Rebecca is 15 and in the 10th grade.  School is going well for her this year.  She is taking a home economics course this year from Rod and Staff.  It is one of her favorite subjects.  She gets up and cooks breakfast every school day.  What a blessing!  Rebecca also leads worship time for us when we have our family Bible studies, and also plays the guitar beautifully.  We are busy woeking on fall decorating and Christmas shopping.  She is my domestic "right hand man". 

I wrote a while back about my oldest daughter Allysa starting a class at college.  She is doing well in her class and enjoys getting to go out once a week (and having a break from her responsibilities at home).  I am proud of how hard she is working both at home and at college.  Allysa recently started writing daily devotionals that she shares with the younger children during breakfast.  She is currently talking to them about the fruits of the Spirit.  What a blessing she is!!

I went with my husband and son to vote today at our local public school.  As we turned into the parking lot there was a parade of signs.  Not one was in support of a candidate of proposition I was voting for.  We got out of the car and walked up a long walk way to the building and once again we were greeted with campainers and more signs, once again all for the opposing "team".  I felt like I was walking into enemy territory!  This was the public school my kids would be attending if they went and there was not one show of support for my political views. hmmm? coincidence? I think not! 

I have heard that some conservative Christians are not going to vote this year because they don't like either candidate.  This makes me so angry!  There are some basic Christian principles at stake in this election.  The redefinition of marriage, the rights of the unborn, (isn't that enough?)   We also have before us Barack Obama a man who will seek to destroy all that we as conservatives have fought for.  Still don't want to vote?  Shame on you.  This is not the time to be prideful, self righteous, and nit-picking. If you are a professing Christian or for that matter if you are a professing American than go vote!

I have been posting for the past 31 days to raise awareness for Down Syndrome.  It has been an awesome month including the annual "Buddy Walk".   I have started a preschool program and we are enjoying our time together.  I was thinking about what to write today as my last entry for "31 for 21"; I decided to write about Kyley and what a blessing she is to me. 

I have already written a lot about this special child of mine but I guess I just can't say enough!  She is beautiful and magical.  My older daughters call her a "fairy".  In her quiet and not so quiet ways she flutters around our home making people smile just by being herself.  Maybe it's her pixie looking little face or her sparkling blue eyes but it's hard not to smile when she is near.  She loves to give "group hugs" and has to include everyone in the room.  She works hard at being like her other siblings and takes her "work" quite serious.  She has a contagious giggle and am impish grin.  This child of mine; how blessed I am to be her mother.

We are presently studying the parts of the body.  Today we studied our nose.  We painted with Jello paint  (jello and water) because it smells good.  Kyley loved painting and getting sticky and tasting the paint.  We also looked at different pictures of noses (animal noses, people noses, etc..)  Our song is "Head and shoulders knees and toes. 

Yesterday I took Nina to the dentist for her checkup.  She was such a good little patient, and had no cavities!  the dentist asked her what grade she is in.  Huh?  I answered for her....a combo of kindergarten and first grade.  Then he asked her what her favorite subject is.  Her answer....

CINDERELLA!

The dentist looked a little surprised and then kinda shook his head and laughed,  I said, "yes Cinderella and tea parties are pretty much her favorite subjects."

Priceless.

I have sorted through most of the winter clothes, put away the summer clothes until next year and cleaned out my flower beds.  My husband is putting a fresh coat of paint on  our dining room/living room.  I have put up a few decorations for fall and it gives the house such a warm feeling. 

Today I went resale shopping for a dresser for Kyley.  I was so excited to find just what I was looking for! 

Total cost: $39.00

The dresser is a funky color but some white paint and it will be beautiful.  I think I will take some before and after pictures. 

It has been another crazy day around here.  I am not sure why but Kyley and Ryan are really extra fussy.  I have looked at all the usual and unusual reasons and just can't seem to figure out what is bothering them.  Kyley is usually independent and has been wanting to be rocked and held a lot.  Ryan is going from one thing to 100 more at top speed.   Needless to say it has been a challenge getting the other kids through their school work.  They are both taking a nap right now.  Hallelujah!!

Time to go do some laundry.

We have been getting our house and yard ready for Fall.  Yesterday we cleaned out the flower beds around the house and raked and swept and got ready to start decorating.  Gracie and Nina made a little scarecrow.  Becky and allysa tied up some corn stalks.  They are a litte wimpy this year but beautiful anyway. 

...........to be continued

Today I cooked my famous vegetarian chili.  It is a recipe that has evolved over the years.  I always make it when the weather turns cold and it really feels like Fall.  Becky made one of her Fall favorites, whoopi pies. They are pumpkin flavored with a creme cheese filling.  Yummy!!  My waist band is soooo tight.

Today I went to a wedding for the daughter of a friend.  The bride looked beautiful and happy.  I saw some old friends and they all have children that are in highschool and college.  Dan and I were the only people our  age with small children.  It was fun but I missed my kids.  When we pulled up in the driveway all the kids were looking out the window waving and it just felt so good to be back where I belonged.

It's you I like

It's not the things you wear.

It's not the way you do your hair,

but it's you I like

The way you are right now

The way down deep inside you

It's not the things that hide you

not your toys, they are just beside you

But it's you I like

every part of you

Your skin, your eyes, your feelings

whether old or new.

So I hope that you'll remember even when you are feeling blue

That's its you I like, It's you yourself, it's you

It's you I like.

-Mr. Rogers

I am really having fun this month participating in 31 for 21.  It is nice to have a goal of posting each day for a reason.  A few days have been so busy or hassled that I haven't gotten more posted than a nice picture I snagged.  Other days I have had the time to read about and share about Down Syndrome.  I have implemented a preschool program and have started potty training.  Kyley is doing really well with potty training, I on the other hand have been a bit lazy the past few days.  Preschool was a great flop today.  Neither one of my students were interested in the craft I planned, and my puppet show did not hold their attention.  I can only laugh, when I think about it; two and three year olds will be two and three year olds.  I posted this picture of Kyley because I think it is just beautiful.  One of my older girls did her hair and she was preoccupied so not paying attention to the camera.  what a little doll.