It's getting cold outside

We wanted to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving!! We traveled to Nebraska to see family, and then visited with more family here in KC. We were hoping to travel down to the city market and crown center to take part in the Christmas festivities, but it started raining and sleeting outside. So we will hope that one of the next weekends is better and we can get down there.

Sunday Workout

Since Jesse and I are not hosting a Thanksgiving meal this year, we thought today sounded like a good day to make our own meal, prior to the holiday. So that means lots of kitchen time for myself. I decided to make turkey, sour cream and scallion mashed red potatoes, green beans, rolls, and a pumpkin cheesecake. And yes all of this food is just for us (and my mother who will be joining us for Sunday dinner as she is back to watch Bella for another week). So while I was slaving away in the kitchen, Bella was watching me in her jumper. Normally she just sits in there and will chew on her hands. Occasionally she will play with the toys. And very rarely we get to actually see her use her legs and propel herself upward. So here is Bella caught in action actually using her legs!!

Did you think I meant jumping and having them actually leave the ground.....no not Bella, we are just happy if she bears some weight on them!!

Inspiration

I have been meaning to post this poem for quite some time. It pretty much makes me tear up every time I read it. Enjoy


How Mothers of Handicapped Children are Chosen

Erma Bombeck, 1980

This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes."Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecilia. Finally he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy.""Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter?""But has she patience?" asks the angel."I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."God smiles, "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect.She has just enough selfishness."The angel gasps, "Selfishness?God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Mama' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see - ignorance, cruelty, prejudice - and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel.God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

Happy Halloween from 'Stinkerhead'. That's right we were a skunk. And luck would have it that we are also getting our first tooth (finally)!! So we weren't having the greatest of days. But we did manage to finally get her in the costume and go out around our cul-de-sac.

I think it's time for bed!!