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Family with Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain and Sarah Palin

You can read about it here.

He rose up and called me blessed.

We established a tradition many years ago with our first child, Jake.  When he finished Kindergarten, we took him out to eat at a place of his choosing.  His friends were having sweet little ceremonies, where they wore a white cap and gown to celebrate their first year of school.  I doubt that Jake would have noticed that he had no cap and gown; but I knew, and I didn’t want him to feel left out.

Jake chose Red Lobster.  We were a young couple, without much money, but Jake had seen Red Lobster through the car window and in advertisements on television. His heart was set.  We couldn’t quite believe that our 5 year old had such good taste, but he did.  We had thought perhaps he would choose McDonalds and the obligatory Happy Meal.

No way.  This kid had it in his head that he would have Lobster.

We had promised, so we bit the bullet, smiled, and took our little guy.  (I was expecting our fourth at that point.  Some of my old friends will recognize these pictures and the maternity clothes I borrowed from them at that time!)

Jake conquered that lobster; he felt like a king.  I’ve never regretted taking him; but our budget rejoiced when our next son chose tasteless fish fritters at Long John Silver’s.

We’ve now had 4 children pass through Kindergarten, all homeschooled.  Our 5th child, Josiah, began Kindergarten this year.  I wonder where he will want to go to eat?

The years are sometimes hard, sometimes lean, but every investment made into the lives of our children are worth it.  It isn’t only the financial investments that bring rewards in their lives, it is more often the giving of ourselves that shows much fruit.  The love that is given comes back to you.  The guidance, the caring, the long days and nights….It is worth it, a hundred times over.

Sometimes, it is nice to do things with just the big kids, so this weekend we went shopping.  We hit Best Buy, the craft store, the guitar store, and the pet shop where Nick was hoping to buy a tarantula. (!)  (Fortunately, they were all out…)

When we arrived home, Jake pulled a package out of his pocket.  “Here mama.  This is for you.”

I looked to see whatever it might be.  My son, contrary to his lobster beginnings is completely frugal.  He’s the type that goes away on a weekend quizzing competition and won’t even buy himself a soda or a candy bar.  He won’t spend an unneccesary dime.  But this kid, this amazing kid, bought me an i-pod shuffle with his first paycheck ever.  I’ve never had an mp-3 player, or anything remotely like it.  I didn’t even know how to use it.  I usually borrow my daughter’s and have to have the kids turn it on for me if I’m going to take a walk.  He took such delight in giving it to me.  He uploaded my favorite songs.

Surely you know that I got teary eyed and quite choked up. 

This week has been such an amazing week.  The upcoming election has brought so many new topics in our home; has made us articulate our beliefs of the worth of every person yet again to our children.  We’ve emphasized again how very much we will support them as they seek to follow God’s will for their lives.  We support the vision He will place within them as individuals.  Our hearts have been bound even closer together, parents to children, husband to wife.  There is much joy, and our hearts are so full of His presence and so thankful for His love.

The days and the years are worth it.  My son rose up and called me blessed, just as the scriptures said it would be.  Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Here are some of my thoughts in the past regarding parenting Jacob.

Palin links, some really good articles.

Time’s interview with Sarah Palin – I found this fascinating, particularly the very last paragraph.

Eating our own – Elizabeth has another couple of hit posts.  Thank you, Elizabeth, for helping me realize and repent of the times I have done this very thing.  Thank you, Father, for teaching me and forgiving!  Note:  The “Holly” in the post is not me!

Also from Elizabeth, “What do I think?” addresses Bristol Palin’s pregnancy.  Excellent response.

And added Sunday morning:  A MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST read by Doug Wilson. This is a profound analysis.  I have never agreed more with Doug Wilson in the span of one week – but I am on his side here.

Moving to the new site

I am planning to be over at my new site within a week!  For now, dual posting will be going on, aided and abetted by my son Jake.  Y’all need to get yourself a resident computer guy!    We still have a few bugs to work out, but it’ll all happen.  Just wanted to give you a head’s up.  This site will stay up because of the archives, and there should be a redirect function here as well.

Shockingly enough, the name of the new blog is called Seeking Faithfulness. 

You all are welcomed there, just as you are here!  No need to even agree with me! 

Wacky blogger snags fancy apron; son brings home first paycheck, and other family news

I’ve loved these aprons made by Connie of Smockity Frocks for ages now.  I bought two a year or so ago, one for my mother and myself.  In a fit of unselfishness, I uncharacteristically gave mine to my mother in law instead of keeping it for myself.  (I know.  I bit my lip to stifle sobs and managed a  slim smile.  But my heart was glad for her.  Really.  You doubt my sincerity?)

I was completely thrilled a few weeks ago when Connie asked me if I could make her some bears.  I proposed a trade…my memory bears for one of her aprons.  She accepted.  SCORE!

The material and the apron came in the mail this week.  I still have to make the bears, but started wearing the apron immediately.  I love it!   This is me, in the middle of the apple harvest.  (Okay, that is a fake pose to show you the apron but I am STILL in the middle of the apple harvest.  And the watermelon, cantaloupe, and paw paw harvest.)

I wore it to can pears and apples.  Perfect.  Fry hamburgers.  Perfect.  Bathe the kids.  Again, perfect.  Because it is made of oilcloth, it wipes right off and looks beautiful after all of that.  I’ve carried in tomatoes like all good women used to, in my apron.  Even when I’m not wearing it, it looks pretty hanging on my kitchen wall.  I usually wear an old IHOP apron, which didn’t beautify much of anything.

Connie is in the middle of packing for a move.  I don’t know what her time frame is for accepting orders – but make a mental bookmark, because these aprons are awesome and would make a perfect gift.  (For yourself or your mother in law.)

In other exciting news around our house, our son Jacob (16) brought home his first paycheck this week.  Sure, he’s held jobs before such as mowing yards, walking wheat and picking rocks out of fields.  This is his first steady job, though, and we are so pleased for him.  He is working 3 days a week as a “page” at the library.  Mostly, he shelves books.  I think I will talk him into organizing our books at home in the Dewey Decimal system.  It satisfies his inner geek. 

He’s also learning to drive, as taught by my husband and myself.  What an interesting, wonderful time of life!  We are still adapting to him being away from home 3 mornings a week; but he is doing very well at fitting in his studies.  He’s a sophomore in high school this year.

Let’s see, what else?  My mom had surgery for a hernia a little over a week ago.  After a rough first 4 days, she is doing better, although still taking it slow.  It gets hectic, you can be sure, with 10 people in this household and a grandma and grandpa to keep up with, but the Lord does provide what we need.  Emily, my 12 year old, stayed with my mother day and night for 4 days.  She fixed meals, helped Grandma get cleaned up, and did whatever else needed done.  My Dad asked my mom, “How old is she again?  Isn’t she 15?”  Mom replied, “No, she is only 12,” to which Dad would answer, “She is a remarkable girl.  And she is.”  (But I have no recent pictures of her on this computer.  Between you and me, she could have run this household from the time she was 10.   She’s gifted that way.  Not me…I’ve had to learn…)

Nicholas took over where Emily left off.  (I should mention that I went and checked in on my mother every day.  They live almost an hour away.)  Nick, age 14, picked apples and mowed, lifted and carried, and did any other tasks my parents needed done.  Yes, it is hard to squeeze everything into our days, but the Lord has given us this time for our children to be bonded with their grandparents, and to help them, and it is a true blessing.

When people wonder how a mother can “do it all,” THIS is the answer.  When she has some children who are older, she doesn’t “do it all.”  Families pull together and remarkable husbands and children pitch in and make it all work out, to the glory of God!

Back to my bears, and the apples, and pears….but feeling “so fifties” in my new apron.  Thank you, Connie!

Facebook Friends

Several of you have sent me facebook invitations…

I appreciate that so much…but you should know that I haven’t taken the time to round out my account yet.  I have one; it just isn’t truly active.

So, thanks for thinking of me!  Someday, you’ll see me there.  Probably.

What about the third party option?

I wrote this in a comment over at Amy’s Humble Musings.  I thought I might as well post it here for you to read and think about.  I was responding to a beautiful and loving woman, a mama, who was imploring us all to not vote for John McCain/Palin because McCain in the past has allowed for abortion in the cases of rape, incest, and endangerment of the mother.  (I earlier commented that perhaps two months on a bus with Trig Palin might change McCain’s mind, and that we should pray for this…)  There is no malice in my heart or tone.  I simply question the wisdom of voting for a third party candidate or choosing to write in a vote at this stage in our nation’s history.

There’s the contextualization, so here goes.

Question: So, in the theoretical presupposition that Chuck Baldwin *might* someday, somehow, someway be elected and *might* save the babies who result from rape or incest (Does anyone know the percentage of all abortions that fall into this category?), you will not vote for a woman who has the opportunity to change the demographics of the Down Syndrome population NOW?

I continue to think that this is one of those “out of the box” circumstances where the Lord sent a remarkable situation to our specific time in history.

Let’s see: A WOMAN, who is 44 years old, uniquely positioned as a Governor. She was not seeking higher office. He sends her a baby. He knew she would not abort the child as many high powered women might, but would welcome it.

The baby is extra special. Down Syndrome.

The nation is currently sacrificing almost all Down Syndrome children to Molech. But not this little one. He is spared from the fiery pit of destruction. Instead, he is loved, and clothed, and cuddled…indeed by a large family who adores him and spit styles his hair.

God could have launched the father. He could have launched another man with a large, beautiful family…a MAN to rule as is customary.

God, instead, stepped out of our usual way of operating (How LIKE HIM!) and launched this tiny boy!!! His mama came with him. And because she is a Mama Bear, she will fight fiercely for him and for those like him. Immediately…not in some ethereal and supposed future of our republic. Because, frankly, the republic might not be around by then.

And, you know…so many God lovers missed the entire point. They were so busy destroying the mama and swatting her back into her kitchen that they could. not. see. the. potential. They discounted HOW God might choose to work, because, they said, “the canon was closed and God does not CALL anyone today.” (loosely translated from Buried Treasure Books.)

Sisters, friends…I DO love you all, and I do NOT speak with anger or any malice. But I am in LOVE with the Lord who has mercy upon us all, and I am eager to see Him move on our sad nation as we have so often implored Him to do. I refuse to turn away a woman, a mother…one that I believe will give not 100 percent of herself but 300 percent so that all of her responsibilities will be covered…in the event that perhaps it is the Lord who has sent her.

The Sarah Palin Mommy Pictures

I really enjoyed these pictures of a mommy with her children throughout the years.

It sure doesn’t look like the children are being neglected, and it sure looks like her husband is happy.

The spotlight shines on Down Syndrome

This post is edited at the bottom in italics.

Sarah has already brought the important issue of advocacy for Down Syndrome to the national stage.

It’s beginning to hit the press.

I noticed that she did not hide her baby’s face last night.  Following her speech, when they were all on stage, she turned him around so that the world could see how beautiful he is.

I am literally walking around my house today, as I go about my tasks…dishes, picking things up, building domino towers…PRAISING the LORD that we have an opportunity to save some Down Syndrome babies from abortion!  HOW can this be an abomination and blasphemy against the Lord, as some of my conservative and homeschooling friends are saying?  Trig Palin, and him in the spotlight, is a GIFT from our Lord!  To me, the true abomination is to deny this opportunity to stand up for babies like him, the blasphemy is to allow the continued massacre of childen who are made in God’s image.

Ninety-two percent of Down Syndrome babies are KILLED…I truly sense from the Lord’s heart that THIS is our time, via Sarah and Trig and the entire Palin family, to change this holocaust.