LIFE'S PEBBLES

2012-02-10T09:00:00.001-08:00

Victoria

(This is a guest post from my awesome friend Leah who has a giant heart)

VICTORIA

Adoptive parents often talk about seeing their child and “knowing”. With one glance, they are utterly captivated, completely certain that this is their son or daughter. They know. Just like that.

Not all children are so lucky. Some languish on the list for years, waiting for someone, anyone, to see them and know. They wait for the person who has been waiting for them. They wait to be chosen. Unfortunately, some weren’t chosen in time.

Victoria is a nine year old girl with arthrogryposis. She lives in Orphanage (1). While there is no such thing as a ‘good’ institution, (1) is infamously bad. It is, quite simply, a place where children are sent to die. Given Victoria’s age, it is likely she has been at (1) for quite some time.

While other children were going to school, playing with their friends, and celebrating birthdays, Victoria was lying in a bed.

While other children were running to their parents with a scraped knee or stubbed toe, Victoria’s legs were withering away underneath her.

While other children were loved and cherished, Victoria was banished to a dark corner of an institution and forgotten.

Victoria has endured a level of deprivation and neglect that is difficult to imagine. Despite this, she has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. In every one of her pictures she seems lit from within by a joy that is so at odds with the grimness of her surroundings. She is an orphanage favorite and adored by her caregivers. This is not surprising, as she is described as “smart”, “very pretty”, “happy and affectionate”, and as having “a glowing personality”. Incredibly, though Victoria has never lived in a family, “she loves to play with her dolls and to pretend to be mommy”. She plays with her dolls and pretends to be their mommy! I cannot imagine a more eloquent plea for love.

When I look into her eyes, I see hope.

It’s easy to look away children like Victoria, or not look at them at all. When I first stumbled upon Reece’s Rainbow I wouldn’t visit the pages of the older children. I knew that I would find one who, like Victoria, would utterly break my heart. I don’t understand, will never understand, why these children have been passed over so many times -- by their first parents, by their society, by the government that was charged with their care and has given them anything but, and finally by prospective adoptive parents. Why not Victoria? Her lovely pixie face, her fuzzy little eyebrows, those ears a size too big for her (though perhaps proportional to the size she should have been), and most of all that luminous smile -- why wasn’t she chosen?

Oh, I understand intellectually. Older child adoption is difficult, adopting from an institution even more so. Victoria is so tiny, so delayed; her challenges will be so very great. Logically it makes sense to pass her over.

But when has adoption ever been logical? It’s an exercise of the heart, not the head. After all, wouldn’t it make more sense to choose a child without any special needs? Or better yet, an infant. In fact, the sensible thing to do would be to not have any children at all!

And yet. Every day people visit Reece’s Rainbow. Every day people fly to faraway places to collect their sons and daughters. Every day people choose to love children with enormous challenges. Every day we prove that when it comes to children in need, we’re just not very sensible people.

Victoria is waiting. She waiting in deplorable conditions. She is waiting for a family who will look past her shaved head, her missing teeth, her crooked legs, and know. Just like that.

Is she waiting for you?

***

There are more pictures of Victoria here. Fortunately Life2Orphans is working with her and the other children at (1). They are receiving individual attention, improved nutrition, and physical therapy, which have helped Victoria’s mobility. I was told on the RR forum that she now has enough upper body strength to move herself using her arms and as a result is no longer completely bed-bound! This just goes to show how much these kids can achieve when they are given a chance.

Once Victoria turns 18 (if she turns 18) all this will change. She will be transferred again, this time to an adult institution. From here there will be no redemption. All of her gains will be lost. Her smile will fade, and then disappear altogether. She will die lost and alone.

Adoption is Victoria’s only chance. Please don’t leave her behind.

2012-02-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

To donate for diane please go to her page

2012-02-05T14:57:00.001-08:00

http://reecesrainbow.org/23206/diane-15

My Guardian angel child

2012-02-03T22:17:00.000-08:00

Diane 15H

2g7m8-15

Girl, born April 2009

Hazel eyes

Dark hair

The nature of an active, sociable

Little Diane has what is referred to as "Babydoll Syndrome." This has been described as a syndrome that limits how her brain and body grows. She will always be mentally delayed, and very small in stature. It's possible, but not confirmed, that she has some degree of FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).

From a family who met her in Nov 2011: In spite of her delays, she is keenly aware that some of her friends are going home with their mommies … and she wants one. She would cling to me and cry when I brought my daughter back to the groupa. She has the LONGEST eyelashes I've ever seen in my life. She loves music and dancing. She's got a very gentle personality.

2012-02-03T22:16:00.001-08:00

Are You Roberts momma?

2012-01-23T17:57:00.001-08:00

Robert

Boy, born December 2009

Robert is just up from his nap — and look how bright-eyed he is! He has a couple of little teeth peeking out on the bottom, too

He has Down syndrome and a patent foramen ovale – which is a small hole between the chambers of the heart. This is common in childhood, and often closes without any medical intervention.

These children are blessed to be in an excellent orphanage, however this region typically requires 3 trips. This is a great orphanage and the children receive excellent care, and there is minimal travel in-country. This orphanage is close to the Capital city, so it's fantastic for sight-seeing.

We have had many successful adoptions from this orphanage, and families are willing to share their experiences.

$1124.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

TUESDAY'S CHILD

2012-01-16T10:10:00.001-08:00

Russell is a 2-year old boy with Down syndrome in an eastern European orphanage. He is available for adoption and we're praying that his Forever Family finds him soon... VERY soon. The truth is that there are LOTS of families that would love to adopt children, but the financial hardship makes it difficult. The higher Russell's adoption grant, the more likely he can find a family before he turns 3.

EVERY child deserves a family. Children in orphanages in his country with special needs who don't get adopted before age 4 are often sent to mental institutions. For life. Which isn't very long after transfer. There is no physical therapy, education, early intervention services, etc. If they haven't learned to be mobile or speak, no one will teach them. No one wakes them up with a smile. No one tucks them in. No one worries if they spike a fever or helps them eat if they cannot do it themselves. No one loves them.

There are 163 million orphans in the world. That's really overwhelming to me. So, for today, on Teamwork Tuesday, we're only worrying about Russell.

If you would like to help, there are three ways.

1.) Consider for a moment... “Are you Russell's mom or dad?” If you might be, please look over the following list of qualifications to see if you meet them. And if you do, PLEASE visit his page and inquire about him!
- 3 trips to the country to complete the adoption
- Both parents for 2 weeks on the first trip
- Wait 2-3 months for court
- Both parents travel for 2nd trip
- 30 day wait period after court, one parent would return to pick Russell up.
- No family size restrictions
- Both parents must be younger than 60 years
- Total program fees under $25,000, plus travel expenses
- Married couples and single mothers may apply
- Canadians welcome!

2.) If you would like to make a direct (tax deductible) donation through Reece's Rainbow to Russell's fund, visit the following link that will allow you to donate with paypal to Russell. The higher his grant, the easier for a family to go get him! http://reecesrainbow.org/19670/russell-2

3.) Pray, pray, pray. Take a moment. This very moment. And pray for Russell. Pray that his orphanage is well equipped, pray that the caretakers there are the "good" kind... the kind that shower him with love and hugs as he waits, but most of all, please pray that TODAY, Russell's mom or dad sees this posting and rushes to go get him. Let's pray Russell into a family. Today.

Thanks to everyone who reads this! Join us in making a difference for Russell!

Russell 3G

reecesrainbow.org

2012-01-03T09:15:00.001-08:00

Teamwork Tuesday: Karen

This is Karen. She's soon to have a birthday, sweet sixteen.
Her birthday will be anything but sweet as she will age out of the system and will no longer be able to be adopted.
What does life hold for a child without a family, without hopes or prospects? Do you really want to know?

60% of girls turn to prostitution
70% of boys turn to crime
27% of these youths will find work
10% will commit suicide before their 18th
birthday

Karen has no disabilities other than being unwanted by her birth parents. She is smart, healthy and beautiful. All this girl needs is a loving family to give her a chance to show the world how worthy she truly is.

Karen also has a sister, Chrystyna
Chrystyna possibly has FAS, she is blessed to be in a good facility where the children are well cared for and educated.

The girls can be adopted together or separately.
With Karen aging out in a manner of days, she really needs a family that is home studied approved and ready to commit.

After Christmas CHRISTMAS...lol

2012-01-02T20:53:00.000-08:00

I have been using the same ornaments for almost 20 years; yup got my money worth's out of them. I have had the same 6 foot and 7.5 foot trees for years also. Been wanting to get new but something always comes up and then they don't have them on clearance anymore. I figured since we downsized abit with this new move a slim tree would be perfect. Target had them for $50 so they should be real cheap now BUT now we can't find one under 12 foot. Look at this tree isn't it beautiful? Oh I pray that I could have this tree for next year along with all new ornaments.

ISN'T LANGLEY THE CUTEST LITTLE VALENTINE?

2012-01-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

http://reecesrainbow.org/8390/langley-9ha

FNDRAISER BEGINNING

2012-01-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

Maria and her family have not decided as of yet when the process will begin as they have not chosen their new son or daughter but they are just starting their first fundraiser so they can get a head start. Hop on over to Maria's blog and look at the goodies up for grabs.
http://team-goodhue.blogspot.com/2012/01/let-journey-begin.html

Julia Arnold Nalle Say's it so well

2012-01-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

Toppling Goliath

There was despair in the Christmas Warriors chat room yesterday morning.

Thirty-seven children still had not reached their $1,000 Angel Tree goal.

There were no big donors waiting in the wings with big checks to save the day.

We were a bunch of tired, battle-weary and empty-pocketed Warriors whose only job description was that we all cared deeply about a bunch of castaway kids.

We had given it our all for weeks and weeks, but THIRTY-SEVEN children were still on the wrong side of the $1,000 wall.

We still needed to raise thousands of dollars if we were going to get them all over that wall.

How in the world?

We were a group of little Davids, armed with nothing but a few pebbles to cast at a mighty foe.

But God was on our side.

And our purpose was true and right: To stand in the gap for the voiceless ones. To share with the world the fact that these forgotten orphans have value. To defend their right to live, and to have a life that's worth living.

And so we rallied. Although we were tired and discouraged, we got up, dusted ourselves off and went back to work. We determined in our hearts that we were going to show these precious babes to the world one last time before the Angel Tree was over. Whether or not they all made it over the wall, we were at least going to show the world their pictures and tell their sad stories one last time.

So we slammed the internet with their faces. Over and over and over we put their faces out. And with God on OUR side - people began to SEE the children. EVERY SINGLE ONE of them.

And ALL THIRTY-SEVEN began to move towards the wall.

The half hour updates on the Angel Tree website verified the fruit of our labor.

Step by step. Inch by inch.

Every single one of them was moving toward that wall.

So many people were responding that the Reece's Rainbow website went down.

Panic set in as we prayed for it to come back on-line.

Most of the donations were small ones of $5, $10 or $20 each, representing hundreds, thousands of people out there who were seeing the babies and responding in love.

It was beautiful to behold. When the first babe finally jumped the wall after hours of labor, we rejoiced. Then another jumped. And another. By early afternoon five babies had jumped. There were still 32 left, but all of them had moved closer to the wall.

And then a donor stepped forward with a challenge: he or she would pull the BOTTOM FIVE babes over the wall if we could get another TEN babes over the wall first.

We were a mess. Strategy went out the window. We just started hollering and yelling even louder.

If we had been strategy-minded, we would have told people to stop donating to the bottom five, because they were already guaranteed to make it over the wall.

Thankfully, we were a bunch of Hysterical Warriors who cared little about strategy and cared everything about all 32 babes who we refused to leave behind.

So it went on as before, with every single child advancing. The bottom five kept swapping places with the others. It was a cacophony of craziness. A few hours later, the first child jumped. Screaming ensued. A half hour later, another followed. The Warriors chat room was going hysterical.

So many people were jumping on the website to donate that the servers were struggling to keep up.

Then we had only 23 babies left. Only one more to go, and then the bottom five would go too.

That would leave 17 babes.

What happened next was absolutely beyond words.

Around 6:30 p.m., Number 22 jumped the wall.

In the half hour from 6:30 to 7:00, Michelle from RR set to work distributing our big donor's money to pull the bottom five over the wall as promised. But within that same half hour, the donations for all the babes poured in like water over a broken dam. They were jumping the wall so fast that we couldn't keep up with them all. It was wild beyond belief.

At 7:00 pm, when the site refreshed and everyone expected to see 17 babes left on the wrong side of the wall, there were instead only ELEVEN left.

ELEVEN!

I was in complete and utter shock and awe at what God had accomplished through us. Looking at those eleven remaining babies, I knew that we had won. I knew then that we would get them all over that wall.

The mighty Reece's Rainbow Warriors were not going to leave those last Eleven behind.

A bunch of pebbles with a Mighty God makes for victory every single time!!

And, thank the Lord, I was right. Within another hour or so, they all had made it. All Thirty Seven Babies.

Through the Angel Tree, those poor lost babies got their chance to speak to hearts all over the world-- both in the world across the ocean, where people often throw their 'broken' children away, and in our world on this side of the ocean, where we often eliminate them before they can even take their first breath.

The Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of everyone who saw those poor babies' pictures yesterday.

Yesterday the Lord of Hosts made it clear to all that these babes are precious, that they are worthy of His attention, and that they are on HIS heart.

And yesterday, for a few hours, the world listened to the cries of the many children whom it has hidden away and forgotten.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO LISTENED. THANK YOU.

JUST MY LUCK

2011-11-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

Okay this dress was purchased 2 months ago never been altered beautiful and because I have been losing weight fast is now way to big. I am looking to purchase another ANY BIDDERS? I paid abit over $1000

2011-11-15T22:31:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN70R-3ao0U

My children....

2011-11-15T22:09:00.000-08:00

Wow have they grown! Soon I will update them old pics but what sweet memories I had of them at that age. Hard to believe that they are all now grown and starting families themselves.... I guess I am getting old...sniff sniff. But then again I am only 43 yup and grown children and grandchildren. AND do you know how that happened. I decided to be a mom to older children. If you have thought about adopting an older child but still not sure then let's talk as I would never trade it for the world. Love all of you kids and YUP grandma loves her grandbabies

2011-11-14T22:25:00.001-08:00

http://static.reecesrainbow.org/angeltreekids/

Are you my momy

2011-11-14T22:03:00.000-08:00

Langley is my angel tree baby and he is in need of a family. PLEASE help in making this his last Christmas as an orphan. to the right is a donation box please donate to better his chances of being adopted.

Nyema and Kylena 2 of my granddaughters

2011-11-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

Friends

2011-11-14T22:00:00.001-08:00

Carmen says he is a hula dancer

2011-11-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

Halloween fun .... cousin Michele

2011-11-14T21:55:00.001-08:00

2011-11-14T21:53:00.000-08:00

Wow can I talk Jay into doing stuff in the grocery store

My baby sister and her daughters

2011-11-14T21:51:00.000-08:00

Kiara loves her ice cream

2011-11-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

ME AND JAY.... okay no dart throwing...lol

2011-11-14T21:46:00.001-08:00

ARE YOU HIS MOMMA?

2011-10-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=langley&x=18&y=3

2011-10-04T21:47:00.001-07:00

Our 6th Annual Christmas Angel Tree

Running from November 1-December 31 each year, the Christmas Angel Tree is our most important fundraiser of every year. Hundreds of families hope to adopt our children, but they lack the funds to do so. With an average cost of over $20,000 to adopt, your generous sponsorship in 2011 can truly change the course of a child's life!

When you donate $35 or more for a child, you will recieve a beautiful photo ornament of your sponsored child to hang on your tree! This is a very special way to "share Christmas" with an orphaned child, and to make it possible for other American and Canadian families to afford the high cost of rescuing them from orphanages and mental institutions around the world!

This is also a very personal and meaningful GIFT IDEA, and gift cards will be sent with the ornament to your intended recipient. These are great for friends and family, but also for teachers, therapists, caregivers, doctors, etc. Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, our gift cards make wonderful gifts for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other seasonal celebration. We also welcome international sponsors through Paypal!

Make a larger donation for one child, or smaller donations for several children. $5 of your donation for each ornament desired will be shared with our Voice of Hope Fund, to help cover the costs of the ornaments, shipping, and Paypal fees, and to further the work of our ministry in the future. Reece's Rainbow is a true non-profit, and relies completely on private donations to this fund to remain operational, so your gifts for that are greatly appreciated throughout the year.

LANGLEY

2011-02-27T11:38:00.000-08:00

Please help him as he is in need of a forever family. Look how cute he is getting.
17eil-9
Langley

Birthdate: October 2007
Gender: Male
Eyes: Blue
Hair: light brown
Nature: Quiet

Friendly, emotional, affectionate boy. Active, social, friendly. Easy going. Eats well independently. Plays well with toys and likes to help others.

More photos available, single moms welcome.

2010-12-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

Langley is listed on www.reecesrainbow.com on the "AT RISK" page. He is now 3 years old and between the ages of 4 and 5 they get transferred to institutions. If a forever family does not bring him home then he faces the harsh reality that he might be considered "a lost boy" meaning he might never be able to be adopted once transferred; he will never know the love of a family, a mothers kiss or ever hear the words " I LOVE YOU" Please help me in raising donations to go towards his adoption grant in hopes that this might help a family to step forward to bringing him home.

Region 9 – General Information

2010-12-02T12:08:00.000-08:00

MULTIPLE UNRELATED CHILDREN CAN BE ADOPTED TOGETHER (with adequate income level)

2 trips

1st trip, Both parents for 5-7 days

Wait 2-3 months for court

Both parents travel for 2nd trip, one can leave after 4 days, the other waits 10-25 days longer

This particular region *often* waives the 10 days, but parents must be prepared to stay if not

No more than 6 children at home

Both parents must be younger than 55 years

Total program and travel fees under $35k

Fee includes a $500 orphanage donation

Married couples and single mothers may apply

LANGLEY 9HA

2010-12-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

Langley

Birthdate: October 2007
Gender: Male
Eyes: Blue
Hair: light brown
Nature: Quiet

Friendly, emotional, affectionate boy. Active, social, friendly. Easy going. Eats well independently. Plays well with toys and likes to help others.

More photos available, single moms welcome.

Native American - Amazing Grace (in cherokee)

2010-11-20T20:39:00.000-08:00

HERO OF THE YEAR

2010-10-30T21:18:00.001-07:00

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)

2010-10-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

Nikita (3)

Boy, Born February 4, 2008

YAY, new pictures of Nikita!! He is a darling little boy and is doing well. He was born with an open oval window. He likes to play with toys and is interactive with his caregivers. Nikita needs a loving family to help get him out of this crib and be the little boy he so wants to be! He does not have any other medical complications to prevent him from being active and happy in your family.

This orphanage has a history of medicating the children, so many of them look sleepy and zoned out in their photos. It is imperative to find families for all of these children quickly.

2010-10-30T21:12:00.001-07:00

Angel Tree 2010

Our 5th Annual Christmas Angel Tree

Running from November 1-December 31 each year, the Christmas Angel Tree is our most important fundraiser of every year.

During this time, all of our children with Down syndrome from ages 0-5 are openly listed on one page and eligible for grant donations. Each child has a Christmas WARRIOR who has a blog button for their chosen child and provides a focused fundraising effort for that one child throughout the project. Children can have multiple warriors, but we work hard to ensure that each child has at least ONE prior to the launch of the project. As a donor, you can make a larger donation for one child, or smaller donations for many children. Every penny helps!

We are excited this year to also be able to serve Canadians in their hopes to adopt our waiting children!

The goal is to raise $1000 or more for each of our nearly (200) waiting children with Down syndrome. Through the focused efforts of our generous donors and Christmas Warriors, we know we can reach it!

You can choose to make a larger donation for one child, or smaller donations for several children. $5 of your donation for each ornament desired will be shared with our Voice of Hope Fund, to help cover the costs of the ornaments, shipping, and Paypal fees, and to further the work of our ministry in the future. Reece’s Rainbow is a true non-profit, and relies completely on private donations to this fund to remain operational, so your gifts for that are greatly appreciated throughout the year.

With a nearly 90% prenatal termination rate of our angels with Down syndrome here in the United States, it is our HONOR and OBLIGATION to rescue those who were blessed enough to be born.

In only 4 years, Reece’s Rainbow has become a true *Voice of Hope* for orphaned children with Down syndrome. We have found adoptive families for more than 300+ children with Down syndrome and other special needs around the world, and have disbursed more than $500,000 in adoption grants for those families! Donations from our annual Angel Tree make up the BULK of those available funds. With an average cost of over $20,000 to adopt, your generous sponsorship in 2010 can truly change the course of a child’s life!

On November 1, a new link will appear on this page for our Angel Tree Sponsor Page, where each of the children will be posted and eligible for Christmas grant donations.

If you have any questions or ideas on how you can help, please contact us! When you donate $35 or more for a child, you will recieve a beautiful photo ornament (WHEN DONATION MADE BEFORE DECEMBER 15!) of your sponsored child to hang on your tree! This is a very special way to “share Christmas” with an orphaned child, and to make it possible for other families to afford the high cost of rescuing them from orphanages and mental institutions around the world!

BEDROOM IS DECORATED

2010-06-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

2010-06-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

Talked with S today and he let me know that he will be driving V out to me and they will be leaving their State tomorrow and he should have her to me by dinner time on Thursday.

RESPITE

2010-06-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Looks like I might have a summer guest this year. V is 12 years old and has RAD and PTSD. SO I have been busy getting a room ready. The room is pink with purple trim. I am going to decorate with butterflies and dragonflies. Got to go get a bed this week. It is going to seem different having a girl back in the house. No girls since Ashley. She loves art stuff so off to the store this weekend to stock up. Will be blogging to keep everyone updated on how the summer is going. Recieved a picture of her and she is a cutie.

Tara Lee

2010-06-02T20:25:00.001-07:00

Could you be his momma?

2010-06-02T20:10:00.001-07:00

Nikita is now 2 years old and never knew a mothers love. He is listed on www.reecesrainbow.com

Boy, Born February 4, 2008

YAY, new pictures of Nikita!! He is a darling little boy and is doing well. He was born with an open oval window. He likes to play with toys and is interactive with his caregivers. Nikita needs a loving family to help get him ut of this crib and be the ilttle boy he so wants to be! He does not have any other medical complications to prevent him from being active and happy in your family.

I have $310 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

2010-03-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Is't he the cutest little thing; isn't he?
Nikita just turned 2 years old and deserves the love of the family. My dream for this little Prince is to see him smile and in the loving embrace of a momma. Please help by donating here on his chipin. All donations go directly to his adoption grant on Reece's Rainbow.

21.3.10 Warrior!

2010-02-28T11:53:00.000-08:00

I am Nikita's prayer warrior and there is nothing more that I would love to see then this precious child home with his forever family. I am asking all friends and family to pass this blog address around in hopes of his family finding him. On the right side of this page is a chip in for donations that go towards his adoption fund. Since DS is a designer jean 21 I am asking if anyone and everyone can donate at least $21 towards this grant. To find out more about adopting sweet Nikita(0-2) you can visit www.reecesrainbow.org

2010-02-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

World Down Syndrome Day

March 21, 2010

Every year, on March 21 (to honor the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome presented in Down syndrome), the world comes together to raise awareness and advocate for people living with Down syndrome. Because Reece's Rainbow has an international focus, we are doing our part to further the recognition of this very special day!

The primary focus of our ministry is to promote the international adoption and rescue of children with Down syndrome (and other special needs). But our ultimate goal is to be a catalyst for social change abroad. With every successful adoption, and now through our "Connecting the Rainbow" program, we hope to bring education and advocacy to those countries where people with disabilities are still left in orphanages and mental institutions.

With your help, one day there will no longer be a need for Reece's Rainbow!

FUND RAISER

2010-02-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

Angie Hook family's latest fundraiser is a book that her husband wrote
and designed on the lessons our family has learned from our 2.5 year
old son that we adopted, who has Down syndrome. Won't you visit their blog as they rais the funds to bring their new daughter home. http://faithnotfearhooks.blogspot.com/

FUND RAISING

2010-02-25T11:02:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah is the cutest little thing. He is in Taian and has severe cp and waiting for his parents to come to bring him home. Tamijoy and Bobby have a great selection of fundraisers going to help in raising the funds to bring him home. They have T-Shirts, barefoot books, Java, born in my heart bracelets, sonic cards and a great online auction going. Please visit their blog at http://jeremiahspromisejohn1418.blogspot.com/

FUND RAISER

2010-02-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

Tam and her family are considering adopting 4 children with special needs from Ukraine and could really use all of our help raising the funds for this. Please visit their blog at http://ourgirlsbyheart.blogspot.com

and check out this beautiful set of magnets that they are offering for a fundraiser

This is a set of four magnets with various map pictures of Ukraine on them. They come in a decorative tin which also has a map of Ukraine on it. If you donate 5 dollars via paypal(katieostar@yahoo.com) and include your name I will pick one name out of a hat and one lucky person gets to have this magnet set. I have a set just like it and I love them!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2010-02-04T11:03:00.000-08:00

Today is Nikita's 2nd birthday so I have started a chip in to see if we can all raise $1000 towards his adoption grant. Let's hope that his next birthday will be home with his forever family

2010-01-31T19:39:00.001-08:00

The Bible Speaks Of Adoption

Not everyone adopts children, of course, and even fewer adopt children with disabilities. It's not for everyone. What would our present society be like without pipe line fitters, scientists, farmers, or surgeons! We all need each other's gifts. Everyone is different, and interested in different things. God made us that way. The Bible is certainly big enough to have a message for everyone. That's how God speaks to His own, through verses that He sends straight to their spirits. The multitude of verses that have struck deep into my spirit, have played an important part in my life.

Adoption has always been a part of the human experience. There can be no doubt of this, because the Bible uses the word to explain how by becoming a Christian, we become, by adoption, children of God.

The Bible has stories of children who were taken in to be loved and raised by other families, as their own child.

Mordecai adopted an orphan he named Esther, as his own child. He loved her, raised her carefully, and she was a good and obedient daughter even into adulthood. (Esther 2:7 on)

Moses was put into a basket in the river among bullrushes by his mother, in hopes of saving his life, after the king decreed that all baby boys be killed. Well, Moses was adopted by the daughter of the wicked king who made the law. He loved his own daughter so much, he could not deny her the tiny baby she found in a basket in the river, among the bullrushes. He did not know that he had killed all the other babies, just to be certain he got rid of this one! He did not know that the little girl his daughter asked, to find a wet nurse for the baby, was the baby's sister, and the wet nurse was his own mother! God had a big plan here.

Samuel was born to a mother who had prayed in anguish for a very long time, for a baby. At last she promised God that if He gave her a baby, she would bring the baby to the temple, and give it back to God. She kept her promise, and brought little Samuel to the priest Eli, in deep gratitude for the privilege of having become a mother; for having at last, the desire of her heart.

God has had some intricate plans in the lives of some of my children as well. I am absolutely certain, that at their conception, they were meant to become my own children. But in God's plan, they had other lives to go through first. When I found my children, I felt a great surge of joy each time, for I had found my child, whom I had been waiting for, all his or her life!

The Bible says a lot about children who have no fathers, and who are disabled. It is clear that we are to help them, defend them, and protect them. These verses have always spoken to my heart.

2010-01-22T12:14:00.003-08:00

2010-01-22T12:14:00.001-08:00

reeces rainbow

Sweet Mindy will be transferred to the institution in 9 days, unless her forever family finds her fi...rst. These institutions---they're not daycare centers. They are asylums. Please save Mindy from such a tragic fate.

MY BROTHER LYNDON AND SISTER INLAW CRYSTAL

2010-01-16T14:17:00.001-08:00

Boy are they proud of their first grandchild

AUTUMN RAYNE

2010-01-16T14:14:00.000-08:00

My niece Kara and her husband Mark are the proud parents of Autumn Rayne born on 01/13 weighting 7 pounds 12 ounces 20 inches long.

anya AGE 4 FROM www.reecesrainbow.com

2010-01-04T21:30:00.000-08:00

A LITTLE NEPHEW TIME

2010-01-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

JAY AND JAMIE

2010-01-04T21:25:00.001-08:00

2010-01-04T21:24:00.001-08:00

FAMILY TIME

2010-01-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

VIEWS OF ALBANY NEW YORK

2010-01-04T21:19:00.001-08:00

2010-01-04T21:15:00.001-08:00

2010-01-04T21:12:00.000-08:00

My niece Cheyenne decided to try crocheting her first hat ever. She made it for Jay at Christmas.

2010-01-03T22:20:00.000-08:00

If you could help a child find it's forever family; would you? Nikita's family is out here some where's but has not found him or committed to him yet. Maybe they feel that they won't be able to afford the adoption. If you could donate to him so they would have a base funding to start on would you? Nikita like so many others will will be transferred to an institution to spend the rest of their life if there forever families do not find them. In these institutions the children spend most of their lives tied up and in cribs. Many of them die within the first year. We as a team can make a difference for Nikita. Please visit www.reecesrainbow.com and make a donation in Nikita's name.

2010-01-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

Derek Loux Memorial Service

On Wednesday morning December 23, 2009, Derek R. Loux (37), a husband, father, musician, and justice advocate, went home to be with the Lord after a fatal car accident in Nebraska. Derek, a faithful servant of the Lord, was husband to Renee Loux for 17 years and father to ten children, several with special needs.

The Louxes' two biological daughters, Sophia (12) and Michaela (9), were joined by five adopted daughters from the Marshall Islands: Telma (19), Teyolla and Keyolla (twins, 18), Leeann (15), and Sana (8). Of their three adopted sons from the Ukraine, Sasha (7), Ethan (6), and Silas (3), two have Down syndrome and one has spina bifida.

Late in the evening on December 22, after attending a training seminar on how to help children who are rescued out of the sex slave industry, Derek and his friend, Jonathan Oliver, began their return drive from Colorado. They hit a patch of black ice as they drove through a Nebraska snowstorm, causing their vehicle to spin out of control and flip several times. Jonathan and a witness of the accident immediately performed CPR on Derek while waiting for the ambulance. Derek regained a pulse, but his heart rate dropped as they were transporting him to a hospital and he passed away.

Derek was part of the senior leadership team of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOP–KC) and served many areas of the missions base, including helping to pioneer Forerunner Music Academy. Before joining IHOP–KC, he served as the director of Indianapolis House of Prayer for four years. As a professional musician, singer, and songwriter, Derek recorded several CDs including Paper Religion and Fragrant Burning. He was also a worship leader and a frequent conference speaker.

Derek’s life passion was adopting and restoring orphans, particularly those with special needs. He pioneered the vision of the Orphan Justice Center, a haven of restoration for rescued orphans.

Kirk Bennett, director of IHOP–KC's justice department, worked with Derek and the Orphan Justice Center. “Derek was a joyful husband and father. He is one of the most amazing champions of justice, adoption, and life that I have ever worked with. He was intensely and personally involved in bringing justice to many; he demonstrated the value of life to people and individuals so that they could experience their own value and freedom," said Kirk.

Derek and Renee’s firstborn son, Josiah, a special needs child, passed away when he was 2½ years old. Josiah’s life and death opened the Louxes' eyes to a whole new world of love for children with special needs. As a result, one of their dreams has been to buy approximately 45 acres on Blue Ridge Boulevard, Grandview, to build a “mansion of mercy” and therapy center for special needs children and the staff caring for them. Renee and the Loux children plan to continue their current efforts to help children, fulfilling this dream even in Derek’s death. For more detailed information about the Josiah project and how you can partner with the Loux family, go to www.josiahfund.org.

Mike and Diane Bickle and the entire IHOP–KC staff will greatly miss Derek Loux, his excellent leadership, and his faithful friendship. Speaking of Derek, Mike Bickle says: “He was a faithful man who loved God and cared about people. He led worship teams, and helped start Forerunner Music Academy and the Orphan Justice Center. He was an integral part of our leadership and he will be greatly missed as a dear friend.”

Derek’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the IHOP–KC Forerunner School of Ministry building located at 12444 Grandview Road, Grandview, Missouri, 64030.

Service times are as follows: viewing, 10:00am–noon; memorial service (available by live webstream on IHOP.org/louxmemorial), 2:00pm–4:30pm.

If you would like to assist the family at this tragic time, you may do so by mailing your tax-deductible financial gift to:

IHOP–KC
3535 E. Red Bridge Road
Kansas City, MO 64137

Please make checks payable to “SCCF” and write “IHOP–KC Benevolence Fund” in the memo line.

Checks may also be brought to the IHOP–KC Business Office at 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City. If you would like to make a credit card donation, please call: 816.763.0200 x.2250.

Nikita

2010-01-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

Look at this handsome little fellow. Can you imagine the hugs, kisses and all the cuddles he has when his momma finds him? Yes We are trying to help Nikita and alot of other children by raising funds to go into a grant towards his adoption fees. This can be done at www.reecesrainbow.com All donations to Nikita are greatly appreciated by me and might help in his forever family finding him.

2010-01-02T13:02:00.001-08:00

Grab This Button

NEW ADDITIONS

2009-12-21T22:40:00.001-08:00

MINA HAS A FAMILY

2009-12-21T22:37:00.000-08:00

A BLOG PARTY

2009-11-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

http://arewethereyetla5.blogspot.com/

A FUNNY CRAFT PROJECT I CAME ACROSS AND WANTED TO SHARE AS WE CAN ALL USE A GOOD LAUGH NOW AND THEN

2009-11-20T15:09:00.000-08:00

My dear friends and family,

Somewhat embarrassing to admit, Ric is not getting his annual bonus so Christmas is going to be tight this year. So I decided to make you bedroom slippers as your gift. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below:

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.

Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes: Regular, Light and Get out the Sand Bags.

2009-11-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

Are YOU Little Man's Mommy and Daddy? This is a little guy born July 2009 with Down Syndrome in Asia. If you are interestd in adopting this little guy please email Tamijoy at Childofmyheart@aol.com with your contact information and if you have a homestudy and such and she will send it along and someone will contact you! Please spread the word about Little Man! :) Lord please send him a Mommy and Daddy soon!

2009-11-19T14:11:00.001-08:00

Polar bears can be ferocious, but Puffy, the chalet's resident bear, is quite the opposite. With a gentle temperament and arms made for hugging, he's sweet to the core.

Materials

Toothpicks

2 large marshmallows

6 mini marshmallows

2 white jelly beans, halved

Royal icing

1 brown mini M&M

Scissors

Black shoestring licorice

Instructions

Using a toothpick, attach the two large marshmallows together to make Puffy's body and head.

For each arm, thread two mini marshmallows onto one end of a toothpick and poke the other end into the body. For each leg, do the same, but use one marshmallow for the leg and one half of a white jelly bean for the foot (so the bear will stand up more easily).

Using royal icing, glue on two jelly bean halves for ears and the M&M for a nose. Snip two short licorice lengths and glue them in place for the eyes.

2009-11-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

Sweeten your street this holiday season with a larger-than-life mailbox decoration.

Materials

3 Styrofoam disks, 1" thick and 10" in diameter

Tacky glue

Red metallic ribbon

Scissors

Straight pins

Clear cellophane

Twist ties

Wire or twine

Instructions

Stack and glue the three Styrofoam disks together. Then cut 2 3/4 inch-wide red metallic ribbon into six 12-inch lengths, trimming both ends of each piece into points.

Glue the red ribbon onto the Styrofoam to form stripes. Start with one pointed end positioned near the center of the three-ply disk, then wrap the ribbon over the edge of the Styrofoam and glue the other end in place on the opposite side. Use straight pins to help hold the ends of the ribbons in place, then remove them once the glue has dried. Leave approximately 2 1/2 inches between the ribbons.

When all of the red stripes are in place, wrap the giant candy in a 30-inch square piece of clear cellophane, scrunching the ends together and securing with twist ties.

Attach the finished decoration to your mailbox with wire, twine, or a loop of strong tape. Just be sure to bring it in if the weather outside gets frightful.

2009-11-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

Whether slip-sliding across Lake Lollipop or waddling up to greet guests at the chalet, these dapper penguins are a cool yet comical pair.

For the complete edible winter wonderland, click here!

Materials

Toothpicks

2 small white gumdrops

2 large white gumdrops

2 orange jelly beans, halved

Royal icing

2 purple Necco wafers, halved

2 orange M&M's, halved

Scissors

Black shoestring licorice

Instructions

To make each penguin, use a toothpick to attach the small gumdrop (the penguin's head) on top of the large one (the body). Snap a toothpick in half and use the same technique to attach the jelly bean halves to the penguin's body as feet.

Using small dabs of royal icing, glue the Necco wafer halves in place as wings and the M&M half as a beak.

Snip off two tiny lengths of shoestring licorice and affix them with royal icing to make the eyes.

2009-11-19T14:07:00.002-08:00

Looking for a way to sweeten the wait for Santa's sleigh? This little item should help.

Materials

Square tissue or cracker box

Candy canes

Red tape or paint

Candy

Instructions

Cut off and discard the top of the box. Trim the cut edge of the box so that it resembles a sleigh.

Cover the sleigh with red tape or paint, or leave it if you like the pattern already printed on.

Cut holes in the lower corners of the sleigh and insert candy canes "runners."

Fill the sleigh with candy.

2009-11-19T14:07:00.001-08:00

The anticipation is truly sweet with this candy chain. And it's so easy to make, your kids can prepare one for every member of the family.

Start with two wrapped candies (we like striped starlight mints) and using ribbon, tie a twisted plastic end of one to an end of the second mint. Continue until your chain has enough candies for your countdown. Hang your garlands from the mantel or from doorknobs. Each day, untie and eat one piece of candy.

2009-11-18T21:30:00.001-08:00

CAN YOU HELP SAVE US? Nikita and Mina shown are waitting for their families to find them and bring them home. Any donation towards there adoption fee would be greatly appreciated. Please see us at http://www.reecesrainbow.org/angeltree2009sponsorpage.html

Meet Ashleigh!

2009-11-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

Girl, Born January 31, 2007

From a missionary video, they mention how she didnt do much but to lay down in a crib,and with the missionary group, love, care, they could give her while they where there, she soon was rolling, and even sitting!

Ashleigh is completely healthy, with soft brown hair and big brown eyes! She has a smile that can light up a room, and will blossom in a family setting!

Contact Andrea directly for more information

and to see her and other Eastern Europe kids click here

2009-11-18T15:01:00.001-08:00

For each cup of bath salts, you will need:

1 cup of Epsom Salts (or 3/4 cup epsom salts mixed with 1/4 cup of sea salt)
4 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
2 drops red food coloring
optional: 4 drops Glycerin
mixing equipment: two bowls, mixing spoons, funnel, glass jar

Divide the epsom salts into two bowls. Add two drops of peppermint oil and two drops of glycerin, if using, into each bowl. Add two drops of red food coloring to one bowl and stir to evenly distribute the color.

Begin alternating layers of red and white bath salts in a clear glass jar, using a funnel. Make sure the jar is filled completely to the top to prevent colored from shifting before use.

2009-11-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Mix in a Mug

1/8 cup milk chocolate chips 1/8 cup sugar 6 Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups, chopped into pieces Measure into small Ziploc baggie, seal & shake to combine 1/2 cup mini marshmallows : measured into a separate small baggie. Place in a Mug lined with Tissue paper, attach pretty tag & tiny wooden spoon.

Attach Tag:

Combine Fudge Mix, 1 1/2 T. Margarine & cook in microwave 3 minutes. Remove & quickly stir in marshmallows, until well melted. Cool 5-7 minutes and then place in fridge for 8-10 minutes to set.

2009-11-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

Martin
Boy, Born January 20, 2006
№ 1v3o
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!

Martin is a beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed boy who was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. He has an astigmatism and an umbilical hernia (common in children with DS). he is facing the institution next year, and he needs to get home to a family who can provide him with surgery to correct his heart condition. Please consider Martin for your son! He is described as a cheerful and playful boy!

For more information please contact Andrea
I have $0 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

2009-11-16T19:24:00.001-08:00

Apple Muffin Mix in a Jar

2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped dried apple

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach the following recipe to the jar:

Apple Muffins:

Contents of jar
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Turn jar contents into medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

2009-11-16T14:40:00.001-08:00

Snow Balls Mix

A favorite recipe to share with friends.

1/2 C powdered sugar
2 C all-purpose flour
1 C chopped pecans

Combine the confectioners sugar and flour and place into a 1 quart canning jar. Put the chopped pecans on top.

Include the following instructions:

Snow Balls Mix

Preheat the oven to 325° F. Grease cookie sheets. In a medium bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of shortening and 1/4 cup of margarine. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extracts. Add the contents of the jar, and mix well. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool, and roll in confectioner sugar. Makes 4 dozen.

2009-11-15T21:21:00.001-08:00

2009-11-15T19:47:00.001-08:00

2009-11-15T19:45:00.001-08:00

Snowman Soup

1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey Kisses
1 handful of miniature marshmallows
1 candy cane

Put items in a mug and wrap with cellophane.

Include this poem:

Was told you've been real good this year
Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!

2009-10-18T15:58:00.001-07:00

Christmas Angel Tree Project

With a nearly 90% prenatal termination rate of our angels with Down syndrome here in the United States, it is our HONOR and OBLIGATION to rescue those who were blessed enough to be born.

In only 3 1/2 years, Reece's Rainbow has become a true *Voice of Hope* for orphaned children with Down syndrome. We have found adoptive families for more than 200 children with Down syndrome and other special needs around the world and have disbursed more than $350,000 in adoption grants for those families! Donations from our annual Angel Tree make up the BULK of those available funds. Your generous sponsorship in 2009 can truly change the course of a child's life!

Running from November 1-December 31, 2009, the Christmas Angel Tree is our most important fundraiser of every year, and historically also corresponds to the highest number of children finding their "forever families" as well. THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF FAMILIES WISHING TO ADOPT CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME, only a shortage of funds to do so! Our goal is to raise $1000 or more for each of our nearly (200) waiting children with Down syndrome. That may seem like a lofty goal, but through the focused efforts of our generous donors and Christmas Warriors, we know we can reach it!

When you donate $35 or more for a child, you will recieve a beautiful porcelain photo ornament of your sponsored child to hang on your tree! This is a very special way to "share Christmas" with an orphaned child, and to make it possible for other families to afford the high cost of rescuing them from orphanages and mental institutions around the world!

Ways you can help before the start of the project:

Donate to our Voice of Hope fund to help with the initial costs of the ornaments and brochures!
Sign up to be a Christmas Warrior for one of our children
Order Angel Tree brochures to hand out at your churches, schools, and work place
Purchase Angel Tree sweatshirts and coffee mugs!
Set up your *own* table-top Angel Tree fundraiser at your church or work place
Blog and Facebook about your plans to fundraise for this ministry
Wait for the official e-mail announcement and share it with everyone you know
INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS WELCOME THROUGH PAYPAL

On November 1, a new link will be available on this page that will take you to our Sponsor Photo Page, where you will be able to openly view all of our orphans who need grant sponsors and adoptive families. You can choose to make a larger donation for one child, or smaller donations for several children. $5 of your donation for each ornament will be shared with our Voice of Hope Fund, to help cover the costs of the ornaments,shipping, and Paypal fees, and to further the work of our ministry in the future. Reece's Rainbow is a true non-profit, and relies completely on private donations to this fund to remain operational, so your gifts for that are greatly appreciated throughout the year. (you are welcome to make donations to the VOH fund at any time of the year, and we are especially grateful for those gifts NOW as we go to purchase all of the 650 ornaments!)

Until November 1, you can follow the countdown clock to the right, and start your "Christmas Warrioring"!

2009-10-18T15:57:00.001-07:00

Nikita (3)

Boy, Born February 4, 2008

So wish we had a more current pic of Nikita, but he is a darling little boy and is doing well. His records do not indicate a heart condition. He likes to play with toys and is interactive with his caregivers. The "cloud" on his eye in this picture is NOT an indication of blindess....I tried to edit his red eyes and this is how it came out!

Contact Andrea for more information

I have $0in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

2009-10-18T15:56:00.001-07:00

Mina (26)

Girl, Born January 15, 2009

Miss Mina has blonde hair and big blue eyes! She is healthy, with ho heart or other medical conditions. Mina is one of our very youngest children available to be adopted!

Contact Andrea directly for more information

I have $0 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

2009-10-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

2009-10-08T16:31:00.001-07:00

2009-10-05T23:38:00.001-07:00

Signs & Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder in Children & Adults

Symptoms of RAD in Children

Superficially charming and engaging, particularly around strangers or those who they feel they can manipulate
Indiscriminate affection, often to strangers; but not affectionate on parent’s terms
Problems making eye contact, except when angry or lying
A severe need to control everything and everyone; worsens as the child gets older
Hypervigilant
Hyperactive, yet lazy in performing tasks
Argumentative, often over silly or insignificant things
Frequent tantrums or rage, often over trivial issues
Demanding or clingy, often at inappropriate times
Trouble understanding cause and effect
Poor impulse control
Lacks morals, values, and spiritual faith
Little or no empathy; often have not developed a conscience
Cruelty to animals
Lying for no apparent reason
False allegations of abuse
Destructive to property or self
Stealing
Constant chatter; nonsense questions
Abnormal speech patterns; uninterested in learning communication skills
Developmental / Learning delays
Fascination with fire, blood and gore, weapons, evil; will usually make the bad choice
Problems with food; either hoarding it or refusing to eat
Concerned with details, but ignoring the main issues
Few or no long term friends; tend to be loners
Attitude of entitlement and self-importance
Sneaks things without permission even if he could have had them by asking
Triangulation of adults; pitting one against the other
A darkness behind the eyes when raging

2009-10-03T20:14:00.001-07:00

ARIANNA'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

2009-10-02T19:05:00.001-07:00

2009-10-02T19:03:00.001-07:00

2009-10-02T19:02:00.001-07:00

FOUND THIS ON ANOTHER BLOG

2009-10-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

A Bill of Rights For Parents of Kids With Special Needs

We, the parents, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure tranquility (and sanity) and promote the general welfare of our families, do ordain and establish this Bill of Rights.

* We have the right to expect our kids to be seen for who they are as individuals, not as labels or diagnoses.

* We have a right to trust our instincts about our kids and realize that experts don't always know best.

* We have a right to ignore the remarks, questions and stares and not give explanations or excuses for why our children are the way they are.

* We have a right to choose alternative therapies for our kids.

* We have a right to roll our eyes straight out of our heads when we encounter certain mothers who brag nonstop that their kids are the smartest students/best athletes ever.

* We have a right to wonder “What if…” every so often.

* We have a right to play aimlessly with our children. Not for therapeutic or educational purposes—just for fun.

* We have a right to blast Bruce Springsteen/Tom Petty/Any Rocker, down a glass of Pinot Grigio, get a pedicure, go out with the girls or do all of the aforementioned at once if that's what it takes to avoid burnout.

* We have a right to react to people’s ignorance in whatever way we feel necessary.

* We have a right to not always have our child be the poster child for his/her disability and some days be just a child.

* We have a right to go through the grieving process and realize we may never quite be "over it."

* We have the right to give our kids chores. Even better if they can learn to make breakfast in bed for us.

* We have a right to stretch the truth when we fail to do the exercises the therapist asked us to do this week because we were too darn tired or overwhelmed.

* We have a right to have yet more Pinot Grigio.

* We have a right to fire any doctor or therapist who's negative, unsupportive or who generally says suck-y things.

* We have a right to tell family and friends that everything may not be OK—at least not how they mean it, anyway.

* We have a right to hope for an empty playground so we don’t have to look into another child’s eyes and answer the question, “What’s wrong with him?”

* We have a right to bawl on the way back from the playground, the birthday party, the mall or anyplace where our children’s challenges become glaringly obvious in the face of all the other kids doing their typical-development things.

* We have the right to give our children consequences for their behavior. They may be “special” but they can still be a royal pain in the ass.

* We have a right to take a break from Googling therapies, procedures, medicine and treatments for our kids to research upcoming concerts, exotic teas or anything not related to our children’s disabilities.

* We have a right to talk about how great our kids are when people don’t get it.

* We have the right to not always behave as inspirational icons who never complain or gripe about the sometimes awful realities of raising a child with special needs.

* We have a right to expect quality services for our children not just when they’re infants, preschoolers and elementary school age, but when they’re in older grades and adults, too.

* We have a right to adequate funding for those services and to not have to kick, scream or endure a wait for them.

* We have a right to get tired of people saying, as they give that sympathy stare, "I don't know how you do it."

* We have a right to wish that sometimes things could be easier.

* We have a right to cheer like crazy anytime our children amaze us—or weep like lunatics.

* We have a right to push, push and push some more to make sure our children are treated fairly by the world.

TARA LEE MINER

2009-09-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Arrived on september 21st weighting in at 7 pounds 10 ounces, 20 inches long

JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK

2009-09-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/tammy.raywood

7 DAYS OF INSPIRATION

2009-09-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

DAY 1: You have smiles inside; let them shine.
Day 2: this day's potential is unlimited.
Day 3: Set the stage for success; dream.
Day 4: Love is never wasted.
Day 5: You are stronger then stress.
Day 6: The show can't go on without you. Your the star.
Day 7: Relax! Your doing fine.

2009-09-21T00:40:00.000-07:00

This blog will be a mixture of everything from updates and pictures of family, favorite sayings, recipes, jokes and so forth. I will also be putting things on here that could be helpful to families in need of help with special needs children. I look forward to seeing you all here.