A whole MONTH???

It's been a whole MONTH??? Ohhhhhhhhhh I'm not winning any prizes for sure! HA!

I think Facebook has alot to do with it...we can update in real time now...not a bunch of recapping needing to be done...and EVERYONE i know is on FB, except YOU, PAMMY AND STEPHANIE!! FOR SHAME! hahahahah!!

Lets see, we left off with Vets day...went right into Thanksgiving, where everyone but shauna made it home and ate BIG! Those boys can still put away more food than any 12 of your men, and I spent most of the day in the kitchen!


Allyson and Gabe brought wonderful pies and smoked briskit from the new barbeque place Ally's managing, ("Whole Hog" for those of you in Springfield) as WELL as my grandbaby! Aubrey Jo stayed with "mom mom" for a few days after, as the kids had to return to work. Her stays with us are the highlights of all of our lives....and let me tell ya, it takes 4 adults and one Aunt to keep up with her 17 month old, busy-body self.





Bill and Angela also came loaded with new movies and lots of fun!! Ok, maybe some of it wasn't THAT fun for bill...but Gabe seem to enjoy himself! UGH!





We had a little bout with bronchitis and molly, but we're able to muscle through it at home with NO PNEUMONIA, and no hospital stay. YAY! So that took up some time and energy. Molly wants nothing to do with getting well..she will fight you every drop of medicine,(we always wear part of the dose) or has to be hogtied to be nebulized.



We're done with that, all the Christmas cards are in the mail, and the presents secured....and for the first time this month, I feel like i can sit and breathe easy! We did get to see the Christmas parade here in West Plains (mom and dad really like parades) and even though molly was JUST getting over her bout of lung-crap....her and mom just HAD to stand out there for a bit, in a cold rain, and cheer on the participants! (and get candy)



The rest of the month has had some really good news for my other moms and friends online...i know I've asked for prayers for these families...and thought i'd update them for a sec!

Renee Garcia has her little Reece's Rainbow baby, adopted and at home now WELCOME HOME KELSEY!! (also with DS, like molly and renee's daughter Kennedy!)....and Nicki's Ashey, who had a relapse in her Leukemia??? Is cancer free as of latest scans, but continues to keep up with the protocol to keep her that way. Ben?? Amy's Ben? The wonder child-chef, and Keeper of the Love... also has had scans recently and continues to be free of the beast.....so KEEP UP THE PRAYERS....i see them working everyday. Prayers to all that continue the fight.

Shauna will be coming home for Christmas (barring anymore snow storms pounding the east coast) and we're THRILLED!! She arrives Wednesday in Springfield! Molly has a party Monday, as well as a program Mon Night, 1/2 day of school on Tuesday, and then Christmas break begins here! IM SO EXCITED!!

I just love this time of year....and not in the tradional way...there is not a load of presents under the tree but just one "something special" for each of the kids...but really, that's all. We all have everything we could ever need or want... and the whole commercial part is avoided as much as possible.

Part of the reason??? working in retail....part of it happened when we had nothing....but lately??? its just another one of the very wonderful things about having a child like Molly. She has some stuff to open, for sure (she loves the whole tearing of the paper thing) but isn't easily impressed by what we can buy. Holidays to her mean getting to see all her sibs and her niece with a dash of rough housing, laughing, sharing meals and hugs! She's a different child when surrounded by the love that is radiated by my older children and those that love them. I so appreciate each and every one of them...they are all OUTSTANDING young adults and make me PROUD!

So this is a short update, but we wanted to wish you a Molly Christmas!! She knows the real reason for the season, likes to take a quiet drive and just be in awe of the Christmas lights, and rejoices in the love of her family.

Know that we count you all among our blessing this season....Family, Friends and moms like me!!

Merry Christmas!

Veteran's Day

We had a very special Vets Day in our little town....for two reasons

My dad was here

and

Andy Ingalsbe got to come home....He's our local teacher who also serves, i think he was on his 4th tour, when he caught enemy fire right in the gut. We were sooooo scared as they could not even get him stabilized to get to Germany for awhile. He finally made it there, and then on to Walter Reed where they have got him all patched up and on the road to total recovery!

He's home till Dec 3, and then has to return to Walter Reed for more follow up surgery. GOOD LUCK ANDY!!

we started with a parade...and an Airman (Mr. Garrett) came over to stand with mom and i, telling us about all his sons who were also airman!! He was also proud of the fact that he could still wear the uniform...too cute!




And of course, besides a flyover, the parade started out with the troops!



And J Peterman of the sheriff's office! (he used to play basketball with my kids at fairview, and his mom works with me)



and bands and cars and horses and harleys...it was one of the biggest Vets parade we've ever had!!

Of course, we had to put dad on a float..

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Then on to the big luncheon! We were met by a handsome marine, who helped mom out when she needed it most...I don't know who you are...but THANK YOU!!



Inside i was happy to see Coach Don and Bonnie Long. They helped raise my kids, both being teachers at Fairview, Don teaching the kids to reach far beyond what they thought they could achieve. Bonnie commented on how Shauna HATED running long distance and giggled at the fact that she was now a marathoner, and told me her Luke (shaunas class) had just finished an Iron Man Triathalon! WTG LUKE!! Bonnie is Andy's wife's Sister.



And another shout out and thanks to this young man, who made sure dad got on the float, and then stayed with him till he was seated at the dinner. I should know him, and my heart shuttered when I saw him later gather with all the Purple Heart Receipients. God Bless



Inside a GENERAL made the presentation of Andy's Purple Heart ....He was explaining to us that this was such an honor for HIM, as usually he just puts the medals on the soldiers pillows as they evac out...at this point? He quietly broke down, and all of us cried for all the soldiers. Obviously he had placed many purple hearts on many pillows but didn't get to have too many ceremonies after that.

It was a very moving meeting.



He immediately turned the show over to Andy's original recruiter, and long-time friend, who actually made the presentation.



God Bless you All




all the photos from the day, awesome especially if you love old cars and Harley Davidsons...are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21477528@N00/sets/72157622684861437/

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On to family news!! The little sonogram was from my newest (#2) grandbaby who is on the way! He/She will be here the first week in April and i hope to be able to tell you next week, what colors i will be buying...PINK OR BLUE!! Thanks Gabe & Ally for keeping my MOM-MOM title in use!!

Shauna has decided to sign up for the Boston Marathon, ALSO in APRIL! So that's going to be a huge month for us....after this december of course..SHE'S COMING HOME!! Having my kids home for the holidays is all i ever want!! Speaking of which, i think im going to set the tree up today.....I KNOW!!!! can't help it...too exciting for miss molly!

The boys are here hunting deer at camp, and i was SUPPOSE to be baby sitting miss Aubrey Jo, but the work schedule didn't work out...so we anxiously are awaiting our next visit. Molly gets up every morning looking for details of the day...and if it's "no school" day?? the first thing she does is bring me a pic of Aubrey Jo...telling me she wants to do a road trip!! She loves that baby girl obsessively! (just like mom-mom)

Hopefully, i'll be able to post some camp pics next week, with big ole bucks hanging from the trees...as it stands? All hunters are skunked, and the inaugural chili pot is empty. The deer are winning!! (we had to turn the air on today...that could have something to do with it..hahahahaha)Don't worry boys...there is a front moving in, lots of rain and cold wind, and I'm sure that will bring the deer out!!

Have a great week!! and remember to Thank a Veteran if you get the opportunity!

FINALLY!

i KNOW!! my life AGAIN got out of control, and my puter is beginning that three-year-old slow down, as well as the sattelite being out from the rain...so blogging has not been at the top of my priority list! I am sure it will be very frustrating to do today, so bear with me....and btw, ??? who is using a MAC??? do send me notes as i may be leaning that way this time around.

ok..last time i was telling you how the trees hadn't changed yet....now? it's done! We had a week of cool, rainy (understatement...more like flooding/dangerous/water rescues)and windy weather, so most of the leaves have peaked and are now blanketing the ground.








THEN I went to Phoenix to meet up with my girlfriends...we do this once a year, and for most of us it's the only weekend away from our special kids we get. My first time was reallyyyyyyyyyyy hard to do, but now i look forward to that weekend every year. To make things perfect, i left the cool, rainy, autumn, and flew right into a 100 degree summer. Mo was the perfect hostest with her awesome home, wonderful family, and inground pool/hottub. And I'm not going to say we party all the time, but i will say, no matter where we are, as long as we're together? It's a Party! I LOVE YOU SISTAHS!! THANK YOU!





Got home just in time to greet my parents. Sis Patty Ann, Hubby Dale, and the standard foo foo poodle followed them on the drive down (from colo spgs) We got a day to spend together and I watched as my BIL marveled at the quiet of the Ozarks woods.






The next weekend? Both the Boys, and Angela and Aubrey Jo popped in for a surprise weekend visit!! YAY!! While they were here, we tracked shauna running the Marine Corp Marathon that sunday morning! She finished with a 3:37!! That qualifies her to run in the BOSTON!! although beings it's in april...i think we'll be shooting for Boston in 2011! WTG SHAUNA~! (pics to come later!)




and now?? ITS TRICK OR TREAT TIME!! Molly and i are on our way to town (i think the continuous crappy weather has squashed a trip to the pumpkin patch)to get one jack o latern, and then off to the Trunk or Treat tonight...Yesterday was the school party!




Our other gfriend at school, was a real rockstar, complete with wireless mike! cracked me UP!



In case you were wondering...molly still has a red-headed boyfriend






So...that's what Ive been up to, and why Im not at the puter...I have definitely not been
bored ........but seriously? Am looking forward to a little bit of it!

equine therapy...first day

flikno jeans (she won't wear them)
no boots (sketcher croc's)
no idea of whats coming:

Horse Lady "Does she talk?"

me: "not much...the words are there but she rarely uses them"

H.L. "Molly would you like to touch the horses nose?"

M "no, thank you"

"Would you like to help me saddle the horse?"

"no, thank you"



"you have to wear a helmet"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

"Would you like to walk up a step ladder and get on the horse?"

"no, thank you"

"How about if dad helps you on a ramp?"




Now, molly's fav noise to make when she's riding anything is
whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (from little bear) but everytime
she gets excited on the horse? He STOPS! WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!




"you only say whoa if you want the horse to stop, molly....now tell the horse to stop"


"stop, horse"

"wook! me! Dah-ey!"




the sarge had his hand on the saddle as he walked beside her, after about 5 minutes?

"no dah-ee" she removed his hand..."go, horse"





Mrs Roberts from school was there working out her pony, as was a little barrel racer girl...everytime they trotted by us?? SHE WOULD WAVE!! AND SAY HI!!! (miraculous...she doesn't even wave at ME!)



So that was the first day...we only rode for about a half hour, and she dismounted perfectly! Tomorrow? Mommy's gonna go find a couple pair of ropers (mommy had her crocs on, too...EW!)

Oh and then Amy Ostertag's butt called me!! GREAT KARMA DAY!!

Guess what????

Great week here! We did NOTHING!! (i love those kind of weekends) Just a drive yesterday to scope out Risner Stables...Molly will start horse therapy there tomorrow!! YAY! We've already warned them, the only thing negative about molly and horses? TRYING TO GET HER OFF!! I swear, i have to take her AND the saddle!! Wish us luck!

I'm seeing all sorts of fall photos online...and am confused...we are in pre-fall here, and have had our first weekend of cool weather. By cool, i mean I'm only running the fans right now! Our leaves have only just started to turn. Took the puppies out for a run around the property this morning, and can only find one bush turning red.



This is the backside of our property...maybe one tree is trying now, but soon? it will be spectacular!


My folks are prepping for the move back here! HURRY!! you don't want to miss the big leaf show! And speaking of them HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! They celebrated their 61st on the 2nd...and we're hoping they dont find out that Barrack and Michelle's was on the 3RD! ha!




Had a better week as far as the Autism thing...Got alot of responses from a dual diagnosis group i signed up on. These parents have got kids from 0 to 20yrs old...and are a wealth of information and Joy! this is the story of one of the moms in there, and her beautiful daughter.






for the record? SHE WON! She is now the homecoming queen, and gives me more hope for the future of my own precious daughter. This mom is also dealing with early onset Altzheimer's in addition to the DS and the ASD, so not only does she inspire hope, but slapped me with the 'COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS' hand.

I'm counting down to a little getaway to Phoenix that happens in 2 weeks! I have a group of moms, with kids with DS molly's age...and they are wonderful women. They share so much of my humor and love for life. We've been close since molly's dx, before she was born, and fly in once a year to play and chat. No kids, no dads...just girls.

texas meet:


arizona meet:


vegas baby:


I just don't know how i would survive without my "sistahs" and this once a year habit. Thanks, Sarge (and teachers) for making this happen for me!



??? the guess what????? oh that is a new addition to the blog....

guess what??? (or should i say who??)

we're bacccccccccck

so sorry for the delay...we survived the first season sickness, nothing now but tired girls, molly is still a little congested, and mama has a hack! The sarge managed to escape the first bug!

We're getting very excited about Shauna's run...she is doing a full marathon on Oct 24th. I don't know how she does it...she's run halfs..made a 70 mile bike ride, been rock climbing, AND works 40plus! WOWSER...she continues to amaze me daily.





The weekend before last, we finally got a visit at gabe's house (illness had prevented from seeing our favorite little girl grandbaby) and had a great time. Little Bill and angela came up and we all showed the waitresses at the Belgium Waffle House, exactly why they should have bigger tables!! It was gorgeous outside, so we just hung in the yard and played for awhile...Gabe is an avid golfer now...so he worked on his swing:



Aubrey Jo took a swing too!



Molly Kate is perfectly content in her role as Aunt Molly. We can't be there enough in her eyes.




It never ceases to amaze me, at the speed in which my little boys grew up.




My stylin' Daughter-in-law to be and i ran to get some girl time...kinda made gabe mad as it was HIS birthday!! hahahaha but THIS momma knows how it is to work full time, while being a mom, and that sometimes? we need a little shop time to balance. Poor Gabe, he's working 40, STILL A FULL TIME STUDENT, and doing the daddy duties! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABE!




It all worked out for him though, as while we were off on a girls day....Someone else was watching the girls....although watching the girls usually involves in ALL watching the chiefs play football...Good thing both the girls are BIG SPORTS FANS!! :-)




I have to close with a pet...Goofy Hatten the Cat, who was rehomed to us from DC (we call him the city kitty) is having some identity problems....any OTHER cat in the world comes when you call "here kitty kitty"....not this one...

He has also attached himself to the sarge...so when we need him to come home? Larry just whistles and slaps the side of his leg!! And yes, the city kitty has been Hillbillized...he has a hidey hole in the briars by the sheep.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I think we are off to the pumpkin patch today....we had a picnic yesterday in Linn, Missouri...and ended up FREEZING!! I actually ran into to buy jackets! Funny thing about molly.....Linn is a small town and only had a Family Dollar to shop in. Since it was raining, and we would be stuck under a pavillion, instead of at the playcenter...i invited her to go pick out a toy. She moseyed up and down the aisles, finger on chin, surveying all that was available....and what did she pick out?

A 100 count package of styrofoam coffee cups!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh yes...you got to love the autistic child. THE most fun she could think of having??? STEM STACKING!!

Have a Great Week!!!

first week of school?? first bugs come home

And now we know why molly was acting out. Oh. she wont run a fever, but she will tell you to "hush". Rumor has it this week, she used the phrase "Bite it!" Not one that we use around here, so I'm thinking she's picking up some new stuff on the bus!
(or she's trying to say 'QUIET!')

She had an upper respitory infection....started as a virus and went haywire, although im pleased to say we fixed her up at home. Now we can hope that her peers will forgive her. Our children, because they cannot express sickness or self-diagnose, have only one response to being ill......ACTING OUT!! I swear....if she refuses to do her work at school, the first thing we should do is take her temp!

So she brought the bug home to mommy. I had to leave work Wed, was off Thurs & to the doc, and after a shot AND anti-bi's in pill form.... Sat morning I woke up with a raging migraine....first one i've had in a year....and probably related to my virus. THANKS MOLLY....i love the way she brings these things home to share. To those that know me IRL.....i was not able to even drink coffee yesterday! NO LIE!

The sarge just left to work out of town all day (something he was worried about doing given my current health situation) and i just realized he took my wallet, with drivers license and all my cards with him! EEK! I had packed the vehicle to go to springfield this weekend, not knowing that those plans were about to be thwarted.

Soooooooooo even if i wanted to go get milk today (oh yea, molly's newest behavior at home is taking gallons of anything, uncapping them, and pouring them down the sink) i can't. That's ok, as i don't think im up to driving yet...we are heartsick over missing a chance to see Ally, Gabe and Itty Bit...but i just can't chance infecting them, too.

Poor miss molly is surely getting tired of being at home, and REALLY disappointed at not seeing her favorite neice! Gabe called today, and molly actually answered the phone, said "hello" and then?? "Aubrey Jo!"

She's been busy dismantling the house, and trying on the new fall collection (while unloading the chest with winter accessories in it!) Cracks me up that her glasses always fit better upside down...not much of a bridge there to hold them up!




I'm going to take this time to regain control of my realm, and prepare for a better week! We have been ignoring all the housework as Bill and Angela were home last weekend...had lots of fun just hangin'...and having pillow fights!



We were also suppose to meet with the Autism Tech...she wanted to observe Molly at school and get us all 'on the same page' as far as dealing with the acting out....but she had a worse week than me! Took her daughter and the daughter's friend to Gulf Shores to hit the beach for Labor Day...when the plumbing system of the hotel came loose, fell off the top of the garage ceiling, and totaled 3 vehicles, including hers. Given the holiday weekend, she was stuck there till at least Tuesday, and then longer while they ironed out the details. No Autism Tech at school this week! Blessings being sent her way.

*Raising Tea Cup*

Here's to everyones health this week....such a precious commodity that we take TOO much for granted. This week also starts the September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!


I have been way-laid with 4 days of illness (and admittedly whining about it)....I cannot imagine how babies are expected to power through 2 year sentences of chemo and radiation.

Be aware, wear gold,and offer up your prayers....
this video was made by one of the moms who so eloquently allowed us to travel with her and her family as they fought the beast. Heartwrenching as Coleman was one of a set of twins.

Amazingly, these moms continue the fight...after giving all. She has all the data you need to know, and as parents, we NEED TO KNOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjmCMUvu_gM