Never Give Up on Anyone

ALL ABOUT CHARLIE

Look who I'm running for....

Weldon Shipp

On December 9 I will be running my 3rd 1/2 marathon and the two charities were announced today.  Save our Streets Ministries and the Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley are going to have friends waiting for us at the finish line with medals. 
The little one pictured above is my great uncle.  He was born after 1922, but before 1930.  I'm not sure of his exact birthday.  He was born after my grandmother Lola.  He did not live long.  Maybe 2 years or so.  This picture was at my Uncle Tommy's house and was found after he died last July.  I had heard my grandmother speak of baby Weldon and when she was very elderly in the nursing home I watched as she cried for him.  I'm not sure if my great grandparents knew this little baby had Down Syndrome.  Did the doctors?  I'll never know.  Did he have a heart condition or a weak immune system and died due to pneumonia or another illness?  I do know he is buried in Rogers, Texas and his grave is marked by a little white lamb.  He was loved.

Happy Birthday Charlie

On a Thursday morning 5 years ago this little baby was handed to me!  I love looking at this picture because I can really see him today.  The little lips and hands are so cute.  I miss that little baby, but sure do love my big boy.  Charlie is a great big brother to Aubrey and Hank, a very good room cleaner (when he's told to do so), and always gets compliments from his teachers.  We are blessed by this little angel.

Cute-ness

Look at this 16 month old baby--ready for a tricycle ride!  If only his feet could touch the pedals.  He wasn't concerned about that at all.  He was content to sit on it and hang out while Aubrey sped away in the red truck she can barely drive.  Hank is growing up so fast.  Too fast.

Playing in the backyard last night
4-09-2012

Easter is coming!

Last night I was putting Charlie and Aubrey to bed and our normal routine is read 2 books, pray, get the radio set and nightie night.  Throw in some arguing over a CD or radio and that's pretty much what we do every single night.  Last night after reading Aggie Nursery Rhymes i went into telling them the story of Easter.  I asked them what Easter is and of course both responded with hunting eggs and seeing a bunny.  Of course that's what I expected.  We haven't done the best job in preparing them in the important part of our belief surrounding Easter.  So, I called up all my knowledge of Easter and transformed it into something appropriate for a 3 and almost 5 year old.  Started with how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then was raised on the 3rd day.  For a 4 year old full of questions that was completely mind boggling as we have just talked about how Doda has gone to Heaven, but not coming back.  50 questions later we move into how Jesus was taken up into Heaven to be with God and because of Him we will get to be with Him one day, too.  Transfiguration, the Holy Ghost, and God will have to wait for another day!


A little excerpt from our conversation:
Me-"....and that is how we get to be with Jesus in Heaven one day."
Aubrey-"and then we'll go get our teeth cleaned?"

Laying the foundation to be able to talk about God and Jesus throughout the day--asking them for help and guidance--that's my goal for my babies.  They need to know we can talk to God all day and he will be available.  Note to self.  

Flashback Friday

In almost just 2 weeks this baby will be 5 years old!  Five years.  Hard to believe!  If you read a Birth Order book he will be characterized by all of the bullets under "First Born Son". 

Charlie Newton on a mission!

Spring Break '12

Spring Break has come to an end and it was such a wonderful time.  My main goal was to rest and work in the flower beds.  The flower beds took 2 trips to BoBo's and 3 days worth of weeding, transplanting, designing, and getting everything in the best spot.  The kids helped--well were outside with me--and loved every minute except when they were fighting. 
The kids are at such a good age to let them roam around the back yard and play with all of the toys.  Hank is pretty good about not putting dirt and critters in his mouth and loves his little red swing.  Charlie made a wonderful dirt concoction and Aubrey honed her soccer ball skills.  She is a natural!
Monday we all loaded in the 'burb and headed to College Station for Hank's 2 doctor visits.  His yearly and his ENT follow up.  He checked out fine at both and his growth charts show him being at least 6'2''. Poor guy had to get 4 shots and still ate Chick-fil-A like a champ.  The playground was pretty cool....for about 10 minutes, then Mommy had to get OUT!
Tuesday I was able to meet friends for dinner and we had an amazing time.  Just riding in the car and not hearing Mommy, mommy, mommy over and over was so relaxing.  Had the best Mahi-Mahi tacos and a Throw Back Cherry Coke from BJ's Brewhouse.

8 Mondays left until summertime and the livin' is easy.

BoBo's Nursery

Sweet Keith

Celtic Thunder Keith @ Dan Electro's 3/2/12

We did it!

March 4, 2012 Armadillo Dash

 

We finished.  We didn't crawl.  We only walked a bit and stretched a lot!  Greg's family met us at the flagpole and after a 15 minute delay we were off!  The first 5 miles went pretty smoothly with a pit stop at mile 4.  The course was boring and had gradual hills--not the best combination.  Together with Sara and Kristin we talked about what food we wanted, "mowedonions", and how incredibly bad our body parts hurt.  The best water stop was at mile 12.  Aldersgate Methodist gave out the most juicy, cold orange slices.  We walked through and I savored that piece of orange.  It was just what I needed to get it in my head that to finish faster I had to run faster.  So, off I went and boy did it hurt.  My magic knees were screaming and my thighs were begging me to stop.  Mind over matter.....mind over matter.  My feet were asleep and I heard Kris come up behind me with her hurting ankle and we finished together.  Sara was about 30 seconds behind me and we cheered her through the finish line.  Matt brought the 3 muskateers with him and they had fun watching mommy race.  It was a truly fun day from start to finish.  Being with some of my favorite people and then laying out on the couch for a good 2 hours.  That was the bomb.  Matt cooked breakfast for dinner and entertained the kiddies while I rested.  I'm very glad it's over, but I cannot wait until December for the BCS 1/2.  Hopefully I'll have more good friends to run and laugh with.  I never thought I would be looking forward to a 1/2 marathon...that is just plain weird.

Positive Parenting Guest Post

 I do love a sticker chart--but for my 3 kids this does make sense.  A classroom full of kiddos raised by different parents?  Well, now that's another story.



http://www.positive-parents.org/2012/03/rethinking-sticker-chart-guest-post-by.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+positive-parents%2FbahS+%28Positive+Parenting%3A+Toddlers+and+Beyond%29

Stationery Card

Celebration Banner Blue Birthday Invitation

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Valentine Ideas Galore

http://www.dirtandboogers.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-2012-blog-hop.html

Happy Valentine's Day

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