Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Little Girls like Bugs Too

-Little Girls Like Bugs Too-

Hey Emma Grace! What do you have there?

A lady bug.

We are going back inside, so let it go now.

But mommy, it's so cute. Can I keep it?

(Sigh)

But mommy, I already found it a house and a leaf to eat!

I will love it forever and ever.

(Sigh)

Maybe I should keep her away from the other little buggie in our house...

Breakin' for Spring

In the world of education there are many things that both students and faculty find themselves in disagreement...dress code, wearing of IDs, the validity of the excuses given for missed homework. But for many years previous and many years to come, there is one thing that most everyone can agree is a much anticipated event in our microcosmic world in which we live eight hours a day..Spring Break.
Unlike most of my coworkers and students, I did not venture out of South Georgia for my spring break fun. While others were soaking up the sun and tanning their skin to a nice toasty shade of red that matches my favorite lipstick, I was at home enjoying my kiddos.

Emma turned five. FIVE. There is just something about that number. A feeling of toddler days fading forever to the past and young tween years approaching. Sigh. My "big girl" (as she now likes to be referred) has the pleasure of sharing a birthday with my beautiful maternal grandmother. Eslea shares her name (Margaret) and Emma gets to share her birthday. This was the first time my grandmother (aka "Mamaw") has seen Eslea since the open heart surgery. Of course LOVE at first sight. We basked in each others' awesomeness while taking an excursion to the local strawberry patch. Strolling through mounds and mounds of brightly colored strawberries, one can not help but smile. Oh the tranquility of it all.

Just can't properly enjoy the berry picking process without knowing the rules.



The strawberry that jumped out of the basket to escape. It JUMPED I tell ya.

Every year Emma's (oh, sorry...big girl's) birthday falls close to Easter Sunday so this year we took advantage of that and fully embraced the Seasonal theme of eggs, rabbits, and chocolate. In an effort to save some of my sanity, I opted to have the party at a location that would bring joy into the hearts of the other pre-Kers that were present. Emma had been wanting to see the movie "Hop" so I decided what better way to celebrate a monkey turning FIVE then to watch a bunny playing drums.
Movie + Cake + Ice Cream + Presents + Video Games = One happy birthday girl

Pretty sure all her little bunny buddies had fun too.

Birthday cake- $60
Strawberry Bucket- $8
The everlasting memory of my Mamaw saying she is PROUD OF ME- Priceless

Excuse me. Had a little happy tear trying to escape there.

Rounded out the week by celebrating our one year anniversary with my hubby. As cheesy as it may sound, he is my best friend. To finally find the missing piece of my soul puzzle is totally worth all the crap and heartaches I once had to go through. Love.

The wedding cake on the day we were married.

The cake today.

 Emma wanting to get in on the picture taking fun...

and the cake eating fun, of course.

Although there is a tiny bit of jealousy inside my bones that wants to creep out when I hear of the beach going fun of those around me, I am rather proud of my spring break. If I do say so myself. And I do. Besides, the beach is only an hour away and I do visit her often enough.

Now, a wonderful announcement if you don't mind.
As most of you know, I am one of seven families who are working to form the first Down syndrome support group in our region. We are working to set up a website, a facebook page, apply for non-profit status, etc. One of the many areas that we are aiming to address is bringing awareness to our organization. Because unless our organization is out there, how can we spread our message of acceptance and awareness?
In order to make this happen, I will begin offering giveaways on this blog. These giveaways will be solely to drawn attention to our support group as we begin building our foundation. I am so excited and can not wait to get started. But..wait I must. I am still accepting prizes but I assure you that when it starts, you will be the first to know.
What kind of giveaways am I talking about? Well how does a gas card sound? Or a mud pie outfit for your little cutie? What about a super store gift card? Or perhaps even a vacation getaway?
Yep. That's right. Good stuff. Stuff I want myself but I can't qualify. Shucks.
Oh well, you'll get the prizes and the Down Syndrome Association of South Georgia will reap the benefits.

Now, I have work to do and prizes to sort.
Catch ya on the flip side.
(yeah, I don't know)
-erin

Wonder Mom

Sometimes words flow smoothly from my finger tips allowing the ideas that have been forming in my mind to somehow surface on the glowing screen before me. Other times I have writer's block. Period. That has been my past week. Starting to type and erasing. Posting pictures and removing.
I wish I could contribute this to the fact that my life has been less then memorable the past week, but that is not so. Work. Rain. Sick Baby. Those are the things that have encompassed my world for the past seven days.
Like most Wonder Woman Moms out there, when one of our children are sick, everything else becomes second in your mind. Doctor's appointments, x-rays, medications...all new front runners in the list of things that must be done in the course of a day.
I adore my Eslea. Having to watch her this past week as she is fighting off some kind of infection or cardiac issue has been a struggle for me. So many times I just want to yell "STOP" into the wind and hope it reaches the ears of whoever is causing her pain. Instead, I hold her. I rock her. I give her medicine. I pray. I spend hours in doctors' offices and after hour clinics. I do whatever it takes. Because sometimes we just have to put on our wonder mom panties and suck it up.  Our little wonder babies need us.

Eslea is doing fine by the way. She did gave us a little scare for a few days there. High temperatures that we couldn't control with medicine. Swelling in her hands and face that seem like an allergic reaction but no one is sure. X-rays showing spots again in her lungs that may be caused by blood from her heart or ...well, who knows.
So, today, we stand still not knowing exactly what is going on in that little body of hers. Despite it all, she somehow manages to share her magical smile with everyone that passes her way.

The events of this week have me thinking about the article in the paper and the words I wrote just for that feature:
“It’s amazing the difference six months can make. I have realized that there is only one reason that I was so scared and depressed when I first learned about Eslea having Down syndrome … ignorance. Like most people, I did not understand what exactly it means for someone to have Down syndrome. Yet, by educating myself and meeting other parents in the area, I have learned how wrong I was and how much I still need to grow. People with Down syndrome are individuals with their own wants, needs and desires. They can graduate from high school, go to college, get married, drive cars, hold down jobs, and so much more."
“Now as I reflect back, I’m amazed at the difference of feelings I have about my sweet Eslea. ... I am PROUD of her. I am proud that she is not ‘typical.’ I’m blessed that she changed my views of the world. Having children teaches us how to love. My Eslea taught me how narrow my view of the world has been. Now I know what it means to truly love everyone. Every. Single. Person.”

My first born, Emma, made me a mom. Eslea brought out the wonder woman I had hidden within. I know your kiddo has brought out the same in you. Your secret super power. Wonder Mom. Super Mommy. Lighting Mama. Whatever your name may be. We are united by the same thing, the will to do whatever it takes, including fighting with our pearly white teeth and manicured nails, for the well being of our little super family.

Now, excuse me if you will, my cape is a little dirty and I need to start a load of laundry.
Happy Friday.
-erin