My message

I had the privilege of sharing my testimony with the women of my moms' group at church today. Normally this would have had me freaking out with nerves. The first time I shared my story, I cried the whole way through.

Today was very different. I have a message now that I didn't have before. I had people praying for me as I prepared. 

My main messages were:

1. Keep Christ at the center of your home. Your kids will not be fooled, even if you go to church all the time and serve in ministry.

2. Little girls need daddies.  

3. Ralph has given me new dreams and the courage to take risks. 

I was able to share things that I had not ever shared publicly before. I just hope that in an attempt to be "real" I managed to be uplifting. Because I want people to know that no one is too far gone and no one is unlovable. 

Pondering at the Park

Today I promised Leroy that I would take him and Ralph, and Ruby of course, to the park. The weather has been so beautiful lately that I thought we should take advantage of it. You never know when it is about to change for the worse!

Naturally, nothing ever happens as planned around here. We didn't get out the door until after lunch because I was putting out fires all morning. When we finally did leave the house, the first thing was to get some gas. Leroy was so irritated with me for that, I though he would have a fit.

We went to our favorite playground in the city. I was so afraid that it would be packed due to the awesome weather, but no. I pointed Ralph in the direction of the swings, my favorite! He lost his footing on the sandy sidewalk. He was really skating on the sand! Must be because he is such a lightweight.

As I was pushing Ralph in the baby swing, I noticed that he was looking at something, but nothing was there. And, then after a moment I figured it out. The autumn afternoon sun was in a perfect position for Ralph to see his shadow swinging and my shadow standing. 

I don't know if he has ever taken notice of his shadow before. I would guess not. I started waving and then asking him to wave to mommy's shadow. After a while he was giggling and waving to his own shadow as well as mine. What fun!

I give Ralph a fair amount of freedom here to walk about and try things. Ralph wanted to try spinning in this cup again today. It's so funny that when Rose tries this I have to push her around. With Ralph I just set him in the cup and he starts to spin. I don't have words to tell you how weird it is...he just spins with zero effort...like he has some innate spinning power. Kinda scary.

There were three teenage girls standing and chatting on this saucer swing. Ralph walked up and they started ooohing and ahhing over him. I asked if he could get on the swing with them and set him down in the middle of them. Silly boy only lasted 10 seconds. He signed "all done" and so I rescued him.

Like a lot of two year old children he plays around other children but he doesn't play with them. He doesn't seem to care right now, he's just having a blast at the park. Then I started to get a little sad wondering what happens when he gets older and wants to play with the other kids. Will they accept him? Will he get hurt?

Of course he will. I get the old "no one will play with me" all the time from my other children. I'm not afraid. I'll handle it when we get there. Is there a way to prepare each other? I wonder.

A drop in the bucket.

Be a drop in the bucket for Maxim. Can you spare $10?

Maxim is a little boy living in a mental institution (HELLHOLE!) in Eastern Europe. He should be going to preschool, getting hugs and kisses from his mommy, getting tossed up in the air by his daddy.

All because he has Down Syndrome, he was rejected by his mommy and daddy. Because he has Down Syndrome he will never have a chance to go to school. Unless...

...his new mommy and daddy find him. Maxim is available for adoption! There is no shortage of people willing to adopt, only a shortage of funds. It costs roughly $25,000 to redeem one child through adoption.

Only by the grace of God, was Ralph born to me in the United States of America. When I learned about the sad fate of children with Down Syndrome in Eastern Europe I knew I had to do something. Will you help me?

My goal is to raise $1000 before December 31 for Maxim's adoption grant fund. If my Networked blog followers each chip in $10, that would make $800! If each of my Facebook friends chip in $10, that would be over $3000!

If you contribute $35 or more you will receive a beautiful porcelain photo ornament of your sponsored child to hang on your tree! This is a very special way to "share Christmas" with an orphaned child, and to make it possible for other families to afford the high cost of rescuing them from orphanages and mental institutions around the world!

Please be a little drop in the bucket.

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You can donate three ways.

1. Send a check to Reece's Rainbow
PO Box 4024, Gaithersburg, MD 20885

2. Paypay through the link at Reece's Rainbow.

3. Paypal through the Chip In link at the top left hand side of this page.

Speaking of flying...

These photos are for the cross-country team banquet on Friday. The girls are making a slide show for the seniors. I thought I might as well post them here, while I'm at it.

Richard. Born on the 4th of July.

He's almost all grown up now. Ready to fly away.

I gave him about 5 minutes notice that we were going to get some photos taken! ha! There were several shots that were really good, but we had to only pick one today. 'Cuz I'm out of money. But I needed them today.

Apparently, someone in Dublin (that's in Ireland) decided that I should buy them a plane ticket. No. Joke. I guess they didn't think I'd miss that $400. 

My dispute has been filed and should be resolved...in about 10 days. That sounds like a long time to me.

Knock me over!

I was knocked down by a fever yesterday. Almost literally knocked down! In the space of half an hour I went from feeling just fine to bundled up on the couch, freezing and shivering. I'm a firm believer in the power of a fever to kill whatever it is that is making you sick. But, oh dear, what misery. 

I'm thankful for my teenage boys who were willing and available to help me take care of the babies yesterday. I'm well aware that, as a mom, I'm not really allowed to get sick so it's nice to have them to cover for me.

So, I still need to give away a book, don't I? Thank you for all the lovely comments in October. I made some great new friends last month. To choose a winner I numbered all my comments in the order they were received. Then I used random.org to choose a number. Surprise, surprise! Your consistency paid off Barbara, you win! 

If she is a woman of her word, and I believe that she is, it may well be the Gifts 2 that keeps on giving.

October Giveaway

Thank you for your support during the 31 for 21 challenge during the month of October. It was so nice to have more comments to look forward to each day! I'm not too good to offer a freebie in order to get some blog love.

I need a day to go through the comments and draw for a winner. If I were completely pulled together I would have been doing this as I went through the month of October, but I hope you know me better than that!

I'll post the winner of Gifts 2 before midnight tomorrow. Good luck!

IT'S HERE!!!

IT'S HERE!! The 2009 Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree Project is live today.

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Announcing our 4th Annual


CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE

The Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministryis a 501c3 charity which promotes and facilitates the international adoption of children with Down syndrome.

In only 3 years, more than 225 children with Down syndrome and other special needs have found their "forever families" at the end of Reece's Rainbow!

Your gifts have made that possible!

The Angel Tree is our most important fund raiser each year, and this year we have (166) orphans with Down syndrome around the world who are in need of grant donations (and adoption!)

From November 1-December 31, 2009, each of our orphaned children is praying that YOU will be their "Christmas Warrior". Please help them raise money in their adoption grant fund so a *forever family* can afford to rescue them from life in a mental institution.

There are families lined up and waiting to save these children,but they need financial help to do it! With an average cost of $25,000 to adopt internationally, every penny helps. Even the smallest donations really add up, and can truly change the course of a child's life!

*** With your donation of $35 (or more), you will receive a beautiful, porcelain Christmas ornament with your sponsored child's photo on the back. ***

This is a special way to share Christmas with an orphaned child, and to make it possible for them to spend NEXT Christmas at home with their new family!

Regardless of your faith, ethnic background, or nationality, your gift is life-saving in nature. Our goal is to raise $1000 or more for each of our waiting children. You can help by donating and sharing this Angel Tree with others! This is a very meaningful and personal gift idea for the holidays too!

*** Be SURE to watch and share our new video (click link to the right)....powerful, moving, compelling, and definitely worth watching! It really captures the essence and urgency of our work! ***

We also ask you to please share this official Angel Tree announcement with everyone you know!

Visit our home page at www.reecesrainbow.org throughout the year for more ways to bring our children into loving families. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. EIN 20-5466141

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I'm so excited! This is Maxim and I think he is a darling! My goal is to help raise $1000 for his adoption grant fund before December 31.

The goal for the 2009 project is to raise $1000 for each child's adoption grant fund. Won't you help me spread the word?