12 Hours to Go!

Yeah! I have too much to do in way too little time today, what else is new. And, we have scheduled some crazy things for this week, overwhelming to say the least! I should not be sitting here at the computer, wasting some time, but I can't help but check out what's going on, especially with the Christmas Warriors! I am very excited! I mailed my invitations today to the fundraiser, and will be posting the details on the blog soon. Exciting times! I am dreaming big this year! I want all these kids to get forever families committed to them, and I want the funding to be there so there are no financial worries :)

S A T U R D A Y Night!

I am sitting here watching the Twilight. I really think I need to see a marathon of the first three movies before Breaking Dawn comes out. I remember vaguely hearing about Twilight when it first came out, and I couldn't figure out what the hype was all about. I never heard of Stephanie Meyers or the books. I didn't know what Team Edward or Team Jacob were all about. And then my brother borrowed the movie from the library (way, way after it came out). Against my wishes, I watched it. Don fell asleep, and I was Hooked! I still can't figure it out, but I love the movie. I started reading the book right away, and even got the four book set for my birthday that year (thank you Don). I have been looking forward to the Breaking Dawn movie coming out, for so long now. One of my friends has invited me to go with her to see the movie (they always go right when it comes out). Yippee!

And then I realized, the date of my fundraiser for Jamison is the day the movie comes out! I really tried to pick a good day, this time of year gets so booked up, and I spent lots of time looking at dates. This was the best date, and the place was available.

Honestly, I am way more excited about the fundraiser than I am about the movie. And thankfully, my friend is very forgiving! She is not mad about the conflict of dates, and we are trying to find a different time to go that weekend. I am very thankful that she wants to be at the fundraiser with me (and has even volunteered to help out). I have sure got a great group of really good friends, whom I love!

Very quietly here, I want to admit that I am nervous about this blog going "public" to my friends and family. I think I have never really started blogging because I am not sure people will like my writing. Math is my strong area, but I have always wanted to be a writer. I love to write. I also love to sing. And just cause I love it, and I do it, doesn't make me good at it (the singing especially). Out here in the Internet world, where people don't know me, I am o.k. with people reading what I write. But my friends and my family? Maybe this is too personal. It is easier to write about feelings than it is to say them. I have even thought about deleting all my prior posts (except for the videos) before I post the blog on Facebook. And I have decided to wait until November 1st, the start of the Christmas Warriors to do so.

I don't have much traffic, I see the numbers. And that is alright, especially since I have never told anyone about this really. Will my friends and family even come and read? Does anyone else really read it? I guess it doesn't really matter to me, I do enjoy the writing. But, I really do want to raise awareness for Jamison and Reece's Rainbow, and help them raise the needed funds for adoption. I love this ministry, and that I want to shout from all the rooftops! It would be really cool if I can make it take off. If you are reading, thank you! I appreciate it!

Christmas Warriors are Coming!

Well, it is almost time! I am very excited! I have been working at getting donations and planning the fundraiser. I have also contacted some of my friends to help with the running of the event.

Did I say I am excited? I am! I am really hoping to see bunches of donations coming through the door, and that LOTS of my friends and family will be able to come out that night. It really sounds like a fun night, and I planned it the week before Thanksgiving, before all of the craziness starts ;)

So, Tuesday morning I will start promoting, talking about Jamison and Reece's Rainbow on Facebook. I will also be getting the invitation and information posted on here.

Wonderful Video

Just have less than a second.... But I watched this video a minute ago, and wanted to post it here! So much is said in the video that is so true and so important. Take a moment and watch it!

Thanks!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

All orphans

I have been finding myself wondering about all the other orphans in the orphanages. Not just around the world, but here in our country as well. I think I mentioned before that I am adopted. I was adopted when I was 3 months old. According to my friends mom, I was born in a hospital type home, where my birth mother was probably living there with me, obviously before I was born, but I don't know about after. Anyway, I am not sure what the laws and such were, but my parents got a call on a Friday, right around my 3 month birthday, and I was in their home on Monday. My mom has told me that she was always wondering if there would be a knock on the door and my (or my brother's) birth mom would be there. When we were older, probably in our teenage years, she told us we could find out who they were, if we wanted. Neither of us has. I know my brother has thought about it, as I have, and I always come to the same decision -- I don't want to find them.

Infants are pretty popular, and I believe there is a waiting list to adopt an infant in our country. Children don't just become orphaned at birth, though. What are our orphanages like? Do we even have any? Or are all the children in foster homes? I think children with Down syndrome may be popular here in our country as well. I thought I had read that somewhere. I do remember visiting some sites a few years ago looking for kids with DS. I can't say I remember what I found. Not many, that was for sure.

I feel so loved by my family. After 40 years I still need them, and they still help me out, in so many ways. My mom is truly one of my best friends. I get so sad for all children who do not have that. And it is not just orphaned children who don't have a loving home or family. It gets very overwhelming thinking about kids who don't have their basic needs met.

I guess sometimes I feel like I should be doing something more for all orphans, and not just the ones with Down syndrome. And I just don't know what else to say about that. On one hand, I think that a child with DS, especially older ones, would be more forgiving of their past than a child that does not have DS. In looking at my Owen, his nature is just so loving, and I think he would be able to adapt to a family who loved him. In looking at my Jason, while he is very sweet and caring, I think he might be bitter and would have a harder time adjusting to a new family. Does that make sense?

That said, I still really believe that all children really do deserve a family. I think Reece's Rainbow is a wonderful ministry!

At Church Today

Today I was at Church by myself. I really do loves these days. I can really concentrate on what is being said. My mind wanders anyway, and when I have one or both of my boys with me, I have to keep them in check too, so it can get hard for me to pay attention.

Yesterday my cousin was ordained a Deacon. The boys were with me there, and that was pretty rough at times. I am very lucky to have my brother, though. He is very patient with the boys, and he really helped us out (poor Don had Owen in the back of the Church most of Mass). The ceremony was beautiful, and I am just so proud of my cousin. I don't even have the words for how I feel. I am in awe at his faith.

It was because Jason was in Church yesterday (and Don too) that I thought they could stay home today. Owen came with me, and was in Sunday school, leaving me to enjoy my time at Mass.

The first reading was from Exodus, and was something like (I got this online, and it doesn't read exact, but it's as close as I can find in my quick search):

22Do not mistreat widows or orphans. 23If you do, they will beg for my help, and I will come to their rescue. 24In fact, I will get so angry that I will kill your men and make widows of their wives and orphans of their children.

Wow, pretty strong words. And they got me thinking.

I am not mistreating any orphans. I don't actually know any. I do, however, know about a whole bunch of orphans. And even though I am not personally mistreating them, I know of their mistreatment. And with that, I think I must be held accountable. I don't think God would be expecting me to somehow adopt them all, or even one of them. I do think that God wants me to help them.

How appropriate. I was feeling overwhelmed by all that I have to do - in many areas of my life. I have been trying to keep my priorities straight. And I have been working at getting the fundraiser organized and figured out. Obstacles keep popping up, and we keep figuring it out. Today's first reading was a message from God telling me that these orphans, that Jamison, is worth all the effort in the world.

I have a choice. Many choices actually. I can choose to cry (and cry and cry) at the unfairness of these children's lives. I can choose to ignore them (often people will tell me to just not look at Reece's Rainbow). Or I can choose to ACT.

I want to ACT. I want to stand up and shout from the rooftop that this is not fair. These children deserve love and acceptance, families who love them, food, hope, a future. All children, all people in fact, deserve this.

I really have to get going, but I want to leave a note for myself here to write about all orphans (not just those with down syndrome); and something for those with other beliefs than my own (faith wise).

Now the real planning begins!

I have not been on here too much lately. I guess I have to get used to blogging. I have been pretty busy lately, getting things ready. I have never had a fundraiser before, and I am pretty excited! I am going to get the invitations and the details together, and I will post it all here too!

Yesterday I picked up our first (of hopefully lots of) donation(s). It was from the Cleveland Indians. I am so thankful that they agreed to donate!

Today I found out that the room we wanted for the big event is reserved for us! My husband also talked to our neighbor who has a board for a 50/50 raffle. And, he said that he thinks an event like ours should be something people want to go to. I sure hope he is right! I am nervous about the timing of it. It is right before Thanksgiving, and I hope, before everyone's schedules get too crazy.

Oh, Jamison! I am praying for you everyday buddy! I sure hope that we can raise lots of money, and that we can find your Mommy & Daddy!

The Decision

So, after many phone calls and price checking, I think I have decided where and when to hold our Jewel's for Jamison fundraiser! And tomorrow, I pick up our first donated item, from the Cleveland Indians! I have no idea what it is, and I am excited to find out :) I also have a couple things around the house, a pair of movie tickets and popcorn and two drinks, and a foot spa package from Mary Kay, that I have been saving.

I just love Jamison! And I so want to raise at least the $1,000. I would love to have his forever family find him, and help them bring him home.

cancer

Yesterday, Steve Jobs, a co-founder of Apple, passed away. An obituary read "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Steve had cancer. Pancreatic cancer. Which does not hold a good prognosis. He was diagnosed in 2004. To live another 7 years is good. But it is hardly any time at all. Steve was only 56. That is so very young. It really is. To think if he had another 25-30 years in the workforce, what he could have created.

I read a caringbridge update tonight for a little boy named Grant. Grant was born in the year that Steve was diagnosed. Grant is only 7 years old (which is the same age as my Jason). Grant was diagnosed with cancer when he was only 16 months old. Grant had ATRT (atypical teretoid rhabdoid tumor). This is a rare, extremely aggressive, malignant brain tumor. We were told Grant had a less then 10% chance for long term survival.

Today's update is not a good one. His recent scans show that his tumor is growing.

I pray that Grant will beat the odds he is facing, and get a chance at having life. Everyday 46 children are diagnosed with cancer, and 7 die from it. Children who do not get to grow up and share with the world their talents.

We can not let these children who are dying, who are suffering, who are going through chemo, being pricked and poked, who are sick - who should all be playing, learning, growing, being kids, continue to do so in vain. We must find a way to honor their lives and find a cure.

For all the kids, the young adults, and for everybody, we need a cure. We need to fund research to find one. We need to raise awareness. This is not acceptable.

And like the orphans around the world, hidden away from the main stream, with no voice, cancer is not a pretty subject. It is hard. It is hard to think about, it is hard to take action. Life is so much easier for us if we stay ignorant. If we choose ignorance. Is that really how you want to live? I am tired of always wanting to do something, but not doing anything. I am choosing to change that. I will continue to follow the stories of children with cancer. I will rejoice with those that beat the odds. I will mourn with the families of those who do not. I will be Thankful for all the time that I have with my children and my family, knowing that time is borrowed. I will help give these children a voice. I will raise awareness and money for research so that a cure can be found.

What will you do?

Desire

I have to say, deep down, I have a strong desire to adopt a child. Maybe it stems from me being adopted, or a childhood dream of adopting. Maybe it is knowing the circumstances that these children are in, and the futures they will face. Maybe it is looking at the sweet faces, and falling in love. Maybe it is wanting to have another child with Down syndrome. Maybe it is wanting another child.

Adoption sounds beautiful! I read all the blogs, and long to have my own journey, my own child to bring home. Adoption is SO much more than all of that. It is a big decision to be taken very seriously. And when I seriously look at all the reasons why vs. all the reasons not to, I know the answer is not now. And I have prayed, and prayed, and then prayed some more over this. The answer is loud and clear, in my head and in my heart.

That does not quench the desire. I have fallen for Jamison. And how I wish he could be mine. Knowing that is not to be, I want more than anything to find his family. I want to help them find him, help them by easing the financial burden.

I pray that one day things will change. Until then, please join me in helping Jamison. You can donate now by clicking on his picture which will take you to the Reece's Rainbow site. Or you can start saving now, and donate after November 1st, as part as the Christmas Warrior campaign (if you donate $35 or more you will get a Christmas ornament :) Please share this page, share the information about Jamison and the others like him.