eSpecially Ben

First in Families is a statewide organization that does a number of wonderful things for people with special needs. Here are a few I borrowed from their website: Helps people with developmental disabilities and their families to create the lives they want now and for the future. (Visit Lifetime Connections ) Provides guidance and oversight to local First In Families Chapters. (Find a local FIF Chapter ) Nurtures the growth of new FIF Chapters. Assists in developing statewide policy for implementing self-directed supports for people with disabilities. (Visit Advocacy ) Our family applied for help from First in Families when Ben needed a computer that would run pre-literacy programs and activate his touch screen. Ben received the funds to buy the computer. If you have the hankering for some flapjacks, consider attending this fund raiser. Feel free to share this with others. It would be great to eat Applebee's out of pancakes!

It has been two years since we last went to the circus, but with coupons in hand, we were not going to miss Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus this year. This was Ben and Logan's third time, but Sean's first time seeing the circus. I love the circus, but seeing the boys so excited was a thrill - that whole seeing things again for the first time through your kids eyes phenomenon. According to them, we had the best seats, the guy on fire was their favorite part and Sean now believes elephants exist. To my surprise, on the way to the arena, Ryan picked the kids up, one by one and let them look over this big wall. The secret - this was the behind the scenes of the circus. We had a good view of the white tigers. I even got a heave-ho over the wall to see. Our seats were on a higher level, and the first in the row so we had the wall right in front of us. It helped because Ben was not distracted with people directly in front of us - meaning he did not have peop

There are many interesting people in the world. Individuals with cool stories, living amazing lives changing the world. I am in awe of people like this - especially when I get to meet them and realize they are regular people, just like you and me. They have made the choice to do something different with their path in life...reminds me of Frost's The Road Not Taken . A new neighbor shared her families' story with me and then forwarded their blog:  Casa de Sion . Take a look at it.

Get Ready...March 24, 2012 **Amazing Race has been cancelled as of 2/16/12.**

 Ben receiving his medal. The lump in my throat and the tears welling up in my eyes is a recurring experience for me at any Special Olympics event. We arrived early and Ben was not even at the bowling alley, but I was fighting back tears. Luckily Logan was with me to keep me in line - he wanted to play video games while we waited for Ben's bus to arrive. A mom crying at the bowling alley before the games even began would have made for an interesting tale. This is the first year Ben could officially compete in the Special Olympics. The school organized the practices and coordinated with the county division of Special Olympics. I am unsure how it all works, but Ben bowled today. The national anthem was played to a crowd of over 100 students, teachers and volunteers at the local bowling alley. The athletes repeated the Special Olympics Oath: “Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt.” It was not the torch or a billion dollar fireworks show, b

Just found this playground about 20 minutes from our house - it has adaptive equipment. This see-saw is great for working on balance and building core strength. Ben doesn't realize he's working because he's focused on playing with brothers and Grandma.

The operative word in the title is "may". Only people with a certain sense of humor will find this funny, and who are not Vanessa and Steve. Before Christmas, we received a large box in the mail addressed to "Vanessa and Steve". My husband's name is Ryan, but a simple mistake was not going to stop us from opening up a present. Although excited to rip open the package, we slowed down to read the card. It read, " Hope you have a wonderful holiday! And good luck on that happily ever after stuff ." It was signed by Ryan's long-time friend and jokester, John. We receive packages and letters from John every so often. One year, he wrote an entire letter in Old English. Another time he sent a brochure of a building he and Ryan had renovated 20 years ago with captions about memories they had during the project. We had no idea what to think when we unwrapped the bubble wrap and saw, a large pottery plate painted with a bride and groom and t