Dust Off Your Shelfies: Netflix #StreamTeam

Selfies.  We ALL know what those are.  I'm fairly convinced my 2 year old knows what they are! But how about a shelfie?

Oh, I think you know.  If you're anything like me, you probably have a TON of titles in your Netflix Watch List, and no time to watch them! Shelfies are shows you really WANT to watch that just hang out in that list, because you don't have the time to watch!

I get it!  My Watch List is out of control!  (And you have to admit, my iPad case is AWESOME!  #momlife)



Between taking care of four kids and running a home and a blog, my time is limited.  Thank goodness for our Netflix Date Nights, or we would never get to watch anything!

It's time to dust off those shelfies and start watching!

Although I could easily list at least 100 shows that I want to watch or catch up on, these shows are the top three I want to watch that are on my Netflix Shelfie List: 

Friday Night Lights

This is a show that I never watched, but always hear great things about! I'm still trying to convince my husband that we should watch this for our Netflix Date Nights.  I will succeed!

Switched at Birth

This is also another show I never watched!  To be honest, I was never interested until the recent Down syndrome story line.  So many of my fellow DS moms raved about the show and the story line which involves an issue we feel very strongly about.  I have a lot of catching up to do!

Grey's Anatomy 

Ah, Grey's Anatomy!  I watched every single episode of every single season up until the last two.  I thought I was okay with not keeping up with it, but I feel a strong urge to get caught up!  I do know a few spoilers, but I still want to watch!

Netflix has a few more great suggestions!

Scandal

Once Upon A Time

Gotham: Season 1

The Walking Dead

 

The Blacklist: Season 1-2

The League: Season 6

Heroes 

 

What's on your shelfie list? 

*I'm a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam.  All opinions are my own. I was given a free year of Netflix Streaming and promotional items in exchange for my monthly review. The Netflix programming images were provided by Netflix.  Thank you, Netflix, for sponsoring this post!

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Downright Blessed: Life with Down Syndrome

We all have a story to share.  Liam's story is just one of many.  Every story deserves a chance to be heard!  

A few months ago, an idea began to form. I wanted to share some of my favorite families with my readers. I reached out to a few people, and that idea became a reality.  I am so excited to introduce the Downright Blessed: Life with Down Syndrome series! Every month, on the 21st, you will get to meet an amazing child who is blessed with an extra chromosome and their equally amazing families! 

Down syndrome is an often misunderstood genetic condition.  Through all these stories, we hope to bring more awareness, educate, and inspire! The bottom line?  We are just families living a life like any other! We have hopes, we have dreams, and we truly believe we are downright blessed!

Shortly after Liam was born, I turned to other blogs. One of those blogs I discovered was Our Dream Come True. Baker took my breath away and Jenn's words gave me so much hope.  Whenever I felt a sliver of doubt start to creep in, I turned to Jenn's blog. Baker always took those fears and doubts away.

I knew that Jenn would be the perfect person to kick off the series!  I have no doubt that Jenn's words will bring you to tears and that you will fall in love with this truly beautiful little boy! 

Hi! I am Jenn. I am captivated by grace, crazy in love with my hunk of a husband, and mommy to Baker and Barrett. I blog at www.ourdreamcometrueblog.blogspot.com about life, love, and faith. Around here, it’s not always perfect, it’s not always pretty, but it’s always my dream come true.

When Stefanie asked me to do a guest post to kick off a new series about Down Syndrome, I was overjoyed at the honor of sharing the story of our boy.

Our Baker Boy.

I Never Knew I Wanted a Child with Down Syndrome Until I Had One 

  

I had a dream this past week that Baker woke up without Down Syndrome.

Like his extra chromosome was absorbed into his plush minky sheets. 

Or as if the sandman had carted it off in his knapsack and tucked it beside the lavender he used for lulling.

It was gone. 

Kaput.

Vamoose.

His beautiful eyes still boasted their autumn pools, but lacked the almond slant that never fails to draw me in and captivate my whole being.

 His tongue remained tucked obediently inside his cheek, not once lagging like it does on occasion, especially when he is focusing so intently.

 His hands hung by his side not in front of his face for signing, as words bounded from his lips articulate and coherent and utterly foreign.

 As I reached in to hug him, his body did not collapse into mine, as is my very favorite thing about Baker - the way his low muscle tone makes him puddle into my eager embrace.

He was stiff.

Solid. 

Strong.

 His steps did not waiver, not once did his balance falter. He was sure footed and walked with a stability his little body has never known.

In that instant, he became a typical child.

Gone were the thoughts of IEPs

Therapies were tossed into oblivion.

His struggles became successes.

The specialists on speed dial were no more.

 I sat abruptly in bed. Tears streaming. Faint whimpers escaped my lips.

I navigated through the dark room and padded the familiar steps to Baker's bed.

I picked him up and felt his warm body fold sleepily into mine.

 It was just a dream.

He was still the same Baker Boy I had read Let me Hold You Longer mere hours earlier, while his little body relaxed and his eyes grew heavy.

He was still the same Baker Boy I had rocked and sang "This Little Light of Mine," and to seal the deal, "You are My Sunshine.” 

Nothing had changed.

Everything had changed.

 

 I never knew I wanted a child with Down Syndrome until I had one.

No truer words have ever been spoken.

 He is loved exactly the way he is.

He is one of our Creator's greatest masterpieces.

He was crafted in love.

He was knit together wonderfully.

He is a joy spreader, a light brightener, a glad giver.

Being his mother is the greatest blessing.

 

Watching his life bring glory to our Jesus is an incredible gift.

 Just the way you are, sweet Baker, we love you just the way you are.

"For we know that in all things, Christ works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

You can read more at www.ourdreamcometrueblog.blogspot.com 

Follow Jenn on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Our-Dream-Come-True-105636969630448/timeline/ 

Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenngbell/ 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenngbell

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/jennifergbell/

Aim to Inspire

When Liam was born with a life-changing diagnosis, it felt like life as we knew it had come to an end.

It didn't take long to realize that our story was just beginning.

Our lives did change.  Just not in the ways we expected.  Instead, our family was enhanced by that extra chromosome!

I always tell people that receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis is like joining an exclusive club that you would never ever want to join.  Yet once you get there, you never ever want to leave.  The Down syndrome community is amazing!

Liam was just a few weeks old when we received his genetic test results. I typed up that post with tears in my eyes, and with all the courage I could muster, I finally hit publish.  As the comments flooded in on my blog, facebook, twitter, and instagram, along with all the texts and emails, the tears fell even faster.  These tears, however, were caused by the overwhelming love and support that was directed our way.

We quickly settled into a rhythm as a family of six, and I was struck by how perfectly normal life still was.  Liam began to fill our lives with love, joy, and smiles that could brighten the darkest days.  I began to share what life was like with Down syndrome in the hopes that I could shatter some of those misconceptions and inspire just ONE person.

It didn't take long for that smile to capture the hearts of those near and far.  So I shared more.  I shared his weight-gain struggles and I shared all his adventures.  Mostly, I shared the fact that he's JUST a little boy like any other. 


{Photo: Kelly Searle Photography}


The unique thing about Liam is that most people don't even realize he has Down syndrome unless they have experience with it. When I tell people he has it, it's usually met with shock, then followed by questions.  I welcome questions!  Asking questions is how people educate themselves, and that's a good thing!

There was a time when I didn't share the fact that Liam has Down syndrome with people I ran into.  Now I share it proudly. I have nothing to be ashamed of.  My love for my boy is fierce and I am so proud of him!

At the very beginning of our journey, I turned to other blogs, Facebook pages, and Instagram. I began following families who had children with Down syndrome.  Seeing them live "typical" lives gave me so much hope. 

I fell in love with these kids from afar.  I cheered at their accomplishments. I prayed during surgeries and health scares.  I let out sighs of relief when those surgeries went well or when doctors gave them good news. I cried when their moms cried.  The thing about having a child with Down syndrome is that you don't just have your child.  You have an entire community that you care SO much about. 

We all have different stories, but we have the same goal: we want the world to accept our little blessings and notice all those special things that captured our hearts.  In order to do that, we share.  We share our lives and we share often. All we want to do is make a difference and inspire change!

All of my sharing IS making a difference.  LIAM is making a difference! It's evident in the frequent emails and messages that I receive. THAT is why I share Liam and life with Down syndrome.  THAT is why I'll continue to share for as long as I possibly can. I just want people to realize that Down syndrome is not as scary as it's made out to be! I want people to see that we are living a perfectly "normal" life and that we LOVE this life we are living.

My story is just one of many.  There are so many stories out there that deserve to be shared. Every single story is worth hearing.  

A few months ago, an idea began to form, and I began to reach out to others. Soon, I'll be launching the Downright Blessed: Life with Down Syndrome series on my blog!  Every month, on the 21st, a different mom (or dad!) will share their story.  I can't wait for you to read about these beautiful, inspiring kids and their amazing families!

We truly are downright blessed! 
  
If you would like to be part of the Downright Blessed: Life with Down Syndrome series, please send an email to lexieloolilyboodylantoo@yahoo.com. 

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Mermaid Water Table Play

Here in Pittsburgh, we only have about one more week of summer weather ahead of us!

The kids are thoroughly enjoying their last week playing with a water-filled water table.  Next week, it will be emptied out and filled with non-liquid items.  We use our water table for more than just water, and we use it year round!

Liam's current favorite water table play idea was inspired by a trip to the science center.  A water table full of water, scoops, and ping pong balls captures his attention!

Lily, however, needs something imaginative! When we were on vacation, Lily bought a small mermaid doll, and that began the mermaid obsession.  She would spend over an hour playing in her baby pool or bathtub with all her mermaids.  I finally decided to give her a mini mermaid world!



Items Needed:

• Water Table
• Natural Aquarium Gravel
• Aquarium Plants
• Colored stones or jewels
• Mermaids
• Fish, dolphins, and other sea creatures 
• Blue food coloring

The setup was really easy!  

We already had everything I needed, so I gathered all the supplies and I set up the mini mermaid world! I filled part of the table with the aquarium gravel to make a beach.  I filled the other part with jewels and an aquarium plant.  I filled the table with lukewarm water and mixed in some blue food coloring.  After adding in some mermaids and sea creatures, it was ready for play!





Lily was so excited when I showed her the mini mermaid world! 



She immediately started to play!


 



Both of my girls love the mini mermaid world!  Lily plays with it every single day.  It has even been moved into the garage on rainy days!





I keep all of our water table play items stored in under $1 storage containers.  When Lily is done playing, she puts her mermaids in a colander to dry, then I later transfer them to a storage container with holes poked in the bottom.  I have extra aquarium gravel, plants, and stones stored in there, along with a bottle of blue food coloring. 

When it's time to empty out the water table, the aquarium gravel and stones will be put in a colander to drain and dry, then put in Ziploc bags, and stored away for the winter!



The mini mermaid world was perfect for Lily! I know she's going to be sad when it's time to put it away!



I'll be sharing some of my favorite water table play ideas that don't involve water soon!  Bird seed, corn, hay, potting soil, ice cubes (and more) will be used. Stay tuned...

What are your favorite ways to play with your water table in the summer?

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Lily Goes To School!

It's official!  We now have THREE kids in school! 

On Wednesday, September 9th (which also happened to be our 15th wedding anniversary!), Lily went to school for the very first time!



I tried to push the fact that my baby was growing up out of my mind, but it was inevitable.  Before I knew it, the day before preschool was here, and it was time to pack up her backpack and pick out the first day of school outfit!



We curled up on the couch to read The Night Before Preschool, and I only shed a few tears! 



On the big day, Lily woke up full of excitement and ready to go. She couldn't wait to eat her breakfast and put on her pretty dress! We got ready a few minutes early so we could do a quick First Day of Pre-K photoshoot. She had no trouble letting her personality shine through!












Grant took the day off work so he could be there for Lily's first day and so we could celebrate our anniversary!  Lily was so happy!



On the first day of school, a parent gets to go with their child.  Lily and I headed off to Pre-K together, just as I had done with Dylan and Lexie!

 

Lily is attending Pre-K at the same school Dylan and Lexie attended.  She even has the same amazing teachers! She was so excited to discover everything in her new school. We met her teachers (she was only a newborn when Lexie was in Pre-K), did a scavenger hunt, played with all the fun toys, met some classmates, and took a picture together for a big mural near her classroom. She LOVED it!






She loved it SO much that she kept asking when it was time to go back!  On Friday, she headed back to Pre-K.  This time, she went alone. When I dropped her off at her classroom, she walked in, and didn't even look back.  She had a great day!



I'm so glad Lily loves Pre-K as much as her brother and sister loved it!  I know she's going to have a fun year!

How was your child's first day?
 

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Pete Scobell Band: Walkin A Wire Giveaway

Giveaway is over.  The winner is comment #1: Jeannie Bruce!




Kids are my life right now, but once upon a time, music was my life.

Nothing made me happier than performing on stage. When I had kids, my focus shifted quite a bit.  I no longer have the time to perform in musicals.  Instead, I just belt out songs with my kids or sing along in the car! My husband loves introducing our children to all genres of music, and we encourage them to pursue chorus and band.  It may not be the same as it once was, but music is still a big part of our lives!

I was given the wonderful opportunity to listen to Pete Scobell Band's debut album Walkin A Wire before its release date. 

Pete Scobell's story drew me in. Pete is a former Navy SEAL who served our country for 17 years before suffering a brain injury during a tour of duty overseas.  While he was healing, he turned to music after being encouraged to do so by his doctors. Pete Scobell tells his stories through his music, and fills his songs with emotion that can only be drawn from his experiences as a Navy SEAL.  Pete is also a father of three, and I commend him for coming so far after his injury!  He truly is an inspiration!



My two favorite songs on Walkin A Wire are Disappear and World In The Way.  To get a glimpse of his talent, check out the official video for Wild:



Pete Scobell Band's Walkin A Wire will be released on September 11th, which is a day associated with great loss.  I'm sure most of us can recall exactly where we were on that awful day and all the emotions we felt.  I can't think of a better release date for this powerful album.

My dad was in the navy, and I grew up hearing his stories, which were often heart-wrenching, but told with such strength. He lost so many friends, and I can't even imagine the pain he must have felt.  My dad is a musician and I often wonder if it's an outlet for all those emotions and memories he has trapped inside. I couldn't help but think of my dad and everything he experienced as I listened to Walkin A Wire.  My dad is an amazing man, and I am so proud of everything he accomplished.

Many people turn to music during trying times in life.  I know I do. Music definitely has a way of soothing the soul and helping you heal!

Pete Scobell overcame a huge hurdle in his life, and is now making a difference by sharing his talent with the world!

NOW...I have something fun for one of my readers! One lucky reader will win a SIGNED copy of Pete Scobell Band's Walkin A Wire!!! 

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me how music helped you during a difficult time in your life.  One winner will be chosen using a Random Number Generator.

In addition to my own giveaway, Pete Scobell Band is giving away an Orca cooler, valued at $269.99! You can enter HERE for a chance to win!

*Both giveaways are only open to those who live in the United States and Canada.
 
Thank you to Pete Scobell Band for sponsoring today's post! 
(You can buy the album here.)