Filled With Gratitude

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. 

Albert Sweitzer

Everyday is a celebration in our household.  Everyday, we are filled with gratitude, blessings, and love.  Everyday we see the transformation of what a few short months with a family and love can do.  Everyday, we are thankful for our little girl.

I am "thankful" she has learned to find her "snack" in the pantry when she is hungry, spill it all over the floor, and talk to Austin as if she has no clue how the Golden Grahams landed on the floor.

I am thankful that Addy and Austin are daily teaching Sarah new things, and she is proving her Mama and Papa wrong.  Tonight when her speech therapist was here, we were writing some words and sounds to work on.  When she was playing with Addy, don't you know she proved us both wrong and spoke those sounds.  (I'm working on video of her speaking soon, I promise.)

 Thankful for my little sprite's spunky personality.  In the fast-paced morning, I neglect to take pictures of her in the early morning.  By the time she comes home, she looks like she enjoyed her day.  Mismatched clothes, hair askew, and so I captured the breakfast of champions, with Miss Sarah turning her head in the "teasing" way she plays.

My little helper, taking the folded clothes up and down the stairs.  Putting them in the dirty clothes basket, and distributing other clothes in places I'll find in the next couple months:)

Oh, I wish I could share how this girl has changed our lives and those she is with on a daily basis.  Her teachers are continually amazed with her quickness for picking up new concepts.  Her classmates treat her as an equal, but are filled with compassion and help her as needed.  Daily, we are met with hugs, hellos, and goodbyes when she is in the great places she is.

My Sarah, changing lives, changing perceptions, changing...

I am thankful in another week, we're heading to my hometown.  To be in that circle of thankfulness, family, and love.  Where a year ago, she was a picture of hope.  This year, she is amongst us.

I am filled with gratitude daily.  It's the greatest way to live!

My Little Light

We cannot hold a torch to light another's path 

without brightening our own.  

Ben Sweetland

Last Friday, I came down with the flu and when I finally was able to go to school, I had parent conferences and then proceeded to lose my voice for the rest of the week.  So, this is my first chance to share a miraculous day today with my friends.

Today, we celebrated the day Sarah was born.  It's actually next week, but a family wedding preempted her party to this weekend.  Her grandparents, great-grandparents, and cousins arrived to share in her first ever birthday party, a party for her.  Some drove down for the weekend and my parents took off for their Florida stay as soon as the party was over.  Everyone knew this occasion is a special one.   She didn't understand why everyone was here, but became completely consumed with unwrapping and opening each present before her.  

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After each treasure, she would prance around the room, sharing her delight and enthusiasm with everyone around her.

Even extended "relatives" provided something special for my little girl, in case she ever wants to dress up like a cowgirl.

 As with every child, it's the small things that get their attention.  Tissue paper and lollipops.

Every day, I count my blessings and say thanks for the joy and excitement she brings us, with her hugs and kisses.  She went around sharing her thanks in her very own special way.

Then, it was time for cake.  Now, sister LOVES cake.  Vegetables, not so much, but the sweets she's all about.  So it was cake and I wasn't sure how she would do with the candles.  When I sat her in her seat, she dug both hands into the cake before I could catch her.

With the help of Mama, she was able to blow out her candles.  I know her wish is to be thankful for the family she's been given.

Before everyone left, we had to get the obligatory child photo.  Notice her new shirt?  Cake and ice cream everywhere, and no photoshop editing program is THAT good. 

The one below is my FAVORITE...look how she is holding her sister and brother's hands in unadulterated joy.

The Great-Grandparents were able to spend some time showing her how the Fridge Phonics works.  She LOVES music!!

  And then, I remembered to give Owen and Meghan their hats we brought back from Ukraine. 

And so the day closed with Miss Sarah conked out for from the celebration.

What a beautiful day and thank you to our family and friends for always sharing Sarah's light with us . Filled with Gratitude,
Shelly

Remembering the Good

 Sometimes, I need only to stand wherever I am, to be blessed.  mary oliver

This morning, I began my first official day of school.  It's convocation, where the entire district meets for one giant pep rally, and to see friends from other school buildings.  My friends wanted to hear about Sarah and her celebrations, when someone said,"Your blog is always so happy. You're going to the park, playing with kids, having a good time.  Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I read your blog."  Yes, I do celebrate the good things.  I focus on the positive and write about what I want to remember.  Our family has its moments.  The house can be trashed, appointments and errands run here and there, Sarah throws tantrums, and the kids are fighting.
  But when I think about the day, I remember the good.  I am blessed.

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Sarah's new friends rallied around her the next day we arrived at school.  As she was searching for her first activity of choice, one spunky blondie said, "She doesn't have her words yet," and without a moment's hesitation Miss Emily said, "Her words aren't here yet, but they're on their way soon." 

Think about that.  It's a way for 3 or 4 year olds to understand individual differences.  
"They're not here yet, but they're on their way soon."

Then, that afternoon, Sarah walked into her home, waving her arms and said, "Hi." Unscripted, unprompted, spontaneous because those are the words one says when you greet someone.  She's learning.  Everyday, she's learning something new.  Her words are on their way soon.

We had her home visit from the school psychologist and the play-based assessment, but our IEP meeting won't be until the end of the month.  All the therapists, intervention specialists, and supervisors were amazed at what Sarah can do in the 2 1/2 months she's been in the U.S.  When I shared she was the only child with Down syndrome in her groupa, one therapist said,"You make a good argument for full inclusion."  My Sarah, already changing perceptions.

 As a mama, I'm on my own learning curve about her needs, instruction, and IEP's.  A different viewpoint, for sure.
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The early awakening is making for an easy bedtime transition.  At the beginning of her new life in our home, Sarah needed us to lay down beside her bed until she fell asleep, otherwise she would not stay in her bed. (We tried everything!)  Soon, it was only 10-15 minutes, and now she's asleep within 5 minutes of us standing outside her door.  My little girl has found her home, her place to feel safe, her family.

 Austin chooses to sleep in a sleeping bag so that he doesn't need to make his bed in the morning.  He is the first one to fall asleep.

Addy, my tween, will fight sleep to the bitter end.  After an hour of laying in bed, she was still awake, although not fond of the flash.

We're adjusting to the new schedule, and next week, the big kids will begin.  And so the cycle continues.  Have a wonderful weekend, and remember to celebrate the many blessings you've been given.  Celebrate the moments with your family, and live life to the fullest.

  Sometimes, I need only to stand wherever I am, to be blessed.  mary oliver

Life's A Gift

Life:  it's about the gift, not the package it comes in.
Dennis P. Costea Jr.

Since we began our adoption process, I've found Mamas across the globe who are writing and celebrating the gift of life daily.  I love reading their thoughts, and their blog titles say it all...
Making The Most of Today, Life's Little Surprises, Enjoy the Journey, One Day At a Time, and there are many more that I read.  Their words inspire anyone who reads them that every day is precious. 

My uncle was rushed to the hospital a week ago, while he was having a heart attack.  Today, everything is looking good and has a follow-up in three months.

I met my friend, Kecia, in Ukraine during our adoption process.  She didn't think she would be able to have anymore children, adopted Mia, and now is expecting twins to make a family of eight.  Going from Five to Eight in a year.  Amazing!

My friend, Amy, of One Day At a Time, wrote me today.  "Love first, Baby.  It's an incredibly, humbling thought!" 

Life's A Gift!  Celebrate the good, the air you breathe, one another.  Celebrate. Embrace life's journey.
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We live a a couple miles from the best zoo in America, but we haven't made it there with Sarah.  So the weather was cooler, the sun was shining, and off we went.

 Sarah was okay in the stroller until it was time for the Habitat Hollow, and then she was ready to roll.  The big kids were climbing over the words, Shelter, Food, Water, and she followed, holding Mama's hand, of course.

She loved the freedom of exploring, every nook and cranny in the house.  But, Little Sister was not happy to be put back in the stroller.

She enjoyed the barn, getting down close to look at the animals.  Seeing her wide-eyed wonder of amazement at every creature today, convicts me to not take anything for granted.  Looking at everything through new eyes, new experiences with her is a precious gift.

Then, we took the train ride.  Since we couldn't all sit together, she wanted Addy and Austin to feel loved, so she high-fived them before the ride began.

There is so much excitement, bubbling out of her and she knows something electrifying is about to happen, and she's sharing "I'm so excited to be out of the stroller" face with the rest of the passengers.  When we would pass the crossings and people were waving at the train, she'd wave back and knew they were all waving, just for her.  Hooping and hollering with thrills.

But, the aquarium and manatee buildings were another of her favorites.
Getting up close to the glass, touching the starfish, and I watched the attendants go out of their way to bring shells and other items closer for Sarah to touch.  And my heart was filled with hope and joy, to see others recognize the heart of Sarah. To know she was eager to experience this new moment in time.

She followed Addy wherever Addy went, did whatever she did, and wanted to be like her Big Sister.

She loves her family, her brother and her sister, and seeks every opportunity to hug them. 
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This weekend, Andy's taking the Big Kids on the Back To School Camp-Out all weekend.  Sarah and I will celebrate a friend's wedding, their moment in time.
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Life's a precious gift.  Embrace your journey.

Loving Life...