Reflecting

Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to earth. We not only celebrate His birth in the manger, but also the reason for His coming -- His death on the cross. We thank You for providing eternal life for each person who will accept His free gift of salvation.

Refeclting on the past couple of weeks. Jason and I have really been thinking about what Christmas means to us and what we want to teach our Children. We decided that we really wanted to scale back and teach them more about giving. Cole's School helped. We made "Breakfast Bundles" for kids that can not afford Breakfast on the weekend. The School sends them home with a Bundle so they have something healthy to eat until School again on Monday. Great Program. The kids did chores around the house to raise money for the Room Mom's to buy the supplies. Cole could not belive that some kids go to bed hungry every night. He was so happy to be apart of something that helps children.

Jason also was a part of bringing groceries and gifts to a Family in need. It was like being Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. So cool.

We gave the kids 3 small presents. We talked about the Wise men and their gifts they gave baby Jesus. Cole even read the Christmas Story Sunday night at Dinner.

We are blessed our Children are blessed. They got a lot of presents from their Grandparents. But For the first time at Christmas I am seeing a different side of thankfulness from them. I think they are realizing what CHRISTmas is really about. Not just getting toys.

My Favorite Christmas present.... Something money can not buy. Jana walking. If I could make a Discover card Comercial I would show her walking and say PRICELESS..

Christmas

I love Christmas. I love everything about it. The Movies in Jammie's, lights, trees, Baking. I think Baking and Christmas lights are my favorite.

Seth made his own cookies this week. I just put them in Oven. He literally did everything. I am so proud of him.

I made Peanut butter Fudge, Fudge, Peanut Butter Balls, Pepper mint cookies, Carrot Cookies. Gingersnaps and Peanut Butter cookies. I am going to have to run all Spring to get all the calories I have put on.

We also made a Gingerbread house
All of the kids got involved:)

Jana is getting better and better with her steps. Love that girl.

I got the girls Matching Shirts from
http://www.ifyousaysewgifts.com/

Merry Christmas

Oh Happy Day and tears:)

There are moments that I will never forget. When Jason and I got married, When James Cole cried his first cry and made me a mom. Followed by Seth,Jana and Lanie. I have been waiting for this moment, praying for this moment, begging for this moment, crying you get the idea:)




Sunday Night I was fake crying trying to get Jana to take her first steps. I had no idea it would actually work. She took 3 beautfil steps. Jason and I instantly burst into tears. I have dreamed of this moment knowing it would bring tears to my eyes. It was better than I could have imagined. Since then she has taken more and more. Last night was the most 7. We used a stuffed Moose and Buddy. Hey whatever works right:)

Thank you Jesus for giving my Baby the wonderful gift of walking:)

Oh Christmas Tree oh Christmas Tree

Yes it is only November 15th but it is feelin a bit like Christmas around the Blanchard's. I have decorated the past two years early and I am really enjoying it. Yes.. it is before Thanksgiving but we do not celebrate it at our house so why not? The Boys and I had fun last week putting up the big tree and Jana and I had putting her Princess tree up tonight.

Today I was thinking about this past year and different milestones and thinking back to this Summer when Jana's Birthday came and passed and she did not walk. Then I said well she will be for sure walking by Christmas... now Christmas is coming and I am praying she does. I told her that it would be the best Christmas present ever but told her that if she does not her kisses would work too:)

So to get "out" of my mood I did what any woman would do with common sense started going through the fridge and cabinets for Chocolate. I was very pleasantly surprised when I found a bag of Monster cookies in the freezer. Ah it made everything better. Jana and I then put up her

"Pretty Pretty Princess Tree"

Hair and a little of Shirley Temple

When I was sitting in the Hospital one of the many promises I gave Jana was that I would always make sure she had cute hair. I thought of all the people I had seen with Down syndrome and they all had the same short hair cut. I think now that it is because it is easy to take care of they can be independent ect. But come on what 40 year old woman wants that look:) One of my Best friends called me from the gym and said she has just worked out and saw a young woman with Down syndrome and that she looked beautiful with blond long curly hair. That she could imagine Jana looking like that some day. I promised Jana that as long as I was living I would help her style her hair and put make up on and whatever else I could to help her feel like a "woman". What I did not know when I made that promise is that I had a full blown Diva on my hands:) She will only let me put her up in pig tails if she is sitting at her Beauty parlor. She loves getting dolled up and I love helping her:) She is my Pretty Princess. We had so much fun curling her hair the other night with sponge rollers. She was so cute she kept touching her hair all day with her cute little pink painted fingers.

New Puppy

We got a new puppy. His name is Buddy James Blanchard. He weighs 2.8 pounds. We found him through Craig's list. The kids are head over hills. So far he has been the perfect addition to our family.

My Prayer for my children

Dear Lord,
I pray that my Son's and Daughters will love you with all their heart, soul and mind. May the word of God take root in their heart and full their minds with things that are true, noble, just,pure, lovely,virtuous and praiseworthy,  Give them understanding that what goes into their mind becomes part of them so that they will weigh carefully what allows them to see and  keep them from negative emotions.
I pray that their faith in you and your word will grow daily so that they will live forever with sound mind and emotions of joy and praise.

Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are good report if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things
Philippians 4:8

Our new Family Member Buddy

Last of Chilean miners is raised safely to surface

We have been watching the Chilean Miners being raised to the surface all day. So amazing. I heard on of the Miners say he knows what Heaven and Hell feel like now. He is praising God with the rest of the Miners. It was such a happy day. We all watched the TV and Jana and Seth even claped when they came out. So happy for their families.

Labels are for cans not people

Why do we feel the need to put people in "groups". I have been thinking about this a lot this week. Someone who I admire has a Son that is Autistic. He was sharing that he had never felt segeration until last week. They were at the Zoo with his School class. He said that every time they entered a new place people would glance at their group of children in wheel chairs other challenges and quickly glance away. Some even ushering their children away. It stuck with him that feeling... Then he remembered all of times he has made apologies for his sons Autism in Social settings. Realizing now that he was putting his Son down without even meaning too. But putting him in a group. It made me cry... It made me think of Jana getting older and doing or saying things a little different and people without even meaning to putting her in a special group or casting their sight elsewhere. Then it made me think of how people do it every day to each other. Some look away when they see some one that does not have the same skin color as themselves, Others look away from a homeless man when in all reality we are all close to being a couple of pay checks from that . Or the Same Sex couple who are en counted with hate and bullying every day. It needs to stop. We need to stop feeling the need to put people in groups or under "labels". Labels are for cans not people.

I can not change the World but I CAN teach my children not to be so shallow minded to live in a box and feel the need to label every one around them. I CAN teach my children to love every one no matter what they look like. I promised Jana something today. I will never "Label" her. I will never apologize for her special chromosome again. I am her Mother and I am PROUD!

Sisters

I love this picture:)

I am Woman Hear me Roar:)

Last night while laying in bed I was thinking of my Bucket list.. Thinking of all the things I have left to do that have not been done. One of them was make a Pie from Scratch even the crust:) So I decided that today was the day. I called my Mom and got her crust recipe.
She said Use your Kitchen aide and add:
2 cups of floor
1 cup of Crisco
then add 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
and 1/3 cup of milk
Mix
Chill for an hour
I have to admit I was smiling the whole time. It is funny how making or doing things makes you feel more like a "Mom" or "Woman". I was like a giddy school girl waiting for it to bake. Then my kitchen went from smelling of apple Cinnamon goodness to burnt apple goodness. Hint... Put a cookie sheet under your pie while baking:)

I have to say I was very happy with the result:) Check #25 off my list:) I will save skydiving for another day.

My sweet girl

Today was a good day.... I am really starting to see some progress with Jana. I have been trying for months to get her to push this stroller. She HATED it. It causes her to use her muscles more and work harder. The only walker we have is more sturdy and she does not have to work as hard. She has been pushing her baby around all day. I love it!!! I love that she is pushing her stroller and I love that she is being a girlie girl. I use to lay in bed at night and dream of having a girl some day to play Dolls with. For some reason when I had Jana those first days I thought we would never be able to play dolls, school, etc. Thinking about it now makes me feel silly. Of course she can play dolls, school etc. She IS my Daughter and she is my girlie girl that I have also dreamed for. Now I need to go because Doll's are waiting to be played with:)

I am on of "those" Mom's but I am just fine with that....

Most of the time I am on of those "Mom"s that plays by the rules. But sometimes  you just gotta break them. Cole looked at me this morning and said "Mom do I really need to go to School...." I said maybe not then I thought I really should send him. Then I thought well he is a Straight "A" student and what is one day home going to do. So I declared today a pajama day. We are chilliaxing and making forts. Some days you just need to break the Momma rules and I am ok with that.

God will bring me through it..

God never more closely surrounds us than when he lifts us to his breast and carries us home.
Sometimes I wonder how God can be so good to us but yet allows us to encounter trouble and sorrow.
Then I turn to scripture...
4Then (E)I called upon the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I beseech You, (F)save my life!"
5(G)Gracious is the LORD, and (H)righteous;
Yes, our God is (I)compassionate.
6The LORD preserves (J)the simple;
I was (K)brought low, and He saved me.
7Return to your (L)rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has (M)dealt bountifully with you.
8For You have (N)rescued my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.


Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

If I stay in the word if I pray I know that I can not be shaken. No matter what happens in my life now or in the future God will bring me through it. Oh how sweet that is

My Loves

My Love

10 years.... I know I already blogged about our Anniversary weekend but today is our actual Anniversary so I thought I should also blog about it today:)

10 years ago at 11:00 am I walked down the isle to my Handsome Husband. It was such a wonderful day. It was a 70 deg Beautiful Fall day.

Jason and promised that we would love each other until the day we die. Read letters to each other. Looked in each others eyes with wonder of what the next 50 years would be like.

I wish we were sitting on a beach drinking drinks with umbrellas but instead we loaded up four kids in the mini van and headed to the Local Hot Wing joint. As our kids were telling us about their Highs and Lows of the day and I was rocking a baby and eating with the other hand Jason was singing wheels of the Bus with Jana I thought this is my life and really I would not want it any other way. This is our life and I love it.

I do not care if people think if I am cheesy. I think it is fun to call Jason "Hot Pants" on Face book. I love that he loves me.. I love that I get butterflies every time I see him. I love that I fit just perfect in the crook of his arm at night I love that in the chaos of Macaroni and cheese and Chicken nuggets we carve a piece of the night to be together and reflect on the Highs and lows of our days. I love it that he calls me every morning at break to give me a daily pep talk and tell me how much he loves me. I love that he never leaves work without kisses me and saying "I love you Gorgeous". Most of all I love that he is my rock and on my darkest days he brings me chocolate and celebrity gossip magazines and kisses away my tears without me even saying a word.

I love you Jason Blanchard aka Hot Pants and always will.

Promise

The Day after Jana was born I looked down at her sweet little face and with tears streaming down my face I said "You may have Down syndrome but Down syndrome does not = sweat pants. I will make sure you are always dressed cute until the day I die. I love to hunt for a bargain. I got this cute outifit on clearance for $4.99:)

Magic Shoes

Well Today we got Jana Magic Shoes. They are called Squeaker Shoes. We saw a little Boy at the Buddy Walk with them. We hope they are Jana's Magic Walking Shoes. She likes them so far and thinks it is cool when they squeak:)

How Many times should I forgive?

WOW is all I can say about our Message at Church this morning. It totally challenged me and made me think about a lot of things.

These are some observations about Human Nature.
We often hate in others in others what we see in ourselves. For instance it annoys me when people are late but yet I am always getting somewhere a couple of minutes late. It annoys me when people do not call me back but I do the same thing. See my point:)

We can not forgive as long as we stay the Victim. How many people do we know in this world that are the Victim. They love playing it. If I had a better job I would have more money. If I had more friends yet they do not want to be a friend. If I had a bigger house I would be happy. If My Wife or Husband treated me better I would be happier. Never taking their own actions for account. They make themselves weaker than they really are because they are always blaming other things to not be happy. Who really wants to live like that.

Unforgiveness is its own Prison.. We forgive others because we learn enough about God that we want to be loved enough that we are able to. Are you following me? Where does the Power to forgive come from? God.

Bottom Line is Forgiven people forgive. They are the only ones that truly can. Just liked Loved People Love people.

I think people that have a hard time letting things go is because deep down they are incapable of asking for forgiveness so they can not forgive. I am so glad that I know I am just a wretch saved my Grace. I know that I am not perfect I should ask for forgiveness every day from God, my Husband, friends. This allows me to forgive people easier when some one does something wrong against me. It is a whether freeing feeling:) You should try it.

Pumkins and Fun

Last night Matt and Megan came over. We ordered Pizza and got Pumpkins Held babies talked about our weeks. Sat around in comfy clothes and watched Forrest Gump. We also carved pumkins and roasted the seeds. I love how when you are such good friends you can just relax and undwind after a long week. It was so peaceful. I also love that we have friends that love our babies. That makes it so much sweeter.

Sugar Cookies with my Babes

Ingredients


1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1.In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).

2.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

3.Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

We made our frosting with this recipe
 
3 Cups of Powdered Sugar
1/3 Cup of Butter
1 tsp Vanilla
3-4 tbls of Half and Half more if needed