Home Made Glue

Ok, So I am NO Martha Stewart... But I have to admit I felt pretty crafty after making this Home Made Glue that I found on Pinterest!!

I pinned this page: Homemade Natural Glue

And stuck to her recipe, which was:

1 Cup Flour
1 1/2 Cup Water
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Vinegar

I heated it up like instructed and put it in a canning jar. Which I then put in the fridge so it stays good. I dont know what it would do bad, but I am not gonna wanna find out!! So far its holding paper together well, which is all I needed it for anyways! SCORE!!

This will help with all the gluing I intend to do with the kids over the summer, and if they should happen to ingest it, its all natural! It may be gross but there are no chemicals!  SCORE!!

Dakota's 1st Grade Graduation

Ok, so I know graduating 1st Grade isn't a real big deal. But Dakota attends an exceptional education school, and they celebrate every achievement, no matter how small.

Dakota's award was for best hugger :) And that he is!!!

I can not believe next year he will be in second grade! That just blows my mind!

So today starts summer for us which has a long list of to-do's which include but aren't limited to: potty training (UGH) and dabbling in some homeschooling...

Bring it on!!!

Pork Chop Stew - Recipe

Ingredients:

6 pork loin chops 4 tbsp. flour 2 tbsp. oil 6 med. potatoes, cubed 1 med. onion, chopped 1 sm. cabbage, cut in thin wedges (optional) 4 carrots, diced 1 Cup Sliced Mushrooms 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules 1/4 c. water 1 can (14 1/2 oz.) sliced stewed tomatoes 1/2 c. sour cream 2 tbsp. cornstarch Directions: 1. Trim fat from chops. Coat with 2 tablespoons flour. Brown chops in oil over medium heat. 2. Place potatoes, onion and carrots in slow cooker. Sprinkle remaining flour over and toss to coat. Layer over potato mixture, in order, cabbage, Mushrooms, salt, pepper, chops, bouillon, 1/4 cup water and stewed tomatoes with juice. Do Not Stir. 3. Cover and cook on high 3 1/2-4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. 4. Optional: In small saucepan, stir sour cream and cornstarch until smooth. Measure cooking liquid and add enough water or milk to equal 1 1/2 cups. Stir into saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thick and mixture comes to a boil. Serve with chops.

Blog Hop: What did you just call my kid?

BLOG HOP

Topic: What have people said that has gotten under your skin about Down Syndrome - and what do you want them to say instead?

What NOT to call my child:

Down's Kid

Mongoloid

Retard

Idiot

Dummy

Stupid

Freak

What NOT to say or ask me:

I'm Sorry.

Did you know? What would you have done if you knew?

Wow, thats awful.

Poor kid, poor you.

Can they fix that?

Is it catchy?

What's wrong with him?

*Disclaimer* I do not at all mind you asking questions about him. I LOVE answering questions, because that means I am creating awareness. But the questions above are just rude and unnecessary. And I will not entertain them. And if you do happen to ask me something above, you may be met with a really bad attitude or a really sarcastic answer, depending on my mood.

Ugh, just writing stuff like that, makes my skin just crawl!! And I get asked these things on a weekly basis. At the grocery store, at the mall, at a play date, on the beach. There is no where he or I are safe. What a world we live in, where my son seems to be the side show! I long for a world who stops making fun of those who are just a little different. Yeah, I said a little different. The only thing that separates him from us is 1 little stinking chromosome. One little tiny thing that is so ridiculously minute that it shouldnt even matter. 

Look, God makes NO mistakes. He made children with Down Syndrome FOR A REASON. They have a purpose. And if it is to humble people like me, or show people what unconditional love is, or to have a snuggle buddy for life, then that purpose has been achieved. But I still think there is a bigger purpose. I still think there is so much more to be done out there for Down Syndrome. EVERYONE who has met my son, has noticed the twinkle in his eye and his intoxicating laugh. They go to him for the best hugs, and go to him so that their day is suddenly brightened. Heck, he has way more friends then I do. 

I know I used to be one of those people. You know, the one who stares and possibly whispers. Well, I'm going to be transparent here, I still stare, but for a completely different reason... I stare now, because I want to make a friend, a friend with someone who is in the club... The Down Syndrome Parents club. Cause when our kids are born, we are silently initiated. And we just automatically belong. We can find each other in a crowd. We have a magnetic force that brings us together no matter where we are at, or what we are doing. We laugh and cry about all our trials and triumphs. We just... well we just understand! But before that club. I was like you. And I am ashamed.

When Dakota was born. And Down Syndrome left my lips like poison, I sat in stunned silence. A whirlwind of what ifs took me over. But when they placed him in my arms. I knew my life had just changed. And here we are 6 years later, and my life is still changing daily. I hope one day, yours will too.

So what exactly do you call my son?

His name is Dakota. And he happens to have Down Syndrome, and if you are lucky enough, you can call him:

"FRIEND"

Publix Trip 06/01/12

Today I didn't save as much as usual - BUT the reason why, is because we were out of a lot of the basics, that I had to have and were either not on sale or I didn't have a coupon for...

I spent : $177.54 and Saved: $129.10

Here is what I got:

1 - 12 pack of cherry coke ( this was a splurge item)
6 - Birds Eye Meal in a Bags
1 - XL bag of Frozen French Fries ( this is a basic for us)
4 - Hot Pocket Snackers
1 - Bag of Perdue Chicken Nuggets ( this is a basic for us)
4 - Oscar Meyer Lunchables
4 - Packs Of Plumrose Turkey Breast Deli Meat
2 - I cant Believe its Not Butter
2 - Boxes of Welch's Fruit Snacks ( this is a basic for us)
4 - Packs of Ground Turkey Meat
6 - Large Boxes of Pop Tarts ( when i got home I realized there was a coupon on them I could have used, DANG IT)
2 - Bags of Bugles Chips
2 - Packs of Boneless Pork Chops
1 - Bag of Dunkin Donuts Coffee ( splurge for us)
2 - Bags of Bread
1 - Jar of Salsa ( Skylars Request)
4 - Variety Snack Packs ( Cheeze Its, Chips Ahoy, Graham Crackers Etc for school lunch)
1 - Bag of Tostito's Scoops Chips ( Skylars Request)
4 - Boxes of Cheerios
2 - Packs of Oscar Meyer Bologna
1 - Bag of Baby Carrots
1 - Bag of Cheetos Puffs ( Splurge Item)
1 - Pack of White Mushrooms
2 - Jars of EVOO
2 - Bags of Salad Mix Fresh Express
1 - Bunch of Bananas
1 - Bag of Grapes
2 - Boxes of Taco Bells Taco Kits
2 - Peter Pan Peanut Butters
4 - Packs of Oreos
2 - Publix Subs ( total splurge)
1 Jar of Yellow Mustard ( Basic for us)

This was my round up... Still good if I do say so myself!!

Regular Moms vs Special Needs Moms

Regular moms tell their kids to wake up and get dressed in the morning. And they do it.
Special needs moms put on battle gear to get our kids ready to start their day.

Regular moms ask their kids if they brushed their teeth. 
Special needs moms prompt, “Brush your top teeth. Brush your bottom teeth. Did you get the sides? Open your mouth. My God, give me that toothbrush! You’ve left half your meal in there!”

Regular moms wave goodbye as their kids run off to catch the school bus.
Special needs moms get awesome door-to-door bus service for their child.

Regular moms know the names of all their friends.
Special needs moms know most of their friends by their username.

Regular moms judge other moms when kids have tantrums in stores.
Special needs moms say to themselves, “Hmm, I wonder which disability he has?”

Regular moms complain about driving their kids to sports and recreation classes.
Special needs mom grin and bear the weekly trips to tutors, doctors, and therapists.

Regular moms’ kids have a teacher.
Special needs moms’ kids have a team.

Regular moms talk about accomplishments.
Special needs moms talk about skills, as in play skills, conversation skills, life skills, social skills and vocational skills.

Regular moms relax with their kids during the summer.
Special needs moms start their second job as home teachers, therapists and skills coaches.

Regular moms think accommodations refer to hotels.
Special needs moms have memorized the top 20 accommodations for their child.

Regular moms hope their child finds a good career.
Special needs moms are hopeful someone gives our child the chance to work.

Regular moms soak in the tub when they want to unwind.
Special needs moms consider a bathroom break a luxury.

Regular moms enjoy reading the latest best selling book.
Special needs moms should receive an honorary degree for all the disability books they've read.

Regular moms go out for dinner and a movie with their husbands every month.
Special needs moms have a date night with their husbands every…wait, what decade is this?

Regular moms complain their kids won’t eat their vegetables.
Special needs moms are so desperate we consider chicken nuggets to be a legitimate meat product and throw in ketchup as a vegetable.

Regular moms’ kids go to play groups.
Special needs moms’ kids go to therapy groups.

Regular moms meet for a ladies night out.
Special needs moms get together at support groups and forums.

Regular moms have medical claim forms that fit in one file folder.
Special needs moms will tell you a small forest was cut down so we could receive our claims.

Regular moms think OT means overtime.
Special needs moms know more acronyms than a NASA engineer.

Regular moms have time to cook a full dinner every evening.
Special needs moms will never admit how many times we've picked up fast food.

Regular moms complain their husbands sit on the couch and watch TV while they do all the work.

Special needs moms...well how about that? Some things do stay the same!
(Just kidding Dads, we know you do your part!!!!)

Blog Hop - Tell me more about your connection with disability

My connection with a disability, you ask?

I have three kids - those of you who know me, know how amazing they are. Those of you who don't, well, you are missing out!!

Skylar - Age 12 ( Oh MY gosh! I can not believe she is 12!!) ASPERGER SYNDROME

When Skylar was a baby, her father and I always knew something was "off". She always had these odd tendencies and strange way of dealing with things. We called them "quirks". After she got kicked out of her 3rd Preschool, I took action. I knew something was going on. I just didn't know what. I was 22 and a first time mom. My daughter was supposed to be perfect! We brought her to a few doctors who kept telling us it was ADHD. But I refused to think that was all that it was. I knew there had to be more. Her father and I separated and I still went to more doctors. They then blamed it on our separation. I was less then thrilled. More and more docs, more and more opinions, which all boiled down to ADHD. They tried to shove meds at me and I said no. Fast forward to age 7. First Grade. HUGE issues in school. Getting referrals and more. I jumped back on track and went to more doctors. I finally was sent to a developmental pediatrician. Where FINALLY, I got some answers. 2 years pass by... more testing, more paperwork. 

Here came the term, Asperger Syndrome.  What in the world is that?? 

More testing and finally a diagnosis. Asperger Syndrome with Semi Pragmatic Disorder, with a dose of ADHD for good measure.  So what does this mean? It means, my daughter is super smart, but socially lacking. She doesn't have a third eye, she doesn't go around beating other kids up, she doesn't even have bad grades. She does, however, have an inability to look people in the eye, the inability to have appropriate conversation and often talks about nothing pertaining to the topic at hand. She is an amazing artist and knows more about cats then the zoo! She is currently medicated, but only for the ADHD aspect of her disability. And it is such a low dose, that it is really only to help her pay attention better...

She is amazing, and I wouldn't have her any other way.

Dakota - Age 6 DOWN SYNDROME

When Dakota was in utero, I took the AFP test. This test gives you a ratio on your chances of having a child with Down Syndrome. Now, so you know, this test is optional. I only took it because it was paid for and why not? When my results came back as "failing", I still wasn't really concerned. Because they have to put the mark somewhere, results under 1:300 are considered failing. That's one in 300 chances of having a child with down syndrome.My results were 1:174, that's one in 174 chances of having a child with down syndrome. Less then one percent. I was given the abort question, which was never a thought or option. And we continued our pregnancy as usual. They did an ultrasound to check his heart and it was perfect. He measured perfect, nothing was abnormal. 

August 14th, 2005, Dakota came flying into the world. As he was being lifted out of me I saw it. The eyes of an angel. I knew. The first words out of my mouth, as if in slow motion..."He has Down Syndrome!" 

Suddenly everything was fast forwarding, tears, crying, shouting, consoling. As I sat there watching everyone buzz around me. 

6 years later, we are still learning, everyday. He never ceases to amaze us with what he can do! He may be a little slow at things, but he can do it! He is talking more and more. He can run, jump and dance. Oh boy, can he dance!! 

Eli - Age 1 

Eli doesn't have a disability, that we are aware of. But I cant mention two kids and not the third. I will say for Eli, that he is as spoiled as they come. He cries, a lot. Over stupid stuff. Ha Ha! But we adore him just the same. And its amazing to see his brother and sister interact with him. Skylar loves babying him and Dakota loves hugging him. Hmm, wonder where the spoiling comes from :) He is an amazing addition to our family and makes us complete.

I am thankful for all the friends I have made along the way of our journey, which is just beginning! It seems every day we meet more and more friends!

I am also thankful for the friends we lost along the way. They have made us stronger and more aware that we need to spread awareness across the world for these disabilities! 

For now, we are just gonna keep on, keeping on...

This is my first Blog Hop with thanks to With A Little Moxie! I hope you enjoyed it!