{First day of school}

Today the kids headed back to school. Aliza in Kindergarten. Jayna 5th grade. And Jacob 3rd grade. Adam will start back to preschool next week.

We had a wonderful summer, even with Justin's crazy work hours we were able to make the most of things. We had visitors, went camping, to friends cabins and lovely beach days.

Today felt good. Change seems to be a good thing. It forces me to start fresh. And so often I'm needing a fresh start! I have high hopes for this school year. Now if I could just stop feeling so dang tired!!

Today's photo... #1 Adam proudly displaying one of the eggs our hens laid. #2 a very tired girl. Getting up before 9am is hard on a girl. (trust me!)
#3 tonight Jayna had activity girls. We have an amazing leader and a lovely group of girls. Jayna hasn't seemed to really connect with any of the girls. (or rather they haven't connected with her) I do worry. It makes me miss those unconditional friendships at home.
#4 my 2 little ones. This year Aliza has morning Kindergarten, and Adam afternoon preschool. Not my ideal. But it is what it is. I will miss having the kids round interacting. Plus they have become great little helpers!

{MIA}

I'm back! Have you missed me. These last 2 years have been incredibly busy. And I'm so sad that I haven't Kept this blog up. Once I got my iPhone I spent very little time on the computer. So I never posted. But now I've figured out with this fancy dancy new app I can post right from my phone! Too bad I didn't figure that out 2 years ago. Well what's done is done no reason to look back with regret. Come on down cause The Prices write!!

So I'll give you the Coles notes version of our last 2 years. In no particular order:
1) I lost 80 pounds.
2) I gained back 30. (I'm staring weight watchers again.)
3) Jayna was diagnosed with a learning disability. And we are on the road to helping her become her very best.
4) Justin received a job offer from Microsoft.
5) He took the job. And we moved from our home and native land Canada. To the Suburbs of Seattle.
6) we left our home of 10 years. And all our friends and family. It was very hard for me.
7) we love love love where we live.
8) we went from living in less than 1000 square feet to over 3000. It's suits me just fine.
9) we have an acre. A garden and 4 chickens.
10) I've become a home body. Happy to stay in and be with my family.
11) I've found peace with being the mother of a child with Down syndrome. Now I just feel like the mother of Adam.
12) I've tried to cut down on my shopping and have become more mindful of money and where I spend it.
13) I've loved having visitors. We are so lucky we are still so close.
14) I've joined a Sweet Adelines chorus. I sing barbershop and love it!!!

Stay tuned for regular Price Family updates!!!

{Tubby TIme}

Adam Loves to play with the running water... and I love to see him so happy!Almost makes me forget how much I hate our green tub! Almost....

{Peyton turns ONE!}

My Nephew Peyton turned ONE!
and his talented Mama made this adorable invitation!
and I made these super cute cupcakes! Adorable huh?

I'm not sure how this year went so fast...
Peyton has started to walk, and starting to talk and is as smart as a whip!
Not to mention he is freaking adorable. A beautiful little boy who reminds me so much of his daddy (only smarter ha ha)

Peyton we love you and cant wait to watch you go up!

{Taralee get married}

My second cousin Taralee was married this Saturday in a beautiful Catholic wedding.She was beautiful ( you could really tell we were family;)

But what made this wedding even more special was her groomsman Roland.
Roland is her brother, and my second cousin and he carries the magical extra chromosome.

When I think back to my childhood I'm embarrassed to say I didn't take the time to know Roland. I thought he was weird different and hard to talk to. I wish that I could go back in time and learn from, love and accept Roland for who he is.

Roland was in tears while he watched his sister get married. As he quietly dabbed his eyes dry, I couldn't help but loose it. There were so many emotions happiness, love, sadness, worry you name it. Although it was beautiful to see the bond that these two siblings share, I couldn't help but feel sad that Roland (and Adam for that matter) most likely never experience finding true love and being married. (yeah yeah I know there are many people with Ds that get married but statistically its unlikely) I was picturing my own daughters weddings and how I would feel at them watching Adam. Again its that feeling of loss and the fear of the unknown that scared me the most.

Roland Lives independently. In a assisted community style apartment. He has 2 part time jobs and seems happy. And when I talk to my Aunt she assures me me its all going to be OK. Shes been where I have been. shes felt what Ive felt...and I try my very best to believe her.

The wedding was beautiful with many extraordinary details... it made me want a re do of my own wedding! HA

{Angel Friend}

Rosemarie and I have Known each other for over 5 years. We have served countless hours together in the Relief Society Presidency. I have learned so much from her. And I treasure the peals of wisdom shes given me. I've learned that there is a difference between working hard and working smart, Ive learned not to sweat the small stuff, Ive learned to simply "get it done"... Ive learned when some one is difficult to be around you can serve them...and you start to feel love for them. Ive learned that anything is possible. Rosemarie is the most calming peaceful person I have ever known. She has a beautiful ability to reach out to others at the perfect moment.

Most people think I have it fairly together. I try I really do. I don't want people to think I'm a basket case...or rather KNOW. So I do what I call The-FAKE-IT-TILL-YOU-MAKE-IT. For instance I pretend that I'm happy with being a mother to a Child with special needs and another with learning disabilities. I pretend that I know every thing happens for a reason. I pretend that it doesn't brake my heart....and before long I internalize these fake feelings and it becomes real...I've faked it and made it.

But some times The-FAKE-IT-TILL-YOU-MAKE-IT back fires because I feel overwhelmed and alone. And no one knows. But, some how Rosemarie always knows.

One of the hardest things about being a stay at home mom is never having anyone to watch the kids for Dr appointments and other obligations. I loath taking them all. And when Adam has his Dr appointments and therapies I want to focus on him ... not the crazy almost 4 year old who is begging for all the attention.

Last week Rosemarie called and said "Id like to take your 3 big kids for the day, you can use the time for appointments, grocery or even a nap."
I nearly Cried.
she offered with out being asked. There was no humming and hawing or those guilty feelings of imposing my crazy kids on someone who felt it was a burden.

So I scheduled they day, occupational therapy for Adam, Adams visit to the ENT, and my visit to the family Doctor, and we even did a grocery shop at Superstore. It was amazing. And I was So thankful!

When I picked up the kids she had such wonderful things to say. They were well behaved, kind, funny and a pleasure to have. I was so proud and even a little confused (ha! why aren't they like that for me?)

Then Rosemarie asked to take Jayna to a production of Joesph and the Technicolor dream coat... Just because she knew Jayna would love it!
Honestly she is such an amazing woman.

I'm so thankful for the time that Ive had to serve with such an inspiring person.
Rosemarie I am blessed just to know you!

{Grossology!}

Today we met Nana and cousin Timmy at the mall. Usually I avoid the mall like the plague when I have all the kids. But, today we were taking them to the grossology exhibit at Metro Town Mall. It was really gross. Poo, spit, blood and slime...and the kids loved it!we spent about and hour with all the games and read ups.

Then decided to try our hand at some back to school shopping.

and because we were in the mall with Nana the kids got a ride on one of those cash grabs that most parents detest...and the kids were thrilled!

we went shopping for back to school shoes.. with no luck. The kids decided to make it more interesting by posing with the mannequins in the display window.

My kids have their hearts set on Sketchers...and Jayna and Aliza are desperate for the twinkle toe sketchers. Time to go shopping again.
Yep its a tough life I have!