Mr. Stubborn

Who says Owen isn't smart? I'd like to meet them, and more importantly, let them spend some time with this Mr. man.

Owen is being rather stubborn since his surgery last week. His recovery was much easier in the beginning, and has been a bit rough the last few days. Owen takes medicine everyday for a couple things. He is a good medicine taker (Thank you, God). He has even come to terms with taking his antibiotics well. Which is good, since he is always on them.

And then surgery. Everything has changed. It was shortly after we came home that he decided he was no longer taking any medicine. I get it, his throat hurts. I don't blame him. So, pain meds, they would be good, right? Wrong. Spits them out, if I can come near to get them in. Even his daily medicines are being refused. Coat his throat with ice cream as a number first? Sounds good, but that was a no go. Put it in his yogurt or pudding? Sure, if he would still have some. And we sometimes will pin him down cause he needs meds, but not now. I know how he is hurting, and the crying that comes from that just increases the pain.

So, I figured a milkshake! I really believe they are the answer to most of life's questions. I would put the pain meds in the shake. So, Jason requested strawberry, and I blended them up! One for both boys, and one for me. We sat down and watched some tv before bed, drinking our shakes. Owen takes a few sips of his, and has a look on his face, that says - Mom, what did you do? So, ignoring the look, I said, yummy yummy shake! And then we were all saying cheers and clanking our cups. The little sneak then picked my glass up, I thought to hand it to me to do more cheers, and he takes a sip! He wanted to see if his shake tasted different than mine. Cause he knew what I did. Clever little man. He still did drink more than half his shake, so it was a little victory for me.

I tried the same thing today, with his antibiotic and a chocolate shake. No such luck today. He is on to my trick, so I guess I will have to come up with something new. Don comes home tomorrow, and I am hoping that he will be so happy to see his daddy, that he will take the meds from him.

Moved to the top of the $100 - $499 Section

Yeah! Thanks to some donations I think I received online, and some of the checks that I have been sending in that I received at Jamison's fundraiser, Jamison is moving on up! I still have at least $400 here that I need to write a check for and mail in, then he will be much closer to his goal :) I am so Thankful to all the generous people who have donated!

I have been so busy here, that I haven't had much time on the computer. In some ways I think that is good, it gets easy to waste away precious time looking at so many interesting things. In other ways it is sad. I know I have missed birthdays of friends, I have had trouble keeping up with the other RR warriors, and more. I have been caring for my Mr. O. He was doing so awesome after surgery, but it is catching up to him. I think yesterday and today especially the pain is kicking in. He is not eating much (right now he wants his scrambled eggs, but I think it hurts to swallow). I want to give him some medicine, but he is refusing anything. Even the meds he takes on a daily basis. If only I could get him to take the pain reliever, he could eat, and feel better. His is breathing is better. He is sounding stuffy - which would be helped by his antibiotic, if only he would take it. Owen is pretty used to taking meds, so I think this is a good sign of the pain in his throat.

I am usually so far ahead of the game by now. I usually mail out our Christmas cards on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Very early - but it is because I send out the invitations to our Christmas party with them. We are planning on having the party, but I get tired thinking about all the work ahead of me. I think if I could sleep at night...... Oh, how things would be different.

Black Friday

Well, the Christmas season has officially begun. I know the decorations and stores have had displays since around Halloween, today is the day. I did not go out black Friday shopping, but my mom did buy me a paper to look at the ads.

Mr. Owen had his tonsils and adenoids out on Tuesday this week. Much of the reason why I have not posted or really been on the computer. I went from Jamison's fundraiser last Friday, to Owen's surgery on Tuesday, and then Thanksgiving for 22 on Thursday at my house. All good, all busy activities.

Now I am getting ready for our Christmas party, Jason's birthday and Christmas. Again, lots of busy activities, but all good.

I am excited to see that Jamison's fund has gone up. I am not sure if that is from the checks that I mailed earlier this week, or from online donations. I would guess online donations. So, thank you to the donor! I need to get the cash deposited to the bank so I can mail the last few checks I have here. When all is posted, I think Jamison will be pretty close to his $1000 goal.

I don't want to stop there, though. I would love to see his forever family find him. I so wish it were the right time for us to adopt. I was watching a video put together by Andrea, and my heart was aching. I so very much long to adopt. I look at the happy pictures of the kids with their families, and I want that for us! I also realize that it is not always easy. Bringing in a new member of the family has its challenges as well (for any new family member).

I am going to try and attach the video. I say try, because the first video I attached was easy and smooth. Then, I had some troubles. So, I am hoping that this is an easy go for me. I ask you to please share the video. Please share Jamison's information, and Reece's Rainbow with everyone. With awareness, change can come. The more people who see the children, the faster their families can be found.

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

It is almost time!

Friday is finally almost here! I have tonight and tomorrow morning to really get things done, since I will be working tomorrow night. I found out yesterday that it is really hard to wrap baskets nicely :) It was frustrating, but I think they turned out good.

There are lots of great raffle items, I am happy with the amount of donations I received from our community. I wasn't sure how that would go - since I am not the one adopting, and Reece's Rainbow isn't local. Not so many restaurants donated, but lots of fun places did! I think I could list everything here, cause I don't think anyone reads this blog anyway!

I was thinking of making a public invitation to the fundraiser on my facebook page. Not sure I want to do that though. Maybe I will just send it out to those people I invited, as a reminder (especially those who did not respond). Oh, I don't know. I really want to get lots of people to come. All of this work and planning, and I want it to raise lots of money for Jamison. I have $100 donated already from people who wanted to help, but were not able to attend.

I love seeing all the kids on the Angel Tree's funds go up and up -- I hate that Jamison's hasn't. Which is why I knew that doing my fundraising online wouldn't work well for me. Please say a prayer that all works out, that lots of people come and we raise tons of money for Jamison! Thanks!

Mr. Jamison

I always come up with some great ideas for blogging, while I put my Mr. O to sleep at night. My memory then lets them slip out of my head by the time I reach the computer.

I am feeling very anxious about the fundraiser for Jamison on Friday. There is much work to be done this week, and I am working 2 nights and volunteering one night. Which leaves me little down time. Plus, my mornings are filled up with appointments. I know that everything will work out, and the fundraiser will be wonderful! I have lots of family and friends who are helping me out! Thank You!

I really want to raise money for Jamison. I hate seeing that his fund is only up by $60. However, I do have another check for him here. And I have a few more coming in from people who can not attend the fundraiser. With all the planning and preparation, I would love to see at least 50 people :) That would be $500 to Jamison!

I look at Jamison's sweet face, and I want to hold him. I have fallen for this little boy, and I wish there was a way I could let him know he is loved. How scary his world must be, but there are lots of people trying to help him. I pray that God surrounds him with thoughts and feelings of all the love that is out there for him, and that he can know what it feels like to be wanted.

linking - Success Finally!

I have been having trouble linking to a page -- I keep trying and can't seem to get this. Here is another attempt. I think I will have to take blogging lessons!

Success! Yippee!

Angel Tree 2011 – Scroll Down to Donate to our Angels!

By clicking Here!, you will be taken to the Angel tree page. It shows the kids whose families have found them at the top. From there, each child is in their "tier", based on how much has been raised. You will have to scroll near the bottom to find Jamison. He is at $60. I would love to see him move up before his fundraiser next week.

There are still over 20 kids who do not have any donations. Please take a minute to visit this page. It took me quite a while to learning linking, and what a great reward it would be to see Jamison's fund grow, and lots of page shares!

Thank you!!!

(Donations are coming in for the fundraiser next week! It is very exciting!)

Angel Tree Babies!

Short and sweet, as Mr. Owen is sitting with me and has no patience for me to be on the computer. I just wanted to share this link - it shows the my family found me angel tree kids (there are now 5), and it also shows the donations, with top dollar going out to Alice S, who has over $5,000 raised! Sweet Alice, where is your mommy? I hope we find her soon :)

I would love to see Mr. Jamison move out of the $60 mark and into a higher bracket. I know it will happen after our fundraiser, but would love to see some support before.

As my friend Laura says, Spread the Love, All!


I am having trouble with sharing the link within the post. There has got to be a way, but I am afraid I lack blogging knowledge. Maybe one day. So this post has been in draft mode all day. I am going to add the link to the side. Check it out! A few minutes looking at all the sweet children, and how much has been raised will sure lift your spirits! I know it did mine :)

Forever Families are being Found

I just read a post that said 3 of the Christmas Warrior kids have families! Praise God :) This is what it is about. Lucille 15 H and Trixie 26 HA. I am not sure who the 3 child is, I will let you know when I find out. I am hoping Jamison is next!!

I am in the waiting period for the Fundraiser right now. I am waiting for RSVP's. I am waiting for donations. Slowly and surely it is all going to come together.

I received a phone call from one of my cousins last night. Not only are they coming, but they have offered to help out with some of the raffle baskets! They are going to donate some items they have to make a few baskets, and help supplement some of the items I already have and make them into baskets. I am so excited, and blessed to have them help me out! Thank you, thank you, thank you :)

Lucille & Trixie

It's Time!

Yeah! We have made it, November 1st :) The start of the Christmas Warrior campaign. Time to raise awareness, find families, and help the financial burden of adopting these children, who need LOVE,Security, Food -- the basic HUMAN needs.

Last night, my Owen (who is 5 and has Down syndrome), went trick or treating. Mr. O loves to eat, but candy, not so much. He is rather picky in this area. He dressed up as a pirate, and set off with his older brother, his father, uncle and some friends. We live in a very good area for trick or treat.

Owen was one of the first kids to come back home. He was tired. And it was cold. He very happily went inside to hang out with my parents, while my dad went through his candy. For only going a short distance he sure ended up with lots of treats :)

At about 7:15 he was done. I came inside from passing out treats to put him to bed. Owen is a sweet man, loves to hug and all, but not at bedtime. At night, he loves a good cuddle and some kisses, then don't touch him or lay next to him - he sleeps on his own!

I like to sit next to his bed as he falls asleep. Yesterday, as we were there - he took his little hand and placed it on my arm. He kept it there for a good 5 minutes before he moved it and fell asleep. That little gesture meant so much. It was full of sweetness and love. Owen is pretty much non-verbal, so he doesn't say I love you or anything like that. He does find ways, like this, to show it. And his message was loud and clear. It reminds me of how beautiful life really is.

And maybe because we were on the eve of the Christmas Warrior's starting, that meaning ran a little deeper last night. I couldn't help but think of all the children who do not have families, or security, or sweet bedtimes. I think of all the love in their hearts, and no one to give it to. I think of the children whom cry at night (oh, my heart breaks to read that on a child's page). How lucky Owen is to have us. Even better -- how lucky We are to have HIM! Life may get frustrating at times, for us and for him, but it is so much better, so much richer with him here. I know I have said this before - on my list of why to adopt is to show people that we would CHOOSE a child with Down syndrome. Owen may not have been a choice, he was a gift, and we would gladly open our hearts again, by choice. Oh, how I wish that was our road, but it is not (at least not yet).

Here is a picture of the little pirate!