Second Annual Buddy Walk - Coming Soon to Skagit County

Even though September isn't even here yet, October is fast approaching and October means DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH!!!

As many of you know this is my "favorite cause" because it affects one of my most favorite people in the whole world - my 2nd daughter, Jessica. (Read more about her in my poem "I Have a Special Child", 2 parts down...)

One of the best events for raising awareness for Down Syndrome is the National Buddy Walk. We are already planning the 2nd annual Buddy Walk for Skagit County right here in Mount Vernon, Washington at Bakerview Park on Saturday, October 11th. We are in need of volunteers to help out with the planning, organization and overall success of the day. If you would like to help, give me a call and we'll set you up!

Here are a few pictures from last year to inspire you!

Where does your Presidential candidate stand on obscenity laws?

Morality in Media Action Alert-August 20, 2008

Dear Friends,

Friends have provided us with a list of links for the following Presidential candidates:

America’s Independent Party (Alan Keyes): contact@alankeyes.com
Constitution Party (Chuck Baldwin): chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com
Democratic Party (Barack Obama): http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2
Green Party (Cynthia McKinney): http://www2.runcynthiarun.org/TalkBack
Libertarian Party (Bob Barr): http://www.bobbarr2008.com/contact/form/?type=4
Ralph Nader: http://www.votenader.org/contact/
Republican Party (John McCain): http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/
I also learned about yet another Presidential Candidate, Steve Adams, running as an Independent. He can be contacted at: steveadamsgm@gmail.com

If you haven’t done so already (or haven’t gotten an answer yet), please contact the Candidate(s) of your choice and ask them where they stand on enforcement of federal obscenity laws.

Here is some suggested language (long & short versions):

Despite the fact that there are federal obscenity laws on the books that have been upheld by the Supreme Court, hardcore pornographic materials continue to proliferate, especially on the Internet. Among other things, obscene materials tarnish our national image, destroy marriages, and corrupt children. They also contribute to sexual exploitation of children, to trafficking in women and children and to rape. What is your position on enforcement of federal obscenity laws? If elected, will you do all in your power to see that these laws are vigorously enforced? The American people deserve an honest answer to these questions.

What is your position on enforcement of federal obscenity laws? If you support enforcement, will you nominate an Attorney General who supports vigorous enforcement of these laws? I would like an honest answer to these questions before I vote.

Sincerely,

Robert Peters
President of Morality in Media

I Have a Special Child

I have a special child
Her name is Jessica Faith
She has an extra gene
And a sweet angelic face

Her birthday was ordained
By our Precious Lord above
She arrived a few weeks early
And our hearts were filled with love

The doctor had bad news he said
She’s not a normal child
She has an extra chromosome
Down syndrome. I cried, then smiled.

My first thoughts were “I'm honored”
He hand picked this child for me
But soon I stopped and questioned
Dear Lord, “how can this be?”



Her early years were fragile
As she struggled to survive
There were many days I wondered
If she would ever thrive

She has been to many doctors
Had too many tests to count
Yet always shares her special joy
Beauty from the inside out

I have felt the stares of strangers
As they feel sorry for her plight
Yet Jessica has courage
She perseveres with all her might

This special gift named Jessica
Is teaching me everyday
That patience, faith and kindness
Must always lead the way



She has a warmth and humor
Of greeting young and old
She has never met a stranger
Her greeting never cold

One day she overheard me
Explain the Trinity
Hands high, “Good job, God!” she cried
Such simple purity

Some days I’m overwhelmed
By the weight and complexities
I often pray and wonder
What His purposes could be

My faith tells me that there’s purpose
For each one He does ordain
God has a special plan for us
Though the way be marked with pain

God’s own Son endured more pain
Than we will ever know
Thank you Lord for sacrifice
The greatest love You show

My prayer today is simple
Lord make me more like You
May I embrace my pain with joy
And do it all for you

I pray today for Jessica
That she will come to know
How deep, how high, how wide, how long
The Father’s love to show

Joy Grace Caldwell
Friday, August 15, 2008

Mom, I want this and I need that

I absolutely love and adore all of my girls. Not unlike most other mothers, I too have my moments (especially summer moments...) when I start feeling just a little ... okay ALOT... overwhelmed. I was having some moments today when I picked up my pen during lunch and started to write.

My day thus far had looked like this:

2:00 - 2:30 am - Up with Hannah Mae again - crying & fussy, (teething...) brought her to bed with me... still crying, now screaming, "where's the binky? I just put it in her mouth..." she's thrown it (mad!!!) blurry eyed, we can't find it anywhere - taking the bed apart in the dark - turn the light on. Still can't find it. Light off. Go back to nursery - look for another one. Found one. Nope - doesn't want it - throws that one - still screaming! "Do you want a bottle of milk?" I ask repeatedly as I stumble in the dark, searching for the light switch at the top of the stairs... let's try... off downstairs to the kitchen. Get the bottle, heating it in the microwave... ahh... we're getting quiet.

Next few hours: She's in bed between us - alternates between feet in one of our backs, stomachs, fingers in my nose, mouth, eyes... "Mommy, are you still there?" she seems to say with her hands as she tosses and turns back and forth... crying fussy again... "where's that binky now?" fishing around in the dark, one of us finds it and plugs it in again. We only do this several times...

Finally - it's time to get up. "Do I have to?", my body says, as Hannah Mae crawls over me, slides feet first down the bed to the floor. I quickly grab my glasses before she gets them from the nightstand beside me. Then the other child peeks her head up over the side of our bed. Oh yeah, I forgot. Haley slept on the floor beside Daddy's side of the bed for the first time in many years. (Got news last night that her mom is in hospital following an auto accident with a brain hemorrhage... she needed extra comfort and security last night... we're praying hard for Becky!) Paul is stirring beside me (working the evening shift today so he's still in bed - "slept in"). I reach out quickly to snuggle for 30 seconds and grab my good morning kiss. He gets up and goes downstairs for coffee. Haley takes his place beside me as we cuddle for a couple minutes... "Oops, there goes Hannah Mae. Quick... let's hope Daddy closed the gate behind him at the top of the stairs..."

We're up!

Then there's the phone call from Becky in hospital in Mississippi - under observation - not sure of the prognosis or treatment...

I help Haley send her Mom an e-mail through the hospital website. Then we order flowers....

Meantime, Paul has helped Jessica get up and fixed breakfast for all of us.

Then he's off to work... now the fun has really just begun...

Then there's the phone calls, get dressed for the day, change baby, get Haley to dress her, help Jeanna with physio exercises, dress Jessie, chase Hannah Mae....... sigh...

Drive Jeanna & Haley to the soccer field while we listen to Veggie Tales AGAIN for the zillionth time... I'm starting to feel a bit irritable - not Bob & Larry's fault - just me... probably lack of sleep...

Now I'm finally home again with Jessica and Hannah Mae sitting at the table eating lunch. "big sighs...." except that Jessica is "Miss Non-Stop Chatter"!... "Please!", I beg her, "Please, just stop talking and eat your lunch." I grab my pen and paper and start to write and this is what comes pouring out....

“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Edgy. Uptight. Irritable. Stressed.
What’s a mom to do?
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Dirty faces. Dirty feet.
Diapers. Tears and Non-stop chat.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Phone is ringing. Someone knocking.
Does anyone hear the dog barking?
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Dishes. Laundry. Making beds
Dr. Mom - dispensing meds.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Yes, Jeanna. No, Hannah Mae.
Maybe, Haley. Jessie, what did you say?
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Mom, I’m bored. Mom, I’m tired.
Mom, I’m hungry; I need a snack.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Can I watch TV? Go outside?
Playing soccer – No, not inside!
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Drive me here. Drive me there.
Driving children everywhere.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

McDonalds, Costco, Safeway, too.
Dairy Queen and the Zoo.
“Mom, I want this and I need that.”

Edgy. Uptight. Irritable. Stressed.
What’s a mom to do?
“Help me Lord! I want peace and I need You!”

Thursday, August 14, 2008
Joy Grace Caldwell

Yes, HE really is my answer and He brought the peace too! As I wrote, I was reminded of the many years that I cried, prayed and struggled to have children when all my friends around me were starting families and I had none. I longed for diapers, dishes, dirty faces and dirty feet, fingerprints on the walls and toys on the stairs. He answered my prayers and then some. He blessed my womb. He blessed our home. He's filled it with laughter and love. It really is good and I really wouldn't have it any other way. I'm just so very, very glad that when I do have "my moments" that I have HIM to turn to. He helps me re-focus on Him and all His blessings! "Children are a blessing; a heritage from the Lord." Thank you Lord for all your blessings and all your goodness to us.

Midnight Musings

It’s midnight. Quiet.
And here do I sit
With pen in my hand
And lamp dimly lit

All loved ones tucked in
Asleep and dreaming
Dreams of tomorrow
And what it may bring

I hear the soft tick
Of the clock by me
The hum of the fridge
And electricity

Wait - Footsteps? A voice?
A whimper? A tear?
It’s Haley. My gift.
My daughter. My dear.

Awake from her dream
She had a bad scare
She needed a hug,
A kiss and a prayer


I gently caressed
Her face and her hair
Kissed her wet cheek
And offered a prayer

She crawled back in bed
Next to her big sis
Where she fell asleep
Back to dreams and bliss

My eyes are now tired
A yawn, then a sigh
Yes, it’s time to sleep
It really is time

I’ll join my dear Paul
In our big comfy bed
Where I will now sleep
And dream in my head.


Of many more days
Yet to come with these
Precious dear darlings
God’s given to me

To love and cherish
To teach and to guide
One day at a time
With Christ by my side.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Joy Grace Caldwell