Puppy Love

 Kamalee's 2nd Halloween 2009

Jayse's 1st Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween!  Will share more photos after we Trick-or-Treat!

A Message From Kamalee

http://youtu.be/bu7RXIdrcuM


Proud Momma.

Fired up

 Jayse got to experience his first ever bonfire, yesterday, in the perfect weather.  He sat in awe for quite some time.  Kamalee sat for about 1.5 minutes and was off running again.  At least one is content around the fire for a little while.  For now, anyway.

 

We got to enjoy our date night away!  Friday night, we attended an improv theater at Chanhassen.  It was pretty good.  But I was ready to crawl under my table when they used one of my suggestions and decided to turn the lights on and get my name and use it in their bit.  I might not have a problem shouting out stuff in the dark...but turns out I quiet down in the light.  And the room peering at me. :)

Saturday we enjoyed thrift shopping for home decor and a yummy lunch a Chevy's.  MMMM...margarita and chips.  They were awesome, Michelle.  

(maybe you should come try it :)

(p.s. Justin's photo is from Friday night and mine from Saturday lunch...so yes, we were together and not at two different tables. lol)

What kids say

It is a rare and joyful occasion when I can share "my kid said the funniest thing" stories. When your child says a max of 4-5 words together, you don't experience those funny moments too often. When they come along, they are twice as funny. Maybe just to me.....but still funny.

1.  Jayse was napping when it was time to pick Kamalee up from school. I decided to let him rest and stay home while I ran to school. When Kamalee jumps in the car, she first notices that Jayse is missing. And a conversation begins. Yes....an actual back and forth conversation.
Kamalee: "Oh no!  Where Jayse go?"
Me: "oh no.  Where Jayse?" With just a slight smile.
Kamalee:  "oh no"
Me:  "Jayse was sleeping. He stayed home."
Kamalee:  "Jayse sleep.  Ya. Ok. Jayse sleep."

Huge progress.

2.  Kamalee was eating chips at the table yesterday. (Ones I did not give her.). I went to stand by her and she must have assumed I was going to take them away.
Kamalee:  "way!"
Me: "way?  Go away?!"
Kamalee:  "ya."

What a stinker. :)

3.  Kamalee was in my bed watching her iPad. I come in to put clothes away, oblivious to the fact that I was "do-da-ing" a little song.  Kamalee sits up and says Mom....covers her ears and says loud. Well, if that isn't the cutest way to say stop singing!

News in a Minute

 A taste of our life this past week and updates:

Women of Faith was a fun and new experience.  So very thankful to the nice women that gave them to us.  Sorry they couldn't make it.

Our finale concert, Mercy Me....a portion of their most famous song

 The view from our seats

 Saturday was breast cancer awareness day....lots of pink when everyone was sitting.

 Lunch: a picnic on the floor

 

House:

Our mortgage officer has been incredible.  All of her work required was done within the first 48 hours.  Our appraiser was order and being done today.  The title information was ordered and we have a closing date set for November 21.  Now, we again rely on the mercy of federal government.  As soon as RD can get our loan processed, we will know for sure that the home is OURS.  Can't wait.

Kids:

They are still doing great but we are ready for our home.  Today, Kamalee has been so helpful.  I came back from getting Jayse clothes to find her trying to undress him to change his diaper.  :)

 

Then she took a photo of me while I actually changed him. lol

 

This is a video of her newest joy...taught by Ashlyn, videoed by Donna

Sorry it is kinda boring...but informative, right?  :)

Mercy

We have good news!

I finally got the call we have been waiting on. The day the government reopened, we also got approved for the offer we submitted on the house. They have allowed us to complete everything, but to close no later than November 21. Which is great but nerve racking.  Our bank can process all they need to in that time...but it puts us at the mercy of the government. Not an ideal place to be, but if they can work out their kinks....we should have a home by thanksgiving. What a wonderful thanksgiving gift.

More fun news. For me anyway. Donna and I were given two tickets to Women of Faith this weekend.  This will be my first time going and first time seeing Mercy Me in concert. Should be a fun weekend.

Lost in a Week...

Now trying to play catch up.  How did another week escape me?

Wednesday/Thursday

5 Year Olds

 Wednesday, I got an 'update' on our home situation.  Which really wasn't anything more than our realtor seeing if we are surviving our current living situation.  Pretty sure she thinks we are nuts.  But we did discuss the current government shutdown situation.  She said she spoke with our loan officer and....of course, this would affect us.  There is currently NO FHA or RD loans being processed.  (insert sigh and eye roll here) The good news is the mortgage company holding the current loan on the home, has not given us a decision.  If they do, we wouldn't be able to continue because of the government shutdown.  So, for now, that is a good thing.  But when they do make a decision and we get the house (and we will get the house :) ), the government better have figured out their issues.

I don't want a political debate.  (Because obviously I know my views are right) :) But it seems to me that we now have a nation who stands on high horses and soap boxes.  I think they are letting their praying knees get lazy and using their mouths too quickly.  They all need to stop acting like 5 year olds that quit a game because they were tagged "it".  Start communicating and get to an agreement.

On a bright note of 5 year olds...Kamalee got to play with some of her new friends on thursday night.  We joined a group here called SPARKS (Special Parents And Remarkable Kids).  They have a Down syndrome chapter and an Autism Chapter.  We spent the night playing games, coloring and eating pizza with a few other families.  All of which (but one) were Kamalee's age.  That's nice to have them be at her age.

(more pics to follow)

Weekend

Sleepless in St. Paul

Friday, we spent the night with Donna's girls and a movie to let them get away for their anniversary.  They went on a hot date uptown with music and dancing  to an old cabin in the middle of nowhere with lots of leaves and bugs.  And Damian pretended to be a 'hunter' in someones deer stand, to pose for a photo for Justin.  Sounds romantic. 

Saturday, Kamalee and Justin spent the night in the Children's Hospital in St. Paul for her sleep study.  Results came yesterday already.  Good news: She does NOT have sleep apnea or any sort of breathing issues.  Bad news: she is a very restless sleeper and he thinks this could contribute to her bad behavior.  So he would like us to come in and do sleep behavior program.  Which really isn't all that bad...we just will have a rough go for a few months; meaning Justin and I.

More pics to follow.

Yesterday

It Could Be Worse

I felt crappy.  Girl stuff.  Emotions.  Toothache.  Naughty child.  It was just an all around crappy day.  Then, I realized it could be worse.  My brother-in-law is doing testing and possible surgery...on they aren't sure what yet.  Or...I could look like this:

  Thankful my cousin is still here to pose for this!

I guess I will be happy with my crappy day.

Road to Faith

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.

--Psalm 25:4,5 

Life is a road of bumps and turns.  It is winding, curving, uphill and down.  The road may fork and it may be tough.  You may not know where it leads.  But I have faith the He will lead me down the right road.  If I had to guess, six years ago, where I would be today on my road, it would probably not be here.  Not on a road that included me here: a wife, a mom of two, 'house-less' and in Minnesota.

Less than six months ago, we were in a new home in South Dakota, thinking we were on a new road.  Little did we know, that road had a sharp curve and sent us on an uphill climb to another new road.  I felt as though something was missing.  I needed more.  I had faith, but I needed more.  I wanted church.  Four different church attempts led us to no longer enjoying and no longer attending.  We couldn't seem to find that church.  The one we both enjoyed and that we learned from.  It soon became habit to attend the church of NFL and jammies.  Our kids didn't know what church was.  I didn't want my kids not knowing what church was.

This weekend Justin attended his first church group.  A non-sunday event.  (After he shared his story of the night, I am not sure how much learning took place...but hey, that's a step anyway.)  The church hosted a Man Up event to help get the men involved.  Beyond attending on Sunday and maybe even listening to a whole sermon, we haven't been able to partake, enjoy or learn.  I was happy for him to attend.  Even if it did include wings, a beer and jousting with the Pastor.  But how many other people can say that they jousted with their Pastor?

Church is a new experience here.  But I am happy to say, we love it.  Our road is paved and ready to be traveled.

A Failed Attempt but Funny Day

 Picking your battles.  

This is a concept I have often struggled with.  It's like not yelling bingo, when you have a bingo.  Sometimes, the yelling just comes out.  Having a stubborn, strong-willed and tempered child, proves to provide many battles.  Sometimes it is not a matter of choosing, but a matter of staying sane.  But when it is just a matter of 'choosing my battle', I like it when it is simple and fun to let her win.

Today, Kamalee had a small melt down and wouldn't come down to get dressed.  Apparently, going to the basement our home is like having to get teeth pulled.  It is major drama each time.

I asked her if she would like to pick her own clothes as a bribe to stop the re-occurring melt down.  It failed.  So...I threw her clothes at her and said be quiet, it is time for Jayse's nap.  A few minutes later, she trots in whispering "mom".  She was dressed!  

Backwards panties and shirt...I picked my battle and she stayed that way ALL day.  She was proud.  And just luckily, it was a don't have to see anyone, no school, stay home all day kind of day. :)

 

Lately, we have had plenty of battles.  And am trying new methods to calm her, occupy her and just help her not be so down right mean.  :)  One way is trying to give her a baby to show her that Jayse is MY baby and I take care of him.  So she has her baby to take care of.  She is an overprotective mother hen one second but then she is wailing on him the next.  Today I strapped her on double duty with two babies and we fed them bobbas, put them in the high chair, to bed and she carried them both around.   It didn't help.  But she looked cute while it lasted.

OH...and Happy birthday to my niece Desiree today!

Quick and Cute

Just a quick hello and birthday wish!

Happy birthday to our niece Laney!  Sorry we couldn't be there to help you celebrate.

Jayse enjoyed his very first cookie today.  Loved it.  Just like his dad.

Playmates for Life

Day 4:  Down syndrome doesn't keep me from loving, playing, wrestling and giggling with my brother.  They are both at nice ages for communication right now.  Sometimes, it seems as if they have their own language.  We can't really understand either of them, but they giggle at each other and their 'conversation'.

Not a happy camper

Day 3: Down syndrome does not make a person happy.  And people with Down syndrome are not always happy.

Yes, I would agree that when Kamalee is happy, she is over-the-moon happy.  But when she is not happy...she will make sure the town knows all about it.

Sweet when she wants to be. :)

Definition

Day 2:  Down syndrome does not define a person.

There are many, many ways to describe Kamalee.  But Down syndrome does not define her.  Nor does it define any of the individuals with the magical extra chromosome.  It may be some thing that is present in their life.  But that is not a definition of who they are.

Kamalee is independent.  Kamalee is strong.  Kamalee has her own opinions and is sure to make it aware.  Kamalee defines herself.

With her strut and attitude.

 And her endless amount of 'non-fear'.  (is that a word?)

Down syndrome defining a person is like someone defining you by what color eyes or hair you have.  They can't control this anymore than you can control what you look like.  Would you want your dark, messy, thrown-in-a-pony-because-your-baby-was-up-5-times-last-night-too-tired-to-move hair to define you?

I don't. :)

Awareness Matters

It does matter.  Until I had Kamalee, I had no clue about Down syndrome.  I might have been able to peg a few people that had the disability.  Maybe.  Besides that, clueless.

Welcome to October.  A time for pretty leaves, cooler temps and football.  But even better; Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  A whole month to create awareness, share the ABILITIES of Down syndrome and love on Kammers.  :)

Get ready to be made aware.

Day 1:  Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition.  People with the 'disability' are born with it.  It will not go away.  But it does not keep them from doing the things they love.  Kamalee loves: Doc McStuffins, dancing, playing at the park, running, music, people and so much more.  She loves doing what everyone else does.

A few more of the Step Up for Downs Walk