. I had been praying for months that he would be healthy after weeks on bedrest and numerous doctor visits. After two attempts to stop my labor, God answered my prayers! Samuel came after a painful miscarriage and a rough two years trying to digest Benjamin's diagnosis. He was a beautiful baby boy and exactly what we needed!

He has been an absolute delight for a mom. I mean you know he has all the energy of a seven year old boy and the appetite to go along with it. He can love his brother and sister one moment and completely annoy them the next. He is funny and comes up with the funniest questions about life. He is sensitive but very boyish. He loves to brush my hair at night after he watches some sort of seasonal sport with dad before bed.

I love the fact that his favorite food is tacos. He loves legos...and has finally saved enough of his birthday money to get the Police Station that he has been admiring since Christmas. He loves animals and is the cause of Bailey's weight gain because he just can't stand to hear her cry for food.

He has made so many friends at school. When I visit for lunch...at least five or six of them ask if it's their turn to sit with him. He has grown up a lot!

At seven...it seems like just yesterday I held that little baby with all those tubes and wires in the hospital...but can you believe in seven more years I will have a teenager! Hopefully God can give me the wisdom to raise him to be the man He created him to be. He truly has been the "child for which we prayed."

I love you Samuel!

Happy Birthday Bubs!

It was nine years ago today I first laid eyes on him. He looked like any other baby to me. Of course I wasn't a doctor or nurse...apparently they could tell something was different. Most of you all know the story...we didn't know about his diagnosis until he was almost a week old. Brian and I will never forget those first few days we spent at home with our first child. Life was perfect...all was well with the world. God had done so many wonderful things for us and we were truly thankful. Then when Benjamin was 5 days old we realized things were not as "perfect" as we had thought. A child with a disability...what...how would we handle this...why did our perfect life have to be snatched away so quickly...

Nine years later I have a perfect life. I have three perfect (or as close to perfect as you can be this side of heaven) children and one amazing husband. It's a great life and I am truly thankful for all the wonderful things God has done for us.

One of the biggest things I have learned over nine years is that I am pretty sure that God gave me Benjamin to teach me a little bit more about Himself..I see glimpses of His glory in His life everyday. He has taught me about unconditional love and God's grace...what other kid can be punished one minute and then a minute later give you the biggest bear hug ever and kiss you. What other kid will give up a toy to his brother or sister to keep from hurting their feelings. Life's not always easy with a kid with special needs. But what other kid can so easily forget and forgive me when I become frustrated! He has taught me to value every life made by our Creator...I always believed in the sanctity of life, but when I look at Benjamin I am reminded that he was "knitted together in my womb" perfectly. Just as he was supposed to be...no mistakes! I have learned that God doesn't want us to be concerned with material things. I have never met a kid that is completely happy with a book and a couple of matchbox cars. I have learned to laugh more...the kid is funny! His laugh is contagious and you will not resist his smile. He loves to be silly. I am pretty sure we will be laughing in Heaven...I think I need to do more here on Earth. He has taught me that it is sometimes better to listen than to talk. It breaks my heart most days that Bubs has such a drastic speech impairment...but you can learn a lot about others and you can better hear your Heavenly Father by being still and just listening.


So...Happy Birthday to my sweet Bubs...I know you will continue to be a shining example of your Creator's glory.

My husband

I know most times I post about my kids. Today I feel compelled to write a blurb about my husband. I am completely amazed every day that God gave me such a wonderful man. He isn't perfect and I don't pretend that he is...none of us are this side of Heaven. But...every day I love and respect him more. I think having three kids under eight and the challenges of raising a kid with special needs takes a toll on a marriage. I feel like we rarely have time to "romance" each other. I mean most days we rarely complete a thought until the kids are in bed and then we are usually so exhausted it's really hard to feel like finding some energy to really try to do more than "veg" out with some sort of lame TV show. BUT all that said I honestly don't think I could imagine going through this crazy life of mine with anyone else. He is truly my best friend. Besides my creator, he knows me best. He can complete my sentences. For that matter...he can read my mind. He predicts my reactions to situations and can talk me through before I even react at all.

I fell in love with a wonderful man but as I see this man become a father, trying to be a better husband, a God fearing man...it makes me fall in love that much more.