The Artful Tree

It is our family tradition to put our tree up the first weekend in December. That is only days away and I am still not one hundred percent sure about how to decorate. I know we will need lots of things with strong scents. We will have a live tree, so the earthy smell of the season will fill our living room. I am gathering a collection of jingle bells to hang from every moving object in our house. Our MAPS group (microphthalmia anophthalmia parent support) has constructed a list to come out in our winter newsletter with suggestions for bringing the magic of the holidays to our children, but I wonder if there is something out there we have not thought about?

I am calling on you all for help!!! Maybe you might have an idea that we all have not thought of. So, put your imagination cap on CLOSE your eyes and…IMAGINE what you would need to feel the magic of Christmas with every bodily sense that you have – EXCEPT YOUR VISION. Send me your suggestions – the tree goes up this weekend and I want to amass my supplies before then.

I would also like for you all to meet an amazing member of my MAPS group. Deb had an awesome idea for her daughter Bronwen. Go HERE to watch the news video of The Artful Tree.

gwen

Antonia,
I would love to speak with you. If you could leave me some means to contact you, email, etc...that would be great!!!! Can't wait to hear from you.
gwen

Thankfuls

Four reasons to be thankful+
Knox, Walker,Ivey and Cappie

5 Minutes for Mom Spotlight

Fingers Beware----
Watch out if Ivey's teething, and currently she is! She has a little habit of sweetly taking your hand and then with lightning speed jams it in her mouth. Upon her agility, she bites down with the trauma and force of a snapping turtle or maybe its a shark. Pain will then surge through your poor finger- there is no hope. The more your wiggle your traumatized finger to remove it from her mouth the tighter the vice turns! I am tempted to hang a sign around her that says 'Fingers Beware' until the tiny tooth ruptures through; however, it is kinda comical to watch the unsuspecting victim in agony. Ivey may be small, but she is packed full of punch.

Obviously I am not about to sacrifice my own hand for a little video, but I did get her ripping into her book this morning. If you look closely, you can see her little nose crinkle as she tries to rip the cloth right to shredds.




Thank you 5 Minutes for Mom for posting Ivey in the Spotlight this week. Just click on the pink '5 Minutes for Mom' to see Ivey in the spotlight.

There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly. buckminster fuller

A small shoe fetish

Polka Dots

Kitty cat shoes
These are not only cute, but they squeak. We are trying to encourage Ivey to pick her feet up in in preparation for walking. She loves it when she makes herself squeak.

No, she is not pulling up or standing alone yet.

She is STANDING.

One more milestone accomplished-

She can hold on and balance herself.

This is a modified play set that we are borrowing from another family.

Ivey LOVES it.

The play set does not have your standard children's gadgets.

There are various household items with different sounds and textures.

Notice her cute shoes.

Oops- got a little off kilter.

We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.

Chretien Malesherbes

imagining what i can not

Go here............
HOW DO YOU SEE?

What's your song?

I was sitting here thinking, yeah I know, blondes do that too. Anyway, it’s Wednesday morning and Ivey and I are here in our house alone. She is asleep and it’s quite! Can you believe it? Actually, I don’t know what to do with myself and I am revolting against cleaning anything – I did put a load of laundry in, but that doesn’t count because if I didn’t we would be swimming in laundry. How is it that two small boys and one tiny baby can wear so many clothes? Who’s changing them?

Normally my dad is here on Wednesdays, but Christa will be here later on today, so he is coming over tomorrow. He does that. My dad comes over a couple of mornings a week to help me with Ivey so that I can get boys to school and on occasion run to the gym, or some other errand(s). Emptiness in our home is rare. And since Ivey and I have both been sick this week on top of the four, no five, trips to Atlanta for doctors and hospitals, well silence is nice. Obviously, I am not good with it because I can not sit and enjoy it – there has to be something to do…and like I said, I refuse to do house work for the next thirty minutes.

I am actually sitting here trying to work on an article for our MAPS newsletter. I am stuck – blank – nothing. Sorry guys. Anyway, before Ivey went to sleep, I put on my IPod for her. I have a ‘kids’ playlist. Now that she is asleep, I switched it over to ‘my playlist’. It got me thinking, yeah that thinking thing again. Most of the songs I have saved have a memory attached to them. That’s the joy of an IPod I guess. My songs are very random. I was listening to Victory in Jesus, which makes me remember my grandmother singing in church. She did not have a beautiful voice, but a distinct voice that I can’t shake from my memory. Her laugh was the same. There’s this Dixie Chicks song that reminds me of my friend and old roommate, Trista, whom I miss unbelievably. Can’t help but giggle just thinking about her. Then there is Baby Got Back – that’ll take you back. I can hear that song playing from Stacey’s (get this) red t-top Camero with the big speakers in the back; I refuse to give you any other details. What’s the Frequency Kenneth reminds me of some college days. Etta James’ At Last is the song that Matt and I danced to at our wedding. My favorite is Fire by the Pointer Sisters and Pachelbel. The list goes on and on…

Ivey’s little story has its own designated songs that have distinct meaning and memories for me. Wonder by Natalie Merchant defines Ivey to a T. Ordinary Miracle makes me smile at her. The Toy Story song You’ve Got a Friend in Me makes me think of Ivey with her brothers. Little Miss Magic makes me think of Matt and Ivey - Matt loves Buffet. Every time I hear Standing Outside the Fire it makes me feel empowered. I remember the video told the story of a DS boy and his family. It makes hard days easier - Music is becoming more and more import around here. Ivey loves it. Ivey loves Enya’s Wild Child. Come to think of it she likes several Enya songs. The first time I heard a song by Dar Williams I cried. It described my journey with Ivey – to me. It is a beautiful song.

Some of Ivey’s songs are on the playlist at the bottom of the page if you want to hear any of them, just hit end on the computer, it'll take you straight there. If you have time listen to Dar Williams’ The One Who Knows. (Just click on it)

Usually, the best stories are attached to a song. So what are some of your favorite songs with stories?

Rezoning was approved!

Good work!

I thought about putting some pictures from Halloween up for you all to see, but I think you get the gist of our trick-or-treating from the picture in the post below with Ivey and the boys. Oh my how wasteful it is to have predetermined expectations.

These four pictures are priceless.

One, they show Ivey’s estranged mickey button only hours before she pulled it out. Ivey did not get the memo that we were planning for thisHalloween to be her first real Halloween. So, Ivey spent her second Halloween again in Scottish Rite. She can’t get enough of the place. Don’t be surprised if we are all out marching around the neighborhood one day trick-or-treating in the middle of December. We are going to have a first Halloween at home for Ivey if it kills us all.

Two, the pictures show how much Knox loves Ivey. Just look at his face. Ivey loves her brother, but looks to be a little peeved, that may be because she just got up from napping. When I look at the pictures, I can hear Knox’s sweet voice asking to hold her. Ivey is his very own doll baby.

Three, you get to see how the boys’ friends treat Ivey. It is great. To them she is just a little sister with attachments. Their friends are reflections of good parents with big hearts. The boys’ classmates are not afraid to ask questions. Normally there are a lot of ‘what’s that?’, and sometimes they will stand in front of Ivey and just look. I love to see the boys’ friends talk to Ivey. They are taking her in, processing. Both Knox and Walker answer most questions that are asked. It is so strange to hear them tell their peers about mickey buttons, trachs and prosthetic eyes in their three and four year old versions.

That brings me to a place I had not thought of until recently. Hopefully you all read the email from Sandra and it stirred something in your hearts. When I first read it, it made me cry. A sharp reality pierced my heart. Not everyone cares enough to understand. Not everyone can embrace something that is different. People do indeed fear what they do not understand.

The email also brought about another fear for Ivey’s future. What if that was Ivey? What if someone were petitioning to keep Ivey out of their neighborhood? What if Matt and I reach a place in time where we cannot care for Ivey, either because of age or our own illnesses? They are all scary thoughts. And of all the scenarios that my mind has laid out for Ivey’s future, neither of those had ever crossed my mind. Sure we run into rude people, but petitioning to keep someone out of a neighborhood because of disabilities? I can’t imagine it, but obviously it happens. Fearing that one day I can not care for Ivey is even worse. These are the thoughts that I have to turn over. They are too much. I do not know the future nor should spend my time planning something that may or may not ever happen. Enjoy today.

This is all pretty much like Halloween. My mind planned for a second first Halloween – Ivey had something else in mind. Tami - you were right. Ivey was almost a Georgia cheerleader. However, our middle son decided not to be a football player after days of wanting to be a football player and well, Ivey ended up going as Ivey. Knox has his dad’s red and black blood flowing through him, no changing that mind.

Letter to the Roman Community

Dear Roman Community,

Most of you I have never met, many of you are part of our lives on a daily basis. I have marveled at your support for our special little girl and our family. Our community has taken the oddities and special needs of our daughter and found the positive and good attributes in her. I have personally witnessed strangers approach Ivey on the street to embrace her. Our community has accepted and allowed our special daughter to thrive in a world where once she would have been hidden. I am proud to call the Rome community Home.

Please take a moment to read the following email that was forwarded to me from Sandra Humphreys, a leader in our community and advocate for special needs children. As you all have embraced my daughter, Ivey too will grow up one day. Her needs will remain. Often we have been asked “How can I help?” Today I ask you to join the members of your community with special needs, both youth and adult, and advocate for their placement in Our community.

Ways in which your voice and opinion can be heard are located at the bottom of this post.

With kindest regards,

Gwen Sirmans, mom to Ivey

………………………………………………………………………………………………
Email from Sandra Humphreys:
It saddened me today as a neighbor whom I have never met approached me as I got out of my car to sign a petition against a woman down the street that has applied for rezoning.

This elderly lady stated we should all sign to keep "those people" out of the neighborhood and that our property values will surely drop. She stated that the homeowners on each side of the house in question already have for sale signs in front of them.

I asked her if she had met the lady in question, she said no. I asked did she realize that the people this lady takes care of are mentally and physically disabled citizens not criminals and she said she didn't know what was "wrong” with them.

I informed this elderly lady that I am the proud parent of a disabled child and I volunteer and work for agencies that help to better the lives of special needs citizens through out the state. I told her while I had not met the lady in question yet I did know, from reliable sources, that she has taken care of two disabled adults at that residence for several years and wants to expand her services to include two more. I also believe that the house on one side was for sale prior to the rezoning request due to the owner looking to relocate. I informed her I would not sign the petition and felt she and others who have already signed would be better served to meet this caregiver before making assumptions...

The woman who had approached me became visibly uncomfortable and embarrassed and kept repeating I can understand where you are coming from as she backed away quickly. I wish she would have stuck around so I could ask her why the convicted pedophile that lives on the same street did not seem to bother her as no petitions have been circulated against him.

I felt compelled after this encounter to meet the caregiver and found her to be very warm, genuine and her home beautiful and inviting. The gentlemen in her care were polite and well groomed. She told me of the many activities they do and I feel I have made a new friend in this kindhearted soul. She told me caring for these men is how she earns her living but the reward for her is great and feels called to do what she does. It is not an easy job. The people she cares for either have no family or their parents are too elderly or unable to keep them at home.

The area of Garden Lakes I live in has 8 streets and over 200 homes. There are at least 3 in home daycares that no one seems to mind. We are very culturally diverse and several homes are multi generational and/or have more than one family living under one roof. Again I haven't heard any complaints.

Inclusion is the buzz word in schools and should be in our communities. As the leader of a parent network for special needs children and their families, I have found Floyd county to be open and welcoming to us developing new resources for enrichment of our family’s lives. I would hope the zoning commission; citizens and my neighbors will look into their hearts and perhaps put themselves in the place of those faced with decisions of caring for the disabled.

There will be a commission meeting Monday November 5th to settle this matter. I plan to be there. If you would like to show your support for this cause please try to attend. If you are unable please send me an email stating your opinion along with your name and address so I can submit it to the commissioners.

Sandra Humphreys
………………………………………………………………………………………………
To show your support, you can do the following:

Attend the city commission meeting
•Rome City Commission Meeting
Monday, November 5, 2007
6:30 pm
601 Broad Street

Voice your support for our community
•Directly email Sandra Humphreys your response
plchumphreys@yahoo.com

•Or you may email me
gwensirmans@comcast.net

The most successful people are those who are good at plan B. James Yorke

Lesson 1:
Never make plans or arrangements with any member of our family. They will in evidently change at the last minute.

Lesson 2:
Do not panic when you see a mickey button lying on the floor next to the baby, especially if the baby is SMILING.

Lesson 3:
Wash mickey button with soap and put it back down – tape it to baby’s tummy.

Lesson 4:
It is possible to resume modified Halloween plans.

Lesson 5:
You will drive to Atlanta for the third time in one week, this time to the ER.

Lesson 6:
No one is available in radiology on Halloween evening – to replace the noted mickey button. You will be admitted; you will spend the night; and you will wait….and wait….and wait. You will be bored and you will buy things in the gift shop not really needed.

Lesson 7:
If you are my husband, maybe now you have learned why I always take an overnight bag – even if the procedure should only take 10 minutes. I assume there will be no more eye rolling from now on?

Lesson 8:
Always take the PINK NOTEBOOK!

Lesson 9:
Always count your blessings.

Lesson 10:
Tell everyone who helps you and your family how valuable they are. Tell them how much they are appreciated. Tell them how thankful you are they are part of your life. Tell them that in fact NO, you could not do things without their help. Tell them they are loved.
Thank you Mom, Dad, Tasha, Lowery and G&G gang. Thank you Matt, Knox and Walker.

This is what a mickey button-less baby looks like on Halloween afternoon. Notice no costume - More to come.

Please, if you are in our area, I will be posting some interesting information about our community. You will need to read the information before Monday. So many of you have asked 'How Can I Help' - I have a job for you to act upon -

Did you know that November is national epilepsy month? And since Ivey is medically inclined to have seizures, I would like to leave you with the link to a friend’s blog about her daughter and their life with seizures. I have had several people ask me what it is like when Ivey seizes or what she looks like. How would you know if she is seizing? Ivey tends to have ‘twitching’. Kelly is a great advocate for her daughter Jenelle. Go to Jenelle’s Journey.