Taking a Back Seat

Blogging seems to be taking a back seat to life these days. And after reading some of your blogging posts, it seems I'm not alone.

I think so many moms are now posting on Facebook, asking questions, sharing pics and stories of their day to day activities, blogging just doesn't seem as necessary. I don't post too often, but I like to read about what others are doing. I'm getting annoyed with all the videos though, I want to hear about your lives, your kids. But I can't complain because I don't post about my life or my kids! :)

So, that's why there hasn't been much activity on here lately.

Chuck still hasn't found a job. He's had a few promising interviews and now we're just waiting to hear back. Waiting can be the hardest part.

Beth is getting over a cold. It seems she always gets one this time of year, when the weather changes for real and her nose gets cold and dry. She's better today though and has gone to work, the first time she's been out of the house in 4 days.

Sharaya and Diana just went to see The Hunger Games - Mocking Jay. They both loved it! This is the first Hunger Games movie Diana hasn't seen at the premier in London. She was so disappointed she didn't get to go this time!

Sharaya and Allie went to Disney On Ice last night and had a great time. Allison sure loves her Disney! Of course, so does Sharaya. I still remember her reaction when she got her first Jasmine Barbie all those years ago!

I'm gearing up for our huge Thanksgiving outreach next week. Our church puts on a dinner for the community and we serve approx. 1400 people in three separate seatings. It's free of charge and we serve the homeless, on duty police officers, single people without family in the area, anyone who wants to come and have dinner is welcome. They sit at round tables and are served by a table host who fills their drinks, offers seconds and prays with people if they need it. I lead the Condiment team. We provide the dinner rolls, pickles, olives, cranberry sauce... then after the program is over, we wheel out huge carts of slices of pumpkin pie, complete with whipped cream!

It's an exhausting day, but oh so worth it. A lot of planning and preparation goes into it and that's what I've been busy doing lately. Between work, and laundry and dishes... :)

I think about you all so often and hope things are going well for you.

"Extra! Extra! Read All About It!"

Special Needs in the news.

Special Olympians skate with ‘Toy Story’ skaters

Special Olympians join 'Toy Story 3' skaters at Comcast

By Amy Daybert, Herald Writer

EVERETT -- Special Olympians Kristie Clark and Vicken Ouyarian skated at Comcast Arena on Friday afternoon with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie from the "Disney On Ice Toy Story 3" show.
They and eight other Special Olympians and their families received front row seats at a special performance by the show's cast members.

Clark, 38, of Everett, and Mukilteo resident Ouyarian, 50, eagerly laced up their skates to hit the ice with the professional skaters.

Ouyarian had one word to describe skating with the "Disney On Ice" stars.

"Excellent," he said.

This took place at an arena about 20 minutes from where we live. I thought it was great that they thought about doing this, then took the time to actually contact people and get everything set up. Way to go Disney on Ice! To read the entire article, you can click here.

One more -

These cheerleaders are from the same school that all three of our girls graduated from! They didn't have the Sparkles program when they attended but I had read about it in other parts of the country. I'm glad that 'our' school is the first one in the state to offer this program! The full article has an interview with a girl named Kendall. She attends our church and is in the youth choir with Beth as well as Special Olympics track and bowling.

Sparkles add shine to cheerleading

Program includes girls with disabilities

By Katie Murdoch, Herald writer

The Edmonds-Woodway cheer squad is shattering the preconceived notion of exclusivity with help from the Sparkle Effect.

The national program encourages school cheer squads and dance teams to include students with disabilities.

Local cheerleaders invited girls with disabilities to join the Sparkles last summer. Three accepted.

Senior Kendall Lancaster, 18, joined the Sparkles as a chance to learn new skills and make more friends.

A knack for forming the pyramid and performing in front of a crowd that's cheering her on have been the highlights of her experience.