goofing around with PSP

I think I might make a bubble collage for my bathroom

Early Wordless wednesday but with words LOL

Since we will be busy on Wednesday seeing GI downtown at the Children's Hospital I thought I'd do my wordless early. I pulled out my bath spa for the first time in a while. He is really frightened because it is noisy and usually freaks out. Another Milestone he absolutely loved it tonight. Holy Bubbles Batman! Due to some recent alarming observations on my part. I have made a decision. I am going to write "Property of Chanelle and Tristan" across all my photos. I got the ideas from this blog "LIFE WITH MY SPECIAL K'S" Thanks for the idea Renee! My traffic feed shows me what people google to bring them to my blog. I have to say sometimes I consider deleting all my kids photos and put an end to my blogging. I really hate when I read someone has typed in "Photos of little boys/girls" I also really don't love it when I notice they have clicked and enlarged my photos and possibly have even taken them. At least if I write on them it decreases the likeliness of them stealing them and re posting them elsewhere. BTW No I will continue to blog I won't let a few bad people end something that has brought some many beautiful people to my life. Blog On!!!

"Blessed"

What an awesome find. For months now I have been trying to figure out who sings the song on a certain Wallmart commercial. I googled the lyrics a few months ago and came up with nothing. UGH I have been singing it to anyone that would listen and to my dismay no-one knew the song. Although it was likely because of my poor singing abilities. Well i just heard the song again today and tried googling it and guess what? It popped up everywhere! Guess I'm not the only one that has awesome taste LOL So I finally found the song on You tube. OMGOODNESS look who he is. I freaked out I have seen this guy before. When Tristan was a newborn This very same guy sang a song on a childrens TV show and he inspired me. I have to admit I cried my face off while watching the video but Tristan was a newborn and I was new in Holland and cried often. I am just freaking because I LOVE this song and the voice and have been trying to figure it out for months and WHAM it's him. No such thing as coincidence. My son Justin will always be my favorite Justin but sorry Timberlake your running in third place now :)
His name is Justin Hines and the song is called "I wish you well" Here is a short Documentry that made my heart soar and eyes mist. We Love you Justin!!!

Here is the original video that made me so emotional back in the days when I was just beginning to discover how wonderful Holland really is. No tears this time just a huge smile from ear to ear but mostly because I was watching my Favorite Tristan dance along as Justin sang :)Seems I have a new CD to buy!!

Here is my new favorite song! Just love this man's voice!!

un ooo eee orrr ive ixxx even etttt ine EN

Huge Milestone. My Mr. Cute is counting to ten independently. I couldn't be happier or prouder!! Hurray Tristan. Wish I had a video to capture him with. Hopefully I'll get it together and be able to buy one soon :)I wanted Tristan to be able to recite his Abc's and count to 10, identify at least 5 colours and write his own name before he started kindergarten. Well he is well on his way. He signs many more than 5 colours and identifies 4 so far. He has the counting and recites more than half of the ABC's. If he had the speech I believe he knows most of them already it's just the language skills that are preventing him from proving it. Now if I can get this guy to TRY to write his name. He has no interest of even trying. Oh well he is doing fabulous and I am one happy Mommy!! Speaking of writing. I have a Chanelle funny.

C52 Hmm not sure what it means or stands for but it is written on my floor with a Sharpie. Yup a Sharpie as in not washable. According to Chanelle, Tristan did this. LOL Yes the little boy that refuses to make a circle for his Mommy can now write C52 isn't it incredible! Blew me away LOL

"About Me" Meme

Shannon @ Gabi's World tagged me

What Was I Doing 10 Years Ago: That was 1998. I was 28. I lived in Coquitlam Britsish Columbia. I was single. One child "Justin" He was 10 years old. I lived near one of my BFF's and her family. We went camping alot and had a blast all spring/summer. I was a food waitress in a bar and in school for "Fitness Instructor". I met Chanelle and Tristan's Dad this summer while camping.

5 Things On My To Do List Today:
1. Go to fruit store
2.Buy Mom something for mothers day
3. Wash Kitchen floor again
4. Pack the kids overnight bag for Grandma's and their sleepover
5. Go to one of my BFF's 40th surprise B-day party :)

Things I Would Do If I Were A Billionaire: Hire a maid, nanny, and cook. Give money to some of my family and friends that need. Invest. Donate. Buy a house. Go on plenty of vacations. Volunteer to help Alheimers patients feel at peace. One of my blessed talents. For some reason they usually believe we are long lost friends. So even if I was loaded I'd still want to be of help to them.

3 Bad Habits: Finger nail biting (If I don't have fake nails on I am huge biting) Staying on the computer too long! and procrastinating doing the laundry. I Loath doing laundry. I probably drink way too much wine and coffee.

5 Places I have Lived:
1. Lachine Quebec
2. New west BC
3. Coquitlam BC
4. Abottsford BC
5. Mission BC

5 Jobs That I Have Had:
1. Taking out trails at a riding stable
2. Waitress
3. Fitness Instructor
4. RNA in a psychiatric Care Home
5. RNA in an Elderly Care home

If anyone hasn't been tagged yet please do this Meme. It is fun and I'd love to read your answers

I have to buy a new camera

Yes I think the time has come. I have been having trouble with it for a while and I think it has finally taken it's last photo. I have had it since Chanelle was born so I guess 9 years is a good life for a camera. It sure has taken many photos. Probably more than the average camera. :)
So until I find the funds for the new Camera my camera phone is going to have to be good enough. No digital scrapbooking for a while either cause the files I use are 3600x3600. So the phone photos are nowhere near large enough. It kinda sucks but will at least catch the memories for me until I can can a better one. For this I am grateful because I always feel sad if I don't catch important things on camera. Important things like.....
Tristan! He dressed himself this morning. Yes in his sisters clothes LOL
I need to show this to Tristan's OT so she will believe me Tristan CAN dress himself IF he chooses to. None of my other children dressed themselves until well after starting kindergarten but at least I can rest their minds at ease with the fact he can. I guess I am one of those Mom's that like to help maybe too much sometimes LOL

This is Chanelle's new easel. It is so huge and neat. All you do is hose it off when your all done. No paper necessary.

The Ice Cream cake will get it dirty

My Mom bought Chanelle this beautiful figurine for her cake. Chanelle loved it so much she immediatlely took it and placed it in on our glass shelf where we keep our delicate special stuff. She didn't want to have it on the cake because she didn't want to get it dirty. So we snuck it on when she was busy for a photo but she caught us LOL

Party at kidzone and the fair all in one day WOOT!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bestest daughter a Mom could ever dream of!

This is what Chanelle the sweetheart made me while I was in the bath last night. Did I mention that she has only just turned 9. To all those that have accused me of spoiling my daughter. LOL Does this seem like an act of a spoiled person???

Another year cuter

Yes my little girl will be 9 on Monday. Chanelle had her friends party today and then we went to the fair after. What a day. We had such a blast. I have tons of photos but too tired to blog tonight.

Blogging Against Disablism

Today is a special day. It is Blogging Against Disablism day.
"Blogging Against Disablism Day is an annual event in which disabled and non-disabled bloggers throughout the world unite in the cause of equality. On May 1st, bloggers shall write about their experiences, observations and thoughts about disability discrimination (disablism, sometimes ableism) and what we might do about it."
I have chosen something personal to blog about. Something that I am enraged and in total disbelief over. When Tristan was born in Abottsford, British Columbia four years ago I had a worker from the Infant Development Program come over every week and she was an enormous support in helping figure out Tristan's needs. One of the things we discussed often was Education. She informed me that When Tristan was 2years old it was recommended he go to Pre-school instead of at 4 years old. This would give him extra time to prepare for kindergarten. She told me he would be included in a Typical pre-school and she would ensure he had an aide in place to assist him if needed. Well when I separated shortly after Tristan was born and found myself working too much overtime and was exhausted and needed support. I made the decision to move back to my Hometown on the opposite side of the Country. My family mostly all lives in Quebec and the cost of living is much lower so off we moved. I was very ignorant and naive in believing the services and Education available to Tristan would be similar. I mean we are still in Canada. Boy was I ever wrong. Although it is nice being close to my family moving here was a terrible mistake. Tristan went from receiving regular Physical, Occupational and speech therapy to sitting on a wait list for years. Also Tristan would have to attend a specialized Pre-school at the re adaptation centre. There is no such thing as him having an aide in a Typical pre-school and I was to learn Quebec runs their show like I moved to a new planet. Now this school is a fabulous place and we have had a very positive experience there. I am not suggesting anything different. One problem though. It doesn't prepare him for Inclusion. There are no typically developing peers in this school. When the CLSC worker came over the fist time in Quebec and we discussed Tristan's Education I was informed he HAD to go to Summit school for children with developmental disabilities. "Pardon me? Developmental what?" was exactly my reaction. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. So he had to go to a special pre-school and then a special elementary/high school. I found myself wondering if they had a special society hidden away that Tristan would then work and live out the rest of his life in. It's called Inclusion people. Yes the rest of the Country seems to know about it. Why not in Quebec? After 3 years of advocating and networking I have discovered there are other parents in this Province who have not placed their children in Summit and have included them in typical school. Yes I do have the option to place Tristan where I want. The worker made it sound like I had no choice. She led me to believe this. In Quebec your child does not qualify for an aide until he is in the School Board System which begins in Kindergarten. This means you have to send your child to a special pre-school or to a typical one with zero support. They will not offer you the necessary supports to prepare your child for inclusion. Well this Mommy had a plan and has been following through with it. After calling I don't even know how many people,schools and organizations over the past 3 years I have finally got a plan in place that hopefully will help my guy to be prepared for Full Inclusion in his sisters Elementary School for Kindergarten. I found a wonderful school that has agreed to my plan. Actually today is his orientation. Isn't that Ironic? :) In September I am going to be Tristan's aide in a preschool with 17 typically developing peers. I am a little nervous as this is way different than what we are used to but optimistic. My guy is on his way to becoming a member of society. This is not only beneficial to Tristan. He is going to teach those 17 families a lot over the next year. I hope many other families in this Province fight and advocate and maybe one day it won't be so hard to include our children.

6 facts

My friend, Stephanie(Aiden's Mom) tagged me to share 6 little known facts about myself. So, here are the rules:

1. Link back to the person that tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your entry.

1.I Loath cleaning the house I have friends that claim to enjoy it. Nope not me
2.I used to be a fitness instructor and now am in the worst shape I have ever been
3.I have never baked bread and recently decided I want to try it out
4.When I was pregnant with my first child (Justin) I had an ultrasound and they told me he was going to be a boy I cried for hours because I wanted a girl. OK give me a break I was 17 years old lol
5.I like to watch Treehouse with the kids
6.I hope to adopt a child one day in the future. I think about it all the time and hope my dream will come true. If I could at least give one unwanted child a loving home it would mean the world to me.

*Phew that was tough

I'm not going to tag anyone but if you want to participate please let me know so I can check out your answers

HURRAY! RK posted more random questions

The Random Questions process
~Choose one or all of the questions to answer.
~Either respond with a comment to this post with your answer or put up a post on your own blog for a full response.
~Don't forget to include any funny or interesting story to illustrate your answer in action.
~Be sure to leave a comment on this post to let us know where to find your post so we can come check it out!

Round 7--FOOD!! I've had conversations with alot of people lately about eating, food, and how what we eat differs so often from what we *should* eat. It's a hot topic in our house with a kiddo that literally refuses to eat and a husband who doesn't like to eat. So share your thoughts...who knows how much it might help someone. Maybe me!

1. What does a typical evening meal look like at your house? (Be honest!)
Well it depends what time of year. This past fall/Winter we usually had a homemade soup or stew with buns or French Bread. Or Spaghetti or lasagna. Anything to try and get some veggies in us as we don't eat much salad in the snowy months. None of us are crazy for cooked veggies. Except for roasted peppers, Zucchini and garlic or when I use stripes of Zucchini cooked in a bit of Olive Oil and garlic instead of pasta. I don't eat Carbs in the evening.
In the Spring/Summer months it is a whole different story. At all times have a platter of various fruits sliced and a few different types of salads and often a veggie and dip platter. So we will eat some of these things with some sort of baked fish or Roasted chicken, steak, Pork we eat most meats but focus mostly on Chicken and fish. Our newest fav is a marinade for salmon I found at Wall mart it is white wine and herb. I found it in the camping section of wall mart of all places and it is awesome. Yes so various veggies and some sort of meat every night and we don't eat carbs in the evening in the Spring/Summer much either. If we have company I usually make an exception. Also Friday night is Pizza night. We either make our own little pizza's on English muffins or order out.

2. What is your idea of a "healthy meal" if you were going to aim for that specifically?
Pretty much what I described above. I eat most of my fruit very early in the morning then for second Breakfast I have Carbs. Lunch is either Carbs, no fat ex: pita with veggies or meat and veggies ex:tuna, olive oil and a bit of minced ginger wrapped in lettuce. Tristan loves Tuna rolls. I have read most of Susan Summers books and agree with her ideas. I think Carbs are important but only in moderation and in the earlier part of the day unless your very active in the evening which I'm not. We often have Hamburgers minus the bun. I will cut the burger into bite size pieces and pile pickles, lettuce, tomato, cucumber on top of the meat with with a dable of Hellman's Mayo on top and the kids just love it and it's carbs free and they've eaten their veggies.

3. What food(s) do you like now that you wouldn't have believed would be in that category 10 years ago?
Nothing comes to mind. My parents introduced a variety of foods growing up so I have always liked a variety. Pretty much everything I used to dislike I still do. Like Potatoes or cooked veggies unless they are in soup. I am not a fan of desserts either even as a child. I don't have a sweet tooth.

4. Tell me about one of your best "food memories." (Maybe a date, or event, or just a great meal.)
When I was young our family often went to Botanical Gardens in the Summer and after we used to go to a buffet called Tiki Dore. Great Memories. I have tons of them. My parents are amazing.


5. If you have kids, what do your kids like that surprises you? What would they pick for their favorite meal?
My kids both love salad and fish. Most of Chanelle's friends that eat over here won't touch either and I have to break out the chicken nuggets. Chanelle's fav meal is lasagna and Tristan would be happy if I let him eat fresh fruit particularly black berries and strawberries or frozen yogurt tubes all day long.

6. If you had to give up two items from your personal menu, what would you miss the most?
Salad I love Salad and Salmon. My 2 fav things. Right now anyway it changes.

Brunch and cutting Grandpa's hair

We went to my parents this morning and my Mom prepared a fabulous brunch. Then I gave my Dad a haircut. I did a really good job if I may say so. This haircutting is becoming a regular thing for me. No not a new career choice. I plan to return to caring for the Elderly once Tristan and I are ready.
My Dad owns some interesting shirts LOL

Handsome isn't he? 84 and still running wild ;)

Kiddos hard at crafting

My beautiful Mom the Fearless Flirt. Explanation coming in a blog post soon. lol

Skipping and Hula Hoops

Tristan is really surprising me and I am one proud and happy momma. Last year he loathed going to the park. I can't tell you how many times I returned home crying because taking Tristan to the park was supposed to be fun and never was. He didn't want to be there and made it very clear. It made me sad and made me worry. I was concerned we were going to live out our lives secluded and away from society. Those concerns have completely melted away and replaced with good times. He absolutely loves it this year! He climbs the ladder and slides down all by himself and couldn't be prouder of himself. He is also playing in the sand and dirt and not tasting it anymore. Last year he ate an entire container of moon sand. Not all in one sitting mind you but eventually he did eat the entire container. I was stubborn and adamant that I would teach him not to eat sand and felt I failed last year. I guess he just wasn't there developmentally and I offered the sand too soon. He is even showing alot of interest in more difficult activities.. Activities that I am not very good at and never really have been.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This child brings me so much Joy.
Tristan started jumping last year and his Occupational Therapist was very surprised and told me it was very young for him to be jumping. Of course this made me beam with pride. Tristan does really well gross motor wise and I have no doubts that he will be a very good skipper one day. Isn't this the most adorable skipping you have ever seen!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I think we are off to a great start for a fun and memorable Spring/Summer. Our favorite time of year :)

For the Love of Turkey Bacon and Early Morning haircuts!

Mr. Cute woke up in a grumpy mood this morning. I figured since he is already grumpy why don't I finish the haircut I have been working on for the past few weeks. Tristan's haircuts are always a work in progress HAHA I am not sure if I have ever mentioned the nightmare craziness I have to go through to get my sweet loving Tristan's haircut. It's kind of like giving him a nebulizer treatment and the screaming(Tristan mostly)coming from my house will surely attract family services one day. Sometimes you just have to laugh when you want to cry :) I mean jeez it's like the child has 8 arms maybe he was an Octopus in his past life. I have tried everything but unfortunately since he has had such a battery of tests and hospital stays and surgery he just is so frightened I have to buzz as fast as I can and give him a Popsicle after and say sorry :( It breaks my heart and makes me feel like the worst Mom in the world but what's a girl to do. We get enough "Your little girl has the most beautiful eyes" when he has 5/8 of an inch hair. (yes that's the setting I use heehee) I can't imagine what we'd hear if I let his hair get long. It's bad enough his sister is constantly dressing him up as a fairy or in her Pink Bunny costume.
Here is Mr cute eating breakfast Post haircut/bath *Sigh it's over As you can see he recovered. Tristan is so forgiving. Yea ok maybe he isn't quite over it yet he wouldn't even say cheese or look at the camera. lol



Can you guess what this is about???


Someone retrieved the pan from the bacon and was licking the bottom of it as he was watching Diego. I was only gone for 2 1/2 minutes he's getting faster. LOL I think the reason the pan is on the floor is because we just dog sat for my sister for a few days and I think he is mimicking the dog eating.
*Note to Grandma~Yes I keep all hot pans and thingies on the back burner where T can't reach. This was an hour after we had breakfast and the dishes were done I placed the pan in the sink then went to switch the laundry around. So don't call me all upset and worried please. Just laugh because it IS funny!(Well you can call me of course but not upset :)

Road Map To Holland

A Beautiful book Written by~Jennifer Graf Groneberg
LINK TO BOOK HERE



I treated myself to something. Something I have been missing. The past few days I have been reading. I haven't been buying myself books or spending the time I used to reading, since I had children. I have done alot of reading in the past four years but most of it was done through networking online and educating myself about the best ways to raise a child with Down Syndrome. I could say it hasn't been pleasure reading but that isn't true either. Nothing brings me more pleasure than learning ways to help Tristan fulfill his dreams and aspirations and keeping him healthy is a huge must in order for him to reach his highest potential. I have learned over the past four years that the best way for me to learn is from other people that have or are living through some of the same similar situations. I recently purchased four books. Yes four lovely wonderful books. This was a huge treat for me being a single parent I have to be thrifty If my plans to remain a stay home mom until kindergarten are going to work out. I chose "Road Map to Holland" for my first book. Why this book first? Well the name of the book in itself had me favoring it even before I opened the box. It reminded me of my favorite poem "Welcome to Holland by`Emily Perl Kingsley" Also this book is written by a blog friend of mine who also has a child with Down Syndrome. I read the entire book in 48 hrs. I couldn't put it down. I cried and celebrated and it was so refreshing to read about someone Else's experiences but it was so familiar. Almost like we were kindred souls and old friends. I hardly know Jennifer, I stop by her blog to read about her family once in a while. I have to say she is exceptionally talented at expresses things in writing. I was able to relate to most of the feelings Jennifer experienced in those 2 first years. The 2 years following those five teeny tiny little words that changed my life forever. "Your Son has Down Syndrome" The first two years that I would learn how to stand up to Health Care Professionals that have forgotten that the patients even the ones with Down Syndrome are humans first. Having to say Farewell to treasured friendships because they "can't handle us" Right Down to tearing up photos because they revealed a side of Tristan that I didn't want others to see in case they may judge him by his differences. I Loved this book it brought back some of the bitter sweet and sometimes painful memories and I really loved knowing that I am not alone on this Journey in Holland. Jennifer is a beautiful writer and I highly recommend this book to everyone.