NOT what but how I want to be when I grow up!

In school this was one of those things that was asked many times, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" In the younger years it was something that changed just as much as you would change your socks. Some really did know for sure what they wanted to be.... others had no idea, actually some still don't at all and will spend a lifetime trying to figure it out.

For the most part growing up I knew I wanted to do something with business, I understood from a young age that God had given me talents in this area and that is what I wanted to use. After high school I when to college got a degree in marketing and management only to find out that God had an even more wonderful future in store for me. A bigger responsibility than even running my own business.... raising children! =0)

Now I don't look at what I want to be when I grow up BUT how I want to be... it honestly makes so much more sense to me now to think like this. God is the one whom I put my trust in and who's will I want to be apart of. I want to be used for His glory and honor!

So you ask HOW do you want to be when you "grow up"... well to start with I want to be a person that someone can count on, a Godly example, a light for the Lord, a mother who's children and husband raise up and call her blessed. Pretty much everything God wants me to be, reaching for the highest goal He has willed for my life.

Another big one is Lord Willing if God blesses us with grandchildren we want to be grandparents like my parents! My parents, Don and Sandy have scarified over and over again for our children. They love each of them for who they are. Even though they live 40 minutes away they take the time each week to come over to visit us at least 1-2 sometimes more times a week. They make it a point to call and talk to our children, love on them and share every special moment with each of them. Even for Zach and Wylie's birthdays which are two days apart and we had a bowling party on the day in between they came over to our house all 3 days just so that each boy would feel loved on their own birthday! What a blessing it is to have someone I can always count on to call and share my fears, joys and needs and know they will listen with understanding ears and willing hearts. I don't ever have to worry about help with appts. if I need a hand mom and dad are always ready even willing to change their plans to help me. Mom even has taken on the hard job of holding all of my children while they have gotten their shots just so I can love on them as soon as they are done! WOW I honestly could go on and on. We want to be a meme and papa like that, I pray our children always feel comfortable asking for help or things they need. I pray they consider us not only their mother and father but great friends like I consider my parents.

Yes this post is about how I want to be when I get older but also a thank you to my wonderful loving parents, who as I write this are watching our boys since Kate and I have had sinus colds and a dr. appt. today. I am so thankful for your love, friendship, example and help you offer us everyday and I want the whole world to know how blessed we are to have you as meme and papa to our 4 children! I love you mom and dad!

Learning a new Language

Remember when I wrote earlier this month about my family trip and how God has thrown in some detours along the way of my great adventure. Well as I wrote before Katelyn is one of these amazing detours I never pictured I would be apart of but so very thankful I am! She is a wonderful little girl who has completely stolen my heart along with her daddy's and brother's, not to mention most people she comes in contact with!

At 6 months old baby Kate can do most things other babies her age are able to do, somethings she actually has done before the normal milestones are typically reached. Like rolling over at only 6 1/2 weeks old. What a huge surprise that was to us! Since the moment Katelyn was born she has been putting us and everyone else in awe of the things she can do, I know we like most parents with a child with special needs thought the worst. Granted that's all the doctors and other professionals tell you, which is sad since these children really are able to do pretty much anything any other child can do some a little slower but sometimes even faster than others. One of our friends, Lynette said something to me while I was pregnant with Kate that has really stuck with me and was a great encouragement to me... she said "all children do things and learn things at different ages and stages no matter if they have special needs or not." WOW how true is that just looking at my boys I can see a difference in each of them! And if I haven't told you Lynette thank you for those words of wisdom God used you to comfort a mother's heart! =0)

Knowing we had a chance of having a baby girl with Down Syndrome I did alot of research before she was born. Found out about different therapies she would and could have to help her. Plus anything that would be helpful to communicate with us. I want to be able to offer her every chance possible to reach whatever level of development God has given her actually not just her but each of my children.

That's were the learning a new language comes in. For about 8 years now I have been blessed to know an amazing woman by the name of Sue Stephenson, whom I can say is one of my dearest friends. Sue is also a stay at home mother who homeschools her children, PLUS she has her own small business teaching Sign Language to children and adults. Before having Katelyn I always thought it would be nice even neat to learn the language and teach it to my boys but never committed myself to take one of the classes.

Finally after years of thinking about taking a class I actually decided it would be best for our family if I took the time and effort to learn this language that most say helps not only children with Down Syndrome but young children in general communicate even before they talk. All I can say is WOW.... I have learned so much through this class! Plus my children have picked up on the signs so quickly too, they hunger for more each week! Now at lunch time Logan will sign I want more food please mom! Or more juice please! It's amazing! Even Wylie at 2 years old can sign please, thank you, mom, milk, more, all done, bath, help and a few other ones that it seems he is trying to make up himself! haha Some people think that by doing sign language it will hold off a child from talking or using words, this completely isn't the case. Wylie has gone from using only a few words a few months ago to using many more.

I am so thankful to Sue for offering this class, and to God for placing her in my life. She is such a blessing and I find it amazing how God knew how much I would need her even before we met each other!

Sue has a website as well were she lists her upcoming classes and some AWESOME resources if you would like to check it out here is the link:

http://suestinysigners.webs.com/