Here's a good laugh...

Mr. Weatherman told us it was suppose to snow Tuesday night and then all day Wednesday. So Tuesday we ran around like mad getting Christmas done and grocery shopping out of the way and all those little things that needed to be done. When we woke up Wednesday school was closed but still no snow. Mr. Weatherman told us once again that it should snow all day Wednesday. So I decided that we would get all the last minute packages shipped and go to the store to get boots for the boys before the snow started. We did just that and still no snow. By 3:30 in the afternoon there still wasn't any snow so we dropped Jonah and Tate at a friends and the rest of us decided to go walk around Target to kill some time. As we were getting out of the car the people next to us were getting in and she said to us, "you should probably hurry my husband says he is in Tacoma and the snow is on it's way here." Someone (I'm not mentioning names) scoffed at this and we went inside and preceded to wander. Tony and Kiegan separated from us girls for a minute and quickly came back saying it is dumping outside we need to go. I truly thought that they were pulling my leg until we got up to the checkout. Sure enough it was coming down and hard. We hurry as fast as we can but no one really knows how to drive in the snow here because it rarely snows. We decided that we would just go the normal way home which is the shortest way but up a hill and around some blind corners. We are doing fine and then all the sudden we turn a corner and there is a wreck. So of course we have to back down and somewhat around this corner sliding here and there. Very stressful for Tony. We finally get turned around and decide we are going to go up the back way to our neighborhood. Well, that road was closed. Tony by this time is unnerved and asks me to drive. We are trying to avoid the freeway at all costs and a friend suggests this other way that has a steady hill but not so bad. I'm driving and it takes FOREVER to even get 1 mile to this other way. We are doing good, we have enough momentum and I decide we are just going to go for it and try to go in between the cars coming down the hill and the cars going extremely slow "trying" to get up the hill. So what happens? An idiot driver from the slow side goes in front of me and I have to slow down which of course causes us to spin out and we are toast. We proceed to slide backwards down this hill, and yes I admit I said a few choice words. I finally get the van stopped and over to the side but by then we are toast. We can't go back down the hill and try again because there are too many idiots now who are stuck in the middle of the hill and street. So we sit. Thinking that we are in an interesting predicament and being very grateful that Belle managed to fall asleep even though she should be awake screaming for food. I of course am cringing inside that no one knows how to drive in this weather and I who do know how to drive in snow has to suffer because of their stupidness. We sat there awhile trying to decide what we could do. Should we walk, do we try it again, do we try the last option...the freeway. Then my sweet sweet friend calls to check on us and to see if we want her to come and get us. The heroine to our snowy adventure. Katie K. came and saved the day. She not only entertained Jonah and Tate for the afternoon but she was brave and came out by herself to rescue us. She is so great! One more hero that needs to be recognized is Bryan P. To the few of you who don't know him this guy is the king of the snow. He loves and often stays out until all hours of the night helping stranded people when it snows. We were thinking that maybe he could help us in the morning or something but he came straight over and drove, yes drove our van up the hill and straight home with no problems. Thank you thank you Katie and Bryan you saved our day. You guys are the best! We appreciate you guys so much.
At the end of the night when I was climbing into bed I was so grateful for great friends that look out for each other, a sleeping baby amidst the chaos, family, warmth, and a watchful eye from above. I was also humbled a bit that I being raised in 10 foot snow couldn't do it and had to ask for help. Yes, stubborn me had to ask for help and I would do it again.

6 month checkup

Belle had her 6 month checkup yesterday which is actually closer to 7 months. Nonetheless she had to get 3 shots 1 was the flu shot. YEAH!!! Last night was not good though, she woke up at 3 am with a fever of 102. I felt so bad for her. After the medicine kicked in she pretty much moaned all night long which meant both of us were awake the rest of the night. She finally went down for a nap this morning and I am looking forward to one this afternoon. She is completely miserable. I feel so bad that something so good for her is making her feel so miserable.

Here are her stats:
24 1/4 in. ........35%
14 lbs. .......60%
head 15 7/8 in. .......4%

This is the closest smile I could get all day yesterday. Poor girl.

Thanksgiving

A few pictures from Thanksgiving.

Jonah and Kiegan love the huge turkey legs. (GAG)

The boys spent the entire day sliding down the stairs in their sleeping bags. Tony and I thought for sure we would be making a visit to the E.R.

Guess who weighs more?......The turkey at 16 lbs.

Our Thanksgiving was nice and small. We wanted to be with family but we made the best of it at home. Which of course meant that I stayed in my pj's almost all day while Tony cooked everything. So I'm not complaining. It was great and it all tasted so good. We are thankful for so many things this year.

Angels

Warning: This post is not for emotionally challenged people.

A year ago on the 26th of this month is the year mark of when we found out about our angels extra little chromosome. It came by surprise. Without going into the whole story, I was scared and felt very alone. I wasn't alone by any means because I have such wonderful supportive family and friends. But it is a really hard thing to digest and accept when you have a different dream of what your little girl, your only little girl's life will be like. Then you get told it will be something totally different. Only someone who has been through something similar to this knows what I'm talking about. Many of you know the story (if not, the short version is at the bottom of the blog) Tony was out of town and I had my Aunt Linda here with me. I don't know what I would have done without her. She held me when all I could do was cry. I am so grateful she was there for me while Tony was away. She was an angel at the right time and the right place. Learning that something is "wrong" with your baby that you can't do anything about is a horrible feeling. The feeling is indescribable. Through my pregnancy I came to accept that this extra chromosome isn't going to run our lives. Of course not a day will go by that we won't think about it, but it doesn't determine us or our lives. And above anything it doesn't determine who Belle is or what she can become. By the time she came I couldn't have been more prepared or ready for her and this new journey. Just like the song playing I believe there are angels among us. Sent down to us from somewhere up above. Sent to each of us to touch our lives and make them better. There have been more good moments than bad but in those dark moments I know that my Heavenly Father is reaching down and showing me the way, guiding me with his light. I know he loves me and my little family. I know that he knows I needed to be blessed with this little angel. She brings us so much happiness. There are so many angels around us that we can and can't see. I first heard the song Angels Among Us, by Alabama about 13 years ago. It was after I met an adorable 7lbs. 13oz little boy. But I remember listening to this song knowing beyond a doubt he was an angel among us. I have felt this with others since then but none like I feel it with Belle. I know I am the mom and very prejudiced but she truly is an angel. She has taught my rough little boys so much love and compassion already. She has taught Tony and I that life is precious and we need to slow down and enjoy the present. We have so much to learn from her. This month has been a very emotional one for me. Poor Tony. Looking back over the last year and how much I have grown is very emotional. A year later though I am very happy and can honestly say that I am more than ok with her extra chromosome. This past year has definitely had it's ups and downs but I can truly say that I am at a place that I am ok with it. I love her so much and that means I also love her extra chromosome. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and in the last week I have been reminded once again how much. I have a dear dear friend that just gave birth to a little girl who also has DS. I know that Heavenly Father introduced us two years ago for a reason. She is an amazing woman and I couldn't be more excited to go through this journey with her. I do have to admit though that the freshness of her experience has brought up a lot of feelings. I was reminded of how scared I was and how at times I felt alone and that I wasn't worthy of this perfect little angel. Feeling this again and the year mark since we found out has been very emotional for me. At the end of the day I can honestly say I think I am a better person because of Belle. I think I am stronger, kinder, and more positive. My life is so full and blessed with her in it. I have a new outlook on life. I know the first year was probably the hardest. Not saying that we won't have ups and downs in the future but we have a year under our belts and we made it. We ended up on top and things are good. I am so grateful to all the angels in mine and my families life. I am so thankful for all of you that have been so supportive and loving during this past year. You all are angels among us. Thank you for your friendships and kind words. Thank you for just smiling when I needed a smile. Thank you for all the many phone calls and prayers our way. This past year would have been so hard without all of you. I cherish all of you. My angels.......

Happy Birthday Jonah