Softball Star

Due to a rain out on Monday night, last night was Jayden's first offical game as a softball player.  Seeing as how the girls only had one practice as a team before their first game, they all did very well, but definitely have lots of room for improvement, but so much potential :) 

 

The rules this year are a little different than what we are use to, with t-ball being the only other thing she has played.  Each batter gets 5 pitches or 3 swings before they are considered out.  3 outs and the team changes from offense to defense.  There is a maximum of 7 runs per inning, then you change again.  Games are 60 minutes and no new inning will start once the time has expired.  Instead of stopping after one base, you run until the ball is back in the pitchers circle or you are tagged out.  The score is kept, but the focus is more on skill development, rather than winners and losers.  Even though it is coach pitch, each team has a "pitcher", as well as a catcher this year. 

 

Jayden played centerfield, first base and shortstop last night.  She also had a hit and scored for her team.  I am so excited to see her improve this season and really become comfortable with the game and how it is suppose to be played.   

 

   

Jayden before the game :)  (when we showed up the other team we were playing had hot pink shirts....I'm sure Jayden would have quit right on the spot if she had to wear a hot pink shirt! LOL :)

 

Number 1...that's my girl :)

On second base  (seriously, can you imagine Jayden having to wear one of those shirts! :)

Coming to third

SCORE!

Shortstop

Playing first base

 

Another birthday without you

Today would have been my Dad's 70th birthday.  That seems so weird to think about, because the last time I saw my Dad, he was turning 61. 

It's so hard to believe that it's been NINE years since my Dad passed away.  So much has happened in my life that I've had to celebrate without him here.  I still miss him, so much.

The last time I saw my Dad was 9 years ago, almost exactly.  We planned a surprise party for him at his house and grilled out and celebrated his life.  Except then, I didn't realize that it would be the last celebration that we would have with him.  He was sick that year, and had been sick for the past 5-6 months prior to his birthday.  I remember him being happy that we were all there, even though it was obvious he was tired and not feeling the greatest.  He put on that million dollar smile, sucked up any pain or discomfort that he was feeling at the time, and he made the most of that day.  In that moment, on that day, we were all happy. 

I have so many great memories of being with my Dad.  Even though my parents weren't together when I was growing up, my Dad was always there for us.  He showered us with love and supported us in any venture we set out on.  He loved being outside, just like I do.  Riding bikes, playing sports, doing yardwork or going for walks.  He was a card junkie, which is where I get my addiction too I'm sure :)  He enjoyed being around people and was always up for a new adventure.  He was a big kid at heart.  He was a devoted Catholic and made sure that I knew how amazing God was too.  He was an IU fan and a Cubs fan through and through.  He was passionate about the things that mattered to him.  He was generous and giving, even when he didn't have a lot to give.  He was a man of his word, and a true inspiration to me.

I know that my Dad is in a better place.  He is happy again and full of energy.  He is not only my guardian angel, but Jayden and Sophia's too.  And becasue of that, I am happy.

Happy 70th Birthday ya old man!  I love you so much! 

 

Sunshine and Puddles

We have a tarp in the backyard where our pool sits.  After a rain, it had collecteed some puddles, so we stomped in them :)

Her favorite thing to do, swing!

We stopped every two seconds on our walk, to pick flowers :)

Enjoying a wagon ride

Naptime!!!

A Helping Paw

It literally takes a village to raise children.  No matter how much of a super mom or dad you are, no one can do it all, alone. 

I met another mom a few months ago, who has a son in Sophia's preschool class.  We met at a chili fundraiser a while back, that she was having for her older son, Levi.  After that we became friends on facebook and enjoy sharing cute moments between our youngest kiddos.  I learned more and more about this fundraiser that she was doing for her son and am so happy that my family can help in their efforts to raise money. 

Let me just say, I hate to fundraise.  I've been doing it, very low key, for the past 4 years to help raise money for our Buddy Walk Team, Sophia's Stars, which goes to Down Syndrome Indiana to help fund programs and services that help individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.  I just hate asking people for money.  No one seems to have a lot of it.  Businesses are being bombarded by people and groups every year asking for help, and it's hard to get people to really commit.  But when it comes to something this important, you have to ask for help, because again, one family just can't do it alone. 

Levi's mom has put together several fundraising events to help her son get a dog.  Except this dog, isn't just your average household pet, it's a way to give her growing son more freedom and independance.  It's a way to keep him safe, keep him alive. 

Through an orgainization called 4 Paws for Ability, this family can get a trained service dog that will help comfort their son during melt downs, interrupt inappropriate repetitive or self-injurious behaviors, and provide comfort and companionship. Levi's service dog will also be trained in tracking should Levi wander off, and the service dog will be able to help find him quickly. Which could mean the difference between life or death for Levi who loves water but can not swim and who has no sense of danger.

The thing is, these dogs aren't a couple hundred dollars, it takes $22,000 from start to finish to get a dog like this!  Luckily this family only has to come up with $13,000, and not the $22,000.  But still, $13,000!!!!  That's why this family is asking for help, from anyone who is willing to give even just $5.  They can't do this alone.  So many people have rallied behind them and donated, but they aren't quite to their goal yet.  Please take a moment to visit Levi's fundraising page.  Read a little more about his story.  And think about donating, anything that you can.  I think about my own kids and know that if this was me, needing something so life changing for one of my girls....I would want all the support I could get too! 

Levi's Firstgiving Fundraising Page

Hey, Batter!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

My Little Bambino

Last Friday was Sophia's first t-ball game, ever.  I can't really say that she did great, but she definitely kept things moving! 

I love to play sports.  I've never been an all star at any sport that I've played, but I've always enjoyed playing sports, and as a family, we enjoy being outside and playing sports together.  Jayden has been playing sports for about 3 years now.  We started out with basketball, then tried out some t-ball, added soccer to the mix, and this year she is moving on to softball.  I think it's good for my kids to be active and getting out and meeting new friends and having fun.  I really don't care what my kids do, or even if they're great at what they're doing, but they have to do something.  It's my rule :)

Anyway, Sophia turned 3 almost one year ago, and I SO wanted to get her started in something.  Soccer was my first choice, but the programs that I knew about, had different age requirements for kids with special needs.  I was kinda bummed.  So when I heard about this t-ball league from Sophia's preschool, I was happy, but a little worried that a flying baseball might not be right up her alley.  Another mom let me know how great it was, and that it was just a very laid back, fun atmosphere.  So we signed her up, and now she's a t-ball player :) 

We play t-ball at home, and with our help, Sophia loves to put on Jayden's helmet, bat, and run the bases, or just a straight line out to where the pitcher is standing and back.  Whatever she feels like :)  She's very unorganized like that.  So I wondered how it would go Friday, and looking back, it went exactly how I would have expected.  She ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, and ran.....for about an hour, around the field.  She'd run around the field, across through the field, stop to hug or maul someone, pick someone elses nose, throw some dirt, bat and then run half way down the first base line and veer off into the playing field, and then she ended the game being the center of attention...go figure.  I'm not sure that Sophia's buddy knew exactly what she was getting herself into pairing up with Taz, I mean Sophia, but I hope she brings her running shoes again this Friday! 

Number 4, that's my girl :)

First game, and she acts like she owns the place!

Running off with her preschool buddy...not sure he was willingly wanting to run off with Sophia though!

Again, on the move....

Sophia's fan club...she just can't stand to not be the center of attention! LOL :)

Say what?

Communicate: 1. make understood to others.  2. exchange messages.  3. be in communication.  4. be connected.

My daughter will be four in a little over a month.  I have never heard the words, "I love you, Mommy!" from her soft, little lips.  But to think that I don't know that my little girl doesn't love me with everything inside of her, is so far from the truth.  I know, because every day she shows me.  Either with a hug and a kiss or a sweet little smile, I know that I'm loved by her.  But because I can't actually hear the words coming from across the room or down the hall, I have to be more present, more aware, when Sophia is communicating with me.  I have to look at her and watch her sparkling, blue eyes dancing when she looks back at me.  I have to look at her tiny hands trying to make words so that I know a little about what she is thinking or wanting.

Communication is so much more than just clearly, spoken words between one another.  We all have different ways of getting our thoughts across to other people.  In Sophia's case, she loves to scream and yell when she wants your undivided attention, and then she proceeds to show off for you, or take you to what she wants.  That's her main way of communicating right now.  Is it an effective way to communicate?  Sometimes.  I can usually figure out what Sophia is trying to tell me, and I think that people who are around Sophia more consistantly, can also figure their way, around her way of communicating.  She definitely has a way with unspoken words.  When her head and hands start shaking you away, you know whatever you did, wasn't right!

Even though Sophia's expressive language has always come as a struggle, I know that her receptive language is far from that same struggle to express herself.  Sophia is very curious and observant.  She hears everything that someone says to her.  She remembers routine and can usually preform a task that is asked of her.  Of course we have many moments when her stubborness kicks in and if what she is being asked to do, isn't on her agenda of things she wants to do, then forget about it.  Which does make finding out exactly what she does and doesn't know, a little hard.   

I watched THIS VIDEO for the first time today on Facebook, and I was in awe over this young girl, Carly, who struggled for years to express herself and her feelings that were trapped inside of her head, with no way to escape.  She had so many things that she wanted, that she needed, to say to the people around her but for so many reasons, she couldn't let her voice be heard.  People were only seeing her uncontrolable behaviors for years, wondering if anything was really sticking in her head.  But when her "voice" finally came, WOW, that was an incredible moment.  "I think the only thing I can say is don't give up.  Your inner voice will find it's way out.  Mine did." -Carly