Going On a Field Trip!

Last week, I got to join Ellie and Nina on their school field trip. It was a hot day at a farm, but it was so much fun!

I took lots of pictures, and so you get a photo-dump post today!

Of course I asked the girls to pose, and Nina is a more willing participant, since she is not running around all over the place (which is actually something I appreciate about CP, Nina actually gets to hang around and I spend more time with her)

The plan was to use Nina's walker, but we soon realized that the terrain was not ideal for the walker. Not to mention the farm was pretty large and I wasn't sure how much she would last there. One of the owners approached us and asked if we would like to use one of their wagons. I was so thankful! So we got Nina in her fancy ride, then I folded up her walker and put it in there, along with my heavy backpack. I also had the other friends help me push it, Nina loved it! Sometimes, she would lay down and close her eyes with a smile of contentment in her face. Love this girl!

 Our first activity involved these bouncy horses. There were three different sizes and the kids loved them!

 They also had stilts. I tried them too!

 One of the favorite activities was feeding the goats. It took the kids a little getting used to having the goats lick their hands, but once they got used to it, they loved it!

And yes, Nina was balancing like a super star, even while feeding the goat!

Another favorite activity was petting the bunnies. Now, I will say that some kids were mean to the bunnies, picking them up and dropping them, or jumping on them (one little bunny had his back broken). These poor animals were terrified of the children and trying to get away from little hands, so I had to intervene and help Nina hold a bunny. You cannot see this here, but I had three other bunnies hiding between my legs trying to stay away from the children.

 And of course there was petting the kitty. Nina loved it, Ellie was scared of the kitty, afraid she would get scratched!

 There were a couple of rope swings, Ellie did amazing! We tried to get Nina to do it but that proved to be challenging.

Next to the ropes, there were these long tunnels, I love the pics, and there is a story to this photo, but I will share more about it at the end of the post, because it was a God moment, and we are framing the picture with a special saying for Nina.

 The girls with their teachers. We have AMAZING teachers. I love them to pieces. Both of them! Ellie's teacher challenges her and affirms her, as a mom I appreciate that so much! Kids need to hear praise form other adults in their life, not just their parents! Nina's teacher has been such an encouragement to ME. There have been times when I have had doubts about what Nina can or cannot do, she looks at me straight in the eye and says, "She can do this." and I just need to hear that from someone else! So often I am the one having to advocate for my daughter. She is one remarkable lady, how blessed we are that she is Nina's teacher!

 Nina got the "hamster wheel" turning!

 

 They had these sections of large pipes (same as the long tunnel material). Except these were set on some sort of rails. The kids then got in them and rolled them from one end of the rails to the next. I tried it, and fell a couple of times. it was fun!

 

 

 Fun tractor!

Wooden horses, and swing horses. No real ones but hey, the farm had horses kids could ride!

And proof that I was there with my girls!

This was not an ordinary field trip, God met me there in a meaningful way. The picture below was a gift from God.

I actually wrote about it for Not Alone. If you want to read that post, click here. I highly recommend you do! And it is a pretty short read ;)

Here is the significance of this photo:

God had been showing me His love for Nina throughout the day. His love, His delight, His pleasure. Then we got in the tunnels, and it was so bright I could hardly see. Then I snapped this picture and God reminded me once more that Nina is His beloved, and His light shines bright on her, illuminating her, reminding me, and showing her, how much He loves her. it was a Holy moment, right there at the farm.

 And this might just be one of my favorite pictures of all times, because somehow God allowed me to capture a Holy moment.

So to get the full story, do check the post for Not Alone in the link above.

Our First Dance Recital

I have so many pictures to share and all sorts of catching up to do. I will begin with most recent events and work my way back, so bear with me.

To start, Ellie had her first ballet recital last Friday. She did amazing! I know I am her mom, and I am most likely biased, but I think she stood out in her dance. She was poised, graceful, and she flowed with the music. This girl has the gift of dance!

I was a dancer since I was little. I danced ballet through the Royal Academy of dance, and danced tap, jazz (modern theater), and national dances through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. My Junior year in high school after one of my examinations, the examiner offered me a possible slot in one of their companies, she said if I kept it up, she would help me get to England and continue my dancing with them. Then we moved to the US and there was no ISTD studio in our area.

To say the least, dancing has been a part of my life for a long time. I teach Zumba (which is close enough for now) but I hope to be involved in dance again.

I did not realize how invested I was in dance until Ellie and Nichole began dancing this year. As we got ready for recital, I understood the "parents living through their kids." I could get really caught up in this, so I have to watch out my attitude (because I had a bad attitude most of the year, expecting the same quality and standard I grew up with) and I don't want to take the enjoyment of dance away from Ellie.

Ellie was a shining star (I am her mother, what can I say!).

My little ballerina!

The studio sent very detailed instructions on how to do makeup. Including what eye shadow color to use, and making a V on the eye corners. Ellie hated the makeup. We did makeup for rehearsal and there were minor tears involved not wanting to do eye liner. This was enough for her to say she did not want to be in dance if she had to do makeup like this. Imagine my surprise when we got to rehersal to find out nobody was making sure that makeup was done properly, and there were several girls that did not follow the "guidelines." I promised her we would go lighter on recital day.

The day of the performance with my little ballerina!

We got Ellie flowers and she posed for us after her fabulous performance!

Proud mama and daddy!

I already promised Ellie we won't bother with eye liner next year, I think she might stick with dance then!

These Girls Got Wheels!

One of the great and exciting rites of childhood is learning how to ride a bike.

I lived in a fenced-in neighborhood in Mexico City. Although we did not have freedom to wander anywhere we wanted, the neighborhood kids and I owned the safe streets of our small community. We had hills, empty lots where we built forts, and trees to climb. Oh the many days spent on my bike riding with my friends, the wind on my face, sun on my back, and the promise of fresh lemonade waiting for us when we needed a break.

The thing is, riding a bike is not the same for kids with special needs.

Last summer, Nina got to borrow an adaptive bike from the school so that we could work with her at home. Nina had an IEP last Tuesday, and Andy asked if we could borrow it again this summer. For many kids with cerebral palsy, things like riding a bike can be challenging because of coordination and strength.

But then Friday came along, and Nina decided, forget the adaptive bike, I want to feel that wind on my face the same way all typical kids do, I am not missing out on that!

So she got on the little bike with training wheels...and she took off!

This girl is ready to prove that she is full of potential. Amazing how chasing her as she rides her bike reminds me of where she would be at if we had not adopted her. Yet here she is, feeling the wind on her face, flying down the street on her bike!

And you know what? I think someday those training wheels will come off.

Now here is the deal, Ellie (my oldest) witnessed Nina riding her bike and thought, I am older than my sister, maybe it is about time I lose the training wheels.

So on Saturday she asked Andy to take the training wheels off and asked, "Do you think I can learn how to ride my bike today?" And he said, "Well, maybe it will take a little while, but we can start working on it." But she said, "No, I want to learn to-day!"

She has heard us say plenty of times, "You can do anything you set your mind to" and she believes it. She wanted to loose the training wheels on Saturday and learn how to ride her bike...so that is exactly what she did!

Today, both Andy and I have gone around the block with her a few times, and she already tried to ride "as fast as I can" which almost resulted in a wipe-out. Thankfully, she saved her balance and kept going.

I call this one memorable weekend!

Now to get the rascal to show an interest in riding a bike!

Dirty Laundry

I am linking up to the writing prompt. Why don't you join too? This week's prompt: dirty laundry!

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The dirty laundry is piled high. A colorful mountain of dresses, towels, sheets, shirts and socks. It all came from the bathroom, where the hamper vomited its contents making it hard to open the door. But my children…my children think this is fun! An occasion to roll in the clothes, dive in the mountain, or get “buried” under the garments. And if by any chance their noses are dangerously close to a dirty sock or underwear, they giggle so hard with exclamations of, “ewww!” that is it hard not to join in the laughter.

And so, while the dirty laundry reminds me of the work I have to do, my children remind me to enjoy each moment. They show me how to laugh in the midst of work, making the everyday chores seem more manageable and less dutiful.

I join in the fun, throwing towels over their head, or even burying them while their muffled voices call out, “Make sure I am all covered!” All that is left is a bundle of clothes that rises and falls as the giggling girls hide underneath. Then they explode with glee sending pants, socks, and washcloths flying in all directions.
Then I tell them it is time to sort the laundry, and “let’s see whose pile gets higher” and we are all working together. My oldest takes the dirty underwear with two fingers, touching as little of the fabric as she possibly can and stretches her arm as far away from her as she can. She makes a disgusted face, and pinches her nose with her free hand.



Oh, I still have to do the washing, then the folding, then the putting away. It is still a chore. However, I can at least enjoy the dirty laundry and the bonding experience it brings to my family. The laughs, the games, and the time we spend working together. I am thankful for the making of a memory that will stay with them, and with me, for years to come. I even wonder if when they have their own families, they will dump out their dirty laundry in the middle of their living room and make a game out of it with their children too.

Besides, it is not the washing that I mind so much, it is actually the folding, and then having to put it away that I dislike! My girls have not found a way to make this fun, and neither have I. But one thing is for certain, I chose dirty laundry, folding, and putting it away over doing dishes any day!

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What about you? Tell me about your dirty laundry and join the writing prompt!

Here we go on first!

So that's what Andy and his family say sometimes, "Here we go on first" I am not sure what that is about, although I am absolutely certain it has to do with sports. Which sport, it beats me, but I think it has to do with starting a new set of somethings, or maybe it is a touchdown, or maybe it means you are on bat. Whatever, I am back, ready to pick up the blog again so.....HERE WE GO ON FIRST!

July has come and gone, along with 3 large jars of nutella, and we are back home. Incredible to think that today is our first day home for summer break (I know, some of your kids are going back to school in 2 weeks!) We finished the school year and 4 days later summer school began for us, once it was done, we left to go visit our family and then Andy and I attended a pastor’s retreat. We just got back home late last Saturday, went to church on Sunday, and on Monday my good friend from Mexico came to visit and she just left this morning. She emptied one of my nutella jars, I promise she did. Maybe I helped. All that to say that as you are reading this, the Stumbos might still be taking a snooze! Or opening the new nutella container and digging in.

For those of you praying for our family, thank you! For those of you that sent messages, I appreciated those so much. We needed rest, and we found rest.

Our travels began as we gathered with Andy, his siblings, and his parents. All 22 of us were together for the first time in 2 years. Andy and his siblings are really close in age, which means they all got married and began having babies around the same time. The cousins have a blast together, it is fun! The 3 oldest girls are so funny together, but they do a great job of including the other cousins…for the most part.

Fun, however, does come with moments of chaos and feeling overwhelmed by the many children, high voices, and screams. Getting 4 families with small kids all in the same schedule is challenging, especially when all families are used to doing things in different ways. However, how can this not be one the most meaningful, wonderful, and fun memories that we will have?

Warning: the Andy Stumbo family forgot it was “family picture day.” Sometimes we do look a lot nicer, I promise!

 Following the small gathering, we met with all the Stumbos. All the Stumbos means: Andy’s grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many more children. I lost count, there were so many of us.

 We did lots of swimming during our time with family. If you didn’t get a chance, go back to the archives and take a look at some of the pictures that I shared before.

After that gathering, we headed to my mother-in-law's family reunion. We were not able to stay there more than a day, but it was great to see them. I am not a camping type of girl, but I am sure willing to sacrifice toilets and showers to be around this family. They are lovely! I love Andy’s grandparents like they were my very own.

Once camping was done, we dropped off the girls at my mom’s and Andy and I headed to our retreat. We were not sure of what to expect, other than to rest, pray, and have some time of solitude.

Yes, it was refreshing. It was wonderful. We NEEDED that time. This picture was taken on the last day we were there. Andy and I joked, “We actually look good!” Amazing how a picture can indeed communicate so much. We felt rested, refreshed, encouraged. And we met some wonderful couples that have answered to the same call of ministry we have. It is wonderful to come together with people from different denominations, but all with the same heart. So thankful for these people.

 

For random updates, I will begin teaching Zumba this Fall, I am excited, if you are local, come Zumba with me!

My contracting job as a writer is also going strong and while I have worked with some wonderful people, my newest job is actually really exciting. I love it, I could spend hours researching and writing, and reading, but alas I was not hired for a full time job. Nonetheless, this is my “dream job” when it comes to doing contracting work. It has been a pleasure.

So I guess that means I am back! I will try to keep the blog updated at least 3 times a week.

Now let’s move on, I have some questions for you!

1.       How was your July? Anything noteworthy? A blog post of yours I should go read?


2.       Help me out here with some blogging ideas, I am having “bloggers block” as I am adjusting to life. Any good blog-post title ideas? Witty? Funny? I will run with it! I promise! Topic ideas? Any questions? Please, oh please do help me out here! I love questions!

3.      Okay, one more. Did you read Ellie’s “TheMissing cat Mystery” story? Yes, my very own Ellie wrote it, so if you did not get a chance, please check it out! Shameless plugs for my child? Yes, always!

4.       Remember to answer either question 1 or 2. (insert wink)

That’s it! Thanks again, I missed this little blog, but I am back.

The Missing Cat Mystery

The Missing Cat Mystery: A story about kittens, cousins, and vacationing written by  my very own 6 year old! Ellie loves to write stories and I finally have "permission" to share something with you here on the blog. Please leave her a comment as she is anxious to hear what you all think about her story. If you get this via e-mail, stop by and leave her a message, will you? You are in for a treat with my newest "guest blogger."

Chapter 1

We get to see them

One day, I went with my cousins into the garage. What I saw was 3 little cats cuddling up with their mother! When I went out of the garage I saw Lexy treating the cats like stuffed animals. I told her to stop and she did. When I came back to the garage…Nina was just petting the cats. I got to pet them too.

Chapter 2

The Names

The next morning, me and my cousin Alyssa got to name the cats. I named the black cat Clowe. Then we found out that her name was actually Princess. Alyssa named the stripped one Zebra, and Alyssa named the last one Ginger. Their favorite place to play was under some wood.

Chapter 3

The Escape

Later that evening, Princess went into the woods. I tried to go after her but there were too many branches and poison Ivy. Later she came back and I was so happy to see her. I held her. I put her in my lap. I got to pet her. Alyssa wanted to hold her, I told her, “You could hold her later.”

Chapter 4

All Disappear

The next morning all the cats were gone. So I went back inside. After lunch, I saw one of the babies! But the other two were still gone. I looked in the woods. I found a string. I tried to throw it in to the woods but there were too many branches. I looked under cars. Under trailers. Then finally: I. Gave. Up.

Chapter 5

Came Back

The next morning when I woke up I found Princess! I was so happy, but where were the others? Then some wind blew, and out of the cabinet came…Ginger and Zebra.

Chapter 6

Good Bye

It was time to leave…I had to say goodbye. I felt like I was going to cry. I said, “I love you.” I said, “Good bye.” And I hoped some day…I could have my own cat…until we get a dog.

I kissed her… I hugged her. I sang to her until she fell asleep. Then I said good bye to her one more time.

True Story

Photo Dump My Style

I know there is a right way to share a "photo dump" post, but this is my style of a photo dump, since I have not done a very good job of sharing pictures lately.

My little sister just graduated from high school. Ellie adores her auntie Luisa, and whenever we spend time with family, Ellie wants as much time with her aunt as she can.

Okay, so these pictures were taken on mother's day. Other than aunt Rose (who we are not biologically related to) don't we all look alike?

For mother's day we went swimming (since we were up at Mayo Clinic for Nina's year post-rhizotomy check-up) Nichole would only swim with her daddy and she pretended she was a mermaid. And let me tell you, that girl is heavy even in the water. Must be the low muscle tone.

Nina swimming with her auntie Alex.  (Random fact: Nichole cannot always tell my sisters apart from each other)

Here is Nina with her buddy Alina at Mayo Clinic. They had their rhizotomies at the same time and it was so much fun to see her again.

A few weeks ago, we got together with some friends that have kids with Down syndrome. Here we are, sweaty after a hot day, trying to look our best after a long day.

I had a girls night out about 2 weeks ago. We left the dads with the kids and we were gone for a couple of days. These ladies have made all the difference since we moved. Love them! So thankful, so so thankful that they are in my life.

This picture will eventually have a blog post of its own, but this is Nina on the last day of school. it was an emotional day for me. This little girl is AMAZING! I am incredibly proud of her and how far she has come. 

I just love this picture. Nichole adores her sister Ellie and here they were actually riding on daddy's back. I am not sure what they were looking at, but isn't it just a sweet shot?

Nina with her Opa on Father's day. (Yes, this actually is my dad. Breaking the stereotypes of what Mexicans look like)

Opa with 2 of her grandaughters. We had fun spending Father's day with him. We went swimming, and Nichole had a blast with him. No pictures of that time but it sure was a fun day.

Alejandro and Alejandra. I love this picture of my dad and my sister.

Me and my daddy. Love him to pieces.

Fearless Ellie who has a love for climbing and monkey bars. Love to see her play and move, if you have kids with low or high muscle tone, you understand what I mean by that.

I will try not to go so long without sharing pictures.

Also, I will be launching my website on Friday! Would love to have you stop by, and if you have  a blog, I hope you join me every Monday for a  writing prompt. I am really excited about this!

One of Those Days

It was one of those days, although the set-up for the day began last night while I read the girls the last chapter of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm. While I read, we heard a loud crash. I knew Andy was trying to figure out what was wrong with our garage door, and I was sure the bang meant he had finally been able to close the door, ungracefully.

When I joined him in the living room, the first thing he said was, “The garage door is broken, I could not lift it by myself, so tomorrow if we want to get out of the house, I am going to need your muscles to lift that thing.”

I forgot all about it, until this morning when it was time to go to school and Andy asked, “Are you ready?”

This is where I tell you that I am a wimp.

So Andy gets down and gets a hold of the bottom of the door, while I hook my fingers in the closest thing I can find to a handle. “Ready. Lift!” And I pull with all my might and Andy is able to get his hands under the door and I know I am pulling up as hard as I can but that thing is so heavy I am not able to hold it up at all. The fact that Andy’s hands are under the door makes me worried they will get crushed and I won’t be able to lift that monster up by myself.

We try again, and Andy knows I am kind of…useless.

“Okay” he reconvenes, “We are going to get something to use as a lever, or something that will hold the weight of the door so we can lift it. Once we get the first panel up, it should be easier.”

So we find this piece of wood and get it ready so that as soon as Andy lifts the door I can slide it underneath.

We have been out there for a while, and the girls are already late for school. We even wonder if they will have to stay home because we cannot open the garage door.

So Andy lifts the door, and I don’t know, I suppose adrenaline kicks in because I am telling you, my husband turns into hulk and he gets that door pushed all the way up.

“Okay hun, go get the keys and get the cars out” he says.

He is hulk, he is strong! Okay, I run inside to get the car keys. I open the van door first and the alarm goes off.

“Sorry” he apologizes, “I locked the cars yesterday when I thought I couldn’t get the door to close.”

I get the van out in the driveway, then run to the car. It is locked, and I realize I don’t have the right key, so I run back inside to find the key…except that I cannot find it.

I am running like a chicken with my head cut off, from room to room, lifting papers and frantically searching my pockets since I was the last one to drive the car. In desperation I dump the contents of my purse on the bed and realize somehow, there are crumbs all over…but no key.”

“Hun, I cannot find the key, I am afraid I left it in the car!” I run outside and tell him, while he is trying to find a way to get the garage door lodged.

He is awesome, he is not even a tad frustrated.

In resignation, I go back inside and think to move a plate on the counter, and sure enough, I find the key. I then move the car.

I take the girls to school and we are late. Their teachers are great and understanding. Then I go to the office to explain that the girls will be gone Friday and Monday and the secretary is well, not very friendly.

I am back in the school parking lot and I open the car. The alarm goes off. I think I turn it off, but it goes off again. Still, it happens a third time. As I drive off, I remind myself not to run any stop lights because I just realized I dumped the contents of my purse on the bed and my driver’s license is taking a nap.

At home Nichole is demanding. Once Andy leaves for work she wants soup for breakfast. Yes, tomato soup is her favorite, she makes a huge mess with it every time.  And it takes her about an hour to finish it. One sip at a time, watching sponge-bob, and I would ban that show if it wasn’t for the fact that she laughs so hard and I cannot resist that laugh.

When she is done, she needs a bath, like now. But first she needs to go potty, and it takes about 20 minutes for Nichole to go, one of the down sides of low muscle tone. She insists I hug her. This girl needs moral support to go poop.

She gets in the bath and she is happy to get ready for the day. She wants pink clothes and her hair to be beautiful. By the time we are done, it is time to go get the big girls from school. We are supposed to go to Minnesota for a few days right after school, but I had no chance to pack.

We get home and my mom calls, there are thunderstorms and hail in the cities, it will be a nasty day. I check the weather and I feel discouraged and stressed because I have to pack and I want to get on the road soon. So I yell at the kids and I call my husband so I can yell at him too.

Finally, Andy is home and I am not sure what to do. So I am a wimp once more, and decide to stay home, finish packing, and drive in the morning with no thunderstorms, rain, or hail.

I apologize to my husband, because I am really just out of line. I apologize to my girls, and Ellie reassures me “It is okay mom, we can go in the morning.”

And I am so thankful for my family and for their grace towards me.

It was just one of those days, when I react to what happens around me in a negative way and I make it all about me, but one of those days where my family’s forgiveness abounds and I feel lucky to have them.

Edited to add: Andy reminded me that we did not find the car key until I was back from school, and he did get frustrated with me for snapping at him, but he forgave me.

Adding once more: I went to bed really late last night, I don't think I can function happily when I don't get enough sleep.

Photo Credit

Nina's Celebration

I am finally getting around posting some pictures of Nina's birthday party from last Saturday. I know the grandma's appreciate this kind of posts!

We had a pinata, after all, I need to have my Mexican culture well represented at the birthday parties! Pinatas are a staple in our birthday parties, so if you ever come, you know there will be a pinata! Word to the wise, Walmart pinatas are flimsy and even with little kids hitting it did not last and not every kid got a chance. Next time we will make sure Andy makes it difficult for the kids to get it!

I had to stand behind Nina to help her with the balance. I avoided being smacked, but it was close!

Some mom's make beautiful cakes that make for beautiful center pieces. I will be honest, with pinterest and facebook it seems as if cake making has become a competition or a sport. I wish I had the time to make a fancy cake, and I wish I knew how to make one...oh who am I kidding! I like fast and simple and Nina liked it just as much! But I will admit right now I was a little "shy" about showing you my cake. Yes, social media and the "bragging" that comes with it makes me feel the opposite of domestic. But that is my own soapbox (and I might just blog about that later) and this post is about Nina and her birthday party, so let's move on!

Then we opened presents and she loved them all! I was just talking to a friend about how our girls' love language seems to be presents. They are both from an orphanage and it makes sense how these gifts, given specifically for them mean so much.

 And you have to have the silly picture of all the kids!

 And then the one where they all try to smile nice "for the blog post."

 

Nina's teacher stopped by to wish her a happy birthday. Nina adores her and so do I! What a blessing she has been to Nina and therefore to our family. If you ask Nina what the best part of her day was she will soon tell you it was having her teacher stop by. She will then add the saddest part was when she left.

So this was our little celebration. It really was the first time we were not planning a little something surrounding a surgery!

What are the "staples" at your kids' birthday parties? What do you do to celebrate?