Stranger under the tree

I really can't think of a good title to this post but, I want to share an experience actually a couple experiences I had this week. Today as I was driving through town for the 5th time I was lost in my thoughts of what I needed to accomplish today and how I wasn't getting anything done, when I notice a man wearing a long sleeve shirts dirty levi's his hair was long and he had a scruffy beard. He walked bent over from the weight he was carrying on his back. He had a pack the kind you wear hiking, a rolled up sleeping bag and a rolled up blanket. He looked tired and hot, as I past him I wondered what his story was, where he was coming from and where he was going. Was he a homeless guy with a mental illness or maybe he was on an adventure walking acrossed the states. My mind soon wandered back to my list of things to do. Later that day as I was walking out to get Tim off the bus I saw something under the tree that was at the end of our property and along the side of the road. I couldn't see what it was I thought someone had dropped off some garbage. As I made my way to the tree I saw him the same man that I saw earlier. He was sitting under the tree with his shoes off. I smiled and said Hi, he replied back with a smile saying that it was so refreshing to sit under this tree on such a hot day. I asked him where he was going and he said to Provo and that he had left Nephi this morning. I told to have a good day and I walked back into the house. I couldn't stop thinking about him I wondered if he needed a drink or if he was hungary, should I take a chance what if he comes back and he is dangerous no, I am going to take my chances I told the little girls that there was a man under the tree and that he was walking along ways because he didn't have a car so I was going to go and give him some water or a pepsi. So, me and the two little girls walked up the driveway to find the man still sitting under the tree. I asked him if he would like some water or a soda and he said"probably both" He took the drinks from me and then he said" can I do anything for you maybe a job or something?" no, thats ok have a good day and I walked back to my house. Cianna who just turned 3 said "mom we should build him a house and give him our car. I wish I knew his story but a very small three year old with a big heart  learned a good lesson in serving others. Then I thought to myself how many times have been to busy with my own life to notice those that could use some help.  or how many times have I been to scared to help or just figured that someone else will help.I am going to be more aware of those around me and try to teach my kids the same thing after all that is why we are here, to serve others and help those that need help.

Time flies by

That is a tricky way to drive a tractor

First day of school

first day of school and first car for Miranda

I know what a turkey says

beautiful Cianna

I love her smile

she love to pose for pictures

one of the many beauties of that extra chromosome their hands. cute little chubby fingers!

Trav and his girls

I can't believe August is almost over! Savannah turned 13. She is the happiest girl well unless she is asleep and you try to wake her. whoa watch out! no really I think we all need to take a lesson from Savannah. Her philosophy in life is just "what ever happens happens, life is good" She is always so helpful. And so loving to everyone she has many friends. When she was little we had a neighbor who called her smiley because she was always smiling. She is a great big sister. Savannah is Mariah's best friend. She always tells me that she wants to be like Savannah. Remember that Savannah you have to little sisters that watch everything you do. You are a great example to them and to me. I love you and Happy birthday! Wow, I officially have 3 teenagers. We took the kids well, (only the little ones wanted to go) on a last fun day before school started. We went to thanksgiving point petting farm and then to Cabellas. When I asked the girls what their favorite part at the farm was they said Cabellas. They love feeding the fish. I didn't get pictures in there. Mariah started kindergarten. She just kept saying "I am so excited for kindergarten." I put her on the big bus today with all of the jr. high and high school kids, Savannah was there but, Mariah had to switch buses at the high school and then that bus took her to the elementary school. I was there waiting for her and she looked a little scared but, she was more than ready for me to leave. The day before we were at the back to school night and she had to check the bathroom out. She told me" to go out I will do it by myself." she slams the door and starts singing as loud as she can. That girl makes me laugh everyday. Her aid said " She is going to be so fun."  I didn't worry to much in preschool, about kids being mean, but as she gets older and the kids get older they lose the innocence about them and they start to noticed differences. I tend to be naive and just think that everyone will love her and all kids with special needs I mean can't they see what I see? I guess not, well  some anyway. most will love her but,there will be those that make fun of her. no one likes to see their kids get hurt Down syndrome or not. Anyway, I picked Mariah up today and I asked the aide if she was shy and she said "Oh no, not shy in fact I had a hard time getting her to listen to me. She kept laying down on the rug, and when I tried to get her to stand up she did the wet noodle thing, do you have any ideas how to deal with this."  now do you think she is going to be fun? I had to giggle because to me that is awesome she is usually so shy and it takes the whole year to get her to talk, and she is giving them a run for their money already!  she wants to find out how serious this kindergarten thing is, because in preschool well, she pretty much ran the show. After I got done laughing I told the teachers that I want them to be strict with her she has to know the rules and she has to know what will happen if she doesn't follow them. I looked at Mariah and before I could say anything she said "Sorry mom I didn't mean too." ya right. Here is the quote or quotes for the week.


"Anytime you have the opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't then you are wasting your time on earth."  Roberto Clemente


"people usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle, but I think the real miracle is not to walk on water but to walk on earth. Everyday we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize a blue sky, white clouds,green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child--our own to eyes. All is a miracle"  THicH NHATHANH.


What are you going to do this week to make a difference? smile at someone, say hello? look around you there are many opportunities to make a difference even the little ones can change lives. Also, slow down and be aware of the miracles around you. The sunset, the smell of the air, the changing of the seasons. small miracles are taking place everyday.

Legend of the Starfish

A vactioning man was walking along the beach when he saw a young boy. Along the shore were many starfish that had been washed up by the tide and were sure to die before the tide returned. The boy was walking slowly along the sore and occasionally reached down and tossed a beached starfish back into the ocean. The man hoping to teach the boy a little lesson in common sense, walked up to the boy and said "I have been watching what you have been doing, son. You have a good heart, and I know you mean well, but do you realize how may beaches there are around here and how many starfish are dying on every beach every day? Surely, such an industrious and kindhearted boy such as yourself could find something better to do with your time. Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?"  The boy looked up at that man, and then he looked down at a starfish by his feet. He picked up the starfish, and as he gently tossed it back into the ocean, he said, "It makes a difference to that one."


-anonymous


I saw this on another blog and loved it! I just had to share.



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a moment that took my breath away

Some of you know that I have wanted to adopt kids with special needs since high school and that was 20 years ago. Things keep getting in the way and I keep hitting road blocks, the biggest one being my husband. I just keep praying and having faith that God will change his heart. My heart keeps leading me to Reece's Rainbow. This is an organization that helps kids with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe find a family. in Eastern Europe children with Down Syndrome are sent to orphanages when they are born. If not adopted by the age of 5 they are sent to institutions. These places are cold and loveless. The children are left to lay in a crib and have only their basic needs taken care of. They are not hugged read to, sang to or played with. Many never see the outside. I look at Mariah and my heart breaks for these kids. I know I can't save the world but, I can be the world to one child. I can't do anything about Travis's feelings but, I can pray that a little angel from Bulgaria who has already been transferred to an institution can find a family. I printed off a picture of her to hang on our fridge so whoever walked by would remember to pray for her. ok, here is the part of the story that takes my breath away. For several months Mariah has had two imaginary friends ones name is Zac and ones name is Allie. We have no idea where she got these names from there was no one in either of her classes at school by these names and we do not know anyone with these names. Her friends go everywhere with us  and it has been quite cute to watch her do this. But, today as I showed her the picture of the little girl she smiled and said"Thank you mom thank you, my Allie come to my house, and play with me and go camping."  I couldn't believe what I just heard. It gave me goose bumps, I like to believe that kids know things we don't especially ones with special needs. My husband saw the picture and Cianna said "daddy this girl doesn't have a mom or a dad" I jumped in and said its not what you think I just want it there so we can pray that she finds a family. As of tonight the picture is still on my fridge. I have hope and faith that if we aren't the family for her that someone will save her.

Happy birthday Cianna

Today my baby turns 3. I asked her if she would just stay little she had this look on her face like she was trying to understand this request I had made, later in the car she said to me" mommy you need a baby because i'm not your baby anymore i'm sorry, mommy Mariah can be your baby "  She is the sweetest little thing she is such a princess. She wears a dress every day! and sleeps with her flip flops under her pillow and they are the first thing she puts on in the morning. She loves makeup. Especially lip stick. Happy birthday!