Homeschool: May Theme: Butterflies and Caterpillars

This month we took an extended time on our theme...

We studied caterpillars and butterflies and how God makes us a new creation!
We also threw in some Mothers Day fun and some beach time!



We learned about the life cycle of these amazing creatures!

We made a paper chain caterpillar with 10 loops and we counted the loops as we glued them...

And we made butterfly coffee filter paintings which didnt really look like butterflies ;)

We decorated our own butterflies learning that we are unique and different from each other...

We learned about the number six and how fun it was to write!!

The boys made me some Mothers Day pictures...

FEATURED!

Here is the back story -

For Mothers Day, I saw a local website asking for donations of items for a raffle. And since I am all about freebies, I offered up one of my items from Joyful Blessings.  When I emailed her, I explained what I did and why...

She replied back enthusiastic! Instead of throwing my item in with all the others she wanted to do a full page on my business!! I was so excited. She said she was busy for Mothers Day but to email her back after the holiday and she would do it. I never expected to hear form her again, but RIGHT AFTER Mothers Day - she emailed me!

I couldnt believe she actually wanted to feature me! I was beyond excited!
She asked if I had something I wanted to give away and she said she loved the capes... SO I whipped up a cape especially for the post for a give away...

Ane it posted today! Yay!!

Here is the link!

Macaroni Kid - Brandon

So go check em out and sign up to win a freebie!!

I am super over the moon about it and I hope it brings tons of awareness!

Blessings,

I Run For...

Recently in one of my many Down syndrome groups someone posted a listing.
It intrigued me...

It said...

Hello everyone, I'm Tim Boyle, Founder and Executive Director of a group called "I Run For..." We pair up runners and other athletes with children and adults with special needs and they do all of their workouts, exercising, and runs in their honor. Right now we have several runners on the waiting list hoping to be paired with someone special. If you are interested please check out the fb page. If you are interested in having your special someone paired up send me a message or comment on this post. Here is the link to the page...
www.facebook.com/groups/irunformichael

I thought, "What a great idea!"

So I joined the page and added Dakota's name to the list. We were paired up with a runner that very night.
I have to say, I had no idea what it was even about, but the thought of someone running for Dakota made my heart smile. Dakota is not a great runner, heck he doesnt even really run at all, he kind of does this weird skipping hopping thing. I know he will someday. And he is still fast, but someone who can run, like really run - run... Like marathons and not casual runs across the block runs was an awesome thought.

Our runner posts his runs and workouts in the group and tags us in them to motivate us to keep trying, and we in turn post things for him, to keep him motivated.

Awesome concept!

I just thought I would share. And if you know anyone who would like to sign up as a runner or as a person who is ran for, then the link is above.

Many blessings!!

Happy Mothers Day to my MOM!

Have you met my mom?

She is pretty incredible. She is my rock in a hard, difficult, sometimes overwhelming world.
My mom was a single mother for a long time.
Did I mention all the times she struggled just to feed me when I was little? But she never gave up. She went without so I could thrive.
She taught me so many lessons in life. Things to do and things not to do.
Did I mention she was a teenager when she had me? No not like 16 and pregnant or anything, but too young to understand what being a mom was.
 Did I mention her mom passed away when she was little? She didnt have a mom to show her how to be the woman she is. She just is. And that is incredible!
Did I mention she asked me what I thought when she became pregnant when I was 13? She genuinely wanted to know what I thought about being an older sister. Clearly, I was SUPER excited! I was so excited, she had two more after that! ;)
Did I mention she raised me to go against the grain? I feel like I have said this a lot lately. Because it is who I am. I am a rule-breaker. But not for the bad. I like to be the "exception" to the rule. Often.
Did I mention she fought for me and my rights? Like all the time. Even the smallest issue at school, she was there, on my behalf, on my side. No questions asked. And she still is. Forever. And a day.
Did I mention the time I moved to California? She didnt believe I would actually do it, until she saw my ticket. I think I heard her heart break. But she supported me. Even when I came running back home with a newborn a year later. She supported me.
Did I mention my "messy divorce" years? She supported me for the most part then too. When I was a mess and my life was a mess and I didnt know which way was up, she threw me a life-vest and said hold on tight. And I did. And she was there. Telling me I was going to survive. I was going to come to the top eventually and she would be there. And she was.
Did I mention the time I gave birth to the most perfect boy and he just happened to have Down syndrome? She was there, in the room watching stoic and secure. Never wavering. At least not in front of me. She was my calm in a crazy day. And she knew. She knew I was going to rock at being a special needs mom. Because she raised me that way. She just held my hand and said - we are in this together. And we are.
Did I mention that time I got married? No not that time, but the second time. She set it up so I could have the wedding at my step-dad's restaurant. A place that meant so much to me. She made my brothers, who were my bridesmen, dress nicely and had my step dad walk me down the "aisle". She made me the most beautiful wedding cake because we couldnt afford one. She made my day special.
Did I mention that time I got pregnant? Again. She held the most beautiful baby shower. Again. She always has a way of making me feel so special. She is special.
Did I mention that my mom made a huge life change for herself? She is now sober. SOBER! I never thought I would see the day! She thought she did it for her. But I know she did it for me, and my brothers and my children. She just doesnt know it. I am so proud of her. In fact I couldnt be more proud.
Did I mention she did so awesome in this life change that my step-dad made the same change? Yeah thats right... both SOBER!
Oh - and did I mention that my mom is my BESTEST friend, like, EVER. Like ever ever...
And I cant imagine my life without her. And she did an awesome job at being a mom even if she had no one to show her the ropes.
See, I have her. To show me how to be awesome. But she had, like, no one...
And she is amazing. And continues to be amazing. And now she is a grandma and she is amazing at that too!! There is no stopping this woman!

If I can only be HALF the woman my mother is, then I have accomplished something.
And you know what? She isnt done being spectacular. There are many things ahead of us that she will be there for me and my kids. I will need her again in some way shape or form and she will be there. No questions asked. Again. Like she always is. Because thats her. Thats how she rolls.
Did I ever tell you, my mom is my rock? Yeah, I think I might have. But ts worthy of saying again.

Happy Mothers Day, mom.  I know it is never said enough but you are appreciated more then I could ever express in this lifetime.

And if I got to do it over and pick another mom, 
I would still choose you. Forever. And a day.

Recipe: Turkey Meatball Soup

Ingredients

• 8 Cups chicken broth
• 1 celery rib with leaves, thinly sliced
• 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 cup uncooked linguine noodles
• 1 Bay Leaf

Directions

• In a large saucepan, bring the broth, celery, onion and carrot to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, Add the egg, bread crumbs, italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls.
• Add meatballs to the simmering broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until no meat is longer pink. Add noodles. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until noodles are tender. Yield: 5 servings.

Crying on the Inside...

You know when you are scrolling through your facebook, and you are checking out everything from what people are eating for breakfast to what they think of the government? Well in between those posts was a shared blog post. And I decided to read it...

http://lilasmiraclelife.blogspot.com/2013/05/today-i-cried.html

And it made me cry.

It made me cry because I feel her emotion. I know EXACTLY what she is talking about, exactly how she feels.

I have been on this earth fighting for Dakota for almost 8 years! Battling with ignorance.

Here was my facebook post when I shared:

Oh man! This is tear jerking - comes from that place within myself that I could never utter out loud. Yes I appear strong on the outside, but I am a crying mother on the inside. The ignorance we are teaching our children HAS TO STOP! Come on people - you want us to accept gays, you want us to accept black and white marriages, you want us to accept women voting, you want us to accept a black president - well we have... Why cant we accept these beautiful children - WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG! Who just sit there and love you! Who just want you to say hi to them when they say hi to you! Who just want to randomly pick you out of a crowd and want a hug? Why? Why is that so damn hard for some people? I just dont get it! And I dont think I EVER will. It just makes no sense. They are not a joke. They are human beings. They have feelings! They dont want you to laugh at them, or make a funny meme on facebook. They just want to be accepted. Are you one of those people? Its not too late to get educated. Let me HELP you! Let DAKOTA help you! I guarantee you will be a changed person after you meet him, or any other child with a disability... 
Steps down off her soap box...
Bows...
Thank you...
Dakota thanks you...

When will it end? It has to end with us parents. Our children learn from us. WE NEED to teach them that different is okay. We cant leave it to them to figure out. We have to... teach... them...

A lot of people think its up to us special needs parents to educate. But its not. Dont you think we deal with enough? Do you even realize how much we go through in a single day? Its NOT OUR JOB to teach your children how to love. Its yours.

Now dont get me wrong, I love educating people on the topic of Down syndrome. I love shouting it from the roof tops. But I get tired too. I get sad. I get depressed. But I get back up and keep teaching my children that its okay and people are going to stare and laugh. But I shouldnt have to teach my children that.

It just breaks my heart that we are living in 2013, and everyone is fighting for rights and achieving it. And then there is our kids. Still being treated like crap. Because they are being raised to think its ok.  Its not. And you need to know that.


Ok well I really dont know how to end this post, Ha!

So I am just going to say...

Please be the one to stop the ignorance TODAY! Make a simple change. Help me change the world.

Love and Blessings,