Janina graduated

We were so pleased to attend our daughter Janina's college graduation on May 14th. She earned an Associates Degree, with Honors, preparing to go on to finish a BA in the future. She did this with everything else she has going on! We think she's pretty amazing!

Little hands

There are a lot of things happening right now and I want to post about everything (and I'm behind since Mike bought this new Mac for us and I needed to learn how to use it), but first I'd like to post about something I find interesting... and you might too.

Doctors often look for simian creases in the hands of newborn babies that they suspect to have Down syndrome. It's a single line across the palm instead of two. Not all children with Downs have them and not always in both palms. We've seen these variations in our own children. I don't think it means anything (other than not all kids with a certain syndrome have all of the symptoms), it's just interesting. See the photos below. Oh, and Ella had marker on her hand again, wouldn't all wash off; she's an artist. ;o)







 

 "Mama's got that camera out again!"

"So... what about my hands?"

"They work great on Lucy's hair!"

"Did you get that one?" ;o)

Silly Photos

Ella discovered that she could unroll and rip up an entire roll of toilet paper today. Quickly.

Joel and Timmy invented a game. Joel calls it "Got your toes!"

I had to laugh, because of the placement of his fingers, right in that generous space after Tim's big toe, common to children with Down syndrome. Cracked me up!

Timmy got Joel's FACE, too!

Lucy's hair in ponytails for the first time today.
Lora said, "Hey, if Ronda can do it, so can we!" ;o)
Lucy's hair is a shiny gold color.

We didn't leave 'em in long, but it was cute.

Lucy is happy!

Mother's Day, what's in my heart this year

With the recent passing of my own mother, this day is bittersweet. I find myself remembering her in everything. There are moments, anywhere, when I'm suddenly crying and have to quickly put myself back together. I feel so much sympathy for people who lost their mother at a younger age. I'm grateful beyond expression for the knowledge that Mama is well, happy and busy helping others in a better place with Jesus.

Another realization has occurred to me. With Mama's passing a rotating gear has clicked and I am now the official matriarch; the grandmother in my own family. When it comes to the major holidays, my kids and grandkids will now gather with Papa and I as they can, or alternately with their in-laws, known affectionately as "the other grandparents". I step up to fill my position in this tradition with joy, for the gift of family is my favorite thing in the universe.

My Mother's Day/Birthday has been wonderful today. I've enjoyed the company of people I love, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the sweet faces of my children of all ages, pretty flowers... and delicious food cooked by my ever-lovin' husband, Mike. I even got to sit by him during Sunday School today, what a treat as he is usually busy with his church duties. The weather is warming up but not too hot, how I love the Spring.

Thank you, Heavenly Father for giving me a mother that taught me how to love by example. Please bless all of my friends and sisters with a beautiful, peaceful Mother's Day. And thanks for the flowers!

Love, Dolores

Kids are sick, Joel's surgery postponed again

Yesterday I took all four of the kids to the Pediatrician's office, two at a time. They have colds/sinus infections. Joel's ENT has canceled the T & A surgery scheduled for him for next week. This is the third time it has had to be postponed. I'm feeling a little hopeless about it ever happening, but he does need his tonsils and adenoids out. However, with four sick babies, it wouldn't have been a good time for me to be away at the hospital with him. Joel will be followed by a pulmonologist.

Ella has new glasses too

Here is Ella getting her new glasses. This happened a couple of weeks ago...

Eyes.

Oh wow! I can see!

Tim's new glasses

Hurray!
Now Tim has a pair of glasses for at school and a pair for at home!

Timmy and a car

It's not easy to get photos of Timmy's face. Partly because his face is always so close to whatever he's looking at and partly because when he notices the camera he moves in too close to the lens to get a clear picture. Here are a few taken recently of Tim playing with a car.

He's so adorable. He's barelegged, as he prefers to be... and his shoes are on backwards. His attention is very good playing with toys; especially cars, trains or gadgety toys.

Spring brings a New Start

Joel and Uncle Dean drive the tractor to the back yard.

This is a big job!

Gabe's garden is tilled for a new season. Thank you Dean!