keeping busy & orphan spotlight day 16

Today I would like to introduce you to the beautiful

Ashlyn

Isn't she a doll!

Ashlyn has developed very well,

she is walking, talking and singing.

She loves to listen to music and she loves to give hugs and kisses.

She has $1344.99 available toward her adoption.

visit reecesrainbow.org for more info.

The girls and I are catering a wedding tomorrow.

We are preparing food for 350 people.

Here is a little peek at our preparations.

Happy Friday!

32 years & orphan spotlight day 15

Today we celebrate 32 years.

32 years ago today I married my best friend,

he's still my best friend.

Thanks Rich for 32 amazing years.

You have to remember the year was 1980.

Big hair and baby blue tuxes 

must have been cool back then.

Our family

30 years later.

This was taken 13 days before Kristen passed away.

We have since added 2 granddaughters to the crowd

and are expecting another baby to arrive sometime in late September.

On to the spotlight of the day...

today I bring you

Danila

You can tell she is an orphanage favorite by the

2 large bows in her hair.

answered prayers and spotlight day 14

Bernadette is going HOME!!!!!

Just yesterday I sat here and cried as I typed her name. 

I have been praying for her for many days. 

She reminds me so much of Kristen. 

I just want to reach out and hug her.

I don't know who the family is yet, 

but I hope to find out soon.

Yesterday I hoped for 3 things...

a home for Benadette,

a cure for cancer,

and for my head to stop spinning.

In just one day...one out of three isn't bad.

The other 2 will come I'm sure.

Tonight I bring you

Dasha

Orphan spotlight day 13 and a little more

I know I have already done a little spotlight on Bernadette,

but I have fallen love with her and need to help her find a

family SOON. 

Her hair reminds me of Kristen's hair when it was growing out after

chemo. I want to reach out and rub her little head.  

Bernadette needs to find a family before November.

After November she can no longer be adopted.

She’s a lovely little girl. Despite being 15, 

she looks about 8 years old, 

and a petite 8 at that.  She is a sweet little girl with plenty of energy. 

 She likes what most 8 year olds would like- dolls, playing with toys, 

watching cartoons. 

She sounds just like Kristen!

Bernadette has a huge grant of 

$10,521.00

Please visit reecesrainbow.org 

for more info.

It has been a sad few days for us cancer moms.

Yet another little love lost his battle with leukemia (AML).

Our heartfelt prayers go out to the family of little critter.

I hate cancer.

I have been a little under the weather these past few days.

I told Richard, Yup, I think It just might possible

to die of a broken heart.

I was wrong, the EKG said my heart is fine.

I'm still waiting for blood tests, however,

my doctor thinks I am dehydrated.

I also got in trouble for not eating.

I'm Like, dude, look at me, I eat.

He asked me if I eat 3 meals a day.

I sort of said, ummm no.

He then said that I am not getting enough calories to

sustain cell growth. I was ordered to start eating 

3 meals every day and for the next few days I also

need to drink a gallon of fluids. He kindly offered to hook

me up to an IV and push the fluids, but I promised I

would drink. So drinking I am.

Today I am hoping for 3 things

~ a family for Bernadette

~ a cure for cancer

~ for my head to stop spinning


hey, a girl can hope can't she

orphan spotlight day 12

Isn't he a little cutie

This past 2 weeks, as I have visited Reece's Rainbow daily,

each time I walk away with tears in my eyes.

I cannot believe these precious children have been forgotten.

They are definitely hidden angels.

I cannot believe the lives they lead.

I wish I could hug each one of them and tell them how precious they are.

I can't. 

The only thing I can do at this point is to pray for them and keep sharing

their cute little faces.

My mom doesn't even want to look at my blog because it is too sad for her.

I know with my whole heart that children with Down syndrome are the

most precious on this earth. I know because I have one. 

Kristen has changed my life.

She has been gone for almost 20 months and she continues

to inspire and touch the lives of many.

For those who might be wondering

if a life with Down syndrome is worth living.
YES it is.

It is a life worth celebrating.

orphan spotlight day 11

Today I bring you 

the beautiful

Paulina

Couldn't you give her a
great big hug!

orphan spotlight day 10

Meet the beautiful

Cora Lynne

orphan spotlight day 9 & ducks

I would like to introduce you to...

Dmitry

He is quickly aging out and needs

to find a family SOON!

Oh yes, we have ducks!

Orphan spotlight day 8

Today I bring you...

Artem

He was born in January 2008

Now a reminder to myself...

yes i am.

the r-word & orphan spotlight day 7

the r-word

Spread the word to end the word is an ongoing effort to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word retard and retarded.

Respectful & inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful

effects of the word. 

Cute Sara has made am awesome video to help end the word.

Please think before you speak.

Orphan spotlight day 7

I bring you sweet 

Madison

Isn't she a doll

something to work on & orphan spotlight day 6

I came across this quote and I immediately  thought, wow, something else I can work towards.

"The highest form of inner strength and power requires no

outward display of validation.

It seeks only to spread it's energy to others in the most positive of ways;

quiet kindness, restraint, patience and genuine concern."

Let's just say I have a lot of work to do.

Orphan spotlight day 6

I would like to introduce you to... 

Tania

she melts my heart.

orphan spotlight day 5

Today I bring you

Carina

Our good friend Stephanie is Carina's angel.

She is doing everything in her power to make sure Carina is not forgotten. 

Today Stephanie is trying to raise money to send Carina's grant

over the $4000.00 mark.

Visit Stephanie's blog and make a donation.

Ramblings & Orphan spotlight day 4

Where does the time go.  The weeks seem to fly by, by somehow the days 

seem to drag. I feel like I am definitely stuck somewhere.  

It seems I have been wondering what direction it is that I need to 

be going for quite some time now.

I thought I had my life planned. I always planned to have Kristen by my side.

We would go forward, her and I, doing what was important. 

It feel like with the loss of Kristen, I have lost my future.

I feel like I am back at square one wondering which direction to go.

There are days where chaos and uncertainty seem to follow me wherever I go,

and other days I don't feel anything at all.

I hate both of those.

I hate the numbness and the uncertainty.

I don't want to find a new normal.

I liked my life the way it was before.

One of the hardest things for me is trying to find joy and purpose in life.

I guess there is one good thing,

at least I am trying.

Can you believe I would even sit here for a minute and complain about

my own plight when there are children, many children who are 

suffering around the world. Sorry for complaining. 

Maybe I can't go and rescue one, but I can continue to speak for them.

Tonight I bring you...

Trina

She was born in May 2002

Trina is a beautiful 10 year old girl in need of her forever family. 

 She is active and healthy, but does have some strabismus. 

 Correcting her vision would be such a blessing for her.

Are you  her mommy?

orphan spotlight day 3

Meet Evie

She is such a little sweetheart

It will only take one family to make a difference for Evie.

The Starfish Story

adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"

Orphan spotlight day 2 and the Lorax

Meet Mason

Such a cute little boy

We headed out to the movies today,

as did almost everyone else in Draper.

It was cute.

I just can't figure out why I have never read the book.

I am now off to find the book.

I said it yesterday and  I need to say it again today...

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, 

nothing is going to get better, it's not."

~The Lorax Movie

Happy Friday

Marching on

March definitely came in like a lion.

That's perfectly okay as long as it goes out like a lamb.

I have had a little fun splashing a little green around 

both my home and the cemetery today.

The geese were heading right  for Kristen's spot when I arrived at the 

cemetery today.

And now for the orphan spotlight of the day...

Meet Ellie

Stay tuned for another hidden angel to be spotlighted tomorrow.

I'm also hearing a litlle something about a party of sorts,

A Lorax Party!

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, 

nothing is going to get better, it's not."

~The Lorax Movie

.

Do Something Extra

These are a few of the children who  have stolen my  heart.

I can no longer sit here in silence.

These precious girls as well as many others need a home NOW.

Believe me, If I could I would already be on a plane.

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21.

The NDSS is asking that we 

"Do Something Extra"

in honor of those with an extra 21st chromosome.

One of the "something extra things" I am planning on doing is to be

a LOUDER voice for these precious children who are in orphanages

waiting for their family.

Each day from now until March 21st I will spotlight one of these little 

sweethearts from Reece's Rainbow,

in hopes that someone will see the love in their eyes 

and make the commitment to save a child.

Meet Catherine 

Date of Birth: December 2004

Eyes: Blue

Hair: blond

Character: Sociable, calm, affectionate

Meet Miss Bernadette  

Girl, born November 1996

Diagnosis:  Down syndrome  

Miss Bernadette, what a beautiful smile you have!   Hoping your Mama sees this picture and comes to bring you home — please don't wait!  Bernadette's age doesn't leave her much time to find her family.  She can only be adopted at all if she finds a family before November!   Her chance at any life outside these four walls will be over if we can't find a family for her.

 She’s a lovely little girl in appearance. Despite being 15, she looks about 8 years old, and a petite 8 at that.  She is a sweet little girl with plenty of energy.  She likes what most 8 year olds would like- dolls, playing with toys, watching cartoons. Lots more photos, she is SO friendly and was so excited to have her photo taken.  Interested families should be homestudy approved prior to commitment.

$9100.83 is available towards the cost of Bernadette's adoption!

Meet Miss Masha

Girl, Born July 2003

 Masha is a very special and blessed 8 year old girl.  Not only does she have Down syndrome and a personality that lights up a room, she won over the hearts of the ABC News journalists who visited with her in May 2011 when filiming their story about Reece’s Rainbow and the needs of orphans with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe.  They followed one of our adoptive families on their journey to Mia, but met Masha and so many others hidden away in mental institutions. 

Because Masha is in an institution, interested families should be home study approved prior to commitment.   Previous adoptive and/or Down syndrome experience preferred.  Large families and older parents welcome, married couples only, travel required.   

$2627.95 is available towards the cost of Masha's adoption!

These children need you!

Please visit Reece's Rainbow for more info.

Yes, I bought birds

I heard a rather excited Sara yelling from the kitchen,

"Grandma!!! Did you buy birds?"

I ran to see what she could possibly be talking about.

There she was holding a package of purple peeps.

I've never seen anyone get so excited about peeps before.

From now on. they aren't peeps, they are birds.

Tomorrow is Kristen's 2nd Bone Marrow Birthday.

Here is the post from the transplant day.

Sometimes it seems like an eternity ago and other times it seems like yesterday.

I remember the anticipation of the day.

This was her chance for a cure,

but a cure was not to be.

Sometimes I ask the simple question, Why?

Why wasn't she saved?

Tonight at the cemetery the sunset was beautiful,
it again reminded that I am not in charge.

There's a plan, a perfect plan.

I have faith in that plan.

I am thankful for the extra 146 days that we had with Kristen,

without the transplant the days would have been much fewer.

President's Day

My phone started ringing early.

Everyone wanted to know what  we were going to do today.

I had actually planned on a quiet day, maybe getting caught up on

some cleaning and ironing. 

Since cleaning and ironing are both completely overrated,

  I  decided to have all the kiddies come over and we could have a sledding party.

So party we did.

Sledding ~ Stew ~ Hot Chocolate

and in honor of President's Day... 

Cherry turnovers!

The party wouldn't be complete without a

 little something for Kristen.