Posts to come...I hope!

It's been a crazy few weeks in which I really needed at least two of me, but since that isn't possible we have been pretty much a split family for several days. Here is what has been going on in our lives and hopefully I can work in some time to provide more details and pictures...assuming I actually get them off phones and cameras. For reference, and in case you didn't know, we live in Dothan and Eric's kids live 3 hours away in Loxley/ Robertsdale.

May 10th - we went to Gulf Shores to meet up with my aunt, uncle, cousins, and their kids
May 11th - we stayed the night in a hotel in order to spend some of Mother's Day with Eric's mom before making our 3 hour drive home
May 12th - Jarom had his soccer banquet
May 13-15th - Joey Destin FL trip to be awarded scholarship(s)
May 15th, 6pm - Joey Senior Awards Night, Robertsdale
May 16th, 8:30am - Jarom's senior breakfast
May 18th, 3pm - Jarom had his Baccalaureate Ceremony in Dothan, Joey had his in Robertsdale and of course they were at the exact same time
May 18th, 6pm - Joey also had his baseball banquet in Robertsdale
May 19th, 10am - Jayson had an award ceremony at school in Loxley
May 19th, 6:30pm - Breanna had her Miracle League banquet in Dothan
May 19th, 7pm - Joey's graduation
May 20th, 9am - Turkey (aka Kylie) had her 6 month well child check
May 20th, 10am - Jarom had his Honors (Senior) awards ceremony

and now we get a bit of a break until Jarom's graduation stuff starts up again next week! Although I do feel like I have forgotten quite a few things from our hectic schedule, but I think you get the point that I have tons of posts to make (including about 2 months of posts I am already behind on)!

Family Fun Day 2014

Dothan hosts a yearly Family Fun Day for those who participate in Dothan Miracle League, Special Olympics, and Special Needs Citizens of Houston County. They had several activities for the special needs citizens and their families, including bouncy houses, air baseball, games, face painting, carriage rides, and food! They provided free lunch for everyone as well as snow cones and drinks.

Bre taking everything in

Sherriff's Helicopter

University of Alabama and one of the two trucks they brought and the Dothan City Bomb Squad

University of Alabama's second truck

Troy University's truck

Carriage Rides, Bre would not go on a ride

Special Olympics 2014

Houston County, Alabama celebrated their 38th Special Olympics on April 2, 2014 at Dothan High School. This years theme was 'My Olympic Moment' and Northview High School, yet again, started the games by winning 1st place for their banner, which will give them an end of the year pizza party and $250 for their classroom. This year they changed the awards for banners, in years past on 3 schools would win a pizza party and prize money, but now every banner won $25.

I don't if I was just preoccupied socializing and watching Turkey or if it wasn't announced, but I wasn't able to determine what song the Special Olympics choir sang in order to attach it to this years post. And I know some people might cringe at this, but I honestly love how most events in our area or our teams start with a prayer. Regardless of people religious beliefs or denominations, there is just something calming about hearing someone give thanks for the day, the surroundings, and the people involved for that activity.

So for anyone who follows our blog, it is obvious we have our Turkey but for Breanna and her classmates they get the extra excitement of having two new baby siblings. One of Breanna's classmates had a baby brother about 3 weeks after Turkey was born, named Brantley who was also at the games today, so the kids got tons of baby time in between activities!

The games started with the parade of students, followed by the introduction and acknowledgment of those who helped make the games possible. The mayor then gave a short speech, followed by the invocation and acknowledgment of previous athletes who were no longer with us. The Houston County torch runners then ran in the torch around the track and per tradition, once the torch reached the athletes and spectators, it was then passed down the line of parents. This part always makes me tear up, maybe I am just a sap, but it's the counties way of recognizing Special Needs parents and caregivers and the multiple sacrifices it takes to have such a blessing of having a special needs child. Once the torch reaches the last parent, the honorary guests then light the Olympic Flame and the games are officially opened.

I am not sure if our athletes weren't signed up to participate in all the activities or not, or if the 'student helpers' were just enjoying their free day but our group participated in the softball throw and the 100 meter run or walk. After the games the remaining Northview High School students decided to end the games in style by running through their banner.

Waiting for the parade of athletes to start

Northview's winning banner

Ms Barbie, NHS Special Education Teacher

The parade of athletes

The parade had a brief stop, so I tried to get a picture, but when taking it the athletes started walking again and Ms Michelle said it was time to start moving again!

Dothan High School (host school of the Special Olympics) Band

Lighting of the Olympic Flame

Some of the officers in the Torch Run

Bre after completing her softball throws - as usual I was unable to capture any pictures or video of her throwing!

Turkey cooling off under the tend

Some NHS girls waiting for their 100 meter walk

More NHS students waiting for their heat

Go Bre Go!

Bre with one of her favorite student aids

The girls getting their awards, Bre received 4th again because she stopped before the finish line

Last picture of the banner before running through it

Academic Letter Club Award

Today I was able to witness Northview High Schools first Academic Letter Club Award ceremony where Juniors and Senior students were recognized for achieving an A/B academic standing. The criteria was that each student hold their A/B status since the ninth grade. I was able to arrive early enough to get a front row seat, close to Breanna, and Jarom was able to join me once the senior students arrived. Since Turkey was with us, Jarom was able to get a few pictures for me.

Waiting for the other students to arrive

Bre and one of her classmates

Almost time to start

Patiently waiting

The ceremony started with the presentation of colors and pledge of allegiance followed by a musical number by one of the high school choirs which Breanna automatically started singing along. Where she heard the song before I have no idea, nor do I know how she knew every single word and for those who know Breanna, she sang at the top of her lungs while dancing in her chair. Her teacher, the surrounding parents and students, Jarom, and I got to witness quite a show. Here is the song she sang along too

After the choirs number the class of 2015 was presented with their certificates, followed by the senior class. Although Breanna technically graduated two years ago, she will be an 'ongoing' senior until her 21st birthday. Since Turkey was with us, Jarom was able to get a few pictures for me before having to return to class.

Christmas lists

This year we are trying a new approach to our kids Christmas lists and the kids time frame of getting us their lists is closely approaching. The kids were given the following, and instructed to list only one thing per line.

For Christmas this year…

I want:

I need:

I will wear:

I will read:
For fun, and for memories, I thought I'd share the kids lists this year.

MyKayla
I want: Rico Reserve Bb Clarinet mouthpiece XO
I need: jeans
I will wear: long sleeve shirts
I will read: Hourglass series by Myra McEntire

Jarom
I want:
I need: College supplies/ necessities
I will wear: soccer gear, including a light jacket
I will read: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilynn Kenyon

Breanna
I want: Chair for bedroom
I need: School uniforms
I will wear: sweatshirts
I will read:

Joey
I want: Nothing
I need: Batting gloves
I will wear: Button down shirts (prefer solid colors)
I will read: Dance with the Dragons by George Martin

Jordyn
I want: iPhone life proof case
I need: Softball bat
I will wear: Sanuk (size 9)
I will read: Divergent series by Veronica Roth

Jayson
I want: Minecraft for the xbox
I need: Pajamas
I will wear: Alabama football jersey
I will read: Magic Treehouse books

Last weekend together....for the summer

Last night at home (Saturday) and they chose to play video games! What else is new!!! But at least they spent it together and even Bre got into some of the dancing (hopefully I will be able to upload the videos at another time!)

Our last day together, Sunday, and we were able to stop and pick up Jordyn so she could spend at least one day with all of us this summer. We decided to take the kids to the beach to allow all the kids who have been at our house to get some sun, they only saw about 5 days of sun the entire summer.

And of course the only picture I get of MyKayla my finger is in the way

Sand chair

Monkey see, monkey do

BINGO

The other night Breanna shouted out BINGO in an attempt to win her UNO hand, so tonight we decided to play a few rounds of bingo. Here is our  first game.

Miracle League Spring 2013

Miracle Leagues spring schedule ran from March 23rd to May 30th, with Breanna's team, the White Sox's playing on Thursdays and Saturdays.

For those who are not familiar with the Miracle League programs, here is some info taken from Dothan's Miracle League website.

What is the Miracle League? 

It is hope, determination, and the display of human spirit that is unequaled. There is something about playing the game that lights up a youngster’s eyes. And of course…there’s baseball. The miracle league removes the barriers that keep mentally and physically disabled children off the baseball field.

•  Every player bats once each inning.
•  All base runners are safe.
•  Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run).
•  Community volunteers (youth and adults) serve as “Buddies” to assist the players.
•  Each team and each player wins every game

“Every Citizen Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball.”
      
Our players may not be able to run the bases or hit the ball as well as their healthy peers, but they have an incredible amount of determination to play baseball.  We want to help them achieve that dream.

The season started with a bit of chilly weather but by the end of the season the spectators were wishing we had the cooling fans from the dugouts!

The Miracle League dedicated this years games to James Poland who was killed in February while trying to save the kids on his school bus, and Ethan who was taken off that bus and held hostage for almost a week

4/4 still a bit cold to shed the coats and sweatshirts

4/6 Breanna waiting for her game to start

4/20 Bre and some of her teammates

5/11 Our team was a little short on 'Buddies' so Eric helped out

Bre likes to wander, instead of watching where the ball goes when the other team hits

Individual/ Team Spring 2013 picture

Awards