Not Happening

Obviously, my "31 for 21" challenge is not happening...
Let's just chalk that one up to good intentions, and I will not commit to blog every day ever again!  I don't even have time to wash my hair every day, so I am not sure where I thought I was going to add blogging daily in to my routine.
Plenty of things have been happening, though, not all of which have been good.  On Monday night, I made a little (ahem) trip to the ER with Joshua, who then had to drink the dreaded charcoal liquid.  Yes, he had an ingestion situation of something that was not meant for him to swallow, but he is all fine now.  I am so very thankful and wearing several new grey hairs that I did not have on Monday morning.  On Wednesday, Joshua had speech therapy at 8:15 am, then we headed out for a road trip to the Secretary of State's office to get our adoption post placement reports apostilled.  We also walked around downtown for a little while, visiting the Archives building and the White House of the Confederacy.  Today, we have a field trip to tour the post office with our homeschool co-op group.  Tomorrow is therapy for Joel (physical, feeding, occupational).  There are, of course, other things on the schedule, as well, but I won't bore you with the details...
Hope your day is GREAT!

Flashback

This picture of Joel and I was taken on December 8, 2010 on our first trip to Bulgaria.  I remember that outfit was a 6-9 month size.  That particular day, I remember that we were able to take him out of the orphanage (accompanied by a worker) to have the photo for his visa taken.  It was such a special day for me, holding him while walking through the city.  I was just so very thankful for that opportunity, and I continue to feel that way every day.  So thankful.  So blessed.

Press "Pause", Press "Play"

I took a little hiatus in my "31 for 21" blogging challenge.  I had 4 extra kids for 2 days.  People always say things like, "If you can handle 3, you can handle 5" or "4 is really no different than 3".  NOT TRUE!  10 is more than 6.  Now, I am sure that if you actually have 10 kids, you arrange your life for that, and it becomes your normal.  However, I don't have 10, and while I absolutely enjoyed the chaos that ensued, I certainly had no time for blogging!  The laundry, dishes, changing, dressing, feeding, park-going, wiping, Clue playing, and redirecting took all of my time and then some.  Now, I am back, and will hopefully have a new post up tomorrow!
As far as today, I am going to try to balance my husband's need for us to get some work done around this house with my need to run away from this house!!!  The roofers are coming (I think), and I am anticipating much noise above our heads for the better part of the day.  8 people + much added noise makes me want to go outside.  Going outside in our yard could mean being hit in the head with a flying shingle!  I really better come up with a plan that takes us elsewhere...
Happy weekend to you all!

Homeschooling & Socialization

We home school.  We always have.  It is a great fit for our family, and most of the time, I enjoy it very much.  There are challenges at times, but I am sure there are challenges in any educational setting.  We work through them and move on.
Throughout the years, people have made many comments (positive and negative) to me about home schooling.  Honestly, it does not bother me at all if someone does not agree with our choices.  I am not a very defensive person, in general.  Most of the time, parents make choices for their children that they believe to be best for those particular children.  With that in mind, I see absolutely no need for arguing about which school setting is right or wrong.  Every parent of every child has to decide that for themselves.  For our kids and our family, home schooling has been the right choice.
One thing that I have found interesting is how many people question whether or not my children will know how to act in "the real world."  I find that to be a very odd question since we live in "the real world" right now.  They aren't in a "pretend world" at home with me.  They go to the grocery store, the bank, the doctor's office, karate lessons, the park, and anywhere else life takes us.  One child has been to a real estate closing and a homeless shelter.  We did not necessarily seek out those experiences to fit our lesson plan - life just took us there!
Today, we went on a little excursion to the local science museum.  While there, we had the opportunity to be around students from a local public school's gifted class and with students from a local Muslim school.  There were also some adults with special needs on a trip with their class, and another group of younger students with special needs, also on a field trip.  We came home in time for my older kids to change into their karate clothes and be dropped off for class with more kids, some home schooled and others public schooled.  While the older kids had their lesson, I took the younger ones to a local park.  They played with several children there who happened to be bilingual Hispanic children.  This is just an example of one very typical day.  The places that we go may change from day to day, but we always have opportunities to interact with people from varying backgrounds and circumstances.  You know - in "the real world."

Sweet Dreams!

31 for 21 Challenge!

I am planning to blog all 31 days in the month of October in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness month!  Not every post will be about Down Syndrome, but I am sure that some will.  My life has been pretty blessed by many little people who have that extra 21st chromosome!  I hope you enjoy the posts!

Fundraiser for the Rhodes Family!

http://findingourlittleone.blogspot.com/2011/09/all-ways-you-can-help.html?spref=fb
Please visit my friend's blog!  Mandy and her family are adopting 2 little ones from a place that is VERY close to my heart!  I was able to hold one of her little sweeties, and I am just so happy that these boys have a committed family.
Please consider doing a little Christmas shopping via one of their fundraisers!  You can tackle your shopping list and help the Rhodes family bring home these 2 precious boys!